Harford Performance Center Indoor Soccer Rules

We follow the USSF / US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game unless herein specified otherwise.

IMPORTANT – ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
Harford Sports and its Referees have a strict zero tolerance policy regarding violence and misconduct.

Any physical contact with another player in a violent or aggressive manner will result in immediate ejection from both the building and the league.

Fighting will lead to immediate ejection, a mandatory suspension, and possible permanent removal from all Harford Sports programs.

Foul language, taunting, or unsportsmanlike conduct will result in suspensions and may lead to ejection depending on severity and frequency.

We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and sportsmanlike environment for all participants. There will be no exceptions.

Referees must enforce the above. This is from Danny Taylor, the owner.

GENERAL RULES: Please RECORD the score properly!!

1. Have Fun.

2. Player Eligibility & Uniform Policy

All players who are present must be in full, proper uniform and physically able to participate.

Players not dressed to play or not healthy enough to participate should not be on the field.
Cleats are allowed for play; however, metal cleats are strictly prohibited.
NO GUESTS PLAYERS ALLOWED. ALL PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED AND WAIVERED.

This policy is in place to ensure safety, fairness, and consistency for all participants.

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

RULES

· For ALL Youth Age Groups: 50-minute sessions.

· For games – 2 – 20-minute halves with 2-minute halftime and 5 minutes to clear the field

· Game clock is controlled by the referee.

All Age Groups

* Running Clock. You can stop the clock for what may be a prolonged injury on the field.

* No Time Outs. EXCEPTION: U8 and U10 age groups can have a 60 second time out. One per half/team if requested. Water Breaks ARE excepted in 8U and 10U if short on players (Subs)

* Substitutions at any time (on the fly) (field player must come to sideline and be 3 feet from player box and away from the play before sub may enter the playing field.

* No Offsides Violations in Indoor Soccer

* NO SLIDE TACKLING – ALL AGE GROUPS

Slide tackles are strictly prohibited in this league for all age groups.

Players are not allowed to leave their feet for any reason to play the ball.
The only exception is the Goalkeeper, who may slide to make a save with their hands only.
Goalkeepers are NOT permitted to slide feet-first to clear the ball from the goal area.

This rule is enforced to ensure player safety and maintain a controlled, respectful playing environment. Violations will result in fouls, possible cards, or ejection.

Slide Tackle Penalties & Disciplinary Action

Slide tackles are strictly prohibited for all age groups. Attempting or committing a slide tackle will result in disciplinary action and a free kick for the opposing team based on the player’s age group:

Ages 7–8: Indirect free kick
Ages 9–10, 11–12, 13–14, U16, U18, Adult Co-Ed: Direct free kick

Disciplinary Action:

Any attempt at a slide tackle results in an automatic Yellow Card.
Slide tackles from behind result in an automatic Red Card. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Red Card Protocol:

The red-carded player must leave the game and may not return.
The player may remain on the bench, but the team must play short for 5 minutes, regardless of whether a goal is scored.
The penalty is non-releasable.
The red-carded player is suspended for the next game.

Referees must report all red cards to their assigner immediately following the game.
Include the following details:

Player’s name
Jersey number
Team name
Reason for the red card

This policy ensures safety, fairness, and accountability across all age divisions.

Mercy Rule IMPORTANT!!

The following only applies to the U8, U10 and the U13 Age Groups.

Goal Differential Rule – Player Advantage Adjustment

To maintain fair and competitive play, the following goal differential rule will apply:

If a team goes up by 4 goals, the losing team adds 1 extra field player.
For every additional goal beyond that (e.g., 5 goals, 6 goals), 1 more player may be added.
Maximum player additions are at the discretion of league officials to ensure safety and flow of the game.

Player Removal:

For each goal scored by the losing team, 1 added player must be removed from the field.
Once the goal differential returns to 3 or fewer, the game returns to even strength.

This rule promotes balance and continued effort by all teams while keeping the game enjoyable for all players.

SHOES AND CLEATS

ALL SHOES ARE PERMITTED ON OUR PLAYING FIELD EXCEPT METAL BASEBALL CLEATS. ALL SOCCER SHOES, TURF SHOES, SOCCER CLEATS ARE PERMITTED.

Heading the Ball

Heading Policy – U.S. Soccer Player Safety Guidelines

In accordance with U.S. Soccer safety recommendations, heading the ball is restricted based on age group as follows:

Ages 7–8 and 9–10

No heading is permitted in practices or games.
If a player intentionally heads the ball in a game, the result is an indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the infraction.

Ages 11–12 and 13–14

Heading is allowed during games.
However, coaches are required to limit heading during practices to reduce potential risk and encourage proper technique development.

Ages 15–17

Players in this group may practice and utilize heading during games without restriction.

These guidelines are designed to promote player safety and proper skill progression. Coaches and referees are expected to enforce these policies consistently.

Referee & Timeout Policy – Ages 7–8 and 9–10

Only one referee will be assigned to games in the 7–8 and 9–10 age groups.
If a team requests a timeout, allow one timeout per half, per team, if requested.
Each timeout should last approximately 1 minute.
Timeouts are intended to provide coaching moments and help manage the pace of play at this developmental level.

This policy helps support learning and sportsmanship in our youngest age divisions.

* 7 players a side (6 field & 1 keeper) 7 field players and 1 keeper if both coaches agree )

* One field coach per team (1 coach is allowed on field but must remain out of players’ way) This is for U8 age groups. 9/10, usually no coach on the field, unless both teams agree to have a coach on the field.

New Rule: All kicks are now Direct. 8U Age Groups: All kicks are STILL Indirect.

* Foul Guidelines – All Age Groups

Referees are expected to consistently call the following fouls to ensure safety and fair play:

Pushing
Tripping
Holding
High kicking / dangerous play
Deliberate handling of the ball (“handball”)
Other unsportsmanlike or unsafe actions as deemed appropriate

All fouls should result in the proper restart (direct or indirect kick) based on the rules and age group.
Maintain control, consistency, and safety throughout the game.

* Any foul inside the goal box results in a Direct or Indirect Kick, 7/8 Age Group. Spot determined by referee.

* Players may not kick the ball while on the ground if in the immediate vicinity of an opponent.

Referee Assignments by Age Group

To ensure appropriate game management, the following referee assignments apply:

Ages 7–8 and 9–10 (8U/10U):
- One (1) Referee per game.
Ages 11–12, 13–14, and 15–17:
- Two (2) Referees per game.

This structure is designed to match the developmental needs and pace of play for each age group.

* Foul Calls & Restart Results

Referees must enforce the following fouls with the corresponding restart decisions:

Fouls & Their Results

Tripping – Direct Free Kick
Pushing – Direct Free Kick
Holding – Direct Free Kick
Deliberate Handling (“Handball”) – Direct Free Kick
High Kicking / Dangerous Play –
- Direct Free Kick for most age groups
- Indirect Free Kick for U8 (7–8 age group)

Fouls in the Penalty Area

Any of the above fouls occurring inside the penalty box result in a Penalty Kick.
The ball is placed on the penalty mark, and the location of the foul is determined by the referee.

This policy ensures consistency, safety, and age-appropriate rule enforcement.

– all players (except the kicker and the goalkeeper) must remain outside the goal box and behind the kicker until the ball is struck

Scheduled Time

Game Start & Delay Policy

Games will start promptly at the scheduled time.
A warm-up period is generally allowed before the game begins.
If a game is delayed due to injury or other unforeseen circumstances, subsequent games may also be delayed.
To keep the schedule on track, referees have the authority to modify or shorten halves as needed to compensate for delays and help ensure the day runs smoothly.

This policy helps maintain fairness while respecting the overall schedule.

Coaches on the field:

Coach on Field Policy – 8U and 10U Age Groups

8U Age Group:
- Coaches are allowed on the field during play.
- However, coaches are NOT allowed inside the goalie box when the ball is in play on that side of the field.
- Coaches must make every effort not to impede play or interfere with players.
10U Age Group:
- Having a coach on the field is optional and only permitted if both coaches agree before the game.
- If coaches do not agree, no coach is allowed on the field of play.
- The same rule applies: coaches must avoid entering the goalie box during play and must not impede play.

This policy is designed to support player development while ensuring safety and fairness.

Out of Bounds

Ball Out-of-Bounds & Restart Rules

When the ball goes out of bounds into the player benches:
- The ball is placed 2 feet from where it went out and restarted with a direct free kick.
When the ball goes out of bounds over the goal:
- If the ball was not last touched by the goalie’s teammate, the goalkeeper is awarded possession with a goal kick restart.
- If the ball was last touched by the goalkeeper or one of their teammates, the restart is a corner kick, with the ball placed in the corner of the field.
If the ball hits the netting directly above the field:
- The ball is placed back into play on the field directly beneath where it struck the netting.

These rules ensure proper placement and fair restarts during play.

Jewelry

Jewelry & Hair Control Device Policy

Jewelry and hard hair control devices are not allowed during play. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Necklaces
- Earrings (including newly pierced)
- Rings
- Bracelets
- Watches
Players may NOT tape over any jewelry item to conceal it.
EXCEPTION:
- Medical alert chains or bracelets must be taped down securely.
Players who do not remove jewelry will not be allowed to participate in the game.
Special House Rule for 8U & 10U Age Groups:
- Stud earrings are allowed, but only with a signed Earring Waiver.
- Earrings must be taped down during play.
- The waiver can be found on the league website under Info / Waivers.

This policy is in place to ensure player safety and compliance with league rules.

Non-team Substitutions

Substitute & Guest Player Policy

If Team A is short players at the start of a game, the coach may request to use a player from another Indoor Soccer team.
Permission must be obtained from the opposing team’s coach.
If the opposing coach declines, the request is denied with no exceptions.
All substitutions must comply with the league’s gender, age, and travel restrictions governing team composition.
Players not registered with the Indoor Soccer program are strictly prohibited from participating as substitutes or in any capacity.
Guest players are NOT allowed under any circumstances.

This policy ensures fairness, safety, and integrity throughout the league.

Hands on boards

Players 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:

Indoor Soccer – Carding Policy & Incident Reporting

Card Usage

Referees will use yellow and red cards to address misconduct and serious fouls in indoor play.

Yellow Card

Automatic 2-minute penalty – the player must leave the field and sit out for 2 minutes.
The team plays short during this time.
If the opposing team scores, the penalty is released early and the team may return to full strength.
Boarding results in an automatic yellow card.
- If the referee deems the boarding to be violent or intentional, a red card may be issued instead.

Red Card

A red-carded player must sit out the remainder of the game and the entire next game.
Two yellow cards issued to the same player result in a red card and the same suspension applies.
The team must play short for 5 minutes (non-releasable penalty).
- The team may not return to full strength even if a goal is scored.
- After 5 minutes, a different player may return to the field.

Red Card Reporting Procedure

All Red Cards must be reported to the assigner, Jay Grabowski, immediately after the game.
Referees must:
1. Fill out an Incident Report at BBOWS.org
2. Email the report to Jay Grabowski directly after the game.

This process ensures proper documentation and accountability for serious infractions.

Kick-off

A kick-off is considered a Direct kick. Indirect kick for U8 Age groups.

Cancellation of Games:

If any games are canceled for any reason, referees will be notified prior to showing up to Harford Sports Arena, by the assigner through the arbiter, and if possible, by a phone call.

Injuries

If a player sustains a significant injury, please notify Danny Taylor, the owner of Harford Sports, and Jay Grabowski, the league assigner. Referees and Staff at front desk will be able to get in touch with them. Injury reports are located at the front desk.

Player Area

The player bench area is only for players and coaches. Spectators must be in the stands.

Game Balls:

8U & 10U #4 ball

13U and up including all Adult Leagues #5 ball

FREE KICKS

Types of Free Kicks

Age Group Application

All Age Groups use Direct Free Kicks
EXCEPTION:
- U8 (7–8 Age Group) uses Indirect Free Kicks only

Direct Free Kick

A direct free kick means the ball can be kicked directly into the goal without touching another player.

Ball Enters the Goal:

If kicked directly into the opponents’ goal – a goal is awarded.
If kicked directly into the team’s own goal – a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.

Indirect Free Kick

An indirect free kick means the ball must touch another player (from either team) before a goal can be scored.

If the ball enters the goal without touching another player, the goal is not counted and a goal kick (or appropriate restart) is awarded to the defending team.

This distinction ensures clarity for referees, coaches, and players across all age groups.

Signal

Indirect Free Kick – U8 Age Group Only

In the U8 age group, all free kicks are indirect. This means:

A goal can only be scored if the ball touches another player (from either team) before entering the goal.

Referee Signal

The referee will indicate an indirect free kick by raising one arm straight above the head.
The referee must keep the arm raised until:
- The ball is touched by another player or
- The ball goes out of play.

Ball Enters the Goal – What Happens?

If the ball is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal without touching another player:
→ No goal. A goal kick is awarded to the defending team.
If the ball is kicked directly into the team’s own goal without touching another player:
→ No goal. A corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.

This rule ensures age-appropriate play and encourages teamwork and ball movement for developmental players.

Procedure

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 again

until the ball has touched another player.

If you have any questions regarding the above rules, please get in touch with the assigner, Jay Grabowski. jaygrabowski1@aol.com

Goalies:

Ages 7–8, 9–10, and 11–12

Goalkeepers May Not:

Throw or punt the ball past the Center Line unless it first:
- Strikes the ground on their own half of the field
- Hits the wall on their own side
- Touches a player on their own side

Goal Kicks:

A goal kick, whether taken by the goalkeeper or a field player, may not travel in the air past the Center Line without first striking their own side (field, wall, or player).

Violation:
→ Results in an Indirect Free Kick for the opposing team from where the ball crossed the Center Line.

Exceptions:

A goalkeeper outside the goal box may kick the ball past the Center Line without restriction.
A live ball already in play inside the goalie box may be kicked past the Center Line without penalty

Ages 13–14 and 15–17