SOCCER CITY RULES & REGULATIONS

SOCCER CITY INDOOR SOCCER RULES & REGULATIONS

*Regulations*	*Rules of the Game*
Snow Policy Discipline Forfeitures Protests League Schedule, Standings and Playoffs Player Roster Ineligible Players	The Field The Uniform/Footwear The Ball Number of Players Age Groups Substitutions Injured Players Free Kicks/Tap-In's Encroachment Length of Games	Three Line Violation/ Midfield Line Violation Penalty Kick Fighting Referee & Six Fouls Bench Penalty Referee's Cards Slide Tackling Passing Back To The Goalkeeper Shin Guards/Jewelry

Regulations

1. Snow Policy
Unless Management closes the facility, all games will go on as scheduled. Teams that do not show are subject to possible forfeiture. It is the coach's responsibility to verify that the matches are still on.
For updates, please check local news stations and our website.

2. DISCIPLINE

A. Any player, manager or coach, ejected from a league game must leave the soccer arena or face further disciplinary action. The match will not continue until the player/coach has vacated the arena. Players: A Red Card Ejection can result in a one game suspension. For fighting see rule #13. Coach: Any Red Card Ejection can result in a two game suspension. If a longer suspension is warranted, the League Coordinator will pass judgment. It is the responsibility of the team representative to find out the length of suspension and enforce it.

B. Any player or coach receiving a second red card in one session can be suspended for the remainder of the league session & playoffs.

C. Any violent action, verbal or physical towards a referee, coach, player or spectator can result in the suspension of all league play at Soccer City indefinitely.

3. FORFEITURES

A. There is a 5 minute grace period, teams must show up for time scheduled.

B. Any team which fails to show up for a scheduled game forfeits the match. Forfeits are recorded as a 5-0 game.

C. Any team forfeiting more than one game can be subjected to dismissal from the league.

4. PROTESTS

All protests must be made within 30 minutes following the game. The protest must be written and turned in to a Soccer City manager. If the game is to be replayed, the team making the protest will be charged a fee of $195 to cover the cost of the make-up game.
**NO PROTESTING JUDGMENT CALLS BY THE REFEREE**

5. LEAGUE SCHEDULE, STANDINGS & PLAYOFFS

A. Standings will be determined by points: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and no points for a loss. A tie in points will result in
1) Head to head competition, 2) Record - most wins 3) Goal Differential, 4) Goals Against, 5) Goals for 6) Coin Toss

***Maximum Goal Difference per game is 5 Goals ***

Standard league play will consist of 7 regular season games, points will be taken from the first seven games when more games are played than the standard. Soccer City can shorten a season at any time they deem necessary. Soccer City is in no way obligated to make up games that are missed due to weather or for any other reason. In the event that Soccer City cancels a game and cannot reschedule, both teams will receive the equivalent point total of a tie. It is the obligation of all coaches to call Soccer City in the event that their teams are involved in post season play. Soccer City will not call coaches with playoff information.

Under no circumstances may coaches reschedule league matches. Failure to comply will result in a forfeit for offending team (s).
B. Special formats concerning tournament play will be used to prevent excessive ties and will be posted during tournament play.

***During play-off games if the game is tied at the end of regulation a 5 minute "Golden Goal" sudden death period will take place. If it is still tied at the conclusion of the sudden death period, penalty kicks will be the decider. ## (Coed)##(If tied after 5 pk's per team, sudden death pk's will result. One pk till decider. No repeat shooters until entire team has shot.)*** In the event of a penalty kick shootout, a Staff Member may assist the Referee in any means necessary.
Any team that did not submit a roster is subject to forfeiture upon challenge.

##If penalty kicks need to take place in a coed playoff match. Two of your first five shooters must be female. If you do not have enough female shooters the result will be a miss for each female that is not present.

6. PLAYER ROSTER

A. A player can only register with one team in a division/League.* A player is locked to a team after week II and may not play for any other team in that league/division for the reminder of that league/division. If a league is split into 2 non-playing divisions, a player can play in both divisions.

B. Maximum number of players per team is 18 for youth and adult.

C. Adult Division players must be 16 years or older to compete. Players under the age of 18 must have a parent fill out and sign a parental consent form.

D. All rosters must be handed in to a Soccer City manager prior to the first game. All rosters will be frozen prior to the start of the 3rd game. Any changes prior to the to the third game must be handed in to a Soccer City manager.

E. The use of an illegal player can result in a forfeit.

F. Any player on the roster may participate in playoff action. Any team that did not submit a roster is subject to forfeiture upon challenge.

7. INELIGIBLE PLAYERS

players that have received a red card or suspension
players who are not on the roster
a player who is older than the league limit
a player who is on two rosters in the same division
a player under the age of sixteen playing in the adult divisions.

GAMES PLAYED WITH INELIGIBLE PLAYERS CAN RESULT IN A FORFEITURE FOR THE OFFENDING TEAM, PROVIDING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OCCURS:

A FORMAL PROTEST IS REGISTERED WITH SOCCER CITY NO LATER THAN 30 MINUTES AFTER A GAME
A REFEREE SUBMITS A WRITTEN OR ORAL REPORT THAT TO HIS/HER KNOWLEDGE AN ILLEGAL PLAYER WAS USED

It is the coach's or team representative's duty to call SOCCER CITY to find out if any ejections or suspensions occurred due to ejection from a match. SOCCER CITY DOES NOT CALL COACHES WHEN PLAYERS ARE SUSPENDED.

RULES OF THE GAME AT SOCCER CITY

RULE 1 - THE FIELD. The dimensions of the field are approximately:
Field Turf 1 - 160' x 75' (No Dasher Boards) Field Turf 2 - 110' x 50' Field Turf 3 - 185' x 85' (No Dasher Boards)
The goals are 6 feet high x 12 feet wide . Field 1- the Boards above the goals, cross-bar's, are in play. Field 3- The poles above the goals are out of bounds.

Rule 2 - Uniforms & Footwear Every youth or adult team must have matching shirts with numbers.
The goalkeeper must have a different color numbered jersey than either team. This measure will be strictly enforced. A team can forfeit without proper uniforms. The use of outdoor cleats is prohibited on all of our field turf fields. Only flat soled shoes or other designed for artificial surfaces, turf shoes, are permitted.
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RULE 3 - THE BALL All Game Balls Required by each TEAM (Soccer City Sports Center is no longer required to provide the game ball)U-12,U-11, U-10, U-9, U-8 will use a size 4 ball. All other leagues will use a size 5 ball. back to top

RULE 4 - NUMBER OF PLAYERS. For all divisions the team will consist of 5 field players and one goalkeeper, unless Soccer City has posted otherwise. U10 boys & Girls on Field Turf 1 will be 6 field players and one goalkeeper back to top

RULE 5 - AGE GROUPS. Age groups will run from Aug. 1 to July 31 on the same standard as Pioneer Valley and MAPLE regulations specify for single age groups. Please refer to the age cut off dates outlined in the league policies page and/or application. back to top

RULE 6 - SUBSTITUTIONS. During the game unlimited "one the fly" substitutions for either team are permitted at any time for field players and the goalkeeper provided that two conditions are satisfied:

The player(s) leaving the field must be within the perforated line at the player's own bench area, or off the field in the bench area, before substitution is made.
Neither players entering the field or players departing the field may participate in play when they are simultaneously on the field. An illegal substitution can be penalized by a two minute penalty and a free kick from the location of the ball when play was stopped. If the violation concerns only the first condition the referee may decide only to give a verbal warning.
**Jumping of the boards can result in a two minute penalty.**
*Field 3 - Bench players have to be behind the netting at all times. The player (s) leaving the field must be within the touchline at the player's own bench area, or off the field in the bench area before substituion in made.

4 GUARANTEED SUBSTITUTIONS.

After a goal has been scored .
On an injury time out.
At half-time.
When the ball leaves the field of play, only for the team with possession, opposing team may sub at their own risk of being caught with to many players of field.
After a penalty has been awarded, only for the team with possession, opposing team may sub at their own risk.

***All substitutions of this nature must be made within a time frame of 10 seconds or the team is subject to a delay of game penalty which would result in a two minute penalty.

***the referee's discretion will be used to allow substitutions in certain circumstances. THERE WILL BE NO TIME-OUTS.. back to top

RULE 7 - RUNNING TIME & INJURED PLAYERS. A player attended to on the field is not required to leave the field. The referee should only stop the play when the team of the injured player has the ball or if the injury seems serious. It is running time except for serious injury. THE REFEREE IS NOT OBLIGATED TO STOP THE CLOCK FOR ALL INJURIES.
Bleeding Rule: If a player is bleeding, that player must leave the field and receive treatment before re-entering the match.
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RULE 8 - FREE KICKS & Tap-Ins All free kicks have to be taken within five seconds. If this does not occur the referee can award the ball to the opposing team.
Field 3: Out of Bounds: Sidelines: Tap-In's (direct free kick) where the ball went out of play. These kicks are to be taken no more than one yard inside the field of play. End Lines: Goal Kicks & Corner Kicks (Place on dots)
High Netting: Penalty Areas: Attacking team- place on dot located outside of penalty area- direct kick. Defending team- place ball on approximate area where the ball hit the over head netting-direct kick.
Anywhere else on field: Place ball on approximate area where ball hit the netting-direct kick. back to top

***All free kicks are direct kicks. EXCEPT: ALL KICKOFFS ARE INDIRECT ***

Any foul other than those resulting in a penalty kick occurring in the box will be placed at the circle at the top of the semi-circle (i.e. pass back to the goalkeeper on Field 3, obstruction, dangerous play, etc.) back to top

RULE 9 - ENCROACHMENT. All players must be 9 feet away from the ball on an opposing teams free kick. A team warning can result for the first offense and then a two minute penalty can exist for any further violations. back to top

RULE 10 - LENGTH OF GAMES. A standard Soccer City league games will consist of two 25 minute periods. This time may be shortened at any time if Soccer City deems it necessary.

***During play-off games if the game is tied at the end of regulation a 5 minute sudden death period will take place. If it is still tied at the conclusion of the first sudden death period, penalty kicks will be the decider. (If tied after 5 pk's per team, sudden death pk's will result. One pk till decider. No repeat shooters until entire team has shot.)*** 5 back to top

RULE 11 - MIDFIELD LINE VIOLATION RULE CHANGE
FIELD ONE and THREE-No line violations.
FIELD TWO - it is only a violation if the goalkeeper throws, punts, or kicks the ball three lines from inside the penalty area. Once outside the area, the keeper is like any other field player who can kick three lines. Deflections off opposing team players are not considered 3 line violations. FIELD THREE- back to top

RULE 12 - PENALTY KICK. For a penalty kick the ball will be placed on the solid dot at the top of the box. All other players will be outside the box. back to top

***The violating team must send a player off for two minutes prior to the kick being taken. If the kick is converted, the player may re-enter the match. If the kick is not converted, the player must serve out the penalty. back to top

RULE 13 - FIGHTING. Any player ejected for fighting can serve a two game suspension. Further disciplinary action can be assessed from Soccer City Management if they deem necessary. (ie: extend game suspensions) If the same player is ejected for fighting more than once, he or she can be suspended for the remainder of the season, (Winter Season) and re-entry will occur only after said player has met with Soccer City managers.

***IF ANY PLAYER LEAVES THE BENCH DURING A FIGHT ON THE FIELD, THE MATCH CAN BE ABANDONED AND THE ENTIRE TEAM CAN BE EJECTED FROM THE SESSION AND FORFEIT ALL OF THE LEAGUE FEE.

***ANY PLAYER WHO STRIKES AN OFFICIAL CAN BE BARRED FROM THE FACILITY FOR LIFE. - Refer to 1. c. Discipline. back to top

RULE 13 - REFEREE There will be one referee for all games in all divisions. The referee is responsible for the calling, controlling and scoring of the game. back to top

RULE 14- BENCH PENALTY. Any verbal abuse directed at the referee can result in either a two minute bench penalty, a yellow card violation or an ejection, (Red Card). Yellow cards and ejections result in a five minute penalty with no re-entry. It is under the referee's discretion. Verbal abuse will not be tolerated. back to top

RULE 15 - REFEREE'S CARDS. A minor penalty (blue card) is a two-minute penalty which expires after two minutes or when a goal is scored against the violating team. A major penalty (yellow/red card) the player must serve the full five minutes regardless of goals scored. A red card results in the player send-off and the team serving a five minute major penalty. * Matching penalties- both players serve the full penalty, regardless of goals scored. * The accumulation of 2 yellow cards in one game is a red card send off for that game. Further action is the discretion of the referee committee. back to top

RULE 16 - SLIDE TACKLING. There will be absolutely no slide tackling an opponent, this rule will be strictly enforced.

RULE 17 - PASSING BACK TO THE GOALKEEPER.****New Rule
On Field 1 & Field 3, Goalkeepers will not be able to handle back passes from teammates, regardless of how the ball was passed. Only on Field 2 can a keeper pick up a back pass. back to top

RULE 18 - SHIN GUARDS/JEWELRY. It is MANDATORY that all players wear shin guards; players not complying will be removed from the playing field. **It can be a two minute penalty if caught without shin guards- Referee's discretion.
The use of any type of Jewelry/Piercing is prohibited at Soccer City. No exceptions. A player caught with jewelry or any type of piercing on during a match can serve a two minute penalty.

**TEAMS MUST BE PAID IN FULL PRIOR TO FIRST GAME. TEAMS CAN FORFEIT IF NOT PIF.

****League standings will be posted at Soccer City. The standings printed in the Union News or any other publication are not always up to date or accurate

****Any team that was suspended from league play is not entitled to any refund at any amount.

****Soccer City reserves the right to change or amend any rule at any time of the soccer season.

****These rules will govern all S.C.I.S.L. games.****

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