A Short Course on Soccer Rules & Regulations...

1. RULES OF PLAY: Except as otherwise provided, the FIFA "Laws of the game" shall apply to Recreational (Division II and III) competition sponsored by the South Mississippi Soccer Club (SMSC).
2. REFEREES: The Referee is the final word during a game. The Referees are trained in the "Laws of the Game". A Referee shall be appointed to officiate in each game. His/Her authority and the exercise of the powers granted to him/her by the Laws of the Game commence as soon as he/she enters the field of play. Their power of penalizing shall extend to offenses committed when play is temporarily suspended, or when the ball is out of play. Their decision on points of fact connected with the play shall be final, so far as the result of the game is concerned. They enforce the laws. They have discretionary power to stop the game for any infringement of the Laws and to suspend or terminate the game whenever, by reason of the elements, interference by spectators, or other cause, he/she deems such a stoppage necessary.
3. TEAM ROSTERS: A team roster for each team must be completed and turned into the appropriate Commissioner prior to any games being sanctioned. Roster includes players, coaches and parents.
4. GAMES: Head coaches are responsible for calling the Commissioner after every game and relay the final score of that game to the Commissioner. Failure to do so will cause a zero to be scored for that game.
5. POST SEASON PLAY: Post season play will be decided by an end-of-season tournament. Division standings will be kept by the respective Commissioners. Division standings will be based on the won/lost/tie record using the following system:
   1. Two (2) points for a win.
   2. One (1) point for a tie.
   3. Zero (0) points for a loss