SC Laws & Rules

League & Tournament
Player Information

3v3 & 4v4 Rules

Soccer Centers Laws & Rules

 

 

Law I

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THE FIELDS OF PLAY

 

Dimensions:	For U-12 and Younger	60 x 165
	For U-13 and Older	80 x 185
	For Adults	155 x 190

 

 

Law II

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THE BALL

1. Size 5 soccer balls will be used for all U-13 and older and Adults teams.
2. Size 4 balls will be used for all youth U-12 and under.

 

 

Law III

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NUMBER OF PLAYERS

1. Seven players, one of whom shall be a goalkeeper.
2. Minimum of FOUR player needed to start and continue a game.
3. Unlimited substitutions allowed as listed under Substitutions below.
4. Any player may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed before the change is made, and provided also that the change is made during a stoppage of the game.
5. Substitute players are to remain in the player bench. Only players and two coaches are permitted on the bench. A team having a nonparticipating person in the box will be awarded a bench yellow card
   • Substitutions During play:
     
     1. Player must be within the touchline at his team bench or off the field before a substitute player can come on.
   • When play has ceased:
     1. After a goal is scored.
     2. After a time penalty is awarded.
     3. On an injury time out.
     4. When the ball leaves the field of play.
   * The following variations are made for:
   Men's and Womens League: 9 players, one of whom shall be a goalkeeper
   

 

 

Law IV

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PLAYER EQUIPMENT

1. All players must have a players valid Sate Pass.
2. Players must dress in matching jerseys with permanent numbers for proper identification.
3. Shin guards are mandatory and must be totally covered by stockings/socks.
4. Regular Cleats are allowed.
5. Goalkeepers must wear colors which distinguish them from all other players and referees.

 

 

Law V

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REFEREES

1. At least one official will be present during play.
2. They shall keep a record of the game.
3. Reports on EJECTION must be filed before leaving the facility.

 

 

Law VI

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OTHER GAME OFFICIALS

1. The second or third official shall be a timekeeper/scoreboard operator.

 

 

Law VII

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DURATION OF GAME

1. Games may be played in 20 min halves for youth or 25 min halves for adult and some premier games may be 15 min halves. Outdoor games may vary.
   
2. At half time teams immediately switch ends.
3. The clock shall be running time.

 

 

Law VIII

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START OF PLAY

1. Kick-off will be given to the home team (Designated prior to Game) Visitors will have kick off at the start of the second half.
2. A kick off will start the game and restart the game after a goal has been scored.
3. Teams will change direction at half time and alternate kick off.
4. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff.

 

 

Law IX

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PLAY OF BALL

1. The ball is out of play when it wholly crosses the perimeter line, makes contact with safety netting or:
2. When the ball makes contact with the building superstructure or lighting. For violation an indirect free "kick-in" will be awarded to the opposing team from the touchline at a point closest to where the ball made contact with the safety netting or the building superstructure or lighting.

 

 

Law X

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METHOD OF SCORING

1. A goal is scored when the whole ball has passed over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided it has not been thrown, carried, or intentionally propelled by hand or arm by a player of the attacking side, except in the case of a goalkeeper who is in his own penalty area.
2. The team scoring the greater number of goals during the game shall be the winner.

 

 

Law XI

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CENTER LINE VIOLATION

1. When the ball crosses center lines in the air towards an opponent's goal, without being touched by another player.
2. Penalized by awarding an indirect free kick to the opponents at the center of the center line.
3. A goalkeeper may never kick the ball over the center line in the air.

 

 

Law XII

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FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

1. Major Offenses (Direct Free Kick Awarded)
   
   • Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
     
   • Tripping or attempting to throw an opponent
     
   • Jumping at an opponent
     
   • Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner
     
   • Charging an opponent from behind
     
   • Striking or attempting to strike or spitting at or on an opponent
     
   • Holding an opponent
     
   • Pushing an opponent
     
   • Intentionally handling the ball (except goalkeeper within their own penalty area)
     
   • Charging an opponent
2. Minor Offenses (Indirect Free Kick Awarded)
   
   • Playing in a dangerous or reckless manner
     
   • Fair charging an opponent when the ball is not in playing distance
     
   • Obstructing an opponent
     
   • Charging the goalkeeper, except when he/she:
     
     • is holding the ball
       
     • is obstructing an opponent
       
     • has passed outside his/her penalty area
       
   • Slide tackling (knee touching the turf) - Note exceptions for goalkeeper.
     
   • Illegal substitution
     
   • Delaying game; When playing as goalkeeper, indulging in tactics such as failing to play ball outside penalty box within five seconds
3. Misconduct (Cautioning)
   
   • A player shall be cautioned if he/she:
     
     • persistently infringes the laws
       
     • shows by word or action dissent at any referee decision is guilty of
       
     • unsporting behavior
       
     • receives a second penalty for a major or minor offense
       
   • A player shall be ejected if he/she:
     
     • is guilty of violent conduct or serious foul play
       
     • uses foul or abusive language
       
     • persists in misconduct after being cautioned
4. Goalkeeper Restrictions
   
   • Once a goalkeeper has gained control of the ball with his hands he/she:
     
     • must release the ball into play within five (6) seconds after releasing, cannot play the ball again with his hands until it has been touched by an opponent
       
     • may not handle the ball after a goal kick has been taken until it has been touched by an opponent
       
     • At no time may a goalkeeper handle a ball that is intentionally played to him by the foot from a teammate
       
   • A goalkeeper is not permitted to slide outside of the penalty area.
     
   • Punishment for any of the above will be the awarding of an Indirect Free Kick from where the infraction occurred.
     
   • A penalty assessed against a goalkeeper may NOT be served by another member of his team (in case of ejection goalkeeper leaves the premises)
5. Delay of Game
   
   • If a player intentionally delays the game, the referee may award a penalty for delay of game.
     
   • If a player, in the opinion of the referee, feigns an injury, the referee may award a penalty for delay of game.
6. Bench Penalty
   
   • Unsportsman behavior from a team box will result in a verbal warning against the team. Should the conduct persist a bench penalty (Yellow) will be issued against the offending team.

If a player receives a yellow card a mandatory full 2 minutes has to be sat out on the sideline, the player who receives a yellow card is not allowed to be replaced and the team has to play a man down.

If a player receives a red card, the player is at least suspended for the rest of the game and depending on the severity of the foul or misconduct further playing privileges or suspended.
Suspension of playing privileges will be assessed by referee and a Soccer Centers official.

 

 

Law XIII

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FREE KICKS

1. The following apply to all restarts:
   
   • Ball is in play when it moves from foot contact from the initial player
     
   • Opposing players shall be nine (9) feet from the ball
     
   • Player taking a kick cannot play it again until someone else touches the ball
     
   • If an opponent refuses to move back nine (9) feet on referee's request, he may be given a Yellow card penalty for unsportsman behavior
2. The following apply to direct and indirect free kicks:
   
   • If a player taking the kick delays the taking for longer than five (5) seconds after having been signaled to do so by the referee, he may be awarded a Yellow card penalty for unsportsman behavior.

 

 

Law XIV

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PENALTY KICKS (Sudden Death Shootout)

1. Time shall only be extended in the FINALS to allow the taking of a penalty kick to determine the winner. (Sudden Death Shoot Out)
2. The ball shall be placed at a spot of the offending team. Players from either team shall not be permitted to be closer than 15 feet with exception of the keeper and shooter. Upon a signal from the referee, the player taking a penalty kick (shoot out) may advance on the offending teams. Once the signal has been given play is now live and other players may advance on the ball.

 

 

Law XV

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KICK INS (vs. Throw Ins)

1. This is an indirect free kick, a goal shall not be scored directly from a kick-in.
2. Kick-ins must be taken from behind or on the perimeter (touchline) line at a point nearest where the ball left the field of play. The ball is considered to be out of play when it makes contact with the protective netting.

 

 

Law XVI

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GOAL KICKS

1. When the whole of the ball passes over the end perimeter wall between the corner red markers, having last been played by one of the attacking team, it shall be kicked into play from within the goal area, by a member of the defending team.
2. A goal shall not be scored direct from such a kick.

 

 

Law XVII

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CORNER KICKS

1. When the whole of the ball passes over the end line between the corner markers, having last been played by one of the defending team, a direct corner kick shall be awarded to the attacking team, the whole ball must be placed on the corner mark, at the nearest corner spot.