Indoor Soccer Rules

The rules governing this Intramural Sports activity consist of rules used by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and rules unique to the CMS Intramural Sports Program. This rules sheet is not meant to be all-inclusive; rather, it is a summary of the more common rules, policies and procedures used by the Intramural Sports Program. Important policy information can be found in the Intramural Sports Participant Handbook, which is available on our website. Additionally, all information contained on this sheet is subject to change without notice. All players are responsible for reading this document and understanding the rules, policies and procedures prior to participating in this activity.

 If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact us via e-mail at CMS.Intramurals@gmail.com.

I. Conduct/Sportsmanship

  1. Good sportsmanship is essential during all Intramural Sports activities. Individuals or teams who demonstrate poor sportsmanship may be dropped from a league or event at any time.  Additionally, teams that do not maintain an acceptable sportsmanship rating will be ineligible for the playoffs.  For additional information concerning the sportsmanship rating system, please refer to the Participant Handbook.   
  1. Team Managers: Team managers are responsible for all team members and spectators. Obscene or abusive language by participants or spectators will not be tolerated and will be penalized towards the competing team accordingly. Team managers are expected to inform all participants of rules and policies prior to participation.
  2. Team Captains: One of the players signed in for a game shall be designated the team captain. The captain is the representative of his/her team and may address officials on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information in a courteous manner only, provided it does not disrupt the flow of the game.
  3. Cards:
    1. Yellow cards are given for minor acts of unsportsmanlike conduct and shall serve as a warning.  Any participant receiving two (2) yellow cards in the same contest shall automatically receive a red card and be ejected from the contest.  
    2. Red cards are given for serious acts of unsportsmanlike conduct and will result in an immediate ejection. 
  4. Ejection/Suspension: Any player who is ejected for any reason will be subject to additional disciplinary actions.  Any player ejected is automatically suspended from participating in any intramural sports activity until a meeting with a professional staff member has occurred.  To schedule a meeting with a professional staff member, please call (909) 607-8331.  If a meeting does not occur within three business days of the ejection, additional disciplinary actions will be taken.  These actions may include any of the following or any combination of the following: suspension from the Intramural Sports program, permanent suspension from the Intramural Sports program, referral to the Dean of Students Office for review, and/or referral to Campus Security for review.    

 Fighting Policy: Fighting (physically striking, kicking, or attempting to strike or kick another player, spectator or staff) will not be tolerated. Players involved in a fight will be immediately ejected and will be subject to additional disciplinary actions, which will include suspension from the Intramural Sports program and may include referral to the Dean of Students and/or Claremont Campus Security for a possible assault and/or battery case.

II. Injuries

  1. We (the Department of Athletics and Physical Education) are not responsible for any injuries that occur while participating in the Intramural Sports program.
  2. All participants are encouraged to obtain a physical exam prior to participating in any physical activity.  Additionally, participants are encouraged to maintain adequate personal health insurance while participating.
  3. In the event an injury occurs during an intramural sports activity, please immediately notify the official or supervisor who is working the contest so arrangements can be made to treat the injury and to complete an injury report. If needed, staff members can call for an ambulance to assess the injury and/or transport the injured participant to the hospital. 

III. Eligibility

  1. All intramural sports activities are limited to Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd or Scripps students, Faculty and/or staff. All others are prohibited from participating in any CMS organized intramural sports activities.
  2. Photo Identification: All participants are required to present a valid Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd or Scripps identification card prior to participating. Individuals unable to do so will not be allowed to participate. Any team unable to begin a game with the minimum number of players will forfeit the game

IV. Team Rosters

  1. The official game roster will consist of the team roster that is created by registering the team and its individual members on the Intramural Sports program scheduling website (http://claremont.athleague.com).
  2. Teams must have a minimum of seven (7) players on their roster and a maximum of twenty (20) players are permitted to allow for maximum participation.
  3. Roster additions are allowed through the completion of a team’s last regular season game.  Players may be added in-person but still must complete their player profile online to be a part of the team.
  4. Only the names of those players present at game time are allowed to appear on the scorecard.  Players arriving late are allowed to be added to the scorecard without penalty provided they do so prior to entering the game.  Supervisors on site can approve late additions to rosters.
  5. Restrictions:
    1. Teams are limited to three (3) current club sport participants for corresponding sports on their roster. Club sport participants are only allowed to play in highest skill level offered for each sport (typically A). Club sport participants include all those listed, at any time during the academic year, on the official roster submitted by club officers.
    2. Current varsity athletes are not allowed on rosters for corresponding sports. This includes anyone who has practiced or played with an intercollegiate sports team at any time during the academic year. Former varsity athletes are only allowed to play in the highest skill division offered for each sport (typically A).
    3. Any participant who is or has been a professional player or athlete is ineligible to compete in the sport or its related sport in which he/she was a professional. A professional player or athlete is defined as one who has received monetary remuneration for his/her athletic services.

V. Players & Substitutions

  1. Teams are comprised of seven (7) players. A team may not begin or continue a game with less than five (5) players. Exception: Play may continue with less than five (5) players if the team has a clear chance to win.
  2. Co-Rec: Teams comprised of seven (7) players shall be 4 men and 3 women or 4 women and 3 men. Six (6) players shall be 3 men and 3 women, (**4 men and 2 women or 4 women and 2 men – can only occur if 2 of a specific gender are a), five (5) players shall be 3 men and 2 women or 3 women and 2 men.  Teams must have a minimum of two (2) of each gender to start the game and avoid forfeit.
  3. No goalies are allowed.
  4. Substitutions may only occur in the following situations:
    1. On a goal kick
    2. On a corner kick
    3. After a goal has been scored
    4. Between periods
    5. In the event of an injury (only the injured player)
    6. When a player has been cautioned (only the cautioned player)
    7. When the player has been ordered off the court for an equipment change (player needing equipment change is the only one who may be substituted for)
    8. Kick-ins

VI. Equipment

  1. Illegal Equipment/Jewelry: Referees will not permit any player to wear equipment which in his/her judgment is dangerous or confusing to other players or is not appropriate.

Illegal items include, but are not limited to:

  1.  
    1. A guard, cast or brace made of made of hard and unyielding leather, plaster, pliable (soft) plastic, metal, or any other hard material. Even if covered by soft padding, these items are not allowed when worn on the elbow, hand, finger, wrist, or forearm. Leg braces and knee braces must be covered with at least one half of an inch of slow recovery rubber or other similar padding so that no metal or hard edges are exposed. Standard soccer shin guards are highly recommended.
    2. Head decorations, headwear and jewelry, including earrings, wedding rings or bands, other rings, necklaces, bracelets, rubber bands, Lance Armstrong and other soft bracelets, metal barrettes, bandanas, baseball caps, and headgear with a bill or hard, unyielding outer surface.
    3. Costumes or any other outfit that may be considered unsafe by the official (e.g. chicken or cow suits)
    4. Exception: Medical alert bracelets or necklaces may be worn if taped down. Also, a headband no wider than two (2) inches and made of non-abrasive, unadorned single-colored cloth, elastic, fiber, soft leather or rubber may be worn. Rubber/cloth elastic bands used to control hair may be worn.
    5. Referees will not permit any player to participate if, in his/her judgment, items such as a player’s fingernails or hairstyle may constitute a safety concern.
  2. Jerseys: Teams are encouraged to wear the same colored jersey. Jerseys will be provided if necessary.
  3. Shorts/Pants: Players must wear basketball or athletic type shorts/pants. Shorts/pants must not have pockets, pouches, loops, belts, zippers, buckles, buttons, or snaps. Shorts may not be worn inside out.
  4. Shoes: All players must wear shoes. Shoes worn must be canvas-topped or soft leather-topped rubber soled shoes, commonly known as basketball or tennis shoes. Only non-marking athletic shoes are permitted on the gym floor. Black-soled and any other shoes that leave markings will not be allowed. Shoes which have metal or hard plastic spikes or any other exposed metal are illegal.
  5. Ball: A specific indoor soccer ball will be provided. No other ball is permitted unless prior approved by the supervisor on duty. Teams cannot warm-up or kick around with any other ball.   
  6. Mouth guards are recommended for all participants. 

VII. Length & Game Time

  1. The clock will begin running at game time! Teams not present with the required minimum number of players ready to play ten (10) minutes after start time will forfeit the game and it will not be played.
  2. Games will consist of two (2), eighteen (18) minute halves with clock running continuously. Time shall be extended to permit a penalty kick to be taken if needed.
  3. Halftime will be three (3) minutes long.
  4. No extra periods will be played during league play in the regular season. All games will end as a draw if the score is tied at the end of regulation.

During the playoffs, games tied at the end of regulation will play one (1), five (5) minute golden goal overtime period. The first team to score wins. After the overtime, penalty kicks will be used. The first period will have five (5) alternating penalty kicks for each team from the centerline with no defender. The team to score the most goals wins. If the game is still tied after five (5) penalty kicks, another set of penalty kicks will be taken one at a time until one team scores and one does not. These kicks will occur in the same player order as the first five (5) kicks.

  1. No time-outs will be granted. The clock will stop at the official's discretion only.

VIII. Scoring

  1. The team that scores the most goals will be declared the winner. Co-Rec: A goal scored by a male is worth one (1) point; a goal scored by a female is worth two (2) points.
  2. If the defending team deliberately stops or deflects the ball with hands or arms to stop a goal the player stopping the ball will receive an automatic red card, and:
    1. The goal will be scored if the ball still goes in the goal.
    2. A penalty kick from the center line with no defender will be awarded if the ball does not go in the goal.

IX. Game Rules

  1. Play will be generally governed by National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Soccer rules except where Intramural Sports rules allow for variation.

Out-of-bounds rules to note:

    1. The ball is out of play when it has completely crossed the designated sideline (certain walls are playable depending on court location), whether on the ground or in the air.
    2. When the ball hits the ceiling or goes above the designated line, it shall be restarted by a kick in.
    3. The ball is in play at all other times from the start of the match, including if it rebounds from a goal post, crossbar or referee in play or bounces off a wall in play.

4. Differences between court locations:
HMC – LAC: Ball is out of play if it gets stuck behind the goal and a goal kick is awarded. Play also stops if the ball goes above the bottom line of the acoustical tiles (official’s discretion). There is one neutral sideline due to the court space.

 Fouls/misconduct rules to note:

    1. A player who intentionally commits any of the following offenses shall be penalized by the award of a direct free kick to be taken by the opposing side from the place where the infraction occurred.
    2. Sliding is strictly prohibited. Any form of sliding will be penalized.
    3. Kicking or trying to kick an opponent.
    4. Tripping an opponent.
    5. Jumping at an opponent.
    6. Violently or dangerously charging an opponent.
    7. Charging opponent from behind.
    8. Striking or trying to strike an opponent.
    9. Holding opponent with hand or any part of arm.
    10. Pushing opponent with hand or any part of arm or body.
    11. Handling ball (carrying, striking or propelling ball with arm or hand):
      1. Intention is a very important consideration in this case and should be taken into account by both referee and players.
      2. Should a player of the defending side intentionally commit one of the above offenses within the penalty area, the opposing team will be awarded a penalty kick.
      3. Caution or ejection results in the award of a direct free kick to the opposing team.  A caution or an ejection may be employed by the referee, depending on the degree of seriousness of the following offense, at the discretion of the referee (not obligated to give warning before ejection).
        1. Un-sportsmanlike conduct (dissent, disagreement with referee, abusive language, spitting, yelling at opponent, etc).
        2. Repeated breaking of the rules of the game.
        3. Continuous/flagrant fouls (dirty play).
        4. The advantage clause shall be used at the discretion of the referee.  The referee should refrain from penalizing in cases where by doing so, the referee would be giving an advantage to the offending team.

 Goal area (crease) rules to note:

    1. No player can enter the crease area (half circle) and play the ball before it enters.
      1. If a defensive player violates this rule, a penalty kick will be awarded.
      2. If an offensive player violates this rule, a goal kick will be awarded to the defensive team.
      3. Penalty kicks will be taken from the center line towards an open goal (no goalie). After a penalty kick, regardless of the outcome, it will be a dead ball. If the penalty kick is made, the game will proceed as normal following any other goal. If the penalty kick is missed, a goal kick will be awarded to the defensive team.

 Kick in & goal kick rules to note:

    1. A kick-in will be awarded if the ball completely crosses the side line. No throw-ins are allowed.
    2. A goal kick will be awarded if the ball gets lodged behind the net.
    3. The area behind the net is not part of the field of play.
    4. The ball must be placed on the ground and then kicked.
    5. 5.    All free kicks will be direct. A goal can be scored from any free kick.

X. Protests

  1. Protests based on judgment calls by the officials will not be accepted.
  2. The officials and supervisors assigned to the game will make decisions regarding any rule interpretations not covered in these rules or those outlined by the NIRSA rule book.
  3. Supervisors can be used for rule clarification only and cannot overturn judgment calls made by officials.
  4. Rule interpretation protest: Team captains wishing to protest a rule interpretation must do so immediately. The protesting captain must inform the official of the protest at the time of the disputed play. The official will explain the ruling and interpretation. If the captain still wishes to protest, the supervisor will be notified and the dispute will be handled prior to the next play. Play will resume once the protest has been upheld or denied. If a solution cannot be made, the game will continue under protest (which after review could change the outcome of the game) Once the official signals for the next play to begin, a protest may not be made.
  5. Eligibility protests Eligibility protests may be filed with an intramural sports staff member immediately before, during or after (up to 10 minutes after) the contest or event in which an alleged ineligible player participated.  Failure to complete and return the protest form in a timely manner will result in the inability to protest the contest or event.  If the protest is upheld and the participant(s) was ineligible, that game, as well as any others that the ineligible participant(s) played in, will be forfeited.