Rules & Information

Object of the Game 

The object of the game is for players for each team to score goals by putting the game ball in the other team’s net without using their hands or arms. The winning team will be whichever team scores more goals. I

Teams and Players –

Participant Eligibility

·       Registration is open to individuals from UNMC/Nebraska Medicine which includes faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and retirees.

·       The spouse/parents/children (aged 16 or older) of UNMC/Nebraska Medicine individuals may also participate.

·       Part-time and full-time students of Clarkson College and other campuses of the University of Nebraska system may also register for intramural leagues at UNMC.

·       A limited number of outside individuals, including anyone who don’t belong to at least one of the previously mentioned groups, may participate. The number of non-UNMC/Nebraska Medicine individuals allowed on a team is subject to sport-specific limitations.

·       In this case, soccer teams must be composed of fewer than 50% of outside individuals. This often includes friends, roommates, neighbors, etc.

·       Current intercollegiate athletic team members are ineligible to compete in the same or related sport.

·       Members of sport clubs are allowed to participate in the respective intramural sport, however, a maximum of two sport club members is allowed on any one intramural team. You are considered a sport club member for 1-year after your sport club membership ends.

Teams

·       Each game shall be contested by two teams of seven (7) players. All teams must start and finish the match with a minimum of five (5) players. If at any time a team is reduced to playing with fewer than five players, that team will be forced to forfeit.

·       This league is an open Co-Rec league. There are no gender-specific rules or restrictions.

Substitutes

·       Substitutions may be made on-the-fly during play unless the referee informs the captains otherwise.

·       Subbing on-the-fly: The substitute must enter the field of play at the touchline, near the center flag, and may only enter the field of play once the player who is exiting the field has crossed out of bounds. Once a player begins to exit the field of play, he/she must not interfere with play.

·       Unlimited substitutions may be made during a game.

·       Any player may change places with goalkeeper as long as the referee is informed before the change is made.

Goalkeeper

·       The goalkeeper may not hold onto the ball longer than 6 seconds.

·       The goalkeeper may bounce the ball; as long as he/she maintains control of the ball during the bounce, the ball is considered to be in his/her possession.

·       Once he/she has placed the ball on the ground (except for bouncing) it is considered live and may be played by an opposing player.

·       An opposing player may not interfere or distract the goalkeeper while the goalkeeper is throwing or kicking the ball.

·       If a player plays the ball back to his keeper intentionally with his/her foot, then the keeper may not use his/her hands to play the ball. The same is true if the ball is thrown-in to the keeper.

·       However, the goalkeeper may handle the ball with his/her hands if it has been redirected by a player on the same team (played back with head/chest/etc.).

Equipment and Playing Surface –

Field of Play

·       The field of play will be a rectangle approximately 30 yards by 54 yards.

·       The penalty area will be a rectangle approximately 12 yards by 24 yards and will be marked with low profile cones.

·       There will not be a “goal area”. Instead, goal kicks may be taken from anywhere near the goal inside of the penalty area.

·       Equipment

·       All players must wear soft-bottomed (or molded) athletic shoes or cleats. Shoes with metal spikes or toe spikes are strictly prohibited.

·       Shin guards are not mandatory, but are STRONGLY recommended.

·       No jewelry is allowed (watches, earrings, necklaces, etc.)

·       No hats, bandannas, or other similar headgear is allowed.

·       The referee shall not allow a player to wear anything which he/she deems dangerous.

·       Regulation soccer balls will be provided by the office of Intramural Sports, however each team may submit their own ball to the referee for consideration for use during their game.

·       All games will be played with a standard size five (5) soccer ball.

Timing and Scoring –

Time

·       Games consist of two 15-minute halves and a 5-minute halftime break.

·       Time will be kept on a running clock (i.e., a clock that counts up, like a stopwatch) and will not be stopped.

·       Additional time (stoppage time) will not be added at the end of regulation time except in special circumstances (e.g. the taking of a penalty kick awarded during regular time) where it may be added at the discretion of the referee.

·       GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME. Teams should report to the referee at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time to check in.

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.

·       A goal will not be awarded if the ball has been thrown, carried, or intentionally propelled by hand or arm by a player or the attacking team.

·       A goal may be scored during a play directly from

o   Direct free kick

o   Penalty kick

o   Corner kick

o   Drop ball

·       A goal may not be scored directly from a:

o   Kickoff

o   Indirect free kick

o   Goal kick

o   Throw-in

o   Free kick into a team's own goal

Starts and Restarts of Play

·       The referee shall determine kickoff with a coin toss before the start of the game. The team that wins the toss may choose to take or defer kickoff. The team that loses the coin toss may choose which goal to defend the first half.

·       The game shall begin with a kickoff. Kickoff is a place-kick (i.e., a kick at the ball while it is stationary on the ground in the center of the field of play). The ball must travel one full revolution before it will be considered “in-play”. The ball does NOT have to travel forward, and may be played backward at kickoff.

·       Every player shall be on their own half of the field.

·       The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player.

·       After a goal is scored, the team that conceded the goal will restart play with a kickoff.

·       After halftime, ends shall be changed and the kickoff shall be taken by the team that did not kickoff at the start of the game.

·       If play is stopped or suspended due to injury, it will be restarted with a drop ball

·       When any place-kick is used to restart play, players on the opposing team must stand at least 8 yards from the spot where the ball will be kicked.

·       A goal kick will be awarded if the ball passes out of bounds over the goal line after being touched last by an offensive player.

·       A corner kick will be awarded if the ball passes out of bounds over the goal line after being touched last by a defensive player

·       During a goal kick the ball is not considered to be “in-play” until it leaves the penalty area.

·       A throw-in will be awarded if the ball passes out of bounds over the touchline.

Infractions

Offsides – There will be no “offsides”.

Direct free kick – A direct free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from the spot closest to the infraction for the following offenses:

·       Slide tackling.

·       Bicycle or overhead kicks.

·       Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.

·       Striking or attempting to strike an opponent.

·       Tripping an opponent.

·       Jumping at an opponent.

·       Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.

·       Spitting at an opponent.

·       Holding an opponent.

·       Pushing an opponent.

·       Handling the ball.

Penalty Kick – Any offense deserving of a direct free kick that is committed by a player in his/her own penalty area shall result in a penalty kick being awarded to the opposing team.

Indirect Free Kick – An indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from the spot nearest the infraction for the following offenses:

·       Playing in manner considered dangerous by the referee (e.g. high kicks or playing the ball while prone on the ground).

·       When not playing the ball, intentionally obstructing an opponent, i.e. "obstruction."

·       Indulging in tactics, which, in the opinion of the referee, are designed merely to hold up the game and thus waste time and so give an unfair advantage to a player's own team.

·       As the kicker in a kickoff, free kick, corner kick, or goal kick, playing the ball again before it has been touched or played by another player.

·       Intentionally obstructing the opposing goalkeeper in an attempt to prevent him/her from putting the ball into play.

·       Any infringement by the attacking team during a penalty kick.

·       If during a throw-in, the thrower plays the ball a second time before it has been touched or played by another player.

Yellow Card (Caution) Infractions – The following infractions will incur a “caution” which is indicated by the referee displaying a yellow card to the player that committed the infraction:

·       Leaving or entering the field of play in a manner inconsistent with the procedure outlined previously (see subbing on-the-fly).

·       Persistently infringing the rules of the game.

·       Showing by word or action dissent from any decision given by the referee.

·       Being guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct.

·       During a free kick, dancing/making gestures in a way to distract an opponent or failure to retreat 8 yards.

·       Conduct deemed by the referee as being unsportsmanlike.

·       Not properly checking in before beginning to participate.

Red Card (Ejection) Infractions – The following infractions will incur an “ejection” which is indicated by the referee displaying a red card to the player that committed the infraction:

·       Being guilty of violent conduct or serious foul play.

·       Using foul or abusive language.

·       Receiving a second yellow card (caution).

·       Conduct which warrants ejection in the judgment of the referee.

·       Any of the direct free kick offenses that results in the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

·       *Any foul or abusive language directed toward the referee or any of the UNMC/UNO staff is grounds for an automatic ejection.

Advantage – At their discretion, the referee shall refrain from whistling play dead when it would be an advantage to the offending team. When this occurs, the referee will signal that advantage by raising one or both arms in the direction of play, and/or giving the verbal indication "play on” in order to signal for play to continue.

Weather –

·       Play will be suspended in the event of severe or dangerous inclement weather. The referee will make all efforts to keep team captains informed regarding changes to scheduled game times.

·       The decision to postpone games will be made by 4:00 pm on the day of the game.

·       If severe weather develops after 4:00 pm, the Recreation Program Coordinator will inform captains of the change with a text message sent to the cell phone number given during registration.

·       If lightning is spotted or thunder is heard nearby during the course of a game or before a game begins, that game will be suspended for a minimum period of 15 minutes or until the referee deems it safe to resume play.

·       If necessary, the game will be abandoned for the night and resumed at a later date.

Disclaimer

Rules may be altered at the discretion of the Campus Recreation Coordinator. Unless otherwise stated, this league conforms to the rules set forth by FIFA except for where specified.

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