Rocket Sports - Indoor Soccer Rules

INDOOR SOCCER RULES

Revision 4.1 – March 20, 2006

League games are 40 minutes long, running time. The clock does not stop for injuries, lost balls, etc.

Teams play five field players and a goalie. Substitutions are made on the fly. Teams may have an unlimited number of players. Youth teams must have an adult present on the bench.

Each team must supply at least one game ball. Each team must have a jersey color different from the opposing team. Goalies must wear a jersey that is a different color than the field players.

Players must wear shin guards.

Kickoffs may go backwards.

The top netting is out of play. Side netting, walls and the netting above the goals are all in play. A ball that goes out of play is restarted with a free kick from the point where the ball went out of play. The ball may be moved three feet away from the wall if the kick is to be taken from the side of the field.

No slide tackling and no boarding. Referees may access a two minute penalty if desired.

All restarts are direct. Opponents must be 10 feet away from the ball on a restart.

Goalkeepers have six seconds to release the ball from their hands. A goalie punt or throw may not cross the midfield line in the air. The ball must first hit the ground, the wall, netting or a player. The goalie may play the ball beyond the midfield line if he / she first puts the ball on the ground or lets the ball bounce at least twice before kicking the ball. Once the ball is bounced however, the ball is considered to be in play and may be blocked or stolen by an opponent.

Referees may call a two-minute penalty for excessive rough play, intentional foul, dissent, foul language, etc. The referee may also remove a player or coach from the game if necessary. The referee may terminate the game if a fight breaks out.

Penalty kicks are taken from two yards outside of the penalty area.

Standard outdoor goalkeeper rules apply with regard to passes played back to him / her. Goalkeepers must play the ball within six seconds of receiving the ball. Goalies may dribble the ball from outside the penalty area into the penalty area and pick up the ball.

There is no offsides rule. Goalkeeper obstruction of movement however will be strictly enforced.

SPECIAL RULES FOR SPECIFIC LEAGUES

PLAYOFF GAMES - If a game ends in a tie that requires a winner to be determined, teams will play sudden victory, 4v4 with no goalkeepers. Play will start with a drop ball at midfield. In the event of a penalty shot in sudden victory, a goalkeeper may use his / her hands on the initial shot only.

For playoffs, a player may only play for one team. Once a player has played for a team in the playoffs, that player may not play for another team in the playoffs.

YOUTH HOUSE LEAGUE RULES - Teams play with six field players for grades K - 8. The high school co-ed league plays with five field players and a goalie. If a team is losing by four or more goals, the team that is losing may add an extra field player.

ADULT CO-ED LEAGUE RULES - Each team must have a minimum of two females on the field at all times. If a team does not have two females, they must play shorthanded. If a playoff game ends in a tie, teams will play 4v4 overtime. Each team must have a minimum of one female on the field during overtime.

TOURNAMENT RULES - Tournaments will use the same rules as described above, except penalties will only be one minute in duration.