Fredericksburg Field House
Indoor Soccer Rules
Rule 1-Field of Play:
Rule 2-The Ball:
Size 3 for U6 and below
Size 4 for U7 thru U12 & Family Fun
Size 5 for U13 and above
Rule 3-The Player and Subs:
Youth Soccer
U6 and Younger
o 5 v 5 Imcluding Keeper (Small Field)
Youth Coed Recreational Leagues (Large Field)-Winter 1 Session
o 7 V 7 Including Keeper -Keeper must be identified-minimum of (4) Four players.
o This league teams can play with mixed teams, all boy teams, or all girl teams. It is not
mandatory for teams to have both boys and girls on a team
Youth Coed Recreational Leagues (Medium Field) Winter 11 Session
o 6 V 6 Including Keeper (Medium Field)-Keeper must be identified-minimum of (4) Four
players.
o This league teams can play with mixed teams, all boy teams, or all girl teams. It is not
mandatory for teams to have both boys and girls on a team
o Keepers’ cannot score a goal by directly throwing the ball into the opposing team’s goal
o No (3) Three line violations on the medium field
o Time is kept by the referee’s watch and is the official time
U8 thru U12 Competitive
o 7 V 7 Including Keeper (Large Field)-Keeper must be identified-minimum of (5) Five
players
U13 thru U17 Competitive and High School
o 6 V 6 Including Keeper (Large Field)-Keeper must be identified-minimum of (4) Four
players
Family Fun League (Size 4 Ball)
o
7 V 7 Including Keeper (Large Field)-Keeper must be identified-minimum of (4) Four
players. Teams consist of a maximum of (3) Three adults (14 and older are considered
adults) and (4) Fours youth ages 8-13. Team minimum is (4) Four players with at least
(2) two players being under (14) Fourteen years of age. Teams do not have to be Co-ed
but it is encouraged. Scores will be tracked on the field, but not recorded. This League
is for fun and is not considered competitive
Adult Soccer
Coed Adult Leagues
o 6 V 6 Including Keeper (Large Field)-Keeper must be identified-(2) Two players must be
female. Minimum of (4) Four players required to start the match with at least (1) One of
the (4) Four being a female. If a team can only field (1) one female then that team shall
play down a player. A male over (50) Fifty may be used to substitute as a female,
however (1) One of the (5) Five remaining position field player must still be female. In
this situation the female may not be used as the Keeper
Men’s League
o 6 V 6 Including Keeper (Large Field)-Keeper must be identified-minimum of (4) Four
players
Over 35 League
o 6 V 6 Including Keeper (Large Field)-Keeper must be identified-minimum of (4) Four
players. All players must be over (35) Thirty-five years of age unless otherwise approved
by staff
Note:
(1) Players and coach(s) must be listed on the Field House roster and are subject to the
authority and jurisdiction of the Referee. All non-players shall be on the spectator
side of the field.
(2) High School teams are required to have a person over (18) Eighteen years of age,
that is not a player, on the sideline that is acting as the team coach and will be held
responsible for the actions of the team while on the field or in the team area
(3) A team playing with a player who has not paid their league fees shall forfeit that
game if it is discovered at any point once the match starts
Unlimited Substitution:
During dynamic play, substitutions may be made at any time on an unlimited basis. Teams can
substitute freely, however all substitutions, oncoming and off going substitutions must be made
within the designate crease as outlined on the field diagram. Violation will result in an “Indirect
Free Kick” from the location of the illegal touch.
Rule 4-Player equipment
Shin Guards (age/size appropriate) are REQUIRED- not optional
Flats, turf shoes, or molded cleats are allowed
No metal or screw in cleats are permitted
Keepers must be identified in a different color as BOTH field teams
NO JEWELRY allowed other then medical alert or religious requirements
Players are required to wear the same color jerseys
If both teams have similar color jersey’s, the Home Team is required to change to a non-similar
color jersey before the start of the match
Rule 5-The Referee
All decisions made by the referee will be in reference to the interpretation and implementation of
the rules of the game and are considered final.
It is the referee’s responsibility to keep the games on schedule. Shortened halves or reduced
intermissions can be utilized at the discretion of the referee and/or the facility duty manager in
order to maintain the game schedules.
A team that does not have the minimum number of players to start a match (within (5) Five
minutes of scheduled start time) will be declared a forfeit and scored as a 3-0 win for other team.
If after legal play has started and a condition comes up in which the match is no longer legal, the
winning team is allowed to keep the current score, as long as the winning team is not the one
causing the illegal condition.
Once a game reaches half time the contest is considered a legal match
A referee may shorten a forfeited match at his or her discretion in order to maintain the daily
schedule. Up to (5) five minutes per half may be deducted from the normally schedule match
length.
Out-of-Play calls do not require a whistle but the proper arm signal to indicate restart direction
should be utilized
All restarts do not require a whistle, only at a ceremonial restart, penalty kicks, when a player is
carded, or at a referees discretion
Rule 6-Duration of the games:
Note: On-coming team warm-ups prior to the game are to be done off the field. No warm
up time is allotted to the team on the daily game schedule. A referee may add time back
onto the clock if he feels a player has intentionally prevented a restart to waste time
Running Clock
o All games have a running clock unless:
 A serious injury and results in a major delay of the game
 Bodily fluids (blood, vomit, etc.,) that require bio-disinfectant during the games
U8 and below
o (4) Four (8) Eight minute Quarters (Small Field Only)
o (1) One Minute break between quarters
U9 thru High School & Family Fun
o (2) 20 Two-Twenty minute halves
o (2) Two minute break between halves
Adult Leagues
o (2) 22 Two-Twenty-two minute halves
o (2) Two minute break between halves
Playoff Games
o Playoff games tied at end of regulation will play (1) one (5) Five minute sudden death
overtime period
o If still tied after overtime, game will proceed with a shootout to determine a winner. See
Rule 12
Rule 7-Starts and Restarts
All Restarts:
The ball must be stationary before a restart may take place
Defensive players are required to give the restart free kick (3) three yards free space
Restarts along the walls are to be within (1) One yards off the wall
Kicking team has (5) five seconds to restart play or the ball is awarded to the opposing team and
result in an “Indirect Free Kick”. Unless, restart has been delayed by opposing team which may
result in a cautionable offense
Start of the Match
At the start of the match the scheduled Home Team has the first half Kick-off- Visiting team will
get the second half Kick-off
A Kick-off
A Kick-off is taken from the center mark at the beginning of each half and after each goal is
scored
A Kick-off can be played in any direction.
A player who initiates the Kick-off may not play the ball again until the ball touches another
player
Kick-off’s does not require a whistle-Referee may allow the Kick-off with a verbal
acknowledgement
Out of Touch Restarts
All restarts along the walls are to be within (1) one yards of the wall and within (1) one yard from
the point to which the ball went out of play
Goal Kicks
Goal Kick’s are to be taken from within the designated goal area (See Field Layout above)
Corner Kicks
Corner Kicks are to be taken on the attacking teams corners from the spot designated by field
markings if provided. Corner Kicks are considered In-Direct Free Kicks
Three Line Violation
Any ball played from behind the defensive red line must hit the field, another player or wall
before it cross the offensive red line in the air. Violations result in an “Indirect Free Kick” to the
opposing team on their offensive red line
Referee Stoppage-Restart
If no clear possession is observed upon a referee stoppage of play, the restart will be a drop ball
at the point of play prior to the stoppage. If clear possession was observed at the stoppage of
play by the referee, an “Indirect Free Kick” will be awarded to the team in possession at the time
of the whistle
Rule 8-Ball in and Out Of Play
The ball is always considered in play with the exception of the following:
Ball hits the netting above the glass or boarded walls
Ball leaves the field of play for any reason
o If the ball hits any part of the building ceiling or building superstructure the restart will
be as follows (No difference if attacking or defending team has restart)
 Between the goal line and the first red line restart will be on the red line.
 Between red lines the restart is on the mid field line
All structured walls glass or boarded are considered “In Play”
Rule 9-Scoring
A goal is scored only if the entire ball legally crosses over the goal line. To be officially scored a goal, the
ball must cross the goal line before the buzzer sounds ending a period of play.
Rule 10-Fouls and other Violations
Fouls occur if a player:
Handles the ball (except goalkeeper within his penalty area)
Commits a Dangerous play
o Playing the ball on the ground with an opponent engaged in play on the ball
o Pinning the ball against the boards and using two arms against the wall to create a cover
shield
Attempting or committing the follow are considered fouls; Holding, Obstructing, Sliding tackling,
Kicking, Tripping, Jumping at, Charging, Striking or Pushing an opponent
Sliding by a defender inside the defensive penalty area which impedes an attack will result in a
PK for the attaching team
Sliding is defined as a deliberate action in which at least one leg is extended, and any
other part of the body other than the second foot touches the playing surface at the
same time.
Preventing or interfering with a goal keeper distributing the ball
Forcing an opponent into a wall in a dangerous fashion
Play will restart as “Indirect Free Kick” if the attacking player commits a foul inside the attacking
penalty area. The ball shall be placed at the top of the penalty arch.
Goal Keeper Violations:
Punting or drop kicking the ball (the ball must be on the ground or bounce twice before being
kicked)
Illegal handling outside the penalty area
Handling the ball after having distributed the ball to a field player without first touching another
opposing player
Pass back deliberately by foot from a teammate and handling the ball illegally
Handling to controlling the ball for more than (6) five seconds within his penalty area
Caution able Offenses-A referee may issue a yellow card resulting in a (2) Two minute power play for the
opposing team for the following offenses
Aggressive Boarding
Unsporting Behavior
Dissent by word or action
Aggressive deliberate rough play
Persistent infringement
Delaying the restart of play
Failure to respect the required distance for a free kick
Caution and (5) Five minute penalty (team plays short for entire time)
Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately
handling the ball (not including goalkeeper in own penalty area).
Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by
an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick.
Caution and (5) Five Minute penalty (none power play)
If the referee feels a player is playing with an excessive amount of aggression and he sees a
potential problem developing, the referee may issue a 5 minute yellow to have the player sit out,
cool down while the offender’s team will remain at full strength.
Sending-off (Ejection) Offenses-If a player receives a red card of any reason the team must play down
and serve an entire (5) Five minute penalty. Sending off offenses are for any of the following:
Serious Foul Play
Violent Conduct
Spitting on the field, at opponent, or any other person
Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
Receiving second caution in the same match
o
Rule 11-Time Penalties
Cautions-Yellow Cards
All caution able offenses result in the offending player receiving a (2) Two minute penalty. The
offending player’s team plays a player down for the duration of the penalty.
Exception-If the goalkeeper commits the yellow card offense a team may select another player currently
on the field to serve as the cautioned player
Power Play
If a goal is scored by the team with the additional player during the power play, the shorthanded team may add a player to the field to equal the team numbers, however the added
player cannot be the carded player, until the entire time penalty is served
Exception-if a goal is scored during a (5) Five minute penalty for denying an obvious goal scoring
opportunity, the team will play continue to play short for entire (5) Five Minute penalty
All Red Card Ejections
Field House Policy-Any player who receives a RED Card must leave the facility
IMMEDIATELY, unless the offending player is under (18) Eighteen years of age. A Red Carded
youth player -under (18) Eighteen years of age-must be IMMEDIATELY escorted from the
facility by a parent or guardian. There are (2) two kinds of red cards. A red card from a double
yellow will be (1) one game suspension of the league that the game is played in. If the player
has another game on the same day that player will not be allowed to come back in to play. They
must leave the building until the beginning of the next business day. A straight red is a minimum
(1) one week facility suspension. The player will not able allowed to participate in any games
during that suspension. The Red Card offense will be reviewed by the Field House Staff to see if
the Red Carded player will be awarded a longer suspension. Any player who receives an
additional Red Card within the same season will be suspended from the facility for (8) eight
weeks. NO EXCEPTIONS
The referee must report the player’s name to facility management, fill out an Ejection Report and
notify the assigner at the end of the game. If the players name cannot be immediately obtained,
the Field House management can suspend the entire team until the players name is obtained.
Rule 12-Penalty Kicks and Shootouts
Penalty Kicks
Penalty Kick’s are to be taken by placing the ball on the top of the penalty area. Kicker is allowed
a running or stationary approach to the ball. All players on the field with the exception of the
defensive keeper must be behind the ball prior to the direct free kick
Note: Only play-off games require a final winner. Shootouts will only be taken if the (2)-5
Five Minute Golden goal overtime periods have elapsed.
Rules for the Shootout or Tiebreaker:
Overtime period is a golden goal situation. First goal scored wins match. If ties after first 5 min
period a second will be payed.
Any player who was on the field of play at that conclusion of the last overtime period may
participate in the Kicks from the Penalty Mark. Except a penalized player currently serving a time
penalty. In that case the other team shall select a player to reduce to equate the number of
players taking the kicks from the penalty mark.
The referee selects which goal will be used for the Shootout
The Players participating in the Kicks from the Penalty Mark (KPM) shall wait their turn behind
the midfield line. The teams shall remain separated to clearly show which players are
participating in the KPM
Each Team selects (3) Three players to participate in the first round of the Shootout
The shooter has (5) Five seconds to play the ball after the referee whistle is sounded
Goal Keeper must have al least (1) One foot on the goal line
If tied after the first (3) Three shooters, a second round of Shootouts will be taken by any other
(3) Three players, with sudden dead rules applying.
If still tied any player may now shoot the ball again, and sudden death rules still apply
Coed rules – One of the first two shooters must be a woman. If kicks go into sudden death a
male can shoot first but a woman must follow and kick once every two kicks from there on.
Standings are determined as follows:
(3) Points for each win
(1) Point for a tie
(0) Points for a loss
If points are tied at the end of the season, the follow order is used to determine the final standings1. Head to Head records
2. Goals scored against
3. Goal differential
Note: All forfeited games will be scored as an 8-0 win
Scored and standing will be posted on the website the day following the matches
For further clarification on rules please see the Indoor Soccer Rules at www.USindoor.com