Official Rules

• Unless denoted in this document, FIFA rules apply.  They can be found at the FIFA website (http://www.fifa.com/en/regulations/regulation/0,1584,3,00.html), under Laws of the Game 2007.
• Each player will be required to sign the player registration form.  By signing the registration form you acknowledge that the Orange County Sports & Social Club (OCSSC) is not responsible for lost or stolen property or any injury that may occur during the league. 
• Teams will consist of not more than eight (8) players and not less than three (3).  A maximum of four (4) players and not less than three (3) players will be allowed on the field of play for each team.  Substitutions may be made only when play is stopped and after notification is made to the referee.  Substitutions may not be made on stoppage resulting from a foul or corner kicks.
• There are NO GOALIES allowed.
• All players must wear approved shin guards and matching shirts.  The team listed FIRST will wear LIGHT shirts and the SECOND team will wear DARK shirts.
• Playing fields will be 35 yards long and 25 yards wide.  Goals will be approximately four (4) feet high by six (6) feet wide.
• Players are the only ones permitted on the sideline.
• Games will consist of two (2) twenty (20) minutes halves with a five (5) minute half time.
• There are no off-sides.
• All scoring must be shot from the team’s offensive half of the field.  A team will not be awarded a goal on a direct kick made on a kick-off or a kick-in from the sideline.  A goal can be scored directly on a corner kick.
• When a ball goes out of bounds at the touchline, the team taking possession will start with an indirect kick at the point where that ball went out of play.  Goal kicks will be taken anywhere on the line of the defensive penalty zone.
• If, in a referee’s discretion, a team intentionally kicks a ball out of bounds (an inordinate distance) or fails to retrieve a ball in a prompt manner, for the purpose of allowing time to expire, they will be warned.  If the situation occurs a second time, the opposing team will be awarded a penalty kick.
• No player may stand in the “penalty zone” (a 10-foot area around the center of the goal).  If a player is standing in the zone, the penalties will be:
• First offense—opposing team gets an indirect kick from midfield.
• Second and any further offenses—opposing team gets a penalty kick from midfield.

NOTE: Standing being defined as purposefully occupying space in the penalty zone to defend the goal.  Running through the penalty zone to get to the other side of the field is permitted.

• If a defensive player touches a ball that has entered the penalty zone, the opposing team gets a penalty kick from the centerline.  If a referee, in the referee’s sole discretion, determines that a team intentionally kicks a ball out of the penalty zone to avoid the scoring of a goal by the opponent, the referee will award a goal to the offensive team.  If any subsequent infraction occurs a goal will be awarded AND the offensive team will be awarded a penalty kick.
• If an offensive player shoots the ball from within the penalty zone, the opposing team gets an indirect kick form the centerline.  If any ball stops within the penalty zone and does not cross the goal line, play is restarted with a goal kick or corner kick, depending on who last touched the ball.
  

• PENALTY KICKS—Penalty kicks will be given for fouls and misconduct that are penalized under the FIFA Rules with a direct kick.  Accordingly, a penalty kick will be awarded if a player, in the discretion of the referee:
• Commits intentional kicking, holding, tripping, charging, or pushing an opponent with excess force.
• executes or attempts to execute a “slide tackle” against an opposing player.
• handles the ball deliberately/ intentionally (intentional hands ball).
• Fighting – thrown out of the league FOREVER.
• Penalty kicks will be taken from the centerline.  All players must be behind the centerline when the penalty kick is being taken.  The ball is dead when it’s forward momentum ends.  Play will restart with an indirect kick at midfield by the opposing team if the goal is scored.  If a goal is not scored, play will restart with an indirect kick at the centerline, by the team that took the penalty shot.
• An indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team for any foul that does not result in a penalty kick.  For all indirect kicks, including sideline kicks, the opposing team must stand 5 yards from the ball, and all indirect kicks will be at least 5 yards from the goal zone in line with where the foul was committed.
• If the referee determines that a ball is played higher than the top of the goal, they will reward an indirect kick to the opposing team at the point from where the ball was KICKED, not received.  (The reason for this rule is to keep head injuries down and to promote ball control.)
• A referee reserves the right to eject any player whose behavior at any time during the tournament endangers another player, referees, or the public.  The league director has the right to extend the ejection to multiple games or the entire league, if the director, in its discretion, deems it to be warranted under the circumstances.  This behavior shall be defined as, but not limited to:
• Play, which injures or is meant to injure
• Threatening or unsportsmanlike conduct (e.g. throwing a punch, fighting, etc.)
• Abusive language
• Teams must be at the scheduled field fifteen (15) minutes prior to their scheduled game time.  GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME! NO CALL NO SHOW WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!!  After the second offense, your team will be no longer allowed in this league so please COMMUNICATE!!!
• Deadline for registration and a MANDATORY Captain’s meeting will be Thursday, March 8th.  To complete registration, everyone on the roster have signed the waiver form AND paid in full.  If you haven’t paid, you will NOT be scheduled.  This rule will be strictly enforced!