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League Rules

Soccer (Indoor, Turf, Reffed)

Average Joe Sports Club will make every effort to make sure a referee is at your game. However, if there is a circumstance where the referee can not make it at the last minute (due to a last minute emergencies, illness or traffic issues) teams should be prepared to self-officiate. These games should still be scored properly and reported at the end of the night as a completed game.

Soccer (Indoor, Turf, Reffed) Rules

1. Equipment/Field/Reporting Scores:

  • Each team should bring both light and dark coloured shirts to each and every game, and a water bottle as well. Shirts should have numbers on the back for refs to be able to identify them.
  • It is recommended that players wear shin-guards.
  • It is the responsibility of each team to bring a good quality soccer ball to each game (standard #5 size)
  • Rubber cleats can be worn on turf (no metal).
  • Please do not wear jewelry or sunglasses during games.
  • It is the responsibility of both team captains to submit the score of the game and spirits score online by 24 hours after the game.
  • All players are expected to know the rules and manage their actions on the field.

2. Game Time/Default:

  • Please arrive 10 minutes early to warm up and start your games on time.
  • 60 minute games consist of a 3 min warm up, 2 minutes for half time, and two 25 min halves. Then teams have 5 mins to change and leave the pitch.
  • Average Joe may not always be able to reschedule the games (due to field availability and amount of notice time) so teams cancel at their own risk.
  • The clock does not stop for any reason as each game must end on time.
  • A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad 15 minutes after the official start time.
  • Teams are comprised of 6 players, with at least 2 females on the field at all times. If the goalkeeper is female it DOES count towards the female minimum.
  • A team can play without the minimum number of either gender. For each one they are below the minimum they must play one player down on the field (eg. If there is only 1 female, you can play with 5 on the field).
  • If you are playing in a league where there are other Average Joe teams playing before/after you, your team may borrow players to increase your team to a minimum full line-up.
  • The captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum people but this should be decided before the game begins. IF IT IS SPECIFICALLY AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS!

3. Start of Play:

  • To decide which team will have the first kick-off, team captains will either flip a coin or do 'rock, paper, scissors'. The winner can decide whether they want to kick-off or choose the end that they would like to start on.
  • To start the second half, teams will switch sides and the team that did not kick-off in the first half will do so in the second.
  • After each goal, the team that was scored on will kick-off to restart the game.
  • For gym soccer, the ball can be played off the side walls, but is out of bounds when it touches the ceiling or completely leaves the field of play.
  • For turf soccer, if the ball touches the ceiling or side walls it is considered a dead ball and a kick-in is given
  • Kick-offs may be put into play only in a forward direction and may not be touched by the kicker again until the ball has been contacted by another player.
  • During any kick-off the opposing team must stay 10 feet away from the ball until it has been put into play.
  • A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off.

4. Scoring:

  • The ball has to completely cross the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar to count as a goal.
  • A goal can be scored from anywhere, including across the half line.
  • Default scores are entered as 1-0
  • There is no mercy rule in effect for goals scored
  • Games in the regular season can end in a tie. There are no ties in the playoffs.
  • In the playoffs, teams will play 3 minutes of “sudden death" overtime, where the first team to score wins. Should there still be no score after the 3 minutes, a shoot-out will follow. Shots will be taken 15 paces from the net (there should be 3 guys and 2 girls shooting for each team). Should there still be no score after these 5 players from each team have taken a shot, a shot-by-shot shootout will continue until everyone has taken a shot before shooting a second time.
  • As soon as one team has a higher score and both teams have taken the same number of shots, that team will be the winner.

5. Substitutions/Injured Players:

  • Substitutions may occur "on the fly". Players coming on the field should wait until the player coming off is within 5 feet of the bench area (so there is no positional advantage gained by the new player).
  • Substitutions can be made by both teams on Throw-ins, Corner Kicks, Goal Kicks, Goals and Kick-off.
  • Substituting a goaltender can only occur during a stoppage in play however the referee must be notified.
  • All substitutions must be made at center line on the side where the player bench is located.
  • When a team is making substitutions they can change as many players as they wish at any one time.
  • Unlimited substitutions are permitted at any one time throughout the game.
  • If a player is injured, a substitution will be allowed at that time. The injured player should sub off until the ref deems them fit to return.
  • Play is allowed to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in the opinion of the referee, only slightly injured. Play is stopped if, in the opinion of the referee, a player is seriously injured

6. Off-Sides:

  • There are NO off-sides in 6v6 soccer.

7. Misconducts/Fouls:

  • Yellow Card - is used to communicate that a player has been cautioned for an offence. A player shown a yellow can be given, under ref’s discretion, a 5 minute “penalty” to leave the field to cool down before re-entering the match.
  • Red Card - result in the offending player being ejected from the field. Player must leave the field of play and the park. Play will resume once player has left. The team with the player receiving the red card must play down a man for remainder of game.
  • The Advantage Rule refers to an instance when a violation occurs and the result is that the team fouled against is not disadvantaged by the play and therefore there are no consequences and the play continues. In regard to handballs, the Advantage Rule is in effect.
  • After any serious offence other than those that would result in a penalty kick, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team from the location of the offence.
  • The player taking the free kick may not touch it again until another player has touched it. Opposing players must be 10 paces away from all free kicks. For an indirect free kick, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and all opposing players must be at least 10 paces away from the kicker (except when the ball is being kicked from a point closer than 10 paces from the goal. In this case the defending player may stand on their goal line.) The kicker must not touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it. A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick.
  • AN INDIRECT FREE KICK is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses:
  1. Plays in a dangerous manner (i.e. charging, checking or pushing an opponent)
  2. Impedes the progress of an opponent (i.e. tripping, kicking or holding an opponent)
  3. Slide tackling
  4. High kicking (dangerous kick)
  5. Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball
  • Handball: A handball infraction occurs when the ball hits a player's arm from the ELBOW down (as op-posed to the shoulder). A handball does not need to be called if the ball goes to an opponent or an opponent is the next player to touch the ball, but does need to be called if it goes off to yourself or a teammate.
  1. Exceptions: Players may use their arms to block the ball from hitting their groin area and women can also use their arms to block the ball from hitting their chest. This rule will reduce the number of stop-pages in play. Please don't abuse this rule.
  • Disrespecting the Referee(s)
  1. Challenging calls: any player that disagrees with a call and tries to make the ref change their call. Once a ref has made a call, the play will resume with no further discussion.
  2. Swearing at a ref: this can result in an automatic game misconduct.
  3. Physically threatening or confronting a ref: this is considered unacceptable, a red card will be issued and the player will be severely dealt with as per the decision of Average Joe Sports Club.

8. Slide Tackles:

  • Slide tackling is not allowed under any circumstances even if contact is made with the ball first. As well, no players can slide to block a shot or pass at any time.
  • Goalkeepers are allowed to make sliding saves inside the goal area, as long as it is not done in a dangerous manner. Goal keepers that make sliding saves outside the goal area are considered dangerous and play will be stopped and an indirect free kick will be given.

9. Goal Kicks:

  • A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a goal is not scored. All players (except the goalkeeper) must be outside the goal box. The person kicking the ball cannot touch the ball a second time before it has touched another player outside the goal box or an indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the place where the infraction happened. A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick.

10. Corner Kicks:

  • A corner kick is awarded if the ball crosses the goal line if the ball was last touched by the team defending the goal (defense). The corner kick is taken from the closest corner to where the ball went out of bounds. The ball is in play the moment it has been kicked. If person taking the corner kick touches the ball a second time be-fore another player touches it, an indirect kick shall be awarded to the opposing team. A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.

11. Goal Keeper:

  • Each team must designate a goaltender. They may use their hands inside the crease area.
  • If a goalkeeper commits a handball infraction while outside of the goal area, an indirect free kick will be awarded from where the infraction occurred.
  • Pulling the goal keeper is not permitted
  • Goal keepers are permitted to score
  • Players are allowed inside the goal crease to score as long as they don’t deliberately contact the goal keeper

12. Discrepancies:

  • All games are officiated, so teams are not required to call their own violations. However, teams are expected to be honest and keep a high level of sportsmanship and safety at all times. If you feel your opponent is not being accountable, your team captain may politely intervene with the ref to discuss rules called or uncalled. We rely on your spirit of sportsmanship and honesty to keep the matches fun and enjoyable for all.

13. Misc.

  • Consumption of alcohol is not allowed at the fields; players caught violating this by-law are subject to fines from the Town and/or Average Joe .
  • Players are expected to clean up after themselves, please do not leave any garbage behind.

ALL OTHER RULES

  • As per FIFA Rules and Regulations


Should players request an explanation from a ref on why a call was made, please direct your team captain to discuss this with the ref on your behalf. Team captain's are required to ask in a calm and concise manner (yelling or berating a ref will not be tolerated). The only permitted time to discuss calls with referees is prior to, during half-time or after your game has concluded. Questioning referee calls during a game is not permitted (as they will not take time to stop the game to discuss calls with you).


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