Rules

Soccer Rules

All basic rules of play as described by FIFA will be used with adaptations and exceptions as noted below.

The Field of Play

For our 6v6 or 7v7 leagues, dimensions are approximately 60-80 yards x 30-40 yards (depends on venue)

Number of Players:

A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than seven (7) players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than five (5) players. Note- A five-minute grace period will be given before a forfeit is issued.

Substitutions: Unlimited substitutions can be made. All substitutions must be made near midfield with the player coming off in the same area as the player going on. On any dead ball, either team can make a substitution.

All players must be on the roster with a signed waiver in order to play. Players may not play on multiple teams in the same league.

FREE GUEST

During Regular Season:
- Each player is allowed free guests.  This means a team can have numerous free guests in one night.
- When a free guest is used, the commissioner should encourage them to sign up and subscribe. They should explain it's cheaper to subscribe.
- A player may be checked in ONCE as a free guest. The ONLY situation they can be checked in twice as a free guest is if they are having app issues or payment issues while signing up. If this occurs please let them know they will not because to use the free guest again and to email support@areenassports.com for assistance.

During Playoffs:
- The Fair Play Rule: the competitiveness of your team cannot materially improve going in to playoffs. This is so you can't bring in that one Emerald level friend that will dominate a Bronze level basketball playoff.
- If someone on another team complains to us about your team, and you've brought one or more new players that make your team much better than you were in previous rounds, you will potentially be disqualified from the playoff.
- This will be dealt with on a case by case basis by the AREENA team.

The Players Equipment:

Conform to FIFA. Shin guards under socks are highly recommended!

All teams should have matching colored jerseys. In the case of similar team colors, the home team will be required to change to a color accepted by the referee. The uniform of the goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of the competing teams and the referee.

It is the responsibility of the teams and players to provide their own balls and to retrieve their own balls during games.

PLAYERS WEARING A PERMANENT CAST SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY GAME.

However, soft braces can be worn, with final judgment as to safety at the discretion of the referee.

Referees:

A referee will be appointed to each game to enforce the rules, keep the official clock, and most importantly, maintain safety.
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Their decisions connected to the game shall be final and unquestionable (no protests). They also have the power to suspend a game at any time if they feel that the safety of players, coaches, spectators, or them

The Duration of the Game:

23 minute halves and 2 minute halftime.
Non playoff matches - If tied at the end of regulation time, it remains a tie.
Playoff matches - 5 minute golden goal. If at the end of OT it's still tied, then there will be PKs.

Ball In and Out of Play:

Conform to FIFA.

Method of Scoring:

Conform to FIFA.
Non playoff matches - If tied at the end of regulation time, it remains a tie.
Playoff matches - 5 minute golden goal. If at the end of OT it's still tied, then there will be PKs.

Offsides:

There is not offsides rules for 6v6 or 7v7 soccer.

Fouls and Misconduct:

Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions:

• Slides or slide tackles – Slides and slide tackles are not permitted. Any sort of slide by a field player whether going for the ball or not, no matter if contact is made or not, is considered a slide. An indirect free kick for the opposing team will be awarded if a player slides. If any of the above is committed by a defending player within the penalty area, a penalty kick should be awarded against their team.
  

• Yellow Cards- If you get a yellow card, you must immediately sub out.
  

• Red Cards- If a player receives a red card, they are required to leave the field and the team must play down a man for the remainder of the game. The carded player is also suspended from the following game. Two red cards results in permanent suspension from all AREENA leagues‍
• Fans are allowed if the Facility Partner permits. Fans aren't allowed to storm the fields at anytime, and will be subject to ejection if they do.‍

Areena has the right to permanently eject players from all leagues for serious offenses (fighting, verbal abuse, threatening players or referee, etc).

Free kick:

All free kicks will be indirect.

Penalty kick:

Conform to FIFA with the exceptions that the penalty mark is at nine (9) yards and that players other than the kicker and defending goalkeeper are at least ten (10) yards from the penalty mark.

Throw-In:

Conform to FIFA.

Goal kick:

Conform to FIFA.

Corner kick:

Conform to FIFA.

General Rules:

Unsportsmanlike Behavior - Unsportsmanlike behavior from players, coaches, or spectators will not be accepted and will be handled accordingly by referees and/or AREENA Staff, usually resulting in a one game suspension.

Forfeits: A team will be issued a forfeit if they do not have enough players to field an eligible team or if they are found to have used illegal players.

Inclement Weather: Safety is our number one concern. If the referee feels the conditions are unsafe, then they have the right to suspend the game. Any game suspended after half the game was completed, will be considered final if they are unable to finish the game within their time limit. All other games will be resumed once it is deemed safe to play.

Participant Waiver Forms: All participants must have a signed waiver on file prior to playing in any game.

No jewelry allowed. Fitness trackers may be worn if a sweat band is placed around it.

No alcohol or gum allowed on the field.
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Indoor Soccer Rules:

The above current FIFA and USSF Indoor rules will govern the league with some exceptions:
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Substitutions are unlimited and “on the fly”, done by team’s defensive goal.
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No walls are used in play.
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Ball is out of bounds over the field lines.
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No throw-ins, all kick-ins.
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If the ball hits the ceiling, the opposing team receives a free kick from that spot.

Major and minor infractions are penalized by a direct free kick. A time penalty can also be given depending on the severity of the foul. All dead ball free kicks are direct.

Subs are issued for serious fouls, delay of game, unsportsmanlike conduct, and violent fouls. Infractions are to follow USSF Indoor Playing Rules

Jersey Policy:

AREENA doesn’t provide jerseys. Please coordinate with your team to agree on the same colored shirt (no numbers required), and bring a backup white or black shirt in case your opponent wears the same color!

Mercy Rule:

The game will be stopped (referee time-out) to be declared a Mercy in the below situations:

‍At halftime, if a team is losing by 8+ goals
With 2 minutes left in the game, if a team is losing by 4 goals

The referee will ask the losing team if they would like to continue playing.
If they want to keep playing, they’ll be given the option to mix up the teams to have it be a scrimmage.

The Facilitator/Soccer Referee will submit the scores in the app and will stop taking stats. 
Same rules apply but score and time will be taken on just the scoreboard/timer with a running clock.

Forfeit  Policy:

Communication:
- Teams must notify League Commissioner of forfeit (0 players coming) 24+ hours before the match 
- Anything outside of that window, or no communication at all will be penalized

Fine:
- The penalty is a fine charged to the Team Captain’s account. Team Captain can coordinate between their team to distribute amongst themselves
- No Call, No Show: If a team forfeits and there is no communication.
A fine of $40 will be charged to the Team Captain’s account and the team will have a strike added to their attendance record.
- <6 Hours: If a team forfeits within 6 hours of the first game of their league that week.
A fine of $20 will be charged to the Team Captain’s account and the team will have a strike added to their attendance record.
- 6-24 Hours: If a team forfeits between 6-24 hours of the first game of their league that week.
There is no fine. The penalty is a strike toward their attendance record

Ineligibility:
- Any team that forfeits (0 players coming)/no-shows once in one round will be given a warning
- Any team that forfeits (0 players coming)/no-shows twice in one round  will be removed from the schedule immediately and suspended from the next round (even if it’s playoffs)

Objections:
- If players wish to protest a suspension or fine, they can email support@areenasports.com
- Please include the league name, team name, league commissioner, and why they feel a penalty isn’t warranted

Click here to see the full details of the Forfeit Policy.