Rules and Regulations

Welcome to your Unsung Hero’s Soccer Organization.  These rules provide an overview of the rules to the indoor soccer tournament.  These rules are in place to ensure everyone their safety.  Remember to have fun and be courteous to one another.

Please take a moment of your time and read the rules.  There are things in here you need to know about before we start this tournament.

The rules and regulations are subject to change year by year depending on the site locations.

Registration Fee

The registration fee for the tournament is $300 per Team.  All soccer tournament profits goes to charity (Police and Fireman's fund). 

You must register on the website every year in order to participate in the tournament.  If you want to be on a specific team, you need to let us know in the comments section of the registration tab.

Restarts and Free Kicks

Once the whistle sounds stop all play.

A.     The ball must be stationary before the free kick is taken

B.     Except for a drop ball, the same player who takes a restart may not again make contact with the ball until touched by another player.

C.     For restarts by a team within its own goalkeepers box, the ball is not “in play” until the ball leaves the area.  If touched, the kick is retaken.

D.     Players will not receive a second whistle unless the referee specifies.  If the referee stops play to move the wall, the play can only restart with a second whistle.

E.      If a “quick restart” is attempted by the offense, any defender still inside the required 10 feet may mot attempt to play the ball (ex. Stick a foot out to block it)

F.      Only the player taking the restart may request 10 feet, not other players.

Discretion

The referee’s decision on “points of fact” (discretion, judgment) will stand as called.  This is common policy in all sports officiating.

Dissent

Only the authorized captains of your team may discuss a call with the referee provided it is civil and in between periods.  Please control your teammates so we may all enjoy the game (remember children may be present).  A dissent penalty results with a yellow card, which the player serves the full 2:00 min, however, the team does not play short-handed.  Two dissent infractions will result in a soft red card, in which the player is ejected; however, the team doesn’t play short-handed.  Excessive language or violent conduct will not be tolerated, let’s act like adults.  Depending on the severity the referee can discipline at his discretion.  Please, help your teammates keep perspective.

Rules to Know

A.     If the ball hits the side netting, it is placed on the ground 3ft. from the boards where the ball touched the net.

B.       If the ball hits the ceiling or netting, it is placed at the center of the nearest (red or white) like or centerline from where the original kick took place.

C.     On the kick off, the ball does not have to go forward.  Every thing is direct. You can score directly on the kick off.

D.     Soccer balls are permitted, only on the playing field wherever the tournament is being held at.

E.      The clock is continuous throughout the game, unless an injury takes place.  This is so we can get through the games quickly.

F.      An attacking player may not stand in the Goalkeeper’s crease during any restarts.

Liability Release

You must read the liability release and have it signed in order to play.  Soccer is a hazardous activity and bad things can happen.  You are contractually agreeing that you have signed the liability release and you are waiving your right to file a lawsuit against the facility and the organization.  You accept the conditions of the field and any unforeseen situations that may occur.  If this makes you uncomfortable, then choose not to play.

Dangerous Play

• High kicking – called when the foot or leg endangers an opponent
• Playing with the sole of your foot up, facing the opponent
• Going into a play with your back turned
• Sliding / Slide tackling
• Playing the ball while on the ground

Sliding/Slide Tackling/Playing on the Ground

• NO INTENTIONAL SLIDING OR SLIDE TACKLING!! Not Allowed in Indoor Soccer.
• Slide tackling will carry a mandatory 2:00min blue card and may result with a yellow or red card, based on the intent and severity of the play
• If a player plays the ball first and then falls to the ground, it may be considered “no foul” provided the player did not endanger an opponent.
• If one knee touches the ground during play, in most cases, it will be called a dangerous play.  It is the player’s responsibility to stay on his/her feet. 
• A player may not play the ball from the ground, even without an opponent around.

Kicking the ball from behind the opponent – Not Permitted

• This includes kicking the ball from behind, through, in between, and around the back of the legs of the person who has possession of the ball.
• The defender may shadow the player with the ball, but not strike from behind, or through the legs for the ball.

• The defenseman may be allowed to hold their position with a light hand check on the offensive player who is shielding the ball.
• The chances of striking the opponent’s ankles or knees are far greater from behind than a clean strike of the ball from the front of the player.
• This rule will be enforced, even if the ball is struck cleanly with no contact to the legs or ankles.

Handling the Ball

• The actual handling the ball rule instructs the referee to call a foul only when it is intentional.  (Intent is the key)
• If the “Ball plays the hand” (ex. The ball hits the arm in the natural playing position) no foul shall be called, regardless of where the ball goes after.
• If you block your face with your hands and the ball hits them, no foul shall be called as long as you did not intentionally direct the ball to your teammate.
• A deliberate handball (ex. a player knocks the ball out of the air with his/her hand on purpose) may result in a free kick from where the spot of the foul was committed. 

Fouls and Penalties

A foul, resulting in a free kick, is assessed to a player who commits any of the following offenses:

§         Kicking                                               

§         Holding

§         Charging

§         Handling the ball

§         Dangerous play

§         Boarding

§         Tripping

§         Pushing

§         Jumping

§         Obstruction

§         Elbowing

A timed penalty, (2:00min blue card) should be assessed when any of the above offenses are deemed by the referee to be careless, reckless or involves excessive force.

Blue card is issued for:

Ø      Playing in a careless, reckless or dangerous manner.

Ø      The team plays shorthanded for two minutes unless a goal is scored.

Ø      A delayed 2:00min penalty may be given in the event of an advantage.

Yellow card is issued for:

Ø      2^nd blue card to the same player.

Ø      An intentional or serious foul deemed by the referee.  A 2:00min blue card MUST be issued first for the original infraction with the yellow card to follow for the intent.

Ø      Unsporting behavior and dissent (usually happens after or away from the play)

o       The player(s) serve the entire 2:00min, HOWEVER, the team(s) does not play short handed

o       A 2:00min Blue card CANNOT be issued for Unsporting behavior or dissent

Red card is issued for:

Ø      2^nd yellow card or 3^rd blue card.

Ø      Fighting, spitting on or striking an opponent

Ø      Vicious or an extremely dangerous play

o       Player ejected team plays short for the entire 5:00min unless a goal is scored

o       Players who receive a red card for 2 yellow cards for dissent or unsporting behavior, their team does not play short handed.

The referee has the right to eject a player, coach, or spectator, before, during, or after the game and request that they leave the property at the time of the tournament.

• If you receive a red card during the tournament, there is a one game suspension.  If your team continues on in the tournament, you will be allowed to play after the one game suspension.
• If you receive a 2^nd red card during the tournament, you will be suspended for the rest of the tournament, and depending on the severity you will be asked to leave the property.

Penalty Kicks

A penalty kick is awarded when:

• A clear goal scoring opportunity was lost due to a foul that occurred inside of the box.
• If a player intentional places his/her hands on the ball inside the box.
• The ball is live after the kick has been made.
• The ball is placed at the dot inside the box.

Substitutions

Teams are to substitute without referee involvement.  Changes can be made on the fly.

Number of Players

                        Including the goalie                               Minimum to play

Men                             6                                                          4

Women                        6                                                          4

Field Players

• All jerseys on a team must be the same color. 
• Flat soled or turf shoes must be worn
• Shin guards are OPTIONAL

OUTDOOR SOCCER CLEATS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN INDOORS

Rosters

• There is a minimum of 9 players, with a maximum of 15 players on a roster.

Bench Behavior

• Anyone leaving the bench upon an altercation receives an automatic red card.
• Do not leave the bench even if the other team makes this mistake.
• No food, soda, or alcohol.  Water and sports drinks are permitted.

Goalkeeper Rules

1. Goalkeepers must start their slide in the box and make contact with the ball inside the box.
2. Goalkeepers have 5 seconds to distribute the ball from their hands.  They may bounce the ball while in their possession.
3. Clarification of a handball by the goalkeeper who is outside of the box.
1. What matters is if the ball and hands are inside or outside of the box.  If they are on the line or inside the box at the moment of contact it CANNONT be a handball.  If the goalkeeper’s entire body is lying outside the box, but his hands are on the ball, which is in the box or on the line, it is NOT a handball.
4. Goalkeepers may dribble the ball into the box and pick it up, as long as this does not violate the neutral zone pass back rule.

Neutral Zone Pass Back Rule

This restricts the goalkeeper from using their hands if:

• Their teammate, outside the red line, intentionally passes the back to the keeper.
• Their teammate in the neutral zone carries the ball back, across the red line, and passes to their keeper.
• Their teammate in the neutral zone passes to another teammate in the defensive zone and they in turn pass to their keeper.