Sportplex West Indoor Soccer Rules

(The following rules are specific to the athletic facility at Sportsplex West)

 The Playing Court Dimensions at Sportsplex West:

The Substitution Zone:

The substitution zone is on the same side of the playing court as the teams’ benches and directly in front of them. This is where the players enter and leave the playing court for substitutions.

Goals:

· Size: #5-Adult (U11 and above), Size: #3-Jr (U10 and below) 

· Special Weighted Low Bounce Ball

· U6 - 3 v 3 no keeper and U8 - 4 v 4 no keeper

· U10 and U12 - Consist of no more than five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper (5 v 5).

· U14 through Adults – Consist of no more than six players, one of whom is the goalkeeper (6 v 6).

· Maximum roster limit is 2 times the number of players on the field.

· Substitution Limit: None

· Substitution Method: "Flying substitution" all players but the goalkeeper enter and leave as they please.

· Goalkeeper substitutions can only be made when the ball is out of play and with a referee's consent. 

· Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of misconduct, violent conduct or other unsportsman like behavior.

· Ensures that no unauthorized person enters the court.

· Power Unique to Main Referee: Can overrule second referee's calls.

· Enforces the Laws of the game

· Apply the advantage rule

· Keeps a record of all incidents before, during and after game and provides a game report the appropriate authorities.

· Stops, suspends or terminates the game for any reason including: infringement of the rules, outside interference or injury.

Second Referee (When applicable):

· Duties: Same as Main Referee, appointed to operate the opposite side of the playing court to the main referee.

· Keep a check on the 2-minute punishment period after a player has been sent off, ensuring that substitutions are carried out properly. 

The Start of Play Procedure:

Ball in and out of Play:

· Ball out of play:

     ·   When it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline    

·   When the game has been stopped by a referee.

·   When the ball hits the ceiling will result in a restart with the ball placed on touchline nearest to point of impact.

· Lines: Touchlines and goal lines are considered inside the playing area. 

Direct free kick:

awarded when a player intentionally commits any of the following 11 offenses (penalty kick awarded when infringement takes place in penalty area):

(a) kicking or attempting to kick an opponent

(b) tripping an opponent

(c) jumping at an opponent

(d) charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner

(e) charging an opponent from behind

(f) striking, attempting to strike, or spitting at an opponent

(g) holding an opponent

(h) pushing an opponent

(i) charging an opponent with shoulder (i.e., shoulder charge)

(j) sliding at an opponent (i.e., sliding tackle)

(k) handling the ball (except goalkeeper)

· dangerous play (e.g. attempting to kick ball held by goalkeeper)

· Obstruction

· charging the goalkeeper in the penalty area (i.e., goalkeeper charge)

· Goalkeeper throws ball directly over the halfway-line (without it first touching his own side of the court or any player)

· Goalkeeper picks up or touches with his hands a back pass

· Goalkeeper picks up or touches with his hands a kick-in from a teammate 

· A substituting player enters the court from an incorrect position or before the player he is substituting has entirely left the court

· They show dissent with any decision of the referee 

· (a) serious foul play

· (b) violent conduct

· (c) foul or abusive language

· (d) second instance of cautionable offense (i.e., second yellow card)

· (e) intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity (e.g. through a "professional foul") 

· The player sent off is out for the rest of the game and is not even permitted to sit on the reserves' bench.

· The league officials reserve the right to remove players/coaches/fans from play and from the premises if in fact the actions of the player and/or coach/fan are not in conjunction with good sportsmanship and fair play. There is a no tolerance policy in that regard. The officials and staff have final say in all incidents. Players/coaches/teams/fans may also be removed from the league if in fact the incident is warranted out of line. Coaches are ultimately responsible for fan behavior and can be asked to control fan behavior at the official’s request. Building management will make the final determination based on the information gained from employees of the league.

· The team of the player sent off can substitute for that player after 2 minutes of playing time or after the opposing team scores -- whichever comes first.

· The 2-minute punishment shall be checked by the referee or assistant referee. 

Play will be stopped

The offending player or substitute will be cautioned/yellow card

Play will be resumed with an IFK (indirect free kick) by the non-offending team from the place where the ball was when the game was stopped.

If the ball was in the penalty area when the play was stopped, the IFK will be taken from the penalty area line, at the place closest to the place where the ball was when play was stopped. 

Goalkeeper must throw or roll the ball insuring that it touches the floor or any other player on the goalkeeper’s defensive half of the court.

Goalkeeper may not punt or drop kick the ball. If the ball touches in the offensive half of play without first meeting the law then it shall be punished by an Indirect Free Kick for the opposing team taken from anywhere on the half-way line.

On a non-goal clearance, the goalkeeper may put the ball on the floor and play it as any other player except with a 4-second limitation.

A punt or drop kick is always punished by an Indirect Free Kick for the opposing team taken from anywhere on the halfway line (goal clearance or non-goal clearance and no matter how far it is kicked).

The goalkeeper may receive the ball from his teammates and play as any other field player (using their feet) at any time. The provision requiring the ball to first be taken across the halfway line before being played back to the goalkeeper, where the goalkeeper plays as any other field player, is suspended, and will not be enforced.

The goalkeeper, whether playing as a goalkeeper (using their hands), or playing as a field player (using their feet) in their own defensive half may not possess the ball for more than 4 seconds. If the goalkeeper violates the rule then the opposing team will be awarded an Indirect Free Kick from the point of the infraction (unless it is inside the Penalty Area, in which case the IFK shall be taken from the Penalty Area line nearest the point of the infraction).

· To be taken from the penalty mark on the mid-point of the penalty line.

· The kicker is to aim at goal, with the intention of scoring.

· All players must be out of the penalty area, and the players of the opposing team must also be at least 5 yards (15’) from the penalty spot.

· The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

· To be taken in place of the throw-in.

· The ball is placed on the touch line before kicking. Lines: Touchlines and goal lines are considered inside the playing area, which means if a player kicks the ball and the ball goes out then the ball is awarded to the opposing team. (This rule is different than outdoor rules. There is not a do over because the ball starts in)

· The kicker's foot not kicking the ball must be outside or at least on the touchline; if it crosses the touchline all of the way, into the court, the kick-in is given to the opposing team.

· The kick-in must be taken within 4 seconds; if it is not, the kick-in is given to the opposing team.

· The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been played by another player; infringement of this rule entail an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the point of infringement.

· Players on opposing team must be at least 3 yards (9’) away from point of kick-in.

· Cannot score directly from a kick-in unless it has been deflected off of a player from either team.

· If the kicking team violates the procedure for a kick-in, the ball is awarded to the opposing team as a kick-in.

Procedures:

· The goalkeeper must THROW or drop kick the ball (this includes rolling the ball directly from his hands) - Kicks, Punts or Drop Kicks are not allowed

· The ball must leave the penalty area (on the ground or in the air) to be in play.

· If the ball is not thrown outside the penalty area, the goal clearance is retaken (Punts and drop kicks are punished with an IFK from the half-line).

· If the goalkeeper is the first player to touch the ball after putting it into play, the second touch infringement is an IFK from the place of the second touch

· While in his penalty area, the goalkeeper may not drop kick the ball across the half-way line without the ball first touching the floor or any other

· The goalkeeper must release the ball into play within 4 seconds. If he does not, the ball is awarded to the opponents as an IFK from the nearest point on the penalty line

· Local Rule: While in his penalty area, the goalkeeper may not throw the ball across the half-way line without the ball first touching the floor or any other player on the goalkeeper’s defensive half of the court.

· If the ball is not thrown directly beyond the penalty area the goal clearance is retaken.

· If the ball touches in the offensive half of play without first meeting the law then it shall be punished by an Indirect Free Kick for the opposing team taken from anywhere on the half-way line.

· Ball placed in the corner-kick arc. If ball is misplaced, the corner kick is taken over

· Must be taken within 4 seconds: infringement of this rule will award an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the corner mark

· The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until another player has played it; infringement of this rule will award an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the point of infringement

· Players on opposing team must be at least 5 yards (15') away from point of the corner kick.

· Players can score goal directly from a corner kick.

COED TEAM POLICY: (NEW)

(This applies to all coed teams playing in any coed division)

·          There have to be 2 females on the field of play at all times. 

·          If for some reason a team only has 1 female on the field of play then the coed team will play short 1 player. 

·          If a team ends up with no females on the field of play for whatever reason – gone, injured, etc… then the coed team will play short 2 players (4 vs. 6).