INDOOR SOCCER RULES**
BATTLEGROUND SOCCER
YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER RULES
Harford Sports Performance Center
121 Industry Lane, Forest Hill, Maryland 21050
410-420-8442 | harfordsports@gmail.com
ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY
Harford Sports Performance Center maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding violence, threats, abusive language, and unsportsmanlike conduct.
This policy applies to:
- Players
- Coaches and assistant coaches
- Parents and spectators
- Team representatives
- Everyone attending a Battleground Soccer event
Any physical contact intended to harm another person, fighting, threatening behavior, or serious unsportsmanlike conduct may result in immediate ejection from the facility and suspension or removal from the league.
Foul or abusive language directed toward players, coaches, referees, staff members, or spectators may also result in ejection or suspension.
Parents and spectators are responsible for their conduct in the mezzanine and all other areas of the facility. A game may be stopped and declared a forfeit when the conduct of a player, coach, parent, spectator, or team representative creates an unsafe or disruptive environment.
Referees and Harford Sports staff members are required to enforce this policy. All disciplinary decisions made by Harford Sports ownership or management are final. For further detail see our Code of Conduct Section on the main menu under info/ code of conduct
By order of ownership
Danny Taylor, Owner
GENERAL RULES
- Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and help maintain a safe, positive environment.
- All players must:
- Be properly registered and appear on the team roster
- Wear a complete team uniform
- Be physically able to participate
- Wear appropriate indoor soccer footwear or approved cleats
- Never wear metal cleats
- The referee has full authority over the game. The referee’s decisions during a game are final and are not subject to appeal.
- The final score must be recorded accurately at the conclusion of each game.
- Harford Sports management reserves the right to make a final decision regarding any situation not specifically addressed in these rules.
GAME FORMAT
All age groups are scheduled in 50-minute time slots.
Each game consists of:
- Two 20-minute halves
- A two-minute halftime
- Approximately five minutes between games to allow teams to clear and enter the field
All games use a running clock. The referee controls the game clock and may stop it only for a serious injury or another exceptional circumstance.
There are no standard timeouts. However, U8 and U10 teams may receive one 60-second timeout per team, per half.
SCHEDULING AND START TIMES
Games begin at their scheduled starting time.
Teams that are not ready to play at the scheduled time may receive a shortened game. Games cannot be extended beyond the starting time of the following scheduled game.
Teams should arrive early enough to check in, dress, warm up, and be ready when the field becomes available.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
| Age Division | Game Format |
|---|---|
| U8 and U10 | Six field players plus one goalkeeper |
| U11 through U14 | Six field players plus one goalkeeper |
| U16 and U18 | Six field players plus one goalkeeper |
U16 and U18 teams may agree to play with fewer players when necessary. The referee must be informed of the agreement before play begins.
Only the U8 Recreational Division may have one coach on the field for instructional purposes.
No other division permits coaches on the playing field during active play.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions are made “on the fly” without stopping the game.
The following requirements apply:
- Players must enter and exit through their team’s player box.
- The exiting player must leave the field before the substitute enters.
- A team may not gain an advantage by having too many players on the field.
- Substitutions may also be made during a stoppage when the ball contacts the perimeter netting.
Improper substitutions may result in a penalty at the referee’s discretion.
BASIC PLAYING RULES
The following rules apply to every youth division:
- There is no offside rule.
- There is no three-line violation.
- There is no halfway-line restriction on goalkeeper throws, punts, or restarts taken from the goalkeeper’s box.
- All goalkeepers are permitted to punt the ball.
- Slide tackling is prohibited at every age level.
SLIDE-TACKLING POLICY
Any attempt to slide tackle an opponent will result in an automatic yellow card.
A slide tackle from behind will result in an automatic red card.
Goalkeepers may slide to make a save with their hands. However, a goalkeeper may not slide feet-first into an opposing player inside or outside the goal box.
The restart following a slide-tackle violation is:
- U8: Indirect free kick
- U10 and older: Direct free kick
A player receiving a red card must leave the game and is automatically suspended for the team’s next game.
The team must play short for five minutes following a red card. This five-minute penalty is non-releasable, even if the opposing team scores.
Additional suspension may be imposed depending on the severity of the incident.
MERCY RULE
The mercy rule applies to the U8, U10, U13, and U16 divisions.
- When a team falls behind by five goals, that team may add one player.
- When a team falls behind by seven goals, that team may add a second player.
- An additional player must be removed when the goal differential drops below the level that permitted the player to enter.
- The leading team does not remove a player.
The purpose of this rule is to create a more competitive and positive experience. Coaches may not misuse the rule to gain an unfair advantage.
HEADING THE BALL
U8 and U10
Intentional heading is prohibited during practices and games.
When the referee determines that a player intentionally headed the ball, the opposing team will receive an indirect free kick.
When the ball accidentally or unintentionally contacts a player’s head, play will continue. No whistle or free kick will be awarded.
U11 through U18
Heading is permitted during games. Heading during practices should follow current U.S. Soccer safety and training guidelines.
FOULS AND FREE KICKS
Fouls include, but are not limited to:
- Tripping
- Pushing
- Holding
- Dangerous play
- Deliberate handling
- Charging or making illegal contact with an opponent
The restart following a foul is:
- U8: Indirect free kick
- U10 and older: Direct free kick
A defensive foul committed inside the goal box may result in a penalty kick.
The referee determines the type and location of every restart.
GOALKEEPER RULES
Passes From a Teammate
A goalkeeper may not handle a ball that has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a teammate.
A teammate may legally pass the ball to the goalkeeper using the head, chest, or knee. However, a player may not use a deliberate trick to avoid the goalkeeper pass-back rule.
A violation results in a free kick for the opposing team from the free-kick mark at the top of the arc.
Bringing the Ball Into the Goal Box
A goalkeeper may not collect the ball outside the goal box, carry or dribble it back into the box, and then pick it up with the hands.
A violation results in a free kick for the opposing team from the top of the arc.
Releasing the Ball
A goalkeeper must release the ball within six seconds after gaining possession.
Once the goalkeeper places the ball on the ground, the ball is live. The goalkeeper may not pick it up again unless another player legally touches the ball.
Goalkeeper Possession
After deliberately releasing the ball by foot in the goalkeeper’s defensive half, the goalkeeper may not touch it again in that half until one of the following occurs:
- An opposing player touches the ball.
- The ball goes out of play.
- The referee stops play.
- The goalkeeper crosses the halfway line.
A ball released following a save or goalkeeper clearance is not considered the goalkeeper’s first possession. The goalkeeper is permitted one additional touch with the foot.
The intent of this rule is to prevent a goalkeeper or sixth attacker from repeatedly maintaining possession in the defensive half.
Goalkeeper Penalties
Goalkeeper handling or possession violations result in a restart for the opposing team at the top of the arc:
- U8: Indirect free kick
- U10 and older: Direct free kick
Goalkeepers may throw or punt the ball without a halfway-line or three-line restriction.
BALL OUT OF PLAY
When the ball leaves the playing area along the wall, the ball should be placed approximately three feet from the wall for the restart.
When the ball leaves play above the goal:
- If it was last touched by the attacking team, play restarts with goalkeeper possession.
- If it was last touched by the defending team, the attacking team receives a corner kick.
When the ball contacts the ceiling or overhead netting, the opposing team receives a restart on the field directly below the point of contact.
The referee may adjust the restart location when necessary for player safety or field conditions.
BOARD PLAY
Players may make normal contact with the boards while playing the ball.
Players may not:
- Hold an opponent against the boards
- Trap or pin an opponent against the boards
- Intentionally block an opponent’s movement using the boards
- Push or check an opponent into the boards
Dangerous board play may result in a yellow card, red card, or additional discipline.
JEWELRY POLICY
Players may not wear:
- Necklaces
- Watches
- Rings
- Bracelets
- Hoops or dangling earrings
- Any item the referee considers unsafe
Medical-alert jewelry must be securely taped.
U8 and U10 players may wear stud earrings only when:
- The earrings are completely and securely taped.
- A parent or guardian has completed the required waiver.
- The referee determines that the earrings do not present an immediate safety risk.
The referee has final authority over whether any equipment or jewelry may be worn during a game.
SUBSTITUTE AND GUEST PLAYERS
Every substitute or guest player must:
- Be registered with Harford Sports
- Have a completed waiver
- Meet the division’s age and gender requirements
- Receive approval from the opposing coach when required
Unregistered or unwaivered players may not participate under any circumstances.
Club Division teams may use registered and properly waivered guest players during the regular season.
Playoffs
Official team rosters will be used during the playoffs.
Guest players are not permitted during playoff games.
A team using an ineligible player may be required to forfeit the game and may face additional disciplinary action.
CARDS AND PLAYER PENALTIES
Yellow Card
A yellow card results in a two-minute player penalty.
The player must leave the field, and the team plays short during the penalty.
The penalty may end early if the opposing team scores.
Red Card
A player receiving a red card:
- Is removed from the remainder of the game
- Must leave the playing area
- Is automatically suspended for the team’s next game
- May receive additional suspension following review
The player’s team must play short for five minutes. The penalty is non-releasable and does not end if the opposing team scores.
Two yellow cards received by the same player during one game equal a red card.
All red cards must be reported to referee assigner Jay Grabowski and Harford Sports management.
REFEREES
Battleground Soccer generally assigns:
| Age Division | Referees |
|---|---|
| U8 and U10 | One referee |
| U11 and older | Two referees |
The number of referees may be adjusted because of availability or other circumstances.
Referees have full authority to enforce the rules, issue cards, remove participants, stop a game, or abandon a game when safety or conduct requires it.
GAME BALLS
| Age Division | Ball Size |
|---|---|
| U8 and U10 | Size 4 |
| U11 through U18 | Size 5 |
INJURIES
All injuries must be reported immediately to:
- The game referee
- Harford Sports staff or ownership
- Referee assigner Jay Grabowski
The referee may stop play for a serious injury. A player may not return to the game if the referee or Harford Sports staff believes continued participation would be unsafe.
Emergency medical assistance will be requested when warranted.
PLAYER AND BENCH AREAS
Team benches and player boxes are reserved for:
- Registered players
- Coaches
- Approved assistant coaches
- One authorized photographer, when permitted
Spectators must remain in the designated spectator areas.
Parents and spectators may not enter the field or player area unless directed by a referee or Harford Sports staff member.
CONDUCT ENFORCEMENT
When Harford Sports determines that an individual has behaved in an unsportsmanlike, abusive, threatening, or dangerous manner, disciplinary action may include:
- A verbal warning
- Removal from the game or facility
- Stopping and abandoning the game
- A team forfeit
- Suspension from future events for a specified period
- Indefinite suspension or permanent removal from Harford Sports events
If a player, coach, assistant coach, parent, or spectator is suspended or banned, that individual may not participate in team activities or interact with the team at the facility until officially reinstated by Harford Sports management.
QUESTIONS AND RULE INTERPRETATIONS
Questions regarding game rules or referee decisions should be directed to:
Jay Grabowski, Referee Assigner
jaygrabowski1@aol.com
Questions regarding league administration, registration, discipline, or facility policies directed to:
Harford Sports Performance Center
410-420-8442
harfordsports@gmail.com
121 Industry Lane
Forest Hill, Maryland 21050
