Durham Soccer League 786 - (DSL786) Indoor Soccer Playing Rules - U5 - U12
RULE 1: The Field • Field markings shall be clearly visible and of uniform width of approximately 5 inches (12.7cm). All lines are part of the area they encompass. • The size of the goals shall be 8 feet (2.4M) wide and 5 feet (1.8M) high. • The width of the goals shall be measured from the inside of one goalpost to the inside of the other goalpost, and the height from the ground to the underside of the cross- bar • Whenever possible, goal-nets shall be used.Off-side: Not applicable.
RULE 2: The Ball • The ball shall be spherical and shall be constructed of material which is not dangerous to the players. • Ball size shall be size 4.
RULE 3: Number of Players The game shall be played by two teams • Each team shall consist of 5 players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper • Unlimited substitutions shall be allowed • Substitutions shall be made at the end of each 5-minute period. Play shall not be stopped for the substitution until the ball is out of play.RULE 4: Player’s Equipment • Players shall not wear anything which endangers themselves or other players.• Basic compulsory equipment shall consist of shorts, socks, shin guards, footwear, and a numbered shirt. Goalkeepers must wear colors which are distinguishable from all outfield players and the referee. • A player who is asked to leave the field of play because of defective or dangerous equipment may not re-enter the field of play until the referee is satisfied that the equipment is permissible. U8 2 Jewellery • All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, etc.) are strictly forbidden and must be removed • Using tape to cover jewellery is NOT acceptable• Referees are also prohibited from wearing jewellery (except for a watch or similar device for timing the match) • The players are to be inspected before the match begins and substitutes are to be inspected before they enter the field of play.
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RULE 5:The Referee • The referee appointed to officiate a mini-soccer game will have the full authority to enforce the rules • Referee decisions regarding facts connected to play are final The referee shall: • Enforce the rules of the game. • Refrain from penalizing in cases where the offending team may gain an advantage • Report in writing to the appropriate authority, any misconduct by players, parents, spectators or other persons which takes place on the field of play or its vicinity at any time during the game • Control who may enter or leave the field of play • Stop the game immediately if a player appears to be Injured, bleeding or concussed • Signal to start the game, and to restart it after a stoppage decide if the field of play and all applicable equipment is suitable Referee Assistant: Not Applicable.
RULE 6: Duration of the Game • The game shall be divided into two equal halves, the length of which shall be 20 minutes. The halftime interval shall be 5 minutes • If for any reason, a game is terminated before full-time, the local organizers shall decide the outcome of the game.
RULE 7:Start of Play • At the beginning of the game, choice of halves and the kick-off shall be decided by the toss of a coin. The team which wins the toss shall decide which goal to attack in the first half. The other team will take the kick-off. At a kick-off, all players shall be in their own half of the field of play. All players opposing the team taking the kick-off shall be not less than 6 yards (5.5M) from the ball until it is kicked-off. The game shall be started by the referee giving a signal. The ball maybe kicked in any direction (i.e. forwards, sidewards, or backwards) on the field of play.For any infringement of this rule, the kick-off shall be retaken. • Should the player taking the kick-off play or touch the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player, a free-kick shall be awarded to the opposing team. • After a goal has been scored, the game shall be restarted by a kick-off, to be taken by a player of the team against which the goal was scored • After the first half of play, the teams shall change halves and the kick-off shall be taken by a player of the team opposing that which started the game. • For any stoppage not mentioned elsewhere in these rules, the referee shall restart the game by dropping the ball at the place where it was when play was stopped, unless play was stopped in the penalty-area. In this case, the ball shall be dropped on the penalty-area line at the point nearest to where the ball was when play was stopped. The ball shall be in play as soon as it touches the ground. A goal may NOT be scored directly from a kick-off.
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RULE 8: Ball In and Out of Play The ball is OUT of play: • When the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line, or touch-line, whether on the ground or in the air • When the play has been stopped by the referee The ball is IN play: • At all other times including when it rebounds into play from a goal-post, a cross-bar, or a corner flag post, or referee and remains in the field of play.RULE 9: Method of Scoring • A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has crossed over the goal-line, between the goal-posts and under the cross-bar, provided it has not been thrown, carried or intentionally propelled by hand or arm, by a player of the attacking team, except by a goalkeeper from within his own penalty-area. • The referee shall be the sole judge as to whether a goal has been scored. • During the course of play, should any outside agent prevent the ball from passing into the goal or assist the ball into the goal, play shall be stopped. The referee