We have adopted these rules to help the flow of the game and to create an atmosphere where the game of indoor soccer in South Baltimore can be enjoyed by Players and Fans alike. These rules are set forth by the Board of Directors of the SBYSL and are enforced by the referees appointed by the board for each game.
Referees and coaches are, indeed, strongly urged to attend all league meetings about the rules.
Among other things, the Rules' intent is to promote the adoption of standards for indoor soccer, which will further promote its identity, growth and, above all, fun for those of all skill levels and ages.
We ask all players, coaches, spectators, referees, and Board Members to keep in mind that this league is a volunteer run league and everyone is here for the kids and the promotion of the League as a whole. This being said, we would like everyone to play hard, play fair and above all, HAVE FUN
League Point System: Each team win will earn 3 points for a win and 1 point for a Tie. There are no points awarded for a loss. The team which accumulates the most points will be the SBYSL regular season champion. In the event that teams finish the regular season tied, cumulative goal differential will be used to determine the standings. (A coin flip will be used if a third tie break is required.) At the end of the season we will have a playoff to determine the overall champion.
See Official Field Diagram for standard dimensions for the field, goals and markings.
The ball is Size 4 (6/7,8/9) or Size 5 (10/13, 14/17).
Ball Change: The ball may not be changed except by the Referee.
The game ball is delivered to the Referee prior to each game. At the end of each Half, the ball is maintained by the Referee. Upon the game's conclusion, the Referee returns the game ball to the person or team which supplied them.
Teams
6/7 Yr Olds - 8 Total Players (7 with 1 keeper) Minimum 6 TOTAL PLAYERS
8/9 Yr Olds - 8 Total Players (7 with 1 keeper) Minimum 6 TOTAL PLAYERS
10/13 Yr Olds - 7 Total Players (6 with 1 keeper) Minimum 5 TOTAL PLAYERS
14/17 Yr Olds - 6 Total Players (5 with 1 keeper) Minimum 5 TOTAL PLAYERS
NO COACHES ALLOWED ON THE FIELD WITHOUT REFEREE PERMISSION IN ANY AGE GROUP
No players or spectators on field during halftime. Post-game: Players and spectators must yield to the oncoming teams. If time allows, oncoming teams can use the field for a few minutes prior to kick off for warm-ups.
Two coaches are allowed inside the Players Box. No coaches are allowed behind the goal or along the floor area.
Each team may substitute players freely; provided that, during play, players must substitute off the field of play or within the Touch Line in the area of their Team Bench. ALL COACHES MUST TRY TO GIVE "ALL" PLAYERS EQUAL PLAYING TIME
Any team in violation will receive a loss for the game in question and also have 3 points removed from their team in the standings and a possible coach suspension.
There will be a 20 second Guaranteed Substitution at the following stoppages.
The referee in the box will raise his hand over his head during guaranteed substitutions, and will look to the coaches. Coaches should yell "SUB" and the referee in the box will hold play for up to 20 seconds to complete the substitution. If the coach does not yell within a few seconds, the referee in the box will signal for play to resume, and normal substitutions must be made.
There will be no substitutions allowed at the following stoppages:
The Referee sends any player to his Team Bench who requires treatment for injury or blood (regardless whether the blood is his own or another's, or is on his body or uniform). This occurs at the first opportunity recognized by the Referee, whether at the game's next stoppage or his order when (i) the injury is deemed critical, (ii) by the location of the injured player, he is likely to interfere with play, or (iii) the injured player's team has control of the ball. Any player sent off for treatment may not reenter until fit to return and until, if applicable, the expiration of the player's Time Penalty. The Referee shall approve any blood treatment prior to allowing the player to reenter the field. If allowed by the Referee and permitted by administrative policy, a player whose uniform is stained with blood and untreated may wear alternative clothing.
Players wear their team's uniform, consisting of the same colors, shin guards UNDER socks, and indoor footwear (flat bottom shoes are required).
The Goalkeeper wears jersey colors distinguished from all other field players and from the referees
Jewelry and other accessories are prohibited.
(Note: the league highly recommends that players with braces use a mouth guard. Players who require glasses should try to use sport googles, contacts, or a restraint. Both of these items are recommendations and will not prevent a player from participating.)
One Referee or Two Referees officiates each game and a Timekeeper. So long as a Referee is on the facility compound of an assigned game, he shall execute, or delegate to other Game Officials the execution of, these Rules.
Decisions of Fact and Rule:
The decisions of the Referee regarding facts connected with play and interpretation of Rules are final. The Referee may change any decision prior to a Restart upon his own reconsideration.
The Referee's power to assess penalties, and otherwise assure fair play and maintain control of a game, extends to violations of these Rules committed during play, during stoppages, and as players and other team personnel proceed to and from the field of play. This includes the power to:
Award or Disallow a Goal: The Referee determines whether or not a goal is scored.
Suspend or Terminate the Game: The Referee stops, suspends, or terminates the game at his discretion by reason of the elements, interference by spectators, an unsafe condition, or other justifiable cause.
Stop the Clock: The Referee stops the Game Clock due to an unusual delay (subject to administrative policy.)
Prohibit Field Entry: The Referee ensures that no unauthorized person enters the field of play during a game. Summon Security: The Referee asks facility security guards to prevent any spectator, including team personnel, from interfering with the play of the game for: (1) Violent conduct, including tossing objects onto the field of play; (2) Foul or abusive language or behavior; or (3) Persistent unseemly behavior.
Subject to administrative policy, the Referee files a Game Report, including information on any disciplinary action and other incident (e.g., serious injury) or circumstance occurring before, during, or after the game.
The game is to start ON TIME and ONLY play the specified amount of minutes. Please leave the field after your amount of game time. This will give the next team a couple minutes to stretch and prepare for their game. Please give courtesy for the next team to prepare for their game!!
A Kickoff from the Center Mark starts play at the beginning of each Quarter and after every goal. Immediately prior to the Kickoff, all players remain in their respective defensive halves, and all defending players are outside of the Center Circle. Once the Referee signals the Kickoff, a player of the team having the Kickoff has 5 seconds to play the ball. A player who starts play may not again play the ball until it touches another player. The ball may be played either forwards or backwards.
The Visitor Team takes the Kickoff for the first and third quarters and the Home Team takes the Kickoff for the second and fourth quarters. The team sitting on the right (looking from the Ref crease) is the home team.
Teams change defensive ends after every quarter.
Restarts take place by a Kickoff, Free Kick, Goalkeeper Distribution, or Dropped Ball. The team opposing that which is responsible for the stoppage takes the Restart. Except for a Dropped Ball, the same player who takes a Restart may not again make contact with the ball until touched by another player. Other than for Kickoffs or as provided below, Restarts occur within three feet (3') from the spot of the ball at the moment of stoppage.
A team receives a Free Kick after stoppages other than when a Dropped Ball or Goalkeeper Distribution is required. Before the team takes the Free Kick, the ball must be stationary. All opposing players are at least 10 feet from the spot of the Free Kick (or, if within 10 feet of the opponent's Goal, along the Goal Line). The Referee whistles the Restart for all Free Kicks taken from any circle Mark and after stoppages due to an injury, Time Penalty, or other incident within the Referee's discretion. In the instance of a Time Penalty or ejection, the Referee whistles the Restart after the player serving the Time Penalty has sat down in the Penalty Area or the ejected person has left the area visible to the field of play.
The spot of the Free Kick is that provided above, except:
If neither team has clear possession of the ball at a stoppage, the Referee restarts play with a Dropped Ball. A Dropped Ball caused while the ball is inside a Penalty Box takes place at the Free Kick Mark. The ball is not in play until it hits the ground.
Play restarts with a Goalkeeper Distribution anywhere within the Penalty Box after an attacking player has last touched the ball before crossing an end perimeter wall.
The ball is "in play" once each Kickoff or Restart legally begins and the ball makes any discernable movement. The ball remains "in play" until a stoppage, recognized by the Referee.
For Restarts by a team within its Penalty Arch, the ball is not "in play" until the game is properly restarted and the ball is propelled beyond the Penalty Arch by the player taking the Restart.
The ball is "out of play" once any stoppage occurs which the Referee acknowledges or orders, whether for goals, Fouls, Time Penalties, injuries, out of bounds, Three-Line Violations, or Superstructure Violations.
A Three-Line Violation occurs when a player propels the ball in the air across the two Red Lines and the Halfway Line toward the opponent's Goal without touching the Perimeter Wall, another player or a Referee on the field of play.
A Superstructure Violation occurs when the ball contacts any part of the roof or roof netting above the field of play. The side nets are not considered a superstructure violation only the ceiling netting.
A team scores a goal when the whole of the ball legally passes over the Goal Line between the goalposts and under the crossbar. A goal may be scored directly from a Kickoff or Restart.
The team scoring the greater number of goals during a game is the winner.
No goal is allowed if an outside agent alters the path of the ball on its way over the Goal line.
A Foul, resulting in a Free Kick, is assessed to a player who commits any of the following offenses in a manner that the Referee considers careless, serious, reckless, or involving excessive force:
(Note: No head balls allowed during practice, warm-ups or games for under 10 age groups. 10/13 can only head the ball during actual game play. 14/17 can head the ball during practice, warm-ups and games.)
A Free Kick results for the following offenses:
(a) Illegal Substitution After Injury: Attempting to enter play without the required Referee consent; Referee consent is indicated by a whistle, raised hand, or verbal communication with the referee.
(b) Equipment Violation: Entering play without an ordered uniform adjustment;
(c) Leverage: Using the body of a teammate to propel oneself to head the ball;
(d) Encroachment: Entering the protected area of an opposing player taking a Free Kick (after initial Warning);
(e) Trickery: Passing the ball back to a Goalkeeper by trickery (Rule 10.3(b));
(f) Dissent: Committing any of the following offenses, whether before, during, or after the game:
(1) Referee Abuse: Words or actions directed by any player or team personnel at an official in dissent;
(2) Breach of Penalty Area Decorum: Delay in entering the Penalty Area; failure to sit and remain seated in the Penalty Area after a Warning; or premature or unpermitted exit from the Penalty Area;
(3) Entering the Referee Crease without the Referee's permission;
(g) Other: Behavior which, in the Referee's discretion, does not warrant another category of penalty.
(NOTE: The ball must remain inside the penalty area for the goalkeeper to handle with their hands. The body of the goalkeeper can exit the penalty area and they can still legally handle the ball with their hands. Once the ball is wholly outside of the penalty lines, it can no longer be handled legally with the hands.)
The opposing team receives a Free Kick at the arc at top of box for the following violations by a Goalkeeper:
(Note: the goalkeeper is not allowed to use their feet to dribble the ball back into the penalty box and pick it up with their hands. The penalty is a free kick restart, similar to pass back violation.)
The Referee issues a Team Penalty for the following violations by a team or unidentified person:
The Referee allows play to continue, notwithstanding the commission of an offense, when the team against which it has been committed will benefit from an existing offensive advantage.
A Penalty Kick is awarded for the following Fouls committed by a defender in his defensive half of the field:
(a) A Foul within the Penalty Arch or Goal for which he receives a Time Penalty;
(b) A Foul from behind against an attacking player, having control of the ball and one or no defensive players between himself and the Goal; and
(c) Any Foul where he is the last player on his team between the attacking player with the ball and the Goal
Unless otherwise provided in rules 10.8 or 10.9, the Referee issues a Blue Card for serious violations of Rule 10.1 and for:
(a) Deliberate Handball: Handling the ball deliberately (or by a Goalkeeper outside of his Penalty Arch);
(b) Goalkeeper Endangerment: Endangering a Goalkeeper within his Penalty Arch by sliding or charging into him, regardless whether he is in control of the ball;
(c) Boarding: Propelling an opponent into the perimeter wall, whether or not intentionally;
(d) Players' Unsporting Behavior: Players' violating Rule 10.3; and
(e) Team Penalties: Violating Rule 10.4.
NO SLIDING ON FIELD ( SLIDING ON FIELD IS CONSIDERED A DANGEROUS PLAY)
ONLY GOAL KEEPERS ARE ALLOWED TO SLIDE INSIDE THE BOX.
The Referee issues a Yellow Card for serious or reckless violations of Rule 10.1 and for the following (except when Rule 10.7 applies):
(a) Second Blue Card: When Rule 10.7 applies, committing a second Blue Card offense;
(b) Deliberate Handball: Handling the ball deliberately (or by a Goalkeeper outside of his Penalty Arch);
(c) Goalkeeper Endangerment: Endangering a Goalkeeper within his Penalty Arch by sliding or charging into him, regardless whether he is in control of the ball;
(d) Boarding: Propelling an opponent into the perimeter wall, whether or not intentionally;
(e) Unsporting Behavior: Violating Rule 10.3 by any team personnel;
(f) Team Penalties: Violating Rule 10.4; and
(g) Provoking Altercation: Making physical contact with an opponent (e.g., pushing or poking), short of fighting, as defined in Rule 10.9, or using the ball in so doing, particularly in the case of a Goalkeeper
A person receives a Red Card for Fouls, which the Referee considers violent or committed with excessive force, and for:
Head Coach is responsible for himself, his coaches, his players, his fans.
Anyone that is Ejected is GONE from that game and the NEXT ONE!!
The following penalties apply to offenses for which a Card is issued (subject to further action by the Administrative Authority):
Players are designated by their teams to serve Time Penalties of their team, their Goalkeeper, non-player personnel, and of teammates who receive Red Cards. Otherwise, the person who commits a carded offense serves the penalty. Players serving Time Penalties serve their Time Penalties, seated, until their expiration and the Referee permits their release.
Short-Handed Play: For each Time Penalty being served by a player, his or her team plays with one fewer field player until its expiration; provided that, a team may not have fewer than the minimum required, regardless of the number serving Time Penalties. Should a player receive a Time Penalty, while two or more teammates are already in the Penalty Area, his or her team continues to play with the minimum while he or she joins his teammates in the Area.
Exceptions: Under the following circumstances, Time Penalties either expire prior to their completed countdown, or have the beginning of their countdowns delayed:
Delayed Penalty: In instances where the Referee would issue a Blue Card, but for the Advantage Rule, the referee acknowledges the offense by holding the Card above his head until the earlier to occur of the following:
Once play is stopped, the offense is recorded and assessed, as customary. In the event of a powerplay goal, the Time Penalty is not served and the provisions above regarding early release from the Penalty Area remain applicable.
Tiebreaker: NOTE: All games will end at the completion of regulation time. No overtime or tiebreakers will be played during the regular season. Overtime and tiebreakers will only be played during the playoffs or championship games.
For a Penalty Shot:
A Tiebreaker takes place if the score is still tied at the end of regulation:
Facilities Rules & Regulations