SoccerZone Austin

SoccerZone Rules and Policies

Revision 6/08/2011

Introduction

The following rules and policies are an addendum to the standard rules and policies of the United States Indoor Official Rules.  Any feedback or comment is always appreciated.  If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to speak to a facility staff member or manager or contact the facility by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Membership

All participants must have a SoccerZone membership. Annual membership is $15. Non-member one-day participation is available for $5. Membership is only good for individual SoccerZone facilities.  SoccerZone membership also gives individual players access to their team information and to their individual personal information thru the “MySam” website, which can be found at www.soccerzoneaustin.com.

Facility Rules/Policies

• SoccerZone has zero tolerance for the consumption of drugs or alcohol by any person prior to playing or participating in any activities in the arena. Violation of this rule will result in indefinite suspension.
• Smoking, chewing or dipping of tobacco is not allowed inside SoccerZone facilities. Sunflower seeds or similar products are also forbidden.
• No food, drinks, or chewing gum permitted on playing surface.
• Glass containers are prohibited in the SoccerZone facility.
• Spitting on the playing surface, in the team box or on any surface in the facility is forbidden.  Please use the garbage cans provided in the facility.
• SoccerZone has NO toleration for fighting. The SoccerZone judiciary committee will determine suspensions based upon the intent and facts of each incident. BE FOREWARNED, severe suspensions will be imposed for fighting. Throwing punches will result in a minimum one year arena suspension.
• Verbal abuse of the facility staff, referees, the other team, spectators or teammates by any person will not be tolerated. Violators will be barred from the facility and/or further participation.

Customer's Rights

• A clean facility
• High quality facility and services which includes referees, schedules and programs.
• A trained, responsive and courteous staff, open to customer input.
• Timely information on SoccerZone's programs changes or additions.

Please talk to the host or facility manager if you feel any of the above is not happening to your satisfaction. SoccerZone appreciates the input of customers who care enough to tell us when we don't meet your expectations.

Customer's Responsibility

• Consider the safety of others and yourself as the highest priority.
• Play for the fun and enjoyment of the sport and always be a good sport.
• Timely payments for services.
• Maintain emotional control while participating or observing.
• Respect the arena and help keep the facility clean.
• Treat other players, teammates and SoccerZone employees with respect.
• Make us aware of any problems as soon as possible so we can fix them.
• Keep yourself updated with the latest information.
• Be on time for games and practices.

Team League Registration/Referee fees

Our leagues are designed to provide the best soccer experience possible. SoccerZone strives to have:

·         Well refereed games

·         Competitive divisions

·         A clean, safe facility

·         Friendly efficient service

·         Timely communication

·         Convenient other services

Adult Leagues:

Each team fee is $645 per season for 6v6 leagues and $250 per season for the 3v3 leagues. The 6v6 leagues require a $150 deposit to secure your team's participation. The deposit for the 3v3 league is $100.

Youth Leagues:

Our youth leagues are very similar to the adult leagues. Most games are played on Saturdays and Sundays with no practices, just games! Most games begin at noon and the last games can start as late as 7:45 pm. We offer both 3v3 for ages five (5) and up and 6v6 leagues for ages six (6) and up. We offer age pure divisions when possible. We currently offer one 10 week/8 game season during the summer. We also offer a mini season in November/December which consists of 4 games in 4 weekends and offer a second winter season that starts in January and runs thru Spring Break consisting of 8 games over a 10 week period.

The current youth team fees and schedules are as follows:

Summer - Jun - Aug

·         6v6 - $550 per team, $10 per team per game referee fees.

·         3v3 - $295 per team, $7 per team per game referee fees.

Winter I -Nov - Dec

·         6v6 - $300 per team, $10 per team per game referee fees.

·         3v3 - $160 per team, $7 per team per game referee fees.

Winter II - Jan - Mar

·         6v6 - $595 per team, $10 per team per game referee fees.

·         3v3 - $300 per team, $7 per team per game referee fees

Referee Fees:

Each 6v6 game will have one (1) referee and one (1) scorekeeper.  Each 3v3 game will have one (1) referee.  Referee fees for Adult and Youth games are as follows:

·         6v6 games are $10 per team per game

·         3v3 referee fees are $7 per team per game.

Full team payment is due by the start of the first game of a session. If payment is not made by the start of the second game, the team will not be allowed to play any further games.

Team Managers/Coaches

Team managers/coaches are the representatives for the team and are responsible for passing on any information that SoccerZone needs to communicate to each team. The team manager/coach is also responsible for seeing that all team fees are paid on time and ensuring that his or her team is aware of the rules of the game as well as all SoccerZone rules and policies.

Well Refereed Games

We recruit and train the best referees that we can. The referees are evaluated on a regular basis.  This includes regular, documented observations as well as customer feedback.  SoccerZone appreciates feedback on referees, both good and bad. We ask that customers realize that referees are not infallible machines and will miss some calls.

We ask that players, spectators, parents and coaches restrain from yelling derogatory comments to the referees. SoccerZone, however, would love to hear your comments about the refereeing at our facility.

A facility staff member is more than happy to record your feedback. We have a reliable feedback system that uses customer input as a means of improving referee performance.

General League Policies

·         All leagues may be scheduled on various days to maximize arena use, but generally most of your games will fall on a consistent day of the week.

·         Teams may be scheduled for occasional double headers during the season.

·         Players must be assigned to the team roster and play in at least two regular league games to qualify to play in playoff games.

·         Forfeits can be declared for games involving ineligible players, ineligible age players, suspended players, or players with expired or no membership cards. The score of a forfeit game will be 2-0.

·         Any team that accrues 3 forfeits in one season will be expelled from the league. The winning team in a forfeited game has the following options:

o        Use the arena during the regularly scheduled game time for a closed practice where no referee will be provided or

o        Agree to scrimmage the forfeiting team by sharing players and/or allowing the forfeiting team to pick up non-rostered players

·         Players posing as another person or using false information when joining SoccerZone will be considered an illegal player and all games involving that player will constitute a forfeit. The guilty player will also be suspended from further activity at SoccerZone pending the judiciary committee ruling.

·         Playing while knowingly suspended will result in a forfeit of the game and the guilty player will be suspended from further activity at SoccerZone pending the judiciary committee ruling.

·         People signing waivers for minors that are not legally eligible to do so will result in a forfeit of the game and the guilty player will be suspended from further activity at SoccerZone pending the judiciary committee ruling.

·         Teams will be penalized $15 for no-shows, which mean having less than 4 players available at game time. If teams know they will not be able to attend a scheduled game we ask that you notify us no less than 48 hours prior to the game to give us time to contact the opposing team and the referee. Teams that give us the 48 hour notice will not be levied the $15 fine.

·         Teams delaying the start of a game due to not being ready at game time or having less than the minimum amount of players available will be penalized accordingly:

o        one (1) goal at 18:00

o        an additional goal at 17:00

o        an additional goal at 16:00

o        forfeit of game at 15:00

·         Teams may request that games be rescheduled provided at least a 2-day notice is given. SoccerZone will investigate the possibility but will not guarantee a reschedule. However, during SoccerZone’s seasonally busy months, time may simply not be available for rescheduled games. In the event we can not accommodate a reschedule, the requesting team must accept a forfeit.

·         Protests regarding the incorrect application of SoccerZone’s rules of indoor soccer or player eligibility must be in written form and submitted to SoccerZone no later than 24 hours after the end of the disputed game. The ruling will be made by the SoccerZone judiciary committee prior to the protesting team’s next game.

·         If a team must withdraw from the league for their own reasons or if they are kicked out for violating SoccerZone rules and/or policies, the team league fee will not be refunded.

·         SoccerZone reserves the right to relegate or promote teams and or players to leagues other than the requested league to ensure fun and competitive games. SoccerZone will work with teams to give them their requested night. However, we place a higher value on competitive games than teams' preferred game night.

·         Players must meet the age requirement of their league before their last game of the session (i.e. Under-12, over 30 etc.)

·         Players MAY NOT play on more than one team in a division.

• Scoring

o        Men’s and Women’s leagues:  goals are worth one (1) point.

o        Coed leagues:  men’s goals worth one (1) point, women’s goals worth two (2) points. (Incidental own-goals are awarded one (1) point).

§         “Own-goal”:  when a player plays the ball directly into his own net or when he redirects an opponent’s shot, cross or pass into his own goal.  Shots that are on target (i.e. goal-bound) and touch a defender or rebound from the goal frame and bounce off a defender or goalkeeper are not considered as own goals.

o        Youth leagues:  goals worth one (1) point.

Schedules and Standings

The schedules and standings are available at the arena and also on SoccerZone's web site (www.soccerzoneaustin.com) via a player’s membership “MySam” login.  We make it a priority to keep the web site up-to-date. We ask that you please check the web site before calling the facility to ask for your game time. However, if you must call, we will be happy to give you any information you need.

Standings will be determined by points:

·         three (3) points for a win

·         one (1) for a tie and

·         zero (0) for a loss

Tie breakers to determine playoffs will be followed in the order of:

·         head-to-head

·         goal differential (least goals allowed, then most goals scored)

·         coin toss.

Championship playoff games which end in a tie will have two (2) 5-minute sudden death (golden goal) periods.  Foul counts will carry over to the sudden death periods.  The game ends when the first goal is scored. A shoot-out will follow if no goals are scored during sudden death overtime.  Only players that are on the field at the end of the second overtime period are eligible for the shootout.  Each player takes a shoot-out round against the opposing goalkeeper.  The shoot-out shall start with the ball on the “third-line” spot nearest the goal.  The goalkeeper must have at least one (1) foot on the goal-line.  The shooter has seven (7) seconds to score.  Only one (1) shot may be taken.  If the shoot-out score is tied after one round, a sudden-death round is taken, until a winner is decided.

Special Youth League Policies

Youth League Objectives

·         Develop physical fitness through soccer.

·         Develop individual's soccer skills.

·         Assist in the youth soccer development of the local community.

·         Provide a fun, safe means of exercise for kids.

Youth Leagues

SoccerZone would love to see every game determined by a single goal. This is our objective when we form leagues. Sometimes the games become lopsided for one reason or another. We do our best to match teams in leagues as closely as possible. To accomplish this we ask teams to register in the age and level that they played the outdoor soccer the previous fall. This simply gives us a consistent basis in which to place teams. Sometimes we need to match up teams of different ages in order to provide variety of competition. We realize that a single year can make a big difference which is why we have the following policies:

• Youth leagues are divided by age using the standard outdoor terminology U12, U11 which means "under-12" and "under-11".
• SoccerZone uses the same age cut off as the South Texas Youth Soccer Association. Our youth leagues that play in the winter, spring and summer use the same age cutoff that the outdoor soccer leagues use in the previous fall. For consistency purposes, we ask all teams to register for the leagues that they played in during the previous outdoor fall session. The age cutoff is the youth’s age as of August 1.
• Teams playing an older team may use an extra player on the field. This rule does not apply to select teams unless they are playing an older select team.
• SoccerZone will determine the desires of the team if we have to schedule you out of your age group.
• Players must present a valid picture ID/birth certificate if requested at the time membership cards are made or when age is questioned by another team.
• When the goal differential of any game increases to four (4) or more, the losing team may add an extra player but must pull the extra player off when the differential decreases below four (4). The losing team may add additional extra players for subsequent two (2) goals differential, up to eight (8) goals.

Special Adult League Policies

Adult League Objectives

• Adult Leagues are divided into levels in order to group players for competitive parity.
  • Level "1" is for highly skilled, experienced and athletically fit players.
  • Level "2" and "3" are for intermediate competitive play depending upon soccer skill, athletic ability and fitness.
  • Level “4” and “5” are for beginning players depending upon soccer skill, athletic ability and fitness.
• The availability of levels on a certain night will depend upon the number of registered teams.

Player Eligibility and Competition Policy

• Players will be "designated" at the level of the highest league/level in which they participate.
• Players cannot play two leagues below the level of their designation (i.e. level "1" player may not play in a level "3" division or a "2" player may not play in a “4” division).
• SoccerZone reserves the right to “designate” players a level even though they are not currently in that league. (i.e. level "1" player cannot play in the level “4” division even if it is the only league in which they play).
• Teams may only have three players with a higher designation on their rosters (i.e. a Coed-4 team may have only three Coed-3 players on it).
• There is a three (3) goal per game limit on players playing in designated beginner leagues.  Any further goals by that player will not be counted. Goalkeeper distribution (“keeper-throw”) will be taken after all "non-counted goals".

Rules of the Game

Ball Size

• U-13 through adult - Size #5 ball.
• U-9 through U-12 - Size #4 ball
• U-8 and under - Size #3 ball

Number of Players

6v6 Field

• U-5 and U6:  4 players, no goalkeeper, minimum of 3 to start.
• U-7 and U8:  7 players, one of whom is a goalkeeper, minimum of 5 to start.
• U-9 through Adult:  6 players, one of whom is a goalkeeper, minimum of 4 to start.
• Adult Coed:  6 players (3 men, 3 women), one of whom is a goalkeeper, minimum of 4 to start with at least 1 woman.

Equipment

• Outdoor molded soccer cleats, flat-soled or turf shoes designed for artificial surfaces and tennis shoes can be used.  Removable or metal studded soccer cleats, football cleats, baseball cleats, hard-soled street shoes, boots, soft soled slipper shoes or bare feet are not allowed.
• Goalkeeper must wear colors to distinguish him/her from all other players.
• All team members must wear the same color jerseys to distinguish them from the opposing team and the referees. Players are asked to bring alternate color shirts (dark & light) in the event both teams are the same color. In the event both teams have the same color shirts, the HOME team must change. If alternate color jerseys are not available, color vests will be used.
• Each player is required to have shin guards covered by socks.
• Players wearing any kind of protective gear (i.e. knee pads) must wear the soft cushioned type.  No hard plastic or metallic protective equipment is allowed.
• Knee braces are allowed on the condition that any potentially harmful edges or protrusions are adequately padded.  The referee has the right to disallow any potentially harmful knee braces.
• Players with casts of any kind are not allowed to participate.
• Watches, rings and/or pierced jewelry must be covered by tape or removed per referee's instructions for safety and welfare of all players.
• All other equipment the referee deems dangerous to a player or opponent will not be allowed.

Game Clock

6v6 Field

• The game shall consist of two (2) 20-minute halves.
• The scoreboard is the official game time.
• The half-time interval will be 1 minute. In the interest of time constraints the half-time may be shortened to catch up on lost time due to injuries or other stoppages in play.
• Time between games shall be three (3) minutes and teams are required to be ready to play.  In the interest of time constraints the time between games may be shortened to catch up on lost time due to injuries or other stoppages in play.
• The game clock may be stopped for serious injuries.
• When time is stopped for injury, the injured player must leave the game for a substitute (if available) and, if able to resume play, may not re-enter the game for a minimum of two (2) minutes following the resumption of play.
• If a goalkeeper injury requires the clock to be stopped and the keeper is able to continue play, they may forego substitution and continue to play.
• After the time between games or after the half-time has expired, the game clock will be started regardless if the teams are on the field prepared to play. The referee will start the game when both teams are ready.
• The referee may start play before one or both teams are ready if the referee thinks the team is not adequately preparing themselves for the game or simply stalling. Any goals scored after the referee's whistle count regardless of the team's readiness.

Start, Restart and End of Play

• A kick-off from the center mark starts play at the beginning of each half and after every goal.  A player taking the kick-off can only touch the ball once until another player touches it.  The kick-off may go forward or backwards.
• Visitors kick-off to begin the game.
• During all kick-offs, both teams shall remain on their halves of the field until the ball is in play.
• A goal can be scored directly from a kick-off.
• All free kicks are direct kicks (goals can be scored directly from them).
• All kick-offs and restarts must be played within 5 seconds of the referee's signaling the ball ready to play or whistle.  If violated, the opposing team is awarded the ball.
• Restarts take place by either a kick-off, free kick, goalkeeper distribution, out-of-bounds (see “Ball Out of Play”), corner kick, or dropped ball.  Any restarts resulting from out-of-bounds, except for a goalkeeper distribution shall be taken two (2) feet from the wall where the ball went out.  For all restarts, the ball must be stationary and opposing players must be at least five (5) feet away (player taking restart can request up to 15 feet, with a Referee’s whistle to restart play).  A player taking the restart may only touch the ball once before another player on the field touches the ball.  If a player violates this rule, the opposing team gets a free kick at the spot of the second touch infraction.
• A team receives a free kick for fouls or stoppages other than dropped balls or goalkeeper distributions.  The location of a free kick has the below exceptions:
  • Within own penalty arc:  any spot within the arc
  • Within opponents penalty arc:  “top of the arc” free-kick spot
  • Three-line violation:  from the violating team’s “red/third-line”, anywhere on the line.  A three-line violation occurs when a player plays a forward ball that crosses over all three (3) lines (both “red/third” lines and the mid-line) in the air without touching another player, referee or wall structure. This includes Goalkeeper distributions and kicks.  A backward played ball is exempt from this rule.
  • Structure violation (ceiling/lights/beams):  from the spot on the field directly below where structure contact occurred.
• Corner kicks are restarts that occur when the ball crosses the defensive end wall and is last touched by a defensive player.  The ball is placed on the Corner kick spot on the side it went out.
• A dropped ball restarts play if neither team has clear possession of the ball at a stoppage.  If a dropped ball occurs within a penalty arc, the dropped ball restart is taken at the “top of the arc” free-kick spot.
• A goalkeeper distribution, ”keeper throw”, restarts from anywhere within the penalty arc.  This restart occurs when the ball crosses the defensive end wall and is last touched by an offensive player.  The goalkeeper has five (5) seconds to distribute the ball with their hands.  The five (5) seconds also includes the ball having to leave the penalty arc.  Opposing players must remain outside the Penalty arc.
• The goalkeeper 5-second “control” with either feet or hands in the penalty arc rule is NOT in effect for league games.
• The following goalkeeping restrictions shall cause the Referees to stop the play and award a free kick to the opponents at the top of the penalty arc:
  • If the Goalkeeper uses their hands when the ball is passed off the foot of a teammate.  Exception to this rule is when the ball comes off or is played directly off any other part of the body (head, chest, knee, etc.) of a teammate.  But, if the referee deems a player uses deliberate “trick” to play off another body part (i.e. juggle foot to head), then a free kick is still awarded.
  • The Goalkeeper may not reach outside the box and use their hands even if they are standing in the box.
  • The Goalkeeper with the ball in their hands has five seconds to distribute the ball outside of the box. Dropping the ball to their feet or passing to a teammate inside the box does not stop the count.
  • The Goalkeeper may not go outside of the box and play the ball into the box to themselves.
  • If the Goalkeeper begins a slide inside the penalty arc (allowed) and as a result of their slide goes outside the penalty arc, the slide endangers an opponent or is considered reckless (Referee discretion)
• Whistle restarts:  A whistle is required for kick-offs, penalty kicks, shootouts and restarts at the “top of the arc” free-kick spot.
• The game is over when the scoreboard sounds.

Team Boxes

• Home team is the first team listed on the schedule. Teams must take the bench designated for the Home team or Visitor (Guest) team.
• Teams will switch sides but not benches at halftime.
• No one except coaches and players currently playing are allowed in the team boxes with a maximum of 2 coaches per team.
• No children other than those playing the present game (Youth Leagues) are allowed in the boxes.
• Video taping or photography is prohibited from within the players boxes.
• Glass containers are prohibited in the players’ box.
• Players are asked to exit the players’ box immediately after the game and hold player conferences, discussions, etc. in another part of the facility.
• Players are asked to pick up all their belongings and trash immediately concluding their game.

Ball out of Play

• The ball is out of play when it touches any netting above the perimeter wall.
• The ball is out of play when it makes contact with the superstructure (ceiling/lights/beams).
• The ball is out of play when it makes contact with any player or spectator outside the arena walls.

Substitutions

Unlimited Substitutions

During game play, substitutions may be made at any time on an unlimited basis, provided the substituting player is within three (3) feet of the touchline at his own bench area, or off the field of play within his own bench area, before the substitution is made. Neither the new player entering the field nor the departing player may participate in play and or gain an advantage during a period of time when they are simultaneously on the field and the ball is in play.  Any violation of this rule can result in a foul and/or 2-minute team penalty.

Guaranteed Substitutions

During guaranteed substitution times (i.e. after a goal is scored), teams will be allowed 15 seconds to complete player substitutions.  The referee shall issue a warning to an offending team for the first offense.  Subsequent violations can result in a 2-minute penalty.  The following examples are guaranteed substitutions:

• After a goal is scored
• After a time penalty has been awarded
• During an injury timeout
• At a referee stoppage
• Prior to the start of any half or overtime period

Goalkeeper Substitutions

Any teammate may substitute with the Goalkeeper by following the normal “Unlimited Substitutions” rules.  The only exceptions to this rule are:

• Injury to the Goalkeeper (Goalkeeper may stay on field to play after their injury stoppage)
• When the substituting team does not have any bench substitutes/players, then a player on the field may substitute with the Goalkeeper (substitute still needs to wear a different, distinguishing color jersey)

Fouls and Other Violations

Fouls

A free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from the point of infraction, for a player who commits any of the following offenses (all fouls are called at the discretion of the Referee):

• Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.
• Trips an opponent.
• Charges an opponent from behind.
• Charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
• Obstructing an opponent when not in possession of the ball. This includes standing between the opponent and the ball so as to form an obstacle. Obstruction is not called when a player has a ball and is shielding so as to prevent an opposing player from stealing the ball or if the ball is kicked downfield and a player attempts to run through an opponent who has established position.
• Pushes an opponent.
• Holds an opponent.
• Playing in a dangerous manner (deemed out of control).
• Charging the goalkeeper in the penalty arc.
• Playing the ball while any part of one’s body is on the ground or while having a hand/knee on the ground.
• Slide tackling (contact with opponent).  No sliding at an opponent while they are in possession of the ball, no sliding to block shots or score goals.  No type of sliding is permitted at all.

Time Penalties

Blue Card (2-minute penalty)

A Blue card shall be assessed for serious fouls and incidents including:

• Boarding (propelling an opponent into the wall)
• Elbowing
• Striking
• Slide tackling
• Goalkeeper endangerment
• Any foul by the Goalkeeper during a 6^th foul shoot-out or overtime shoot-out
• Deliberate handball
• Substitution violations
• Unsportsmanlike behavior
• Multiple fouls/penalties assessed against a player
• Encroachment (continual violation)
• Delay of game (continual violation)
• Incidental foul language or spitting on the field
• Other offenses deemed severe or blatant

Yellow Card (4-minute penalty)

A Yellow card shall be assessed for reckless fouls and incidents including:

• A second Blue card
• Unsportsmanlike behavior (continual violation)
• Provoking altercation, short of fighting (i.e. pushing, poking)

Red Card (Player Ejection, 5-minute team penalty)

A Red card shall be assessed for violent fouls and incidents including:

• A third Blue card or third time penalty
• Intentionally elbowing an opponent above the shoulder
• Vicious slide tackling, seriously endangering/injuring an opponent
• Fighting
• Leaving Team Bench area to engage in a fight or confrontation with the opposition or Referee
• Goalkeeper leaving his/her arc area to engage in an altercation or fight
• Extreme Unsportsmanlike behavior including:
  • Spitting at an opponent or other person
  • Extremely abusive language or behavior towards an opponent or Referee
  • Bodily contact with Referee in dissent

A player issued a Red card for fighting or abuse of a referee will be required to leave the building. Any player refusing to leave after being asked by the person in charge, whether it is a referee or staff member, will result in the Police called and a complaint filed.

Players receiving a Red card are suspended from all activities at SoccerZone until their case is ruled upon by the judiciary committee. The violator's team captain/coach must call the facility the next day to get the judiciary committee's ruling or time table of the judiciary committee's ruling before the violating player may play at SoccerZone again.

A person who makes an attempt to intimidate the referee by the threat of physical abuse, pushing or attempting to make contact with the Referee will be suspended from all play at the facility for a period of at least one (1) year.  A person who strikes or attempts to strike a Referee (or any employee) shall receive a permanent

SoccerZone expulsion.

A person receiving two Red cards in one session will receive a SoccerZone expulsion for at least eight (8) weeks.

Other Violations

6^th Foul Violation

When a team has committed six (6) fouls, the opposing team will get a penalty shootout from the opponent’s red/third line.  If a time penalty is awarded for the 6^th foul, the 6^th foul violation will not be awarded until the next, non-time penalty occurs.

·         Men’s leagues:  When a team has committed six (6) fouls, the next accumulated team foul violation occurs after three (3) from there on out for the rest of the game.

Advantage Rule

Generally, advantage will be only allowed when the team against which a foul or violation has been committed will benefit from an existing offensive advantage.  The Referee will penalize the original offence if the Advantage does not ensue.  This is up to the discretion of the Referee.

·         Delayed Penalty:  For instances where a Referee would issue a time penalty, but the Advantage Rule is in play, the Referee will raise the card above his/her head or at the following times of stoppage to assess the time penalty:

o        Opponent’s possession:  the offending team gains possession of the ball

o        Any stoppage:  Referee stops play for any reason

“Macho” Rule

In Coed, generally the lower Coed divisions, if a male player is being “reckless” in their shooting or play towards the female players on the field, a foul can be called on the offending male player.  This type of play can be given a warning first and then a foul from there on out for the rest of the game.  This is up to the discretion of the Referee.

·         Example:  A male coed team player is attempting to take a shot from outside the offensive third-line and takes a “wild”, uncontrolled shot that hits and injures a female on the field not directly associated with the play.

Serving Penalties

• All players, excluding the goalkeeper, must serve their own penalties.  Time penalties assessed to the Goalkeeper, except ejections, may be served by another team member.  The time penalty is still assessed to the Goalkeeper.
• Players serving their time penalties must serve their entire time penalty before returning to play, unless they are the only bench player available.
• For each time penalty being served by a player, his or her team plays with one less field player until the time penalty expires.
• Should a player receive a time penalty while two or more teammates are already serving time penalties, his or her team continues to play with the minimum while he or she serves their time penalty.
• Power Play goal:  If a team is scored upon while having fewer players on the field, due to one or more players serving time penalties, a player may return from the teams bench/penalty area.
  • If both teams receive time penalties at the same time and/or have equal numbers of players serving time penalties, the Power play goal is not in effect.
• Multiple Penalties:  When a team has two players in the penalty box and a goal is scored by the opposing team, only the first player penalized can be replaced. If another goal is scored, the second player may be replaced even though both players must serve out their penalties in the box.  Only two players may serve time penalties at a time.  If a third player receives a time penalty, his/her time penalty does not begin until at least one of the other teammates’ time penalties has expired.

Goalkeeper Privileges

• Obstructing Goalkeeper:  If a player intentionally obstructs an opposing Goalkeeper in an attempt to not allow the Goalkeeper to put a ball in play, while the Penalty Arc, then a foul and free kick will be awarded to the opposing Goalkeeper.
• Charging the Goalkeeper:  If an attacking player, not in possession of the ball, causes bodily contact with the Goalkeeper (in possession of the ball or not) while in the Penalty Arc and the Referee deems action to be intentional or reckless, then a foul and free kick is awarded.
• Goalkeeper may bounce ball within the penalty arc, includes Goalkeeper distribution, any restarts or any normal course of play.
• Goalkeeper may also slide within the penalty arc to make a save, block a shot or pass.

Shootout and Penalty Kicks

Penalty Shootout/Shootout

The ball is placed on the spot at the opponent’s red/third line.  The defensive team must be behind the mid-line and inside the midfield circle.  The offensive team must be behind the mid-line and outside the midfield circle. The Goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal-line.  A whistle by the referee is required to restart play.  The player taking the penalty shootout can play the ball forward using any legal manner to score including a direct shot, dribble and shoot, playing off the boards, passing to a teammate, etc.

Penalty Kick

The ball is placed on the spot at the top of the opponent’s penalty arc.  The Goalkeeper must have both feet on the goal line.  Upon the Referee’s whistle, the offensive player takes the penalty kick, only touching the ball once.  The offensive player who took the penalty kick may not take a second touch on the ball until a second field player touches the ball.  Violation of this rule results in an opposing team free kick at the spot of the infraction.