LAWS OF THE GAME

LAW I:  THE FIELD

Dimensions:  150 feet long x 120 feet wide.

LAW II:  THE BALL

• Size 5 soccer balls will be used for all games.

 LAW III:  NUMBER OF PLAYERS

• All Men's Leagues: Six players, including one goalkeeper.
• Women's Leagues: Six players, including one goalkeeper.
• Co-ed Leagues: Six players (4 men, 2 women), including one goalkeeper.

APPLIES TO ALL...

A minimum of FOUR players are needed to start and continue a game.  Unlimited substitutions are allowed as stated below.  Any player may change positions with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed before the change is made and provided that the change is made during a stoppage of play.  Substitute players are to remain in the player area.  Only players and two coaches are permitted in the area.  All players/coaches must have an Soccer6 I.D. card.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Player must be within 5 yds of his team area or off the field before a substitute player can come on.

     Play is ceased:

• After a goal is scored.
• After a time penalty is awarded.
• On an injury time out.

 
LAW IV:  PLAYER EQUIPMENT

• All participants must have a current soccer6 player membership I.D.card.
• Players must dress in matching jerseys with #'s.
• Shin guards are mandatory and must be totally covered by stockings or socks.
• Only soccer shoes or turf shoes designed for soccer are allowed.  No studded or screw-in shoes allowed.
• Goalkeepers must wear colors which distinguish them from all other players and referees.

LAW V:  REFEREES

• At least one official will be present during play.
• When two or more than two officials are present, the two field officials shall have equal authority and responsibility.
• They shall keep the official record of the game.
• Ref fees will be collected at the start of each game ($12 per team/per game).
  

LAW VI:  DURATION OF THE GAME

• Clock will start at the time game is scheduled
• Adult Leagues:  Two equal halves of 23 minutes.
• A halftime interval of two minutes.
• The Clock will only be stopped for serious injuries.
• Playoffs;  Overtime will be a 5 minute 'golden goal' period.  Repeat until winner is decided.  No pk's.
  

 
LAW VII:  START OF PLAY

• Kick-off will be given to the home team.  Visitors will have the 2nd half kick-off.
• A kick-off will start the game and restart the game after a goal is scored.
• Teams will change direction at halftime.
• A goal can be scored directly from kick-off.
• Kick-off may be played in any direction.
  

 
LAW VIII:  FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

MAJOR OFFENSES: Free-kick awarded and card.

• Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
• Tripping or attempting to throw an opponent.
• Jumping at an opponent.
• Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
• Charging an opponent from behind.
• Striking or attempting to strike an opponent.
• Spitting at or on an opponent.
• Holding an opponent.
• Pushing an opponent.
• Intentionally handling the ball. ( except goalkeepers in their own penalty box.)
• Charging (checking) an opponent.
  
  

• FIGHTING

There is an absolute NO TOLERANCE policy for fighting.  If you throw a punch (assault), you will be immediately ejected from the game and asked to leave the premises.  Any player ejected for fighting will be suspended from the league indefinitely. 

MINOR OFFENSES: Free-kick awarded.

• Sliding, slide tackling.
• Obstructing an opponent. 
  
• Charging the goalkeeper, except when he/she is holding the ball, is obstructing an opponent, has passed outside his/her goal area.
  
• Illegal substitutions 
  
• Delaying game:  When playing as goalkeeper, indulging in tactics such as failing to play the ball outside the penalty box within five seconds.
  

MISCONDUCT: Cautioning.  

A player shall be cautioned if he/she:

• Persistently infringes the laws and house rules (i.e. swearing, sliding etc.).
• Shows, by word or action, dissent at any referee decision.
• Is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct.

A player shall be ejected if he/she:

• Is guilty of violent conduct or serious foul play.
• Uses foul or abusive language.
• Persists in misconduct after being cautioned.
• Receives a third 2-minute time penalty for a major or minor offense.

GOALKEEPER RESTRICTIONS:

Once a goalkeeper has gained control of the ball with his hands he/she must release the ball within five seconds.  After releasing the keeper may not play the ball again with their hands until it has been touched by an opponent or goes out of play.  At no time may a goalkeeper handle a ball that is intentionally played to them by the foot of a teammate.  A goalkeeper is not permitted to slide outside of the penalty area.  Punishment for any of the above will be the awarding of a free-kick from the center of the top of the penalty area.  Once a goalkeeper has gained control of the ball with his hands, the ball must make contact with the ground or any player prior to crossing the midfield line. 

Note :  There will be NO time penalty award for any of the Goalkeeper Restrictions.  A time penalty assessed against a goalkeeper may be served by another member of the team that is already on the field.  In cases of ejection the goalkeeper must leave the premises.

DELAY OF GAME:

If a player intentionally delays the game, the referee may award a time penalty.  If a player, in the opinion of the referee, feigns an injury the referee may award a 2-minute time penalty for delay of game.

TIME PENALTIES:

2 minute penalties (blue card).
5 minute penalties (yellow card). 
Ejection (red card).  Team must finish remainder of game 1 man down.

A TIME PENALTY CAN BE AWARDED FOR:

• Breach of any house rules. ( i.e . sliding, swearing etc.).
• Illegal substitution and illegally entering the field of play.
• A player re-entering the game without making equipment adjustments.
• Any of the eleven major offenses.
• Whenever a player is cautioned.
• Delay of game.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Encroachment of free-kicks.
• Double minor offenses.

RELEASE OF PLAYERS FROM THE PENALTY BOX:

At the expiration of their full time.  Penalty time will carry over to the next time period of play (i.e. the second half or overtime periods.).

After a goal is scored against their team if they are shorthanded.  However, only one player can come out per goal.

When three players from the same team are given time penalties; four players must remain on the field.  Time for the third player begins when the first players penalty expires.

BENCH PENALTY:

Unsportsmanlike conduct from a team area will result in a verbal warning against the team.  Should the conduct persist a bench penalty will be issued against the offending team.  The team manager/coach must then remove one of the field players to serve a time penalty.


LAW IX:  FREE KICKS

The following applies to all restarts:

• The ball is in play when it is touched by a player.
• Opposing players shall be 5 yards from the ball.
• The player taking the kick cannot play it again until someone else touches the ball.
• If an opponent refuses to move back 5 yards on the referee's request they may be given a time penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
• If a player taking a kick delays for longer than 5 seconds, after being instructed to kick by the referee, the ball will be awarded to the other team.

LAW X:  PENALTY KICKS

A penalty shot is taken at the penalty spot.  The Ball is in play when the kicker touches it.  All players on the field must stand outside of the goal area and behind the penalty spot until the ball is touched.


LAW XI:  KICK-INS

Kick-ins must be taken on the line at the point nearest where the ball left the field of play.  All kick-ins are indirect.  

 
LAW XII:  GOAL KICKS

When the whole of the ball passes over the end line, it shall be kicked into play by the goalkeeper or another team member.  The ball may be placed anywhere inside the goal keeper area (half circle).  The ball must be completely stopped before kicking it into play.

 
LAW XIII:  CORNER KICK

When the whole of the ball passes over the end line and having last been played by the defending team a direct corner kick shall be awarded to the attacking team.  The whole ball must be placed on the corner mark.

 
LAW XIV:  UNIFORMS

Players on each team must have matching uniforms with numbers on them.  If a team does not have #'s on their jerseys or shorts by the 3rd game of the season, they will start that game, and each game there after down 1 goal.  The game will start a 0-1 to the other team.


Tie Breaker: (In the case two or more teams are tied at the end of the regular season).

1.  Head to Head
2.  Goals Against
3.  Goal differential
4.  Goals For
5.  Penalty Kicks