Baron Football League : Additional Laws to those within IFAB
On Field: Seven versus Seven (one Keeper, six others)
Co-Ed Teams: mixed or not, no limitations or required numbers
Register and Play: Ages 19+ are welcome to with reminders of our Mandate
BFL Mandate: Teams are Balanced based upon skills and ages of Players;
Players may be requested to relocate to ensure equal talents exist on all Teams
Teams that refuse to adhere to the “Balance Mandate” are welcome to continue playing but will not be awarded any Trophies/Awards upon Season end
We welcome All Players of different abilities, backgrounds and orientations. From Beginners who want to learn the game, to REC players who want to socialize and have a sweat to former Professionals who want to have fun and impart their experiences to others!
Game Duration: 2 x 25 minutes
Indoor Season: 20+ games (events beyond our control may adjust this amount)
Outdoor Season: 20+ games (events beyond our control may adjust this amount)
BFL Round Robin Play: Each team plays each opponent at least twice in their Group
Baron’s Cup Mini Tournaments: at least three per Season
Baron Pokal: Schedule depending on Round Robin Ranking (Random Seeding)
Baron’s Champion League: BFL Cup, Baron Pokal, Baron Cup Winner Match ups
ALL games Officiated by a Referee in accordance with Ontario Soccer Association
Law Four Strictly Enforced: Shin Guards Mandatory
Slide Tackling: Not permitted around other players
Keeper Sliding: permitted if considered safe and within penalty area
Ball hits ceiling (Indoor): Indirect Free Kick to the opposing team
Free Kicks (Indoor): Indirect Free Kick on all Kicks (including Kick-Off and Corners)
Free Kicks (Outdoor): Direct and Indirect (as per the Laws of the Game)
Match Points in BFL: 3 a win, 1 a draw
Player Points Goals: 2 for Goal, + 2 for Game Winning, Short Handed and Power Play
Player Points Assists: 1 for Assist, +1 for Game Winning, Short Handed and Power Play
Keeper Points: 3 for a win, 1 for a tie, +5 each shut out
Baron’s Tournament Points: as per Tournament assignment
Yellow Card: Team plays short 2 minutes
Yellow Card: Accumulation of every three in Ten Games is a game suspension
Yellow Card: Accumulation of Three within Seven Games is an extra game suspension
Red Card: Team plays 5 minutes short; Player thus awarded must leave the Pitch
Red Card: Minimum 2 game Suspension plus extra (based on Tribunal Judgement)
Red Card: Two within a Season may be possible expulsion and banning from League
Note on Cards: Situations can be complicated and will be Reviewed by Committee
Zero Tolerance on ANY Type of Verbal Abuse (Safe Soccer)
Zero Tolerance on ANY type of Physical Violence (Safe Soccer)
We reserve the Right to Expel those who violate Safe Soccer without refunds
The BFL is a “Minimal Contact Competition”
Do not play at Full intensity; be mindful of those with whom you play!
Use Proper Judgement and Err on the side of Caution
We have varying talents and abilities, enjoy our Diversity within the Beautiful Game
Injuries diminish all of us; let’s take a little extra time to consider our actions
If you are getting heated/upset/frustrated SUBSTITUTE OFF
Officials may Penalize Situations if, in their judgement, the Spirit of the BFL is violated.
Most importantly: HAVE FUN and create Memories that will Last a Lifetime!
The Baron Football League is Sanctioned and works in Partnership with Ontario Soccer.
League discipline shall be governed by the policies set out by the Baron Football League and Ontario Soccer section 12 Discipline.
What to Expect when you’re Refereeing in the Baron Football League
As an Official in the BFL, we abide by all Laws of the Game in the current IFAB Book.
Here are some additional laws that will make things easier for Players and Referees.
Law Four:
Please familiarize yourself with the Jewelry Laws.
Shin Guards and proper shoe wear are mandatory
Anything worn cannot prove a possible danger to other players
Law Twelve:
The Baron Football League is not meant to be played at FULL INTENSITY.
The Baron Football League is a minimal contact sport. Football is a contact sport. But contact between players should not be often, nor should it lead to danger (even if careless).
The Referee must use their judgement when calling a play down due to contact. If the players are enjoying the play, not being put off balance, not being targeted from behind, etc (being careful) the Official may allow play to continue.
Should the play obviously affect a player, then the Referee is free to call for a kick.
There are NO slide tackles with the exception of the Keeper, who must always do so to avoid injury. And only in their penalty area.
Sliding by Players is permitted so long as there is no threat to another Player’s safety.
Examples:
Player A and Player B are attempting to gain control of the ball. Player B is nudged with extra force, taking her off balance. Should the Referee decide, an indirect kick is awarded to Player B.
Player C gets the ball after the Keeper dives and misses the catch. Player C should use proper judgement on kicking the ball to avoid any injury to the Keeper.
Attacking Player kicks a long shot on the ground past the Keeper. A Defending player slides to save the play from entering the Goal. No one is around so this is permitted as a reasonable action.
Referees are permitted to send players to substitution to avoid frustration and anger issues. A player must either sub off and rest or take a Yellow Card and accept resulting sanction; these are the options available for the Official.
Examples:
Player D is upset with the actions of a completed play. Colourful Metaphors and body language indicate that this may be a possible issue to other players. A quick Substitution should allow the Player to cool down and resume the game in the Spirit of the BFL.
Player E and the opposing Player F get into a heated tackle. The Referee blows the play dead and instructs the two to either substitute or receive Yellow Cards with the proper sanction.
Law 10: RESTART OF PLAY
INDOOR:
Should the ball hit the Roof, an Indirect Free Kick is awarded to the opposing team
All Free Kicks are Indirect (including Corners, Kick-Off and Goal Kicks)
Penalty Kicks are always Direct kicks
OUTDOOR:
Indirect and Direct as per the Laws of the Game
Law 12: FOULS and MISCONDUCTS
A Yellow Card issued is a SIN BIN for 2 minutes for the player awarded
A Second Yellow Card issued is a Dismissal and 5 minutes to the team awarded short handed. The Player may remain in the Stands but must not interfere with the game. Should the player interfere, the Player must leave the Pitch and a note made in the game sheet (for further discipline).
A Red Card is 5 minutes short to the team awarded. The Player must remove themselves from the pitch and anywhere nearby for the duration of the game in reasonable time (given that Indoor it may be cold and a change of clothes may be required).
Should a Yellow Card be issued to someone currently not playing (i.e. Substitute), the team penalized will send a man off to serve the time.
Should a Red Card be issued to someone currently not playing (i.e. Substitute), the team penalized will send a man off the pitch to serve the time.
There is no Slide Tackling. This results in a Free Kick (and additional sanction should it be required)
Players are allowed to play the ball on the ground. If there is a potential of injury, the Official will call the play for an indirect Free Kick
If, in the Official’s Judgement, a player should substitute due to Aggression, Frustration, etc, the Referee has the right to request that player immediately substitute OR take a Yellow Card. The Player may return in reasonable time as per the Official.
An Indirect Kick will be awarded to any Player who violates the “minimal contact” Spirt of the BFL. Referees must use judgement and awareness in conflicts between the varying abilities of those enjoying the game.
If a call is made in the Spirit of Minimal Contact, the ball is given to the Keeper of the recipient and replay restarted in the Goal Area.