Indoor Soccer Rules & Regulations
The rules shall be reviewed periodically and revised at any time for purposes of clarity, fair-play, or improvement of the competition.
House Rules – High School League.
In general, FIFA’s Laws of the Game shall apply except as indicated below:
Teams, Players and Coaches
1. Coaches and players are responsible before the games to ensure that players are properly equipped (shin guards required, socks over shin guards, no cleats, etc.) and are not wearing anything dangerous (for example, jewelry, hard casts, etc). Decision of referee, Westchester Turf & Tennis staff and/or tournament official is final on such issues.
2. Players on the field:- 6 (5 plus keeper).
3. Roster size:- Maximum of 15 players. Teams may only dress 12 players for a game unless approved by both opponent and league administrator.
4. Players may not play for two (2) teams in the same league.
5. Players are required to show acceptable proof that they meet any league or tournament requirement(s) – Such as identity, age, etc. This proof may be requested at any time by Westchester Turf & Tennis.
6. Players must be registered to the team before they may play. Rosters become final after the third week of the season.
7. Only coaches, managers or captains may approach Westchester Turf & Tennis staff, referees or tournament officials regarding discrepancies. Any game protests must be conducted in a civilized and respectful manner by one team representative within 5 minutes after game. However, protests shall not be heard for facts known prior to the start of a match and, especially, when a team agrees to play a game with knowledge of said extenuating circumstance(s).
Field & Game Rules
1. Regular season league games are 50 minutes in duration, unless otherwise noted (25 minute halves). Teams must move quickly on and off the field since lost time will not be made up. Playoff game duration may be adjusted at the discretion of Westchester Turf & Tennis. A game shall be considered completed in its entirety if at least 2/3 of its duration is played. However, a game terminated due to misconduct or the actions of either or both teams, may also be considered completed in its entirety at the discretion of Westchester Turf & Tennis.
2. A kickoff (to start game or after a goal) is played from the center spot. Kickoffs are indirect and need not be played forward. Home team kicks off to start the first half. Away team kicks off to start the second half. There is no coin toss.
3. Substitutions are unlimited and may be made at any time provided it is made from a team’s defensive end only and the exiting player has left the field before substitute enters.
4. Out of Bounds: If the ball crosses completely over the goal line it is considered out of play and results in a goal kick or corner kick. If the ball crosses completely over the touchline it is considered out of play and an indirect kick shall be awarded from that spot. If ball strikes ceiling it is considered out of play and an indirect kick shall be awarded from the midfield line of the center circle.
5. The ball must be put into play from a restart within 5 seconds. If not, at the referee's discretion, a caution (white, yellow or red card) may be issued and/or possession of the ball may be given to the opposing team.
6. On free kicks and goal kicks, opposing team must be at least three (3) yards away from ball.
7. On corner kicks, opposing team must be at least as far back as the side and top edge of the goal area. The same distance rule applies to any out of bounds kick taken from within this “corner box”.
8. On kick-offs and re-starts from the center circle, opposing team must be outside the circle.
9. There is no off-side rule.
10. The goal area and penalty area are the same.
11. Slide tackles within 3-5 feet of an opponent are prohibited and result in an indirect kick and, at the discretion of the referee, a caution (white, yellow or red card). Note – an open field slide (not within 3-5 feet of an opponent) is not an infraction and play will continue. A slide tackle in the penalty area that results in an actual contact foul may be penalized with a penalty kick at the discretion of the referee.
12. All free kicks are indirect with the exception of handling, which will be a direct kick. A handling infraction in the goal/penalty area will result in a penalty kick. Penalized fouls inside the penalty area may result in a penalty kick at the discretion of the referee.
13. Penalty kicks shall be taken with the ball placed at a spot approximately half-way between the goal line and mid-point of the center circle arc. During a penalty kick, other than the goalie and the player kicking the ball, all other players must stand at a point behind the ball at least five (5) yards away.
Penalties, Cautions & Disciplinary Action
1. White/Blue Cards: A player receiving a white card must serve a 2 minute minor penalty** requiring the team to play short for the 2 minute period. Penalty is cancelled if opposing team scores a goal. If a goalkeeper receives a white card, his penalty may be served by another field player. In case of a double white card (one player from each team at exact same time), both players must serve the entire 2 minute penalty regardless of any goals scored. However, teams may play at full strength by replacing penalized players with an eligible substitute.
2. Yellow Cards: A player receiving a yellow card must serve a 5 minute major penalty** requiring the team to play short for the entire 5 minute period, and the penalty is not cancelled if opposing team scores a goal. If a goalkeeper receives a yellow card, he must leave the field to serve his own penalty. In case of a double yellow card (one player from each team at exact same time), both players must serve the entire 5 minute penalty regardless of any goals scored.
3. Red Cards: A player receiving a red card is automatically ejected from remainder of the match and his team shall play with one less player for the remainder of the match. A red card also carries a one game suspension to be served during the next scheduled game – except when the red card is the result of a double yellow card. A suspension may be appealed and rescinded by the league administrator’s consultation with referees, staff and review of video footage.
4. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players and fans. Only players are permitted on the playing field. Disruptive and/or violent behavior may result in a team yellow card, fines, expulsion and/or disqualification of player (or team) from the match, tournament and/or facility for an amount and period deemed appropriate by the league administrator. Westchester Turf & Tennis reserves the right to expel or suspend a player or team for any reason and at any time without refund. Westchester Turf & Tennis also reserves the right to advise local authorities regarding any violent or criminal behavior, and press criminal and/or civil charges at its discretion.
Scoring, Points & Standings
1. Each win is worth three (3) points; each tie is worth one (1) point. Forfeit will count as a maximum 6-0 win.
2. Teams that do not forfeit and receive no yellow or red cards during a match shall be awarded one (1) bonus point for sportsmanship.
3. Game scores shall have a differential cap of 6 goals.
4. In case of a tie in the standings at end of league season, the tie will be broken as follows:
a) Goal differential (goals-for minus goals-against).
b) Results of head to head competition.
c) Some mutually agreed upon competition, such as a penalty shoot out, if one can be arranged at a reasonable time prior to commencement of playoffs.
d) If no mutually agreed upon competition can be arranged, Westchester Turf & Tennis shall determine a winner based on a coin toss or random draw.
5. For playoff or tournament games, in case of a tie at the end of regulation time, there will be one 5 minute overtime period to be played in its entirety. If game is still tied, there will be a FIFA format penalty shoot-out.
If a circumstance arises which may not be covered by the above rules, the Westchester Turf & Tennis league administrator shall make a determination based on any applicable information and may reference outside sources, such as FIFA Laws of the Game, to arrive at a decision.
Disclaimer: Behavior and rules are subject to the sole interpretation of Westchester Turf & Tennis. Player and/or spectator conduct can be evaluated at any time prior, during or after a game. Should any specific or casual investigation – including but not limited to review of video footage – reveal undesirable behavior or a violation of the rules, Westchester Turf & Tennis reserves the right to discipline or eject players or spectators from the facility. Furthermore, should it become necessary, Westchester Turf & Tennis shall cooperate with law enforcement and/or local authorities to the best of our ability. This includes but is not limited to the release of information and/or video footage from our surveillance system. In summary, if you can’t behave appropriately on your own, THINK of the consequences before you act.
[Rev Jan 2018]