Battle Ground Soccer Rules

INDOOR SOCCER GAME RULES 2017-2018

1.)  The #1 goal of the program is for the kids to have FUN. 

2.) 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.

3.) The call of the official on the field is final and not subject to appeal. 

4.) 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.

5.)  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.   Likewise, children should not play in the far back area around the wrestling mats or behind the field.

8.) There is no ball playing outside of the field.  NO GUM There are multiple signs posted about this.  Please help prevent damage to the walls and the facility.

RULES 

  • For ALL Age Groups: 50–minute sessions.
  • For games – two 20-minute halves with 5-minute halftime and 5 minutes to clear the field.
  • For 5-6 Age group, 50-minute sessions are to be split into a 25 minute practice session followed by a 20 minute game, and 5 minutes to clear the field.
  • Game clock is controlled by the referee (or designee) for all age groups 7-8 and above. All Age Groups* continuous (running) clock* no time outs (unless injury time-out called by referee)* substitutions at any time (on the fly) (field player must come to sideline at player box before      sub may enter)* no offsides violations* no three line rule violations* any ball out of play or hitting net results in an indirect kick (except for 5-6 Age Group)  (See Attachment A re Direct/Indirect kicks)* no slide tackles – results in an indirect kick for the 5-6  and 7-8 Age Groups; results in a direct kick for the 9-10, 11-12,13-14, and the 15-17 Age Groups.Mercy Rule 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 BallAs a result of the U.S. Soccer recommendations, the 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 Age Groups will NOT head the ball in practice nor in a game.  For these Age Groups, heading the ball in a game will result in an indirect kick at the spot of the foul.  For the 11-12 and 13-14 Age Groups, coaches will limit heading during practice, but it will be allowed during the game for these Age Groups.  The 15-17 Age Groups can practice heading as well as utilize it during a game.5-6 Age Group* 7 players a side (6 field & 1 keeper)* One field coach per team (1 coach is allowed on field)* No direct kicks* No ‘official’ referees; coaches are the referees* Fouls are to be called:     pushing – tripping – holding – high kicking – hand ballsall result in an indirect kick at the spot of the foul* Players may not kick the ball while on the ground – results in an indirect kick 7-8 Age Group * 7 players a side (6 field & 1 keeper)* One field coach per team (1 coach is allowed on field but must remain out of players’ ways)* No direct kicks* Fouls are to be called:    pushing – tripping – holding – high kicking – hand ballsall result in an indirect kick at the spot of the foul* Any foul inside the goal box results in an indirect kick at the outside top of the box* Players may not kick the ball while on the ground (if dangerous play) – results in an indirect kick* There are referees for this age group once games start 9-10 // 11-12 // 13-14 // 15-17 Age Groups* 9-10 is seven players a side (6 field &1 keeper)11-12, 13-14, and 15-17 are six players a side (5 field & 1 keeper)* No field coaches* Fouls are to be called with the following results:Tripping – direct kickPushing – direct kickHolding – direct kickHandling – direct kickHigh kicking/Dangerous Play – indirect kickKicking the ball while on the ground (dangerous play) – indirect 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*There are referees for all these age groups once games start.        Scheduled TimeThe games start on 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.Coaches on FieldsIn the games in the 5-6 Coed and 7-8 Divisions, in which a coach is allowed on the field, the coach is not allowed in the goalie box while the ball is in play on that side of the field.  Coaches should make every effort to not impede play.GoaliesFor the 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 age groups:  Goalies cannot throw the ball past the Center 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.Goalies can punt the ball, but again the ball cannot pass the Center Line 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 obstruction.  This action can be cardable, a yellow card, if this offense is repeated.  Now, 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 the discretion of the referee.There is no 6 feet rule or a bubble rule that requires a defensive player to retreat if they are standing just outside the goal box, just because the goalie with the ball in hand is advancing towards them.  The defending player cannot obstruct the goalie’s play.    A goalie who is OUTSIDE the goal box CAN kick the ball past the Center Line without the above restrictions.Goalies, during a goal kick, cannot kick the ball in the air past the Center Line without it first striking their own side of the field or the walls 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 Center Line.**For the 13-14 and 15-17 age groups**:  Goalies can throw the ball past the Center Line but not past the 3rd line on the field without it first striking the field, the wall, or a player before the 3rd line.Goalies can punt the ball, but again the ball cannot pass the 3rd line without it first striking the field, the wall, or a player before the 3rdline.Goalies, during a goal kick, cannot kick the ball in the air past the 3rd line without it first striking the field, the wall, or a player before the 3rd line.A violation of the above results in an indirect kick from where the ball crossed the 3rd line.A goalie who is OUTSIDE the goal box CAN kick the ball past the 3rd line.** New for 2017-18In-Game Substitutions Regarding a dead ball foul on the field, direct or indirect kick, if the team taking the kick does not sub, the defensive team cannot sub, period.  If the team taking the kick calls for subs, then and only then can the defensive team sub.  It is a guaranteed substitution for both teams, if the attacking team wishes to sub.  Hold up play until the substitutions have been satisfied. Out of BoundsWhen the ball goes out of bounds, the ball is placed approximately 2 feet from the wall where it went out of bounds.  The exception being when the ball goes out of bounds above the goal.  In that case, the goalie (if the ball was NOT last touched by the goalie’s teammate before it went out of bounds) is given possession of the ball.  If the ball was touched by the goalie or one of his/her teammates before it went out of bounds, the ball is placed in the corner of the field similar to a corner kick in outdoor soccer and results in an indirect kick.If 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.  This results in an indirect kick.JewelryJewelry 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.  Otherwise, if a player does not remove the item they cannot play. Non-team SubstitutionsIf a team A is down players at the start of a game and the coach for Team A wants to use a player from another HFG 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.  Someone not registered with the HFG Indoor soccer program may NEVER play as a substitute (or otherwise). Hands on boardsPlayers are allowed to put their hands on the boards when a ball is near the wall. What players are not allowed to do near the boards is prevent a player from attempting to play the ball by blocking out this player with their hands, etc.Carding of players:For indoor soccer, the referees will use yellow and red cards for fouls that warrant such action.Boarding will result in an automatic yellow card.  For yellow cards, the player will have to sit out for a period of two minutes.  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 player issued a red card must sit out the remainder of the game and the following game.Kick-off A kick-off is considered an indirect kick.Weather CancellationsVisit www.harfordsportsonline and click on the Cat with snow on his head for weather updates. Harford Sports is independently owned and does not follow Harford County Park and Rec.InjuriesIf a player sustains a significant injury, please notify the program commissioner as the rec council must also be notified.Player Area The Player bench area is only for players and the coaches.  This area is not for spectators.Game Balls:5-6                  #3 ball7-8                  #4 ball9-10                #4 ball11-12              #5 ball13-14              #5 ball15-17              #5 ballAttachment  AFREE KICKSTypes of Free KickFree kicks are either direct or indirect.The Direct Free KickBall Enters the Goal