RecSports Soccer Rules The rules covered below are based on the new International Football 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 ball 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 out 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. • Slide 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.