THE GAME
The game consists of two 20 minute periods with a brief five minute intermission. The clock ONLY stops in the last 3 minutes of the second half for goals, injuries, and unusual delays. During regular season: if the score is tied at the end of regulation time, THERE WILL BE NO OVERTIME. During playoffs, if the score is tied at the end of the regulation time, one five-minute overtime and, if the score remains tied after the overtime period, then shoot outs will occur until a winner is declared.
THE TEAM
Each team consists of 5 players, 1 goalie and 4 field players. The goalie must be designated to the referees and wear a jersey or pinnie, which will be provided by the IM program. Substitutions are unlimited and may be made during possession throw-ins, corner kicks, goal kicks, scores and injuries.
ELIGIBILITY
All undergraduate students and persons officially associated with a residential college who meet general eligibility requirements except former varsity soccer award winners and current varsity, junior varsity or freshmen teams’ players and graduate students are eligible to participate. Current players are those players who practiced, played or are on the active team rosters after September 25. Any instance involving special exceptions requires a review by the Athletic Secretaries Ad Hoc Eligibility Committee.
LATE POLICY
Teams are expected to be at the courts and ready to begin play at the time designated on the schedule. If at the starting time a team has the minimum number of players then the game must begin as soon as possible. If a team has fewer than the minimum at the designated starting time then the start of the game will be delayed until enough players arrive. However, if the late team does not have the minimum number of players up to 10 minutes after the original starting time, then the game is reduced by 10 minutes, and the opposing team is awarded one goal along with possession of the ball at mid-court for an indirect kick. If at 20 minutes past the scheduled starting time the team does not have the minimum number of players, then the game is forfeited and two extra goals are awarded to the team that is present.
DEFINITIONS AND RULES
Advantage Clause: The referee may choose not to stop play when a foul is committed if they feel that to do so would give an advantage to the offending team. As the game proceeds, the referee cannot revoke their decision even if the advantage has not been realized. However, this does not exempt the offending player from being dealt with by the referee at the next stoppage of play.
Charging: A fair charge consists of a nudge or a contact with the near shoulder; when both players are in an upright position, within playing distance of the ball, and have at least one foot on the ground and their arms near their bodies.
Slide Tackling:
Slide tackling is defined as a player who attempts to take the ball away from an opposing player, by deliberately leaving their feet and sliding along the ground with one or two legs extended to push the ball away from the opposing player. This is illegal and awards the opposing team a free kick.
Corner Kick: A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team when a defender forces the ball to completely cross the goal line. A kicker from the attacking team must take the kick from the nearest corner where the baseline and sideline meet. The defending team may not be within 3 yards of the kicker until they kick the ball. The kicker may not play the ball until it is touched by another player. A goal may be scored from a corner kick.
Dangerous Play: Dangerous play is a penalized violation that occurs when a player raises the foot to a level that may endanger an opponent who is in a normal stance, lowers the head below the waist in an effort to head the ball in the presence of an oncoming player, covers the ball with a player’s body, or initiates situations considered unsafe by the referee.
Ejection Policy:
A player will be immediately ejected if they commit any of the following actions
· Serious foul play
· Violent conduct
· Spitting at opponents or officials
· Using offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures
Direct Free Kick: A direct free kick is awarded to an opponent after an infraction has been committed by a player. On a direct free kick a goal can be scored directly from the kick. When taking a direct free kick outside the penalty area all defensive players may not be within four yards of the kicker, and after the referee gives a signal with the whistle the ball may be kicked in any direction. The kicker may not play the ball until it is touched by another player. When a direct free kick is awarded to the defending team inside the penalty area all opponents must be outside the penalty area and at least four yards from the ball, and the goalkeeper may not receive the ball in their hands in order to thereafter kick the ball into play. Direct free kicks are awarded for: handling the ball; holding, pushing, striking, attempting to strike, kicking, attempting to kick, tripping or attempting to trip an opponent; jumping at an opponent; handling by the goalkeeper outside the penalty area; violently fouling the goalkeeper; and, violent or reckless charging.
The Ball In and Out of Play: A ball is out of play when it has entirely crossed the out of bounds line. The ball is also out of bounds if it strikes any part of the basketball backboards, supports, roofing, or walls located outside the boundary line. If the ball strikes any of these obstructions the referee will deem if there will be a goal kick or throw in to resume play. Last, if the ball strikes the goalpost, crossbar, or referee and remains in bounds then the ball is still playable.
Kick-in: There are no throw-ins taken in indoor soccer; instead, the ball is kicked in at the spot where the ball completely crossed the sideline. After the kick-in, the kicker may not play the ball until it is touched by another player.
Goal Kick: A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when an attacker forces the ball to completely cross the goal line. The ball is placed on the ground at a point within the goal area nearest to where it crossed the goal line and is kicked in any direction from that point into the court of play beyond the penalty area. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball crosses the penalty area line The goalkeeper may not receive the ball into their hands from a goal kick in order to thereafter kick it into play. The kicker may not play the ball until it is touched by another player. A goal may not be scored from a goal kick.
Goalkeeper Privileges: The goalies are allowed to hold the ball inside the three point arc; however, they are only allowed to hold to ball up to five seconds of clock time. The goalkeeper has certain privileges which include: the ability to handle the ball, immunity from charging, interference, or any opponent contact. When attempting to throw the ball, goalies may only roll the ball on the floor. Goalies are NOT allowed to drop kick, throw the ball in the air or punt the ball. If a goalie drop kicks, punts the ball or completes an aerial throw an indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
Goalkeeper Violations: The goalkeeper may not deliberately delay release of the ball beyond five seconds, or intentionally strike an opponent with the ball.
Handling: Intentionally carrying, striking or propelling the ball with the hands is an infraction. Unintentional handling is not penalized and occurs when the ball strikes the hands or arms of a player who has not moved them to play the ball. Only the goalkeeper may handle the ball within their penalty area.
Offside: There are no offside penalties in indoor soccer.
Indirect Free Kick: An indirect free kick is awarded to an opponent when an infraction has been committed by a player. An indirect free kick cannot be scored unless the ball has been played or touched by another player before passing through the goal. When an indirect free kick is awarded an opponent may not be within four yards of the ball until it is kicked. The ball must be stationary and may be kicked in any direction. The kicker may not play the ball until it is touched by another player. Indirect free kicks are awarded for: the keeper carrying the ball more than three steps; dangerous play; offside; interference; obstruction; illegal non-violent charging; poor behavior; or, improper substitution.
Kickoff: A kickoff starts the game or restarts the game after a score. Players must be on their respective side of the court. The defensive team must remain three yards from the ball until it is kicked while an offensive player takes a place kick from midcourt into the opponent’s half of the court. The kicker may not play the ball again until it is touched by another player. A goal may not be scored directly from the kickoff.
Obstruction: Obstruction is a penalized infraction and occurs when a player runs between an opponent and the ball in order to form an obstacle except when the ball is within playing distance.
Penalty Kick: A penalty kick is awarded for any infraction resulting in a direct free kick by the defending team committed inside the penalty box area (inside the free throw line). All players except the shooter and goalkeeper must remain outside the penalty area and at least three yards from the penalty-mark until the ball is kicked. The kicker may place the ball anywhere on the penalty-mark line (top of the three point arc). The goalkeeper must stand, without moving their feet, on the goal line between the goal posts, until the ball is kicked. After the kick the kicker may not play the ball until another player touches it.