HARFORD PERFORMANCE CENTER
INDOOR SOCCER RULES**
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
Harford Performance Center and its referees maintain a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for physical violence, foul language, or unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Any physical contact intended to harm another player = IMMEDIATE EJECTION from the building and league.
- FIGHTING = IMMEDIATE EJECTION from the building and league.
- Foul language or unsportsmanlike behavior will result in suspension or removal.
- This INCLUDES Parents in the Mezzanine.
- Games with issues will automatically end with a forfeit by the offenders. (Including Parents)
- Referees are required to fully enforce these rules.
These rules are enforced by order of ownership.
— Danny Taylor, Owner
*****Rule Modification: U8 Boys/Girls and U10 Boys/Girls.
Head balls, that in the opinion of the referee are unintentional, is now a play on situation. We don’t stop the game and award a drop ball to the opposing team. Intentional head balls are still an Indirect Kick or Direct Kick to the opposing team, depending on the age group. We’re trying to keep the game flowing with less whistles.
This is a new modified House Rule, that is effective starting on Monday November 17, 2025.
GENERAL RULES
- Have fun and play safely.
- All players must:
- Be in full uniform
- Be physically able to participate
- Wear approved cleats (metal cleats are not allowed)
- The referee’s call is final and not subject to appeal.
- Score must be recorded accurately after each game.
GAME FORMAT
- All age groups: 50-minute sessions
- Games consist of:
- Two 20-minute halves
- 2-minute halftime
- 5 minutes between games to clear the field
- Clock management is controlled by the referee
- Running clock for all divisions
- Clock may stop only in case of serious injury
- No timeouts, except:
- 8U & 10U may receive one 60-second timeout per half, per team
SUBSTITUTIONS
- Substitutions are on the fly
- Exiting player must leave through the player box
- Substitute may enter only after player exits
- Automatic substitutions allowed when the ball hits the net
PLAY RULES (ALL AGE GROUPS)
- No offsides
- No three-line violation
- No slide tackling at any age level
Slide Tackle Enforcement
- Any attempt = automatic Yellow Card
- From behind = automatic Red Card
- Goalkeeper may slide only to make saves with hands
- No sliding feet-first inside the goal box
Penalties for Slide Tackle:
- 8U: Indirect Kick
- 10U and above: Direct Kick
- Red Card = sit remainder of game + next game
- Team plays short for 5 minutes (non-releasable)
NO HALFWAY LINE or 3 LINE VIOLATION for any restart in the Goalie Box for all groups.
ALL GOALIES ARE ALLOWED TO PUNT.
MERCY RULE (8U, 10U, 13U, 16U ONLY)
- Down by 5 goals → losing team adds one player
- Down by 7 goals → losing team adds second player
- Extra players removed if deficit improves
- Winning team never removes players
HEADING THE BALL POLICY
Per U.S. Soccer guidelines:
8U, 10U
- No heading during practice or games
- Violation = Indirect Kick
11U-18U
- Limited heading in practice
- Allowed during games
REFEREES
- 8U / 10U: One referee
- 11U and up: Two referees
FIELD SIZE & PLAYERS
| Age Group | Players |
|---|---|
| 8U / 10U | 6V6 Plus Goalie |
| 11U–14U | 6V6 Plus Goalie |
| 16U / 18U | 6V6 Plus Goalie (may reduce if agreed) |
No field coaches except 8U (1 allowed). For Learning Purposes.
FOULS & PENALTIES
All fouls result in:
- Direct kick (except U8: Indirect)
- Fouls include:
- Tripping
- Pushing
- Holding
- Dangerous Play
- Handling
Fouls inside goal box = Penalty Kick
SCHEDULING
- Games start on scheduled time
- Late start = shorter game
- Games end when the next game is scheduled to begin (no extensions)
OUT-OF-BOUNDS RULES
- Ball placed 3 feet from wall
- Above goal:
- Last touched by defender → goalie ball
- Touched by teammate → corner kick
- Ball hitting ceiling/net → spot restart below impact
JEWELRY POLICY
- NO:
- Earrings
- Necklaces
- Watches
- Rings
- Bracelets
- Medical alert jewelry must be taped
- 8U–10U studs allowed only
SUBSTITUTE PLAYERS
- Must be registered
- Must match age/gender level
- Opposing coach must approve
- Unregistered players never allowed
BOARD PLAY
Players may touch boards but NOT:
- Hold
- Trap
- Block opponents intentionally
CARDS & PENALTIES
- Yellow Card = 2-minute penalty
- Two yellows = Red Card
- Red Card = removed from game + next game
- Teams play short:
- Yellow → releasable if goal occurs
- Red → 5 minutes non-releasable
All red cards must be reported to assigner:
Jay Grabowski
GAME BALL SIZES
| Age Group | Ball |
|---|---|
| 8U–10U | Size 4 |
| 11U–18U | Size 5 |
INJURIES
All injuries must be reported to:
- Danny Taylor (Owner)
- Jay Grabowski (Assigner)
PLAYER AREA
- Benches are for players and coaches only
- Spectators must remain in stands
QUESTIONS?
Contact your assigner:
Jay Grabowski @ jaygrabowski1@aol.com