Soccer Centers uses the official Fifa rules with the following exceptions:
Soccer Centers Rules
On this page you can find the official Laws & Rules for all leagues and tournaments held at Soccer Centers. You can find the general rules below. To find the rules for our 3v3 tournaments, or 5v5 tournaments and our leagues you can click on one of the buttons below.
All the leagues, tournaments and games will be played with the official Fifa soccer rules. The leagues mentioned up here have exceptions to the Fifa rules. You can find the Fifa rules by clicking on this link.
*If a team needs a change in their game schedule, the league director must be notified a minimum of 48 hours in advance. Teams that have to forfeit a league game due to insufficient time given must pay the ref fee for the missed game. This will be applied to your total balance.
For schedule questions please contact: lt@soccercenters.com
General rules for all our Leagues:
Player uniforms, jerseys, protective casts & jewelry:
All players must wear shin guards, or will not be allowed to play.
All players must wear jerseys/shirts during play. If both teams are wearing the same color, a coin flip in pool play will determine which team must change. In playoffs, the higher seed will have the option.
Players wearing protective casts must receive written approval by the League & Tournament director. If the referee on the field of play deems a player’s protective cast is unsafe in any way, the player will not be allowed to play until the Tournament director allows the player to play.
No jewelry will be allowed, including earrings of any type, rope necklaces and bracelets. The only exception will be players wearing medical bracelets.
Metal studs or removable studs are not allowed on cleats.
Substitution: Substitutions can be made on the fly.
Kick Offs / Kick Ins / Direct and Indirect Kicks / Goal Kicks / Penalty Kicks:
Kick Offs
May be kicked in any direction. You cannot score directly from a kick off (ball must be 100% over the mid-line to be considered on the offensive half of the field). The kick off is an indirect kick.
Kick-ins
The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline, rather than thrown in. The ball is considered in play when the ball is touched and changes position. This is an indirect kick, and a goal cannot be scored from this kick.
Direct and in-direct kicks
All dead-ball kicks (kick-ins, kick-offs, free kicks) are indirect with the exception of corner kicks and penalty kicks. Indirect kicks must only change position before the ball will be considered in play. If a free kick is awarded within five yards of the opposing goal box, the ball will be moved back to five yards from the box. It is the referee’s discretion where the ball will be placed.
Goal kicks
May be taken from any point of the end line. All Goal Kicks are indirect kicks.
Penalty kicks
Shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by an infraction (the infraction does not automatically result in a red card). Penalty kicks are DIRECT kicks taken from the center of the mid-line with all players (on both teams) behind the mid-line. Penalty kicks are dead ball infractions. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick.
Five-Yard Rule
In all dead-ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defensive player’s goal is closer than five yards, the ball shall be played five yards from the goal box in line with the direction of play prior to the penalty.
Goal Scoring
A goal may only be scored from a touch (offensive or defensive) within the team’s offensive half on the field. The ball must be completely on the offensive half of the field, and cannot be touching the mid-line (Example: kick-off). If a player in their defensive half kicks the ball across the midline and the ball hits another player (offensive or defensive) in their offensive half, and the ball goes in the goal, a goal will be awarded. If a ball is kicked from the defensive half and is not touched before the ball rests in the goal, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team. A goal cannot be scored from an indirect kick, such as a kick-in from out-of-bounds. See below for “Plane of the Goal / Net Interference.”
Goal Keepers / Off-sides / Slide Tackling / Hand Ball Clarification:
There are no Goalkeepers in 3v3 Soccer, we don’t play with offside and no slide tackling is allowed. If a player is sliding for the ball, contact with any player(s) from the other team is NOT ALLOWED. If a player slides and contact is initiated, a free kick shall be awarded. This does not prevent players from sliding to stop/intercept a ball where contact is not initiated during the slide. Example: a player may slide to save a ball from going out-of-bounds.
Hand Ball Clarification
Deliberate handling of the ball that denies a team of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity will result in the following: (1) A penalty kick (at the discretion of the referee) (2) A yellow or red card given to the player committing the hand ball (at the discretion of the referee).
Field Dimensions
The playing field is about 55 by 95 feet for ages U9 and higher. U8 age groups play on a smaller field. The goals are approximately four feet high and 8 feet wide.
The Goal Box
There are no goalkeepers in 3v3. The goal box is approximately ten feet wide by six foot long located directly in front of the goal. The goals are four feet high by eight feet wide. There is no ball contact allowed within the goal box, however, all players may pass through the goal box as long as they do not touch the ball while in the box. If the ball comes to a rest in the goal box, or on the goal box line, a goal kick is awarded regardless of who touched the ball last. Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box is considered in the goal box and an extension of such. If a defensive player touches the ball after it has entered the goal box, the plane of the goal box, or an extension of the goal box (such as any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box), a goal will be awarded to the offensive team. If an offensive player touches the ball after it has entered the goal box, the plane of the goal box, or an extension of the goal box (such as any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box), a goal kick will be awarded to the defensive team, and a goal will not be counted if scored. The plane of the goal box extends upward infinitely. The referee’s judgment call and ruling on the field will not be overturned.
Plane of the Goal / Net Interference:
A goal will be awarded if the ball strikes the netting portion of the goal, even if the ball is then returned back into the field of play without completely crossing the goal line. If the ball strikes the cross bar or goal posts, and simultaneously strikes the netting portion of the goal, the referee’s judgment will determine whether the netting prohibited the ball from crossing the goal line (which should be awarded a goal); or whether the bar or post prohibited the ball from crossing the goal line (which should NOT be awarded a goal). The referee’s judgment call and ruling on the field will not be overturned. In simple terms, the net should not be the source that will prohibit a shot from scoring as a goal.
Delay of games / forfeits / overtime
Delay of Game
The referee has the official time on the field and holds the right to take necessary action if he/she feels that a team is delaying the game. Any player may be cautioned with a yellow card if it is deemed by the referee that the player is intentionally wasting time, such as if a player intentionally kicks the ball long distances away from the playing field in order to waste time. The referee has the official time on the field.
Forfeits
Teams are given five minutes from scheduled game time, or from delayed start time due to unforeseen circumstances, before the referee issues a forfeit. The Soccer Tournament Director must approve all forfeits before the game is considered an official forfeit. The Kick It Tournament Director has the option to replay a forfeited game if deemed necessary. Any team forfeiting three games during pool play may be removed from the tournament. Any team forfeiting one game during the playoffs may be removed from the tournament.
Play-off Penalty Kick’s
If there is no winner after the official game time the game will go to a penalty shoot-out. A coin toss will decide which team gets to kick first. Each team has to pick 3 players and they will be the only players to kick for their team. The 3 players will rotate, alternating teams with each kick. The first round of shoot-outs will consist of each player kicking once (round of 3 players shooting per team). The team with the most goals after the first round will be considered the winner. If the score remains tied after the first round of penalty kicks, the same 3 players will alternate in the same order in a sudden death penalty kick format until one-team scores unanswered. If one team has received a red card during the game and finishes with 2 players on the field, a remaining roster player (other than the red carded player) must be chosen to kick in the rotation of penalty kicks. If the red-carded player is the last remaining roster player, one of the two field players must kick twice.
Game Balls / Sizes:
Teams are responsible for providing game balls. The ball size for each group is as following:
– U8-U12 = Size 4
– U13 & up = Size 5
For post-season events, such as Summer 3v3 or Summer 5v5, where the ball-size has increased for certain age groups during league play (U12), the increased size should be used. Any disputations over ball size must be settled prior to the start of the game.
The following Tiebreakers will decide who the winner is:
– Points
– Head-to-head
– Goal differential
– Goals against
– Goals scored
– Shout-out
When there are 3 teams with the same amount of points (3-way tie) the goal differential, goals scored or goals against will decide who wins.
Roster:
Every team has to hand in a roster with all the player names and their Date of Birth
League Rules:
1. Duration of the game – 40 minute running clock.
2. Free/ unlimited substitutions are made on “the fly”
3. Kick off – may be taken in any direction.
4. Balls crossing the touch-line on the ground or in the air will be put in play via kick-in. Defending players must provide a 5 yard distance from the point of occurrence.
5. Goal may be scored ONLY from offensive half of the field.
6. NO GOAL may be scored from kick off (start of game)
7. Restart after goal scored will be from half way mark. No off sides.
8. No slide tackling in a duel/challenge with another player.
9. Free Kicks- defending players may set up a wall 5 yards from the point of infraction.
10. Referees – There will be no abuse of the referees tolerate, verbal or otherwise. Any indication of such behavior by a coach or parent will result in immediate removal from the tournament site. No verbal abuse of any player, coach or referee will be tolerated. Please keep all comments (cheering) positive.
11. Teams must be ready to enter the field at least 5 minutes prior to their scheduled game.
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7v7 Adult Soccer Rules and Regulations
Soccer Leagues are based on FIFA Laws modified for outdoor play. Below are the major differences:
1. Number of Players:
6 field players and one goalkeeper.
Teams must have a minimum of 5 players to begin, continue and conclude a match. The official will start the game clock as scheduled, but provide teams with fewer than 5 players, a 5 minute grace period to produce the minimum required 5 players before a forfeit is awarded to the opposing team, with the resulting score registered as a 3-0 result.
2. Ball:
Size 5 (Referee must approve the game ball)
3. Substitutions:
Unlimited “on-the-fly”.
Must occur at the halfway line and must not interfere with play.
4. Rosters:
Maximum 18 players on the roster for adult leagues. A maximum of 1 additional adult personnel (coach or otherwise) is allowed in the player’s bench. No coaching is allowed from the opposite touchline. All teams must hand in their team roster with copies from ID card from all players on roster BEFORE the first game of the league!
A team needs to protest an illegal player prior to the start of the game and cannot make a protest after the game has concluded.
If an illegal player is late to the start of the game the opposing team can still protest.
An illegal player is someone who:
– Is not listed on the roster
– Can not ID himself with a picture ID
– Has received a red card in previous match or is suspended by the league director
– Underage (younger than 30 years of age)
5. Equipment:
-cleats, turf shoes and flats (including black-soled) are acceptable footwear. Metal studs cleats are prohibited.
-All players MUST wear shin guards.
6. Duration of Play:
2×25 min. running clock
7. Kick off/in:
Players can’t score directly out of a kick off or kick-in (indirect). Ball can be passed in all directions.
8. Ball Out of Play:
If the ball has crossed the goal line or sideline totally whether on the ground or in the air, the restart is a corner kick or kick-in.
9. Slide Tackling:
Slide tackling the ball by field players is not permitted. If penalized, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
10. Injuries:
Any player who is bleeding must leave the field. Time will not be stopped for injuries.
11. Goalkeeper Release:
Punts and drop kicks are not permitted. The ball must be distributed by a throw, normal place kick or kick from a dribble. If penalized, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team outside the penalty area.
The restart by the goalkeeper can’t cross the middle line without the ball touching the ground!
The goalkeeper may NOT handle the ball if intentionally passed to him from the feet of his own teammate.
The goalkeeper is not limited in steps in his penalty area.
12. Direct and Indirect Free Kicks:
Opposing players must give 5 YARDS on all kicks and corner kicks or may be cautioned (Rekick). Kickers may not play these kicks a second time until the ball is touched by another player. In 7v7 there is NO OFFSIDE!
13. Goal Scoring:
Goals can only be scored from the offensive half of the field!
14. Misconduct Rules:
YELLOW: A warning caution, 2 min. time penalty for this offense. After a goal against the team playing down, player can come back in the field.
RED: Ejection without replacement for the duration of match. The offender must leave the playing area (including the player’s bench) and sit out the team’s next match.
Soccer Centers has a “Zero Tolerance Policy” towards fighting. Any player engaged in fighting will be suspended for the remainder of the league! A second incident of fighting from any player on a team, in which a player has been previously suspended, will result in the ejection of the team from the current session, without refund and may warrant exclusion from future sessions.
15. Tie Breakers:
1. Points in standings
2. Head to Head (or record among tied teams where applicable)
3. Goal differential
4. Most goals scored
5. PK’s
When there are 3 teams with the same amount of points (3-way tie) the goal differential, goals scored or goals against will decide who wins.
16. Point System:
Win= 3 Tie=1 Loss=0
17. Scores:
The goal differential can never be more than 5 goals for the record. For example: if one team wins 9-2, the score in the standing will be 7-2.
18. Forfeits:
If a team does not show up for their game, the result will be a 3-0 loss on the team’s record. If there are not enough (5) players at the scheduled kick off time, the team has up to 10 min. to wait for more players to show. If after those 10 minutes a team still cannot be formed, the opponent may decide to earn the forfeit win 3-0 OR wait till more players show. When started later, the game time will be shorter (kick-off time for next game is scheduled). Both team captains and the referee must agree that the game will take place after the 10 minutes have passed!
19. Referee:
All decisions made by the referee are definite!
Please remember: without a referee there is no game!
20. Winners:
For the winners of the league, we offer a discount on the next session!
If you’re in first place after regular season, you’ll receive a $100 discount for the next session. For the winner of the Final we also offer a $100 discount (doesn’t have to be the same winner)!
Team contacts:
-hand in player roster and copies ID from all players on roster before start of every league (roster should state name and date of birth). Maximum 2 players from other teams may help out and ONLY with permission from the other team. If other team doesn’t agree, the game will be a forfeit. Can still be played though
-Complete payment needs to be in by week 3! Otherwise forfeits will be used!
–If a team needs a change in their game schedule, the league director must be notified a minimum of 48 hours in advance. Teams that have to forfeit a league game due to insufficient time given must pay the ref fee for the missed game. This will be applied to your total balance. For schedule questions please contact: lt@soccercenters.com
For media inquiries please contact Shelley@SoccerCenters.com