Indoor Soccer Rules

General Information

The NIRSA Rules will be used with Tulane University modifications.

  1. Participants are subject to all of the policies and procedures in the Intramural Handbook.
  2. Games will consist of 2 teams, 5 players per team including a goalie.
  3. Co-Rec teams must have 2 women on the court at all times.
  4. Games may start with 4 players.

Equipment/Facility

  1. All games will be played in the downtown gym courts 4 and 5 of the Reily Center. The court measures 74’x85′.
  2. Indoor soccer goals measuring 6.5’x12′ will be used.
  3. Goalie box measures 39′ long and 19′ deep.
  4. Futsal balls will be used. They are approximately between size 3 and 4 and are weighted to decrease bounce
  5. All participants must wear proper recreational attire. This includes t-shirts, gym shorts, wind or sweat pants, and athletic closed toe shoes.
  6. Jewelry of any type including but not limited to bracelets, necklaces or sunglasses.
  7. Headwear that contains knots, hard or stiff material, including billed hats is prohibited.
  8. Rubber cleats are prohibited. Only shoes with non-marking soles allowed.
  9. Shin Guards are HIGHLY recommended for play.
  10. Teams must provide their own jerseys. Each team must bring a white shirt and a dark (green, blue, black) shirt to each match
  11. The goalkeeper must wear a different color shirt than both teams.
  12. Any hard braces must be covered and padded.
  13. Participants wearing casts are prohibited from intramural play.
  14. The final determination regarding legal equipment will be made by the Intramural Supervisor present at the game.

Time Regulations

  1. Games will consist of 2 20-minute halves and a 3-minute half time.
  2. The clock will run continuously with the exception of: injuries, referees’ time.
  3. Regular season games can end in a tie and will be recorded as a tie.
  4. Playoff games will not end in a tie, they will go directly to a shootout with no overtime period.
  5. Overtime/Shoot out: for playoff games.
  6. Tie games in the playoffs will be determined by a shoot out.
  7. The home team will kick first. The home team is whichever team is listed first on the schedule. The referee will choose the goal that will be used.
  8. The shootout is three rounds (6 total kickers) of shots from spot. There is no dribbling. The goal keeper must stay on line before the kick.
  9. The shooters and goalies will alternate between kicks.
  10. The Goalie that starts the shoot out must finish the shoot out, no substitutions.
  11. If at the end of the first round the game is still tied, the shoot out will go into sudden death with the teams alternating shots.
  12. Players are eligible for only one set of kicks. In the event that there are unequal number of players on teams, both captains may pick a player of their choice from their respective teams.
  13. Co-Rec Variation: Every other kicker must be taken by a woman. At least 1 woman must kick per set of 3 kicks.
  14. Only players on the field at the end of the regulation game may participate in the first two rounds of the shoot out.
  15. If the game advances to sudden death, the fourth and fifth players who were on the court at the end of regulation, including the goalie, must shoot before using players from the bench.

Scoring

  1. A goal is scored when the whole ball passes completely over the goal line, between the goalpost and under the crossbar, provided no infraction of the rules occurred in the accomplishment of the goal.
  2. LA goal is legal if the whole ball passes completely over the goal line, between the goalpost and under the crossbar while in the goalie hand(s).
  3. Goals may not be scored by a player directly from a:
    1. Kick off
    2. Indirect free kick
    3. Kick-in
    4. Free kick into a team’s own goal
    5. Goal Throw
  4. Co-Rec Variation: A goal scored by a female is worth 2, a goal scored by a male is worth 1.
  5. MERCY Rule: The game will be called if a team is down by 15 goals at half time or 10 goals with 10 minutes left in the second half. There is no MERCY rule in the championship.

Substitutions

  1. There is no limit to the number of substitutions a team may make.
  2. A substitute that desires to enter the game must report to the mid court touchline to make their intentions known to the supervisor.
  3. All substitutions will be made on the fly at any time. All players being substituted for must be completely off of the floor and in the team box area prior to the sub taking the floor.
  4. If a player enters the field of play without notifying the supervisor or does not wait until the player being substituted for is off the floor, an indirect kick will be taken at the point where the ball lies at the time, and a yellow card will be issued to that player.
  5. During a goalkeeper substitution, the goalkeeper must be off the floor and at the team box area before the substitute goalkeeper can enter. The active goalkeeper must notify the referee that they are being substituted for.
  6. A team that has a player ejected from the game must play a man down for the rest of the game.  Two ejections from the same team end the game.
  7. Continued improper substitutions will result in a yellow card for the captain and an indirect kick will be given to the other team.

Kick Off

  1. The choice of ends or possession will be determined by the home team or highest ranked. The home team is the first team listed on the schedule.
  2. Teams switch ends at the start of the second period.
  3. Each team will be in their own field of play.
  4. All players must be on their own half of the court.
  5. The ball must be stationary when kicked. The ball must be kicked forward. The non-kicking team must be outside of the circle until the ball is touched.
  6. A goal may not be scored directly from a kick off.
  7. The player to first kick the ball cannot touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it.

Ball In/Out of Play

Ball in Play:

  1. When it rebounds off a crossbar or post.
  2. If it rebounds off of a referee.
  3. When a drop ball hits the ground.
  4. When the ball strikes the white padding on the wall or below the designated out of bounds line.

Ball Out of Play:

  1. When the ball wholly crosses goal line, whether on ground or in the air.
  2. When the referee has stopped the game.
  3. When the ball strikes the wall on or above the out of bounds line
  4. It is touched or interfered with by a player(s) in the bench area or penalty area, restart: indirect kick.
  5. When the ball strikes the wall behind the players’ bench area and penalty area, restart: goal kick or corner kick.
  6. Ball goes into the bench or penalty area, restart: kick-in.
  7. The ball hits the ceiling, lighting, or basketball goals, restart: indirect kick at sideline.
  8. When the ball is stuck behind the goal, restart: goalie throw. Unless the ball being stuck was kicked by a player or goalie defending the goal; this results in a corner kick.

Sliding/Slide-tackling

There is absolutely NO sliding in Tulane intramural soccer. Every slide is a foul and will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team. Any slide that involves contact between players will result in an automatic yellow card. Goalies are no exception. Goalkeepers are allowed to dive; however, if a goalkeeper’s feet make contact with the player on offense then the slide will be treated as if the goalie was a field player and will result in an automatic yellow card. Additional cards can be given at the discretion of the referee.

Offside

There is no off-side in indoor soccer.

Kick-in

  1. There are no throw-ins. Kick-ins only.
  2. Any ball that becomes dead will be put into play by a kick-in.
  3. The ball is placed on the touch line before kicking.
  4. The kicker’s non-kicking foot must remain on or outside the touchline. Penalty: Kick-in awarded to opposing team.
  5. The kick-in must not exceed 4 seconds. Penalty: Kick-in awarded to opposing team.
  6. If the ball fails to enter the field of play, it shall be a re-kick. If the kick-in is taken improperly a second time, the kick-in is rewarded to the other team.
  7. On a kick-in, the ball is playable when it has left the foot of the kicker and any part of the ball breaks the plane of the touchline. After the kick-in, the ball may be played by either team. The kicker may not play the ball until it has been touched or played by another player. Penalty: Indirect free kick awarded to the opponents from the spot of the infraction.
  8. The opposing team must be 5 yards away from the point of the kick-in. An opponent shall not interfere nor in any way impede the actions of the kicker while a kick-in is being taken. Penalty:Indirect free kick awarded to the opponents from the spot of the infraction. A free kick taker must ASK for the 5 yards before the referee will count it off. During the count the player may not take the free kick and must wait for the referee’s whistle to restart the game.
  9. Kick-ins shall not be a driven shot toward the goal. Any ball driven toward the goal on a kick-in will be called dead. Penalty: Kick-in awarded to opposing team.

Free Kick

  1. Free kicks are classified as either direct or indirect kicks. All free kicks for Tulane Intramurals will be INDIRECT kicks.
  2. An indirect kick is one in which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball is played by another player other than the kicker before entering the goal. The ball must BE TOUCHED and move at least on full rotation in any direction prior to being kicked by another player. Penalty: Re-kick, second offense kick-in opposing team.
  3. Free Kick Execution:
    1. Players opposing the kicker shall be at least 5 yards from the ball until it is kicked, unless they are standing on their own goal line between the goal post. If the free kick is awarded to the defending team in its penalty area, players opposing the kicker shall be outside the penalty area in addition to being 5 yards from the ball and must remain there until the ball clears the penalty area. Penalty: An official shall caution a player who fails to move the required distance away from the ball. Repeated offenses will result in a yellow card.
    2. The ball shall be kicked while it is stationary on the ground at the spot specified by the official. The ball shall be touched in any direction. If the free kick is awarded to the defending team in its penalty area, the ball is not in play until it is beyond the penalty area and into the field of play. Failure to kick the ball as specified shall result in a re-kick.
    3. After the free kick, the ball may be played by any player except the one who executed the free kick. The kicker may not play the ball until it has been touched or played by another player.
  4. Indirect Free Kicks are awarded:
    1. If a player intentionally attempts to kick, strike, or jump at an opponent.
    2. If a player intentionally trips an opponent.
    3. If a goalkeeper intentionally attempts to strike or push an opponent with the ball.
    4. If a player, other than the goalkeeper in his or her own penalty area, intentionally handles the ball.
    5. If a player intentionally pushes an opponent with the hand(s) or arm(s) extended from the body.
    6. If a player intentionally holds an opponent or places a hand(s) on an opponent in an effort to reach the ball.
    7. If a player intentionally charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
    8. If a player intentionally charges an opponent who has both feet off the ground in order to play the ball.
    9. If a player intentionally charges into the goalkeeper.
    10. If a player slide tackles another. Slide tackling is not allowed in Tulane Intramural Soccer.
  5. Flagrant fouls and the denial of an immediate goal scoring opportunity in the box will result in a penalty kick.
    Outside the penalty area, the goalkeeper has no more privileges than any other player does.
  6. A player shall not charge into an opponent when neither player is within playing distance of the ball. Penalty: Indirect free kick.
  7. Obstruction: Will result in a foul and an indirect kick for the other team.
  8. Dangerous Play: A player shall not participate in dangerous play, which is an act an official considers likely to cause injury to any player. This includes playing in a manner that could cause injury to self or another player (opponent or teammate) such as a high kick, defined as a kick made above your hip level that endangers another player, and playing the ball while on the ground. Penalty: Indirect free kick

Player/Team Conduct

  1. A yellow/red card system will be used to control unsportsmanlike conduct and improper behavior, and persistent infringement of any rules of the game by player, coach and bench personnel.
  2. When cautioning a player, coach, or other bench personnel, the official shall display a yellow card and indicate the person concerned.
  3. The second yellow card displayed on the same person in the same contest for any unsportsmanlike conduct shall be a red card.
  4. When ejecting a player, coach, or other bench personnel, the official shall display a red card and indicate the person concerned. A player, coach, or other bench personnel receiving a red card shall be ejected from the game and will be suspended from the next scheduled game.
  5. A player that is ejected cannot be substituted for; the team must play a player down.
  6. Should the same player receive 2 red cards throughout the soccer intramural season they will be suspended from the soccer league for a year.
  7. Any player ejected from the game must leave the building.
  8. Two red cards on the same team in the same game result in a sportsmanship score of an F and the immediate stoppage of the game.
  9. One yellow card drops the maximum sportsmanship score possible to a B.
  10. One red card drops the maximum sportsmanship score possible to a C.
  11. Team captains are responsible for the conduct of their players, sidelines, and spectators.
  12. If a player is red carded and refuses to tell his/her name, the captain may be red carded if he/she will not reveal the name and the team may be subject to a forfeit.
  13. Team captains who cannot or will not control their sidelines and/or spectators will be issued a caution (yellow card), and ejection (red card) if necessary.
  14. The presentation of a yellow card by an official will result in that player leaving the field for five minutes but they may be substituted for.
  15. Yellow Card
    1. Persistently infringes upon any of the rules of the game.
    2. Shows dissent by word of mouth or action to decisions given by the referee.
    3. Is guilty of any incidental, vulgar, or profane language.
    4. Is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct.
    5. Continued improper substitutions.
    6. Other team members, besides the captain, address the officials and question their calls.
    7. Too many players on the field or incorrect amount of women on the field.
  16. Red Card
    1. Two yellow cards result in a red card.
    2. Is guilty of violent conduct or serious foul play.
    3. Is abusive in language or gesture toward a player or official.
    4. Slide tackling.
    5. Persists in misconduct after receiving a caution.
    6. Destruction or abuse of Reily Center property.
    7. Fighting
    8. Intentional hand ball in the penalty area.
    9. Or any situation the referee deems necessary.

Other

  1. Goal keepers may pick up a pass from their team. The pass can come from any part of the body. They are only allowed 6 seconds with the ball in their hands. Once the ball is dropped by a goalkeeper who has established possession, they may not pick it back up until another player has touched it.
  2. 2-Man rule: in contesting for the ball, there can not be more than one player from each team in the area. If another player becomes involved in the play, then a free kick is rewarded for the team that only had on player. If a player from both team enters into the battle at the same time, then it is a drop ball.
  3. 2-Hand rule: on the wall, a player may NOT place both hands on the wall for more that 1 second. The player may establish balance, but may not use both hands to shield the ball. A free kick is awarded to the opposing team if there is a violation of this rule.
  4. killing the ball: A player may not “kill” the ball by placing it against the wall and having their foot behind it at the same time. This prevents another player from trying to steal the ball away. A free kick is awarded to the opposing team if there is a violation of this rule.
  5. The goalie must throw the ball on all dead balls.  All throws must touch the ground before it reaches the half line.