Games start at the scheduled time sharp. Games are 2-25 minute halves with a 2-minute half time. Any dangerous equipment (i.e. exposed watches and jewelry) must be removed prior to the game start. Occasionally, if the game starts later, teams can have the option to play through the allotted half time.
Each player must bring one dark shirt and one light shirt to each game. Teams should decide prior to the game as to which team is dark and which team is light. A team may choose to wear a team uniform.
For Gym Soccer - Teams are comprised of 5 players plus a goalie, with 2 females on the court. If a team has only one female present then that team must play one player short. Teams that do not have the minimum amount of players - 4 players (one female) plus a goalie - will default. Subs may be used during the season, but all subs must know the rules and must sign a waiver before they can participate in a game.
The goalie crease must be defined or agreed upon by both captains before the game starts.
A coin flip will decide which team gets kick off. Or Captains can agree prior to the game which team starts.
Start of Game: At the beginning of the game the ball must be kicked forward and the kicker cannot kick the ball a second time until it has touched another player. At the kickoff, the opposing team must remain 15 yards from the ball until it is kicked for the first time. A kick off will start the game and restart the game after a goal is scored. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick off.
Substitutions can occur at any time but only after the player to be substituted is on the sidelines.
No players from either side are allowed to stand inside their own crease or their opponents goalie crease. Players can run through the crease as long as the goalie is not interfered with.
Corners: Charging in the corners will not be tolerated. If two players are running towards the corner, the lead player will be given the opportunity to retrieve the ball, the second player must stop short by 5 feet and give the opponent 5 seconds to move the balls. After 5 seconds, the second player may pursue the ball.
Out of Bounds: For gym, if the ball hits an object (clock, post, basketball net, etc.) it’s deemed dead and it’s an indirect kick. For Turf there are out-of-bound lines on the field which should be used to determine the playing area. If out-of-bounds an indirect kick will then happen.
Team captains will have to decide before the start of the game the "out of bound" line on the wall or may decide to keep the whole wall as in-bounds. If a ball makes contact with the roof or lighting then it will be called out-of-bounds.
After a ball goes out-of-bounds on the side line, Only a kick in will be allowed.
Heading of the ball is allowed.
Goalkeeper restrictions:
The goalie may not cross midfield, score a goal, or drop kick or punt the ball.
The goalie may NOT slide tackle; however, goal keepers are allowed to attack the ball at a players feet with their hands within the crease.
The goalie may distribute the ball by throwing it or playing it as a field player.
Once the goalie has possession of the ball they have five (5) seconds to put the ball back into play. Failure to do so will result in a corner kick for opposing team.
When the goalie distributes the ball, it must hit the field or another player before crossing mid field.
The goalie can only handle the ball with his/her hands while inside the crease area.
Goalies cannot pick up the ball on a pass back from their own teammate.**
Scoring: A goal is scored when the whole ball has passed over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided it has not been thrown or carried by a player of the attacking side. A game shall be decided by whichever team has the greater number of goals at the end of the game. A game may end in a tie during regular season.
If a player breaks a rule or fouls, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick from the location of the foul. All free kicks are indirect. The player taking the free kick may not touch it again until another player has touched it. Opposing players must be 10 feet from all free kicks. All players must call their own fouls.
If a player touches the ball with their hands (not the goalie) inside their own crease, the opposing team will get a penalty kick. This is a direct kick. The coordinator and the captains should decide the spot for the penalty kick. If an offensive player touches the ball in the crease the goalie gains possession.
Penalty Kick: A penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark, and, when it is taken, all players, with the exception of the player taking the kick and the opposing goaltender, shall be within the field of play but outside the penalty area, and at least 10 yards from the ball. The opposing goaltender must stand on the goal line and may move laterally along the line but may not move toward the ball until it is touched. The player taking the kick must kick the ball forward, and may only kick the ball once. If the ball rebounds from the goaltender's body, the player can kick the ball again.
**Handball infraction occurs when the ball hits a player's arm from the ELBOW down (as opposed to the shoulder). However, players may use their arms to block the ball from hitting their face and groin area. In addition, female players can use their arms to block the ball from hitting their chest.
A team will be awarded a penalty kick if the opposing team is called for a handball in the goalie crease.
Fouls:
All games are self-refereed.
A convener will be present to monitor the game for overly aggressive play, but players are responsible for calling their own fouls. . If a player has a history of aggressive fouls, rough play and the use of vulgar, abrasive or insulting language, the player will be asked to leave the league.
Playoffs:
Games are the usual 55 minutes long but should start on the hour to leave 5 minutes extra in case a shoot-out is needed to break a tie.
Shoot-Out (only in the Playoffs):
Each team who is on the field at the end of the game (not including the goalie) must take a penalty kick 10 paces from the goal-line. If the game is still tied after that it’s 1 shooter per side until the game is decided. A player cannot shoot a 2nd time until everyone one else has had 1 shot for their team. The goalie can shoot but they don’t have to, meaning players can start shooting a 2nd time if the goalie doesn’t want to.
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