2016/ 2017 Laws of the Game for Indoor Soccer

2016/ 2017 Laws of the Game for Indoor Soccer All basic rules of play as described by FIFA, USSF and USYSA will be used by TEAMWORKS and Indoor Sports with adaptations and exceptions as noted below. Law I The Field of play at Teamworks Field 1: 160 x 75 The flooring is Field Turf Field 2: 160 x 75 The flooring is Field Turf Field 3: 130 x 68 The flooring is Field Turf Law II The Ball The game ball may be supplied by TEAMWORKS but teams may bring and use their own soccer balls. (Teamworks is not liable for lost soccer balls) Division Ball Size Under 6 through Under 12 4 Under 14 through Adults 5 Law III Number of Players: Teams & Rosters A match is played by two teams. The first team listed on the schedule shall be the home team. The team roster shall not exceed fourteen (14) players. The team roster is frozen at the start of the third/fourth game (depending on length of session) and no more changes can be made for the remainder of the season. In all leagues, no player will be allowed to play without a Teamworks or Indoor Sports membership pass. Only players and coaches on the roster with passes are permitted in the bench area. Players on the Field Each team consists of five (5) field players and a goalkeeper. Minimum number of players needed to start play will be four (4), three (3) field players and a goalie. 1. Coed: At least one of the four players needed to start the game must be a female. Substitutions Substitutions are allowed on the fly at anytime. During substitutions the following conditions shall be observed: a) The player leaving the field shall do so through the door at the bench. No jumping over the boards is allowed. b) The player entering the field shall also do so through the door at the bench but not until the player leaving the field is within one yard from the door. If player entering the field touches the ball before player exiting the field gets off, play will be blown dead and possession turned over. Changing the Goalkeeper Any of the other players on a team may change places with the goalkeeper during a stoppage of play and/or provided that the referee is informed before the change is made. Goalkeepers can sub on the fly as long as the ref is informed. Last Revision: 7/7/2016 socrules page 1

Law IV Player Equipment: Required equipment for all players. Each team must have matching colored jerseys. All players must wear shin guards and socks. Outdoor cleats (except metal spikes) indoor turf shoe or sneaker. It is at the referee s discretion if a team is considered to have matching jerseys. Law V Referees: A referee will be appointed to officiate each game at all levels. Their power of penalizing shall extend to offenses committed when play has been temporarily suspended and when the ball is out of play. Their decisions connected with the game shall be final and unquestionable and shall be extended to players, coaches, and spectators. Referees have the discretionary power to stop the game for any violation (at his/her opinion) and to suspend or terminate the game whenever, by reason of the elements, interference by spectators, or other cause, he/she deems it necessary. A referee shall refrain from penalizing in cases where he is satisfied that, by doing so, he would be giving an advantage to the offending team. If the referee applies the advantage clause and the advantage which was anticipated does not develop at that time the referee shall penalize the original. Law VI Timekeeper/Scorekeeper: If there is a timekeeper, they will collect the ok to play card prior to the game. No game shall start until the ok to play card has been turned into the timekeeper/ref. This assures TEAMWORKS and/or Indoor Sports that the team is cleared to be on the field. The timekeeper will not add additional goals to the scoreboard when there is an 8-goal difference in the score. Any additional goals scored will be kept on the game report only. Law VII The Duration of the Game: All league matches will consist of two (2) twenty-five (25) minute running time halves with a two (2) minute break at half-time. No timeouts. All play-off games will be a 25 minute game. All finals will be one 25 minute game or two (2) twenty (20) minute halves. A referee may stop the clock in the last minute of the game for obvious game delaying tactics (i.e. kicking the ball away, standing in front of the ball, injury etc.). The clock will restart when the ball is kicked. Law VIII Start of Play: The team listed first on the schedule will be considered the home team. The home team will kick off the ball. When there is a jersey color conflict the home team will wear pinnies. The ball may be kicked either forward or backward. Every player shall be on their own side of the field and at least five yards from the ball or outside the center circle. The kicker may not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player. 1. ADULT thru U13 Levels: Kick-offs are Direct Kicks. (A goal can be scored directly from the kick-off.) YOUTH U8 - U12 Levels: Kick-offs are Indirect Kicks. (A goal can NOT be scored directly from the kickoff.) 2. The teams shall switch sides at half-time. 3. Stoppages of play for any unforeseen reason shall be restarted by an indirect kick by the team that, in the referee s discretion, last had possession of the ball. Law IX Ball In and Out of Play: Last Revision: 7/7/2016 socrules page 2

The ball is out of play when it touches any part of the netting outside or above the dasher boards. Restarts for balls going out of bounds shall be an indirect free kick from the point closest to the dasher boards where the ball went out of bounds. Balls going out over the Plexiglas or hitting the netting above the Plexiglas behind the net will be restarted by a goal kick or corner kick. Any balls striking the Plexiglas directly above the goals and bouncing back into the field of play will be considered in play. Balls kicked up into and touching the ceiling will be restarted by an indirect free kick from the place where the ball hit. The defending team shall stand at least three (3) yards from the ball for all free kicks and kick-ins. The offensive team, including the goalkeeper, shall have six (6) seconds to put the ball back into play once they are in possession of the ball. Failure to do so will result in the ball being turned over to the opposing team with an indirect free kick. If the goalkeeper does not play the ball in six (6) seconds the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick outside the penalty area. After a save, the goalkeeper can play the ball at his feet or he must put the ball back into play by a goalie throw to another player. There will be no punting or drop kicking of the ball by a goalkeeper. Ball must be flat on the ground and played. NO bouncing ball at any time. If this occurs, the result will be an indirect kick for the opposing team at the closest spot outside the goal box. Any ball passing over the midfield line in the air either by a goal kick or goalie throw without touching another player of either team or the field will be considered a midfield line violation and result is an indirect free kick from the midfield line for the opposing team. Law X Method of Scoring: A goal is scored when the ball passes completely over the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross bar. Contact with the back goal in any way will be called a goal, at the refs discretion. The team with the greatest number of goals shall be declared the winner. If at the end of play, teams have the same number of goals the game shall be considered a draw. Law XI Off-sides: There is no off-sides rule in the game of indoor soccer. Law XII Fouls and Misconduct: (All Ref Discretion) A. A direct free kick will be awarded if a player: Kicks the ball while on the ground (Dangerous play) Obstructs an opponent with no attempt to play the ball Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent Trips or attempts to trip an opponent Jumps at an opponent Charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner Charges an opponent from behind Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent Holds an opponent Pushes an opponent Charges the goalkeeper while he/she possesses the ball in their hands Slides or slide tackles any sort of slide by a field player whether going for the ball or not, no matter if contact is made or not, is considered a slide If any of the above is committed by a defending player within the penalty area, a penalty kick should be awarded against their team. Last Revision: 7/7/2016 socrules page 3

B. An indirect free kick will be awarded if a player: When playing as a goalkeeper and within their own penalty area; o The goalie throws the ball past the middle line or if a goal kick goes over the midfield line without touching a player, the boards, or the field. o The goalie picks up the ball if the ball is deliberately passed back to the goalkeeper by their own teammate. Indulges in time-wasting tactics C. A two minute penalty will be awarded if a player: Persistently infringes the laws of the game Delays the restart of play Shows dissent by word or action Enters the field before the player they are substituting for is within one (1) yard of the bench In the opinion of the referee commits a foul that is reckless or uses disproportionate force Holds an opponent or opponents clothing in order to impede their movement Steps onto the field of play with inappropriate or missing equipment (such as playing without shin-guards, dangerous jewelry, etc.) When a player receives a two minute penalty, that player will serve the two minutes in the penalty box, and his/her team will play short-handed for the two minutes. In the event of a goal by the opposing team, the team is no longer required to play short-handed. If a goalkeeper is given a two minute penalty, another player from the team may serve the penalty for the goalkeeper. If players from each team simultaneously receive two minute penalties, both players must serve the entire penalty regardless of any goal being scored during that time. D. A yellow card will be awarded if a player: Persistently infringes the laws of the game and has already received a two minute penalty for this action Shows by word or action, dissent with any decision by the referee Is being guilty of ungentlemanly conduct. When a player is shown a yellow card that player will serve a full five minutes in the penalty box, and his /her team will play short-handed for the five minutes. In the event of a goal by the opposing team, the player will not be allowed back on the field. The team must play short-handed for the full five minutes. After a yellow card offense, play will resume with a direct free kick. E. A red card will be awarded if a player: Is guilty of serious foul play Is guilty of violent conduct Uses foul or abusive language Is guilty for the second time of a cautionable offense. The red card must be shown to the player, the player must leave the field and the bench area and their team will play short-handed for a full five minutes. The expelled player will automatically be suspended for one week and may receive additional suspension depending on the severity of the incident. After a red card offense, play will resume with a direct free kick. (If the expelled player is involved with other teams in other leagues and/or nights that player will not be able to play until the suspension has expired.) Last Revision: 7/7/2016 socrules page 4

Any player who has been shown a red card before the match begins may be replaced by another player. Any player (whether on the field or on the bench) that is shown a red card during the match shall cause his/her team to play one player short for a full five minutes. Any player that has been shown a red card must leave the team bench area, and at the discretion of the facility management, may also be asked to leave the building and will be suspended for a minimum of one week from all leagues that he/she participates in. Players/coaches may not sit in the team s bench area when they are serving a suspension. LawXIII Heading Rule: As stated by US Soccer there shall be no heading of the ball under the age of U12 (U12 and under) Any instance where there is contact with a players head and the ball and deemed intentional shall be penalized with an indirect free kick All heading incidents shall be at the refs discretion If heading occurs in the box then there shall be an indirect free kick at the edge of the box closest to the incident Law XIV Free Kick: As stated by FIFA with the following additions: All players on the opposing team must be at least three (3) yards from the ball when the free kick is being taken. If the team taking the free kick takes more than six (6) seconds the opposing team gets an indirect kick. If a foul resulting in an indirect free kick is called within the defending team s goalie box, the ball shall be placed at the closest point on the edge of the goalie box. Whoever kicks the ball into play on a free kick may not play the ball again until another player has played the ball. (Ex. Players can not use the boards to play the ball to themselves.) Law XV Penalty Kick: Penalty kicks will be taken from the penalty spot on each field, which is the top of the goal box. There is no limit on how many steps you can take before you shoot. A goal keeper is permitted to move his feet while remaining on the line (i.e. moving sideways or up and down), but is not permitted to come off the line by stepping or lunging forward until the ball has been played. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward. When a penalty kick is issued during the course of a game, the player that committed the foul will be issued a two minute penalty at the refs discretion. If the penalty is scored, that player me re-enter the game. Law XVI Throw-In: There will be no throw-ins. There will only be kick-ins which are indirect free kicks. Law XVII Goal Kick: A goal kick will be taken by the defending team any time a ball leaves the area of play over any point of the goal or the curved sections of Plexiglas or dasher board and is last touched by the attacking team. The goal kick may be taken from anywhere within the goal area. Law XVIII Corner Kick: A corner kick will be taken by the attacking team any time a ball leaves the area of play over any point of the goal or the curved sections of Plexiglas or dasher board and is last touched by the defending team. The corner kick shall be taken from the designated spot on each field. Last Revision: 7/7/2016 socrules page 5

Corner kicks are DIRECT kicks. General Rules 1. All referee decisions are final. All ref complaints must be voiced by the coach/captain of each team, NO EXCEPTIONS. Parent/spectator complaints will be heard but not considered valid until coach/captain has contacted the League Director. There will be no confronting of any referees. Any individual who threatens a referee shall be expelled from the TEAMWORKS and/or Indoor Sports facilities for a minimum of one (1) year. Management will not hear complaints concerning referees, except in writing on the form provided at the front desk. Management and the referee assignor will review all referee complaints. 2. Violent Play: The referees are instructed to be wary of fouls (pushes, attempts to kick the opponent s legs, etc.) downfield away from the primary action. Any player being called for any foul under these conditions will be given a yellow card and the game will restart with a direct free kick. A second offense by the same player will result in a red card. 3. All red cards issued for fighting will result in a minimum five game suspension. The suspension begins on the day the red card is given and is served for consecutive weeks for the duration of the suspension. The player with a suspension will not be allowed to play in any other league or facility in the Teamworks or Indoor Sports organization. 4. Any team that clears its bench area to become engaged in a fight with the opposing team will forfeit that game and its next regularly scheduled game. The term bench clearing means one or more players leaving the bench area during an altercation. A second offense by the same team will result in an ejection from TEAMWORKS and/or Indoor Sports for at least the remainder of the season without refund of applicable league fees. 5. A fight that starts after the conclusion of a game will result in a forfeit for both teams of their next regularly scheduled game and possibly further suspension. 6. Due to time constraints, the clock will not be stopped for any reason except for a serious injury incurred in the last three minutes of the game if the score is within three goals and at the referee s discretion. As player safety is our primary concern, an injury will be treated after play has been stopped, while the clock is running. The referee may put up to two minutes back on the clock after the injury is treated. o A referee may stop the clock in the last minute of the game for obvious game delaying tactics (i.e. kicking the ball away, standing in front of the ball, etc.). The clock will restart when the ball is kicked. 7. If a team wants to dispute another team s roster it must be done before the start of the game and brought to the attention of the Manager on Duty. Violations of the roster will result in a forfeit and removal from the league if deemed necessary by the League Director. 8. Board of Appeals: Any long-term suspension may be appealed and will go through an appeals process. The appeal must be in writing. Teamworks and Indoor Sports management team will make the final decision on all suspensions. Rules Specific to COED Soccer (High School & Adult) Each team must have a minimum of two females on the roster and on the field at all times. If a team plays with one female they must play down a player. If a team has no females present at a game, the game is reported as a forfeit. NO EXCEPTIONS! If a team utilizes players from another team, the game is a forfeit unless the referee, timekeeper and both teams are notified and agree before the start of the game of the illegal player. Gentlemen s Rule REMINDER: All the coed soccer leagues are for fun and recreation. All players are to keep in mind that a suspension may be given for inappropriate actions without a red card being issued by a referee. The Last Revision: 7/7/2016 socrules page 6

suspension will be issued by the Teamworks and/or Indoor Sports staff upon review of the score sheets and the notations from the referee and timekeeper. Rules Specific to Youth Soccer 1. TEAMWORKS and Indoor Sports reserve the right to move teams into different age group brackets for the purpose of maintaining parity. (Ex: U10B to U10A) 2. Role of the Coach Coaches but have access to all player Membership cards at the start of each game Player cards must be presented on request from the ref or timekeeper 3. All rosters must be submitted prior to the first game. Roster changes MUST be made PRIOR to the 3 rd game. Each team s roster will be FROZEN at the start of their 3 rd game. 4. Players will not be able to duel roster in the same league. Games where players play on multiple teams in the same league without the consent of the other team coach/captain will result in a forfeit. Players may fill in for another team only if there are limited numbers and the other team consents to the player subbing. 5. The home team must change shirts if both teams are wearing the same color. Pinnies will be available at each field by the timekeeper. Pinnies must be returned to the timekeeper at the end of the game. 6. Players and coaches must enter the team bench areas through the main field entrance only. Players arriving after the start of play may enter the field only at a stoppage of play (i.e. after a goal, half time, injury stoppage and/or at the referee s discretion. Any player running across the field of play during a game will incur a two (2) minute penalty for their team. 7. A forfeit will occur when: A team has less than four (4) players at the start of the game. Any team without four players at their designated game time will be given a five (5) minute grace period. The clock will start on the hour and continue to run. If other team members arrive the game will begin with the clock in progress. If at the end of the five (5) minute grace period (at the twenty-minute mark) a team still cannot field at least four (4) players, the game will be a forfeit. Forfeited games will be scored 3-0. 8. Tiebreakers will be as follows: 1-Record, 2-Head-to-head, 3-Goal differential 9. All playoff games must declare a winner. In the case of a tie at the end of regulation time, the teams will play one (five) 5 minute overtime period. The first one to score will win the game. If necessary, penalty kicks (as stated by FIFA) will then be taken to declare a winner. Penalty Kicks will be TOP 3. Only the 6 players remaining on the field at the end of overtime are eligible to take the Penalty Kicks. 10. Scheduling changes, standings, notices etc. will be posted on the website www.teamworksacton.com Players/coaches are responsible for checking the website for any changes on a daily basis. Failure to check the website is not a valid excuse for missing a rescheduled game, play-off game, etc. 11. All schedule changes will be communicated via email so please make sure your contact email is up to date in the Teamworks system. 12. During inclement weather all teams will be expected to report to TEAMWORKS and/or Indoor Sports. Cancellation information will be made available on the website. Last Revision: 7/7/2016 socrules page 7

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