SOCCER RULES

CIF rules will apply, except as specified below

Playing Procedures

Sec 1      Team Size

Teams shall consist of 11 players. At no time will a team be allowed to play with less than seven players. If a team has less than 11 players the opposing team will play down to equal the other team. This includes the start of the game and during the game in the event a player becomes injured. If a player receives two yellow cards or one red card his or her team must play with one less player. 

Sec 2      Equipment

No metal spikes of any type will be allowed. Rubber cleated shoes and plastic crew‑in cleats (not showing metal) are legal. Varsity teams will play with a size 5 ball. JV teams will play with a size 4 ball. The goalie must wear a different color jersey. All players must wear shin guards.

Sec 3      Game Time

The game shall consist of two twenty‑five (25) minute halves, running time. The clock will only be stopped for serious injuries and official time outs.

Sec 4      Scoring

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the cross bar, provided it has not been thrown, carried, or propelled by hand or arm of a member of the attacking team.

Sec 5      Substitution

Both teams may substitute on goal kicks and kickoffs. The team in possession of the ball may only substitute on their throw-ins. Goalies may be substituted at any time according to the above restrictions. Any goalie change must be brought to the attention of the official.  Injured players may be substituted from the field but only that player.

Sec 6      Coin Toss

The winner of the coin toss at the beginning of the game shall choose which goal to defend. The other team takes the kick-off to start the match.

Sec 7      Kickoff

The ball may be kicked forwards or backwards for the ball to be in play. Initial kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has done so. Defending players must line up at least ten yards away from the kickoff point. 

Sec 8      Drop Ball

If the game is temporarily suspended for any reason, the game will be restarted by the referee dropping the ball where it was when play was suspended. No player may touch the ball until it hits the ground. 

Sec 9      Indirect Kick

A goal can not be scored directly from an indirect free kick. Defenders must line up ten (10) yards for more from the ball.

Sec 10    Direct Kick

Free kick which can lead directly to a goal. Defenders must line up ten yards or more from the ball.

Sec 11    Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark (12 yards from the goal line). All players except the kicker and goalkeeper must be outside the penalty area and at least ten yards from the ball. On a signal from the referee, the kicker must kick the ball.  The goalkeeper can move side to side along  the goal line until the ball is kicked. The kicker may not retouch the ball until another player has touched it.

Sec 12    Overtime

Overtime will only be used in the playoffs. Regular season games ending in a tie will be so recorded. Overtime will consist of two ten-minute periods. If the score is still tied, then a series of five penalty kicks will decide the outcome. Each team will select five separate players to take the kicks. These players must have been on the field when the game ended. If still tied after five kicks, teams will alternate shooters until there is a winner. No player will be allowed to shoot a second time until all players on his/her team have shot once.

Sec 13    Head Injuries

An athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time for the remainder of the day.  An athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.

VIOLATIONS

Sec 1 Offside

VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT ‑ INDIRECT FREE KICK

It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position.

A player is in an offside position if he is nearer his opponent's goal line than both the ball and the last defender other than the goalie the moment it is played, unless:

1. he is in his own half of the field of play.

2. he is level with the second last opponent

Offense: A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play:

1. interfering with play

2. interfering with the opponent

3. gaining an advantage by being in that position

No Offense: There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from:

1. a goal kick

2. a throw-in

3. a corner kick 

Sec 2 Ball Over Touchline

VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT ‑ THROW‑IN

The thrower must face the field of play with both feet on or behind the sideline on the ground. He shall use both hands equally and throw the ball from behind and over his head. No goal can be scored on the throw‑in. An illegal throw‑in results in a throw‑in being awarded to the other team.

Sec 3 Ball Over Goal Line (Last touched by a Attacker)

VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT ‑ GOAL KICK

The ball must be stationary and is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team. The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. All players on opposing team must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.

Sec 4 Ball Over Goal Line (Last touched by a Defender)

VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT ‑ CORNER KICK

Players of defending must be at least ten yards from the kicker. The kicker cannot touch the ball twice in succession.

Sec 5 Heading

VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT ‑ INDIRECT FREE KICK

Junior Varsity players are NOT allowed to head the ball in games. When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PENALTIES

Sec 1 Direct free Kick Fouls

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

1)   kicks or attempts to kick an opponent

2)   trips or attempts to trip an opponent

3)   jumps at an opponent

4)   strikes or attempts to strike an opponent

5)   charges an opponent

6)   pushes an opponent

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offenses:

1)   tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball

2)   holds an opponent

3)   spits at an opponent

4)   handles the ball deliberately ( except for the goal keeper within his own penalty area)

A direct free kick is taken from where the offense occurred. 

Sec 2 Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offenses is committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play. 

Sec 3 Indirect Free Kick Offenses

Any of the following violations will result in an indirect kick being awarded to the opposition.

1)   A player playing the ball a second time before it has been played by another player at the kickoff, on a throw‑in, on a free kick, on a corner kick, or a goal kick (if the ball has passed outside the penalty area).

2)   A goalkeeper carrying the ball more than 6 seconds.

3)   Dangerous play.

4)   Offside.

5)   Interfering with the goalkeeper or impending him in any manner until he releases the ball.

6)   Obstruction. 

7)   Intentionally heading the ball. 

Sec 4 Warnings and Ejections

Committing any of the following offenses may result in a caution or ejection:

1)   Any flagrant foul.

2)   Repeated breaking of the rules of the game.

3)   Excessive disagreeing with the referee (i.e., abusive language).

Any action to be taken is totally at the discretion of the referee. When cautioning a player, the referee shall note his name and hold up a yellow card. When ejecting a player the referee shall note his name and hold up a red card. Receiving two yellow cards in the same game results in that player's ejection. The player receiving either two yellow or one red card is ejected from the game, and is not allowed to play in the next scheduled game. An ejected player may not be substituted. His or her team must play down a player.