NOTE: DUE TO THE CONCERN FOR CONCUSSIONS, HEADERS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED

I. EQUIPMENT BELLEVUE INDOOR SOCCER LEAGUE (BISL) 2017 SEASON PLAYING RULES NOTE: DUE TO THE CONCERN FOR CONCUSSIONS, HEADERS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED A. All players must wear rubber-soled, gym-appropriate shoes. No Cleats or boots of any kind will be allowed. B. Due to health concerns experienced in recent years, Goalie Helmets are now optional equipment; if worn, they must be soft helmets and provided by the individual player. C. No personal jewelry is to be worn (this includes rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc.). Health identification tags ARE allowed. No metal hair accessories are to be worn. Rubber or elastic hair fasteners or wristbands are permitted. It is the responsibility of the coaches to check all team members and have their players remove all jewelry prior to the start of the game. 1. If the Official is required to stop play to have player remove jewelry, a DIRECT kick (from the center circle at mid-court) will be awarded to the opposing team. D. Shin guards must be worn; other pads are optional. It is the responsibility of the coaches to check all team members to ensure players are wearing shin guards prior to the start of the game. 1. If the Official is required to stop play because a player is not wearing shin guards, a DIRECT kick (from the center circle at mid-court) will be awarded to the opposing team. E. Officials will "line up" players prior to each game to check for appropriate dress. F. An official indoor soccer ball will be used. Size 4 will be used for Divisions 1 and 2 (Kindergarten through 5th Grades). Size 5 will be used for Divisions 3 and 4 (6th through 12th Grades). II. TEAMS A. Each team consists of a maximum of six (6) players on the floor one (1) goalkeeper and five (5) field players (left forward, right forward, center, left back, right back). B. A team must have a minimum of four (4) players to start a game. The opposing team may elect to limit own team size in sense of fair play. C. If at any time a team is ahead by 5 or more goals, the winning coach may elect to play with one less player on the floor than the opposing team. D. Division 3 and 4 teams will elect a Team Captain. 1. The Game Officials and Head Official needs to be notified who the Captain is prior to the start of the game. 2. Once an Official explains the call, the Team Captain must continue play. If a continual debate ensues, a BLUE CARD will be issued (see Code of Conduct Violations section). E. Coaches are not allowed onto the floor during play. III. GAME A. The team that is designated as the HOME team will sit to the right of the scorekeeper s table when facing the gym floor. During Half time, team GOALS will NOT change sides. B. Start of the game will be a "coin flip" (home team will call heads/tails). Winner will put ball into play at kick-off spot at center of floor with entire offensive and defensive teams on their respective sides. 1. If any offensive player crosses the line before the ball is kicked, the Official will stop play and the kick-off will be awarded to the opposing team. 2. The opposing team must give a mandatory 10 feet clearance until the ball is kicked. 3. When kicked, the ball must go forward of the line. If not, the ball will be re-kicked. 1

4. If the player who kicks off, kicks the ball again before another player touches it, the Official will stop play and the kick-off will be awarded to the opposing team. (He can kick it again if it has ricocheted off a goal or wall.) 5. A direct score is not allowed on the kick-off; the ball must touch another player before it is counted as a goal. If the ball goes into the goal during kickoff without a goal being scored, the ball will be put back into play with a GOAL kick (see below). 6. The teams will then alternate the kick-off at the beginning of the second half. C. The ball will always be put back into play via DIRECT kick. 1. When a team change of possession occurs (or any other time when the ball is being put back into play), play will pause until the official's "whistle" and a mandatory 10 feet clearance must be given by the opposing team until the ball is kicked. 2. If any player moves inside of ten feet prior to any DIRECT kick, that player will go to his/her team's bench for two minutes and a substitute player will be sent in. 3. Once the whistle is blown, the team awarded the ball has five (5) seconds to kick the ball, or the ball turns back over to the opposing team. 4. If the player who takes the DIRECT kick, kicks the ball again before another player touches it, the Official will stop play and the DIRECT kick will be awarded to the opposing team. (He can kick it again if it has ricocheted off a goal or wall.) 5. A goal can be scored on a DIRECT kick. The ball is in play immediately if no goal is scored. D. If play is stopped due to an Official's time-out, the ball is put back into play with a DROP BALL at the center circle at mid-court. 1. If one team has an OBVIOUS POSSESSION at the time play is stopped, that team will put the ball back into play with a DIRECT kick at the position of the ball when the time-out occurred as long as it is outside the goalkeeper s penalty box. If inside the penalty box, the DIRECT kick will occur at the center circle at mid-court. E. If a player is hurt, they must go down and stay down in order to notify the Official. 1. If a goalkeeper is injured and remains down, and a goal is scored after the Official stops play, the goal will NOT count. 2. When an injury time-out is called, the injured player must come out of the game for a minimum of one minute (including the Goalkeeper). 3. If the Official determines that a player is not injured, but is attempting to delay the game, a DIRECT kick (from the center circle at mid-court) will be awarded to the opposing team. 4. If one team has an OBVIOUS POSSESSION at the time play is stopped, that team will put the ball back into play with a DIRECT kick at the position of the ball when the time-out occurred as long as it is outside the goalkeeper s penalty box. If inside the penalty box, the DIRECT kick will occur at the center circle at mid-court. 5. If neither team has an OBVIOUS POSSESSION at the time play is stopped, the ball will be put back into play using a DROP BALL at the center circle at mid-court. 6. Any player with an open wound must leave the playing field and may not return until his/her wound is bandaged. F. Out of Bounds and High Balls. 1. Out of bounds will occur when the ball bounces on the walls higher than the Red Line or bounces onto the stage (even if the ball rebounds back onto the field of play). a) The ball is put back into play with a DIRECT kick from the spot it hit the wall or crossed onto the stage. b) The ball will be placed approximately three feet away from the wall or stage to allow the player room to kick the ball. c) See GOAL kick or CORNER kick below for exception when this occurs in the penalty box. 2. "High Ball" will be called when the ball's flight is obstructed by gym equipment (basketball goals) or strikes the ceiling. a) The ball is put back into play with a DIRECT kick from the spot it hit the ceiling or equipment. 2

b) The ball will be placed approximately three feet away from the wall or stage to allow the player room to kick the ball. c) See GOAL kick or CORNER kick below for exception when this occurs in the penalty box. 3. A GOAL Kick will be awarded if an offensive player causes the ball to be stuck in the netting behind the goal, or for a "high ball" off the wall behind or ceiling above the defensive penalty area or if a kick off goes into the goal without touching another player. a) This kick will be made from the marked corner of the goal box. b) During a GOAL kick, the ball must cross the three-point arc line before playing it; otherwise the ball will be re-kicked. c) The goalkeeper cannot GOAL kick the ball past mid-court unless it bounces off a wall or floor or touches any other player in the goalie's own half first, otherwise the ball is awarded to the opposing team with a DIRECT kick (from the center circle at mid-court). 4. A CORNER Kick will be awarded if a defensive player causes the ball to be stuck in the netting behind the goal, or for a "high ball" off the wall behind or ceiling above the defensive penalty area. a) This kick will be made from the far corner of the gym approximately six feet from the corner. 5. A Dead Ball will be called when the ball becomes stuck in the bleachers. a) The ball is put back into play with a DIRECT kick from the spot it became stuck in the bleachers. b) The ball will be placed approximately three feet away from the bleachers to allow the player room to kick the ball. G. ONE one-minute TIME-OUT per team, per half is allowed. A coach or Team Captain MUST make the request to the Official when his/her team has possession of the ball; either team can call it during a "dead ball". Time-outs will not be permitted inside of the opposing team s 3-point arc. The Official will call the time-out when it is possible to stop play. If any team takes more than one time-out per half, the opposing team will be awarded a DIRECT kick (from the center circle at mid-court). H. Field players may use any part of their bodies to play the ball, except their arms, hands, or heads. 1. Due to the concern for concussions, HEADERS are no longer allowed. If a player performs a header, the opposing team gets a DIRECT kick from the center circle at mid-court. 2. A player may use his/her hands to protect his/her head or chest as long as there is no forward motion attempting to control the ball s rebound. It will be at the Officials discretion whether it was in defense or if a handball is called. I. There is no "off sides" in indoor soccer. J. Definition of Goal: a goal is scored when the ENTIRE ball has passed over the goal line, between the goalposts, and under the crossbar, provided it has not been thrown/carried/intentionally propelled by hand or arm by a player on the attacking side (except in the case of the goalkeeper who is in his/her own penalty area). K. TIMING 1. The game consists of two half periods of play: a) Two 15-Minute halves for Division 1 and 2; b) Two 20-Minute halves for Division 3; c) Two 25-Minute halves for Division 4; d) Half time is five (5) minutes for all divisions; 2. Play is ongoing as much as possible. Players should always continue play until the Official's whistle is blown. 3. The clock will only be stopped for the following reasons (the Official will signal to the score keeper to stop the clock): a) Official's time-out. (see above); b) Injury time-out. (see above); c) Team time-out. (see above); d) PENALTY Kick; 3

e) In Division 3 and 4, during the last 2 minutes of the game, the clock will stop for ball out of play and/or any time the Officials blow their whistles; f) The clock will resume once the ball is kicked. L. SUBSTITUTION 1. Substitutions are made "on the fly". The exiting player must be off the field (on the stage) before a substitute player can come on. 2. Substitutions can also be made after a goal is scored, when play is stopped due to a foul, on an injury time out, or when the ball leaves the field of play. 3. If an illegal substitution is made (too many players on the floor), a PENALTY kick is awarded to the opposing team. 4. A goalkeeper may be changed only when that team's coach has notified the Official of a "goalie change", and appropriate player substitution is made. a) Failure to notify the Official of a goalkeeper change during play will result in a PENALTY Kick for the opposing team. (This does not apply if the goalkeeper is changed at half time). M. GOALKEEPER RESTRICTIONS 1. Goalkeeper must wear a goalie shirt a soft helmet (if provided by the player) is optional equipment. 2. The goalkeeper penalty area is defined as the area that would be enclosed by the 3-point arc. 3. The goalkeeper may touch the ball with his/her hands only while THE BALL is in their own penalty area (any other part of the goalkeeper's body may cross outside of the penalty area). If the goalkeeper touches the ball with his/her hands while outside his/her penalty area, a CORNER kick will be awarded to the opposing team. 4. The goalkeeper can kick the ball when on the floor only while attempting to save a goal (NO slide kicking or slide tackling is permitted). 5. The goalkeeper cannot punt the ball. The goalkeeper can kick the ball only if it has not been picked up. The goalkeeper cannot after holding the ball place it on the floor and kick it. Throwing is then the only option; otherwise the ball is awarded to the opposing team with a DIRECT kick (from the center circle at mid-court). 6. The goalkeeper cannot throw or GOAL kick the ball past mid-court unless it bounces off a wall or floor or touches any other player in the goalie's own half first, otherwise the ball is awarded to the opposing team with a DIRECT kick (from the center circle at mid-court). 7. During a GOAL kick, the ball must cross the three-point arc area before playing it; otherwise the ball will be rekicked. 8. Once the goalkeeper has picked up the ball, he/she has five (5) seconds to put the ball back into play. There is no 4-step rule. If the goalkeeper takes more than five seconds, the ball is awarded to the opposing team with a DIRECT kick (from the center circle at mid-court). 9. If thrown, the ball does not have to be thrown outside of the penalty box. 10. Once the goalkeeper has released the ball back into play, the goalkeeper cannot handle the ball again until another player has touched it or the ball will be awarded to the opposing team with a DIRECT kick (from the center circle at mid-court). 11. A goal is allowed if scored off of the goalkeeper's hand after being "bounced" over the half court mark. 12. Goaltending by the opposing team is not allowed. If it occurs, a DIRECT kick will be awarded (from the top of the 3-point arc). Goaltending is defined as a player on the offense obstructing the goalkeeper in the red rectangle in front of the goal when the ball is not in the rectangle or in the immediate vicinity (official s discretion). 13. The goalkeeper cannot be charged. He/she is to be left alone when in "possession" of the ball (holding the ball in his/her hand or hands). a) Once the goalkeeper has CLEAR possession (official s discretion) of the ball, the other players must give the goalkeeper six feet clearance, or charging will be called and a DIRECT kick will be awarded (from the top of that goalkeeper s 3-point arc). b) "Pushing back" into the goalkeeper by the opposing team is also considered a goalkeeper charge, and a DIRECT kick will be awarded (from the top of the 3-point arc). 4

c) If a Goalkeeper is "VIOLENTLY" charged while in possession of the ball (called at the discretion of the Official), a PENALTY kick will be awarded. d) However, if the goalkeeper is not in clear possession of the ball, the other players are free to go after the ball without penalty. 14. If the ball is "trapped" in the goal netting, it is the discretion of the Official to stop play and call a GOAL kick as outlined above. 15. Goalkeeper interference preventing the goalkeeper from making a play on the ball is prohibited. If another player scores while a teammate is prohibiting play by the goalkeeper, the goal will not count. N. FOULS resulting in DIRECT kicks (OFFICALS will MAKE THESE CALLS!) 1. All free kicks will be DIRECT free kicks there will be NO indirect kicks. 2. Opposing team must give a mandatory ten feet clearance until the ball is kicked. If any player moves inside of ten feet prior to the kick, that player will go to his/her team's bench for two minutes and a substitute player will be sent in. 3. If the player who takes the DIRECT kick, kicks the ball again before another player touches it, the Official will stop play and the DIRECT kick will be awarded to the opposing team. (He can kick it again if it has ricocheted off a goal or wall.). 4. A goal can be scored directly when the player kicks the ball. The ball is in play immediately if no goal is scored. 5. DIRECT kicks will take place where the foul occurred with the following exceptions: a) For offensive fouls that occur in the opposing team s penalty box, the defending team will make the DIRECT kick from the top of their 3-point arc; b) For defensive fouls that occur in the defending team s penalty box, the DIRECT kick will be a PENALTY kick (see below); c) When a player s shoe comes off during play, the opposing team gets a DIRECT kick from the center circle at mid-court; d) For delay of game, the opposing team gets a DIRECT kick from the center circle at mid-court; e) For taking more than one time out per team per half, the opposing team gets a DIRECT kick from the center circle at mid-court. 6. The following fouls will result in a DIRECT kick: a) High kicking; kicking or attempting to kick an opponent; b) Tripping or attempting to throw an opponent; c) Slide tackling or kicking the ball while player or opponent are on the ground (except the goalkeeper as outlined in the goalkeeper section); d) Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner; e) Charging an opponent from behind; f) Striking or attempting to strike or spitting at or on an opponent or Official; g) Holding an opponent; h) Pushing an opponent; i) Intentionally handling the ball (except a goalkeeper within their own penalty area); j) Checking an opponent into the perimeter wall; k) Playing in a dangerous or reckless manner; l) Obstructing an opponent; m) Using the gym wall by leaning on it with one or two hands to gain an advantage; n) Charging a goalkeeper as outlined in the goalkeeper section. O. FOULS resulting in PENALTY kicks: 1. The clock is stopped until the kicker kicks the ball, then the clock resumes; 2. The kick is made from the top of the 3-point arc; 3. The kicker can only take two steps before kicking the ball; 5

4. The Goalkeeper must have both feet on the goal line and be standing still; 5. All other players must be outside the 3-point arc; 6. The ball must have forward motion; 7. Once the player taking the PENALTY kick touches the ball, all other players may begin to attack, play will commence, and all rules apply. 8. PENALTY kicks will be awarded for any of the following: a) Defensive fouls (same as those listed above) that occur in the defending team s penalty box; b) Illegal substitutions (as outlined in the Substitution section above); c) "VIOLENTLY" charging the goalkeeper while he/she is in possession of the ball (called at the discretion of the Official); d) Awarded if any player not on the playing field (or any coach) have any part of their body in the playing field while the ball is in play. IV. CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATIONS (GAME OFFICALS AND THE HEAD OFFICIAL WILL MAKE THESE CALLS!) A. Coaches may encourage players from the sidelines; however, excessive verbal outbursts by a coach towards the Official or Opposing Team or an Official will result in the Coach being issued one warning to "cool off' or counsel with a board member away from the playing field. The Assistant Coach will take over the team immediately until the coach returns. If the outbursts continue, that coach will be asked to leave. 1. Any member of the coaching staff who is asked to leave pursuant to the Code of Conduct Rules will not be allowed to return to the bench or practice until the BISL Board can meet to determine if that coach will be allowed to return to coaching. B. When any "CARD" is issued, the clock will immediately stop to allow the Official time to explain to the player and coach what the infraction was. When disciplinary actions are required, the BISL Board will follow guidelines established by the MHSAA for High School Sports. C. BLUE CARDS 1. A BLUE CARD will be issued if fouls continue to occur by the same player or a player continues to argue with the Official. 2. If a BLUE CARD is issued, that player is sent to his/her bench to "cool off' or counsel with the coach for a 2- minute period. 3. The Coach can send in a substitute immediately. D. YELLOW CARDS 1. A YELLOW CARD will be issued if swearing is directed at an Official or opponent, or if an INTENTIONAL personal foul occurs. 2. If a YELLOW CARD is issued, that player must sit out of the game for a 4-minute period. 3. That team will play short one player. 4. The scorekeeper keeps the time, and the Coach will be notified when the 4-minutes has passed. The coach can then send in a player. 5. Once the opposing team scores a goal, the YELLOW CARDED team can go back up to six players, but the YELLOW CARDED player must finish serving out the 4-minute period on the bench. Two YELLOW CARDS by any one player will automatically result in a RED CARD. E. RED CARDS 1. A RED CARD will be issued when a player is deliberately trying to cause injury to an opponent, or for fighting, or when any one player receives two YELLOW CARDS. 2. If a RED CARD is issued, that player is ejected from the game. 3. That team will play short one player for the remainder of the game. The RED CARDED player will sit out the remainder of the current game as well as the next game. 6

V. PARENTS/COACHES A. Parents/guardians should provide or arrange for transportation of their children to and from practices and games TIMELY arrivals and departures are greatly appreciated by everyone. B. Coaches should provide or arrange for adequate supervision of the players on his/her team while at the practice or game site. C. At the end of the practice or game, the coach needs to ensure that all players have safely departed or a responsible person has been notified and has arrived. D. All coaches need to have an assistant coach who will be at the practices when the coach is not available. No practices are to be cancelled if the coach is not available it is the responsibility of the coach to ensure the assistant coach is available in his/her absence. E. Team shirts should in no way be "defaced" or altered in any way by either the coaches or the players. This includes a prohibition on adding player s names to the backs of the shirts. If this occurs, the player will need to pay a reprint fee to have a replacement shirt made or will not be allowed to participate in games. F. All release forms need to be signed and submitted with the registration fees prior to the first game. Otherwise, that player/players will sit out the game(s) until the forms and/or fees are submitted. If not submitted by the second game, the player additionally will not be allowed to attend practices until the form and/or fees have been submitted. VI. OFFICIALS A. Head Official 1. At every game, there will be a BISL board member present who will act as the Head Official for that game. 2. The Head Official s duties include, but are not limited to the following: a) The Head Official should provide for appropriate officiating equipment at each game (whistles, penalty cards, score keeping record, and time clock); b) The Head Official is in charge of the time clock, scoreboard, and the official score record. He can supervise a subordinate in the fulfillment of these duties at his discretion; c) The Head Official will assist the Officials on the floor with the following items: (1) Clarifying rules and/or penalties for fouls; (2) Explaining calls to the coaches as time allows; (3) Issuing BLUE, YELLOW, or RED cards; (4) Holding coaches responsible to the Code of Conduct (outlined above). 3. The Head Official can stop the play and clock at his discretion. This will be an official s time out. B. Game Officials (referees) 1. Officials will "line up" players prior to each game to check for appropriate dress, go over any rules (Official s discretion), and for the coin toss to determine which team kicks off. 2. It is the duty of the Officials on the floor to call the game as they see it. It is permissible to ask the Head Official for assistance in clarifying a call or rule. 3. There will be a minimum of one Official on the floor for each game, but two is preferable. 4. Officials cannot referee in the same Division in which they play and/or coach. 5. Officials must be of High School age or older to officiate Division 3 and 4 games; they must be in 8 th Grade or older to officiate Division 1and 2 games. 6. Officials are subject to the Board; the Board reserves the right to dismiss an Official with a majority vote. VII. POSITION WEEK TIE-BREAKER PROCEDURE A. Going into the last week of the season (position week), teams that have the same loss/win record will have their place standing determined by the computer program used by BISL. 7

B. During Position Week, if the awards selected have positions on them, all ties in Division 2, 3, & 4 will be determined by a 5-minute sudden death overtime. The home team will call the coin toss to determine which team kicks off. There are no timeouts in overtime and the clock will not stop unless there is an injury or official timeout. At the end of the 5 minutes, if it remains a tie, it will be determined by a kick-off. Each coach will select one Goalkeeper (no changes unless the goalkeeper is injured) and five kickers in specific order. All five kickers will attempt a goal alternating with the opposing team (home team will kick first). The team with the most goals out of the five attempts will be the winner. If it remains a tie at the end of the kickoff, it will go into a sudden death kickoff. Each team needs to select five new kickers (can only use the same kicker from the first round if there are not enough players on the team to avoid repeats). Each team can either keep the same goalie or select another goalie for the sudden death kick-off. It will alternate which team kicks first. The first team that scores without the other team also scoring will be the winner. Both teams will have the same number of attempts. If after the sudden death kick-off, the game is still tied, repeat the sudden death kickoff until there is a winner. C. During Position Week, if the awards selected do not have positions on them, only FIRST AND SECOND PLACE Division ties and only in DIVISIONS 3 & 4 will be determined by a 5-minute sudden death overtime. The home team will call the coin toss to determine which team kicks off. There are no timeouts in overtime and the clock will not stop unless there is an injury or official timeout. At the end of the 5 minutes, if it remains a tie, it will be determined by a kick-off. Each coach will select one Goalkeeper (no changes unless the goalkeeper is injured) and five kickers in specific order. All five kickers will attempt a goal alternating with the opposing team (home team will kick first). The team with the most goals out of the five attempts will be the winner. If it remains a tie at the end of the kickoff, it will go into a sudden death kickoff. Each team needs to select five new kickers (can only use the same kicker from the first round if there are not enough players on the team to avoid repeats). Each team can either keep the same goalie or select another goalie for the sudden death kick-off. It will alternate which team kicks first. The first team that scores without the other team also scoring will be the winner. Both teams will have the same number of attempts. If after the sudden death kick-off, the game is still tied, repeat the sudden death kickoff until there is a winner. D. At the end of the last game, a team cannot be "moved down" a place. (Teams playing for 1 st and 2 nd place will end in either 1 st or 2 nd place at the end of the game regardless of the point total results from the other games). VIII. The BISL board may be contacted via email at BISLeague@gmail.com 8