Attachment D - 2024 Soccer Rules.pdf

2024 Intramural 5v5 Soccer Rules

General

• All decisions of the referee are final and binding. The league reserves the right to decide on all matters relative to the league and its decisions are final. In the event of inclement weather, the league coordinator may reschedule a match, change division structure, reduce match duration or cancel a match.

• The only protests are regarding Rosters.

Spirit of the Game

• The LAAFB Fitness & Sports department believes that safety is the most important component to recreation programming. Therefore, it is important that all participants understand that the emotional and physical safety of all players is of the utmost concern.

Registration

• Each team shall be allowed a maximum of 5 players.

• There are no goalies.

• Players must be listed on the roster at registration to be eligible to play.

• If a team is short players, additions are permitted with approval of the opposing coach.

• During Playoffs, players must be listed on the roster at registration to be eligible to play; NO additions are permitted for injuries, late arrivals, other commitments, etc.

Start of Play

• The team manager shall ensure that all players are on scene a minimum of ten (10) minutes before a scheduled match. A team, which cannot field (4) players at the scheduled start time, shall forfeit the match.

The team forfeiting shall be declared the loser by a score of two (2) goals to zero. Players entering the match late must enter at midfield with the official’s notification. (See above for adding players.)

• Games ending in a tie will remain a tie.

Match Overtime for Playoffs Only

• Tiebreaker – 3 players on each team kick alternating penalty kicks from mid field, no goalie. If still tied after initial 3, choose 3 different players and continue alternating single kickers until one side scores when the other doesn’t.

Objectives of the game are provided for leisure, team play, friendship and healthy competition in a safe environment.

Dimensions of the Field: 35 X 70 yards for all divisions. Touchlines and end lines will be marked with flags and cones.

Goalie: There are no goalies.

The Goal Box: A goal box will be delineated by colored cones on the field at each end of the field, two (2) paces out from each goal post and four (4) paces forward, towards the half line. Both offensive and defensive players may not be inside the goal box at any time until the ball crosses the plane of the goal box.

Penalty: Direct Kick

The Goal: Goal size is 4’H X 6’W. Goals are of aluminum construction.

The Ball: All divisions will use a size 5 and inflation pressure is 7 lbs.

ATTACHMENT D

Start of the Game: The referee will conduct a coin toss to decide kickoff and field side options. The kick-off will be at the center of the field on the referee whistle. A goal may be scored directly off a kick-off. Opponents must remain at least five (5) yards away from the ball. After a goal has been scored, the game restarts from the same midfield point. The team not kicking off at the start of the game will take the kickoff to begin the second half.

Duration of the Game: All games will have 20-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime to exchange ends and break. A referee whistle ends each period.

Scoring a Goal: A goal shall be scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line in the air or on the ground between the goal posts and under the crossbar.

Out of Play: The ball is considered out of play when the entire ball crosses the end line or touchline.

Offside: There are no offsides.

5v5: The game is played with two teams of 5 players on each team.

Substitutions: Free substitution. There are no limits on substitutions. The substitute can only enter the field between the cones at mid-field after a whistle stops play. The player that is being substituted can leave the field from any place on the field. Unfair substitution shall result in a direct kick and/or a yellow card at decision of the referee.

Referees: The game shall be officiated by 2 CSOA referees, their decisions are final. The referee will serve as timekeeper and scorekeeper. The referee is part of the field of play just as the cones, goals and flags. The referee’s call is final.

Footwear: It is strictly forbidden to wear screw-in cleats or front-toed cleats (football cleats) Shin guards are mandatory.

Fouls: If any player commits any of the below infractions, there will be an indirect free kick (from which a goal cannot be scored directly against the defending side) taken from the spot of the infraction. It is considered a foul to:

• Plays in a dangerous manner

• Impedes the progress of an opponent

• Sliding

• Touch the ball with the hand or arm

Indirect Free Kick: The referee will award an indirect free kick (from which a goal cannot be scored directly against the defending side until another player touches the ball) where a foul has been committed. Opponents will approach no closer than five (5) yards. If the infraction occurs within one (1) yard of the penalty box, the referee will place the indirect free kick five (5) yards from the point of infraction. A player wall must not exceed more than two players.

Indirect Free Kick Start: A player who takes a free kick, or puts the ball in play, may not touch the ball twice consecutively.

Infractions During Indirect Free Kicks: If any irregularity occurs when a free kick is being taken, the following will apply:

award a red card to the player or players who commit the infraction. A red card results in an ejection with the offending team playing a man short. It is considered a foul to:

• Grab or push an opponent

• Inside the goal box before the ball crosses the plane of the goal box.

• Jumps at an opponent

• Kick or attempt to kick an opponent

• Strike or attempt to strike an opponent

• Slide tackle – front or behind

• Trip or attempt to trip an opponent

Direct Free Kick: The referee will award a direct free kick (from which a goal can be scored directly against the defending side) where a foul has been committed. Opponents will approach no closer than five (5) yards. If the infraction occurs within one (1) yard of the penalty box, the referee will place the direct free kick five (5) yards from the point of infraction. A player wall must not exceed more than two players.

Direct Free Kick Start: A player who takes a free kick, or puts the ball in play, may not touch the ball twice consecutively.

Infractions During Direct Free Kicks: If any irregularity occurs when a free kick is being taken, the following will apply:

• If the irregularity is committed by the team taking the free kick and the goal is scored, the shot will be repeated.

• If the infringing team commits the irregularity, the free kick will be repeated unless a goal was scored, in which case the goal will stand.

Interference Restart: Indirect free kick for interference is taken from the center of the field by the team in possession at stoppage of play.

Slide Tackling: There is no slide tackling or attempted slide tackling allowed. Doing so is an automatic foul resulting in a turnover and a yellow card.

Yellow Cards: A caution card may be given if a player:

• Demonstrates unsportsmanlike behavior

• Dissent - by word or action

• Persistently infringes the laws of the games

• Intentionally delays the start of the game

• Does not assume the five (5) yards for a direct kick or corner kick

• Any “unfair play” in the opinion of the referee

Fouls: If any player commits any of the below infractions, there will be a direct free kick (from which a goal can be scored directly against the defending side) taken from the spot of the infraction. The referee may award a yellow card to the player or players who commit the infraction. A yellow card is an official warning. The referee may also

• If the irregularity is committed by the team taking the free kick and the goal is scored, the shot will be repeated.

• If the infringing team commits the irregularity, the free kick will be repeated unless a goal was scored, in which case the goal will stand.

Corner Kick: Shall be given when a player of the defensive team touches the ball out of bounds through the end line. The corner kick must be taken within a yard of the corner flag. A goal may be scored directly off a corner kick.

Opposing players may not approach the player taking the kick closer than five (5) yards.

Out of Bounds: A ball is considered out of play when the entire ball crosses over the touchline or end line.

Out of Bounds Restart: Restarts will be by kick-in at the point of infraction. A kick-in will occur when the ball crosses either touchline. A goal cannot be scored off a kick-in. the ball must be completely out of bounds on a kick-

in. A goal kick will occur when the ball crosses either end line. A goal may be scored directly off a goal kick.

Opposing players may approach no closer than five (5) yards.

Allowable Pass or Shot Height: There is no limitation on the height of passes or shots by foot or head.

Unsportsmanlike Behavior: If a player who commits a serious aggressive foul, or offends any spectator or participant of the game (i.e., the referee, players, members of the league officials), the referee shall show them a red card and they shall be sent off the field without being able to reenter the match. The penalized player’s name and reason for suspension will be reported to the League Director for possible additional sanctions.

Red Cards: A player will receive a red card:

• When a player receives two yellow cards

• Serious foul play

• Violent play

• Spits

• Foul or abusive language

• Any “unfair play” in the opinion of the referee