Rules

Momentum Soccer League Rules and Procedures

Created October 4, 2025 · Last revised January 22, 2026

The Momentum Soccer League is a limited liability company (LLC) whose mandate is to provide a venue for organized affiliated soccer for adults in the Greater Albuquerque area of New Mexico. Momentum Soccer is affiliated through FIFA, the US Soccer Federation, USASA, and NMSSA.

The rules and procedures that govern Momentum Soccer are set forth in this document. Unless specifically identified otherwise, all rules apply to every Momentum Soccer competition.

Section I — Rules of Play

The FIFA Laws of the Game shall apply to all matches unless otherwise stipulated below.

1. Substitutions

Unlimited substitutions are allowed in each game. A team may substitute at any stoppage of play, subject to referee approval. All substitutions must occur without delaying the restart, and the referee retains authority to restrict substitutions used for time-wasting purposes. Substitutions are most commonly made during:

• A goal kick or after a goal by either team.
• Half time.
• A throw-in (both teams may substitute during a throw-in).
• An injury.

Except at half time, the team must obtain the referee’s permission prior to making a substitution.

2. Uniforms

Every team must have numbered jerseys of similar color. Numbers must be visible and placed on the chest or center back of the jersey. Matching socks and shorts are encouraged but not required.

The home team (the team listed first on the schedule) is responsible for changing uniforms in the event of a color conflict. No tape or markers may be used to mark numbers on jerseys. Teammates may not exchange shirts during a match.

If a similarly colored jersey is used due to a shortage, the opposing team’s representative may appeal to the referee. The referee will rule on the conflict, and may disallow use of that shirt, in which case the player must change.

3. Player Safety and Equipment

Implementation of player safety regulations and enforcement of equipment guidelines are the responsibility of the referee.

a. Shin guards. All players must wear shin guards to play. Hard surfaces of shin guards must be covered with socks. Referees have been instructed to issue a yellow card to any player found on the field without shin guards after check-in.

b. Footwear. No shoes with front cleats may be worn. Baseball and football cleats are not permitted. Shoes with soles containing aluminum, leather, rubber, nylon, or plastic cleats, studs, or bars — whether molded as part of the sole or detachable — are allowed.

c. Jewelry and accessories. No jewelry, metal devices, or hazardous equipment may be worn. Watches such as a Fitbit or low-profile sports watch are allowed at the referee’s discretion. Any items worn by players must be inspected and approved in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game and at the referee’s discretion.

d. Casts. Casts may be allowed if they are padded and the referee approves them before the game, provided they pose no threat to other players.

4. Grace Period

Grace periods apply in both 11v11 and 9v9 competitions as follows.

11v11 Men’s and Coed (90-minute games)

A grace period of 10 minutes is given to teams that have fewer than 7 players at the scheduled kickoff time. A team must have 7 players to start or end a game. If a team does not have a minimum of 7 fully dressed players on the field within the grace period, the game shall be ruled a forfeit.

1. Once a team has 7 eligible, rostered players at the field, the team manager must ensure players are ready and call them onto the field so the game can start immediately.
2. The referee will warn or penalize players who delay the start by taking excessive time to get ready.
3. If a player is present at the game and purposefully refuses to step on the field — making it 7 players and allowing the game to start — at any time during the grace period, the game is forfeited.
4. Under special circumstances, both team representatives may agree to an additional 10-minute grace period, with the understanding that each half will be shortened by 10 minutes.
5. If a game is delayed due to lack of the minimum number of players, the referee will shorten the game by the number of minutes delayed.

For Coed matches: any combination of 7 players can start the game, with 1 goalkeeper and 6 field players. The goalkeeper may be male or female. The maximum number of men allowed on the field is 6 at any time, excluding the goalkeeper. Coed teams must have at least 1 female among the minimum 7 players to start the game.

9v9 Women’s (80-minute games)

All grace period rules from the 11v11 format apply, with the following adjustment: a game must start as soon as possible after scheduled kickoff time as long as a team has the required minimum of 5 players. A team must have a minimum of 5 players to start and end the game, otherwise the game is ruled a forfeit.

Purposeful delays by players refusing to step on the field to allow time for teammates to arrive are subject to the same sanctions as 11v11 matches.

5. Late Start

The referee may shorten a half — or each half — by 5 minutes to accommodate a 10-minute late start. The referee may not shorten the half-time break. The referee will advise team captains of any time changes prior to the start of the game.

6. Game Completion

If a game is abandoned by the referee due to weather conditions, the following applies.

a. Regular season, after first half. If abandonment occurs after the completion of the first half, the score at the time of abandonment shall stand as the final score.

b. Regular season, during first half. If abandonment occurs during the first half, the losing team may choose to accept the score without a reschedule. If the losing team chooses to reschedule, the rescheduled game will commence at the time at which the original game was abandoned (for example, the 16th minute) with the score as it stood at abandonment (for example, 3-1).

c. Playoffs and finals. The balance of an abandoned playoff game shall not be rescheduled, regardless of when abandonment occurs. The score at abandonment will stand.

7. Standings and Tiebreakers

Three points are awarded for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss.

In the event of a tie in points at the end of the season, standings are determined by the following tiebreakers, in order:

1. Head-to-head result. If one of those matches is a forfeit, the team that forfeited finishes lower in standings.
2. Overall goal differential.
3. Forfeiture record.
4. Most goals scored.
5. Fewest goals conceded.

8. Extreme Heat

Purpose. To ensure player safety during high-heat conditions by adjusting substitution rules and hydration opportunities.

Mandatory water breaks (heat index 85°F or higher). When the heat index reaches 85°F or higher:

1. One mandatory water break per half will be instituted around the midpoint of each half.
2. Water breaks count against match time. Each break shall be no longer than 2 minutes.
3. Referees will signal the end of the break and restart play once players have returned to the field.

Monitoring and enforcement.

1. The referee assignor is responsible for monitoring the heat index and lightning using a reliable weather source or device during games.
2. Heat index must be checked at game time.
3. The center referee will check with both team representatives if the heat index is over 85°F. If both teams agree to water breaks, breaks will be observed; if both teams deny, play continues without breaks.
4. These policies are mandatory and supersede normal league rules during applicable conditions.

9. Lightning Policy

1. If lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius of the fields, the referee will delay the match.
2. Play must be suspended for a minimum of 15 minutes before resuming.
3. The referee assignor is responsible for resuming games after lightning delays.
4. Games will resume once lightning is at or beyond a 10-mile radius of the fields.

Section II — Registration

Every team and every player participating in Momentum Soccer matches must be properly registered to be eligible to play. The registration process for 11v11 and 9v9 competitions is similar, though costs, fees, roster lock dates, and roster sizes differ as specified.

Effective the start of the 2025–2026 seasonal year (beginning December 1, 2025), all registration is handled through League LINQ. Procedures, dates, and costs are available in this document or at momentum.soccer.

Direct any questions on team or player registration to audrey.momentumsoccer@gmail.com.

1. Age Requirements

Players must be 18 or older to play in Momentum Soccer. 17-year-olds may participate provided the following conditions are met.

a. Safe Sport compliance. Every player under the age of 18 must have a signed Parental Waiver Form on file. Every adult player, manager, coach, team representative, or other team-specified official of a team with players under 18 must comply with current US Soccer Federation guidelines pertaining to Safe Sport policies and certification.

Per US Soccer Federation guidelines effective June 14, 2019: every adult player, manager, coach, team representative, or other team-specified official of a team with players under 18 must complete the online Safe Sport certification and provide proof to the League Director. Only after this requirement is met will the under-18 player be added to the team roster.

No player aged 16 or under will be allowed to play in the league.

b. Obtaining a Safe Sport certificate. Visit nmssa.net and navigate to Safe Sport, or email nmssasecretary0@gmail.com for more information.

c. Proof of age. As of September 1, 2017, any age-delineated league requires proof of age at registration by uploading a copy of a government-issued ID to League LINQ.

d. USASA age guidelines. A player must have his or her birthday within the calendar year of the season in question. Any player who turns 18 in the calendar year of the season is eligible to play in Momentum Soccer.

2. Refunds

a. Mid-season removal. If a rostered player is dropped from a team, a prorated refund will be issued based on the number of games left in the season. A formal request must be made to the League Director.

b. Pre-season withdrawal. If a player drops out of the league prior to the first game, the NMSSA Annual Pass is non-refundable, as it covers field and player insurance.

3. Team Changes During the Season

If a player changes teams during the season, the player must pay a $15 fee to move teams but does not need to sit out any games. To change teams, the player must notify the League Director, who will issue an invoice for the $15 fee.

4. Roster Lock Dates

For regular-season competition:

1. Rosters close at 8:00 PM the day before each scheduled game. (Saturdays at 8:00 PM prior to each Sunday game.)
2. Rosters are completely locked by 5:00 PM the day before the seventh scheduled game. No new players may be added or transferred from another team after that point. Teams may not have guest players in the finals.

5. Dual Registration

Dual registrations — a single player playing on more than one team in a given division — are not