6 on 6 Soccer Rules

 The following rules have been designed to ensure fair play for all participants. Each player is expected to understand these rules prior to participation in the tournament. Any questions concerning these rules should be directed to the SoFlo Event Staff.

 PRIOR TO THE GAME:

EACH TEAM ENTERED IN THE TOURAMENT MUST SUBMIT THE $80.00 TOURNAMENT FEE

(In theory, a church may enter 2 teams and would have to submit $160.00 or $80.00 for each team)

  

I. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

PLAYERS

  1.  Each team shall consist of five players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper. Teams must have at least four players at the designated time of the contest, or the game will be forfeited. Teams must have at least four players to continue.
  2. There is no limit on the number of substitutes. You may only sub when your team has possession of the ball during a stoppage of play in the game on a corner kick. Either team may substitute during a stoppage of play in the game on a goal kick, throw in, after a score, when a Player is cautioned, when a player is injured, or when a player is disqualified.
  3. Officials must be notified of a substitution before it is made.
  4. A goalkeeper may be changed during a stoppage of play. The referee must be notified prior to the change.
  5. If a player enters the field of play without notifying the referee, an indirect kick will be taken at the point where the ball lies at that time, and a yellow card will be issued to that player.

 

II. PLAYER EQUIPMENT

  1. Teams must provide their own ball for warm-up. The referee will pick the best ball available to use as the game ball.
  2. The goalkeeper must wear a color of shirt that distinguishes him/her as a goalkeeper.
  3. All players must wear shoes; tennis shoes and soft-soled, one-piece soccer shoes, plastic screw-on cleats are allowed. Cleats must be made of non chipping material and not form a cutting edge. Metal spikes and metal cleats are prohibited.
  4. Players are strongly encouraged to wear shin guards; however, they are not required. All shin guards made of hard substances (plastic etc.) must be covered entirely by stockings.
  5. Players are not allowed to wear caps or bandanas.
  6. A player shall not wear anything that is dangerous to another player on the field (i.e. loose Chains, rings, watches, headwear that contains any hard, stiff material including billed hats or items containing exposed knots). ALL JEWELRY MUST BE REMOVED. Participants wearing Illegal equipment will be required to sub off (whether a sub is available or not) until the next substitution opportunity after the jewelry is removed. THIS INCLUDES ALL EARRINGS. If you are wearing any type of cast you will not be allowed to play. Braces must be covered and padded. A player is subject to ejection for failure to comply after first warning.

 

 III. TIME

  1. Match time is forfeit time. Opposing team can allow a ten (10) minute grace period.
  2. A match will be divided into two (2) periods of ten (12) minutes each. Time runs continuously unless there is an injury or unexpected interruptions. At the conclusion of each half, the team’s reverse ends. There shall be six (6) minutes between halves. There are no time outs. Time shall be extended to allow a penalty kick to be taken. Match time will be kept on the field by a referee.
  3. 10-at-5 Mercy Rule: If a team is ahead by ten or more goals with five minutes or less remaining in the second half, the match will end. At the same time, if a team is ahead by nine goals and is deemed to be stalling, the officials have the option to end the match and sportsmanship points may be deducted.
  4. Matches that are tied at the end of regulation time will proceed into overtime and, if needed, a shootout to determine a winner. The overtime and shootout procedures are outlined below.

 IV. THE FIELD

  1. The 6-on-6 soccer field shall be 65 yards long by 30 yards wide. The goal box extends 3 yards (9 feet) from the end line and is 4 yards (12 feet) wide.
  2. Goals shall be no larger than 4 feet high by 8 feet wide. Advanced divisions may play with smaller goals.

 

V. GOALKEEPERS & GOAL BOX RESTRICTIONS

  1. There are no goalkeepers in 3-on-3 soccer.
  2. No player may touch the ball within the goal box. However, any player may move through the goal box. Any part of the ball or player's body on the line is considered in the goal box for the purposes of this rule. Once a player has entered the goal box (such as when legally moving through the box), that player must establish him/herself outside the goal box (both feet outside the box) prior to touching the ball.
    1. If a defender touches the ball in the goal box, the offensive team is awarded a penalty kick from the half-field line.
    2. If an offensive player touches the ball in the goal box, the defensive team is awarded a goal kick. A goal kick is taken from any position along the endline (not the goal box).
    3. If the ball comes to a complete stop in the goal box, regardless of which team touched it last, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.

 

VI. RULES

A single referee will be utilized for 3-on-3 soccer.

 

KICKOFF PROCEDURE

  1. A coin toss before the beginning of the game will determine which team kicks off and which has the choice of ends. The team not receiving the ball first will have possession to begin the second half.
  2. On the referee's signal, the game shall start or resume following a goal with a kick from the center of the field.
  3. All players shall be within his/her half of the field. Opponents of the kicking team must be at least 5 yards from the ball until it is kicked. A teammate of the kicker may be anywhere within his/her half of the field.

 

SCORING A GOAL, OUT OF BOUNDS, OFFSIDES, RESTARTS

 1. A goal is scored when the ball wholly crosses the goal line within the goal. The ball must be touched by a player (from either team) on the offense's side of the half-field line prior to entering the goal. A ball that rolls into the goal untouched by either team as required shall result in no goal scored. The ball is considered out of bounds. If last touched by the offense, a goal kick by the defensive team shall be awarded. If last touched by the defense, a corner kick by the offensive team shall be the awarded.

2. After the ball has wholly crossed the sidelines, either on the ground or in the air, the team that did not touch the ball last shall be awarded a kick-in.

A. For a kick-in, the ball shall be placed along the sideline near the point the ball crossed out of play.

B. Defenders must be positioned at least 5 yards from the spot of the kick-in.

C. The ball is in play as soon as it is touched by the kicker.

D. The player taking the kick-in cannot retouch the ball until another player has touched it.

3. A goal kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and was last touched by an offensive player.

A. For a goal kick, the ball shall be placed anywhere on the endline outside of the goal box area.

B. Defenders must be positioned at least 5 yards from the spot of the goal kick.

C. The ball is in play as soon as it is touched by the kicker.

D. The player taking the goal kick cannot retouch the ball until another player has touched it.

4. A corner kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and was last touched by a defensive player.

A. The ball must be placed on the ground within 1 yard of the corner flag or cone. Corner flags or cones cannot be moved to take a corner kick.

B. The opposing team must be 5 yards away at the time the ball is kicked.

C. The kicker cannot retouch the ball until it is touched by another player (either team).

D. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

5. Any ball striking a referee, goal post, or corner post and remaining on the field is in play. After the ball has wholly crossed the sideline or goal line, or whenever the game has been stopped by the referee, the ball is out of play.

6. When restarting the game after a temporary suspension of play (i.e. injury), except on a free kick or kick-in, the team that was clearly in possession of the ball at the time of the suspension shall be awarded an indirect free kick from the spot the ball was at the time of the suspension.

A. If neither team was in clear possession of the ball, the referee shall drop the ball at the place where it was when play was suspended, and the ball is in play when it touches the ground.

 

OFFSIDES

There is NO offsides in intramural 3-on-3 soccer.

 

SLIDE TACKLING

A slide tackle occurs when a player leaves his/her feet and leads with his/her feet to play the ball while the ball is in the proximity of another player. A slide tackle does not require that any contact occur between players.

  1. There is NO SLIDE TACKLING in P.A.S.S soccer league. This rule applies to all players including the goalkeeper.
  2. On the first offense, a slide tackle will result in a blue card for the offending player. Additionally, a penalty kick is awarded to the offended team. The offending player is not dismissed from the match.
  3. On the second and subsequent offenses, a slide tackle will result in a red card for the offending player. Additionally, a penalty kick is awarded to the offended team. The offending player is immediately dismissed for the remainder of the match, but can be replaced by an eligible substitute, if available. This is deemed an ejection and further disciplinary action may be taken.

 

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

The word "kicks" in the text below refers only to circumstances where a player plays the ball with the foot or feet. Similarly, a deflection with the foot or feet is permitted in circumstances where it is not intentional (involuntary deflection or miskick from a teammate).

A player who commits any of the following offenses shall be penalized by the award of an indirect free kick to be taken by the opposing team from the spot where the infraction occurred.

A penalty kick shall be awarded after a serious or intentional rule infraction takes place by the defensive team. A penalty kick shall be awarded if, in the referee's opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by the infraction. Such violations may occur anywhere on the field.

  1. Dangerous play - In the opinion of the official, all high kicks above the waist in a dangerous manner will be prohibited.
  2. Charging a player not in possession of the ball - A player shall not intentionally charge an opponent unfairly.
  3. Obstruction - Obstruction is the intentional act by a player, not in possession of the ball or not attempting to play the ball, of running between an opponent and the ball or using the body as an obstacle.
  4. Delay of game - No player or team shall unnecessarily delay the playing of the game.
  5. Kicking or striking an opponent - A player shall not intentionally attempt to kick or strike an opponent.
  6. Jumping at or tripping an opponent - A player shall not intentionally jump at nor intentionally trip an opponent.
  7. Charging a player in possession of the ball - A player shall not intentionally charge an opponent unfairly. Offenses include violently and/or dangerously charging a player or charging from behind.
  8. Holding, pushing, or impeding an opponent - A player shall not use his/her hands or arms to hold, push, or impede an opponent.
  9. Hand ball (Handling) - A player shall be penalized for intentionally handling, carrying, striking, or propelling the ball with a hand or arm. Unintentional handling occurs when the ball strikes the hands or arms of a player who has not moved the hands or arms to play the ball; this unintentional handling shall not be penalized.

In addition to the above penalties, a referee may issue a yellow (caution), blue (automatic penalty kick), or red (ejection) card for the following offenses:

(Yellow) Leaving the field or coming onto the field without a referee's permission.

(Yellow) Unsportsmanlike conduct.

(Yellow) Persistent infringement of the rules of the game.

(Yellow) Showing dissent (disagreement) toward a referee's call, including objecting by word of mouth or action.

(Blue) Slide tackling, first offense (non-malicious).

(Red) Slide tackling, first offense (if malicious).

(Red) Slide tackling, second and subsequent offenses by same team (any type).

(Red) Excessive foul or abusive language.

(Red) Persistent misconduct after receiving a caution.

(Red) Violent or serious foul play.

(Red) Intentionally impeding an opponent through unlawful means during an obvious goal-scoring opportunity - If a player who is moving toward his opponents' goal with an obvious opportunity to score a goal is intentionally impeded by an opponent through unlawful means (an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick), thus denying the attacking player's team the goal-scoring opportunity, the offending player shall be sent off the field for serious foul play.

A team caution, a disciplinary action facing an entire team as a result of a violation by a player of that team, may be assessed by the referee in the following instances: encroachment on free kicks, intentional hand balls by the defense, and unnecessary delay. Once a team caution has been issued, if any player from that team commits the same foul, that player will be ejected.

(Blue) A blue card results in a penalty kick for the offended team.

(Blue) Following the first issuance of a blue card to a team, any subsequent fouls by that team that warrant a blue card will become red cards and result in player ejection.

(Red) A red card results in the ejection of the offending player from the match. The ejected player may not return for the remainder of the match, must leave the facility. The ejected player may be replaced by a substitute, if available. Ejected participants are immediately suspended from all IM play and must complete the reinstatement procedure to participate in future contests.

 

FREE KICKS

  1. All dead ball kicks (kick-ins, free kicks, kick-offs) are indirect with the exception of corner kicks and penalty kicks.
  2. An indirect free kick is a free kick from which a goal may not be scored unless the ball is touched by another player from either team.
  3. The free kick may be taken by any player of the offended team on the field of play at the time of the offense.
  4. When a free kick is awarded, all opposing players must be at least five (5) yards away from the spot where the free kick is to be taken.
  5. When a foul is penalized within 5 yards of the goal box, the free kick spot shall be moved to a distance of 5 yards from the goal box to permit the defenders to take a legal position in front of the goal box.
  6. The ball must be stationary when a free kick is taken. The kicker shall not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player (either team). The ball may be kicked in any direction.

 

PENALTY KICKS

  1. A penalty kick is awarded after a serious or intentional rule infraction takes place by the defensive team. A penalty kick shall be awarded if, in the referee's opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by the infraction. Such violations may occur anywhere on the field.
  2. The penalty kick shall be taken at a spot anywhere along the half-field line.
  3. The penalty kick may be taken by any player of the offended team on the field of play at the time of the offense.
  4. All players must remain behind the half-field line and at least 5 yards from the spot of the penalty kick.
  5. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains position with a goal kick. Penalty kicks are NOT live balls in 3-on-3 soccer.

 

OVERTIME AND SHOOTOUT

  1. Overtime will consist of one 3-minute “golden goal” period. The first team to score a goal will win the game. The choice of ends and the kickoff will be decided by a coin toss.
  2. If the game remains tied at the end of the overtime period, the game will proceed into a 3-person shootout.
  3. A coin toss will occur to determine which team shall kick first in the shootout. The winner of the coin toss shall have the option of shooting first or last.
  4. The three players on the field of play (in the game) at the end of the overtime period shall be the shooters
  5. Each team has a total of three (3) shots. Teams will alternate after each shot. Each shot shall follow the procedure for a penalty kick as outlined above.
  6. If the score remains tied following the first three (3) shots by each team, a sudden victory shootout will occur in which the game is won if, after ANY equal number of shots, the tie is broken. The kicking order and players involved will remain the same as the initial three shots.
  7. If the score remains tied following another three (3) shots by each team, during the sudden victory shootout, the spot for the penalty kick shall be moved an additional 5 yards away from the goal. The distance will continue to increase by 5 yards following each set of 3 shots per team until a winner is determined.
  8. In the event that a team is playing a person-down due to ejection or injury and is not permitted by rule to replace the player or, if permitted, has no available eligible substitutes, the vacant place in the shootout order shall be considered a miss.