RULE #1 – Christian Emphasis

It is a YMCA Sports policy that all sports have a prayer before game. Home team is responsible for prayer. Home team is determined by who is listed first on the most

current schedule. The YMCA Indoor Soccer League is to be played with emphasis on fun,

fitness and fellowship. Players not able to participate within the YMCA philosophy do not have to participate and can be asked to leave under the discretion of the referee and or the YMCA site director.

RULE #2 – The field of play

YMCA Gymnasium or KWC Gymnasium (dependent upon league size)

RULE #3 – The Ball

Futsal approved ball.

RULE #4 – Players & Equipment

Two teams play YMCA Indoor Soccer, each consisting of seven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. All players must wear shirts and appropriate shoes.

A player can only participate for one team per each age group he/she qualifies.

A player must be on the pre-season roster to participate. No recruiting mid season

Shin-guards are preferred but not mandatory

Shoes will consist of tennis shoes or indoor soccer shoes.

No equipment considered dangerous will be allowed. This includes plaster casts,

jewelry, metal knee braces, etc… to be determined by the referee and or YMCA

site supervisor.

RULE #5 – Substitutions

Every player MUST play, unless otherwise informed. An unlimited number of substitutions will be allowed. Substitutions can be made anytime during play. The

coach or player in question must notify the official before substituting. Players entering

the game must wait to enter until their teammate is entirely off the field of play. The ball must NOT be in play and the substituting team must have possession of the ball.

RULE # 6 – Referees

Referees shall be under the jurisdiction of the YMCA of Daviess County. The referee(s) shall have jurisdiction over the field of play; from the time he/she enters the gym, until the time he/she leaves. The referee’s decisions shall be final and not subject to protest. The referee may change a decision (regardless if play has started back) on realizing an incorrect call was made.

RULE #7 – Duration of the Game

A game will consist of two 24-minute periods.

The clock will run continuously; time will stop only when the gym supervisor/referee deems it necessary.

Each Team is entitled to one time-out per half and overtime period (the team

calling the time-out must be in possession of the ball to be granted the time-out).

Five minutes will be placed on the clock if an overtime period is needed. The first team to score will be deemed the winner. If a winner has yet to be determined after the five minute overtime, a tie will be given to both teams. (In the case of a “tournament game,” If a winner has yet to be determined after the five minute overtime, the two teams will continue to play 5 minute overtimes until a team scores, and is deemed the winner).

RULE #8 – Start of Play

Before the game starts players will check in at the scores table to ensure that they are on the official roster.

Choice of side or kick-off shall be determined by a coin toss. Each team member will

start in his/her own half of the field. The referee will blow the whistle to start play. The ball can roll forward or backward. The kicker may not touch the ball a second time until

a second player has played it. The opposing team needs to be behind the red line until it

is put in play. Play is started in this manner at the beginning of each half and after each goal.

RULE #9 – Kick In and Out of Play

The ball is out of play and will be restarted with an indirect free kick when: Crosses the touchline.

The ball comes in contact with the ceiling, or

The ball directly touches ANY part of the track or under railing of the track and not a cause of a deflection off the wall or any other player.

If the ball hits the track or ANYTHING above the track, the player that kicked the

ball will sit out 2 minutes (it is up to the referee’s discretion to use the penalty as in some instances the ball is deflected and not directly kicked), and their team will

play a man down for the those 2 minutes. The 2 minute penalty will carry over if the infraction occurs with 2 minutes or less to play in the half or overtime period. (If the goalie is the player in question, ONLY a player that is currently in the

game may replace the goalie).

*** A kick-in is an indirect kick. A kick-in is awarded when the whole ball passes over

the touch line, either on the ground or in the air. A kick-in must be taken from the place where it crossed the touchline and the players on the defending team must be at least 3 meters (referees discretion as to what is considered 3 meters) from the place where the kick-in is taken.

RULE #10 – Scoring

A goal is scored when the entire ball has crossed the goal line. Judgment of goals scored is at the referee’s discretion. There is NO mercy rule. Scores not consistent with that of

the YMCA mission and philosophy will NOT be tolerated. This will be determined by the referee and or YMCA site supervisor.

RULE #11 – Fouls & Misconduct

A player, who intentionally commits one of the following offenses, commits a foul:

1.  Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.

2.  Cursing

3. Trips an opponent (i.e., throwing or attempting to throw an opponent by the use of legs or by stooping front of or behind him or her).

4. Jumps at an opponent.

5. Charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.

6. Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.

7. Holds an opponent.

8. Pushes an opponent.

9. Handles the ball (i.e., carries, strikes and propels the ball with the arm – this does not apply to the goalkeeper within the penalty area).

10. Charges from behind (THERE WILL BE NO SLIDE TACKLING!)

11.A player may not push off from the wall in order to shield the ball or opponent except for self-protective reasons.

12.(See Rule #17 on Cautions & Ejections).

Fouls and misconduct are penalized by awarding free kicks to the opposing team.

*All fouls will result in an indirect free kick. There will be no direct free kicks in YMCA Indoor Soccer (See Rule #12 for Indirect Free Kicks).

RULE #12 – Indirect Free Kicks

An indirect free kick is awarded when the opponent has committed any of the fouls listed above. A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick. When a player is taking an indirect kick, all opposing players must be at least 4 yards from the ball until it is in play. The ball shall be in play when it has traveled a distance of one half of its circumference. The ball must be stationary when it is kicked. All kicks are indirect, including kick-offs, kick-ins, corner kicks, etc.

RULE #13 – Goal Kicks

A goal kick is taken when the ball lands behind the goal or goes out of the gymnasium off of the attacking team. A goal kick is considered an indirect kick. The ball may be

placed anywhere within the goal area. (The striking of the backboard/rim/net will result

in a goal kick when the attacking team last touches the ball). No 2 minute penalty is inquired when striking the backboard/rim/net.

RULE #14 – Corner Kicks

The corner kick is a method of restarting play. A corner kick is considered an indirect kick. A goal may not be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing

team. A corner kick shall be awarded when:

The ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, crosses the goal line either along the ground or air, or strikes the backboard/rim/net.

RULE #15 – Goalkeeping Restrictions & Specifications

The goalkeeper can use his/her hands anywhere within the designated goal area. He/she may also reach outside of the box to pick up a ball. The ball must be within the designated goal area to be handled.

A goalkeeper’s throw must hit the floor on either side of the court

Goalkeepers have six seconds to distribute the ball after recovering from a save.

If the goalkeeper maintains possession of the ball longer than six seconds, an indirect free kick shall be awarded at the top of the goalie box.

Goalkeepers are not allowed to punt the ball at any time!

RULE #16 – Rules Not Applicable to YMCA Indoor Soccer

The following rules will not be enforced.

Off-sides

Direct kicks

Penalty kicks

Throw-ins

RULE #17 – Cautions and Ejections

Cautions and ejections shall be at the discretion of the referee and the YMCA site director, depending on circumstances. If a player is ejected, the team in question may

replace him or her.

Any player receiving a yellow card must be substituted off.

Any player receiving a red card or 2 yellow cards will be ejected from the game. Any player receiving 2 red cards throughout the duration of the season is subject

to a meeting with the YMCA Sports Director to determine any further suspensions

or expulsion from the league.

Some behavior may not warrant a card but may be subject to immediate expulsion from the game. It is up to the YMCA’s Sports Director as to how long the suspension will last. (i.e. 1 game, 2 games, season, etc.)

Profanity and fighting will both result in cards and will NOT be tolerated.

Refer to USSF “laws of the game,” as to cautionable and sending off offenses.

Note: Coaches play an important role with this rule. Please encourage fair play, sportsmanship, controlled play, and having fun! Any issue or conflict arising from a game (that is not addressed in these rules) will be handled at the referee and YMCA site director’s discretion. Team captains have a responsibility to control their team members

*NO FOOD or DRINK allowed in the gym or on the track (except water). Spectators shall remain in the designated spectator areas. Everyone is asked to STAY OFF YMCA equipment and NO RUNNING or HORSEPLAY is allowed throughout the building. No one is allowed to be on any YMCA property other than the YMCA gymnasium. Any and all YMCA employees have the authority to ask anyone to leave YMCA property if they do not follow these rules. Players, coaches, and persons with such a disability that limits them climbing stairs, will be the ONLY people allowed on the playing floor.

*Coaches are responsible to inform their team, and fans of these rules. If these rules are broken on a continuous basis teams may be asked to forfeit games, vacate wins, or even be removed from the league with NO REFUND.

YMCA of Owensboro and Daviess County Official Indoor Soccer Rules & Regulations Revised

01/8/2016

Chad Hart, Senior Program Director