Cape Cod Women's Soccer League

CCWSL Mission Statement

The mission of the Cape Cod Women's Soccer League is to provide an opportunity for women, aged 17 and over, to play soccer on the Cape. The league will offer both recreational and competitive opportunities. The league is for experienced players, but women of all levels are invited to participate.

The CCWSL hopes to promote the enjoyment of the sport of soccer and to contribute to the growth in popularity of the sport among women on Cape Cod.

League Philosophy

Coaches will play all registered players in each game. Playing time may vary per person and per game. If a team has no coach or team rep, players will decide their own playing time. Players must make a commitment to attend at least 75% of the games per season. If a player misses more than 3 games without a reasonable excuse, the CCWSL has the right to eliminate the player from the team's roster.

There will be no tryouts to enter the league. Registered players will be assigned to teams on a first come, first served basis. Returning players get priority, but must still register by the deadline. Each team will have a minimum of 11 players and a maximum of 22. Players may be added as season progresses if roster is cut short due to injury or withdrawal from the team.

While the level of play will be competitive, the league will not tolerate unsportsman like conduct on the part of any player or coach. Any intentional physical contact, beyond the level of fair play (with intent to injure) will not be tolerated. Inappropriate, abusive or foul language will not be tolerated.

CCWSL Rules

  1. The field should...
    • Be marked accordingly. (Boundary lines, a halfway line, a center circle, goal area lines, penalty area lines, corner area lines, and penalty kick stripes.)
    • Have corner flags or cones.
    • Have suitable goals and attached nets.
    • Have team and spectator areas (not behind net).
  2. The game ball should...
    • Be provided by the home team (2)
  3. Players and substitutes
    • A team must have 7 players to start a game.
    • The winner of the coin toss will get choice of end and the ball to start the 2nd half.
    • Either team may substitute between halves, goal kicks, goals, injuries and cautions (optional)
    • Either team may substitute on a possession throw-in provided non-possession team is at half field and ready to enter.
    • Substitutes will be at mid-field on the sidelines.
    • A goalkeeper may have possession of the ball for six seconds and free reign of movement within the penalty area after having obtained possession.
    • A goalkeeper may not touch the ball with her hands when receiving it directly from a throw-in or a kick back by a teammate.
  4. Player Equipment
    • Required equipment includes: jersey, shorts, socks, suitable shoes, and shin guards.
    • Goalies will have a distinctly different shirt than those of her teammates.
    • Caps or visors are legal for a goalkeeper.
    • Illegal equipment includes jewelry of any kind. Also, casts, metal splints, or knee braces of any kind with sharp edges are illegal. Braces can be legal with 100% coverage of polyurethane or an alternative material of the same thickness.
    • Hair control devices are permissible only if of soft material.
    • Coaches and team reps are responsible for making sure players are equipped properly.
  5. Timing and Length of Game
    • Two halves of 45 minutes.
    • 10-minute half-time intermission.
    • In the event a game must be suspended indefinitely, it shall be declared an official game if one half or more has been played.
    • The clock and time will be kept by the officials.
    • The clock will never be stopped, time can only be added.
    • (EXC. Unusual delay or suspension of play.)
  6. Ball Starts and Restarts
    • All ball starts, the ball needs only to be moved.
    • (EXC. PK's and kick-offs, the ball needs to move forward.
    • In case of temporary suspension of play because of an injury or unusual delay, the team in possession of the ball will keep it. (Indirect kick). If no team has possession at the time play is stopped, a drop ball is ruled.
  7. Scoring. You can't score on an...
    • Indirect kick, throw-in, or free kicks into one's own goal.
  8. Off-sides
    • All rules apply. (Even is on.)
    • Remember: No one is offsides on a shot; however, subsequent events may cause a player to be offsides on that play. Also, whether or not one is involved with the play will determine if player is offsides.
  9. Fouls and Misconducts
    • 2 Red Cards awarded to a player will result in league suspension for that player until the following season.
    • Please see Mission Statement for clarifications.
    • Emphasis also placed on time wasting tactics, excessive celebrations, and the caution/disqualification procedure.
  10. The officials shall be...
    • Dressed alike in gear specified by the league and its commissioner.
    • Knowledgeable of the league rules.
    • Fit to perform duties.
    • Aware of the Mission Statement and overall philosophy of the league.
    • Fair and unbiased.