BFR INDOOR SOCCER RULES

click for printer friendly 2007-2008 Rules 

updated 11/8/07

 

In any incident not covered or specifically excluded by the following rules, refer to the Bluffton Family Recreation Sports Director for clarification!

Laws of the Game

FIFA rules shall be used with the modifications as described below!

Rule 1- The Ball

The referee will approve the game ball - the league will furnish all balls.

BALL SIZE:

Ages under 12 and younger - Size #4

Ages under 14 and older - Size #5

Rule 2 - Number of Players

The number of players shall be:

Under 8 – Five (5) A-Side

Under 10 and 12 - Six (6) A-Side

Under 14 and older - Six (6) A-Side

Matches will not be considered valid if a team has fewer than one less the required number of players for that age division. Teams may play 2 players down if the match began with the required number of players or 1 less than required. (so you may begin a game with a minimum of 5 players, but once the game begins if the number of players falls below 4 (as a result of injury, or ejection), then the game will be forfeited.

Substitutions

Each team may substitute players freely. When a player is to be replaced, he shall be in the substitution box before new player enters. All players must enter and leave the field by the gates ONLY. For violation of this rule, a two-minute time penalty will be assessed to the player that participated prematurely.

Guaranteed Substitution

Means that play will be stopped by the referee and substitutions made before the ball is put back into play. Substitutions will be unlimited and "guaranteed" on goal kicks, kick-ins, and corner kicks. "Guaranteed" Substitution rules are suspended in the last two- (2) minutes of the game. Substitution on fouls is permitted as long as the play is uninterrupted, but is not "guaranteed."

Goalkeeper Substitutions

When a goalkeeper is to be replaced, the following conditions shall be observed:

1. The official’s permission/acknowledgment is obtained.

2. Play is stopped for any guaranteed substitution situation.

The goalkeeper may not be replaced while the ball is in play. The substitute must be properly attired before he/she enters the field or requests the change.

Note: Time will be allowed to properly uniform a goalkeeper substitute if the keeper is injured and there is not a regular substitute keeper.

Rule 3 - Player Equipment

The following equipment is required:

1. Only flat-soled or other shoes designed for artificial surfaces may be worn onto the field.

2. Each team’s players will wear matching jerseys.

3. Shin guards covered by stockings are required for all age groups.

All equipment and uniforms are subject to the approval of the game official.

4. Jewelry must be removed prior to the beginning of the game.

Rule 4 - Referees

Bluffton Family Recreation reserves the right to assign officials as needed! The decisions of the Referee regarding facts connected with play and interpretations of the Rules are final. The Referee that starts the game finishes the game.

Rule 5 - Duration of the Game

The duration of the match will be as follows:

-two (2) Twenty-five minute halves, with a five minute half time.

Time is continuous, and will not stopped under normal circumstances, but can be stopped at the discretion of the referee, or Sports Director

Note: The referee may start time even if the players are not positioned on the field. Games will start at the game time given. There will be no stalling due to late players.

Rule 6 - The start of the Play

Both teams will be assigned a bench area and the home team will begin the game on the same end of their bench, which is the scoreboard end of the arena. The visiting team will have the kick-off to begin the game. Ends (not benches) will be changed at half time with the home team taking the kick-off. When the ball is touched and moved it is in play. The ball cannot passed back behind the midfield line on kick-offs.

Rule 7 - Ball In and Out of Play

The ball is out of play when it wholly crosses the perimeter walls, strikes the building, it’s frame, net, or fixtures or strikes any person or player not on the field or any object or person not legally on the field.

When a ball strikes the ceiling, beams, or lights, a BLUE CARD for a structure violation will be given. Any player causing the ball to strike the ceiling, or fixtures, shall serve a two-minute penalty. A deflection off another player will not result in a structure violation. The ball will be placed directly below the point of contact. This punishment shall not prevent an additional penalty (time) and caution (Yellow Card) if the official judges the action to be unsportsmanlike.

If the ball went out of play over perimeter walls (hitting the safety net), without touching the building, play will be restarted in the normal manner (goal kick, corner kick, or kick-in).

If play is stopped for any reason other than going out of play or foul, play will be restarted with a drop-ball where the ball was stopped unless the ball is in the penalty box, then it will be dropped at the top of the penalty arc.

Rule 8 - Method of Scoring

No change for indoor. Remember that the entire ball must cross the goal line.

 

Rule 9- Off Side

Offside is not judged a foul in indoor soccer.

Rule 10 - Fouls and other Violations

A foul occurs if a player:

(a) Holds an opponent

(b) Handles the ball (except by the goal keeper within his penalty arch)

(c) Plays in a dangerous manner

(d) Slide Tackles

(e) Impedes the progress of an opponent ("Obstruction"), or

1. Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
2. A player grabs the wall with two hands in order to gain advantage over the opponent (players are allowed to have one hand on the wall).

 

And when a player commits the following in a manner that the Referee considers careless, serious, reckless, or involving excessive force.

(a) Kicks an opponent

(b) Trips an opponent

(c) Jumps at an opponent

(d) Charges an opponent

(e) Strikes or elbows an opponent

(f) Pushes an opponent

 

 

Goalkeeper Violations

A goalkeeper, after releasing the ball from his hands into play, may not handle the ball again until it has been touched or played by an opponent, unless a stoppage of play has occurred. A keeper may throw the ball or kick it from the ground. The goalkeeper is not to volley kick, drop kick, or punt the ball to release it into play.

A teammate shall not deliberately kick the ball back to his goalkeeper for the goalkeeper to legally handle the ball. The penalty will result in a direct kick from the penalty arc.

Goalkeeper steps are not counted, but unnecessary delay, in excess of five (5) seconds, by the goal keeper will be determined by the referee and penalized by awarding a direct kick to the opposing team at the top of the penalty arc.

Goalkeeper Handballs

Hand Ball

It is considered a handball if the ball is touched outside of the goalie box by the goalkeeper.

Penalty Kick

If the goalkeeper is outside of the goal box when the handball is committed there will be a penalty kick.

Note: The Keeper will not be required, unless the referee feels it necessary to serve any time penalty until violations have reached the level of being sent from the field (Red card). However, each time penalty assessed the keeper will be served by a player on the field designated by the coach/manager.

Blue Card Offense: Unless otherwise provided below, the Referee issues a Blue Card for Fouls for:

(a) Deliberate handball or handball by the a goal keeper;

(b) Goalkeeper Endangerment;

(c) Boarding;

(d) Unsporting Behavior by a player;

(e) Substitution Violations

(f) Team Violations; and

(g) Structure Violation (player who kicked the ball)

(h) Encroachment

Yellow (Cautionable) Offenses: The Referee issues a Yellow Card for reckless fouls and offenses described directly above, and for the following:

 

(a) Unsporting Behavior by any non-player personnel

(b) Provoking Altercation: Making physical contact with an opponent (e.g., pushing or poking), short of fighting or using the ball in doing so.

(c) Slide Tackling (Slide tackling by goalkeeper will be called by the referee, if he feels it to be unnecessary).

Red (Ejectionable) Offenses: A person receives a Red Card for fouls and offenses described directly above, which the referee considers violent or use of excessive force, and for:

(a) Second Yellow

(b) Elbowing: Intentionally elbowing an opponent above the shoulder

(c) Vicious Slide Tackling: A tackle from the side or from behind directly into one or both legs of an opponent, seriously endangering him;

(d) Fighting;

(e) Leaving team bench or penalty area to engage in a fracas of confrontation with the opposition or a game official;

(f) Extreme Unsporting Behavior: Committing particularly despicable behavior.

Rule 11- Free Kicks

When the ball is touched and moved it is in play and the opponents need only be 10 feet from the ball. All free kicks are direct! A defensive wall is permitted on all free kicks except penalty kicks. Before the team takes the free kick, the ball must be stationary.

Any free kick awarded to the attacking team for a foul or for an infraction which occurred in its opponent’s penalty area (goal box) shall be taken at the top of the restraining arc unless a penalty kick has been awarded.

Rule 12 - Penalty Kick

 

(a) The ball is placed at the free kick mark

(b) The Goalkeeper must have both feet on the goaline until the ball is in play; and

(c) The player taking the penalty kick may not touch the ball again until after touching another player.

Rule 13 - Kick-In

When the whole of the ball crosses the perimeter walls, play will be restarted with a direct kick by the team opposite the team that last touched the ball before it went out of play. The ball will be placed within touchline at the point where it went out of play. Defender must play at a 10 ft. distance from the ball on the direct kick/kick in.

Rule 14 Goal Kick

No Change.

Rule 15 - Corner Kick

The ball will be placed on the corner spot. There is no corner arc.

Rule 16 - Time Penalties

-Blue Card 2 minutes for the player receiving the card. Team goes back to full strength after scored on. The player receiving the card may go back onto the field.

A running total of non-cardable fouls will be kept at the score table. After a team accumulates six fouls in a half, the team will be required to play short for a two-minute duration. After the penalty has been assessed, the total will start over. The coach of the offending team may choose any player on the field at the time of the sixth foul occurred to serve the penalty (they will then play the two-minutes down a player). Should the other team score during this time, then the player taken off the field may return, unless teams are at equal strength at the time of the goal.

-Yellow Card 5 minutes Team goes back to full strength after scored on. The player receiving the card may not go back onto the field until the full five minutes are up.

-Red Card 5 minutes Team will play short for the entire five minute period.

Time penalties will be declared with a caution (Yellow Card). The player must leave the field and stay on their team’s bench, without participating in any manner in the game. He may not be replaced in the game during his/her penalty. If a player refuses to serve the time penalty, the official may declare a forfeit and terminate the match.

BFR rules require that an ejected player, coach, or any bench personnel must leave the building for the remainder of the day he/she received the Red Card in, along with the next scheduled game of the team that she/he was participating with when the Red Card was received. If a player receives a Red Card, another player designated by the coach/manager will serve the five-minute penalty.

If a goal is scored while teams are at even strength, regardless of duration of penalty, no one will be permitted to re-enter the game from a previous penalty.

Any Player/coach (including the bench personnel) who receives a yellow card then commits an offense that would warrant another yellow card will be given a red card.

Taunting will be considered "ungentlemanly conduct" and will be disciplined accordingly. Any player/coach (including bench personnel) that receives a red card for violent conduct or serious foul play, foul or abusive language/behavior may not be permitted to play again in the current session. Anyone involved in fighting will be banned from the Bluffton Family Recreation Center. This includes the playing field, locker rooms, lobby, spectator area and parking lot. Use of foul or abusive language will result in a one game suspension and can be enforced by referees or any BFR employee. The need for this rule is that, we have many children and young adults playing in this league. Foul or Abusive Language can be degrading, demoralizing and demeaning; and will not be tolerated here at BFR.

Rule 17 – Coach and Age Requirements

All youth teams, 19 years of age and under, MUST have a responsible adult, who is at least 21 years of age or older and is familiar with the indoor soccer program and rules, to be in control and on the bench before any member of the team is allowed on the field. Adult teams must consist of players at least 18 years of age in the competitive division.

Rule 18 - First Aid

Any player with blood on his/her uniform will be removed from the field until the situation is remedied to the satisfaction of the referee(s). First aid and ice packs are available either at the front desk or with the scorekeeper.

Rule 19 - Team Management

We ask that all coaches and players remain on the player platforms during the games until they are being substituted into the game. One coach may stand at the doorway during the game to instruct players if needed. Parents/coaches are not permitted to stand behind the goal areas or any other area around the dasher boards. All coaches must be with the team behind the team bench. All spectators (aside from handicap accessibility) must watch games from the upstairs mezzanine. No players, balls, coats, bags or equipment on the track at anytime. Walkers/joggers always have the right of way. Use the hooks and space provided for your belongings.

Players will be required to check in with the scorekeeper before each game.

Rule 20

League Fees

° ALL League Fees are due at the time of registration!

° ALL returned checks will be subject to a $25 service fee.

"The Bluffton Family Recreation Sports Director reserve the right to extend penalties as deemed necessary to provide a safe environment for everyone involved."