(Note: Reviewed and updated by Mark Harrison the new Sports manager

Rule or Policy changes are highlighted.  Grammatical errors were not.)

Individuals using this facility do so at their own risk. Your insurance company must be looked to for coverage of medical expenses for any injury or loss which may occur. By playing and/or watching sporting events you are engaging in activities which by their very nature are hazardous and present a risk of injury, and you Assume the Risk of Injury by playing or watching these activities.

A.       ADMINISTRATIVE RULES          

1.        Team Contact. Each team must provide a Contact (phone number and email address) who Sports City will use for communicating Schedules, Cancellations, and other sporting matters.

2.        Prior to the first league or tournament game being played the following must have been submitted to Sports City: Deposit for that particular sporting event and a valid credit card number, Completed Team Roster, and a completed Risk Acknowledgement form all players and coaches.  If all of the foregoing are not submitted prior to the first game, the team / player will not play until they are in compliance.  Registration balances are due by the second league game or the team/player will not play. 

3.        Risk Acknowledgement:  Due to reasons relating to insurance, everyone (including players, coaches, participating parents, siblings, etc.) must complete and sign the Sports City Risk Acknowledgement Form before participating in any league game, practice sessions, tournaments, clinics, open pickup games, rentals, birthday parties,  or any other activities.  Moreover, no one other than registered players and registered coaches may enter the players’ bench area or the playing fields.  Spectators must remain in viewing area and may not be in the players’ bench area.

4.     Rescheduling of Games: If a team gives us notice of a scheduling conflict before we complete the league schedule,  we can accommodate reasonable requests.  HOWEVER, after schedules are completed a game will be rescheduled ONLY if 1) your opponent agrees, and 2) we have the time and space available, and 3) you pay a reschedule fee of $145 for the Large Field, or $75 for the Small Field.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but field availability is limited and there are costs associated with rescheduling a game. If we are able to rent out the field time that your game was scheduled for and if we do not need to pay referee fees for that time slot, we will refund a portion of the rescheduling fee. Contact Management if you need to reschedule a game. If all three conditions have been met, the teams will be offered possible reschedule times from Sports City Management. There will be no rescheduling of a rescheduled game.  If a team is unable to play a rescheduled game, the opposing team will receive a forfeit win by a 3-0 score. Further, if a team’s request to reschedule a game is not approved, and the team does not play the game, a forfeit win will be entered for the opposing team by a score of 3-0.

5.        Age Eligibility: Sports City uses the same system as EPYSA and CPYSL to determine eligibility for age divisions.  Our Indoor Season begins on August 1st of a given year and ends on the following July 31st.  Age groups which have a minimum age requirement (e.g., Men 30 & over) must meet the minimum age requirement by July 31st of the Indoor Season in which they are playing.  In order to play in an “Open” league or tournament, a player must be at least 18 years of age by July 31st of that Indoor Season. If an ineligible player is found to have played on a team, all games the player played in may be declared a forfeit by Sports City.

6.        SNOW CANCELLATION POLICY: Sports City will do everything possible to keep the facility open during severe weather conditions so that leagues and tournaments will be available.  However, in some circumstances, the Sports City building  will close. If Sports City closes due to inclement weather, we will call the team contact and/or post on our website.  If we are open and a team decides not to come because of the weather, we understand that team’s need to make that decision for that team, but we will not reschedule that game. That team will receive a 0-6 forfeit loss.

7.        Bench Coaches Limited: No more than two coaches, total, at a time are permitted to be in the players’ bench area of fields #2 and #3.  No more than four coaches, total, at a time are permitted to be in the players’ bench area of field #1.  All such coaches must be registered as coaches on the team roster.

8.        Girls on Boys teams: Girls may play on a boy’s team in a boy’s division as long as Risk Acknowledgement form is signed by the parent or guardian.

9.        Protests: A coach may submit a written protest (must be in Sports City's Sports Managers possession within 24 hrs) regarding Rules Interpretation and the Application of Rules only.  The Coach / Captain is the only person eligible to submit a protest.   If a Coach / Captain wishes to submit a Protest; he/she must identify this to the official at that time.  Protests will not be accepted for officials judgment calls. 

10.     “Double Rostering” is permitted at Sports City with certain limitations.

• A player may play on more than one team at a time (in the same division) for each session. However, the player’s name must appear on the Team Roster for each team.  If a player, who is not listed on a Team Roster, plays in a game, his/her team will forfeit that game.

• Any “double-rostered” player playing during the second half of a game must have played, or have been on the player bench, during the first half of the game (No exceptions)

• A lower division team may not have more than three (3) “double-rostered” players from a higher division team on its roster.

• Violations of these rules may result in all games in which a violation of the rules occurred being forfeited

11.     Maximum Number of Players & Drop/Adds:

Leagues:

• The maximum number of players which may be on a roster is 18.    Players on a roster may be added and/or dropped until the start of the fourth game of an 8 game league, or until the start of the third game of a 6 game league.  Exceptions will rest with the Sports Manager of Sports City.

Tournaments:

• The rules for “Double-Rostering” and maximum players in Leagues, above, shall apply to all Sports City Tournaments. (tournaments which Sports City merely hosts are governed by their own rules) with the following exceptions:

• Players may not be added to the Team Roster after Team Rosters are handed over to the Tournament Director.

12.     High School Varsity and High School Junior Varsity Leagues (The following rules apply only if a H.S.V. & H.S.J.V. leagues are offered):

• All players who play in a varsity or junior varsity league must have been on their respective school team roster at some point during the current season. Any club team opposing a varsity or junior varsity team which has a player or players who are chronologically older than the respective club team’s players, may add a  player or players or similar age. This player(s) may be in addition to the 18 players on the club’s roster. For example, if a U-16 club team is in the U-16/H.S.Junior Varsity League and a high school junior varsity team has a 18 year old player on the team, then for the game against that team, the U-16 club team may add a player who is, or will be, 18 years of age and that player may be in addition to the 18 players already on the roster. However, the additional player may not play until a medical release/risk acknowledgement form has been completed and submitted.

B. GENERAL RULES

13.     Parents and guardians are responsible for the conduct of their children. Coaches and captains are responsible for the conduct of player’s parents.  Penalty cards may be issued to a coach or captain for failing to control a player’s parent.  In addition, the parent may be prohibited from remaining in the building.

14.     The scoreboard clock is a running clock. When the scoreboard clock is operating, it will reflect the official time. When the clock is not operating, the official time will be kept on the field by the Referee.  The clock does not stop for injuries except in those limited circumstances described in Rule No. 7.9 of the League and Tournament Rules (LTR).  

15.     Teams may only warm up on one of the small soccer fields prior to their game only if they have asked permission of the manager on duty and that the field is empty and free to be used. 

16.      Teams may move to the on-deck area adjacent to the team benches with one (1) minute remaining in the game as long as they do not interfere with the game in progress, or they may gather at some other location; however, teams should be ready to take the field as soon as the prior game is finished. Only the players who will start the game for each team should take the field. There will be no time allotted for warm-up on the field. The scoreboard clock will start at the scheduled time. If a team is unable to place the required minimum number of players on the field within 10 minutes of the start of the clock, that team will forfeit the game.

17.     Personal soccer balls are not permitted in the facility. Game balls and 1 warm up ball will be provided by Sports City. Exception: Coaches may bring a bag of balls into the facility for training purposes. However, anyone bringing a ball or balls into Sports City assumes the risk of lost balls, and any balls which become lodged in the ceiling or vents or roof become the property of Sports City.

18.     PROHIBITED CONDUCT AND ACTIONS: Foul, abusive, racial or derogatory language toward, or taunting of, another person is prohibited. For reasons of safety, no glass containers or alcoholic drinks of any type will be permitted in the building. NEITHER CHEWING GUM NOR SMOKING is permitted anywhere in the building. No Food or Drink from outside sources may be brought into the building (exceptions to these rules are that a player may bring in a plastic drink bottle, Birthday/Team parties may bring in food and drink if approved by management, or in the case of a facility special event approved by managment).

II. SOCCER LEAGUE AND TOURNAMENT RULES (LTR)

RULE 1:  THE HANDICAP RULE (The purpose of this rule is to make the game as competitive as possible between the two teams; it is not to assure that the strongest team wins the game or wins the league.)

a.        Once it becomes obvious to a coach that a competitive game will not be possible if the maximum number of players permitted by the Rules remain on the field, then at that point the coach is encouraged to reduce the number of players he/she puts onto the field in order to try and make the game a competitive one. However, if a coach does not reduce the number of players for whatever reason (it is recognized that some coaches are constrained by a large roster and/or a club’s rules and therefore do not favor playing down a player or players), or even if the coach does reduce the number of players on the field but the stronger team continues to score, then in that event the team with the lesser number of points may add a player as follows: In the event that the score reaches a differential of 10 on the Large Field or 5 on the Small Field, then at that point the team with the lesser number of  points may put one (1) additional player onto the field. If subsequently the score differential reaches 20 or 10 respectively, then the team with the lesser number of points may place another additional player onto the field, and so forth.

b.         Once a team has utilized this rule and increased the number of its field players, that team may continue to play with the increased number of players only if the differential remains the same or increases. If the point differential decreases below the “trigger” differential, then the team must remove the additional player from the field until such time as the differential may increase again to the “trigger” point.

c.        The Referee will note on the game day report, “Handicap Rule Imposed,” next to the score of the team which utilized the rule.

d.        If in spite of use of the handicap rule, one team is ahead of the other by more than ten goals and it does not appear to the  Referee that the weaker team will lessen the goal differential, then the Referee should zero out the score on the scoreboard and keep the score on the field.

e.        Coaches please note that scores from games where the “Handicap Rule” was used will count towards league and tournament standings including the “goals against” and “shut out” tie breakers.

RULE 2:  NUMBER OF PLAYERS

2.1    Teams:  A game on the large field (field # 1) shall be played by two teams each consisting of not more than the following number of players (including goalkeeper):  U13 and older (6), U12 and younger (7).  The teams may roster a maximum of l8 players.  A game on a  small  field (fields # 2 or #3) shall be played by two teams, each consisting of  not more than the following number of players (including goalkeeper):  U10 and older (4), U9 and younger (5) (Teams may play with a lesser number of players on the field if they so choose). A minimum of 3 players on the large field and 2 players on a small field must be present in order to begin a game;  no minimum number is required to continue a game. NOTE:  SPORTS CITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS TO MAINTAIN A COMPETITIVE LEVEL ( e.g. see the Handicap Rule.)

2.2    Substitutes:  During the game, substitutions may be made at any time on an unlimited basis, provided the player substituted for is within three feet of the door to his own bench area or off the field of play within his own bench area before the substitution is made.  Violation of this rule shall result in an immediate change of possession and a direct kick from the spot of the infraction.

2.3    Guaranteed Substitution:  The restart of play will be delayed to allow completion of substitutions only:

            a. After a goal is scored,

            b. At any unusual stoppage acknowledged by the Referee.

RULE 3: SLIDE TACKLING

3.1    Slide tackling is not permitted whether or not it would have been a legal slide tackle outdoors. A violation will result in possession changing at the point of the tackle. A slide tackle for the purpose of this rule is defined as an attempt by a player to gain possession of the ball from another by tackling in such a way as to cause a knee or other part of the tackler’s body  (other than the feet) to touch the floor before, during or immediately after the tackle. A limited exception to this rule is permitted for goal keepers if they are within the penalty box and in the opinion of the Referee the slide tackle is not a “dangerous play.”

RULE 4:  THE BALL AND PLAYER’S EQUIPMENT

4.1     The Ball: Sports City will supply all game and practice balls. Age divisions U-12 and lower will use a number 4 ball.  Age divisions U-13 and up shall use the number 5 ball.

4.2     Footwear:  On either small field, players may wear flat soled shoes designed for indoor artificial surfaces or use on gymnasium floors.  Shoes with cleats, molded mini-studs, black soled or turf shoes or street shoes may not be worn.  On the large field, players may were flat soled shoes designed for indoor artificial surfaces as well as shoes with cleats.  Sharp metal clears are not permitted on any surface in the facility. 

4.3     Shin guards:  All players must wear shin guards during play.  Under no circumstances shall a player leave the bench to participate without shin guards.  Socks must cover the shin guards.

4.4     Dangerous equipment:  Players are not permitted to wear earrings, posts, rings, necklaces, chains, bracelets, or headcoverings at any time during the game except goalkeepers who may wear a protective head covering if it is specifically designed for soccer goalkeepers.  A violation may result in the player being immediately removed from the field and a direct kick awarded to the opposing team.  The penalized team may substitute for the offending player.

4.5     Team Jerseys:  All players on a team must wear a shirt of the same color with a number on the back which is visible to the Referee and which corresponds to the player’s number on the Team Listing submitted.   

a.        A player who enters the field of play without a numbered jersey of the same color as his/her teammates will be sent off until that player returns with a numbered jersey of the same color as the team jersey.     

b.        A player may not wear a number that is different from the number for that player listed on the Team Roster. A player who wears a different number without approval from Sports City Management, will be sent off until the player is in compliance with this rule. A subsequent violation may result in a one game suspension.      

c.        Players may use an ink marker to draw a number on their jerseys. Taping is not an acceptable method of making a number due to the tendency of the tape to fall off during play.                                                                                    

d.        Teams that violate Rule 4.5 may be required to rent or purchase numbered practice vests from the facility, and may be required to play short handed until in compliance. It is within the discretion of Sports City Management, or the Referee, to require compliance.

4.6     Color conflict: All teams must bring an alternate jersey of a different color to each game unless the opposing coaches have resolved any color conflict ahead of time.  The first team listed on the schedule is considered the home team and must act to resolve any color conflict. 

RULE 5:  REFEREES

5.1    Referee’s Authority:  The Referees shall have the powers and authority granted under the official FIFA and MISL rule book.  Their authority and the exercise of the powers granted to them by the official FIFA and MISL rule book commence when they enter the area of play, which includes the players’ bench area.  The Referees are responsible for the record of the game and the control of the game and the field before, during and after the game.

5.2    Behavior towards Referees: Sports City Management imposes no obligation on the part of a Referee to listen to or tolerate abusive, insulting, harassing comments or gestures from players, coaches or spectators. Moreover, Referees may not be able to answer even the most respectfully asked question during a game because it is their responsibility to concentrate on the game, not on answering a question regarding a call or rule. Questions may be posed to Referees between games, if time allows.

RULE 6:  ASSISTANT REFEREE AND OTHER OFFICIALS

6.1    Timekeeper:  The Referee will keep the time on the scoreboard, or on the field, as conditions dictate. No one other than the Referee or Sports City Staff may operate the scoreboard control panel.

RULE 7:  DURATION OF THE GAME

7.1    League games: Games will consist of two 23 minute halves, with no more than two minutes between games.

7.2    League Half: The duration between halves shall be no more than two minutes.

7.3    Tournament Play: The duration of a tournament game, and the time between halves and games, shall be determined by the appointed Tournament Director. Typically games will be 25 minutes in length.

7.4    League Overtime: There will be no overtime period at the end of a league contest.  In the event of a tied score the game will be recorded as a tie.

7.5    Tournament Overtime: There will be no overtime in a regular tournament game.  In the event of a tied score at the end of regulation time, a tie will be recorded. However, if there is a tied score at the end of a semi-final or championship game, then there will be a five (5) minute sudden death overtime period to be played at the end of the game or at another time as determined by the Tournament Director. If the score still remains tied at the end of that period there will be a second five (5) minute sudden death overtime period played without a goalkeeper i.e., the teams will play with one less player and no player may use his/her  hands. If the score remains tied at the end of the second overtime period, an additional player will be removed from the field from each team and a third overtime period will be played, and so forth until only one player from each team is on the field. At that point the sudden death game will continue until a goal is scored. A coin toss prior to the start of each sudden death period will determine which team will kick off.

7.6    These rules shall apply in all leagues and tournaments played at Sports City unless other rules are specified.

7.7    The clock is a running clock and shall only be stopped if during the last 5 minutes of the game the Referee believes that in the interest of fairness the clock should be stopped. Such reasons will include, but not be limited to,  a foul or  other conduct committed by a player, coach, or spectator, which the Referee believes was committed to cause a delay of the game or otherwise cause the opposing team to be disadvantaged by the running clock. In this event the 1) offending player or coach should receive a penalty card, 2) the offending team should receive a time penalty, 3) the Referee should turn off the scoreboard clock (if it is still running), 4) add an appropriate amount of time to the game, and 5) keep the time on the field for the remainder of the game. An injury to a player is not automatically a reason to stop the clock, unless the final score of the game will likely be directly affected (but see Rule 7.9 below).

7.8    Teams may be penalized for delay of game for intentional failure to abide by these rules. A team will be deemed to have forfeited a game if the team fails to appear for, or fails to begin, a game within 10 minutes of the scheduled start of a game, or within 10 minutes of the start of the second half of play.

7.9    Except as provided for in this section and in section 7.7 above, the clock will not be stopped for injuries. However, in the event the injury is a serious one requiring that medical personnel remove the player from the field, the following rules will be applied: a)  If the injury occurred before half-time, then the game will be cancelled, rescheduled, and replayed as a new game. b) If the injury occurred after half-time, then the game will be terminated, considered a completed game, and the score will be counted. However, if the League Director determines that the outcome of the game will clearly determine the winner of the league, and the outcome of the game was in doubt at the time of the injury, then the game will be rescheduled and replayed as a new game.  

RULE 8:   START OF PLAY

8.1    Beginning the Game: (League Play) The home team (i.e., the team listed first on the schedule) shall kick off to begin the game; the other team shall kick off to begin the second half.

8.2    Beginning the game:  (Tournament Play) The kick and choice of the end shall be decided through the flip of a coin.

8.3    The kick-off:  The kick-off is an indirect kick and the ball shall be deemed to be in play as soon as it is moved in any direction. Therefore, a goal may not be scored directly from the kick-off.

8.4    The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

RULE 9:  METHOD OF SCORING

9.1    Legal Goal: A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar, before time has expired (time expires immediately prior to the horn sounding).  A goal will not be counted if it has been thrown, carried or intentionally propelled by hand or arm, by a player of the attacking side. However, the attacking side’s goalkeeper may score directly by throwing the ball if he was within his own penalty area when he threw the ball.

9.2    Scoring Point Values:  On the large field all goals inside the arc and past mid field shall be worth 2 points.  Any goal that is scored beyond the arc and in the offensive side of midfield shall be worth 3 points.  ALL goals on the small fields shall be worth 1 point.

9.3    A goal may be scored from any point on the field unless a violation of the Three-line Rule occurs or the ball is kicked from a Kick-off.

RULE 9A: PROCEDURE TO DETERMINE LEAGUE WINNERS AND TO DETERMINE WHICH TEAMS IN A TOURNAMENT WILL ADVANCE TO A TOURNAMENT FINAL

9A.1   Tournament Games: All winners of tournament games are awarded  three (3) points for a win, one (1) point for a tie, zero (0) points for a loss, and minus one (-1) point for a forfeit with three (3) points being awarded to the non-forfeiting team which will be deemed to have won the game 3-0. The two teams with the most points in a division will advance to the semi-finals or final. The winner of the final (championship) game will be the winner of the tournament.

9A.2   League games: The order of finish in a league will be determined by the number of points accumulated after all games are completed. Three (3) points will be awarded for a win, one (1) point for a tie, zero (0) points for a loss. In the event of a forfeit, the non-forfeiting team will be deemed to have won the game 3-0 and will be awarded 3 points. The team with the most points accumulated after all league games are played will win the league.

9A.3 Tie-breaker Rules (These tie-breaker rules are not used to determine the winner of a tournament semi-final or championship game.)  In the event two or more teams have accumulated the same number of points in a tournament or league, the tie will be broken according to the following provisions, and in this order:

a.        Head to head competition-The result of the game(s) between the teams tied. (In the event of a tie between three or more teams, this tie-breaker will be skipped and the next tie-breaker(s) considered sequentially. Once one team is determined to have the best record of the teams tied, then that team will advance. The remaining teams will then begin the tie-breaker process anew starting with A. and proceed until one of the teams is found to have the better record. Then, that team, along with the first team to advance, will begin the tie-breaker process again starting with A.)

b.        Fewest points allowed in all games.

c.        Most shutouts recorded in all games.

d.        Total goals scored in all games (however, a maximum of 6 points will be awarded per game).

e.        Coin toss or such other tie-breaker as both coaches and Sports City agree to.

RULE 10:  FOULS

10.l  Fouls:  A player who commits any of the following offenses in a manner considered by the Referee to be intentional, careless, reckless, or with excessive force, whether or not it occurs while the ball is in play, shall be penalized by the Referee awarding a free kick to the opposing team, to be taken at, or as near as possible, the point of the infraction.  Moreover, additional penalties may be imposed including the issuing of a blue(or yellow) or red card (immediate ejection) and the imposition of time penalties as set forth in these rules. Furthermore, Sports City management may review any red cards issued and may impose more serious penalties including banning a player, coach or team from the facility.

a.       Threatening a Referee through verbal or physical means, including making uninvited physical contact with a Referee.

b.       Joining, or leaving the bench to join, a fight or confrontation on the field. (This action will result in an immediate red card and ejection).

c.       Head butting. (This action will result in immediate red card, and ejection, and likely banning from this facility.)

d.       Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent

e.       Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent

f.        Jumping at an opponent

g.       Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.

h.       Striking or attempting to strike an opponent

i.         Elbowing or attempting to elbow an opponent

j.         Spitting at an opponent. (Spitting will result in immediate red card and ejection.)

k.       Holding or pushing an opponent

l.         Handling the ball deliberately

m.      Boarding

n.       Charging the goalkeeper except when he is outside the penalty area

o.       Slide tackling

p.       Playing of the ball while on the ground if another player or players are involved.

q.       Tackling an opponent to gain possession of the ball without first making contact with the ball.

r.        Playing in a dangerous manner

s.       Impeding the progress of an opponent

t.        Preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands

u.       Breach of any facility rule, including chewing gum or spitting, or discharging mucous from the nose or mouth onto the field.

v.       Leaving doors to the players’ bench area unlatched during a game.

w.      Striking a light fixture or ceiling either intentionally or through careless or reckless behavior.

10.2 Penalty Kick:                                                                                                               

a.      A foul committed within the penalty area, for which a card is issued, shall result in a time penalty and a penalty shot being awarded to the opposing team. The shot shall be taken from a spot located approximately 25 feet from the goal line.   All players except the keeper must remain outside the penalty area until the shot is taken. The ball is considered in play as soon as the ball is moved by the kicking team. If a goal is not scored from the penalty kick, or the ball does not go out of bounds, then the ball is considered still in play.               

b.      A foul committed within the penalty area, for which a card is not issued, shall result in a free kick being awarded from the top of the “D” approximately 35 feet from the goal line.

10.3 Over and Back:  There is no Over-and-Back violation at Sports City.

10.4 Pass Back to Goalkeeper: The Sports City rule is similar to the outdoor rule. That is, a violation  is committed if at any time the goal keeper touches the ball with his/her hands directly after it has been deliberately kicked by a teammate. This rule shall be interpreted in a similar way as outdoors in terms of whether the ball was deliberately kicked and whether deception was used.    A violation will result in a free kick being awarded to the opposing team at the top of the arc. A violation does not occur if the ball is played to the keeper (regardless of where it is played from)   by a defensive player with a part of the body other than the foot, or if in the opinion of the Referee the ball is accidentally deflected or misdirected with the foot.

10.5 Three Line Pass:  If a player plays the ball over three lines (two yellow and the halfway line) in the air towards the opponent’s goal, without touching another player, the perimeter wall or a Referee on the field of play between yellow lines, the Referee shall award a free kick to the opposing team at the center of the first yellow line that the ball crossed.  Exception:  A goalkeeper, while standing in his team’s penalty area, may legally throw the ball over three lines and can score.

10.6 Too Many Players On The Field: A violation occurs where more than the maximum number of players permitted, are on the floor at the same time. Where a violation occurs, the advantage rule will be applied until such time as the advantage is lost. At that time play is stopped and a free kick is awarded at a point nearest the location where the advantage was lost. Any goal scored by the violating team while too many players are on the field will not count.

RULE 11:  TIME PENALTIES, CAUTIONING, AND SENDING OFF

11.1  Time penalties:  Shall be assessed at the discretion of the Referees in most cases.

11.2  Penalty length: Penalties shall be one, two or five minutes in length. Players must serve the full length of their penalty no matter how many goals are scored.

11.3   These penalties shall be administered by the showing of a yellow/blue or red card.

11.4   A time penalty must be assessed for incidents of boarding, elbowing, spitting, striking, and for other offenses deemed severe, tactical, or blatant in nature, or for persistent infringing on the rules (repeated offenses). The amount of penalty time is left to the discretion of the Referee in most cases, however the following time penalties are mandatory, except as otherwise set forth in these rules:

a.        One minute penalties: A minimum of one minute must be served for any offense for which a yellow/blue card is issued.

b.        Two minute penalties: A player shall receive a red card and a two minute penalty served by a member of his team for 1.). an intentional foul to deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity; and 2.) for the issuance of a second yellow or blue card to a player.

c.        Five minute penalties: A player shall receive a red card and a five minute penalty served by a member of his team for: Violent conduct; serious foul play; persistent fouls; foul or abusive language or action; head butting; fighting or flagrant and indiscriminate kicking.

 11.5 When a time penalty is imposed against a player for either an on-field or off-field foul, his/her team shall play with one player short for the duration of the time penalty.

 11.6 Accumulation of cards:  League and Tournament

a.       Player & Coach Accumulation( yellow or blue):

1.       Any player or coach receiving two yellows/blues or one red in one game will be ejected from that game and must sit out the next scheduled game.  If the player is on the Team List of more than one team, the player must sit out ALL games played the same day or the same evening in which the red card is issued, PLUS the player must sit out the next scheduled game (whenever it occurs) for the team on which he/she was playing when the red card was received. The coach or captain of this player is required to inform the Referee of the offending player’s name for the game report.  The coach or captain will be responsible for keeping any ejected player from playing in the next scheduled game. Also, the coach or captain must go to the Sports City office after the game in order to learn the procedure to be followed after a red card is issued. The failure of the coach or captain to keep an ejected player from playing in the next scheduled game will result in both the player and the coach or captain receiving a red card and sitting out that game and the next scheduled game. A second such offense will result in a doubling of the penalties or the player, coach, captain and/or team being terminated from the league without any refund.

2.       If a player or coach receives five yellow/blue cards or two red cards during a calendar year or season, the player or coach may be ejected from the league and/or tournament with no refund. A player or coach may also be ejected from the league or tournament with no refund if the conduct for which any red card was issued would constitute an assault under state criminal law.

b.       Team accumulation (Yellow/Blue or Red):

Any team having two players or coaches ejected from the league and/or tournament due to accumulated card totals may be disqualified from the league or tournament with no refund.

11.7 Spectator Penalties: A Referee may penalize a team for the conduct of the team’s spectators in the same way, and for the same conduct, that a Referee would penalize a player or coach. That is, if the conduct would warrant a card if committed by a player or coach, then the bench would be issued the card and the team would play down a player or players. If a red card would be warranted and issued, then the red card would be issued to the bench and a player who was on the field at the time of the penalty would serve the penalty. If, subsequently, a second red card would be warranted and issued to the same team, then that team would defend a penalty kick.

RULE 12:  GOALKEEPING RESTRICTIONS: The following infractions shall cause the Referee to stop play and award a free kick to the opposing team at the top of the restraining arc.

12.1 A goalkeeper, in possession of the ball within the penalty area, must distribute the ball outside of the penalty area or to another player within five seconds of having received the ball within the penalty area. Possession shall be defined as control with hand or foot. The goalkeeper may bounce the ball.

12.2 A goalkeeper may collect the ball outside the penalty area and bring the ball into the penalty area.  However, the ball cannot be picked up.

12.3 A goalkeeper may NOT drop kick or punt the ball.  If the ball is distributed by the goalkeeper’s feet while the goalkeeper is within the penalty area, the ball must be in contact with the turf (such as when rolling or stationary) when the ball is kicked. If the ball is kicked while the goalkeeper is outside the penalty area, then the ball does not need to be in contact with the turf. A violation will result in a restart being awarded to the opposing team at the top of the arc.  This rule is applicable to all age divisions.

12.4 When a ball is kicked, hit, or thrown out of bounds by a field player, the ball is brought back to the spot where it was last touched (the ceiling, nets and light fixtures are out of bounds).  However, the ball will be restarted at the top of the arc if 1) the ball is last touched by the goal keeper while he within his penalty area and 2) the ball does not pass between the goal uprights. In the event the ball does pass between the goal uprights and it was last touched by the goalkeeper, the ball will be restarted from the “corner kick” spot (See corner kick rule).

RULE 13:  FREE KICKS

13.1 Free kick regulations:  When play has been stopped for a foul, play shall be restarted with a “free” kick taken by a player of the opposing team.  During the taking of the free kick, all of the opposing players shall be at least fifteen feet from the ball until it is in play.

13.2 All free kicks are direct kicks, with the exception of the kick-off which is indirect.

13.3 All free kicks are started on the Referee’s whistle.

13.4 The free kicks must be taken within five seconds of the Referee’s whistle.

13.5  Failure to play the ball in five seconds results in the restart being “turned over” to the opponent.

13.6  A free kick may be taken in any direction.

13.7  All free kicks shall be taken from the point of the infraction, except for any free kick awarded in the penalty are (and for which a card was issued)  which shall be taken from the penalty spot approximately 25 feet from the goal line.

13.8  There will be no shoot-outs awarded. An exception to this rule is a shoot-out which may be used to determine the winner of a tournament.

13.9  Quick  Starting Whistle: The Referee may blow a quick-starting-whistle after a foul when, in the opinion of the Referee, the team that was fouled is being disadvantaged by not blowing a quick-starting-whistle, and the safety of the players will not be compromised by a quick-starting-whistle, and no card is issued by the Referee for the foul, and the player who was fouled respectfully asks the Referee for a quick-starting-whistle.

RULE 14:  RESTARTS-BALL OVER PERIMETER WALL OR OTHERWISE OUT OF BOUNDS 

14.1 Restart:  When the whole ball passes over the perimeter wall along the side wall, or touches a portion of the field which is out of bounds (e.g. the netting, the tarps, the lights), it shall be kicked-in from the point it was last touched or played before exiting the field.  If the ball was last played by a defensive player standing in the penalty area, the ball shall be restarted from the top of the penalty arc nearest where the ball was kicked from.

14.2  Corner Kick:  When the ball having last been played by one of the defending team passes over the end perimeter wall between the corner flag posts, or touches the netting above it (excluding when a legal goal is scored), a member of the attacking team shall take a corner kick.  The ball shall be placed on the corner mark, and shall be kicked in from that position.

14.3   All restarts shall be taken on the Referee’s whistle.

RULE 15:  RECLASSIFICATION:

15.1 Sports City league and tournament directors reserve the right to reclassify teams in order to provide a competitive environment.  This may require certain teams to play up an age level. Player may not play “down” an age.

RULE 16: GAME REPORTS

16.1 At the end of each game, both coaches or captains and a referee are responsible for signing the game report and confirming that the correct score has been recorded.  The scores are official once the game report is turned in by the Referee at the end of the day.

RULE 17-INJURIES ON THE FIELD  

17.1  Except as provided for in Rule 7.9 above, the clock will not be stopped for injuries. In the event the injury is a serious one the procedure in Rule 7.9  will be applied (see above).

17.2 A player with an open wound or cut must leave the field of play immediately. The player may not resume play until the cut or wound is bandaged and no blood is visible.

17.3 Sports City maintains a First Aid kit, but it may not have the appropriate supplies to return the player to playing status. Each team coach or captain is responsible for supplying and administering any First Aid needed to return the player to playing status.

RULE 18: HANDICAP RULE  (See section entitled “Handicap Rule”)

RULE 19: SUPPLEMENTAL RULES FOR SMALL FIELDS

19.1 The above rules shall apply to play on the SMALL FIELDS except where they are modified by the SUPPLEMENTAL RULES FOR SMALL FIELDS (See below).

 RULE 20: TOURNAMENT/LEAGUE DIRECTOR

20.1 Decisions regarding situations which these rules do not address, or interpretations of these rules, shall be within the sole discretion of the Tournament/League Director(s) and such a decision is final.

Small Field rules will be the same as Large Field  rules except where application of such rule would be impossible or where an exception is listed below:

1.       All goals are worth one (1) point.

2.       A goalkeeper may NOT drop kick or punt the ball.  If the ball is distributed by the goalkeeper with his feet while the goalkeeper is within the penalty area, the ball must be in contact with the turf, such as when rolling or stationary, when the ball is kicked. If the ball is kicked while the goalkeeper is outside the penalty area, then the ball does not need to be in contact with the turf. This rule is applicable to all age divisions. The first violation will result in a warning and redistribution of the ball by the goal keeper. The second violation will result in a change of possession at the center of the mid-field line.

3.       A goal may be scored from any point on the field.

4.       The Over-and-back Rule is not used.

5.       The Three-line Rule is not used.

6.       Pass Back to Keeper: The rule is the same as on the large field.

7.       Teams may play with a lesser number of players on the field than stipulated in these rules if agreed to by both coaches, and if the Referee believes that the players’ safety is not reduced by doing so.

8.       If in spite of use of the handicap rule, one team is ahead of the other by more than ten goals and it does not appear to the  Referee that the weaker team will lessen the goal differential, then the Referee should zero out the score on the scoreboard and keep the score on the field.

1. All Sports City “small field” rules will apply except as modified below.

2. This league is designed to provide for a game where players can get exercise and have fun, but with limited physical contact in an effort to limit the injuries often caused by normal contact. Players, who do not adhere to the spirit, as well as the letter of these rules, will be issued the appropriate penalties.

3. Each team will play with 3 field players, and without a keeper.

4. Each team may roster a maximum of 10 players.

5. Each team must have at least one woman on the field at all times. If a team cannot put a woman on the field, then that team must play down a player until such time as a woman can take the field.

6. A defensive player commits a foul when that player attempts to obtain possession of the ball from another player who has possession of the ball, and in so doing initiates contact. The violation will result in a change of possession of the ball at the point of the contact.

7. An offensive player who has possession of the ball commits a foul when that player initiates contact with a defensive player when the defensive player is stationary. The violation will result in a change of possession of the ball at the point of the contact. However, if the defensive player maneuvers in such a way as to provoke the contact, but without giving the offensive player room to avoid the contact, then the defensive player is guilty of the foul.

8. A goal will be scored when the entire ball passes completely over the goal line and into the smaller “inner goal” net.

9. A goal is not scored if the ball is kicked by an offensive player from the player’s defensive half of the field, and it does not touch another player before crossing the goal line.

10. The goal box is the rectangular area directly in front of the goal. There is no ball contact allowed within the goal box, however, any player may pass through the goal box. If the ball comes to rest in the goal box, a goal kick is awarded regardless of who touched the ball last.

11. If a player touches the ball when any part of the ball, or any part of the player’s body, is within, on, or touching the goal box line, then it is considered  a touch “in the goal box.”   If a defender touches the ball in the goal box, a goal is awarded to the offensive team. If an offensive player touches the ball in the goal box, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.

12. The kick-off is indirect; all other free kicks are direct kicks.

13. A free kick, including the kick-off, may be taken in any direction.

14. It is a violation to intentionally kick a ball into another player or into a “wall” of defenders. A violation does not occur where the Referee believes the player kicking the ball was intending to kick the ball through a hole which existed at the time the kick was taken, AND that the ball was not kicked with the intent to cause the person, or the wall,  to move NOR was it kicked with the intent to harm or intimidate another.