RULES OF THE GAME FOR INTRAMURAL 7 V 7 SOCCER Revised February 6, 2019 OFFICE OF COMPETITIVE SPORTS DEPARTMENT OF UNIVERSITY RECREATION DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
General Information The Office is located in the Joe Frank Sanderson Center. Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM 6:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM 3:00 PM Phone Number: 662-325-0349 Website: http://www.recsports.msstate.edu/ Email Address: intramurals@saffairs.msstate.edu Table of Contents Rule 1: Players, Field, & Equipment... 3 Rule 2: Game Play... 4 Rule 3: Officials and Their Duties... 5 Rule 4: Co-Rec Modifications... 6 Rule 5: Code Of Conduct... 6 Rule 6: Sportsmanship... 7 Rule 7: Injury and Health Disclaimer... 7 Rules of the Game for Intramural 7-v-7 Soccer 2
The National Federation High School (NFHS) Rules will serve as the basis for play, with the following modifications made to adapt for intramural competition. Section 1: Team Rule 1: Players, Field, & Equipment A. All players must check in with Supervisor or Scorekeeper and present their MSU Student Identification card to participate. B. A maximum of seven players will compete on a side. C. Co-Rec teams will play with 3 players of each gender and a goalie of either gender. D. Substitutes may enter the game after a goal is scored, beginning of the second half, goal kicks, on your team s throw-in and corner kick, and after a player has been warned with a yellow card. E. Only 3 club soccer players are allowed to play on an 7 on 7 Soccer team. Section 2: The Field The game is played outdoors on the Multipurpose Fields at the RecPlex. Section 3: Equipment A. Each team must provide a size 5 soccer ball. B. Teams must wear shirts of similar colors with PERMANENT numbers affixed to the back NOTE: Teams without permanent numbers and/or similar colors will automatically be charged with a forfeit for the game and will not be allowed to play that game. C. All players must wear shin guards. No player will be allowed to play without them. NOTE: These must be actual shin guards, no cardboard or plastic stuck into socks as makeshift shin guards. Players entering the field without shin guards will receive a red card and be ejected from the game. D. All players must wear shoes/cleats. NO METAL CLEATS (including soft ground cleats). E. Goalkeepers must wear an opposite colored shirt to distinguish themselves from the other players on the field. F. Players may not wear: a. Guard, cast, or brace made of unyielding leather, plaster, pliable plastic, metal, or any other hard substance, on finger, hand, wrist, or forearm b. Jewelry or hard billed hats Rules of the Game for Intramural 7-v-7 Soccer 3
Rule 2: Game Play Section 1: The Game A. Winner of the coin toss will have the option to choose either what end of the field to defend or the kickoff. B. To begin the game, the ball is placed on the ground at midfield line. The team kicking off has control of the ball and shall kick the ball forward at least 1 revolution before another offensive player contacts it. The defensive team must be 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked. The kickoff must be indirect. C. Teams will switch sides each half. D. The goalkeeper is allowed to make a play on the ball as long as it does not lead to unavoidable contact with an opposing player this will be at the discretion of the official. E. A player will be cautioned (yellow card) for unsportsmanlike conduct such as persistent infringement of the rules or showing by word or action any dissent to a referee s decision. A player will be ejected (sent off; red card) for (including but not limited to): persistent misconduct after a caution; violent conduct or serious foul play; abusive language either on or off the field. Officials are not required to warn players before cautioning or sending off. F. The ball is out of play when it has completely crossed an end line, goal line or side line, whether on the ground or in the air. G. A goal is scored when the entire ball passes legally beyond the goal line, between the goal posts and under the cross bar. A ball on the line is not considered to have crossed the line. H. The ball shall be thrown in by a player who is facing the field of play and has one foot on the ground on or behind the touchline. The thrower should use both hands with equal force and shall deliver the ball from behind and over the head in one continuous movement. I. A player will be penalized for deliberately handling, carrying, striking or propelling the ball with a hand or arm. a. If a player intentionally stops a potential goal with a hand or arm, that player will receive an automatic yellow card. J. NO SLIDE TACKLING. A yellow card will be given to any player who slide tackle from the front or the side. A red card will be given to any player who slide tackles from the back. Slide tackles will be determined by the officials and cannot be protested. K. A goalkeeper may not play a ball with his or her hands if it was intentionally kicked or thrown into them by a teammate. L. There are 2 mercy rules: a. 5 minutes left in the game 5 goals or more b. 2 minutes left in the game 3 goals or more M. There is NO off sides in 7 on 7 Soccer N. A Goalkeeper shall not be allowed to punt (this includes bouncing the ball off from the ground) after obtaining possession. Rules of the Game for Intramural 7-v-7 Soccer 4
Section 2: Timing A. The game shall consist of two 20-minute halves with a 3-minute halftime. B. The clock shall run continuously, except for injuries and/or officials time outs. C. There are NO time outs for teams. Section 3: Overtime (play-offs only) A. If, in playoffs, the score remains tied, a 3-minute OT will occur. B. If the score remains tied after the OT, a series of penalty kicks will be taken alternately by five different individuals (Corec-2 must be female) on each team. C. Penalty kicks will have to be taken by players on the field during overtime play. D. A player taking the penalty kick may shoot only once (example: no play of a rebound off the crossbar). E. If the game is still tied after the 5-5 series, the tie will be broken in additional rounds of penalty kicks. Until a winner is determined. Section 1: Summary Rule 3: Officials and Their Duties Each match is controlled by referees who have full authority to enforce the Rules of the Game in connection with the match to which they have been appointed. Section 2: Referee s Responsibilities The referee s responsibilities are but not limited to the following: A. Enforces the Rules of the Game, and the Policies of IM Sports. B. Controls the match in cooperation with the event assistant and intramural supervisor. C. Ensures that the players equipment meets the requirements. D. Stops, suspends or terminates the match or the game clock, at his discretion, for any infringements of the Rules. E. Stops, suspends or terminates the match or the game clock because of outside interference of any kind. F. Stops the match and game clock if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play. An injured player may only return to the field at the next stoppage in play. G. Ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play and does not return until the wound is covered, and no blood remains on the player s body or uniform. H. Allows play to continue when the team against which an offense has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalizes the original offense if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time. Rules of the Game for Intramural 7-v-7 Soccer 5
I. Punishes the more serious offense when a player commits more than one offense at the same time. J. Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of Yellow Card and Red Card offenses. He is not obligated to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play. K. Takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at his discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surroundings. L. Ensures that no unauthorized persons enter the field of play. M. Restarts the match after it has been stopped. N. Provides the appropriate authorities with a match report, which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match. Section 3: Referee Decisions The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final. The referee may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of another referee or another staff member, provided that he has not restarted play. The authority of the referee begins when he enters the playing facility before the game and persists until he has left the facility, including the time before the match while teams are warming up, during the match, during any stoppages, and after the match has concluded. Section 3: Protests Protests will only be accepted in cases involving use of an ineligible player. Protests of judgment calls will not be accepted. NOTE: A fee of $10 will assessed to every protest. If your protest is upheld, then you will get your money back. Rule 4: Co-Rec Modifications A. A legal line-up for Co-Rec games consists of 7 players; 3 men, 3 women, and a goalie of either gender. B. In the case that 7 players are not available, the male: female ration must follow the 1-up rule in the field. EXAMPLE: (6) 3 men, 2 women, and a Female Goalie (6) 2 men, 3 women, and a Male Goalie (5) 2 men, 2 women, and a goalie of either gender C. A team may not play if the male: female ration is off by more than one D. A female goal counts as 2 points, a male goal count as 1 point. Rule 5: Code of Conduct Rules of the Game for Intramural 7-v-7 Soccer 6
A. Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game and the honor system. B. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials and staff C. Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match, whether in victory or defeat. D. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control. E. Do not taunt or bait opponents. Refrain from using foul or abusive language. Rule 6: Sportsmanship As in all intramural sports contests, if a participant is ejected from a contest they are immediately ineligible for further access or competition in any Recreational Sport program or facility until cleared by the Coordinator of or their designate. It is the participant's responsibility to schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of to review their behavior and subsequent eligibility to continue in the Program. Any unsportsmanlike conduct by players or fans may cause a team to be disqualified from further competition. In addition, players, coaches, and spectators may not harass the officials (verbally or physically) after the contest has ended. Offender(s) are subject to the same penalties and procedures as players being ejected from the contest. Rule 7: Injury and Health Disclaimer Participants should be aware that there is a risk of injury in participation in due to the inherent nature of the activity. Individuals are encouraged to have a physical examination and to obtain adequate health. Play at your own risk! Rules of the Game for Intramural 7-v-7 Soccer 7