YOUTH SOCCER: Rules & Regulations

Youth League: RULES & FACILITY POLICIES

*It is the responsibility of all participants to be familiar with league rules prior to participating.

FORMAT:

Under 7: 5v5 (4 + keeper)
U8-U14: 7v7 (6 + keeper)
HS / Adult: 6v6 (5 +keeper)

HEADING:

NO HEADING for U11 & under (2014 & under).
NO HEADING: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & younger.
- Intentional & unintentional headers all lead to an INDIRECT (2 touch) free-kick.

PUNTING:

Punting is allowed for all age groups.

MULTI-ROSTERING (splitting team)

- Players may play up in age group but may not play down in age.
- If you split your team and both teams are in the same division:
  - You may use the same roster for both teams and share players as you wish.
- If you split your team and each team is in a different division:
  - each team must have a separate roster. However, you may share up to 4 players among the 2 teams. This must be noted on the roster at the start of the season and cannot be different players each week.
- Players cannot play for multiple clubs within the same division.

PROOF OF AGE:

Soccerdome does not collect proof-of-age.
It is the responsibility of each team to possess proof-of-age for each player at each game.

Teams must work together to show each other proof-of-age.
- Be patient & understanding.

If you suspect a player on the other team to be too old, you may respectfully ask the opposing team to see proof-of-age for that player.
- Try to bring your concern up before the game or at halftime.
- Note that the referee will not stop the clock for this concern.
- If you do not have proof-of-age for a player, the game may still be played but you will have to forfeit.

Not all teams play in outdoor leagues which require MSYSA player cards, so we cannot require them. Acceptable forms of proof of age include MSYSA player cards, passports or birth certificates.

SPECIAL RULES:

THROW-INS enforced when out of bounds.

All kicks are DIRECT with the exception of fouls pertaining to headers.

A maximum of two coaches per team are allowed on the sideline.

NO CLEATS.

NO OFFSIDES.

NO SLIDING *clarification - a slide will be called when any part of a player's hand/arm/knee is making contact with the ground while he/she attempts to play the ball. The player must return to feet fully before making a play on the ball.

MERCY RULE / MAX GD:

Youth teams may only win/lose a single game by +8/-8 goals. If you see any that are incorrect, please let us know. We do not determine a group winner until we know results are screened for any errors regarding this rule.

MERCY RULE / EXTRA PLAYER:

If one team gains a 5-goal advantage over the opposing team, the opposing team may add an additional player on the field until the goal difference is less than 5

ADVANTAGE RULE:

The referee may allow play to continue when the fouled team will benefit from an existing offensive advantage.

DELAYED CARD:

The referee may allow play to resume after a foul (advantage) with the intention of carding the player after the play (discretion).

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Subs are on the fly.
There is no stoppage of play for substitutions.
- Exception for goalie. Ref will stop the play (not the clock).
Enter/Exit must be from the middle of the field.
- Failure to substitute appropriately may result in blue card (discretion).

TIE-BREAKER Round-robin leagues:

If 2 teams are tied in points at the end of the round-robin league/tournament, the tiebreaker goes to (1) goal-differential, (2) goals for, (3) goals allowed.

Anchor 1 Policies

Anchor 2 Special Rules

Anchor 3 Game Play

GAME STRUCTURE:

Running clock (clocks do not stop).
All games consist of 48 minutes total (two 24-min halves).

TIMEOUTS:

For games running every 50 minutes - No timeouts are allotted.
For games running every 55-minutes - No timeouts are allotted.

For games running every 60-minutes - One timeout per team per game.
- NO time-out permitted within the final minute of play.
- NO time-out permitted once the delay count has started.
- If the game is running behind, the referee may deny any and all time-out requests.
- Timeouts may only be given if the team is in possession of the ball during stoppage of play, ex: throw-in, goal kick, free kick, etc.

ARRIVAL:

Teams are expected to arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled game time to ensure full 48-minute game is played. Teams are responsible for having payment & roster requirements met to avoid delays or loss of game time.

FORFEITS:

The team forfeiting their game will receive a 3-0 loss.
Teams may allow opposition to pick up a non-rostered player(s) instead of taking the forfeit. In this instance, the final score will be noted as a regular game. 5 players (4 + keeper) needed to start a game.

DELAY OF GAME:

A player has 5 seconds to put the ball in play. A card may be issued for delay of game. Referees will use their discretion to decide when to begin the count due to intentional delay tactics.

DEAD-BALL:

Players must bring the ball to a complete stop before restarting a play (goal-kick, free-kick, corner-kick, etc.) They may restart the play without the referee’s whistle unless a penalty is involved.

FREE-KICKS:

Offense may play the ball immediately after spotting the ball.
PLAYER(S) ON THE FIELD MUST ASK FOR DISTANCE IF THEY WANT IT.
- If offense asks for space, they must wait until the whistle to the play ball.
  - Three yards will be given when asking for distance.
Scooping the ball is considered a double touch and is not allowed.
Defense must always give a minimum of 1-2 steps as the offense has the right to play out.

PENALTY KICKS:

The ball is placed on the penalty spot outside of the box. Players must stand behind the ball. The goalie cannot come off of his line until the ball is kicked.

GAME DAY EQUIPMENT:

Teams are responsible for bringing their own game ball.
- Each team should have 1 game ball.

Turf or flat-soled shoes are required (NO cleats will be permitted, no exceptions).
All players must wear shin guards, and long socks.
Teams must be dressed in matching colored shirts.
Teams must have an alternate set of matching shirts in case of a color conflict.
Numbers are suggested, but not required.
The away team must change colors in the event of a conflict.

HARD-CAST:

In general, players are permitted to play in a hard cast, so long as it is wrapped with bubble wrap, ace bandage, etc. If at any point the referee deems the cast as "too unsafe", discretion will be enforced, and the player will have to sit out the remainder of the game.

FOULS:

A FOUL occurs if a player commits any play/action that the referee sees as dangerous, reckless. See examples of fouls below:
- Holding an opponent
- Handling the ball (exception of goalie within box/boundaries)
- Playing in a dangerous manner
- Impeding the progress of an opponent (obstruction)
- Preventing the Goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
- Kicking an opponent
- Tripping an opponent
- Jumping at an opponent
- Charging an opponent
- Striking or elbowing an opponent
- Pushing an opponent
- Encroachment: Entering protected area of an opposing player taking a free kick (warning may be given)
- Other: Behavior in which (REFS DISCRETION) does not warrant another category of penalty (ex. foul language or taunting)

BLUE CARD:

Player receiving BLUE card must sit out for 2 minutes.
- Team may sub on a different player.
  - Blue card is issued to penalize the player.

YELLOW CARD:

Player receiving YELLOW card must sit out for 2 minutes.
- Team must play down a player for the entire 2 minutes.
  - Yellow card is issued to penalize the player and the team.

RED CARD:

Any player or coach that receives a red card must leave the team area.
- We may request that the coach or player leave the premise.
Management determines the severity of a red card suspension.
- Minimum one game suspension for a red card.
It is the team's responsibility to follow up with info@soccerdome.com should a red card be issued to a player on the team.

YOUTH SCHEDULES:

Youth league schedule status will be noted on soccerdome.com homepage 7-10 days before the start of the league.
Teams can access schedules while we make manual edits to them. Therefore, do not distribute your schedules until the status reads "FINAL"
Teams must make note of any schedule requests on the online registration form.

SOCCERDOME ROSTER/WAIVER FORM:

Each team must complete a Soccerdome Roster Waiver Form. No individual is allowed to step on the field until necessary information and signatures are properly completed.
You may add players to roster up until the 3rd week of the league.
15 player max on roster.

GENERAL SNOW / INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:

Soccer Dome will attempt to stay open and plowed so that teams who choose to play, are able to.
- FOLLOW the FACILITY STATUS on the front homepage of soccerdome.com.
- Should Soccer Dome facilities CLOSE, a message will be posted on the homepage.
If you choose not to play your game, notify us so we can quickly let the opposing team know.
An attempt will be made to reschedule postponed games due to inclement weather, however, a make-up game is not guaranteed.

5v5 LEAGUE ONLY:
*These rules are only for the U7/8 league on the small 5v5 field (SDI field #3).

ALL Games are held at Soccer Dome 1 Jessup (Field #3)
5v5 (4 + keeper)
Kick-ins enforced when out of bounds.
Goalie may use hands inside the arch only.
Goalie may not punt the ball; throws only.
Goalie may not throw the ball past the half-way line or the other team receives indirect free-kick from the center.
All kicks are indirect
No penalty kicks

FACILITY POLICIES:

COACH/MANAGER/PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY:

By participating in Soccer Dome leagues, coaches, players and parents are accepting that they may experience human error.It is the responsibility of each player and/or coach to be aware of the total status of infractions. Awareness of rules & policies will empower a team to play the game to the maximum level.

TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION:

Soccer Dome management reserves the right to terminate an individual's participation at the facility for violation of any policy. Participation may be terminated during a game, at which time the player will be ejected. A red card does not have to be issued for Soccerdome to issue a suspension or ban for players and/or spectators.

REFEREE STAFF:

Referees have complete authority and discretion to make calls on points of fact connected with the game; these calls are final, however, if you have a different opinion please wait until the end of the half or the end of the game and calmly bring your concern to the ref and/or desk staff.You may be asked to communicate concerns via email to cj@soccerdome.com.

PROTESTS:

Protests regarding the incorrect application of the laws of the game must be submitted via email to cj@soccerdome.com.Protests regarding a player’s eligibility should be noted before the start of the game. If a team protests a player’s eligibility once the second half of the game has started, Soccer Dome may not be able to apply disciplinary action. It is up to the desk staff to make a decision on the ruling

ABANDONMENT OF GAME BY REFEREE:

A game shall be abandoned if members of one or both teams leave the bench to engage in misconduct.

LEVELS OF COMPETITION:

Desk staff, referees and management reserve the right to make necessary changes within league divisions to ensure a fair level of ability and competition. Teams are typically judged by their strongest listed lineup.