Indoor Soccer Rules

The Game, Playing Area, and Equipment

• A team will consist of 5 players: one goalie and four forwards. A game must start with at least four players: one goalie and three forwards.
• All players must wear court sneakers. No street shoes, cleats or bare feet allowed.
• A player is only allowed to play on one team in the same division.
• Players are allowed to be added to the roster up to the playoffs. Once the playoffs begin no player is allowed to be added to a team’s roster.

Periods, the Clock, and Substitutions

• A game will consist of two 20 minute halves, running time, with a two minute half time.
• Each team is allowed one, 1-minute time-out per half. There will be a five minute sudden death overtime for all tied games, then a shoot out will begin. At the end of overtime each team will choose 3 players to participate in the shootout. Each team will have all three players shoot in alternating possessions. The team with the most goals at the end of the shootout wins. If the score is tied at the end of the first shootout, shootouts will continue until a team is leading.
• Free player substitutions at any dead ball.
• Goalies may only be substituted after a scored goal or during half time.
• If at any time a team is leading by 15 goals the game will be ended and the leading team will be deemed the winner.

Starting the Game and Continuation of Play

• A coin toss will determine possession of the ball to start the game. The opposite team gets the ball to start the second half.
• When the whistle blows the team with the ball must pass the ball backwards before kicking towards the opposing goal.
• The ball is positioned at mid-field to start each half- each team must be on their half to start the game.
• After a score, the opposing team puts the ball in play at mid-court.
• If the ball goes above the window line, hits the ceiling, or any ceiling obstruction, the ball is placed on the field underneath the obstruction and an indirect kick is taken. If placement of the ball is within the goal area, it will be brought outside the goal area for an indirect kick.
• After the goalie takes possession of the ball by use of his/her hands, he/she cannot kick the ball in any fashion (punt, drop kick, or put the ball on the ground and kick).
• When the goalie throws the ball, the ball must hit his/her side of the field or any player on that side of the field before crossing the mid field line.
• Any goal kick has to hit the defending team’s side of the field or a player on that side of the field before going over to the other side of the field.
• If the official’s whistle stops play inadvertently, a drop ball will take place between one member of each team. The ball will be dropped ten feet in front, to the right or left of the goal. Once the ball is dropped, regular play will resume.

Penalties and Ejections

• It is a violation to trip, kick, push, tackle or otherwise impede an opposing player. The offended player will put the ball in play with an indirect kick from the spot of the violation.
• No player, except the goalie, may contact the ball with their hands or arm. A player is not allowed to use his/her hands to touch the ball while it is in play. If this occurs, the other team takes possession of the ball at the point of infraction with a direct kick.
• The occurrence of a handball in the goal area by the defending team will result in a penalty kick from the penalty mark (basketball 3pt line).
• An intentional foul or unnecessary roughness that occurs outside the goal area will result in a direct (free) kick on goal from the point of the infraction. If a goal is not scored, the ball is brought into play with a throw by the goalie.
• An intentional foul or unnecessary roughness that occurs inside the goal area by the defending team, will result in a penalty kick in which only the goalie may defend.
• The referee may eject a player from the game for repeated violations, unnecessary roughness, or UNSPORTSMANLIKE conduct. If a player is ejected, no sub may enter the game.
• On a penalty kick, the ball is placed at the penalty mark and the goalie cannot move from the goal line until the ball has been touched by the shooter. All other players must be outside the penalty area during the penalty kick.
• The goalie is not allowed to pick the ball up when the ball is passed back to him or her by a teammate

Definitions of Terms

• Indirect free kick – after the ball is kicked, it must touch another player before a goal can be scored, cannot score directly from an indirect free kick.
• Drop Kick – ball that is put into play by the referee dropping the ball straight down on the ground and two players going for the ball once it has touched the ground. (injuries, questionable calls, dangerous situations etc.)
• Out of play areas – if the ball reaches above the window line or hits any part of the ceiling or lights. RESULT: Indirect Free Kick from the spot where the ball went out of play.

Scoring

• Goals count 1 point

Extras that pertain to Mahoney Gym

• No shots are allowed from in the paint (basketball foul area)
• Penalty kicks from basketball 3pt line
• If there is a dangerous situation that can happen, the referees have the authority to blow play dead.
• Bench Interference: if a play from the bench hits or comes in contact with the ball on purpose, the opposing team will get an indirect kick from the spot of the infraction.