Laws of the Game

The Laws of the Game at Clovis Indoor Soccer are set forth by the United States Indoor Soccer Association.

In-House Rules

In-house rules were established April 4, 2015 by the management of Clovis Indoor Soccer. Owners and staff have the power to enforce the laws, rules and guidelines found within this book. This is to be done without prejudice to any player, coach, spectator, or team who is in violation of said laws, rules, or guidelines. These rules will be enforced fairly and justly for the safety and enjoyment of all parties of the game. A bound copy of these rules will be available at all times for review by anyone entering the facility. Unless otherwise mentioned FIFA Laws of the Game are in place.

Law 1 - The Field Of Play

The playing area is 105 ft in length and 75 ft in width. The pitch is designed for both 5-a-side as well as 3v3 soccer. The goal size for 5-a-side is 6.5 ft tall and 12 ft wide. Goal size for 3v3 is 4 ft tall and 8 ft wide.

Law 2 - The Ball

The ball is size 3 for u-8 and below, size 4 for u-9 – u-12, and size 5 for u- 13 and up.

Law 3 - The Players

5-a-side soccer is played with 5 players, one of whom is a Goalkeeper. 3v3 soccer is played with 3 players; 3v3 does not have a Goalkeeper.

Adult coed 5-a-side is played with 2 male and 2 female field players, the goalkeeper can be of either gender. 3v3 coed is played with at least one female and at least one male player on the field.

Each team may substitute players freely; provided that, the player being subbed out exits field before substitute enters pitch.

Law 4 - The Players' Equipment

Players wear their team's uniform, consisting of the same colors, shin guards, and indoor footwear. Teams must wear matching shirts or jerseys. If the colors conflict with opposing team, the home team is responsible to change to

alternate colored shirts. Shin guards must be covered by socks. Flat soled shoes, turf shoes designed for artificial surfaces, or tennis shoes may be worn. Long cleats, screw-ins, or studded cleats will not be allowed. The Referee will have final say on what footwear is legal. Jewelry and other accessories are prohibited. The Goalkeeper wears jersey colors distinguished from all other field players.

Law 5 - The Referee

The decisions of the Referee regarding facts connected with play and interpretations of the Laws are final.

Law 6 - The Duration of the Game

5-a-side games will be played in two halves of 20 minutes each, 3v3 halves are 12 minutes each.
The half time interval for all games is 2 minutes.
Except in the case of an unusual or lengthy delay, determined by the Referee, the game clock counts down continuously through each half.

Law 7 - The Start and Restart of Play

A Kickoff from the Center Mark starts play at the beginning of each half and after every goal. A player who starts play may not again play the ball until it touches another player. The ball is in play once it is kicked and moved. The ball can be played in any direction.

The home team takes the Kickoff for the first half and the visiting team takes the Kickoff for the second half. Teams will start game defending the same half of the field that their team bench is on.

Restarts take place by either a Kickoff, Free Kick, Goalkeeper Distribution, or Dropped Ball.

A team receives a Free Kick after stoppages other than when a Dropped Ball or Goalkeeper Distribution is required. Before the team takes the Free Kick, the ball must be stationary. All opposing players are at least 15 feet from the spot of the Free Kick (or, if within 15 feet of the opponent's goal, along the goal line).

The spot of the Free Kick is where the infraction took place, except: (a) Within own Penalty Area: from any spot therein.
(b) Within opponent's Penalty Area.

If neither team has clear possession of the ball at a stoppage, the Referee restarts play with a Dropped Ball from where the ball was when play was stopped.

Play restarts with a Goalkeeper Distribution if attacking team last touches a ball that hits netting or superstructure above goal area.

Law 8 - The Ball In And Out Of Play

A Superstructure Violation occurs when the ball makes contact with any netting, or leaves the field through the team bench area. Restart occurs straight down from where the ball hit the ceiling net unless the ball came from inside

defending goal area, then the restart will take place from the 2ndpenalty spot. If the ball hits side netting, the ball will be restated at the point where it went out.

Law 9 - The Method of Scoring

A team scores a goal when the entire ball legally passes over the Goal Line.

In 5-a-side a player may score directly of Kickoffs and Free Kicks.
In 3v3 all restarts are indirect with the exception of penalty kicks. Goals in 3v3 also must be last touched on the attacking half of field where ball crosses Goal Line.

Law 10 - Fouls and Other Violations

A Foul occurs if a player: (a) Holds an opponent;

(b) Handles the ball (except by the Goalkeeper within their penalty area);
(c) Plays in a dangerous manner (e.g., commits boarding or a slide tackle);
(d) Impedes the progress of an opponent ("Obstruction"), or
(f) Prevents the Goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands;
and when a player commits the following in a manner that the Referee considers careless, serious, reckless, or involving excessive force:
(g) Kicks an opponent;
(h) Trips an opponent;
(i) Jumps at an opponent;
(j) Charges an opponent;
(k) Strikes or elbows an opponent; or
(l) Pushes an opponent.

Unsporting Behavior: A Free Kick results for the following offenses:
(a) Leverage: Using the body of a teammate or any part of the field to gain an advantage;
(b) Encroachment: Entering the protected area of an opposing player taking a Free Kick;
(c) Dissent:
(i) Referee Abuse;
(d) Other: Behavior which, in the Referee's discretion, does not warrant another category of penalty (e.g., taunting, foul language.)

Goalkeeper Violations: The opposing team receives a Free Kick for the following violations by a Goalkeeper:
(a) Illegal Handling: Bringing the ball from outside of the Penalty Area to his hand within it, or receiving the ball again after a Goalkeeper Distribution without the ball having first touched another player (e.g., no drop-kicking or bouncing the ball);
(b) Pass Back: Handling the ball, having been passed deliberately and directly to him by a teammate; except that he may handle a ball which a teammate passes

to him by the head, chest, or knee and without "trickery" (the use of a wall or foot to flick the ball to a head, chest, or knee before making the pass);
(c) 5-Seconds: Controlling the ball with either his hand or foot inside of his penalty arch for over five (5) seconds.

Team Violations: The Referee issues a Team Penalty for the following violations by a team or unidentified person:
(a) Leaving Team Bench: Players leave a Team Bench to join a dispute or confrontation with the opposition or a game official;
(b) Bench Dissent: After an initial "Warning," one or more unidentifiable players verbally abuse the Referee.
(c) Other: Unsporting Behavior, which, in the Referee's discretion, does not warrant another category of penalty (e.g., too many players on the field.)

Advantage Rule: The Referee allows play to continue, notwithstanding the commission of an offense, when the team against which it has been committed will benefit from an existing offensive advantage.

Flagrant Fouls: A Shootout (5-a-side), or a Penalty Kick (3v3) is awarded for the following fouls committed by a defender in his or her defensive half of the field:
(a) A foul within the penalty area or goal for which he receives a Time Penalty; (b) Every time a team commits their 6thfoul they will concede a Shootout or Penalty Kick. A foul from behind against an attacking player;
(c) Any foul where he or she is the last field player on the team between the attacking player with the ball and the goal.

Blue Card Offenses: Unless otherwise provided below, the Referee issues a Blue Card for serious fouls and Unsporting Behavior (by a player) and for:
(a) Deliberate handball or handball by a goalkeeper;
(b) Goalkeeper endangerment;
(c) Boarding;
(d) Any foul by the goalkeeper during a Shootout.

Cautionable Offenses: The Referee issues a Yellow Card for reckless fouls and for:

(a) Second Blue Card;
(b) Unsporting Behavior by any non-player personnel;
(c) Provoking Altercation: Making physical contact with an opponent (e.g., pushing or poking), short of fighting, or using the ball in so doing.

Ejectionable Offenses: A person receives a Red Card for Fouls, which the Referee considers violent or committed with excessive force, and for:
(a) Third-Time Penalty;
(b) Elbowing: Intentionally elbowing an opponent above the shoulder;
(c) Vicious Slide Tackling: A tackle from the side or from behind directly into one or both legs of an opponent, seriously endangering him;

(d) Fighting;
(e) Leaving Team Bench or Penalty Area to engage in a dispute or confrontation with the opposition or a Game Official;
(f) Extreme Unsporting Behavior: Committing particularly despicable behavior, including:

(i) Spitting at an opponent or any other person;
(ii) Persistent use of extremely abusive language or behavior toward a Game Official;
(iii) Bodily contact with a Game Official in dissent.

Law 11 - Time Penalties

The following penalties apply to offenses for which a Card is issued (subject to further action by the Administrative Authority):
(a) Blue Card: 2-minute Time Penalty on the team bench;
(b) Yellow Card (for a player’s second Blue Card): 2-minute Time Penalty for the Blue Card and a warning of the subsequent possibility of an ejection;
(c) “Administrative” Red Card (for a player’s third Blue Card): 2-minute Time Penalty and ejection.
(d) “Straight” Red Card (for a player’s third Blue Card): 5-minute Time Penalty and ejection.
Players including goalkeeper are required to serve their own Time Penalties.

Exceptions: Under the following circumstances, Time Penalties either expire prior to their completed countdown, or have the beginning of their countdowns delayed:
(a) Powerplay Goal: If a team is scored upon having fewer players on the field of play, due to one or more players serving Time Penalties, a player from the team is released from the penalty area into the field of play, unless otherwise prohibited, and the player's penalty or penalties are wiped out.
(b) End of Game: All Time Penalties carry over between periods and expire at the end of the game.

Delayed Penalty: In instances where the Referee would issue a Blue Card, but for the Advantage Rule, the referee acknowledges the offense by holding the Card above his head until the earlier to occur of the following:
(a) Opponent's Possession: The team of the offending player gains control of the ball;
(b) Stoppage: The Referee stops play for any reason.
Once play is stopped, the offense is recorded and assessed, as customary. In the event of a Powerplay goal, the Time Penalty is not served and the provisions above regarding early release from the Penalty Area remain applicable.

Law 12 - Shootouts and Penalty Kicks

Shootout: For a Shootout:
(a) Any player may take the Shootout;
(b) All players serving Time Penalties are seated in their appropriate Penalty Area.

All players of the attacking team stand on or behind the Halfway Line and outside of the Center Circle. Players of the defending team stand behind the Halfway Line and inside of the Center Circle;
(c) The ball is placed on the the 2ndPenalty Spot.

(d) The Goalkeeper has at least one foot on his Goal Line and may not move off of it until after the Referee whistles the Shootout to begin;
(e) Once the Referee whistles the Shootout to begin, the ball is "in play" and the player taking the Shootout plays the ball.

Penalty Kick: A Penalty Kick works the same as a Shootout except:
(a) The ball is placed at the 2ndPenalty Spot;
(b) The Goalkeeper has both feet on his Goal Line until the ball is in play; and (c) The player taking the Penalty Kick may not touch the ball again until after it touches another player.

Tiebreaker: In the event that a match must have a winner, a Tiebreaker is decided with Shootouts or Penalty Kicks, except that:
(a) The Referee designates the Goal at which both teams shoot and the team which shoots first (according to administrative policy);
(b) All players, other than the player taking the shot and the defending Goalkeeper, remain within their Team Bench areas;
(c) Both teams have up to 3 shots, with players from each team kicking alternately;
(d) If, at any time, a team obtains a 2-goal advantage, the Tiebreaker ceases and the winner is declared;
(e) If, after both teams have taken 3 shots, neither has an advantage, the Tiebreaker continues, alternating one player at a time, until both teams have taken an equal number of shots and one team has scored when the other has not;
(f) The player has 5 seconds to score after the Referee’s whistle.

Adult Coed Rules

An adult coed 5-a-side match consists of 2 male and 2 female field players and a Goalkeeper of either gender. An adult coed 3v3 match must have at least one female and one male player on the field at all times. A team is not able to substitute a female player for a male player or vice versa. There are no special rules for female players, however when a female scores it counts as 2 points, male players goals count as 1.

Clovis Indoor Soccer Miscellaneous Rules
(a) No slide tackling allowed. Goalkeepers are the only players allowed to slide as long as they are with in their Penalty Area.
(b) No spitting on the field. A 2-minute Time Penalty for the violation will be enforced at all times.

(c) No chewing gum. Players who are chewing gum will be issued a straight Red Card.
(d) Teams will concede a Shootout or Penalty Kick for every 6thfoul committed. (e) Players can play on as many teams as they like, as long as they are in different divisions and abide with the following guidelines: (Adult league) Upper division players who’s skill level clearly show that he/she belongs in the upper divisions will not be allowed to drop to any division and play for a team which would throw off the level of play. Management will be the only deciding factor on players eligibility for lower divisions.

(f) Game reschedules only if there was an administrative error. Weather conditions may also cause games to be rescheduled.
(g) Clovis Indoor Soccer reserves the right to refuse services to anyone at anytime for any reason.

(h) If a player(s) or spectator(s) have been drinking alcohol or using drugs or is suspected of drinking or using drugs, the player(s) or spectator(s) will be asked to leave the premises immediately.
(i) All players including Goalkeepers will serve their own time for fouls and misconducts that warrant a Blue or Yellow Card.

(j) Goalkeepers in all age groups are not allowed to punt or drop-kick the ball. If the keeper controls the ball using their hands, the ball must be redistributed by either throwing or bowling the ball.
(k) Goalkeepers are allowed to play outside the Goal Area, but are only allowed to handle the ball within their own Goal Area.

(l) In 5-a-side field players are allowed to enter and play the ball in either Goal Area. In 3v3 the ball cannot be touched by any player within the 8 ft by 10 ft Goal Box. If a defending team violates this law a goal is rewarded, if the attacking team violates the ball is restarted by defending team and no goal is rewarded. (m) In both 3v3 and 5-a-side, players in all age groups and divisions are allowed to head the ball.

(n) Season scoring is based on 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. Any ties at end of season will be determined by goal differential. If still tied, head to head results will decide winner. If teams are still level, the team with the most goals scored over the season will be the winner. A Shootout or Penalty Kicks will decide champion if all previous tie breakers could not determine winner.

(o) Adult seasons will be divided by leagues based on skill level. Teams can be promoted, relegated, or remain in the same division depending on their results. 

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