RecSports Soccer Rules

The rules covered below are based on the new International Association Board (FIFA) 2016/2017 Laws of the Game (in accordance with local South Eastern Idaho soccer leagues) with adaptations from the National Federation of State High School Association Soccer Rules and Brigham Young University-Idaho rules of local competition. Any rule not specifically covered will be governed in accordance with the IFBA Laws of the Game.

Rule 1: Players • Jewelry is not permitted. Except for medical or religious medals which MUST be taped under the jersey. Medic alert bracelets must be taped as well. • Each team shall consist of eleven (11) players on the field, however a team may begin a game with as few as eight (8). Team roster cap is eighteen (18). o Ward Team Exception: The maximum number of players allowed on ward teams shall be twenty-four (24). • A minimum of three (3) players of each gender are required to be on the field at all times. o Except in instance of injury, in which a team can play down with 10 while the player is treated. This is only if no substitute can replenish the 3 player gender rule. o (i.e. 8 female players on the field, 3 male players. A male player gets hurt, no male substitutes are available, team plays w/10 players until male player returns) • All players must check in using a valid I-card or picture ID. • If during a game a team has fewer than seven (7) eligible players due to ejection, the game shall be terminated. • If during a game a team has fewer than seven (7) eligible players due to injury, the game may continue at the official’s discretion.

Rule 2: Play

Start of Game • Before play begins, a coin is tossed and the visiting team calls it in the air. The winner of the toss will have the choice of which goal they will defend. The losing team will be awarded the kick-off. • After the referee has given a signal, the game shall be started. • The is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. If the ball is not properly touched, the ball will again be placed on the kickoff mark the kickoff retaken. • The kicker may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player; this is penalized by an IDFK. • A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage.

Substitutions • Either team: unlimited number at the end of period, goal, goal kick, caution, injury, disqualification (blood on uniform, suspicion of concussion). • Team in possession: Throw-in. Players must have reported to half field prior to when the ball left the field. • A player who receives a yellow card must be substituted. (Sits for 3 minutes) • During an injury, both teams may substitute only if the injured player is substituted. A player that is bleeding must be substituted from the game immediately.

Updated 09/21/2015

RecSports Soccer Rules

• Any player may change places with the goalkeeper, provided the official is informed before the change is made and the change is made during a stoppage in play.

Timing • The duration of the game shall be two equal halves of 20 min. Halftime shall not exceed 5 min. • The addition of time will be at the discretion of the official. • Time shall only be extended to permit the taking of a penalty kick awarded before the sounding of the final whistle to end each half. • A game shall become official at the completion of the first half. • There will be no overtime during the regular season. Tie games will remain as such. • During playoffs, kicks from the mark will be used to settle tied scores.

Scoring • A goal is scored when the whole ball has passed over the goal line. If the official's whistle sounds before the ball passes fully into the goal, the goal shall not be allowed. The allowance of the goal will be at the officials’ discretion • A goal CANNOT be scored directly from a throw-in, a team’s own goal kick or corner kick, or indirect free-kick. It must touch a member of either team before crossing the goal line to be counted as a goal. • Goals can be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off.

Mercy Rule • If a team is ahead by three (3) or more goals with two minutes remaining in the second half, the game shall be over. If a team takes the lead by three (3) goals during the final two minutes of the game, the game shall be over.

Direct Free Kicks • A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless, or using excessive force:

1. Charges 2. Jumps at 3. Kicks or attempts to kick 4. Pushes 5. Strikes or attempts to strike 6. Tackles or challenges 7. Trips or attempts to trip 8. Handles the ball deliberately 9. Holds an opponent 10. Impedes an opponent with contact 11. Spits at an opponent

• If an offence involves contact, it is penalized by a direct free kick or penalty kick. • Definitions:

Updated 09/21/2015

RecSports Soccer Rules

§ Careless—when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. Warrants NO disciplinary sanction. § Reckless—when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for an opponent. Must be CAUTIONED (Yellow Card). § Using excessive force—when a player exceeds the necessary force and endangers the safety of an opponent. Must be SENT OFF (Red Card).

Indirect Free Kicks • An IDFK is awarded if a player: 1. Plays in a dangerous manner 2. Impedes the progress of an opponent without making contact 3. Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from hands; or, kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it 4. Commits any other offence, not mentioned in the Laws, for which play is stopped to caution or send off a player

• An IDFK is awarded if a goalkeeper, inside their penalty area, commits any of the following: 1. If the goalkeeper controls the ball with the hands for more than six seconds before releasing it. 2. Touches the ball with the hands after: • Releasing it and before it has touched another player • It has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate • Receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate

• A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball when: 1. The ball is between the hands or between the hand and any surface (ground, own body) or by touching it with any part of the hands or arms except if the ball rebounds accidentally from the goalkeeper of the goalkeeper has made a save 2. Holding the ball in the outstretched open hand 3. Bouncing it on the ground or throwing it in the air • A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with the hands

Handling the Ball • Handling involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with the hand or arm. • Handling calls are made at the discretion of the referee • The following are considered when determining handling: 1. The movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand) 2. The distance between the opponent and the ball (an unexpected ball) 3. The position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement 4. Touching the ball with an object held in the hand (shoe, shin guard) is an infringement 5. Hitting the ball with a thrown object (shoe, shin guard) is an infringement

Playing in a dangerous manner • Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themselves) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury

Updated 09/21/2015

RecSports Soccer Rules

Impeding the progress of an opponent without contact • Definition – moving into the opponent’s path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player. 1. All players have a right to their position on the field of play; being in the way of an opponent is not the same as ‘moving into the way of an opponent’. 2. Players may shield the ball by taking position between opponent and ball if the ball is within playing distance and is not using arms.

BYU-I specifics for Free Kicks • The official will remove (red card), without caution, any player who charges into the goalkeeper in the penalty area, unless the goalkeeper is obstructing an opponent or dribbling the ball with his feet. Possession or control of the ball will include when the goalkeeper has the ball trapped by either or both hands or when bouncing it to the ground, or when the goalkeeper throws the ball into the air. • tackling in any way (except by the goalkeeper in his penalty area) within 2 yards of any player.

Cautionable Offences • A player is cautioned and shown a yellow card for any of the following offences 1. Delaying the restart of play 2. Dissent by word or action 3. Entering, re-entering or deliberately leaving the field without the referee’s permission. 4. Failure to respect the required distance with a corner kick, free kick, or throw-in 5. Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game 6. Unsporting behavior

• A substitute is cautioned for any of the following offences 1. Delaying the restart of play 2. Dissent by word or action 3. Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission 4. Unsporting behavior

• Cautions for Unsporting behavior 1. Attempts to deceive the referee by feigning injury or pretending to be fouled 2. Changes places with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee’s permission 3. Commits a DFK offence in a reckless manner 4. Commits a foul or handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack 5. Handles the ball in an attempt to score a goal or in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal 6. Plays the ball when leaving the field of play after being given permission to leave 7. Shows a lack of respect for the game 8. Uses a deliberate trick to pass the ball to the goalkeeper with head, knee etc. in an attempt to circumvent the law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches it with his hands 9. Verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart

• Cautions for Delaying the Restart of Play Updated 09/21/2015

RecSports Soccer Rules

1. Appearing to take a throw-in but suddenly leaving it to a team-mate to take 2. Delaying leaving the field of play when being substituted 3. Excessively delaying a restart 4. Kicking or carrying the ball away, or provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play. 5. Taking a free kick from the wrong position to force a retake

Send off Offences • A player or substitute who commits any of the following offences will be sent off: 1. Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball. 2. Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a direct free kick • With the exception of when the DOGSO results in a goal, then the player is cautioned for unsporting behavior. 3. Serious foul play or violent conduct 4. Spitting at an opponent or any other person 5. Using offensive, insulting, or abusive language and/or gestures 6. Receiving a second caution in the same match. • Play must not be started until the disciplinary sanction has been administered. 1. This means that the player has left the surrounding area of the complex at which the game is being held.

Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity • Classification: to be considered a DOGSO, the following must be considered: 1. Distance between the offence and the goal 2. General direction of the play 3. Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball 4. Location and number of defenders

• If a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which is a DOGSO and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offending player is cautioned unless: 1. The offence is holding, pulling, or pushing 2. The offending player does not attempt to play the ball or there is not possibility for the player making the challenge to play the ball 3. The offence is one which is punishable by a red card wherever it occurs on the field of play. (e. g. serious foul play, violent conduct etc.) • In all the above circumstances, the player is sent off

Restart of play after fouls and misconduct • If the ball is in play and a player commits an offence inside the field of play against: 1. An opponent – IDFK, DFK or PK 2. A team-mate, substitute, substituted player, team official, or a match official – DFK or PK 3. Any other person – a dropped ball

Updated 09/21/2015

RecSports Soccer Rules

Advantage • The referee may allow play to continue with advantage for an offence which warrants a caution/send off. However, the sanction must be administered when the ball is next out of play. • Advantage will not be applied in situations involving serious foul play, violent conduct, or a second Cautionable offense; unless there is a clear opportunity to score a goal. 1. If the player responsible for the foul re-involves himself in play after advantage has been given, the referee will stop play, issue the sanction, and restart play with an IDFK. • If a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues holding inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick.

Penalty Kick • Awarded for any infringement of the rules, within the penalty area, that would require a direct free kick. • A penalty kick can be awarded irrespective of the position of the ball in the penalty area. • A penalty kick shall be taken from the penalty mark which is 12 yards from the goal line. While the kick is being taken, all players with the exception of the player taking the kick and the opposing goalkeeper shall be within the field of play but outside the penalty area, behind the ball, and at least 10 yards from the penalty mark. • The opposing goalkeeper may only move laterally on his/her own goal line between the goalposts, until the ball is kicked. • The ball must be stationary on the penalty mark • The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves • The player taking the kick may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player

Infringements and Sanctions of Penalty Kicks • If the player taking the kick or a team-mate infringes the Laws of the Game: o If the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken o If the ball does not enter the goal, play is stopped and restarted with an IDFK • The following results in an IDFK regardless of whether or not a goal is scored o A penalty kick is kicked backward o A team-mate of the identified kicker takes the kick; player who took kick is cautioned o Feinting to kick the ball once the kicker has completed his -up. Kicker is cautioned • The goalkeeper or a team-mate infringes the Laws of the Game o If the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded o If the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken; the goalkeeper is cautioned if responsible for the infringement. • If both teams have a player that infringes on the penalty kick, the kick is retaken, unless a player commits a more serious offence (e.g. illegal feigning) • If, after the penalty kick has been taken: o The kicker touches it again before another player – IDFK is awarded o The ball is touched by an outside agent – kick is retaken o Ball rebounds into the field by the goal/goalkeeper then touched by an outside agent – referee restarts with a dropped ball

Throw-In

Updated 09/21/2015

RecSports Soccer Rules

• If the ball is improperly thrown into play, the restart shall be taken by a player of the opposing team. • If the ball fails to enter the field of play, it shall be considered not in play and will be thrown again. • The opposing players must be a minimum of 2 yards from the throw. o If a player chooses to stand 2 yards from the throw, they are not allowed to jump or distract thrower. o If an opponent interferes with or in any way impedes the actions of the thrower; less than 2 yards away, while the throw-in is being taken, the official will administer a caution for unsportsmanlike conduct and an IDFK will be awarded. • A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. It must touch a member of either team before crossing the goal line to be counted as a goal.

Drop Ball • Referee drops the ball at the position where it was when play was stopped unless within the goal area in which case it dropped on the goal line parallel to its position within the area • When dropped are awarded: o When the ball is caused to go out-of-bounds by two opponents simultaneously. o Following a suspension of play for an injury or other situation in which no team has clear possession of the ball. o A foul by both teams occurring simultaneously. • Any number of players may contest a dropped ball • If a dropped ball enters the goal without touching at least two players play is restarted with: o A goal kick if it enters the opponents goal o A corner kick if it enters the team’s goal

Goal Kick • A goal kick shall be awarded to the defending team when the ball crosses the goal line, having last been touched by the attacking team. • An opponent who is in the penalty area when the goal kick is taken touches or challenges for the ball before it has touched another player, the goal kick is retaken • The kick can be taken from anywhere within the goal area • The ball is not in play until it leaves the penalty area • The goalkeeper shall not pick up the ball and play it. Goal kicks are direct free kicks.

Corner Kick • When the ball is last touched by the defending team and goes over the goal line, a member of the attacking team shall take a kick from within the quarter-circle at the nearest corner flag. • Players of the team opposing that of the player taking the corner kick shall not approach within 10 yards of the ball until it is in play. • After the corner kick is first touched, any player except the one who executes the corner kick may play the ball. • Corner kicks are direct free kicks.

Slide Tackling • Slide tackling shall be defined as a player sliding in a way that endangers another player, i.e. sliding while trying to take the ball from another player’s control or fighting for possession. • Slide tackling is prohibited. Any player in violation of this rule will be issued a sportsmanship Updated 09/21/2015

RecSports Soccer Rules

infraction by RecSports. • Lunging in a manner that is considered to be with excessive force by the referee or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play • Sliding is not a violation of the soccer rules, as long as it does not endanger any other player on the field. This means that when no other players are around (within 5 yards) a slide may be performed (e.g. to save a ball from going out of bounds). *All calls are under the judgment of the official.

Cards • Players that receive a Yellow Card must sit out for 3 minutes before they are eligible for play again. • Players that receive a Red Card must leave the facility promptly. Play will not resume until player has left the premises. A player who returns to the premises could be guilty of a sportsmanship infraction

Rule 3: Playoffs

Sportsmanship • The sportsmanship scale will be from 0-5. • Each team will be given a 3 at the start of each game. • Teams are responsible to show good sportsmanship and earn a higher sportsmanship rating. • Teams who do not have fully staffed teams at the start time of the game will be docked sportsmanship (those who use the 5-minute grace period) as determined by RecSports • Teams who forfeit will be docked sportsmanship as determined by RecSports • Any portrayal of unsporting conduct from teams, substitutes, coaches or fans can result in a decrease in sportsmanship • Teams must maintain a “3.5” sportsmanship average during the regular season. • Sportsmanship points for each regular season contest will be added together and divided by the total number of contests held to find each team’s sportsmanship average. o If a team doesn’t do anything to raise sportsmanship and the 3 given at the beginning of each game is earned; the average will be 3 and the team will be ineligible for tournament.

NOTE: See Policy and Procedure for more information on captain’s responsibilities, participant’s responsibilities, league definitions, registration information, roster information, rescheduling requests, defaults, forfeits, sportsmanship, honor code policy, protests, post season scheduling and eligibility.

Updated 09/21/2015