West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission Bubble Soccer Rules

The main aim of Bubble Soccer is to have a great time, and maybe bash into a few bubbles along the way. Oh, and to score a goal! However, there is a serious side to the sport to ensure that everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience.

1.  The Ball

·  The referee shall provide the ball used in the game. A regulation size 5 ball.

2.  Teams

·  Teams are made up of 5 a side (co-ed must have 2 women on the field at all times).

·  A maximum of 12 players on the roster. Maximum of 8 players on the sideline.

·  Teams must have a minimum of 4 players (co-ed must have 2 women) to begin the game.

·  Substitutions can be made on any dead ball with the referee’s permission.

·  No studs – no studded footwear is permitted. (Tennis shoes only)

·  Participants must be at least 21 years of age.

3.  Uniforms

·  Players must wear appropriate closed in footwear.

·  Players must wear appropriate sports clothing.

·  Players may not wear jewelry or glasses onto the field. Irremovable jewelry must be covered.

·  Players who require glasses on the field must take full responsibility for any injury suffered due to the wearing of glasses.

·  Team uniforms must consist of matching shirts and socks.

·  During registration your team may request a color; teams will be assigned a color based upon availability.

·  In the case of a uniform conflict, the Home team will be required to change shirts.

4.  The Field

·  60 X 40 yard field

·  Goal Area is 36’ X 12’

·  Penalty spot is 24’ from mid goal.

5.  The Game

All matches must be played according to the referee’s interpretation of the rules. It is the team captain’s responsibility to make sure that their players know the rules. Rules not specifically mentioned will be governed by F.I.F.A. rules.

·  Kick-Off – the ball will be placed in the center of the field, teams line up on their side of the field near the mid line. When the whistle blows teams may battle for ball possession (similar to a face off in hockey). This will occur at the start of the each half. Possessions after a goal will begin at mid field with the team scored upon gaining initial possession (This is considered a Free Kick and indirect).

·  Kick-Ins – all kick-ins from the side line must be kicked in by the opposite team that kicked it out. There must be a 5 yard gap from where the ball is kicked in.

·  Free kick – awarded at the discretion of the referee. The opposition must be 5 yards away from where the kick is being taken. All Free Kicks including Kick-Ins are indirect – must touch another player on the kicking team before scoring.

·  There is no Goal Keeper. Goal Area is where no player can play the ball. No scoring in goal area, no dribbling in goal area, no defense standing in goal area.

·  No Offside.

·  Balls in Bubbles – if the ball lands in a bubble, play will stop and the ball dropped with one member from each team.

·  Corner kicks will be played as per normal.

·  A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line.

6.  Fouls, Misconduct, Time Penalties, and Ejections

A minimum of a free kick and the maximum of expulsion from the game will be issued to players at the discretion of the referee.

·  No kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.

·  No tripping or attempting to trip an opponent

·  Players on the ground are considered “radioactive” – they are not to be touched and should not be active in the play until they are on their feet.

·  Players cannot maintain control of the ball by falling on it.

·  Verbal, physical abuse to another player or the referee will not be tolerated.

·  West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation reserves the right to remove players from the league for repeated offenses or if they believe it is in the best interest of the league.

7.  Timing and Winning a Game

·  Two 12 min halfs with running time.

·  5 min half time

·  Each team will have one: 30 timeout to use each half. Unused timeouts will not carry over.

·  In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, teams must select one player from their team to battle in a one on one sudden death playoff.

8.  Enforcement

·  The Referee’s decision is final.

9.  The League

In the event of ties in the final standings the following criteria will be used to determine playoff seeding:

·  Head to Head

·  Goal differential (For this purpose forfeits will count as 10-0)

·  Coin toss

To determine Regular Season Championship in the event of ties:

·  Head to Head

·  Remaining teams will battle in a 5 minute 5 v 5 Sudden Death match

Teams that forfeit more than 1 game will be removed from the league and no refund will be given.