INDOOR SOCCER LAWS OF THE GAME
FIFA OUTDOOR RULES APPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS
I. THE FIELD OF PLAY
OVERALL ATTRIBUTES:
Two fields are 180 feet in length and 90 feet in width
The third field is 192 feet in length by 90 feet in width
Combined all three fields cover 202 feet X 290 feet
MARKINGS:
Halfway Line and Center Spot - A half way line is marked across the field of play. A center spot is marked in the middle of this line and a circle with a 15-foot radius is marked around it. All players must remain behind the circle on all kick offs.
One Third Field Lines - A line marking is placed across the field 30 feet into each half of the field of play measured from the half-way line to indicate three line violations.
Penalty Area - At each end of the field of play, two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line on the outside of each goal. A line drawn parallel with the goal line joins these lines. The area enclosed by these lines and the goal line, plus the area inside the goal is the Penalty Area.
Penalty Kick Mark - The Penalty Kick Mark is at the top of gold circle at the top of the penalty area.
II. THE BALL
U12 and younger - Size 4 Ball
All other divisions - Size 5 Ball
III. NUMBER OF PLAYERS
U-12 and under will have 7 players on the field; one goalkeeper and six field players with no less than 4 players on the field to start the game.
U-13 to Adults will have 6 players, one goalkeeper and five field players, with no less than 3 players on the field to start the game. Coed Adult will have 7 players, 3 men and 3 women, and a goalie which can be either a man or woman. The maximum amount of men on the field at any one time is 4. If a woman takes a man’s spot, she should be identified with a pinnie and be treated like a man on the field.
SUBSTITUTIONS -
Teams are allowed UNLIMITED substitutions during the game, "ON THE FLY" substitutions are allowed. A player to be subbed must be three feet away from the sideline before the subbing player enters the field.
No Guaranteed Substitutions in the last two minutes of the game.
IV. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT
CLEATS ARE NOT ALLOWED. Sneakers, indoor soccer shoes or turf shoes are permitted. Players will not be allowed to participate until their equipment meets with the approval of the referee. If a player is found to be wearing cleats during a game they will be sent off the field and not allowed to return to that game. This will not result in a red card game suspension.
V. REFEREES
The referee is responsible for the following:
a. Operating the score board
b. Signaling a 3 line violation
VI. DURATION OF GAME:
All games will play two 26-minute halves with a halftime. The referee may shorten the halftime interval depending on time. The clock will run at all times except in the case of an unusual delay, determined by the referee. If the clock is inoperable, the referee will keep time on a watch.
THERE WILL BE NO OVERTIME IN REGULAR SEASON GAMES!
VII. START OF PLAY:
Games will start promptly at the scheduled game time, per Star Hill clock. In order to keep games on time, teams must warm up off the field. Kicking the ball outside of the playing field is prohibited. When the previous game ends, teams will be allowed a reasonable amount of time (two minutes) to get all equipment into the bench area and take the field. Forfeit time is five minutes past the hour. The kick off shall be taken by the visiting team (2nd team listed). Teams change ends at the start of each new period or half. Every player shall be in his own half of the field and every player of the team opposing that of the kicker shall remain not less than fifteen (15) feet from the ball until it is kicked off.
The ball is in play when it is touched and moves forward. The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player. If the ball does not move forward, the kick off shall be retaken, except in the case of the kicker playing the ball again before another player has touched it. For this offense, a player of the opposing team at the point shall take a free kick where the offending player touched the ball a second time. A goal can be scored directly from a kick-off. ALL FREE KICKS ARE DIRECT. After a goal has been scored, the game shall be restarted in the above manner by the team conceding the goal.
FIVE SECOND PLAY REQUIREMENT -Failure by a team to put the ball into play within five seconds, as signaled by the referee, shall result in a possession turnover to the opponent unless the referee grants them a substitution.
For goal kicks, the ball shall be placed between the goal line and an imaginary 6 yard line.
VIII. BALL OUT OF PLAY
The ball is out of play:
a. When it makes contact with any part of the building superstructure including wires above the field of play or goes over the netting. A free kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the center of the field.
IX. METHOD OF SCORING:
SCORING - The team scoring the greater number of goals will be declared the winner. Games can end in a tie (including championships).
FORFEITS - A team not having the minimum number of players required at the start of the game will forfeit the match 8-0. If a team forfeits after a game has started, the opponent will be awarded a 8-0 victory. These goal differentials will show in the standings.
LEAGUE STANDINGS POINT SYSTEM
Win = 3 points
Tie = 1 point
Loss = 0 points
TIE BREAKER ORDER - Any league divisions ending in a tie at the end of the league season shall be governed by the following tie breaking system order:
1. Total Team Points
2. Head to Head Record
3. *Goal Differential (No more than an 8 goal differential for any one game)
4. Least Goals Against
5. Most Goals Scored
*GOAL DIFFERENTIAL - The largest goal differential allowed at Star Hill is 8 goals. Any amount over 8 goals will be recorded as an 8 goal differential.
PROTEST - The only protest that Star Hill Family Athletic Center will accept is a protest concerning player eligibility. No protests will be accepted concerning official's calls. A team must protest a game before it starts.
X. DELAY OF GAME
THREE LINE PASS VIOLATION – A three line violation occurs when the ball travels over both one third lines in the air. The violation will occur when:
1) A goalie passes the ball, by kicking or throwing (including a throw-in) over both one third lines in the air.
2) Any player taking a goal kick passes the ball over both one third lines in the air.
3) Any player taking a free kick in their defensive third of the field passes the ball over both one third lines in the air.
The violation will occur as soon as the whole ball breaks the plane of the 2nd one third line, regardless of how/when it is received by any player.
If the ball is placed on one third line and kicked from there and then crosses over the other one third line, there is no violation. If a three-line pass is declared, the referee shall award a direct free kick, which shall be taken by a player of the opposing team, from the center point of the first one third line the ball crossed.
PASS/PLAY INTO DEFENSIVE ZONE - If a defender passes the ball back to his own goalkeeper and the goalkeeper handles the ball, the referee shall stop play and award a direct free kick from the center of the restraining arc. However, the goalkeeper may play the ball in any other manner so long as he does not handle the ball. When referring to handling the ball, it means with the hands. He may however play the ball with his head or feet. If the goalie controls the ball from an opposing player outside of the penalty box, dribbles the ball into the penalty box, they can pick up the ball and possess it with their hands.
FIVE SECOND RULE - Failure by a team to put the ball into play within five seconds, as signaled by the referee, shall result in a possession turnover to the opponent. When playing as goal keeper: Failure to distribute the ball having held it in his hands over five seconds, which, in the opinion of the referee, is designed merely to hold up the game shall be penalized by the award of a direct free kick to be taken by the opposing team from the top of the restraining arc.
XI. FOULS
Slide Tackling – Slide tackling is illegal and shall result in a direct free kick. Sliding is permitted when no other players are involved. Goalies can slide tackle within their penalty box, but CANNOT slide tackle outside the penalty box.
FIFA governs all play.
TWO YELLOW CARDS IN SAME GAME - EJECTION FROM GAME AND SUSPENSION FROM NEXT GAME
Please see Star Hill's "Conduct Policy - Zero Tolerance Violence Policy" document on the website for additional guidelines regarding suspensions.
RED CARD - (referees discretion) plus ejection and at least a one game suspension is mandatory. Suspension does not include the game from which you were suspended. It is the next game or games. A player or coach receiving a red card may be asked to leave the facility (referee's discretion). If the player refuses to leave, or delays leaving, the game may be declared a forfeit with the team whose player refused to leave forfeiting the game.
FIRST RED CARD - EJECTION FROM GAME AND MINIMUM SUSPENSION FROM NEXT GAME
EJECTED COACH RESTRICTIONS - An ejected coach may not, from the time of his ejection until the conclusion of the game, have any communication with his team's players in the arena. Ejected coach must vacate the player area/side of the field immediately. Coach may be asked to leave facility at the discretion of the referee.
XII. FREE KICKS
ALL procedures on free kicks, including corner kicks, goal kicks, penalty kicks, and restarts are direct kicks
Penalty kicks and corner kicks require a whistle from the referee
XIII. TEAM ROSTERS/ELIGIBILITY/SCORESHEETS
ROSTER CONSIDERATIONS - A maximum of fifteen players (15), youth teams and adult teams, may be placed on a team roster for one team in the same age group/league. Players may be added to a team’s roster after the first week by completing a roster add-on form. CJSA payment for add-ons is due at the time the form is submitted. Players must be able to provide proof of age when requested by Star Hill management. Player must be currently enrolled in High School in order to play in the High School league (regardless of their birth year). Players who are not currently in high school can play in the Sunday night Men's C league. The following will be accepted as proof of age:
a. Birth certificate or copy
b. Driver's license
c. Resident alien (green) card
d. Passport,
e. Star Hill management reserves the right to check rosters before, during, and after the game. Any player found to be ineligible will be banned from the league the remainder of the season. The coach for this team is also subject to punishment if said player on their team is ineligible.
ALL ROSTERS ARE FINAL AFTER THE 4th GAME
A team can request a roster check on the opposing team after the 4th game of the season. This request must be made before the game starts.
ALL PLAYERS MUST BE ON THE ROSTER WITH A SIGNED WAIVER.
ALL PLAYERS (OR PARENT IF PLAYER IS UNDER THE AGE OF 18) MUST SIGN THE TEAM ROSTER/WAIVER FORM PRIOR TO THE FIRST GAME.
TEAM MANAGER:
Every youth team is required to have an adult (minimum age 21 years old) on the bench to supervise the team. Failure to have this individual will result in a forfeit of the game. Only players and 2 coaches are permitted in the player's boxes.
INJURIES, DAMAGE, THEFT OR LOSS - The game of soccer involves physical contact. The facility, sponsors or any authorized representative, agent or employee of these shall not be responsible for any expense incurred by any team if the event is cancelled in whole or in part or for any liability in connection with the event for personal injury or property loss in connection with traveling to, participating in, or traveling home from the event. Each team, player, coach or fan shall participate at his or her own risk.
INCLEMENT WEATHER - All teams are to do everything within their power to attend games. In the event of bad weather resulting in a team's inability to compete, a forfeit will result unless the facility has cancelled the game.
NO SHOW & SPIRIT OF THE GAME POLICY. If a team fails to show for a scheduled game, the use of the field by the opposing team is at the discretion of the facility management. Star Hill is not required to provide a referee once a game is forfeited. Teams are requested to appreciate that forfeiture is not in the "spirit" of the competition and detracts from the enjoyment of the event by participants. Where a coach has stated his intent to throw a game or states his intent to encourage his players to perform at sub par levels, or where one of the players or parents from that team admits to Star Hill management that this occurred; the management has the right to seek disciplinary action for the team concerned.
SPECIAL RULES
Heading will be permitted in U12 leagues and older. U11 leagues and younger are not permitted to head the ball. An indirect free kick is the restart for a heading violation.
NO TEAM WILL BE ALLOWED TO START THEIR FIRST GAME WITH A TEAM FEE BALANCE.
NO PLAYER CAN BE ON MORE THAN 1 TEAM IN THE SAME LEAGUE, SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY STAR HILL MANAGEMENT.
MEN'S 30 & OVER & MEN'S 40 & OVER- The Goalie may be under the age of 30 or 40 but must be 25 years or older.
CO-ED RULES
Challenge Rule - Applies to all Coed divisions. When a woman has possession of the ball, no man
shall approach her within six feet, with the intent to take the ball away. Intimidation (no contact) by a
man, within six feet will also be considered a challenge and is illegal. Play will be restarted with a
direct free-kick. Male goalkeepers are exempt from the challenge rule within their own penalty box.
GOALKEEPER - The goalkeeper may be male or female.
HIGH AND HARD – No ball shall be struck with pace, anywhere on the field above the mid-section of a player that has the potential to hit a player. A ball may be struck with pace if no other players are between the ball and the goal.
RESTARTS– all restarts are by a woman (excluding goal kicks)
All participants must have a signed waiver on file with Star Hill Family Athletic Center.
Click here to view and print waiver form.
Click here to view and print guest registration and waiver form.
Click here to view and print team roster - waiver form
Click here to view and print Conduct Policy