The Soccer Official s Manual Northeastern University Intramural Sports Summer 2007
GENERAL RULES Game Length: The game will consist of two 15 minute halves. The period can end only on a dead ball, or a goal. Overtime: If the score is tied at the end of regulation the match may be decided in three ways. The Supervisor may choose between: 5 minute Golden Goal Overtime Period 5 vs. 5 Penalty Shoot Out - Do or Die format. Tied - if time does not permit further play Mercy Rule: If a team is winning by 7 or more goals at any point in the 2nd half, that team will be declared the winner and the game will end. Number of Players: Each team will consist of 6 players, one of whom must always be the designated goalie. Teams may start and end a match with 4 players. Co-Ed Modification: In Co-Ed play the team must have an equal or greater number of female players eligble to play. The goal keeper counts as a normal player. Forfeited Matches: WBF A match will be forfeited if a team cannot field the required numbers of players (minimum of 4) at game time. Also, a team will forfeit a match if they lose the required number of players through disqualification. Abandoned Matches: WBD The Supervisor on duty reserves the right to end any match if conditions warrant. Reasons for this include: hazardous field conditions, gross violations of the Intramural Code of Conduct, and time restrictions. 3 UCs: Forfeit Any team receiving 3 unsportsmanlike penalties in 1 game will forfeit the match.
GENERAL POSITIONING The officials should stay in the semblance of a wide triangle as they move to referee the play. Each official should call any foul they clearly see, regardless of where on the field the foul has occurred. All three officials will transition up and down the field following the ball. The official stationed farthest from the table is commonly referred to as the Far official. The Lead official will take up a position to the right of the table. The remaining official is designated as the Referee. LEAD OFFICIAL REFEREE The Lead Official The Lead official will start the match and be responsible for any disputes that arise among the three officials. He will finalize the score at the end of the match and his whistle will signal the end of a half. The Lead official will also confer with the Supervisor on any matters concerning player problems or the termination of a match. The Lead is responsible for calling his touch line and out of bounds on his side of the field. The Lead will signal any successful goals on his side of the pitch. The Referee The Referee will cover the same lines as the Lead but on the other half of the pitch. He will be responsible for his touch line and the out of bounds on his side of the field as well as any penalties that may occur in his area. FAR OFFICIAL THE OFFICIALS IN THEIR INITIAL POSITION The Far Official The Far official is responsible for the out of bounds line between the top of each penalty box. This requires the most movement as he must move with the play at all times. The Far referee is also responsible for all fouls that may occur on the far side of the field. When the play is close to the box the Far official must watch for players in the box before the ball. This is extremely pertinent also on corner kicks. In the case of a ball striking the ceiling the referee may have to run onto the field to spot the ball and/or count off a wall.
RED CARDS Automatic Ejection A Red Card carries with it an automatic ejection of the player from the game. It also carries a minimum one game suspension and ejection from the facility. Violent Conduct Any players involved in violent tackles or maneuvers, whether intentional or not, must be red carded. There is no excuse for endangering any participant. Serious Foul Any foul carried out in a malicious or intentional manner must result in a red card. This includes plays for the ball that cross the line into violent and savage behavior. Spitting, Taunting, Baiting or Physical Contact Players may not be engaged in any of this behavior. Ejection is warranted in each case and is mandated by the Intramural Code of Conduct. Any pushing or shoving (especially during a dead ball) is an automatic ejection. Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity with a Deliberate Hand Ball Any player that stops or prevents a goal scoring opportunity by handling the ball should be ejected. Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity with a Foul A defensive player may not foul an opponent moving towards the goal in an attempt to score. This foul should be penalized with a red card. An ejected player must immediately leave the field of play and the facility. Offensive, Insulting, or Abusive Language Abuse or insults directed toward any players, officials or spectators must result in the offender receiving a red card. This type of behavior is not tolerated in any form. Second Yellow Card Two yellow cards, for any reason, in a single match will result in the ejection of the carded player. The official will first show the yellow card, followed by the warranted red card.
YELLOW CARDS 2 Minute Penalty / Power Play A player that receives a yellow card is to be removed from play for 2 minutes. That player is not to be replaced and their team will play shorthanded for the duration. The carded player may return if a goal is scored against their team or on the first dead ball after the penalty has expired. Penalties can be increased up to 5 minutes. Sliding Sliding is not allowed under any circumstances. Each and every slide must be penalized with a yellow card. Keepers may slide if and only if they come out hands first. If a keeper slides with their feet they must be carded as well. Dissent by Word or Action No player is allowed to question the calls of any official or to disrespect their decisions. Gestures of protest and mocking an official must also be punished. No player besides the designated captain of each team is allowed to confer or speak to the officials. Persistently Infringes the Rules of the Game A player may be yellow carded if they continually foul the opposing team or commit repeated infractions of the rules. All the players on a team should know and follow the rules. Delays a Restart Deliberately kicking the ball away after it has been whistled dead is to be penalized with a yellow card. Failure to Respect the Required Distance Encroaching upon the required 3 yards during free kicks must be penalized with a yellow card. Unsporting Behavior It is the official s duty to punish and regulate any general unsportsmanlike behavior that may occur during a match. This includes taunting, baiting, failure to wear the required equipment, unseemly celebrations, wearing dangerous equipment or jewelry, and other violations as they occur. The Caution Card is a tool for the official to use in managing a match so that the game is played cleanly and fairly. Improper Substitution / Extra Players Substitutes may only enter the field with the official s permission. Substitutes not in the game must remain in the designated areas on the side line. A team may not have more than 6 players on the field.
DIRECT KICKS Direct kicks are awarded by the officials when a player has committed a foul. The ball may enter directly into the net on a direct kick. Direct Kicks are Granted for any of the Following Fouls: Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent Trips or attempts to trip an opponent Jumps at an opponent Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent Charges an opponent Pushes an opponent Holds an opponent Spits at an opponent Handles the ball deliberately Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball. Sliding (mandatory yellow card) If any of the 11 fouls listed above occurs in the penalty area, a Penalty Kick is awarded instead of the Direct Free kick. DIRECT KICK SIGNAL
INDIRECT KICKS A goal cannot be scored on from an indirect kick. The ball must touch another player, on either team, before a goal can be scored. Indirect kicks are awarded for technical violations or minor infractions of the laws. All kicks from out of bounds and restarts from balls that strike the ceiling are indirect. However, corner kicks are direct. The two most common fouls that result in an indirect kick are: 1. Playing in a dangerous manner 2. Impeding the progress of an opponent The two most common violations that result in an indirect kick are: 1. In the box before the ball 2. Kicking the ball past half on a goal kick Signaling an Indirect Kick To signal that the ball is to be put in play with an Indirect Free Kick the official should raise their right hand straight in the air. The official must leave their hand raised until the ball has been touched by another player. All three officials should be signaling this to avoid any conflicting calls. Scoring on an Indirect Kick If a goal is scored on an indirect free kick the goal must be disallowed by the nearest official. The ball will be restarted with a goal kick from the box. INDIRECT KICK SIGNAL
Calling Out of Bounds Out of bounds - Black Curtain The field of play is surrounded by a black curtain. Anytime the ball touches the curtain it must be declared out of bounds on the team that last touched it. The ball will be put into play with an indirect free kick at the spot. There are no throwins for indoor play. Out of Bounds - Overhead Structures Anything connected with the ceiling of the Cage is considered to be out of bounds. This includes the netting, basketball rims, and the white curtains. The ball will be put in play at the spot where it struck the structure with an indirect free kick. Out of Bounds - End Lines Whenever all of the ball has crossed all of the endline it must be whistled dead. This will result in either a Goal kick from the keeper s box or a corner kick. A goal kick can be taken by any player and it cannot be kicked across midfield without touching a player or the ground. A goal may be scored directly off a corner kick. Five Count to In-Bound the Ball The team awarded with possession of the ball has a 5 count to in-bound the ball. Failure to put the ball into play within this limit will result in loss of possession. This rule applies to all kicks in indoor soccer. DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL Remember that all of the ball must cross all of the line for it to be considered out of play
KEEPER RULES General Rules Each team must have a keeper at all times. In the case of a penalty shootout the keeper at the end of the game must remain in the net. In CO-ED competition either sex may play goal. The goalie must wear a jersey of a different color than his team and opponents. Once the keeper has established possession of the ball - all opposing players must leave the box. The Keeper MAY NOT: Punt the ball Slide feet first Throw the ball in the air past midfield Cross midfield Score a Goal Hold the ball for longer than 5 seconds The Keeper MAY: Slide hand first at the ball Use his hands in the box Pick up any pass from a teammate Play the ball as a field player Put the ball back into play with a throw Keeper Rules for Penalty Kicks In the event of a penalty kick, the keeper in net at the time must remain in net (unless they were carded on the play). The keeper must begin with both toes on the goaline. The keeper must remain on the line until the ball is kicked. If the keeper jumps early and the shot misses or is deflected, the player will rekick. If the shot is made, despite the violation, the goal counts.
WALLS The Required Distance - 3 Yards During a restart the defensive team must remain a minimum of three yards away from the spot of the restart. No defensive players may be within this radius. Failure to Respect the Required Distance If a defensive player encroaches this distance after the official has set the limit, the player must be cautioned with a yellow card. If a Quick Kick is taken and a defender actively makes a play for the ball, he should be cautioned as well. Creating the Wall When an official is required to set up a wall, he should first stop play. The offense cannot put the ball into play until the wall is complete and the official signals that play can begin. Quick Kicks The defending team has no right to set up a wall. The kicking team may kick the ball anytime after the foul, unless play has been stopped by the official. The official should only stop play if it is clear that the kicking team either does not want to try a quick kick or that they cannot take a quick restart. The official should set the ball and then mark off the distance and clearly indicate where the defense will be permitted to stand. After the wall is set, the official should back out (without turning his back on the wall) to a vantage point where all the action can be officiated. Once he is situated he can blow his whistle and announce that the free kick may be taken. The official should be very clear whether the kick is indirect or direct.
Regulating Contact Minimal Contact The Intramural Indoor Soccer league is a low to minimal contact league. Players are not allowed to fight for possession of the ball. Excessive physical contact must be closely refereed by the officials. Playing the Body vs. the Ball Anytime a player, on offense or defense, plays the body of their opponent and not the ball, a foul has been committed. The official is acting within their authority to stop play and grant possession to the harmed player. Stiff Arm Often in competitive match-ups players will attempt to create space and control by stiff arming the nearest opponent. Officials must call this immediately. This type of play is illegal. Call Selection Calling the game strictly early in a match will let the players know exactly what level of contact will be deemed unacceptable by the officials. Failure to regulate the contact early in a match may lead to escalating levels of physicality. This can further lead to major fouls, injuries and fighting. Incidental Contact Any time there are 12 people moving quickly in an enclosed space contact is bound to occur. Accidental or incidental contact that does not cause a disadvantage should not be called. Officials must know when to regulate play and when to let play continue unabated. Preventive Officiating - Verbal Warnings By using their voice officials can warn players about their behavior without having to whistle a play dead. For Example: Loudly announcing Blue keep your hands down! should indicate to the fouling player what they need to do. If they fail to respond, the foul must be called an possession granted to the opposing team.
The Goalie Box The Goalie Box is designated by the yellow semi-circle surrounding the goal. Within this area the keeper may handle the ball. All fouls which would require a direct free kick are given as penalty kicks. Goal Kicks All goal kicks will be taken from within this area. A goal kick is granted when the offense puts the ball beyond the endline. Any player may take a goal kick. The ball must leave the goalie box on a goal kick. The ball may not cross midfield in the air, it must first strike another player or the ground. Penalties In the Box Any penalty committed in the box by the defensive team, that would normally be a direct free kick, is now given as a penalty kick. All other infractions (normally an indirect kick) will be granted on the yellow goalie box line. Penalty kicks will be taken at the designated spot. The keeper may use THEIR hands within this semi-circle. In the Box Before the Ball No offensive players may be within the goalie box before the ball is within the semi-circle. Once the ball is within this area any and all offensive players may attack the net. If the offense is within the box before the ball, the play must be stopped and an indirect kick be granted to the defense. The kick is to be taken anywhere within the box. This kick may cross midfield. Any goals scored during this infraction must be disallowed. All three officials should be aware and in position to make this call. Except for this violation, there is no offsides in our version of intramural soccer.
Encroachment 3 yards is the required distance that the defense must yield to the offense during all free kicks This includes corner kicks, goal kicks, and in-bounding from the sidelines. All three officials need to be aware of situations where the defense is trying to interfere with the offenses right to put the ball back into play. Preventive Officiating The nearest official should loudly and assertively remind the defensive players to respect the required distance. On plays near the goal area both officials should be closing down on the action to ensure that no conflicts arise. Failure to respect the required distance, after a warning by the official will result in the player being cautioned with a yellow card. In this situation the official should be warning the defending player to back up and respect the distance of 3 yards. if the player makes an active play for the ball, he will be cautioned with yellow card. The required distance is a 3 yard radius around the ball. No defensive players can be within this 9 foot circle.
Scoring a Goal Once all of the ball has crossed all of the goaline a goal should be awarded. Disallowing a Goal Some goals may have to be called back due to an infraction of the rules prior to the ball crossing the goaline. In-The-Box : violations of this rule often result in goals. In this case the ball will be granted to the defensive team and the goal disallowed. Indirect Free Kick: a goal scored off an Indirect Free Kick must also be called back. The ball must first strike another player before it may legally enter into the net. Sliding: goals scored by a player sliding must also be disallowed. Sliding is illegal and cannot result in a goal. The Official s Responsibility The official nearest to the net must be in the proper position to correctly judge whether a goal should be counted or not. Angle and perspective are important factors. If a goal is to count or in the case it is to be called back, the official must be clear and emphatic in their signaling and mechanics. Call what you see and do not allow a good call to be doubted based on bad positioning or weak mechanics. Signaling a Valid Goal When a goal is scored the official should loudly blow their whistle and point into the net. It is also acceptable to point towards the center mark. Always make sure that all of the ball has crossed all of the line before signaling a goal. In the above diagram only one of the shots should be ruled a goal.
Corner Kicks Corner kicks are granted when the defense puts the ball out past their own endline. Remember that all of the ball must cross all of the line. Putting the Ball Into Play The offense will take the corner from the triangle at the edge of the field nearest to where the ball was kicked out of bounds. Signaling a Corner Kick The official will loudly blow their whistle and point to the nearest corner. Once the ball is in position at the corner the official should administer the 5 count. The ball must be restarted from within this area. Scoring on a Corner Kick A goal may be scored directly from corner kick. In-The-Box This rule still applies, the offense cannot be in the goal area until the ball crosses into the box. Positioning of the Officials The near official should be positioned behind or on the endline to referee the kick and the closest defender. The sideline official should be slightly deeper than usual and in a position to referee any crosses or aerial plays. The farthest official should come in slightly beyond the midfield line and be ready to assist the other officials. They should be watching for In-the-Box violations and fouls away from the ball. Substitutions Both teams may sub their players during a corner kick regardless of who has possession. CORNER KICK SIGNAL
Dangerous Actions High Kicks The potential for injury exists anytime feet come into close proximity with a player s head. Officials must be aware of how to referee dangerous plays and penalize the foul. The Action must be Dangerous to Someone There needs to be at least one other player around for the play to be considered dangerous. If no one is around, a player may take any action they want and it can never be considered dangerous. The dangerous nature of the action must cause the opponent to cease active play or otherwise cause a disadvantage. In the diagram to the right, the player in purple raises their arm and assumes a defensive posture to avoid injury or contact. The player in yellow creates this situation by dangerously raising their leg in an attempt to play the ball. The official should stop the play and caution the yellow player. Bicycle Kicks It is legal for a player to attempt a bicycle kick. However, the same rules apply for these maneuvers as for any attempt to play the ball: The kick cannot endanger any other players The kick cannot be carelessly or recklessly attempted Infractions of the rule must be penalized and the player cautioned. Contesting a Head Ball Officials must be especially attentive to situation where opposing airborne players attempt head the ball. Both players may only jump straight up to gain possession. the penalty for a dangerous high kick is an indirect free kick for the other team Jumping into or at the opposing player is a foul and must be whistled by the official.
Kickoffs Each game will begin with a kick-off at midfield by the team that won possession at the coin toss. Before starting the game the official will count the numbers of players on the field and ask if each keeper is ready to begin. The official will then blow their whistle and start the clock. The Game will be Restarted with a Kickoff for: 1. Start of game 2. After each goal 3. Start of second half 4. Start of each overtime period Infraction at a Kick-Off 1. Players in wrong half of field 2. Ball does not move forward 3. Taken before referee s signal In any of these cases the kick-off will be retaken. If the kicker plays ball a second time - double touch - the opposing team will be granted an indirect free kick. goals can be scored directly from kickoffs! KICK-OFF SIGNAL
Advantage Advantage is a discretionary judgment that allows an official to permit play to continue rather than stopping play to call a foul. This would be used if calling the foul would take away a favorable situation for the team that did not commit the foul. After the call the referee may revoke the call if the presumed advantage does not materialize The foul Goes Away unless referee decides, within 2-3 seconds, that the original advantage does not materialize A foul or misconduct which deserves either a yellow or red card must be enforced at the next stoppage of play. Calling Advantage If, in the referee s opinion, a player is fouled and: Keeps possession of the ball and is advancing down field The ball goes to a team member in a better position The team would be better off without the foul being called The player is able to make an uninterrupted shot on goal With in a couple of seconds, the referee may allow the player to have advantage by yelling Play on. This signals that a foul has been committed but, advantage was called. If the advantage does not develop the referee may call the foul late. When an official grants an advantage, they should loudly say, Play on! to acknowledge that the foul has been seen but that play will continue.
Time Out Each team is granted one time out per half. These do not carry over if they are unused. There are no time outs in overtime. A time out may granted during any dead ball, regardless of who has possession. Time outs last for one minute, with play resuming at the spot of the dead ball. Time outs will not be granted during the last two minutes of the game or during live balls. This includes stoppages of play for fouls and violations. Substitutions Teams may only substitute during a goal kick or corner kick. The subbing team does not need possession of the ball in order to sub. Teams may make unlimited substitutions during the game. Teams MAY NOT sub during stoppages of play for fouls, infractions, the ball out of bounds on the sidelines or for striking a ceiling obstruction. Team MAY substitute after a goal has been scored or during half time. Substitutes must remain in the designated area if they are not in the game and remain there until waved on by the official. The last 2 minutes of the game The Lead Official will stop play with around 2 minutes left to play. They will stop the clock and announce to both teams that this is their last chance to sub, switch their keeper, or to call time out. No subs, time-outs, or switching of the keeper is allowed after this point. TIME OUT Beckoning Subs
Penalty Kicks A penalty kick is awarded when a defender commits any direct free kick fouls inside their own penalty area against an opponent while ball is in play. Before the Kick is Taken 1. Clear penalty area of all but keeper and kicker 2. All other players must be behind designated line 3. Get ball into your possession 4. Set keeper on line - between posts 5. Identify kicker to keeper 6. Place the ball on the penalty mark 7. Tell kicker to wait for whistle (use gesture) 8. Final check with players and other officials 9. Take position to observe keeper, kicker, other players and assistant referee 10. Check with keeper to see if ready 11. Whistle for kick Keeper Requirements Must have both toes on the goal line and between posts. May not move forward from the goal line until the ball is kicked. May move laterally or side to side. Must not distract the kicker All Other Players: Must be behind the designated line and not engaging in any attempts to distract the kicker or the keeper. Kicker Requirements Kick must be taken from the mark and the ball must be kicked forward. The kicker may feign a kick The Kicker Must Not: unnecessarily delay the kick change direction excessively distract keeper double touch the ball The Ball in Play If a goal is scored play will be resumed with a kickoff. penalty shots will come from the designated spot If the shot is stopped by the keeper or deflected the ball is live and play will continue normally.
Penalizing Slides Sliding Any player who slides during a game must be issued a yellow card. There are no exceptions to this rule. The player does not have to make contact with another player for the foul to be called. If there is severe contact the player should be given a red card and removed from the match. At each Captain s meeting the Lead Official should remind the captain of each team to inform their team of this rule. Keeper Slides Goalkeepers can only slide if they come out hands first. If a keeper slides feet first they must be penalized as proscribed by the rule. If the keeper and the ball are still in the box at the time of the slide, a penalty kick is warranted. Restarting the Ball After a sliding penalty has been enforced the ball will be restarted with a direct kick for the opposing team. Goals scored by a sliding player will be disallowed. There is no sliding in Intramural Soccer. The minimum penalty for sliding is a yellow card and the removal of the offending player for two minutes.
Officials in Transition All 3 officials need to move with the flow of action. The ball will key their motions and dictate their responsibilities. Never get caught out of position. Each official should always be fighting for the best possible position to referee the play. Ball in the Attacking 1/3 of the Field When the ball is established by the offense, the closest line official should be on the goal line. The other official on the table side should be approximately on the mid-field line. The Far official should be midway between the goal line and the midfield line. Be Flexible Remember to move with the play and be able to adapt to changing conditions and play. Officials should hustle but not rush to these positions The positions for the officials when the ball is established by the offense.
POSITIONS ON A CORNER KICK The closest official will administer the corner kick. They are responsible for signaling and counting the restart. The farthest official will watch the trailing players and any action away from the ball. The remaining official will watch the box for violations. Beware of encroachment on the corner kick and players entering the box before the ball is put into play. Both teams may make substitutions on a corner kick. The official closest to the table will stop play and wave the substitutes into the game. Defensive Requirements The defense must not encroach upon the 3 yard radius of the corner. THE POSITIONS FOR THE OFFICIALS ON A CORNER KICK
JURISDICTION OF THE OFFICIAL S The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final. Those facts include whether a goal has been scored or not and the result of the match. The Laws of the Game are intended to provide that games should be played with as little interference as possible, and in this view it is the duty of the referees to penalize only deliberate breaches of the Law. Captains Rule Before each game a captain will be designated for each team. This is the only member of the team that can speak with the officials. The captain may seek rule clarifications and draw the official s attention to a matter of concern. However, the Captain may not question the calls or decisions of the official. Breach of this rule will result in a yellow card. THE INDOOR FIELD OF PLAY Dangerous Equipment Players must wear the appropriate equipment at all times. This includes a uniform and shoes. No cleats are allowed, and no one may wear jewelry. Religious jewelry and medical alerts are permitted provided the Supervisor is given notice before the contest.