Harford Perfromance Center Indoor Soccer Rules
We follow the USSF / US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game unless herein specified otherwise.
It needs to be said UPFRONT. We will NOT tolerate any physical violence at all. If a player touches another player it will result in an immediate ejection from the building and the league. Foul language and unsportsmanlike activity will result in suspensions and possible ejection.
Referees at all times must enforce the above.
GENERAL RULES:
1.) Have Fun.
2.) ALL players who are present, must be properly dressed in their uniform, and healthy enough to play.
3.) The call of the official on the field is final and not subject to appeal.
RULES
· For ALL Age Groups: 50-minute sessions.
· For games – two 20-minute halves with 2-minute halftime and 8 minutes to clear the
field.
· Game clock is controlled by the referee.
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 the playing field.
* no offsides violations
* three line rule violation in effect for 13/14 age groups and older. Half way line violation for all other age groups.
* any ball out of play or hitting net results in an indirect kick
* NO slide tackles – results in an indirect kick for 7-8 Age Groups. Results in a direct kick for the 9-10, 11-12,13-14, and the 15-17 Age Groups. Sliding to ‘kick the ball’ may NOT be a slide TACKLE. This is the referee’s judgement. A Yellow Card is placed on a player who attempts a “Slide Tackle.” Any slide tackle from behind, is an automatic Red Card. NO EXCEPTIONS. Red carded player must leave the game, and not return. Player may sit on the bench. Team does not play short. Red carded player sits next game. Report red card to your assigner. Name of player, number and team playng for.
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 playing 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
As a result of the U.S. Soccer recommendations, 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 and 15-17 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.
7-8 Age Group: Only One Referee For This 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 balls
all 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
9-10 // 11-12 Age Group: One Referee For These Age Groups. 13-14 // 15-17 Age Groups. Two Referees Are Used.
* 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) If both coaches agree, 6 field player and 1 keeper can be used, as well for these age groups.
* No field coaches
* Fouls are to be called with the following results:
Tripping – direct kick
Pushing – direct kick
Holding – direct kick
Handling – direct kick
High kicking/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
Scheduled Time
The 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.
This is especially important on Saturdays.
Coaches on the field:
In the 7/8 age groups 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. This is optional for 7/8 age groups. Coaches may or may not elect to be on the field of play.
Goalies
For the 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.
Goalies or a field player of the team taking the 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 centerl line.
A goalie who is OUTSIDE the goal box CAN kick the ball past the Center Line without the
above restrictions.
A live ball in the goalie box can be kicked over the center/halfway line without penalty
**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 3rd line.
Goalies or a field player of the team taking the 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.
A live ball in the goalie box can be kicked over the half way line or the third line on the field. without penalty.
Out of Bounds
When 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.
Jewelry
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.
Non-team Substitutions
If 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 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 Indoor Soccer program may NEVER play as a substitute (or otherwise).
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: All Red Cards Must Be Reported To The Assigner, Jay Grabowski. Fill out an incident report on BBOWS.org and email the report to the assigner, immediately after the game in which a Red Card was placed.
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. If, in the opinion of the referee/referees, the boarding incident was consdered violent or intentional, a Red Card may be placed on the player in violation of boarding. 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 straight red card must sit out the remainder of the game and the following game.
Teams never play short regadless of what card is placed on a player.
Kick-off
A kick-off is considered an indirect kick.
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 the Danny Taylor, the owner of Harford Sports, and Jay Grabowski, the league assigner.
Player Area
The player bench area is only for players and coaches. This area is not for spectators. Spectators must be in the stands.
Game Balls:
7-8 #4 ball
9-10 #4 ball
11-12 #5 ball
13-14 #5 ball
15-17 #5 ball
Attachment A
FREE KICKS
Types of Free Kick
Free kicks are either direct or indirect.
The Direct Free Kick
Ball Enters the Goal
• if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal is awarded
• if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team
The Indirect Free Kick
Signal
The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his
head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been
taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.
Ball Enters the Goal
A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal:
• if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded
• if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team
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 it 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