PART B PLAYING RULES

PART B PLAYING RULES

B1. DIAGRAM OF FIELD

B2. BALLS

The facility will furnish balls for league games and warm ups. No other balls are allowed in the facility.

B3. PLAYERS

B3-1 Number of Players

Each team plays with a maximum of five field players and a designated goalkeeper on the field. A team can play with a minimum of three players and a goalkeeper but will forfeit if it then loses a player; for example, to a penalty or an injury. See Roster Restrictions, section A2-1.

Youth leagues may have varying team sizes. A facility may run a tournament or an occasional special league with a variation of the number of players.

B3-2 Coed Leagues Number of Players

In Coed leagues, there are two variations of the rule governing the number of players. Please check your facility’s rules.

A team plays with a maximum of five field players and a designated goalkeeper, of which:

1) each team may have a maximum of three male players on the field at one

time, including the goalkeeper or,

2) each team may have a maximum of three male players on the field at one

time, including the goalkeeper.

The minimum number of players on the field is four, one of which must be female. See Coed Rules, section B7.

B3-3 Goalkeeper

A team must have a designated goalkeeper on the field at all times. The goalkeeper must wear a jersey color that distinguishes him from all other field players and from the referee. A team may never have more than one goalkeeper on the field at one time. See Goalkeeper Substitutions, section B3-4d.

The goalkeeper may play the ball with his hands, if the ball is not intentionally passed to him by a teammate’s foot pass. Except for a throw-in or free kick restart, the goalkeeper may distribute the ball by rolling, throwing, punting, or drop kicking. He may drop the ball to his own feet and kick or dribble the ball. See Goalkeeper Restarts, section

B13-4 and Goalkeeper Violations, section B15-2.

A goalkeeper may have only one possession with his hands per team possession. A player on the opposing team must touch the ball before the goalkeeper can use his hands again. The goalkeeper cannot bounce the ball or throw it in the air and catch it again.

B3-4 Substitutions

B3-4a Substitutions During Play

During the game unlimited substitutions of players may be made, provided

that the player substituted for is within the touch line in front of his team’s bench or

off the field before the replacement steps onto the field.

Neither the substitute entering the field nor the player leaving may play the

ball while the other is on the field.

B3-4b Guaranteed Substitutions

A team is guaranteed the right to take up to 30 seconds to substitute eligible

players at the following times:

1) after a goal is scored,

2) on an injury, official’s or team time-out.

Guaranteed substitutions can take place anywhere on the field. If play is inadvertently started with too many players on the field after any guaranteed substitution occasion, no penalty shall be assessed.

B3-4c Shootout Substitutions

No substitutions are allowed on a shootout until the referee’s whistle starts the shootout.

B3-4d Goalkeeper Substitutions

1) On a guaranteed substitution, a goalkeeper can substitute for any player on his team, including players on the field, within the 30 second limitation. The departing goalkeeper must receive acknowledgment from the referee when a goalkeeper change is made during a guaranteed substitution.

2) On any other substitution, the goalkeeper must be replaced by a player

from his team’s bench, who cannot leave the bench until the goalkeeper is within

the touchline in front of his bench or off the field. The goalkeeper must enter the

bench to remove his goalkeeper jersey.

3) When a goalkeeper receives a time penalty, the offending team has 30 seconds to get another designated goalkeeper onto the field and ready to play. A violation results in a two minute bench penalty to the offending team, and the team will play an additional player short.

B3-4e Illegal Methods of Entering the Field

Players may not jump over the wall, use a door on the opponent’s bench, or substitute out the back of the goal.

B3-4f Substitution Violations

Violations of the above substitution rules will result in a two minute penalty.

Play is restarted with a free kick where the ball was when the whistle (or horn) sounded.

B3-5 Injuries

The referee shall send any player off the field who requires treatment for injury or blood (regardless of whether the blood is his own or another’s or is on his body or uniform). For treatments of blood, the player must obtain the referee’s approval before he may re-enter the field.

Play shall stop when the referee decides

1) an injury is critical,

2) the injured player’s location is likely to interfere with play, or

3) the injured player’s team has control of the ball.

When play is stopped for an injury, the injured player must leave the field, except the goalkeeper. The second time play is stopped because of an injury to the same goalkeeper, he must leave the field. An injured player may re-enter the field after play is restarted. If play is stopped for an injury, anyone entering the field to assist the injured player must wait for the referee’s signal.

B4. PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT

B4-1 Uniforms and Equipment

All the field players of a team must wear the same color jersey, or everyone must wear a bib. The goalkeeper will wear a jersey color that distinguishes him from all other field players and from the referee. The home team changes in case of a color conflict.

Shin guards are mandatory.

B4-2 Jewelry, Footwear, and Headwear

No jewelry or watches are allowed.

Players must wear flat-soled shoes or other shoes designed for the playing surface. Turf shoes must have a minimum of 32 nubs per shoe.

No hats are allowed. Other, non dangerous headwear must be approved by the management.

A player who loses a shoe or headwear during the normal course of play will receive a warning from the referee for the first offense and a two minute penalty for the second offense.

B4-3 Braces and Casts

Knee braces must be inspected and approved by the referee prior to the start of the game. Only hand or arm casts are allowed. Casts must be padded and must be inspected and approved by the referee prior to the start of the game.

B4-4 Equipment Violations

The referee or timekeeper can order a player to remove any unauthorized or dangerous equipment. A two minute penalty shall be issued to the player who fails to comply with the adjustment ordered. The player is prohibited from play so long as he is not in compliance with the order.

B5. THE REFEREE

B5-1 Referee’s Powers

The referee’s power to assess penalties and maintain control of the game includes violations committed during play, during stoppages, and as the players and others proceed to and from the field. The referee has the power to:

a) Warn/Penalize/Caution/Eject - From the time the referee enters the building he

has the power to penalize any player, coach, or spectator for fouls or misconduct

as stated in these Rules and to give warnings or time penalties, including blue,

yellow, or red cards, regardless of whether the ball is in play.

b) Declare an Advantage - The referee allows play to continue when the team

against which an offense has been committed could benefit from such an

advantage.

c) Stop, Suspend, or Terminate the Game - The referee has the discretionary power

to stop the game for any violation and to suspend or terminate the game because

of the elements, interference by spectators, extreme misconduct, or other situation

which he deems unsafe or unacceptable. In the case of a terminated game, the

outcome of the game and any necessary disciplinary action will be determined by

the manager.

d) Prohibit Entry onto the Field - The referee ensures that no unauthorized persons

enter the field.

e) Halt Play Due to Injury - The referee may stop the game if a player has been

injured and have the player removed from the field.

f) Signal Restarts - The referee signals the restart of the game after all stoppages.

B5-2 Referee’s Report

The referee will file a report with the manager, giving all pertinent information about any red card incident.

B5-3 Referee’s Decisions

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play and interpretation of the rules are final. The referee may change a decision prior to restart, upon his own reconsideration.

B6. THE TIMEKEEPER

The timekeeper shall be positioned at the halfway line, outside the field, adjacent to the referee’s crease. His responsibilities include:

1) ensure that every person entering the bench or the field - for whatever reason - presents his own ID card,

2) collect officials’ fees before the game can start,

3) start the clock at the scheduled start time and keep the time for the

duration of the game,

4) record fouls and time penalties, goals scored and player statistics,

5) sound the horn to indicate illegal substitutions,

6) inform a player when his time penalty will expire,

7) sound the horn or otherwise inform the referee about any fouls or

misconduct on the bench, in the stands, or on the field behind the

referee’s back,

8) assist the referee by watching for and indicating

a) 3 line violations,

b) ball out of bounds, and/or

c) anything else requested by the referee,

9) in case of an altercation on the field, make every attempt to prevent

players

from leaving the bench to join in; observe and record violations which

happen during the altercation,

10) in case of an injury, fill out an incident report,

11) in case of a red card, fill out a red card report.

B7. COED LEAGUES

Coed Leagues have three unique rules:

1) The number of male players is specified. There are two variations of the

rule governing the number of male players. Please check the rules.

a) Each team may have a maximum of three male players on the field

at one time, including the goalkeeper. or,

b) Each team may have a maximum of three male players on the field at one time, including the goalkeeper.

2) Female goals are worth two points; male goals are worth one point.

3) In cases where an own goal is scored by the defense, the last offensive player to have touched the ball is credited with the goal. In coed games, if it was a female the team is awarded two points accordingly.

4) Male players may only touch the ball three times consecutively. If a male

player touches the ball a fourth time the opposing team will be awarded a

free kick at the point of infraction.

This “three touch rule” is in effect for shoot outs.

The minimum number of players on the field is four, one of which must be a

female. (If a team is playing with at least five players - at least two are females - and a male player receives a time penalty, he must leave the field, but the team may

choose to substitute one of the female players for a different male player.)

B8. YOUTH LEAGUES

1. Youth teams may have a maximum of two coaches or non-players on the

team bench during a game.

2. There are no time outs in Youth League games.

B9. DURATION OF THE GAME

B9-1 Game Length, Time Outs, Extension of Regulation Time

Games will consist of two equal halves ranging from 20 to 22 minutes. Please check your league rules.

Only adult teams may take one 30 second time out per game. A time out can only be called by 1) a player on the field when his team is in possession of the ball on a dead ball situation, or 2) in his own arch, by a goalkeeper who has possession of the ball with hands or feet and is not being challenged by an opponent. Calling a second time out may result in a two minute bench penalty at the referee’s discretion.. The restart is a free kick where the ball was when play was stopped.

The referee may call an official’s time out for an injury or any unusual circumstance.

The only instance when regulation time will be extended is insufficient time on the clock to conduct a shootout. In that case, 5 seconds is set on the clock, and the clock is started at the referee’s whistle.

B9-2 Suspended Games

Any game which is suspended at or after half time is final. A game which is suspended before the end of the first half because of a blackout will be rescheduled.

B9-3 Terminated or Abandoned Games

If the referee terminates the game, the outcome of the game and any disciplinary action will be decided by the manager. See Referee Powers, section B5-1c. If any player, coach, or spectator involved with a particular team gives the referee cause to terminate the game, the victory will be awarded to the opposing team.

If a team abandons a game, the outcome of the game and any disciplinary action will be decided by the manager.

B10. START OF THE GAME

B10-1 Starting the Clock

Balls must be off the field immediately after the referee or the timekeeper calls for them. Offending team will receive a two minute penalty. If both teams are involved, the clock will start and ball removal done under a running clock.

The clock will begin running at game time. A team must have at least four players ready to play for the game to begin. If a team is unable to start the game after two minutes have elapsed, their opponent will be awarded one goal. If a team is four minutes late, their opponent will be awarded a second goal. If a team is not prepared to play after five minutes have elapsed, the game is forfeited and the opponent is credited with a 5-0 victory (for standings purposes).

The winning team may accept the forfeit and leave. Or if, after the forfeit has been given, more players for the losing team arrive or are recruited, the winning team may:

1) Accept the 5-0 forfeit and play a scrimmage game. (Referee fees must be

paid.) 2) Play a counting game with the time remaining and an opening score of 2-0.

The final score will be recorded on the standings.

B10-2 The Kickoff

The guest team kicks off the first half. The player kicking the ball may not touch the ball a second time until it is touched by another player (a “doubletouch”). Players may not cross the mid line until the ball is kicked (“offside”). The kickoff does not have to go forward. A goal may be scored directly from a kickoff. If offside is called or the kicker takes longer than 5 seconds to play the ball, the opposing team is awarded a free kick at the mid line center spot. (Because this restart is a free kick, the players can be anywhere on the field, if they do not encroach.) If a double touch is called, the opposing team will be awarded a free kick at the point of the infraction.

After each goal, the game is restarted with a kickoff by the team just scored upon, except when a goal is scored at the end of the half.

Prior to the second half, the teams change defensive ends. The home team kicks off the second half.

B11. THE BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

B11-1 Ball in Play

The ball is still in play

1) when it rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar or wall and remains in the

field,

2) when it rebounds off a referee on the field, or

2) in the event of a supposed violation, until stoppage is ordered by the

referee.

B11-2 Ball Out of Play

B11-2a Ball Out of Bounds

The ball is out of bounds when it goes over the perimeter wall or touches the netting above the wall or the ceiling netting.

If the referee judges that a ball was intentionally kicked out of bounds, the restart will be taken at the point where it crossed the perimeter wall or hit the

netting, and the offending player may be subject to a two minute penalty.

Any ball kicked out of the field will be replaced with another; players should not leave the field to retrieve the ball.

B11-2b Ball Out of Play

The ball is out of play when it is out of bounds, when it crosses the goal line, or when the game is stopped by the referee’s whistle. A ball out of play is restarted with a kick off, free kick, or a goalkeeper throw. See Restarts, section B13.

B12. SCORING

B12-1 Scoring Goals

A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the whole of the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no violation of the rules has been committed by the team scoring the goal. A goal cannot be scored once the horn has begun to sound; the whole ball must cross the whole line before the start of the horn. The team scoring the greater number of goals is the winner.

A goal may be scored directly from a kickoff or any restart, including but not limited to: goalkeeper throw ins, corner kicks, kick ins and other free kicks, except in the case of a violation of the rules recognized by the referee.

B12-2 Interference

No goal is allowed if an outside agent alters the path of the ball on its way over the goal line. The restart is a free kick to the defending team.

B13. RESTARTS

B13-1 Definitions and Procedures

A restart is the procedure for resuming play after a stoppage. Restarts are kickoffs, free kicks (including kick ins and corner kicks) and goalkeeper throw ins. Once the referee signals a restart, a player has 5 seconds to play the ball and may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player. For a 5 second violation, the opposing team is given a free kick at the same spot; for a double touch, the opposing team is given a free kick at the point of infraction. The ball must be stationary; if it is not, the kick is retaken. Opposing players may not encroach. See Encroachment, section B15-4d.

A whistle is not required for a restart after a foul, unless it is taken at the top of the arch. A whistle is not required for a kick-in, a corner kick, ceiling out of bounds, or a goalkeeper throw in. The following restarts require the referee to signal the restart with a whistle:

a) a kickoff,

b) a free kick taken at the top of the opponent’s arch,

c) a shoot out,

d) when a player requests that opponents are 15 feet from the ball,

e) a restart after a time out,

f) after a time penalty is given, or

g) after a referee’s stoppage.

If the player taking the kick does not wait for the whistle, the kick is retaken.

B13-2 Kickoffs

After each goal, the game is restarted with a kickoff by the team just scored upon, except when a goal is scored at the end of the half.

Prior to the second half, the teams change defensive ends. The home team kicks off the second half.

B13-3 Free Kick Restarts

Specific free kick restarts include:

a) Free Kick in Own Penalty Arch - When a player takes a free kick in his

defensive penalty arch, all opposing players must be a minimum of 5 feet

from the ball until the ball is in play.

b) Free Kick in Opponent’s Penalty Arch - When a team is awarded a free

kick in their opponent’s penalty arch, the kick takes place at the top of the

arch. Defensive players must be 15 feet away from the ball, and the kicker

must wait for the referee’s whistle.

c) Delayed Blue Card - The location of the restart after a delayed blue card is 1) at the center spot of the mid-line if a goal is scored,

2) at the point of the original foul if a defensive player touches the ball, 3) at the point of the infraction if another foul occurs before the

defensive team touches the ball.

See Delayed Blue Card, section B15-4b.

d) Shootouts - The restart for a shootout is taken in accordance with section

B16-2.

e) Three Line Pass Violation - The restart after a three line pass shall be

taken at the offending team’s defensive red line center spot.

f) Pass Back to Goalkeeper Violation - The free kick awarded after an illegal

pass back to the Goalkeeper. The kick is taken at the top of the offending

team’s arch. The defending team must provide a minimum distance of 15

feet and the play is restarted with the referee’s whistle.

g) Ceiling Out of Bounds - A ball which hits the top netting shall be restarted

directly beneath the spot it struck the netting, unless it is kicked into the

netting above either arch by a defending player, when it shall be restarted at

the top of the arch.

h) Kick Ins - When the ball goes over the wall or touches the netting above

the wall, a kick in is awarded to the opposing team, and play is restarted

on the touch line or between the line and the wall, even with the point

where the ball went out. If the ball touches a player or other person on the

bench who is inadvertently extending into the field, or if the ball exits

through an open bench door, a kick in shall be awarded to the opposing

team.

i) Corner Kicks - When the ball is last played by a defending player and

crosses over the wall or hits the netting between the corner marks, the

opposing team takes a free kick from the corner mark nearest to where the

ball went out.

j) Referee Stoppage - When the play is stopped by the referee’s whistle for

any unusual circumstance, play is restarted at the place it was stopped with

a free kick by the team that was in possession when the whistle was blown.

If possession was not clear, the ball is given to the defensive team.

B13-4 Goalkeeper Restarts

If a player from the opposing team intentionally obstructs the goalkeeper or prevents or hinders him from releasing the ball into play, the offending player receives a time penalty for unsportsmanlike behavior.

B13-4a Goalkeeper Throw Ins

When the ball is last played by an attacking player and crosses over the wall or hits the netting between the corner marks, the opposing goalkeeper restarts play with a throw in. After a time out called by the goalkeeper, he restarts play with a throw in.

The throw in shall be taken by the goalkeeper from any point within the penalty arch.

The goalkeeper has 5 seconds to throw the ball, and he may not play the ball again until it is touched by another player. A violation shall result in a free kick awarded to the opposing team at the point of the infraction if it occurred outside the penalty arch, or at the top of the arch, if it occurred within the arch.

B13-4b Goalkeeper Free Kicks

The goalkeeper may also restart play with a free kick; for example, after an out of bounds or an injury time out.

B14. PROCEDURAL VIOLATIONS

Procedural violations do not result in two minute penalties, are not recorded as fouls and are not added to a team’s foul count. A free kick is awarded to the opposing team.

B14-1 Three Line Pass

A ball kicked or thrown over all three lines in the air towards the opponent’s goal without touching another player, the perimeter wall, or the referee is an illegal three line pass. The ball will be brought back to the center spot of the first red line it crossed, and a free kick awarded to the other team.

B14-2 Illegal Pass Back to Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper may not play the ball with his hands if the ball is intentionally kicked to him by a teammate’s foot pass. The goalkeeper may use his hands to play the ball if it is deflected off a teammate, or if the teammate plays the ball with another part of the body, his head, chest, or knee.

A violation results in a free kick to the opponent at the top of the arch.

A player may not circumvent this rule by playing the ball from his foot to his head and then passing it back to the goalkeeper. A violation results in a two minute penalty to the offending player.

B14-3 Others

Other procedural violations include:

a) goalkeeper brings the ball in the arch and picks it up,

b) player takes longer than 5 seconds to put the ball into play,

c) male Coed player touches ball more than three times consecutively,

d) player double touches ball on a restart.

B15. FOULS AND PENALTIES

B15-1 Fouls