The 422 Sportsplex PLAYING RULES                                                                                                                                                                             Updated: November 8, 2007

 Rules for Indoor Soccer

General Rules

• Individuals utilizing this facility do so at their own risk. The property owner(s), league operators, officers and owners and staff of The 422 Sportsplex assume no liability for any injuries or accidents, which may occur. Please refer to your Liability and Injury Waiver Release Forms.
• Conduct within the facility and on the field should be conducted in the spirit of good sportsmanship.
• No food, drinks, chewing tobacco, chewing gum, metal cleats permitted on playing surface. No sunflower seeds or similar type products are permitted in the facility
• No glass containers on the field or in the player boxes
• The 422 Sportsplex reserves the right to refuse play or service to anyone
• Any fighting will result in permanent banishment from facility

Sign Up Guidelines and Fees:

• Teams sign up on a first-come, first-served basis.  Those teams already participating in leagues receive priority over new teams when registering for the next session.  However, teams playing in current sessions must register and submit a $100 non-refundable deposit at least three weeks prior to the next session's starting date in order to guarantee themselves a spot in the next session.  Once the three-week deadline has passed, registration will be open to all teams that wish to play and the league will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  This policy only applies to teams that wish to continue playing on the same night of the week.  Any team not participating in a current league may be placed on a waiting list until 20 days before the next session when registration opens up to all teams that wish to play.
   
• Teams can sign up anytime before session start date. To guarantee your team spot, a $100 (adult) $150 (youth) non-refundable deposit is required prior to league start date. Deposits will only be refunded if The 422 Sportsplex does not have a league spot available for your team.
• Adults: Full-payment is required by your first game or your team may not be allowed to play.
• If full payment is made after the deadline, up to a $50 late fee will be charged if management allows your team to play.
• Teams that are currently registered in a league at the Sportsplex may receive discounts from time to time. Any team incurring a forfeiture during a previous session or have incurred late fees because of delinquent payments shall not be eligible for discounts.
• No individual will be allowed to participate in any league games, practice session, tournament, clinic, open pick-up game, or other activities until a release form has been properly completed and signed. An official 422 Sportsplex waiver/roster must be signed and turned in by the first game.
• Individuals that sign up will be placed in a The 422 Sportsplex database where other teams may contact you to recruit you for their team. If you still are not on a team, the The 422 Sportsplex will create a team from all the individuals in the database if available.

Numbered Jerseys:

• All players are required to have a shirt with a permanent number. The referee has the right not to start the game until at least 4 players have numbered jerseys. Any player who does not have a numbered jersey will not be allowed to play. Taped numbers are not permitted.
• Guest players must be reported to the referee prior to the start of the game. Each guest player must fill out a guest player pass and turn the pass to the referee prior to the game. Guest players who do not fill out the GP pass will cause the team that they are playing for to forfeit that game. (see Below). Guest players are not allowed for play-off games.
• The reason for these strict rules is to keep track of red and yellow cards. Moreover, the Sportsplex is watchful of illegal players. Remember, teams can have up to 3 guest players, but those players cannot be rostered on another team in the same division.
• In the event of a color conflict the home team must change jerseys.  The 422 Sportsplex will not be responsible if this policy is not followed.  Failure to bring an  alternate jersey will result in a forfeit. We do not supply pennies, please have an alternate jersey.  

Player Rosters

• Player rosters must be turned in prior to the first league game. Teams are only permitted to have 12 players per team. Added players will be permitted prior to the third game. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of all games played with illegal player(s). Players may only be added after the 3rd game if a player is injured and removed from the roster for the remainder of the session. Proof of injury must be provided. Acceptable proof shall be a doctor's note. At the discretion of management, a team may claim hardship and add one player after the third game. Any player on a roster that is found to be illegal will forfeit all the games for the team during that season. It is the responsibility of the manager to know which players are legal or illegal. Management reserves the right to check the identifications of any player on a player roster to check and see if they are legal players under management guidelines. Youth teams must show proof of age for all players on the roster.

Roster Cards

• Permanent Rosters must be turned in by the first game or teams will forfeit all games in which a permanent roster was not on file in the manager's office. This roster must include the names and numbers of every permanent player on your team. The numbers you put on the permanent roster must match the jersey numbers you play with. If a player is not uniformed with the same number on the permanent roster your team may forfeit that game. If a player’s number is different because he forgot his jersey number, that player must inform the referee prior to the game or risk forfeiting that game. Referees will track red cards based upon jersey number and not based upon player’s names. It is the responsibility of each team to ensure that the numbers match the names. It is the captains responsibility to let the referee know of any jersey number changes.
• Referees or management may at any time check the names and numbers of players prior to the start of any game or after a game. If a player is caught with a different number than the one on the roster card, that game may be forfeited.

ID Cards

• Each player must have a 422 SportsPlex ID Card in order to play. ID Cards can be obtained at the front desk for $5.00. Referees will collect the ID Cards at the beginning of each game and hand them back to the team at the end of each game. If a player receives a red card during or after a game, that player's ID Card will be confiscated and held in the front office until the player has served their suspension time. The card will then be given back to the player. Players under the age of 18 may request an ID Card, but must go through a waiver process. The General Manager and the Adult Leagues Manager must meet with the player and their parent, and the parent must sign a waiver for their child to play. The 422 SportsPlex has the right to deny any player an ID Card.

Equipment:

• Rubber molded cleats or turf shoes are allowed.
• Teams must be dressed with visible numbers. No player will be allowed to participate without a numbered shirt that matches the number on the roster he or she turned in.  The number must be visible and permanent.  Visible numbers are at least six  inches tall and placed somewhere the referee can see (on the back).  Taped numbers are not permitted.. 
• All players must wear shin guards.

Official Games

• A game is considered "official" after one completed half of play. If there is an injury or other unforeseen circumstance, the current score will stand as official once a half has been played.

Forfeits & Make-Up Games:

• Adult League Games: If a team is unable to play a scheduled game, the opposing team may choose to accept a 3-0 forfeit.
  
  1. Call the 422 Sportsplex to inform the facility of the rescheduled or forfeited game and get the number of the opposing team. Call the opposing team and inform them of the forfeit or possible makeup game.
  2. Use the specific Game rescheduling email link to send in writing the request to the 422 Sportsplex. Click here to send an email to reschedule your game.
  3. Pay a $20 fee to cover the cost of the referee if the rescheduled game or forfeit is requested after it is too late to cancel the originally scheduled referee. Usually, letting the Sportsplex know about the forfeit or rescheduling request at least 3 days prior to the original game time will result in no fee. (This fee will be waived if the request is made before the season begins)
• Any team that causes a game to be called by the referee before time has expired, shall forfeit that game.  If both teams are the cause of a referee calling a game, then both teams shall incur a forfeit.
• Youth League Games: There will be no rescheduling of games. Teams will be allowed to request one date as a bye in there schedule prior to the printing of the schedule, which occurs one week prior to the session start date. Once the season begins, schedules will not be changed. All notifications for byes must come in writing to the Sportsplex via email.  If you call and leave a message, management does not consider this an official request.  If your request does not appear listed on our published list, it will not be honored.  Teams will not be allowed to request two byes in one season. Finally, some byes are not possible to honor. Teams must understand that requests for byes are not guaranteed. Our schedulers will do everything they can to honor requests but if they are unable, games will not be rescheduled.   Teams that wish a bye should do the following:

1. Email the 422 Sportsplex using the specific Forfeit/Bye request email listed on the Soccer page of our website. The Email must include the day of the requested bye, the team requesting the bye, and the team managers name and phone. Click here to send an email to request rescheduling of your game.  
2.  Check the website links within 24 hours to make sure requested bye was listed.  If it was not listed, please call the Sportsplex immediately.  If your bye was not listed and you wait until after the deadline, your bye request will not be honored. 

Forfeits: Teams must call the opposing team to inform them of the forfeit. (Email the Sportsplex for the phone number of the opposing team) The 422 Sportsplex is not responsible for teams that neglect this rule and fail to notify the opposing team that they are not going to make a scheduled game. If a team shows up to play and the opposing team does not show up, then the team present will win by forfeit. Teams that forfeit two games will automatically be pulled from the league.
 

Forfeiture will be incurred if a team has failed to field the minimum number of players (4 player minimum) within ten minutes from the start of the game clock. Teams incurring forfeitures during a session shall not be eligible for registration discount in the following session.  If a team arrives within the ten minute grace period, the clock shall NOT BE reset.
Any team no show will result in a 3-0 victory for opposing team and no rescheduled game will be given.
 

Sportsmanship:

• Individuals are expected to play under control and within the rules of the game, and to the best of their ability will avoid causing injury to themselves and other persons using the facility.

Referees:

• Referees appointed to officiate each game have complete authority on the field of play, and their decisions on points of fact connected with the game are final. Officiating will be monitored and assessed periodically and management will always try to provide quality officiating at the facility. Constructive comments regarding officiating are welcome and encouraged. Please submit any such comments in writing. Complaints regarding officials should be submitted in writing, contain points of fact, and have your name and the name of your team at the top. Teams may not discuss the officiating in a game immediately following their game. Teams may email a referee complaint form and send it over to the commissioner of the league. The commissioner will take seriously all complaints written on a complaint form and turned in 24 hours after a game. The commissioner will not take seriously complaints directed at him immediately following a game, verbal or written. The commissioner will not overturn any calls made by the referee during the course of a game. If a team suspects an illegal player or other illegal activity associated with other team, they should inform the commissioner immediately. If this activity is discovered after the game is completed, the team should file a formal protest to the commissioner. Please read our rules below to understand how to file a formal protest Do not discuss officiating or the officials with the facility staff during or immediately after your game.

 Yellow Card Policy:

• Any player that receives a yellow card will be sent off for a two-minute penalty. The team of that carded player shall play a person down for the duration of those two minutes - regardless of how many goals are scored during that time. The referee shall keep track of the two-minute penalty and inform the penalized team when the penalty is completed, at which time the team shall play at full strength.  

                                Red Card Policy:

• The 422 Sportsplex has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY toward fighting. Anyone fighting will be ejected and they will be banned from the facility permanently.  This means that player cannot participate or spectate at the Sportsplex ever again. 
• A player or coach sent off in (or after) a game by a referee (red carded) will automatically be suspended from the next game in the session. In addition, a player will be banned from playing on any other team until the suspension has been served. If a player is ejected in the last game of a session (he/she) will be prohibited from playing in the first game after he/she registers for another session.
  • A player or coach red carded for the offense of "foul and abusive language" will be suspended as outlined above.
  • A player red carded for the offense of "persistent infraction of the rules after receiving a caution (yellow card) or a third 2 minute time penalty" will be suspended as outlined above.
  • A player or coach red carded for the offense of "violent conduct" (including, but not limited to: spitting, threatening, continued rough play, etc.) will be suspended as outlined above and, in addition, will be suspended for one additional game and subject to further disciplinary action as decided by the facility management.
  • A player or coach red carded for "assaulting an official" will automatically be suspended from any further activities at the 422 Sportsplex.
  • Any player or coach who accumulates three cautions (yellow cards) during league matches per session will be suspended as outlined above.
  • Should a coach of a team be unable to control a player's actions after a red card is issued, the coach will also be suspended as outlined above
  • A player jumping from the player box onto the field to break up or participate in a fight will automatically be ejected from the game and will be subject to the same penalties as outlined above.
• A $100 bond will be required from any team involved in an altercation where more than one player is involved in a fight. Should a bond be placed against a team, the bond must be paid prior to the team's next game, or that game will be forfeited. The terms of the bond will be given in writing to the team. Should the team fail to adhere to the terms, the bond will be forfeited to the arena and the team's participation will be terminated. If the team adheres to the terms of the bond, then the team will receive the $100 bond at the end of the session.
• It is the responsibility of each player and the player's team representative to be aware of the total status of their player's infractions. Failure to comply may result in further disciplinary measures which may include suspension of the coach/rep. and forfeiture of games in which that player participated.

 

Protest:

• Intention to file a protest must be noted in writing immediately following the game. A formal written protest with a $20 fee (refundable if upheld), must be submitted to The 422 Sportsplex within 48 hours after the end of a game. The league commissioners will review and have the final authority on all protests. ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE COMMITTEE ARE FINAL. Only violations of the laws of the game, rules or guidelines of the facility as published are matters for protest. Any protests regarding fielding of illegal players must be brought to the attention of the game officials prior to the suspected player(s) leaving the field of play.

 

• INDOOR SOCCER RULEBOOK
  
  Note: The Rules below are either substituted for, or supplemental to FIFA soccer rules.  Any situations not covered below fall under the jurisdiction of FIFA.
  
  Game Length:
   
  • Youth Game Length:   2, 20 minute halves (2 minute half time)          
  • Adult Game Length:
    • Men's: 2, 22 minute halves (2 minute half time)
    • Women's: 2, 25 minute halves (2 minute half time)

Warm-Up Area

• The 422 Sportsplex does not guarantee any areas for teams to warm-up prior to their games. Teams will have approximately two minutes to warm-up prior to the start of the game. If the training area is available, teams may use this to warm up in. The training area is a privilege not a right. If classes are being conducted on the training area, teams must stay off. Any team that disrupts these classes may be escorted out of the building and their season forfeited.

Levels of Competition:

• The facility will offer the following divisional structure for youth teams:

  Varsity and Junior Varsity Divisions

   

• The facility will offer the following divisional structure for adult teams:

  Division A- Premier division for the most advanced players and teams. Some collegiate and professional players involved.

  Division B- For the recreational player and beginner. No professional or collegiate players allowed.
   

• The 422 Sportsplex reserves the right to make the necessary changes within league divisions to ensure an equal level of ability and competition.
• The following guidelines represents the parameters for Youth Competition. The age group you play in is determined by the oldest player on your team. Whatever age group your team played during the fall constitutes the age group you will play in the winter.  The cutoff date is July 31.   Any player caught playing in a younger age group will forfeit all the teams games in that age group. The 422 Sportsplex management reserves the right to check player identifications (outdoor registration cards or birth certificates) at any time.
• Players may only be on one roster in a given division and league. Players may participate in more than one division and league. A lower division team may not field more than three players from an upper division. The 422 Sportsplex reserves the right to determine if a player is considered too advanced for a given division and remove the individual from the team roster. This is done in the spirit of maintaining parity in a given division.
• Any players with current or former Collegiate or Professional experience must play Division 1. Any Collegiate players that want to play in a lower division must get permission from the league commissioner. No professional player, current or former, can play in a division lower than Division 1. Any professional players, current or former, caught playing in a lower division will be removed from that team's roster and that team will forfeit every game in which that player played.

Coed League Play

• Coed Leagues must have at least 2 women on the field of play at all times. If a team has only one woman on the field of play, a team must play down a player until another woman fills that spot. If a team has no women, the game is forfeited.

Roster Size

• Youth:
  
  The maximum roster size will be 12 players.  If a team has an injury or other "circumstances" whereby they lose a rostered player, that team may request that a new player be added to the roster. If a commissioner has not permitted this addition that player will be considered "illegal" and the game forfeited. Please note that ten awards will be handed out to the winning teams. More awards may be purchased from the Sportsplex at cost. 

   

  All youth teams must have an adult representative on their bench during all games.  This adult must be at least 18 years of age or older.  Any team caught violating this rule will automatically forfeit their game and be subject to banishment from the facility.  No more than 14 people may be in the players box at any given time (12 players, a coach, and an assistant coach). 
   

• Adult:

  The maximum roster size will be 12 players. Teams may have at maximum three guest players for missing roster players per game.   Adult teams play 6 v 6 including goalie.  No more than 6 people may be in a players box at any given time (6 players on field and 6 players in the box).   All players (including guest players) on Over-30 teams must be at least 30 years old at the start of the season in which they wish to play.  No exceptions.

Guest Players

• All adult teams are allowed guest players as outlined in the above rules. Guest players may not be rostered on another team in the same league. Guest players can be rostered in other leagues as long as the player is playing at the appropriate level. Teams violating any of the general rules regarding guest players will forfeit their game. Any team playing for the division championship ( Play-off games ) will not be allowed to use any guest players for that game. All players who play in the play-off and championship game must be on their team's original roster from the start of the season.

Awards

• Adult: The 422 Sportsplex will award various prizes to winning teams. Each first-place team will receive either 12 trophies, a 10% discount off the following session or 12 championship T-shirts.  The first-place team is the team that wins the championship game in its respective division.   If teams want additional prizes or awards, they may purchase them from the Sportsplex.  If trophies are being ordered, they must be ordered within two weeks of the session ending.  If an adult team does not submit their discount or trophy order within two weeks of the end of the session, then they forfeit their trophies and/or discount. 
   
• Youth:  Each first place team will receive up to 12 trophies.  If teams want additional prizes or awards, they may purchase them from the Sportsplex.

Kick off

• The home team will defend the goal furthest from the scoreboard.  A goal can be scored directly on a kickoff.  Kick-off can travel forwards or backwards.

Substitutions

• Substitutions are free and unlimited as long as such substitutions do not interfere with the flow of the game. Furthermore, each and every substitution must wait until the player they are substituting for is off the field before they can enter. Teams that violate this rule will be given a warning for having too many players on the field by the referee. If a team has been warned but continues to ignore this rule then the referee will award a direct kick to the opposing team from the 30 foot mark. The referee has the right to award a yellow card if teams continue to ignore this rule.
• Any player that continues to make illegal substitutions after the opposing team is awarded a free kick will be given a yellow card.
• Teams may substitute for the goal keeper during play. Play will not stop for goal keeper changes. The referee should be notified of a change in goalkeeper. Penalty for failure to notify official of keeper substitution will result in a free kick for the other team.

Scoring

• One point for each goal scored and Two points for goals scored with the ball being kicked from behind the yellow line, except for women's games.  If a player from the team that took a Two point shot intentionally redirects the ball with any part of his body by making an intentional movement to redirect the shot towards the goal the goal will result in One point.  There is no overtime. A game can end in a tie. If games end in a tie during the playoffs or championship game, the winner will be the team with the most points.

Out of Bounds

• The ball is in play throughout the arena, with the exception of behind the goal in between the black lines and in the benches. Any ball touching the ceiling or entering a team box is considered out of bounds and a kick (direct) will be awarded to the team that did not last touch the ball. If a player from the defensive team, standing in his/her own defensive zone and the ball is in his/her defensive zone, kicks the ball directly into any part of the ceiling, that player will be subject to a 2 minute penalty and his/her team will play short. Exception: Goal keeper, in which case any other field player will serve the penalty. If the ball is deflected off of any player, or the wall, there is no penalty. Just a direct free kick for the opposing team. If the team playing short is scored upon, the penalty is nullified and a player may reenter the game. If a player in his/her offensive end of the field, kicks the ball directly or indirectly into the ceiling, the result is a direct kick coming out for the opposing team.

Free Kicks

• On all free kicks, the defensive team must remain ten feet from the ball until the ball is kicked. After the ball has been placed, the defensive team must retreat (within three seconds) ten feet from the ball. Repeated failure to do so or failure to do so after the initial request by the kicker or official is encroachment and the referee may award that player a yellow card or a red card for egregious offense.
• Only one whistle will be sounded for free kicks. Failure to take such kick within five seconds results in a turnover of possession where the opposing team will take the free kick from the same spot.
• All kicks are direct.

Center Line Rule

• The center line rule is in effect whenever the keeper is in possession of the ball with his hands. Prior to crossing the center line, the distributed ball must first touch the floor outside of the box, a side wall, a teammate, or an opposing player. The center line rule will apply to drop-kicks as well as throws by the keeper. If the ball crosses the center line without touching one of the above, a violation results in a direct free kick from the center line. If the keeper dribbles the ball outside of the box, the center line rule no longer applies.

Yellow and Red Cards

• Please refer to the above general rules for yellow and red card violations.
• Any player that receives a yellow card will be sent off for a two minute penalty. The team of that carded player shall play a person down for the duration of those two minutes. Any team that receives a yellow card, the manager shall pull one player off the field to serve the mandatory two minute penalty. The referee shall keep track of the two minute penalty and inform the penalized team when the penalty is completed, at which time the team shall play at full strength.
• Any player that receives a red card shall be sent completely off the playing area and shall not return. The team with the offending player shall play the rest of the game with a player down. If a team receives a red card, the manager shall pull one player off the field and the team shall play the rest of the game with a player down.

Slide Tackling

• Slide tackling is illegal by all players, except for goalies. Offenders are subject to a yellow and or red card.

Penalty Kicks

• 7 seconds to shoot. Keeper must stay inside the penalty area at all times. Play stops when goal is scored or keeper makes the initial save. No rebound shots. If the keeper defends the shot, the ball is given to the keeper and play continues.

Goalkeepers

• After gaining possession of a ball, the goalkeeper must release it within five seconds. The goalkeeper may not pick up a ball that has been intentionally passed to him by a teammate off of that teammate's foot. Any goalkeeper infraction results in a free kick (direct) awarded to the opponents at the 30' mark. If there is obstruction or inadvertent charging committed against the goalkeeper, the referee will award a free kick. Violent or serious foul play against the goalkeeper may result in a yellow or red card.

Standings

• Teams will receive 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. League champion will be determined by the championship game. If the championship game has ended in a tie, the winner shall be determined by the team with the most points. Any tie breakers in points shall be determined in the following order:

                            1.  The winner of any head to head league play
                            2.  Least Goals Allowed
                            3.  Most Goals Scored
 

• If teams are still tied after the above tie-breakers have been calculated, the Sportsplex will award co-champions.

FIFA Rules

• The 422 Sportsplex will follow FIFA rules for all situations not otherwise covered in these rules.