Indoor Soccer Rules

All Montclair State University School Policies are in effect, including Student Code of Conduct.
All Montclair State University Department of Campus Recreation “Intramurals 101” policies are in effect.

ELIGIBILITY

All team sports are broken down into 5 different leagues which include: Men’s, Women’s, Organization, Greek, and Open. The Organization league is open to all MSU-affiliated Clubs and Organizations who register using the $60 team fee. The Open league places no restriction on gender, gender identity, or gender expression. Each player can only join one team per league (I.e. A player is allowed to play in one Open league and one Women’s/Men’s league). In leagues with multiple divisions, such as basketball, players are permitted to play in Men’s A or Men’s B only.
A team’s roster should be completed prior to their first game, but additional players are more than welcome. Be advised that they MUST play in ONE regular season game before being eligible for the playoffs. All players participating in a game must be listed on that game’s scoresheet. The players who are listed will be entered onto that team’s roster. Names of individuals can be added to the original roster prior to the new team member playing by listing that player’s name as well as his/her ID number on the scoresheet. A player must play in at least one regular season game to be eligible to participate in the playoffs. Rosters can have a maximum of 16 players.
Assumption of Risk, Waiver, and Release from Liability Form: All players must pay and sign up on imleagues.com. You MUST PAY YOUR REGISTRATION FEE BEFORE YOU PLAY in order to be eligible to play because your payment counts as your waiver. The only players who MUST sign a physical waiver, as well as pay, are those who play on Greek and Organization teams.
Checking ID’s: Before a contest, event, or activity, all members of a team shall present to the scorekeeper their pictured Montclair State University ID card. Those players listed on the scoresheet and verified by a scorekeeper are considered to have participated in that contest. Should a participant arrive at the contest after it has started, the participant must still sign in with the scorekeeper to verify that they are on the roster. Should a player not be verified by a scorekeeper, that individual shall be considered an ineligible player.
Forgotten ID Policy: If a player forgets his or her ID, that player is ineligible to participate in the SRC activity.
The captain is the representative of the team and may address an official and/or Director on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information so long as it is done in a courteous manner. Any player may address an official to request a time-out in the case of an emergency or when applicable.*Only 2 Club Sport Soccer players may play on a team.*

GAMEPLAY

Teams playing in the first and last games of the night are required to help the staff set up and clean-up. Not doing so can result in poor sportsmanship ratings prompting exclusion from the playoffs.
If a game cannot be played at game time, then the opposing team will earn one (1) goal every two (2) minutes for up to ten (10) minutes until the game can be played. If the game cannot be played after those ten minutes, then it is a forfeit.
Teams are required to wear all the same color shirts with numbers. Pinnies can be checked out at Equipment Checkout located in the Student Recreation Center. Both goalies must be in a different color than the other two teams playing, but a number is not required.
Games are 6v6 (5 and a goalkeeper). A team may start with a minimum of 5 (4 players and a goalie). Teams may have as many subs as desired. Subs for each team will wait in the alcoves or behind the score table.
Teams are strongly advised NOT to bring fans because there is very little room and visibility in the gym.
Teams may sub on the fly. However, the sub can only enter once the departing player has completely left the playing area. In order to sub for the goalie you must wait for either a goal or a dead ball.
Games are 20 minute halves (running clock) with a 2 minute halftime. The clock will only stop during goals in the last minute of the second half and during all injuries.
If a team is 7 or more goals ahead before the last two minutes of the second half, the game is over.

GOALIE PLAY/GOALIE BOX

The goal box will be outlined with colored tape.
The location of the ball determines the goalie’s possession. Consequently, a keeper cannot grab the ball unless it is fully inside the box.
Goalkeeper cannot punt the ball at any time.
If the goalkeeper throws the ball it CANNOT go past half-court unless it bounces first or touches a player prior to touching the line.
On a goal kick the player cannot kick the ball past half court.
A goal can be scored from anywhere on the floor including inside the goalie box.
Goalkeepers may dive laterally for the ball to make a save, but may not dive or slide forward in a 1v1 scenario.
If the ball goes behind the net it is a dead ball and will be a goal kick automatically.
The keeper is permitted to hold onto the ball for five (5) seconds before distributing it. If the keeper holds onto the ball for longer than the prescribed time then the opposing team gets the ball at midfield.

PENALTY PLAY

All free kicks will be INDIRECT and must touch another player other than the kicker to be considered a goal. No indirect free kicks are taken inside the goalie box.
Players on the opposing team must be at least three (3) yards away from the ball during a free kick.
Penalty kicks are awarded to attacking teams when a foul/penalty is committed in the goalkeeper’s box.
1. The penalty is a direct kick taken at the top of the black arch.
2. If an offensive player encroaches on the penalty box before the shot is taken and the goal is good, the shot is retaken. If the shot misses, it is a goal kick.
3. If a defensive player encroaches on the penalty box before the shot is taken and the goal is good, the goal stands. If the shot misses, it is retaken.
Players may not use the wall or curtain for support. Hands must stay off both surfaces at all times. Using them can result in a yellow/red card. In addition, a defending player may not push the player with the ball up against them.
Moving the curtain will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.
If the defending player fouls the attacking player, but the attacking player retains possession it is considered advantage and they play on until the play ends. Only then will the foul be called.
Excessive pushing or shoving, whether playing the ball or not, will result in a free kick and possible penalty/ejection.
Anyone receiving a yellow card must sit out for a 2-minute penalty. The offensive team will then be a player down for the duration or until a goal is scored. Penalties DO NOT overlap. A team can only be one player down. The ensuing penalty will begin when the first penalty ends.
Anyone playing overly aggressively or violently and commits a foul that is considered dangerous will immediately receive a red card.
Anyone receiving a second yellow card or red card is automatically ejected from the game (2 yellow cards equals 1 red card), suspended from the team’s next game, and must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural and Club Sports. The team will play down for the duration of the game.
There is NO sliding or diving of any kind during play. The only exception is when the keeper dives laterally to make a save.
If a player of the same team intentionally passes the ball back to the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper picks it up with their hands, the opposing team will then be awarded a penalty kick.
When in close proximity to or guarding an opponent, players reaching their leg(s) up higher than an opposing player’s waist for the ball are committing a dangerous play and will result in a foul and free kick, and may result in a yellow card.

TIEBREAKER/PLAYOFFS

In the case of a tie, there is no overtime in the regular season. During playoffs there is ONE 5-minute sudden death overtime followed by a 5-kick penalty shootout. If it is still tied at that point, there is a 1-kick penalty shootout until a winner has been decided. Who goes first will be determined by a coin toss and then alternate.

FOULS:

Charging an opponent violently or dangerously
Charging an opponent from behind.
Handling the ball.
Holding an opponent.
Striking or attempting to strike an opponent.
Pushing an opponent.
Tripping an opponent.
Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
Any sort of sliding or diving

PENALTY KICKS:

Serious foul play.
Handball to prevent goal if ball does not go into goal.
Foul against an opponent who is moving toward goal with an obvious opportunity to score (OSGO).
Handball or foul to prevent goal.

YELLOW CARDS:

Entering or leaving field w/o referee permission.
Persistent infringement of rules.
Dissent.
Incidental profane language.
Unsporting conduct.
Delays restart.
Encroachment on free kicks and corner kicks.
Unsporting conduct includes coaching outside of box, faking injury, simulating a foul.
Cautioned player must go off, if subbed for, may return at next opportunity to sub.
Coach/Captain may be cautioned for team or bench misconduct that cannot be attributed to a specific player.
Illegally equipped players.
Handball or foul to prevent goal and ball goes into goal.
Delayed or excessive acts to focus attention on player or prohibit timely restart.

RED CARDS:

Second caution (cannot be replaced).
Violent conduct.
Taunting.
Serious foul play.
Handball to prevent goal if ball does not go into goal.
Foul against an opponent who is moving toward goal with an obvious opportunity to score (OGSO).
Spitting at an opponent, teammate, or official.
Using offensive, insulting, or abusive language, or gestures.
Leaves bench when a fight is taking place. Coach and bench may be carded.

All rules are subject to change at a moment’s notice, and are at the digression of the sports director. If any participant argues with an official or Director, they may be ejected from the game and/or the field space. If any issues occur, Campus Police maybe called.