Sports Dome Adult Soccer Rules

Revised- May 2009

Rosters and Eligibility

· TEAM ROSTERS: All team fees must be paid before the first game. No team may play until its team fee is paid. Each team must have a minimum of 9 players on its roster. Players may play for ONE TEAM per night only. Roster additions or changes may be made before the first playoff game. Injured players may be replaced with approval of Sports Dome staff. Use of ineligible players will result in the forfeit of all games in which the player participated.

· PLAYER CARDS: All participants must get a Sports Dome Player Card and sign a waiver form prior to league play. Players must be 18 years of age to play. Individual player fees are $12 (district resident) or $24 (non-district). Players must present a South Suburban resident ID card to receive the district rate. Sports Dome staff will keep all Player Cards at the front desk. Before the game players pick up their card from the front desk and present it to the referees. Referees will return all cards to the front desk.

· Team managers are responsible for: having team present and ready to play at scheduled time, informing players of by-laws, promoting good sportsmanship among team members.

Timing & Scoring

· It is recommended that your team arrive at least 10 minutes prior to game time and check in with the front desk. Game time is forfeit time. The referee will keep the official time.

· Games consist of two 23-minute halves with a running clock, with a 2 minute maximum, 1 minute minimum halftime.

· No overtime is played during regular season games. Playoff games that are tied proceed to 5 kick penalty kick tie-breaker. If after that, the score is still tied, then teams will proceed to 1v1 penalty kicks. Everyone on the team must shoot before rotating through the roster again if needed.

Equipment

· Teams provide their own regulation size 5 ball to use.

· Required equipment: same colored jerseys (numbers requested), shin guards, shoes (molded cleats, turf or tennis shoes).

· Prohibited equipment: jewelry, headgear/billed hats, any unyielding or dangerous equipment, metal cleats.

The Game

· Games will be played according to FIFA laws with the following modifications.

· Game is played between two teams of 9 players each. Teams may start and continue the game with a minimum of 7 players. If a team has 6 or less players, the opposing manager may allow up to 5 minutes (with game clock running) for additional players to arrive. Forfeits are scored as 3-0. Teams may use the field until 5 minutes before the next game time. Referees do not work forfeited games.

· Co-Rec only: A minimum of 3 females must be on the field at all times. If a team only has 2 female players, they must drop 1 male until they have 3 female players on the field. If a team has only one female player they automatically forfeit the game.

· Field of play is 86 yards x 44 yards. If the ball hits the white part of the Dome, a ceiling light or wire and falls in the field of play, it is considered in play. If the ball hits the blue part of the Dome or a perimeter light, it is considered out of play. Any ball played over an end line results in a goal kick. The referee may use discretion to ensure fairness.

• Substitutions may be made ‘on the fly’ (without a dead ball) within 8 yards of midfield. The entering player may not play the ball until the exiting player is off the field. Penalty is an indirect free kick. After a goal is scored, the kick-off is delayed until any substitutions are completed.

Fouls & Misconduct

· Referees determine incidental contact, which may occur during normal play.

· The team manager or captain is the only player allowed to approach the referee with questions or concerns. Team captains are responsible for the behavior of their players.

· FREE KICKS: Opponents must be at least 8 yards from the ball on all free kicks

· NO SLIDE TACKLING: Slide tackling is defined as leaving your feet and going to the playing surface to play the ball while an opponent is within playing distance of the ball. Penalty is a direct free kick (penalty kick if inside the penalty area). 1^st slide receives a warning, 2^nd slide receives a yellow, and 3^rd slide by same player receives a red card. The goalkeeper may slide tackle within the penalty area.

· YELLOW & RED CARDS:

• Any player receiving 2 yellow cards in a single game will receive a red card and will sit out the remainder of the current game and his/her team’s next game.

o Any player receiving a red card for Violent Conduct/Serious Foul Play/Foul or Abusive Language is ejected from the game, must leave the facility immediately and must sit out at least 1 additional game. Players/Captains will be contacted regarding suspension length.

o Any participant who accumulates 4 yellow cards during a season will be suspended for a minimum of 1 game. Additional sanctions may be given at the discretion of the Sports Dome staff.

• Teams are not allowed to substitute for an ejected player.

· NO SPITTING: Spitting on the field is not allowed.

· FIGHTING: Any form of fighting or physical altercation will result in immediate ejection from the facility and suspension up to and including lifetime suspension and/or legal charges.

• Striking, punching or kicking an opponent with the fist, hands, arms, legs or feet
• Attempting to strike, punch or kick an opponent regardless of whether contact is made
• Instigating a fight by committing an unsportsmanlike act toward an opponent that causes the opponent to retaliate by fighting

· ELASTIC POWER: The South Suburban Athletics staff reserves the right to establish guidelines for any and all rules or infractions not covered in the league rules and to refuse participation to any individual or coach if they do not obey the rules and regulations and keep within the spirit of sportsmanship.

Sportsmanship Policy

Each team is responsible for the actions of its members during competition. Unsportsmanlike conduct, including intimidation and infliction or threat of bodily harm, will not be tolerated and will result in ejection from competition and/or facilities. Additional sanctions may be added at the discretion of the Sports Dome staff.

No game is important enough to warrant physical or verbal abuse of officials, participants or spectators. Please remember that these games are not professional sporting events. No one’s job is on the line. The officials are doing the best they can, just like the players. Please make the utmost effort to win with class, lose with dignity, and treat the game officials with respect.

Unsportsmanlike Behaviors

Fighting

Obscene Cheering

Verbal Abuse of Officials, Opponents, Spectators

Racial or Ethnic Slurs

Profanity/Obscene Gestures

Flagrant/Violent Fouls

Taunting/Trash Talking

Throwing/Abusing Equipment

Physical Intimidation of Officials, Opponents, Spectators

Unauthorized Leaving of the Team Bench Area

Sportsmanlike Behaviors

Clapping for Introduction of Opposing Players

Respecting the National Anthem

Demonstrating Concern for Injured Athletes

Handshakes After Games

Positive Cheering for One’s Own Team

Creating Equal Competitive Environment for Opponents

Being Respectful of Children in Attendance

Helping Opponent Up Off the Ground

Welcoming Opposing Fans

Thanking Officials at the End of the Game