Introduction
The purpose of The Rules is simply to help players and spectators become familiar enough with the rules of Indoor Soccer to play or enjoy the game.
League Information:
· Minimum roster size is 7 players, there is no maximum number of players
· All adult and youth games are 6v6 (includes goal), except U10 are 7v7 and U6 and U8 are 4v4.
· Each half will start with a kickoff. The team facing the clock will start with the ball. Teams will switch sides at halftime.
· Game time is a running clock. Clock may stop at referee’s discretion for an injury.
· Proper equipment is required for all players. Cleats mays may be worn (no medal spikes). All youth leagues U19 and below must wear shin guards with socks properly covering the shin guards during league play. Players under the age of 18 playing in adult leagues must wear shin guards as well.
Game times:
· Games are two 24-minute halves (2 minute halftime), running clock and will begin promptly. Teams must be ready to start at the scheduled game time. There is no overtime in the regular season.
Briefing
· There is no offside call in the indoor game at the YMCA.
· There is no slide tackling in any leagues at the YMCA. Keepers may slide inside the box and players may slide as long as not tackle takes place.
· There are no throw-ins, we will use kick-ins at the location where the ball goes out of bounds on the sidelines.
Fighting and unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind will NOT be tolerated and any player involved will be dismissed from the league with no refund. Any such behavior MUST be reported by the ref to the manager on duty.
I. Player Eligibility:
A. Youth age divisions are determined by a player's birth year. For adult divisions, over 30 men must be born in 1988 or before, over 35 must be born in 1983 or before, and over 40 men must be born in 1978 or be fore. Open men and open co-ed players must be born in 1999 or before. Co-ed adult teams (Over 30, over 40 and Open Coed) may use females born in 1999 or before. younger players may participate in an older group in youth classifications (U19 and younger).
B. A player may not appear on the roster of more than one team within a single age group or more than one division roster within the same age group. A coach may enter two teams in the same age division under one roster. However, only one team will be permitted to advance to the playoff round.
The YMCA reserves the right to combine groups or place teams at their discretion when and age division is not represented. Females may participate in male divisions, but males may not participate in female divisions.
C. In order to be included on a team roster, individuals must have completed the electronic waiver form from the online link sent out by the team’s coach/contact. By completing this form the player automatically gets added to the team’s roster. After the fourth game, all rosters are frozen. The YMCA reserves the right to forfeit games or suspend play to teams that are not in good standing with rosters or league fees.
II. Protests:
A. The YMCA will not consider protests related to judgment calls of officials or application of rules. However, any suspected
misapplication of rules may be brought to the attention of the YMCA sports management team.
B. Protests concerning player eligibility must be made to game officials prior to the completion of that game. The game
official may require the protested player and coach to provide identification of the player in question. Refusal to comply with this
request shall result in immediate forfeiture.
C. All protests must be submitted in writing to the YMCA within two days of the date of the game. Coaches of protested players must provide proof of age (birth certificate) or grade (student ID or report card) to the league withing five days after notification of such a protest and prior to the next game. Protests from teams with outstanding league balances or rosters will not be considered.
III. Suspensions:
A. The YMCA may level suspensions against teams, coaches, or individual players. Such suspensions may be for one game, several games, remainder of the season, or for several seasons as determined by the YMCA league.
B. The YMCA shall have authority to impose suspensions for any of the following reasons:
1. Unsportsmanlike conduct which causes any player or coach to be ejected from a game. Any player or coach that is ejected with less than five minutes left in a game may not play or coach in that team's next game. Suspensions may also, at the discretion of the YMCA, extend to all league play for that player, not just the age appropriate game the card was given for. Players or coaches ejected with more than five minutes remaining must contact the league for approval to participate in the team's next game. Players or coaches issued a red card after any game will be suspended from that team’s next game or games. All ejections are subject to a $10 fine which will go to the YMCA’s Kid’s Come First Campaign for underprivileged children.
2. Any verbal or physical abuse directed towards officials, opponents, or opposing coaches during or following a game will not be tolerated. If there is any physical contact against an official, the offender will receive an automatic suspension for the season or longer. YMCA league officials may make a suspension a lifetime ban which will also carry over to the other YMCA branch associations.
3. Spectators are considered an extension of the team, but may not enter field. Spectators who enter the field before, during or after a game are eligible for suspension or removal from grounds and may result in disciplinary action against the team. Harassment and unsportsmanlike conduct by spectators will not be tolerated. YMCA league officials may take disciplinary action against teams for the conduct of their spectators.
IV. Inclement Weather Policy:
A. In case of inclement weather cancellation information will be on our web site at www.hanoverymca.org. The team captain will be notified by email and the YMCA will try to notify all those on the roster electronically as well using their software. The YMCA will attempt to make all cancellations 2 hours prior to game time. If there is doubt, coaches only, should email the league at sports@hanoverymca.org. Canceled games will be made up if possible but will not go past the designed end date for particular age groups such as High School Divisions.
V. Scheduling:
1. Teams having special scheduling requests have them on the online form when they register. Any requests received after the schedules have been made will probably be denied. Make-up times, dates and fields are at the discretion of the YMCA. Make-up games may be scheduled on weekday evenings, weekdays in which school is not in session, or teams may be scheduled two games on any given Saturday or Sunday.
2. Teams choosing to forfeit a game will be assessed a fee equal to the cost of the referees scheduled for that age division (the forfeiting team will pay for both team’s referee fees). This fee must be paid to the YMCA before the team’s next scheduled game. Any team forfeiting a game or games may be denied admittance to future sessions at the YMCA.
VI. Equipment:
A. The home team shall provide a game ball. Outdoor balls- #3 for U8 and younger., #4 for U9’s, U10's, U11's and for U12's, and #5 for all other age groups.
B. Cleats mays may be worn (no medal spikes).
C. All playing members of a team (except keeper) must have shirts of the same color and design. The referee reserves the right to require either team to wear pinnies supplied by the YMCA. Goalkeepers must wear a different color than that of either team.
D. All youth leagues U19 and below must wear shin guards with socks properly covering the shin guards during league play. Players under the age of 18 playing in adult leagues must wear shin guards as well.
E. Players wearing a hard cast will be permitted to play if it is adequately padded, approved by the head referee and the player has written approval by a physician.
F. No jewelry or hats may be worn during a game.
G. First Aid: The YMCA has a limited first aid kit and will sometimes have a trainer on site. It shall be the responsibility of each team to maintain their own first-aid kit and first-aid given to players. First-aid is not the responsibility of the officials or any YMCA representative. Ice packs for injuries are available from YMCA staff members.
PLAYING RULES
Game Setup:
1. Time: Games will consist of two twenty-four minute halves, for all age groups playing full field games. Time is running except in cases of injury, or other situations deemed necessary by an official. Exception: If, during the last minute of play of a game that is tied or there is a one goal differential; there is a foul by the defense of the team that is leading by one goal or the defense of either team if the game is tied, the clock will be reset to the remaining time when the foul occurred. The clock will be restarted when the ball is put in play. If time expires after an awarded penalty kick, that penalty kick will be completed. Game times for tournaments may be different from those listed above.
2. Overtime periods will not be played for regular season games. For playoff and championship games, two sudden death (golden goal) overtime periods (five minutes each) will be played if the game is tied at the end of regulation time. If, at the end of the overtime periods, the game remains tied, a third untimed sudden death period will be played with teams using no keeper. This period will start with a drop ball and will end with a score or an awarded penalty kick. A player is removed from each team after every 3 minutes of play.
3. Time Outs: There are no time outs.
4. The home team will be the first team listed on the schedule and will occupy the team box closest to the scoreboard.
5. There will be no pre-game coin toss. The home team will defend the goal closest to the scoreboard and will kick-off in the second half.
6. All adult and youth games are 6v6 (includes goal), except U10 are 7v7 and U6 and U8 will play 4v4 (no goalies). Forfeits will be declared if a team has less than four players to start a game full field game or if the team has less than three players to finish a game.
1. All teams must have an adult (over 21) in on the sideline on the bench for all games.
2. Adult Co-Ed Leagues: All adult co-ed teams must have at least 2 female players on the floor at all times, unless a male/female is serving his/her own penalty. If the penalty is levied against the team, the team must take off the majority gender player. If a team does not have the appropriate numbers of male or female players at the start of the game, that team must play a player down for each missing player(s).
3. Standings will be based on two points for a win and one point for a tie, and one point subtracted for a forfeit (-1). Scores will be reported by game officials. Recorded scores of winning team will be given as a maximum 10 goal differential. (10-0, 11-1,12-2, etc.) A forfeit score will be recorded as 10-0. Ties in standings will be broken by:
a) head to head play (wins/losses/ties/forfeits)
b) if tie still exists then, goal differential in head to head play
c) if tie still exists, then total goals against (allowed)
d) if tie still exists, then total goals scored (max. 10 goal differential in any one game)
e) if tie still exists, then comparative scores with the team immediately below the tied teams in standings, then with team that is two spots below, etc. until tie is broken.
Rules of the game
1. Substitutions: Substitutions are free and unlimited as long as such substitutions do not interfere with the flow of the game. No guaranteed substitutions will be granted by the referee. However, when making substitutions while the ball is in play, players may not enter the field until the player substituted is off of the field, exiting the field in front of the team’s bench. Goalkeepers may substitute on the flyer as well and under the same rules. Officials should be notified of a change in goalkeeper. A two minute penalty may be assessed on any team making an illegal substitution. Penalty for failure to notify official of keeper substitution is loss of possession.
2. Any ball going over the touchline is considered out of bounds and will an indirect free kick will be awarded to the team that did not last touch the ball. The ball will be placed on the touchline where it went out. Teams who fail to place the ball properly after the ball has gone out of bounds may lose possession of the ball (similar to illegal throw-in outdoors). Balls touching the top netting are considered out of bounds and will be put in play by a free kick directly under where the ball touched the net. Balls touching the top netting directly over the penalty box that were last touched by the defensive team will be put in play by a corner kick by the offense.
3. All free kicks are direct except the kick-off and kick-ins from the touchline. The kick-off may travel forward or backward but must touch a second player before it can be kicked a second time by the person making the original kick.
4. On all free kicks, the defensive team must remain fifteen feet from the ball until the ball is kicked. After the ball has been placed, the defensive team must retreat beyond fifteen feet from the ball within three seconds. Repeated failure to do so or failure to do so after the initial request by the kicker or official is encroachment and results in a two minute penalty.
5. Only one whistle will be sounded for free kicks. Players will have 5 seconds to take the kick after it is positioned. Failure to take such a kick within five seconds results in a free kick for the opposing team.
6. The center line rule is in effect whenever the keeper is in possession of the ball. Prior to crossing the center line, the distributed ball must first touch the floor outside of the box, a teammate, or an opposing player. The center line rule will apply to drop-kicks as well as punts and throws by the keeper. Violation results in a direct free kick from the center line where the ball went over mid-field. If the keeper dribbles the ball outside of the box, the center line rule no longer applies.
7. Goalkeepers: After gaining possession of a ball, the goalkeeper must release it within five seconds. If the goalkeeper kicks the ball while he is outside of the penalty area, he may not handle the ball inside the penalty area until it has been touched by an opponent. In other words, the keeper can not dribble the ball from outside the penalty box to inside the box then handle the ball with his hands. The goalkeeper may not pick up a ball that has been intentionally passed to him by a teammate off of that team-mate's foot. Any goalkeeper infraction results in a free kick (direct) awarded to the opponents at the 30' mark (top of the circle of the box). If there is obstruction or inadvertent charging committed against the goalkeeper, the referee will award a free kick. Violent or serious foul play against the goalkeeper may result in a two minute penalty or ejection. After the keeper has gained possession the defense must either stand still or take the closest exit out of the box. Once outside the box the defense may run one yard away from the line markings of the goal box to defend the keeper during a possible drop kick. The goalkeeper may not punch the ball across mid-field, otherwise it is a keeper distribution foul. Officials should be notified of a change in goalkeeper.
8. The YMCA leagues will not use a three line rule or off-sides rule.
Heading:
We will follow U.S. Soccer Federation rules on headings. All leagues U11 and younger shall not head the ball directly from the air in any match or competition, nor shall these players practice heading the ball in any organized team setting.
1. If a player U11 or younger deliberately heads the ball in a match, the referee shall award an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the spot of the infraction. If the heading occurs within the penalty area, the referee shall move the ball outside the penalty area and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If a league is mixed ages, for example U11 and U12, the heading rule then applies to the entire age group. So in a U11-U12 division- no one in the division would be able to head the ball.
Penalties:
1. Two minute penalties or longer may be given for fouls the referee considers extreme, unsportsmanlike conduct, abusive language, illegal substitution or encroachment. The penalized team must play a man down for two minutes (or more) or until the opposing team scores. If a foul is against an individual player, that player must serve the penalty. If the foul is against the coach or team, the coach may designate which player serves the penalty. Multiple violations may result in two or more players serving penalty time at the same time. Excessive violations by a player or coach may result in ejection whereby they are required to leave the fieldhouse for the remainder of the game. Ejected players may be replaced after the time (up to five minutes) penalty levied by the official has expired. Time penalties being served in conjunction with an ejection must be served in full and do not expire when the opposing team scores.
2. Additional Cardable Violations– Spitting on carpet (2 minutes), chewing gum during play (2 minutes), profanity (2 minutes) and abusive language directed towards an official, coach or opponent (red card ejection).
3. Penalty kicks will be awarded for direct free kick fouls which occur within the penalty area. The keeper must stand with heels on the goal line and may not move until the ball is kicked. The kicker may not kick the ball until the referee signals with a whistle. The kicker may not play the ball a second time until the ball touches the keeper or another player.
Other Rules:
1. Any team forfeiting a game must pay all officials scheduled for that game. This payment must be made directly to the officials or to the YMCA sports department prior to that team’s next game. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of all remaining games.
2. All YMCA leagues will adhere to special mercy rule if the losing team requests. On any goal differential of five or more goals, the trailing team may add an extra field player.
3. Slide tackling is not permitted in any age division. In those leagues, goalkeepers cannot slide outside of the penalty box.
4. For adult leagues (Open and older), teams may use "borrowed" goalkeepers. Goalkeepers do not need to be on that team’s roster in order to play. A field player who is rostered on another team may act as a “borrowed” keeper for another team.