The following rules have been established to ensure fair and safe play for all participants. Each player and coach are expected to understand and adhere to these rules.
- Number of Players: 7 players on the field (6 plus GK). A team must have a minimum of 4 players to start a game. Players may play on other teams within their own Club, so long as they are carded and age/gender appropriate.
- Uniforms: All players must wear jerseys, shorts, and soccer socks. All players on the same team must wear jerseys of the same color. The home team (listed first on the schedule) should wear their dark jersey and the away team (listed second on the schedule) should wear their light jersey. In the event both teams have conflicting jersey colors, the team listed first on the schedule must change.
- Player Equipment: All players must wear shin guards under their soccer socks, no exceptions. No jewelry, other than medical alerts or mandatory religious items that are taped down/wrapped, may be worn. No exceptions. Earrings may not be taped over – they must be removed.
- Protective Casts: Hard casts will not be allowed, no exceptions. Covering them, wrapping them in bubble wrap, etc. is not permitted. Only soft casts/braces may be worn, and only if approved by the referee before the start of the game. A referee’s approval in one game is not binding on a referee in any other game. Each referee is entitled to make their own determination.
- Sportsmanship: Good sportsmanship shall always prevail. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of themselves, their players, staff, parents, and supporters.
- Goal Scoring: A goal can be scored from anywhere on the field except from a kick-in from the sideline, which is treated like an indirect free kick, or from a headball.
- Game Start & Duration: Each game shall consist of 2–20-minute halves and a 2-minute halftime. It is a running clock, and the second half will start immediately upon the end of the 2-minute halftime, even if the teams are not on the field or ready for play. The referee will determine which team starts with the kick-off. The teams will start the game on the side of the field where their bench is located. There are no overtimes and games tied at the end of regulation will be recorded as a tie.
- Forfeits: Teams will be given a 5-minute grace period from the scheduled start time before a forfeit is declared by the referee. The first half will be shortened by the duration of any grace period.
- Substitutions: Substitutions may be made “on the fly” at any point in the game. Players should not enter the field of play until the player they are replacing has left the field. All substitutions should take place on the team’s side of the field.
- There are no offside infractions.
- No Punting or drop-kicks. Goalkeepers must release the ball by throwing or rolling the ball to a teammate, or by dropping it to their feet and playing.
- No Slide Tacking Allowed. First infraction will be a yellow card to the offending player and a direct free kick to opponent. Second infraction will be a red card to the offending player and a direct free kick to opponent.
- Deliberate heading is NOT permitted. The restart for a deliberate headball that remains in play, or any headball that results in a goal, will be an indirect free kick to the opposing team, unless the ball went directly out of bounds for a goal kick, corner kick, or kick-in, in which case the restart will be what it otherwise would have been. For non-deliberate headballs, play will continue.
- Ejections: The referee has the right to eject a parent/coach/player/spectator for any reason that warrants ejection. If the individual does not leave the immediate area, the game will be terminated, and a forfeit awarded to the opposing team.
- Kick-Off: May be taken in any direction. A goal can be scored from the kick-off.
- Kick-In: Kick-ins will replace throw-ins and are treated as indirect kicks. The ball must be on or behind the touchline, and the ball must be stationary when kicked.
- 5-Yard Rule: In all dead ball situations, the defending players must be at least 5 yards away from the ball.
- Direct/Indirect Kicks: All dead ball restarts (fouls, kick-offs, corner kicks, goal kicks) are direct kicks, except for kick-ins, headball violations, or anything that would be an indirect kick outdoors.
- Penalty Kicks: A penalty kick will be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a clear scoring opportunity was nullified by a direct free kick infraction. Penalty kicks are taken from the penalty spot (or 10 yards from goal if no spot is marked) and the ball is live when it is touched and moved. Any player on the field at the time of the infraction may take the penalty kick. All players except the kicker and the goalkeeper must be at least 5 yards away from, and behind, the ball. The goalkeeper’s positioning is the same as for outdoors.
- The ball must be stationary for all free kicks, kick-ins, etc. and the ball can be kicked at any height.
- Posted scores for the league will be a max 5 goal victory, regardless of the actual score. Teams should endeavor to keep the score differential reasonable, being mindful of fair play and good sportsmanship. Neither team benefits from a lopsided victory.
- All discipline decisions by the league are final and cannot be appealed or disputed.