Capital Soccer at Stowe Arena
Indoor League Rules
The Capital Indoor Soccer League at Stowe Arena will be played in a 7v7, non-boarded format unless otherwise specified by league officials.
General
Substitutions
The referee’s authority and jurisdiction shall extend to all bench personnel and players.
Unlimited Substitutions: During the game, unlimited “on-the-fly” substitutions are permitted at any time for field players and the goalkeeper provided that both the following two conditions are satisfied.
A substitution may be made at any time, regardless of whether the ball is in play or not, provided that the following conditions are observed:
Guaranteed Substitutions. If the ball goes out of play, by crossing either touchline or end line, or hits the superstructure, a team representative may call for a guaranteed substitution by simply calling “Sub!” The referee may delay the restart, and signal the requesting team to make its substitutions without play being restarted. The substitution may last no more than 10 seconds. No substitution will be guaranteed until acknowledgement from the referee is given. No guaranteed substitutions will be allowed within the last two minutes of each half of the match.
Infringements/Sanctions. If, while a substitution is being made, a substitute enters the pitch before the player being replaced is a maximum of three feet from his team’s bench area:
Injured Player. A player attended to on the field by bench personnel is not required to leave the field. If play is stopped for an injury, and the bench personnel are called onto the field, either team may have a guaranteed substitution. Referees should stop play only when the team of the injured player gains possession of the ball, if the position of the injured player is critical to the play, or if, in the opinion of the referee, the injury appears serious in nature.
Time Penalties for Substitution Violations: For any of the following offenses, the offending team’s coach shall designate any player to serve the time penalty:
Restarts
Beginning of the Game: The direction of the kickoff shall be designated by the referee. If possible, all kickoffs shall be toward the main entrance to the building. Generally, the benches are chosen on a first come, first serve basis. After the referee has given the signal, the game shall be started by a place-kick. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward. The kicker may not play the ball a second time before another player has touched it. A goal may be scored directly from a kickoff.
Whistle restart. In the following instances: A referee’s 2nd whistle is required to restart the match:
The ball is out of play:
Restarts-Ball Over Touchline: When the whole of the ball passes over the touchline, it shall be kicked in by a player of the opposing team from the point on the touchline where it crossed out of bounds. A goal may not be scored directly from such a kick.
Restarts – The Goal Kick : When the whole of the ball passes over the end line between the corner flag posts, having last been touched by a player of the attacking team, play shall be started with a free kick from the goalkeeper. The ball is not in play until it leaves the penalty area. A goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick.
Restart – Corner Kick: When the whole of the ball passes over the end line between the corners, having last been touched by a player of the defending team, play shall be restarted by a corner kick. A goal may be scored directly from such a kick. The ball shall be placed on the corner at the nearest corner to where the ball exited the field. A second whistle by the referee is NOT mandatory before a corner kick may be taken.
Drop Ball Restart: When restarting the game after a stoppage of play for any cause not covered elsewhere in these laws, the referee shall drop the ball at the place where play was stopped. If in the penalty box, the ball shall be dropped at the nearest point outside the penalty box.
Free Kick Regulations:
Free Kick in Attacking Penalty Area: Any free kick awarded to the attacking team for an infraction in its opponent’s penalty area, but which does not result in a penalty kick, shall be taken from the middle of top of the penalty area. (Example: Dangerous Play, Pass-back rule violation, or any other infraction that would result in an indirect kick in outdoor soccer).
Penalty Kick
Definition: A penalty kick is a free kick awarded to the offense inside its opponent’s penalty area. It is taken from the penalty mark, against the goalkeeper, without interference from other players. It can be awarded irrespective of the position of the ball, if in play, at the time an offense is committed. A penalty kick shall be awarded if a player of the defending team commits a foul within the defensive penalty area, including the area behind the goal line bounded by the net.
Regulations: All players, except the defending goalkeeper and the player taking the kick, shall remain behind the ball, and its extension to the touchlines. In addition, no players may interfere with the kicker in any way. The referee shall spot the ball on the penalty mark and identify the player taking the kick. The goalkeeper must stand on the goal line and cannot move off the line until the ball is kicked, but may move along the line. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward. The kicker may not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.
Violations by the Defense: If, in the opinion of the referee, premature movement by the goalkeeper or encroachment by the defense affected the result of the kick, or possession immediately following the kick, the referee shall signal for the kick to be retaken.
Violations by the Offense: If, in the opinion of the referee, encroachment by the attacking team distracts the goalkeeper, or if an encroaching player receives the rebound, the referee shall award a free kick to the defending team. If the kicker plays the ball a second time without having touched another player, a free kick shall be awarded to the defense from the spot of the infraction.
Penalty in Extended Play: Play shall be extended at the end of any period to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken. Any combination of rebounds from the ground, the goalkeeper, the crossbar, or the goal posts, are considered part of the play.
Duration of the Game
The duration of a regulation game shall be two (2) halves of 25 minutes (running time) each for a total of fifty (50) minutes, subject to the following:
Intervals Between Halves. Normally, a (2) two minute half-time is provided. The referee may shorten the half-time interval to one (1) minute if the game is behind schedule due to a delay in the game or in previous games.
Time-out. There will be no time outs allotted
Conduct and Penalties
Time Penalties: Team and Individual Time penalties shall be divided into the following categories:
These time penalties may be applied after the start of the game whether or not play is in progress
Delayed Penalty: The referee may choose to apply the advantage and not stop the game for an offense which warrants a time penalty. If the advantage is applied, the time penalty shall be administered when play stops. The restart is the same as indicated by the stoppage of play.
Power-play Goal: If a goal is scored during a power-play by the team with more players, than a player from the team scored against shall return to play. If more than one player is serving a penalty, the player with the least time remaining shall return to play.
Misconduct by Non-Players: Bench personnel (2 maximum) shall be defined as any non-player in the bench area with the permission of the coach. Bench personnel may be cautioned and subsequently ejected for any of the following offenses: (A team penalty shall be served)
a) Entering the field of play without the referee’s permission
b) Using foul of abusive language
c) Repeated dissent of the referee’s decision.
Notes on Penalties:
Equal Number of Penalties Elapsing: If an equal number of players from both teams are legally on the field of play when a goal is scored, no player serving a time penalty shall return to play.
Multiple Penalties: A maximum of two (2) penalties shall count down simultaneously. If a penalty occurs with a team having two or more players serving time penalties, the additional time penalties shall not commence until a previous penalty has expired.
Minimum Number of Players on the field: There must always be a minimum of five players on the field of play. If a team is penalized with a time penalty with two (2) already being served, the third player must go the penalty box and be replaced by a substitute on the field.
Return to Play/Restriction: When a team has three (3) or more players serving time penalties simultaneously, a substitute for the third player is on the field of play.
Ejected Coach (Team Personnel) Restriction: An ejected coach (or Team Personnel member) must leave the field area immediately and may not have any communication with his/her team until the team leaves the field area. The field area consists of the entire arena. Team Personnel receiving an ejection shall be penalized for the remainder of the current match, and the teams following match.
Referee’s Discretion: At the discretion of the referee, a penalty may be assessed to any player deemed guilty of Unsportsmanlike Conduct (UC) which does not warrant a caution. Any player of member of the team/bench personnel who uses foul or abusive language will be deemed unsporting and will receive a 2 minute blue card.
Duration of Ejectionable Penalty: When a player is ejected a five (5) minute time penalty shall be assessed to the offender which shall be served by another player from his team designated by the coach. Referees are instructed not to restart play until the ejected player or bench personnel leave the field area. The ejected player must retire to the main entrance to the arena until he can safely leave the premises. The player shall be penalized for the remainder of the current match, and the team’s following match.
Standings and Championships
Standings will be kept and updated regularly.
The following will be used in tie-breaking situations
The following will be used to determine league standings
League standings are based on cumulative points that a team has earned throughout the entire season. The team with the most points, at the conclusion of the final game, will be named “Champion”. In the event of a tie in points, the above tie-breaker will be used.
For the purposes of league statistics, the maximum goal differential recorded per game is 10 goals. For example, if a match is won 14-1, the recorded score will be 11-1
Rosters
Number of Players
1. All teams will play with seven players, one of whom shall be a goalkeeper. 2. Minimum of four players to start and continue a game. 3. Adult Coed – Minimum of two female players on the field at all times. Failure to have the required female players may result in a forfeit. If there are only 2 female players present for a game and a female player is not able to continue because of injury the game may continue and the score counted. The team must play down a player.
Player Equipment
Teams must wear the same color jerseys. Jersey numbers are encouraged but not required. If a team’s shirts are deemed by the referee or league manager to not be uniform, it will be required to wear pinnies.
In the event of a color conflict, the away team (listed second on the schedule) must wear pinnies. Pinnies will be provided by the league manager.
Shin guards are MANDATORY and must be fully covered by socks.
The playing surface is Field Turf. Molded cleats or turf shoes are the most appropriate footwear. Indoor flats or sneakers may be worn. NO soft ground or replaceable cleats will be allowed.
Soccer Balls
Warm-up and Game balls will be provided for use within the facility. All balls must remain on the playing field. Balls may not be kicked around in the entry ways of the facility. A Size 5 ball shall be used for U-14 and above teams. A Size 4 ball shall be used for U-12 and below.
Referees