How to Organize a Soccer League

A soccer league consists of an even number of competitive teams. The format of a league is the same everywhere. A team is awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss. Over the season, each time plays all of the other teams at least twice -- once on their home field and once away. At the end of the season, the team with the highest total wins. Organizing a soccer league is an effective way to encourage more people to enjoy the game.

Things You'll Need

  • League sanction application form
  • Fixture list
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Instructions

    • 1

      Recruit teams for your league. Speak to other teams in your local area that aren't currently in a league system and invite them to join your league. You can create a competitive league with about 10 teams.

    • 2

      Sanction your league. US Club Soccer is a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote the game of soccer in America. It is a member of the U.S. Soccer Federation and it runs leagues in 50 states. Visit the US Club Soccer website to download a sanction application form. There are three different league categories: youth competitive league, youth recreational and adult. Select the one that best suits your league. Complete the form and return it to US Club Soccer.

    • 3

      Appoint a league secretary. Once the league is sanctioned, you need someone to administer it. The league secretary is responsible for recording results, handling disciplinary procedures such as player suspensions and liaising with match officials.

    • 4
      It's rare for amateur teams to have floodlights for night games.

      Publish a fixture list. Include the location and kick-off time for each game and send it to all of the competing teams at least three weeks in advance of the first game. Keep in mind distances between teams when planning kick-off times. If a team doesn't have access to a flood-lit field, they won't be able to play matches at night.

    • 5

      Collate the match data. Organize for a representative of each club to send you a match report from each game. This must include the final score, the score at half time and a list of goal scorers. It must also include the time of the game at which each goal was scored. If any players received a yellow or red card, this must be recorded. Players who receive a red card must be suspended from the subsequent three games.

    • 6

      Publish the league table. After each round of league games is complete, update the league table to reflect the latest results. Goal difference is used to separate teams that have equal points. To calculate a team's goal difference, subtract the total number of goals conceded from the the total number of goals scored throughout the season. If two teams are equal on points and goal difference, use goals scored to separate them. In the unlikely even that the teams are still level, use their head-to-head results to break the deadlock.