Soccer Rules

All Soccer Leagues sponsored by the Office of Recreational Sports are based on the laws of the game published by the Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) with modifications deemed necessary by the conditions of intramural competition and facilities:

Player Eligibility

Intramural sports competition is divided into different leagues depending on skill level. Each team or individual is encouraged to select the level which best suits their abilities and interests. The Recreational Sports Director reserves the right to move teams/individuals to a more appropriate level when necessary. Team captains are encouraged to aid this process prior to the beginning of league play. The following leagues are offered for some (not all) Intramural Sports.

"A" League is designed for teams / individuals with high skill levels, seeking intense competition. Any participant, who has tried out, is red-shirting, is currently playing or has played on an intercollegiate team, is allowed to play in "A" league, BUT only one per athlete per team.

"Open" League is designed for competitive play with some restrictions on eligibility (i.e. any participant, who has tried out, is red-shirting, is currently playing or has played on an intercollegiate team MUST wait one full year before participating in the "Open" league).

"B" League is designed for those with prior experience in the sport seeking a moderate level of competition and skill. Current and former (within 2 years) intercollegiate athletes are NOT allowed to play in "B" league.

"C" League is designed for teams/individuals with a minor amount of skills and those playing "just for fun" Current and former intercollegiate athletes are NOT allowed to play "C" league.

If participants play on a team in which they are NOT eligible, the team is in jeopardy of forfeiting the game should the opponents appeal.

• A player must play in two league games to be eligible for tournament play and may play on no more than one team per league for tournament play.
• Teams must have six players to start a game. However, once started, games can continue with only five players. The game officials will call the game and award the win to the opposing team if a team is unable to field at least five players once a game has started.
• All co–ed teams must have at least two female players on the field at all times.
  • Special Note: If a female player is injured during the course of the game and there is no other female player to substitute, the injured team will be allowed to play with one less female player. The team will be allowed to have four males and one female on the field of play until the injured female player can return or until the game ends.

Player Check–In and Uniforms

• All team members must first check–in at the Office of Recreational Sports in order to determine game eligibility and check–out a game jersey (if needed). Picture ID is required.
• All team members must wear a jersey of the same color.
• All team members must wear a t–shirt underneath their issued Recreational Sports jersey. Tank tops are not allowed.
• JEWELRY IS NOT ALLOWED. Please inform players on your team to remove all jewelry (including necklaces, earrings, other piercings, etc) prior to each game.

Forfeits, Excused Losses & Forfeit Fees

• Teams forfeiting one game (i.e., no one shows up) will be dropped from the League and lose their forfeit fee. Remaining games will be given to other teams on a first–come, first–serve basis.
• Teams who have one excused loss (i.e., some players show up but not enough to play) will lose their forfeit fee and must pay an additional forfeit fee of $15 within 48 hours of the excused loss. Teams not meeting this deadline or who have more than one excused loss will be dropped from the League.
• Teams that allow an ineligible player to play in a game are considered to have an excused loss. These teams will fall under the same rules for an excused loss as noted above.

Game Times, Timing, Scoring & Substitution

• Forfeit time is five minutes after the hour according to the game official´s watch. Should the game official not have a watch or, if the time is clearly inaccurate, the clock in the Recreational Sports Office shall be considered the "official clock".
• Home team, as listed on the schedule, and will be provided with their choice of kick–off or side.
• The game consists of two 20–minute running clock halves. There will be a 5–minute halftime.
• Goals scored by any player are worth one point only.
• Substitutions may be made freely at the center of the court/field. Players entering the court/field of play must wait until the player exiting the court/field of play (i.e., the person they are subbing for) is completely off of the field/court. Players being substituted for must exit the court/field at the same area as the substitute entered.

Humboldt State University Recreational Sports–Specific Rules

• General Rule Modifications
  • Goal keepers may hold the ball for up to six seconds before it must be released.
  • Players must be outside the goal box before goal kicks take place.
  • Kickoffs can be played in any direction and are considered a direct kick.
• Fouls and Misconduct
  • A player who commits any of the following nine offenses shall be penalized by the award of a Direct Free Kick to be taken by the opposing team from the location of the offense.
    • Kicks or attempts to kick, trips, holds, pushes or jumps an opponent.
    • Charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner (including the goalie).
    • Charges an opponent from behind unless the opponent is obstructing.
    • Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent or spits at them.
    • Handles the ball (i.e., carries, strikes or propels the ball with the hand/arm – does not apply to the goalkeeper in the penalty area). Interpretation rests with the game official.
  • A player committing any of the following six offenses shall be penalized by the award of an Indirect Free Kick to be taken by the opposing team from the location of the offense.
    • Playing in a manner considered unnecessarily rough or out of control.
    • Charging unfairly with the shoulder when the ball is not within playing distance of the players concerned (or, if in the game official´s judgment, not trying to play the ball).
    • Intentionally obstructing an opponent from the ball when not in playing distance.
    • Charging the goal keeper when they have possession of the ball.
    • Delay of game by the goal keeper.
    • Sliding, tackling.
• Penalties (Red & Yellow Cards)
  • The official´s reserve judgment to utilize the yellow and red penalty cards as they deem necessary to control the game.
  • If a player is given a yellow card, he/she is required to sit out (in a designated penalty box area) for 2 to 5 minutes of play (as determined by the official). Another player on the team may not substitute for any player in the penalty box. A second yellow card on the same player will result in automatic ejection from the game. Substitutes are not allowed on the field for ejected players.
  • Should the game official issue a player a red card, he/she is automatically ejected from the game. Substitutes are not allowed.

Sportsmanship

• Teams are awarded points every game for sportsmanship (based on evaluations by game officials). A maximum of five points may be awarded per game. Teams must have at least 19 points (based on a five game schedule) to advance to the championship tournament. If teams play more than five games, their points awarded per game must average 3.8 points. Points are awarded as follows:
  • 5 Points≡ Outstanding sportsmanship displayed by all members of the team.
  • 4 Points≡ Average sportsmanship displayed by all members of the team.
  • 3 Points≡ One unsportsmanlike foul was assessed to a team/player and/or a team played with an ineligible player and/or had an excused loss.
  • 2 Points≡ Two unsportsmanlike fouls were assessed to a team/player(s) or a player was ejected from the game.
  • 1 Point≡ The game officials ejected a player and asked him/her to leave the field.
• If a player is ejected from a game, they must report to the Recreational Sports Office and complete a Suspension Form. The player will be ineligible to participate in the League or any programs offered by the Recreational Sports Office until the Suspension Form is received and the Director of Recreational Sports meets with him/her to determine the player´s continued eligibility.