OFFICE OF INTRAMURAL, RECREATION, AND SPORT CLUBS

OUTDOOR SOCCER RULES

Rule 1 - General

1. All teams and all players will be subject to current rules and regulations stated in the
Intramural Guidelines (see Intramural Calendar)
2. Current High School Federation rules will be in effect, with the exceptions of those
listed on the following pages.

Rule 2 - FIELD OF PLAY

1. All games will be played at the Recreational Fields
A. Boundaries: 70 yards x 50 yards.
B. Penalty Area: 34 yards x 15 yards (marked with yellow cones).
2. Goals will be regulation, outdoor standards (8' high x 24' wide x 3' deep).
3. The area adjacent to the sideline on each side of the center field line is designated as
the team bow. Each team will remain in the box, 5 feet from the sideline, on their
respective side (includes players and managers, maximum of two managers). Makers
will designate the 20 x 5 yard restricted area. Spectators must be on the opposite side of
the field of their respective teams.

Rule 3 - EQUIPMENT

1. Cleats - all players must wear; turf, molded soccer cleats. No screw-in or metal
cleates will be permitted. Players must wear athletic clothing/shoes to be eligible to
participate.
2. Teams listed on the top bracket wear dark jerseys, bottom of bracket wear light
jerseys.
3. Jewelry and other items which may be considered dangerous will not be permitted.
Players must remove any jewelry before participating; including earrings.

RULE 4 - PLAYERS, ROSTERS, SUBSTITUTIONS, AND COED TEAMS

1. Seven (7) players per team including the goalkeeper. Teams may begin play with 6
players.
2. Team managers must submit a team roster of all members with their team entry
fee prior to the entry deadline.
3. Teams that have less than 6 players may play their game until it becomes a farce (see
section IX - Time Factors).
4. There is no limit to the number of club players that may be on a team. However, only
3 club players may be on the field at one time. For coed, there may be the following
combinations on the field at one time:
1. 2 males/1 female 5. 1 male and/or 1 female
2. 2 females/1 male 6. Never 3 males
3. 1 or 2 males 7. Never 3 females
4. 1 or 2 females
5. Coed Games:
A. Teams must have a minimum of 3 females on the field at all times (except during disciplined actions). If a team has 7 players and 4 are males, one male must be the goalkeeper, keeping three men and three women on the playing field. If a team has 7 players and 4 are female, then they may choose anyone to be goalie. If a team has 6 players there must be 3 men and 3 women.
B. Substitutions - Female players must e replaced with females, vice versa for males. See substitution rules.
C. Scoring - All goals are 1 point (male or female).
6. Substitutions:
A. A field player may change places with the goalie during the match only after the referee is notified of the requested change. Penalty: spot kick.
B. All substitutions must enter from the mid-field line and need to be approved by an official.
C. Unlimited substitutions can only be done during the following times:
1. Prior to a corner kick.
2. Prior to a goal kick
3. After a goal.
4. Prior to a throw in. Note: Only team with possession of the ball may substitute players.
5. When play is officially stopped for injury, substitution may occur, including injured player.
D. Any infraction in substitution will result in an indirect kick against the offending team.
E. No substitution is permitted for a player ejected by the referee (ex: red card). The team will play short for the remainder of the game.
7. On any occasion when a player deliberately kicks the ball to his/her own goalkeeper,
the goalkeeper is not permitted to touch it with his/her hands. Players may not use
trickery to circumvent this rule. Example: Player may not flick the ball with their feet to
their own head, chest, knee and then pass it to their own goalkeeper who touches it with
the hands. [NFHSA Rules Book, Fouls & Misconduct, sec. 7, art.3]
8. A goalkeeper in possession of the ball shall not indulge in tactics which, in the opinion
of the referee, are designed to waste time and thus give an unfair advantage to his/her
own team [NFHSA Rules Book, Fouls & Misconduct, sec. 7, art.4]. The goalkeeper is
limited to a maximum of 4 steps with the ball.
9. Goalkeepers have 5 seconds to release the ball after making a save. No more than 4
steps may be taken from the point of capture. If the goalkeeper maintains possession
of the ball longer than five seconds, an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing
team at the initial spot of control ( a goalie may pass the ball to a teammate who may then
return the ball to the goalie, however the goalie may only use their feet). The goalie still
must not hold the ball in excess of 5 seconds.
10. The goalie may use his/her hands within the entire penalty box. The goalie is not,
however, allowed to play the ball outside his/her respective penalty box. Only the goalie
is allowed to enter the area defined as the goal box/crease.

RULE 5 - THE GAME

1. Coin toss - home team (first on the schedule) calls toss. Winner shall receive the
choice to kick-off or end to defend.
2. Duration of the game:
A. Two equal halves of 20 minutes will be played in broken down to two equal
quarters of 10 minutes each (continuous running clock).
B. Half-time shall be 3 minutes.
C. The interval between the first and second periods and the third and
fourth periods will be a maximum of one minute.
D. Between each half teams shall exchange ends and alternate the kickoff.
3. The area adjacent to the sideline on each side of the center field line is designated as
the team box. Each team will remain in the box, 5 feet from the sideline, on their
respective side (includes players and managers, maximum of 2 managers). Markers will
designate the 20 x 5 yard restricted area. Spectators must be on the opposite side of the
field of their respective teams.
4. Grace period:
A. Teams will be allowed a maximum five minute grace period. The team on time is
awarded one goal, plus possession of the ball. Five minutes will be deducted from the
playing time for the first quarter.
B. If both teams are late within the grace period, five minutes will be deducted from the
playing time for the first quarter.
C. If a team does not have 6 players present before the expiration of the grace period,
then that team may play with the above listed consequences, until the game becomes a
farce.
D. A player may not participate unless s/he is declared eligible. Only players listed on
the official scoresheet before the start of the game will be eligible. Late players may
check in and enter the game at any time; although he or she may have to wait for a
stoppage in play. Late players may not check-in during overtime periods.
5. Games ending in a tie will result in a suddent death/overtime, a new coin toss will be
used with the visiting team calling the toss. The sudden death will consist of a
maximum of 2 five minute overtimes (first goal will be used to determine the winner).
If the game is still tied, a penalty kick tie-breaker will be used in the following manner
(see rule 9 -f ouls and misconduct regarding ejected players):
A. The home team will call the coin toss to determine the first team to kick, with
winners electing to go first or second.
B. Each team shall take an initial series of 5 kicks alternately from the penalty mark.
Each kick shall be taken by a different player. The team scoring the greater number of
goals shall be declared the winner. If score still remains tied after each team has 5 kicks,
they shall continue alternately in the same order until a team has one more goal in the
same number of kicks.
6. A kick-off begines from the center of the field of play, on the referee's whistle. The
game shall be started by a player kicking the ball into the opponent's half of the field
(the all must travel forward one full circumference of the ball). Every player shall be on
his/her half of the field at the time of the kick-off. Players opposing the ball shall be at
least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked. A goal may not be scored directly from the
kick-off.

7. When a player is taking an indirect or direct free kick, all opposing players shall
remain at least 10 yards away until the ball is kicked. PENALTY: delay of game - 2
minutes.

RULE 6 -SCORING

A goal is scored when the whole ball has passed over the goal line between the goal post
and between the crossbar and floor, provided the ball has not been intentionally thrown, carried, or propelled, by hand or arm, by a player of the attacking side. The attempt at a goal must be made by the attacking team from the outside of the goal area.

RULE 7 - PENALTY KICKS

1. Any infringement of rules which ordinarily requires the awarding of a direct free kick shall be penalized by a penalty kick if the foul is deliberate and committed by a defender within the penalty box.
2. A penalty kick can be awarded irrespective of the position of the ball, if in play at the time a deliberate offense is committed by the defending team within the penalty area.
3. A penalty kick shall be taken only from the penalty spot. All players except the kicker and opposing goalkeep shall be outside the penalty area and at least 10 yards from the penalty spot. The goalkeeper must stand on his/her own goal line until the ball is kicked. The player kicking the ball must kick the ball forward. S/he is not allowed to paly it in a second time until it has been touched by another player.
4. If there is an infringement during a penalty kick:
A. By a member of the defending team, the kick is to be retaken if a goal has not resulted (The infringement is ignored if a goal is scored).
B. By a member of the attacking team other than the player taking the kick the kick, the kick is not permitted if a goal resulted (The defending team is awarded an indirect free kick from the spot of the infringement).
C. By the player taking the kick, a goal may not be scored and the kicker's opponents are awarded an indirect free kick from the spot of infringement.

5. If the ball touches the goalkeeper before going into the goal when a penalty kick is being taken at or after the expiration of time, it does not nullify the goal. If necessary, time of play is to be extended at the end of a period to allow a penalty kick to be taken. If a penalty kick is taken after the expiration of time, only the kicker may play the ball. If the ball caroms off the goalkeeper and goes directly into the goal, it should be counted as a goal.

RULE 8 - FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

1. A player shall be penalized if s/he intentionalyl spits, kicks, strikes, pushes, trips, attempts to kick, striek, or jump at an opponent or official. PENALTY: offending player receives a 5 minute major penalty with no replacement and award a direct free kick. Unsportsmanlike players will be ejected and required to schedule an appointment with the Director of Campus Sports prior to the next scheduled game to discuss the unsportsmanlike action.
2. Interrupting a penalty kick - The rule now states that once a player who is taking a penalty kick begins his/her approach toward the ball, s/he may not interrupt his/her movement. While the kicking player is approaching the ball, s/he may not: fake a kick, stop to hesitate, and then proceed to kick the ball. As with the other situations addressed in this rule, failure to kick the ball as specified results in a rekick.
3. Any player/goalie hanging on the goal supports will be penalized - 5 minute major. Teams must play one short for the five minute duration.
4. Teams are responsible for the actions of their fans. Spectators may not act in such a manner to disrupt participants in other areas of the facility.
5. Players may be ejected* from a game for the following reasons:
A. Persistently disputing an official's decision, and/or failing to go directly to the penalty bench.
B. Involvement in a physical altercation or verbal harassment
C. Upon receiving a third major violation.
D. Any verbal or physical action deemed to be unsportsmanlike.
E. For any action deemed threatening to the physical well-being of the officials, supervisors, or players.

* If any player is ejected from the game the team must play shorthanded for a period of 5 minutes. The player must leave the playing area immediately. This includes the entire recreation/Carter fields fenced in area. If an ejection occurs with less than 5 minutes to go in regulation play and the game proceeds into overtime, the team penalty will be carried over. If an ejection occurs after the start of the second overtime period and the violating team has been reduced to less than 5 players, then the opposing team will have the option to reduce their team by one player and compete four against four; or the opposing team may choose to have their 5 kickers go against the 4 of the offending team, whereas one of the offending team kickers may kick twice. This tie-breaker option will only be given to the opposing team one time, if the score is still tied after the first 'tie-breaker kick-off,' then the rotation will remain constant until the winner is determined.

RULE 9 - DEFINITIONS

1. Direct Free Kick - A free kick from which a goal may be scored against an opponent without a second player touching the ball.
2. Indirect Free Kick (or spot kick) - A Free kick from which a goal may not be scored unless the ball is played or touched by another player of either team (excluding the goalkeeper).
3. Drop Ball - A method by which a dead ball becomes alive. An official drops the ball to the ground. When the ball strikes the ground, it becomes alive and may be played by anyone.
4. Penalty Kick - A kick awarded to a team because an opponent was charged with one of the major offenses, within his/her own penalty area, which requires a direct free kick.
5. Throw-In - A method by which a dead ball becomes alive. A player throws the ball using both hands with equal force. The ball must be delivered from behind and over the head in one continuous movement, while both feet are on the ground on or behind the touch line and the player must be facing the field.
6. Touch Line - Longer boundary lines. The entire line is within the field of play.
7. Goal Kick - A goal kick shall be awarded to the defending team when the entire ball crosses the goal line, excluding that portion between the goal posts and under the crossbar, either in the air or on the ground, having last been touched or played by the attacking team. Players opposing the kicker shall remain outside the penalty area until the ball has cleared the penalty area. If the kick does not clear the penalty area, the kick shall be repeated. The ball may be played by anyone except the person who kicked it or the goalkeeper.
8. Corner-Kick - A corner kick shall be awarded to the attacking team when the entire ball passes over the goal line, excluding that portion between the goal posts and under the crossbar, either in the air or on the gound, having last been touched or played by the defending team. Players of the defending team shall be at least 10 yards from the ball until it has been kicked (The ball must travel at least one full circumference or it results in a rekick). The ball may be played by anyone except the person who kicked it initially.

RULE 10 - ACTS RELEVANT TO FIGHTING

Office of Campus Sports and The University of Chicago will not condone fighting or any actions that may encourage violence. Such acts include, but are not limited to: taunting, trash talking, verbal and physical harassment, and fighting.

Any individual that is involved in a fight will be subject to a red card and an automatic ejection from the game and could result in team suspension. Individuals involved will be ineligible to compete in any further intramural activities and must make an appointment to meet with the Director of Campus Sports.

Any bench personnel (to include spectators) that enter the field/court during a fight or potential conflict, will also receive red cards and automatic ejections. Any actions deemed unsportsmanlike will result in termination of the game and disqualification of the team from further intramural participation.