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Sylmar Soccer Center
Facility/League Rules and Regulations
For Players and Spectators
1 Introduction
The purpose of this rulebook is simply to help players of all ages and spectators become familiar
with the rules of indoor soccer as well as some applied rules and conditions in the Sylmar Soccer
Center; the goal is to get an understanding of the rules to play or enjoy the game. Referees are,
indeed, strongly urged to obtain and follow these set rules.
2 Facility Rules
Sylmar Soccer Center is committed to providing a safe environment for our players; we also
consider spectators as not only our welcomed guest but part of our family. With that stated
we do have simple rules to keep the safe atmosphere not only inside the field but outside as
well.
2.1 Code of Conduct
No drinking or smoking on the premises. This is a family oriented business and it’s a high priority
that we maintain it that way. Anyone who is under influence of any substance both legal and
illegal before a game, during a game or just observing games will be escorted or removed from
the premises. Depending on conduct a player in the game can be red carded and escorted. If
necessary police will be involved.
Sylmar Soccer Center has a ZERO TOLERANCE for fights or altercations on the field or outside
the field and will be handled by law enforcement. We are very aware that this is a contact sport
at times and games can get heated. However fighting or the use of profanity towards a player or
spectator (or vice versa) should never be an option and will not be tolerated by staff.
Please, only players who have signed a waiver, and are participating are allowed on the field. We
are concerned for everybody’s safety, so please no children while teams warm up, practice, rent
or play.
Destruction of property, theft, or assault will also be handled by law enforcement. Individuals or
teams will be held responsible for any damage or injuries.
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In the event of any case mentioned above take note that NO REFUNDS will be rewarded for
such actions.
Any spectator that disrupts the game in any manner will be escorted out. Also be aware that
teams are responsible for their invited guests. Any actions, verbal and physical, towards other
spectators, players, referee or staff deemed to be disturbing the peaceful atmosphere, said
individual or group will be asked to leave.
Remember this is a recreational sport. So HAVE FUN!
3 The Field of Play
3.1 The Player
Participants must be 18+ or must have parent consent if the player is under the legal age of 18;
to participate in the league minimum age requirement of 16 is allowed with sign Parent/
Guardian waiver. All players are required to sign a Liability Waiver Form. Anybody who hasn’t
sign a waiver for cannot be in the field!
Proper attire must be worn inside the field to avoid any possible injuries. Proper running shoes,
preferably turf shoes are expected along with shin guards (when applicable). Turf Shoes and
Shin guards are mandatory if participating in the league!
3.2 The Team
Players must wear their team’s uniform consisting of the same colors, shin guards and turf
shoes. NO CLEATS! Jewelry and other accessories are prohibited. The goalkeeper wears a
different jersey color that distinguishes from other players in the field, including the Referee.
All teams participating in League or Tournaments must have a Team Roster form completed
and waiver form signed by participating players. Roster is set before the 4th game (for the
League) or before Tournament begins in which players cannot be added. Players that are not
on the team roster cannot participate, any new players added before the 4th game must be
added before the start of their first game, if registered after game begins the newly registered
player waits for the following game.
To participate in Semi Finals and Finals all players must be registered on the team roster before
the 4th game (league) or beginning of a tournament. All registered players must have
participated in at least 1 game prior to the current game.
3.3 The Ball
Size 4 indoor style ball is used inside the field at all times!
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4 League/Tournament Game Rules
Rules and Code of Conduct already mention earlier in this rulebook apply to the League and
Tournament Games. When renting the field or hosting your own event. You are entitled to play
to your own rules as long as it doesn’t put your players or spectators at risk. Rentals must abide
by Code of Conduct.
4.1 The Duration of the Game
A standard game consists of two halves of 22 minutes and a half time.
In an event of a tie in a Semi Final, Playoff or Final game, a 5 minute “sudden death” overtime
follows. If game remains tied a penalty shootout is needed to decide a winner. Rules for
penalty shootouts will be explained later on.
The game clock continuously counts down through each half or overtime period. However it
can be paused for an unusual delay determined by the referee.
All games start on time, both teams must be present and ready to begin the game with a
minimum of 3 players and 1 goalkeeper. Failure to be ready once game clock begins will result
in forfeit.
4.2 Start/Restart
All players must be present with proper attire and ready to play. Starting the game with
minimum players is acceptable, however in an event of injury or Red card given to incomplete
team will result in game forfeit.
A kickoff is done at the Center Mark of the field at the beginning of each half and after each
goal. The player who starts the play may not touch the ball again until it touches another
player.
Home team takes the kickoff at the beginning of the first half of the game or any overtime
period.
Restarts are take place by either kickoff, free kick, goalkeeper distribution or dead ball.
Restarts start 3 feet from the spot of stoppage.
4.3 Rules of Play
Player substitutions are done on the fly, however the player must be completely out of field
play before the next sub comes in. The substituted player cannot touch the ball until the
exiting player is off the field. Failure to do so can result in stoppage of game or turnover.
Free kicks are given at the penalty arch of own or opposing team, or spot of original offense
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Dead ball occurs when the ball touches any part of the net in which a Kick-In is done from.
Kicks off the wall are permitted and encouraged. Also when the ball touches any part of the
building above the field of play
Dropped Ball occurs when either team clearly does not have possession of the ball. It is
dropped in the spot it was called. If drop ball occurs within the penalty arc then the drop ball is
taken to a free kick mark.
Goalkeeper distribution restarts anywhere within the arc after the attacking player has touch
the ball before crossing an end wall.
Scoring is an important aspect of the game and it is counted when the ball legally passes the
goal line. A goal can be scored directly from a Kickoff or Restart.
5 Fouls and Violations
5.1 Basic Fouls
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Holds an opponent
Handles the ball
Plays in a dangerous manner
Obstruction: Impedes the progress of the opponent
Prevents goalkeeper from releasing the ball
5.2 Aggressive, Careless, Reckless Fouls
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Kicks an opponent
Trips an opponent
Jumps at opponent
Charges an opponent
Strikes, pushes or elbows an opponent
5.3 Free kick violations
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Using body leverage from team mate or opponent to gain advantage.
Entering the protected area of a player in a free kick, known as encroachment
Referee Abuse, Breach of penalty area, taunting or foul language
Illegal Handling by goalkeeper. Handling the ball outside the penalty arc. Receiving the
ball again after distribution without the ball having touched a player. Or handling the
ball from a direct pass back by a team mate.
Exception to the pass back rule is if the ball is received after head, chest or knee pass
without trickery.
Holding the ball for more than 5 seconds with hands or feet in the penalty arc.
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Leaving the team bench either by individual or group to join an altercation or verbally
abusing the referee or player from the bench area.
5.4 Advantage Rule and Flagrant Fouls
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The referee may allow a play to continue, overlooking the commission of an offense if
it will benefit from an existing offensive advantage.
Shootout kicks are given when a defender commits a foul in the penalty arch or goal
for which he receives a time penalty.
A foul from behind against an attacking player having control of the ball and one or no
defensive players between himself and the goal.
6 Blue, Yellow and Red Card Offenses
Blue card is a 2 minute time penalty, where player will sit out until 2 minutes is up (goal by opponent
doesn’t bring back the penalized player back into play). No subs are allowed until time is done.
Multiple time penalties can happen in which the team serving penalty time has to play with the
players available. Time penalties committed right before the first half will be carried over to the
second half. Minimum time penalty is 2 minutes. Maximum time penalty is 5 minutes. Take note in an
event of being ejected, expelled, escorted, suspended or banned from the field or facility; that the
guilty player or team will NOT receive REFUNDS!
6.1 Blue Card Offenses
Deliberate handball or handball by keeper
Goalkeeper endangerment
Any foul committed in a shootout
Consider it a warning for any negative sportsman like conduct
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6.2 Yellow Card Offenses
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Receiving 2 blue cards
Unsporting behavior by any player
Provoking an altercation: Any physical contact with opponent using body or ball
6.3 Red Card Offenses
Receiving a red card is an automatic game suspension, depending on the nature of the violation and
can be multiple games, expulsion from the season or even banned from the facility. With NO
REFUNDS!
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Third Time Penalty (results in a straight red and a 5 min time penalty)
Intentional elbow above the shoulder
Vicious slide or tackle
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Fighting
Leaving the benches to join an altercation
Spitting on another player
Foul unruly behavior towards anyone
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7 Shootouts and Penalty Kicks
7.1 Shootouts
Here are a few rules that for shootouts:
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Any player may take the shootout
All players who are serving time penalties are to remain seated in the penalty area
All players on the attacking team stand on or behind the halfway line and out the
circle
The ball is placed on the mark meant for shootouts nearest to the goal
Goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal line and not move from it
All players hold their position until the Referee blows the whistle
7.2 Penalty Kicks
A penalty kick proceeds the same as a shootout except:
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The ball is placed on the Free Kick Mark
Goalkeeper must have both feet on the goal line
The player taking the penalty kick may not touch the ball again until it touches
another player
7.3 Tiebreakers
Tiebreaker proceeds like a shootout except:
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The referee designates a goal to use for both teams
The referee decides who shoots first
Only the player taking the shot and the goal keeper defending are allowed on the
field.
All other players are to remain seated on the bench.
Both teams have 3 shots; each team alternating kicking
If either team gets a 2 goal advantage, the tiebreaker ceases and a winner is declared
If both teams have taken all 3 shots and there is no advantage on either team; the
shootout continues until both teams have taken an equal number of shots and one
team fails a shot.
Players have 5 seconds to score after the referee whistle
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