• Age Groups are based on what age you are as of April 1. Yes, you can play up.
• THIS IS REAL INDOOR SOCCER WITH WALLS.
• 6v6 on field Plus Goalie. (Teams can play 7 V 7 if coaches agree)
• Soccer Shoes/Cleats are permitted.
• Individuals will be placed on a team and Jerseys Provided.
• Teams can enter as a Team.
• 2 – 20 Minute Halves / 5 minute halftime / Plus Pre-Game Warmups.
• Don’t worry about weather issues!  Rain and oppressive heat are not a concern!  Games played on indoor turf field at Harford Sports.
• Field is 180X80.
• We will be using our indoor goals and indoor rules.
• Referee fees and Jerseys are included.

• The #1 goal of the program is for the kids to have FUN.
• ALL players who are present, dressed in the uniform, and healthy enough to play, must play a minimum of 8-10 minutes per half.  They must play in each half.  Failure to play a player will result in the suspension of the coach for one game.
• The call of the official on the field is final and not subject to appeal.
• During registration all players, parents, and coaches agreed to abide by the program’s code of conduct.  Violations may result in suspensions or removal from the program.  If you need a copy of the code of conduct, please email the chairperson.
• All age groups will play at the Harford Sports Performance Center at 121 Industry Lane, Forest Hill, MD 21050.
• The team bench area is strictly for the players, coaches, and referees.  Parents, siblings, or other adults or children are not permitted in that area.
• The 13/14 age group and Older will have (2) referees; all other age groups will have (1) referee.
• 11/12 and up age groups will use a #5 soccer ball.  All other age groups will use a #4 soccer ball.
• Except as modified herein below, current FIFA Laws of the Game apply.

• Each game will consist of two (20) minute halves with a (5) minute halftime.
• Game clock is controlled by the referee (or designee).
• There will be a “continuous” running clock.  The clock only stops for serious injuries (at the discretion of the referee).
• There will be no “time-outs” (unless the referee stops the clock for an injury).
• There are no “Offside” violations.
• No “Slide Tackles” at any time.  Slide tackles result in a “direct free kick” by the opposing team.
• Players have (6) seconds to kick the ball once the referee puts the ball in play on any restart. (direct free kick, indirect free kick, kickoff).
• When the ball goes out of play or strikes a net, the restart is an indirect kick.
• For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker must not touch the ball a second time until touched by another player.
• Goalkeepers have (6) seconds to distribute the ball once they have picked up the ball and are holding it in their hands.
• Goalkeepers may not dribble (bounce) the ball.  This will result in an indirect free kick by the opposing team at a spot on the “arc” closest to where the violation occurred.

• Substitutions may be made at any time (on the fly).
• Guaranteed substitutions are only allowed when the ball goes out of play or strikes a net.
• When a foul occurs, there are no guaranteed substitutions.
• If a yellow card is placed on a player, that team may ONLY sub for the carded player.
• If an injury occurs, only the injured player may be substituted for.  The opposing team may substitute one-for-one.  No unlimited substitutions on an injury.

• The “three line rule” will be in effect for all age groups.
• In the 13/14 age group, goal kicks may not be kicked past the third line in the air, without first touching a) a player, b) the wall, or c) the pitch, on their side of the field.
• In all other age groups, goal kicks may not be kicked past the midfield line in the air, without first touching a) a player, b) the wall, or c) the pitch, on their side of the field.

• If a team goes up by 4 goals, the losing team will add an additional player to the field.  Once the losing team scores a goal and the lead is reduced to a 3 goal deficit, the additional player is removed from the field.
• If a team is up by 5 goals, the winning team must remove a player from the field and continue to play a person down until the opposing team scores a goal and the lead is reduced to a 4 goal lead.
• If a team is up by 6 goals, the winning team must remove a second player from the field and continue to play 2 people down until the opposing team scores a goal and the lead is reduced to a 5 goal lead.

• Heading the ball is permitted in the 11/12 and 13/14 age groups.
• In all younger age groups, intentionally heading the ball is not permitted.  Heading the ball will result in an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul.

• All age groups will play with 7 players a side (6 field & 1 keeper).
• No coaches permitted on the field during games, unless beckoned on by the referee. (In the 7/8 age group, one coach per team may be allowed on the field during play).

• Fouls are to be called.
• Pushing, kicking, tripping, holding, charging, handling, and striking result in a direct free kick.  Except in the 7/8 age group, all fouls will result in an indirect free kick.
• Obstruction and dangerous play result in an indirect free kick.
• Fouls in the goal box result in a penalty kick
• ball is placed on the penalty mark
• all players (except the kicker and the goalkeeper) must remain outside the goal box and behind the kicker until the ball is struck

• Games will be scheduled to start on.
• Games must start at the scheduled time.
• If a game is delayed and doesn’t start on time, the game ends when the next game is scheduled, REGARDLESS of the time remaining on the game clock.
• Game time is “Forfeit time”
• Overtime is permitted in the Playoffs with a Sudden Death Period.

• For the 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12 age groups:  Goalies cannot throw the ball past the midfield line without the ball first striking their own side of the field, the wall on their own side of the field, or a player on their own side of the field.  A violation of the above results in an indirect kick from where the ball crossed the 3^rd line.
• For the 13/14 age group:  Goalies cannot throw the ball past the third line without the ball first striking their own side of the field, the wall on their own side of the field, or a player on their own side of the field.  A violation of the above results in an indirect kick from where the ball crossed the 3^rd line.
• Goalies can punt the ball, but again the ball cannot pass the midfield/third line (age group appropriate) without it first striking the goalie’s side of the field, the walls on the goalie’s side of the field, or a player on their own side of the field.
• Once a goalie takes possession by handling the ball, the team now defending should move beyond the goal box.  The goalie attempting to put the ball back in play, from WITHIN the goal box, by either punting or throwing the ball shall NOT be challenged by the opposing team.
• If the goalie elects to drop the ball OUTSIDE of the goal box, the defending team may challenge him/her immediately upon doing so.  The defending player may maintain a position anywhere OUTSIDE of the goal box to prepare for such challenge; however, the player cannot move with the keeper in order to prevent the keeper from putting the ball back into play.  This would be considered interference and may result in a yellow card.  However, if the defenders are an acceptable distance from the keeper when he/she is attempting to put the ball into play, movement is allowed.  This distance is at the discretion of the referee.
• Field players must stay a “reasonable” distance outside of the goal box to allow the goalkeepers space to put the ball back into play.  A “reasonable” space is at the discretion of the referee.  Field players may not interfere with the goalkeepers ability to put the back back into play.
• A goalie who is OUTSIDE the goal box CAN kick the ball past the midfield/third line without the restrictions stated above.

• When the ball goes out of bounds or hits a side net, the ball is placed approximately 2 feet from the wall where it went out of bounds.  The restart is an indirect free kick.
• When the ball hits the net behind the goal, a goal kick is to be taken.
• When the ball hits the netting directly above the field, the ball is placed in play on the field directly beneath where it struck the netting.  The restart is an indirect kick.
• If the ball was touched by the goalie or one of his/her teammates before it struck the net behind the goal, the ball is placed in the corner of the field similar to a corner kick in outdoor soccer and results in an indirect kick.

• Jewelry or hard hair control devices will not be allowed.
• This includes but is not limited to necklaces, earrings, newly pierced earrings, rings, bracelets & watches.
• Individuals will not be allowed to tape over any jewelry item with the EXCEPTION of MEDICAL ALERT chains or bracelets, which must be taped down.
• If a player does not remove the item, they cannot play.

• If a team is down players at the start of a game and the coach for the team wants to use a player from another HSPC Indoor soccer team, the coach must get the permission of the opposing coach.
• If that coach says NO! it’s NO!  All substitutions must follow the gender/age/travel limitations governing team selection.
• All players must be registered with the HSPC Indoor soccer program in order to play, no exceptions!
• NO GUEST PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED.

• Players are allowed to put their hands on the boards when a ball is near the wall.
• Players may not prevent an opponent from attempting to play the ball by blocking out the opponent with their hands, etc.

• Referees will use yellow and red cards for fouls that warrant such action.
• Boarding will result in an automatic yellow card.
• When issued a yellow card, the player will have to sit out for a period of (2) minutes. A substitute player may be brought onto the field.  Teams do not play down a player.
• Two yellow cards to the same player results in a red card, the player then sits the rest of the game and the following game.  A substitute may be brought on, the teams do not play down a player.
• A player issued a red card must sit out the remainder of the game and the following game. A substitute may be brought on, the teams do not play down a player.

• A kick-off is considered an indirect kick (Goals may not be scored from a kickoff without first touching another player).
• The team facing the clock will kick off to start the game.
• Teams will switch sides of the field to start the second half.
• Weather Cancellations In case of inclement weather, coaches should contact the facility.
• Do not have all players contacting the facility.
• Coaches should inform their players in the event the facility closes due to inclement weather.

If a player sustains a significant injury, please notify management of the facility.

• IF YOU THINK THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF CANCELING, DO NOT REGISTER. Violators of the refund policy may be restricted on entering future events.
• All refund requests MUST be made in writing 30 days prior to the start of the league. If request is made after 30 days into the start of the league, it will be in Harford Sports discretion to honor the request as teams, schedules, uniforms ordered, and rosters have already been established. In most cases a credit voucher for a future event will be issued.
• In the event of an injury that would prohibit a player from participating, prior to the 3rd game of a season, refunds will be issued due if documentation is provided minus the Processing fee and a $25 Administration fee, however the $25 can be used in a future event. NO refund will be issued after the 3rd game is played, non-negotiable.
• A full Refund will be provided if the program is canceled due to not securing enough registrations in a division.
• A credit will be issued for a future event if a cancellation is made after League expenses have been paid, schedules completed, rosters completed, delays in schedule, or a change of mind. No cash refunds will be issued.

If a request for a refund is still made, Harford Sports has the option to refund less league expenses incurred. This would be in violation of our refund policy.

• In the event of acts of God, war, local or federal government authority, executive orders, regulations, instances of an epidemic or a pandemic, as certified by or mandated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and/or the World Health Organization, disaster, terrorism, strikes or threat of strikes, civil disorder, curtailment of transportation facilities, or any other emergencies, ANY OF WHICH MAKE IT INADVISABLE, ILLEGAL OR IMPOSSIBLE FOR AN EVENT TO TAKE PLACE OR CAUSE A DELAY IN THE EVENT will result in a credit to your account for future use. and NO CASH REFUNDS WILL BE OFFERED.

This includes but is not limited to travel advisories and restrictions; health advisories and quarantines; changes to applicable law; evacuation orders, border closures, and shelter-in-place requirements. The cancellation policy will apply as usual.