SPORTZONE INDOOR SOCCER RULES GENERAL The FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT RULE is SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY. If enough teams register within an age group for any session, the teams will be divided into multiple divisions. However, if there are not enough teams registered to divide the age groups into the two divisions, any dominating team(s) from the First Session may be required, at the sole discretion of the Sportzone, to move up to the next division or will not be allowed to play for the Second and Third Sessions. We all know that the playing surface is the most important element for having good playing conditions. Therefore, please do your best to help us maintain it. No spitting; No drinks or gum on the turf; No usage of any skin products (skin lube, Vaseline, etc.) to avoid carpet burns. Advise your players to wear the appropriate equipment and not to slide tackle. By the first game, all fees, waivers and rosters are due. By the third game, rosters need to be set. If any of the above items are not complied with, team may forfeit a game and may be charged a $50.00 penalty (at management's discretion). Payments not made on time will be subject to a $20.00 penalty (at management's discretion). Teams that want to reschedule a game may have to pay $50.00 plus the referee fee at management's discretion (weather cancellation games will be scheduled by the Sportzone) Time can not run out on a shootout. In the event a shootout is awarded at the half or the end of the game, the kick shall be given. Once goalie clears or obtains possession, play is terminated. No other players are permitted on the field. In most cases contact will result in a foul. Any coach that threatens an official or in the opinion of the official is threatening the opposing coach, he or she shall be ejected from the game and a shootout shall be awarded. Officials shall not engage into communication with the spectators. Officials must be in uniform. The cable across the field is not to be considered out-of-bounds. Balls striking the cable are live and still in play. EQUIPMENT Players may only play in indoor soccer shoes (flat soles) or tennis shoes (without black soles) NO spikes or cleats are allowed on the turf.
Please make sure that your players are adequately equipped for safe play. Shin guards are MANDATORY in ALL divisions. All players on a team must wear the same color jersey or t-shirt. Uniform number is mandatory for high school, men's open and co-ed adult. CONDUCT Sportzone is a family center, please refrain from inappropriate language and behavior. We understand winning is important to each participant.. However, this is not the World Cup and the sun will still rise the next day regardless of the score in the game. Please do not harass the officials. Anyone ejected for fighting may be suspended for the remainder of the session and additional actions may be taken at the management's discretion. Conduct rules also apply to parents as well as players and coaches. Teams that have been suspended for Spring or Fall Soccer in other indoor facilities will not be accepted at SPORTZONE. ROSTERS AND SCHEDULING You may not add players to your roster after the second game without dropping another player. Players must provide proof of birthdate only when there is a dispute. Maximum roster is 18 players. No players can be added to roster after the third game. A player may play on only one team in each division. Sportzone reserves the right, in order to replace a dropped, cancelled, forfeited, no show or suspended team, to put together a team(s) in any division that may have players that are on another team in the same division. Teams using illegal players will result in a forfeit. PLAYING TIME AND RECORDS All games are played in two 25 minute halves (with the exception of the U-8 group). There is no stoppage of time unless there is a serious injury. Teams receive between three to five minutes for half-time. Team Fees include a 7 GAME SEASON. The format for each division may be different based on the number of teams participating. U-8 Four-twelve (12) minute quarters played with three minutes in
between the half and one minute in between each quarter. No switching sides at half time. No shootouts are to be awarded. Play is stopped for all infractions and a kick awarded at the point of infraction. U-14 and HIGH SCHOOL (GIRLS DIVISION) All High School Division players MUST be enrolled in High School. U-14; HIGH SCHOOL A and B; MEN'S OPEN First slide tackle shall be a two minute penalty. Second and subsequent slide tackles shall be a two minute penalty and a shootout (yellow card). Any player who commits two (2) slide tackles in the same game shall be ejected (red card). A skirmish (fight) shall result in a five (5) minute penalty, ejection and a shootout for each team (red card). All High School Division players MUST be enrolled in High School. CO-ED, ADULT/OPEN Scoring - men can only score one goal from behind the red line (one point). Men can score inside the red line by a header. Dangerous shots will receive a caution or other action as the referee may deem appropriate. If a woman commits a foul on a man, a man may take the kick. All other penalty kicks must be taken by a woman. Goalie is only permitted to come out 10 feet from the goal during a penalty kick. Men can NOT score inside the redline EVEN IF it goes off another player or goalie. COED teams must have two women on the field at all times, excluding the goalkeeper. A PROOF OF BIRTH (COPY OF DRIVER'S LICENSE) MUST BE PROVIDED (IF REQUESTED) FOR COED ADULT LEAGUES. No one under the age of 30 is permitted to play. GAME RULES Under 8 and under 10 divisions play with 7 field players and a goalie. Under 12 will play with 6 field players and a goalie. All other ages play with 5 field players and a goalie. Co-ed adults must have at least two women on the playing field. (i.e. you may not have five men and one woman on the field).
Any team down by five goals or more may add another player on the field. All kicks are direct. You have five seconds for each re-start. If the ball hits the netting it is considered out of bounds and must be kicked from the point of net contact. No goal kicks. When the ball goes out of bounds above the goal, the goalie will resume play only by throwing or punting the ball, the goalie has five seconds. Any infraction in the box will result in a shoot-out. Any infraction during a shootout will result in a penalty kick (p.k.) If the Referee has problems with spectators in the stands, the Referee has the authority to go to the coaches and tell them that it is their responsibility to talk to the Parents. If the problem persists, the Referee can give teams a yellow card. If the problems still persists, the Referee will give team(s) a red card resulting in a forfeiture. During shoot-outs: a) the ball will be placed at the red line; b). goalie must start in the center of his goal; c) all other players will be placed at mid-field; and d) once the shooter touches the ball, it is considered live play. The ball may not travel in the air over all three lines without hitting a player. All goals from the red line on are one point; behind the red line are two points. Teams will be penalized two minutes (yellow card) for the following (* a shoot-out will be awarded for these two minute penalties). *a. intentional foul play (i.e. kicking, elbowing, pushing); *b. intentional hand ball; *c. intentional boarding; *d. encroachment (players must give 15 feet on all restarts) *e. illegal substitution (i.e. too many players on the field, etc.) *f. dissent g. swearing; h. spitting on the turf. i. slide tackles j. breakaway fouls Players will receive a red card and teams will be penalized for five (5) minutes (* a shoot-out will be awarded for these five minute penalties). *a. second two minutes violation; *b. severe foul play; and *c. breakaway fouls.: *d.. fighting;
*e.. spitting or striking at another player; and *f.. third two minute violation. Time penalties do not expire with a goal. Sportzone abides by the FIFA (outdoor) rules in regarding the pass back rule to the goalkeeper. Any infraction in this matter will result in a shoot-out. Any instances not addressed herein will be governed by the FIFA (outdoor) rules. All substitutions are done on the fly. But there are guaranteed substitutions only when you have possession of the ball on restarts. The only exception to this rule is during the first two minutes of the game to prevent stalling. INJURIES Each coach is responsible for any injuries to his/her players. Coaches should bring their own first aid kit and ice to each game. PROTESTS If you are interested in protesting a game, the protesting party must submit the protest in writing, along with a $50.00 cash fee. If the protest is upheld, the $50.00 fee will be returned. If the protest is denied, the $50.00 fee will be forfeited.