RULES/GUIDELINES

I. Players & Substitutes
a. Games will be played with seven (7) players (including the goalkeeper). A team must have five (5) players to start.

b. Substitutes must report to and be recognized by the referee before entering the game. Unlimited substitutions may be made during any:
1. goal kick
2. the substituting team's corner kick
3. the substituting team's throw-in
4. when a goal is scored
5. when an injured player is being attended to on the field
6. when a player is cautioned or disqualified

c. There is no limit to the number of substitutions during a game.

d. Substitutes cannot take penalty kicks. Only a player on the field at the time of the foul may take the penalty kick.

e. The goalkeeper can switch positions with a player on the field at any time a substitute is allowed, provided the referee is informed before the change is made.

f. A team MUST substitute for a player who is bleeding. Officials can stop play immediately when there is an immediate dangerous situation / injury.

II. Time / Periods
a. Games consist of two eighteen (18) minute halves with a five (5) minute half time. The clock is continuous and will not stop for a ball going out of play.
b. Teams are not allotted any time-outs. The referee may, however suspend time for injury, etc., if he / she deems it necessary.
c. A 10 minute grace period will be used, however if a team is checked in and ready to play at game time and the other team is not, the on time team will receive 1 goal and the ball. Teams should arrive about 15 minutes early to get checked in and get equipment.
d. Time may be carried over only for a penalty kick.

III. Equipment
a. Teams must wear shirts that are the same shade of color. Jersey's will be provided.
b. All players must wear shoes. No screw-in or metal cleats are allowed.
c. Players are recommended to wear shin guards.
d. Equipment that may be dangerous to another player such as baseball style hats, or casts are not permitted.
e. Jewelry is NOT to be worn.

IV. Scoring / Ties
a. A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has passed over the goal-line, between the goal posts and under the cross-bar.

b. A goal may be scored during play directly from a:
1. direct free kick
2. penalty kick
3. corner kick
4. drop ball
5. goalkeeper's throw, punt, or dropkick
6. kickoff
7. goal kick

c. A goal may NOT be scored during play directly from a:
1. indirect free kick
2. throw-in

d. After a goal is scored, the ball is returned to the center of the field for another kickoff. The team that gave up the goal will kickoff.

e. Teams will change ends at halftime. The team that did not kickoff in the 1st half, will kickoff in the 2nd half.

f. Mercy Rule: if a team is ahead by five or more goals with five minutes or less remaining in the second half, the game will end.

g. During the regular season, tie games will stand. During playoffs, ties will be broken using the following rules:
1. 2 five-minute consecutive sudden death overtime periods will be played.
2. The first team to score is the winner.
3. If there is no score in the first overtime, play is stopped, teams switch ends of the field, and possession changes as if starting a new half. If there is no scoring in the second overtime, then a shoot-out (penalty kicks) will be conducted.

V. The Game
a. The winner of the coin toss will choose which goal they want to defend and will receive the ball in the second half.

b. The ball is out of play when it completely crosses the sidelines or the end lines.

c. To restart play, the following methods are used:
1. Throw-ins: When the ball crosses the sidelines
2. Goal kick: When the ball crosses the end line and the offense touched the ball last.
3. Corner kick: When the ball crosses the end line and the defense touched the ball last. The ball is placed a yard away from the corner marker and kicked. A goal may be scored directly from the corner kick.
4. Direct and Indirect free kicks: Taken after a foul has been called.

d. The ball is still in play if it stays in-bounds after rebounding off the goal or referee.

e. A drop ball will be called when play is stopped due to an injured player, inadvertent whistle or when it is not clear whom the ball touched before going out of bounds. A drop ball has to touch the ground before it can be kicked by either player.

f. The team which kicked the ball out of bounds is responsible for retrieving the ball and returning it to the goalie or official. Excessive delay may result in a yellow card, which will be issued to the team captain.

VI. Kickoff Procedure
a. On the referee's signal, the game (and clock) shall start with a kick from the center of the field.
b. Every player shall be within his/her half of the field
c. Every opponent must be outside the center circle (10 yards away) until the ball is kicked. A teammate of the kicker may be anywhere within his/her half of the field.
d. The ball is in play as soon as it is touched and moved forward.
e. The ball must be motionless when the kick is taken.
f. The kicker must not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player. Penalty: Indirect Free Kick

VII. Goalkeeper Privileges
a. The goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area shall not take more than five seconds while in possession of the ball or deliberately delay getting rid of the ball.

b. The goalkeeper has possession (control) of the ball when she or he is touching the ball with any part of his/her hands or arms. From the moment the goalkeeper takes control of the ball with his/her hands or arms, after releasing the ball, he/she must not touch the ball with his/her hands again, until it has been played anywhere by the opposing team. If a goalkeeper plays the ball to a teammate and the teammate passes the ball back to the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper may not use his/her hands. Penalty: Indirect Kick. NOTE: An opposing player must not hinder a goalkeeper in possession of or releasing the ball (boxing-in, face guarding, waving the arms, yelling, etc.).

c. When the goalkeeper releases the ball directly from his/her hands, the ball may not cross the center line without being touched by a field player. If the ball crosses the center of the field, a player must touch the ball before the ball touches the ground. Penalty: Indirect Kick

VIII. Fouls and Misconduct
a. Direct Free Kick is awarded to the offended team from the sport closed to the infraction for the following offenses:
1. deliberately kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
2. Deliberately tripping, jumping, or charging (in front of or behind) in a violent or dangerous manner.
3. Deliberately striking , attempting to strike, or spitting at an opponent.
4. Holding or pushing an opponent.
5. Deliberately handling the ball with hand or arm (other than a goalkeeper in his/her penalty area).
6. Charging the goalkeeper inside the penalty area, unless the goalkeeper is obstructing the opponent or dribbling the ball with his/her feet.

b. Indirect Free Kick is awarded to the offended team from the spot nearest to the infraction for the following offenses:
1. Playing in a manner considered dangerous by the referee (i.e. high kicks, playing the ball while prone to the ground)
2. When a player is offsides.
3. When not playing the ball, intentionally obstructing an opponent.
4. Interfering or impeding the progress of the goalkeeper in possession of the ball.
5. When playing as a goalkeeper, taking more than 4 steps or holding the ball for more than 5 seconds.
6. Leaving the field of play without permission by the referee.
7. The kicker playing the ball next after a kickoff, free kick, penalty kick, goal kick or corner kick. Or the thrower playing the ball before another player plays the ball.
8. Goalkeeper illegally handling the ball after relinquishing possession.
9. Delay of game
10. Unsportsmanlike conduct.

c. Penalty kick - a penalty kick is awarded for the infringement of the rules by the defending team within the penalty area. The foul must be deliberate. A penalty kick can be awarded, regardless of the position of the ball, if the infraction by the defending team is committed in the penalty area.

d. Slide tackles are illegal in Intramural Soccer.
1. 1st offense (non-malicious)- yellow card and a direct free kick. Entire team is given a verbal warning.
2. 1st offense (malicious)- red card and a direct free kick. Entire team will be given a verbal warning.
3. 2nd offense-red card and a direct free kick.

e. The Intramural official's, staff, supervisor's and Coordinator has the authority to stop a game or eject any player, coach, or spectator from a game due to unacceptable behavior.

IX. Yellow Card
A player shall be issued a yellow card if he/she:
1. demonstrates unsportsmanlike behavior
2. persistently infringes the rules of the game
3. illegally enters the game
4. delays the restart of the game (throw in, corner kick, free kick)
5. does not assume the 10 yards on a corner kick or free kick.

X. Red Card
A player shall be issued a red card if he/she:
1. demonstrates violent conduct
2. demonstrates serious foul play
3. used foul and abusive language
4. spits
5. receive 2 yellow cards in one game
6. intentionally physically impedes a player with an obvious opportunity to score a goal.
7. Denies his opponent a goal by intentionally handling the ball.

***The Intramural Office Reserves the right to put into effect any new ruling regarding Intramural policies and unsportsmanlike conduct.