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Rules for Intramural Sports

Spring Soccer

  1. Each team must start with 6 players (including a goalie).
    In the case of an injury, a team can finish with less than 6 players.
  2. Fields will be approximately 60 by 35 yards and smaller soccer goals will be used.
  3. There will be no offsides violations.
  4. 4. Games will consist of two 20-minute halves, running time, with a 3-minute half time. THERE ARE NO TIME OUTS. Games will begin once the Intramural Supervisor sounds a horn at the scheduled game time.
  5. Sneakers and soft rubber turf cleats may be worn. Not Allowed: bare feet, metal cleats, plastic molded in or screw-in cleats, and boots of any kind.
  6. Penalty kicks will be awarded as necessary. The official marks off 10 yards from the goal line. It is a dead ball situation. All players must line up behind the mid-field line during penalty kicks.
  7. All throw-ins shall be indirect.
  8. All kick-offs are direct.
  9. No punts or drop kicks allowed. If a goalie catches the ball, they must throw the ball.
  10. The goal post may not be used in any way to assist the goalie or players from making a play on the ball. A goal may be automatically awarded to the offensive team if the official rules the ball was heading into the goal when a defensive player interferes by moving the goal post. If the offensive player moves the goal to gain an advantage, a direct kick will be awarded to the defensive team.
  11. A blatant handball outside the box will result in a yellow card for the offending player and a direct kick for the opposing team.
  12. A blatant handball inside the box will result in a red card for the offending player and a penalty kick.
  13. Absolutely No Slide Tackles! (automatic yellow card for slide tackling)
    It is for your safety as well as others!
  14. Sliding to save the ball is permitted.
  15. SHOOT OUT PROCEDURE (after a tie score in regulation).
    1. Only players who have been in the game during regulation are eligible.
    2. Goalie finishing the game remains in goal (for all kicks).
    3. Each team selects 3 players for alternate kicks.
    4. Coin toss decides which team kicks first.
    5. Once the whistle has been blown by an official for a kick, the kicker must kick within 10 seconds or lose the chance.
    6. In case the game is still tied at the conclusion of penalty kicks, each team selects one player and the two will alternate kicks until one player scores and the other doesn’t (preceded by a coin toss).

Cards

  • Yellow-warning for minor unsportsmanlike conduct, handballs, slide tackling, use of foul language.
  • Red-automatic ejection for extreme unsportsmanlike conduct (i.e. abusive language or gesture, serious foul play). The ejected player must leave the playing site within 5 minutes. Suspensions may follow.
    Please read page 7 of the Intramural Handbook.
  • Two yellow cards given to the same player equals 1 red card (see above).

Goal Kicks

  • Must be taken from the goal line at a distance approximately 10 yards to the right or left of center goal.
    • Anyone can take the kick.
    • Cannot be passed to the goalie inside the box. The ball must leave the goalie’s box and go out into the field before touching another player.
  • Are direct.

Corner Kicks

  • Are direct - team can score directly into goal.
  • A player cannot move a cone before taking a corner kick.

Field Throw-Ins

  • Are indirect.
  • Must be legal. (On an illegal throw, ball is awarded to the other team).
    • Two feet must be on the ground all the way through the follow through.
    • Ball must be released in front of player’s head, not behind.
    • Ball must come directly overhead with no side spin.
    • Throw must be in one motion all the way through.
      • Cannot slow down in order to make a short throw.
      • Cannot drop the ball.
      • Cannot release the ball behind the head.

Penalty Kicks

  • Goalie cannot be changed for penalty kicks.
  • Goalie must keep both feet on the line from goal post to goal post until the ball is kicked.
  • Goalie may move laterally across the line, but not forward until the ball is kicked.
  • Distance -10 yards from the goal line.
  • Kicker must wait for official’s whistle.
  • Other players must line up behind the mid-field line.
  • Ball is dead after the shot has been taken by the kicker.

Kickoffs

  • Are taken from mid-field.
  • Defending team must allow 10 yards.
  • Ball must go forward and be touched before another player can touch it.
  • Player starting the kickoff can only touch the ball once. If they touch it twice, it is an indirect free kick for the defending team.
  • The offensive team has 10 seconds to put the ball in play. Failure to comply will result in an indirect kick from the center by the defensive team.
  • Kickoffs are direct.

Direct Kicks

  • Awarded for: tripping, holding, handball, charging, jumping on, kneeing, punching, kicking, hitting, pushing, fighting, swinging, slide tackling, or others - anything deemed by the official to be extremely dangerous, and/or inappropriate behavior.
  • Ball is placed at the point of infraction. Defender must be 10 yards from the ball.
  • Offensive team can score.
  • Ball can only be touched once by the kicker before it hits another player.

Indirect Kicks

  • Awarded for:
    • Dangerous play
    • Touching the ball twice by the kicker on all indirect kicks, direct kicks or a kickoff.
    • A goalkeeper taking more than 6 seconds to put the ball back into play once the individual takes control of the ball with the hands, regardless of the number of steps that might be taken during this time.
    • Failure to put a kickoff in play within 10 seconds.
    • Passing the ball back to their own goalie intentionally then the goalie plays the ball with their hands.
    • Others - all deemed by the official to be inappropriate behavior.
  • Ball is placed at the point of infraction and the defender must be 10 yards from the ball.
  • Ball must hit someone else before it can go into the goal.
  • Ball can only be touched once by the kicker before it hits another player.

Additional Information

  • GOALS - Awarded for a ball completely over the goal line.
  • OUT OF BOUNDS - Ball is only out if it is completely over the line, on the ground or in the air.
  • SUBSTITUTIONS - must be authorized by an official.
    • Only on goal kicks, after goals, half time and for injuries.
    • NO OTHER SUBSTITUTIONS WILL BE ALLOWED AT ANY TIME.