The University Sports Complex Soccer League House Rules
Zero Tolerance Policy
To Further create a safe enjoyable environment for all participants, The University Sports Complex has in place a “Zero
Tolerance Policy” for coaches and parents.
1. There will be a zero tolerance policy toward any inappropriate or abusive behavior toward any other participant.
2. Any coach or parent who feels the necessity to:
• Persistently or willfully question or challenge the rulings of the referees
• Berate or abuse referees
• Berate or abuse players
• Display conduct which is inappropriate in a sporting environment
Will be asked to leave the venue immediately. Failure to do so will result in other formal actions being put in place. No
warnings will be given in the event of the above action becoming necessary. All participants have to accept responsibility for
their behavior.
All team members must wear the same colored shirts with numbers or same colored piney.
All player must wear shin guards. All players must wear molded rubber soled cleats or indoor shoes.
Players with casts will not be permitted to play. Players with braces (ex: knee or elbow) will be permitted to play based
on the referee’s discretion. No metal cleats of any sort.
Start of Game - Kickoff may be played forward or backward. You cannot score directly off of the kickoff.
THERE WILL BE NO OFFSIDES. There is no 3-line rule
Substitutions will be on the fly. Teams must enter and leave the field from the designated areas. Subbing must occur
within five (5) feet of the midfield touch line, adjacent to the team area. Subbing violations are subject to a card able
offense (blue card) at the discretion of the official pending severity. Teams do not switch sides at half time. Team
benches will always be in their defensive half.
Out of Bounds - The referee will determine where the ball went out. Violations will result in a change of possession. A
player cannot score a goal directly from a throw in. A violation of the rule will result in a goal kick. In the spirit of fair play
a ball out of bounds must be put back in play within a 5 second window. Any delay of game longer than this may result in
a change of possession and/or such occurrence may result in a blue or yellow card as appropriate.
Goal Kicks - When the attacking team kicks the ball out of play over the end line, the defending team will receive a goal
kick. The goal kick is taken in the penalty area. No player may touch the ball on a goal kick until the ball clears the penalty
area. Goals cannot be scored directly from a goal kick.
Corner Kicks - When the defending team kicks the ball out of play over the end line, the attacking team will get a corner
kick. The corner kicks should be taken at the point where the end line and touchline meet. A goal can be scored directly
from a corner kick. Defenders must stand 5 yards away from ball on corner kicks.
Direct Free Kicks - Defenders must be 5 yards away from the ball on ALL free kicks. In the spirit of fair play the ball must
be kicked into play within a 5 second window. Any delay of game longer than this may result in a change of possession
and/or such occurrence may result in a yellow card.
“Five Yards” from all free kicks is a given and the attacking teams does not need to request “5 yards”. Violation is subject
to a card able offense (ref discretion)
The following violations justify a direct free kick:
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Charging or running at an opponent in a violent or dangerous way
Hitting/kicking striking or attempting to strike an opponent
Holding grabbing an opponent to keep opponent from the ball
Pushing using the hands or arms to push aside an opponent
Tripping causing an opponent to trip
There is no slide tackling to tackle the ball away from an opponent. There is no sliding to save the ball from going out of
bounds or to win the ball in the open field, or to score.
Indirect Free Kicks:
In the spirit of fair play the ball must be kicked into play within a 5 second window. Any delay of game longer than this
may result in a change of possession and/or such occurrence may result in a blue or yellow card.
Goalkeepers may not punt the ball - the ball will be placed at the top of the penalty area.
Hitting the ceiling/cables – An indirect kick is awarded against the team that hit the ceiling/cables. The ball is spotted
where the ball made contact with the ceiling/cable (not were the ball was kicked).
Penalty Kick - A penalty kick will be awarded when the defending team commits a direct free kick violation inside their
penalty area. The goalkeeper must stay on the goal line until the ball is kicked. The kicker cannot play the ball again
unless a defending team’s player plays it. Penalty kicks will be taken from the penalty mark.
Goalkeepers are allowed unlimited steps; however, the ball must be played within 6 seconds.
Goalkeepers may NOT play the ball with their hands if the ball is kicked back to them by one of their own players – this
rule does not apply to U8’s.
Goalkeepers are NOT allowed to punt or drop kick the ball.
Punt = Gk striking the ball directly from his / her hands without the ball hitting the ground
Drop kick = Gk striking the ball in a fairly continuous motion utilizing one bounce. (Referee’s discretion on Drop kicks of
more than one bounce)
Goalkeepers may drop the ball to the ground and pass it or dribble it to start an attack (not a drop kick)
Goalkeepers will not be permitted to slide outside of the penalty box to play the ball.
Super-Structure Rule: When the ball hits the ceiling or other fixtures, the ball will be spotted at the closest point to
where it hit the ceiling (or other). The ball is awarded to the team that did not touch it last. Indirect Free Kick is
awarded. If the ball hits the ceiling or other within the area of the GK penalty box, ball will be spotted at the top of the
arc (D).
Coaches must stay in "coach's area" as designated by the referee. 2 Coaches only are permitted in the team area.
Coaching from the sideline is permitted provided instruction is given and not derogatory. No coach, player, or spectator
may make derogatory comments or gestures to referees, other coaches, other players, or spectators.
No coach, player, or spectator will use profanity or behave destructively. Coaches have total responsibility for the
conduct of their players, friends, and spectators at all times. At the discretion of the official or The University Sports
Complex Management, spectators, coaches and/or players will be ejected from the facility for any disruptive behavior.
A Blue card will be given as a warning – with a 2-minute penalty, Player may re-enter the field if the opposing team
scores a goal during the 2-minute penalty. (Note: a player may only receive one blue card per game. (Goal Keepers do
not have to serve a blue card; a field player may serve for the GK)
A Yellow card will be given as a more severe warning – with a 5-minute penalty. Player must serve all 5 minutes
including GK. The team plays down the entire five minutes.
A Red card is given for a second yellow card, a serious foul, or a dangerous act performed in any one game. A red carded
player or coach is ejected and must leave the facility immediately. Play will resume once the player has left the facility.
The team will play one man down for the remainder of that game. Any red carded player or coach must sit out minimum
one game and will not be permitted in the playing area for the NEXT scheduled game.
Any player or coach who receives a second red card in the league will then sit out and will not be permitted in the playing
area for the remainder of their teams scheduled games in that session including playoffs. However, depending on the
severity of the ejection, at the discretion of the referee and or The University Sports Complex League Director, any unruly
player or coach may be ejected from the playing area and sanctioned to more extreme penalties. At the discretion of the
official or The University Sports Complex management, spectators, coaches and/or players can be ejected from the
facility for any disruptive behavior. Anyone who commits assault on any other person on facility property will be expelled
from the league permanently.
*No Spitting on the Turf* *NO GUM ON TURF* any person caught spitting on the turf maybe sent off, and or issued a
card.
Goal Margin of Victory - Only a 5 goal margin will be posted on the scoreboard and only a 10 goal margin will be
recorded towards a team victory or loss.
Only during Playoffs will there be OT/Shootouts/Tiebreakers. If a playoff game and/or championship game ends in a tie,
a 5-minute golden goal period followed by a penalty kick shoot-out if there is no goal during the extra time:
6v6 – 3 players will take kick, then sudden death. After six players have taken a penalty kick, coaches can use any
player from the bench.
8v8 – 3 players will take kick, then sudden death. After eight players have taken a penalty kick, coaches will be
able to use any player from the bench.
• In order to play in the Playoffs, you must play at least three regular season games.
Standings - If two teams are tied with the same amount of points at the end of the regular season, the following will be
used (in order) to break the tie:
1) Head to Head
2) Goal Differential
3) Goals Against
4) Coin flip
NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED.
The League Director or designee will settle disputes and their decision is final
Forfeits – in the event a team cannot make a scheduled game, the team Forfeits. A forfeit win will result in a 5-0 defeat
for the team that forfeits.
If there is a dispute about a score, then it must be brought up within 2 weeks of the game. After that period the result
will stand as posted.
ANY PLAYER OR COACH THAT VERBALLY OR PHYSICALLY THREATENS A REFEREE OR STAFF MEMBER WILL BE SUSPENDED
FOR A MINIMUM OF 12 GAMES.
If a player receives a red card, they must give the referee their full name. If the player being sent off, or a member of their
team, does not give the referee that player’s full name the game will end in a forfeit for that team.