Rules of the game
Law 1. Referee
One referee will be responsible for the control of the game. The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play and interpretation of Rules are final.
Law 2. Duration of Game
Games will be 50 minutes long, consisting of two 25 minute running clock halves. The clock will only stop for serious injuries or at the referees discretion. No stoppage time will be added at the end of a half. All games can end in ties except for playoff games. Playoff games ending in a tie will go to one 8 minute golden goal overtime period. The first team to score wins. If the game is still tied after overtime it will be decided by a penalty kick shootout. Each team will have 4 penalty kicks. All games will start on time. If a team does not have at least 4 players at game time the ref can wait up to 2 minutes, at that time the game clock will start. After 5 minutes have gone by and the team still doesn’t have 4 players the game will be a forfeit.
Law 3. Teams
Teams will consist of 6 players, 5 field players and 1 goalie. Teams must have a minimum of 5 registered players or the game will be forfeited. Teams may use guest players during the regular season as long as they have 5 registered players at the game. All guest players must check in with the ref and sign a Liability Waiver. During the playoffs teams may only use registered players that have played in at least 3 regular season games and have paid league fees. There will be free substitution, players can sub in and out at any time.
Law 4. Ball in and out of play
The ball is out of play when it goes over the fence, hits the netting above the goals, when a goal is scored, or when the referee stops play. The ball is in play at all other times.
Law 5. Method of scoring
A goal is scored when the whole ball passes completely over the goal line, providing no infraction has been committed by the attacking team. Goals can be scored from any free kick including the kick off.
Law 6. 3 Line Violation
The ball cannot be kicked OR thrown , in the air, over all three lines towards the attacking goal without touching the wall or the floor first. Restart will be a direct kick from anywhere on the first white line the ball crosses. Balls may be played on the ground the length of the field.
Law 7. Free Kicks
All free kicks are direct (except for an illegal pass back to the keeper). Quick restarts are allowed. No whistle is required for Free Kicks unless the player taking the kick asks for 5 yards. A whistle is then required before starting play. If a ball goes out on the sideline it is a direct kick from the spot it went out. If the ball goes out on the end line it is either a corner kick or a goalie restart. Corner kicks will be taken from the corner kick square.
Law 8. Fouls and Misconduct
Blue Card – player sent off for 2 minutes to cool down, can be replaced by sub.
Yellow card – player sent off for 2 minutes and can’t be replaced for 2 minutes or until the other team scores. A second yellow card will result in a red card.
Red card – player ejected from game and can’t be replaced for 5 minutes no matter how many times the other team scores. Players receiving red cards are automatically suspended for the next game and possibly longer depending on the nature of the red card.
Penal Fouls: A Foul, resulting in a free kick, is assessed to any player who commits any of the following offenses in a manner that the Referee considers careless, reckless, or involving excessive force:
- kicking an opponent
- tripping an opponent
- violently charges at an opponent or charges into the back of an opponent
- striking or elbowing an opponent
- pushing an opponent
A Foul also occurs if a player commits any of the following offenses:
- holding an opponent
- intentionally handling the ball
- playing in a dangerous manner
- playing the ball while on the ground
- slide tackling
- impeding the progress of an opponent (Obstruction)
- preventing the Goalie from releasing the ball
Each team will be allowed 5 fouls per half. The 6th foul will result in a penalty kick for the other team. Any offense judged to be serious in nature by the referee can result in a card for the offending player. Dissent will result in either a blue or yellow card depending on the offense. Taunting and /or trash talking to an opponent will be an automatic blue card. The second offense in the same game will result in a yellow card. Sliding (except for the goalie in the box) is not allowed.
Law 9. Standings
3 points will be given for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. If teams are tied going into the playoffs the first tie breaker will be goal differential. The second tie breaker will be goals allowed. All forfeits will be scored 3-0.
Law 10. Field Rules
- Only players playing in the game and team managers are allowed in the dugouts during the game
- No spitting on the field
- No gum on the field
- No food or drink on the field