Dyker Heights Athletic Association / St. Bernadette “The Knights”

 Indoor Soccer Rulebook 2021– 2022

for All Divisions of Play

 A. EQUIPMENT

• All players must wear their team uniform to all games. 
•  Goaltenders in the Varsity division may wear face guards supplied by the league.
• All players must wear their shin guards at all times during the game. Any player not wearing or refusing to wear shin guards will not be permitted to play. No exceptions. Inspections will be made.  Players will be allowed to borrow shin guards from the league. 
• Zipper sneakers, slip-on sneakers and the like are not permitted. Any player wearing zipper sneakers, slip-on sneakers and the like (especially Heelies) will not be permitted to play. No exceptions. Inspections will be made.
• All male players are strongly encouraged (but not required) to wear athletic protectors.

 B. BASIC GAME RULES

• The positions on the field include a goaltender, two defensemen, one center and two forwards.
• Players (other than the goaltender) are not permitted to use their hands, elbows or any part of their arms to carry, strike or propel the ball.
• Captains for each team will meet the referee(s) in the middle of the field for a coin toss. The team that wins the coin toss has two (2) options. They are the following:

1. Kickoff: The winner kicks the ball off and loser chooses which goal to defend. At the second half, the loser of the toss kicks off and the winner chooses which goal to defend.
2. Defer the Kickoff: The winner may choose which goal to defend and gives the loser the privilege to kickoff. At the second half the winner kicks the ball off and the loser chooses which goal to defend.

• The ball will be placed at the center of the court for the kickoff.
• Kickoffs occur after a score, with the scored upon team taking the kickoff.
• Unlimited substitution in all divisions. The coaches have the option of changing players “on the fly” or calling a timeout (See section “C. Timing” for timeout regulations).
• Teams that do not have five (5) players fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled start time will forfeit. However, a “fun game” can be played between the two teams that were scheduled to play. Only players on the two teams scheduled to play will be permitted to participate in the “fun game”. No exceptions.
• All teams in JV  and Varsity .  In the Varsity Division the designated subs are Michael Mollica, Jake Mangano, Joseph Baglivo, Nicholas Cona

                             In the JV Division – we can use Valentina Campanella, Vito Demonte, Matt Degrezia, James Cona

 C. TIMING

• The game will be divided into two thirty-minute periods, with a five (5) minute halftime.
• The periods will have continuous running time until inside the last two minutes of each period when the clock will be stopped on each whistle.
• Referees can stop the clock at their discretion.

 Timeouts:

 D. DEAD BALL

• The ball is still in play if:

1. it bounces of the walls or ceiling
2. it rebounds off the referee when he/she is on the field of play
3. a player shoe becomes untied or comes off (unless shoe hinders play) – player must immediately go to bench and the referee with collect the sneaker.

• The ball is dead / out of play if:

1. it goes onto the stage
2. it goes over any of the boundaries that close off the doorways and team benches
3. a timeout is called.  The Referee will determine when it is the appropriate point in the action or play to grant the timeout. 
4. a goal is scored
5. any foul is committed
6. a player’s shoe comes off and play is hindered
7. a player is injured (clock will also stop)
8. at any time the referee(s) deem play be stopped

 E. PLAYER POSITION REGULATIONS

• Defensive players and offensive players are never permitted in the goaltender’s four (4) foot goal area. 
• A defensive player is not permitted to assist the goalkeeper from within the goaltender’s four (4) foot goal area.
• The two defensive players cannot cross the centerline, but are permitted to move between the left and right defensive zones. 
• The forwards must stay in the offensive zone and cannot cross the centerline, but are permitted to move between the left and right offensive zones.
• The center is free to move anywhere on the field of play.
• On turnovers, the defensive player must leave a 3 foot space between himself/herself and the offensive player. 

 F. THE GOALTENDER

• The goaltender’s throws and kicks must hit the floor or another player before crossing the centerline or the ball is awarded to the opposing team where the ball lands. The Goaltender is not permitted to kick the ball form within the 4 foot goal area unless it is to make a save.    The Goaltender cannot catch the ball, spot it and kick it from anywhere. 
• The goaltender cannot handle the ball outside the four (4) foot goal area. Must have at least one foot in the goal area. The Goaltender can kick the ball from outside the 4 foot goal area but cannot pick it up.
• The goaltender must release the ball within six seconds of obtaining possession.

 G. SCORING

• A goal will disallowed in the following situations:

1. The ball is kicked while it is inside the four (4) foot goal area.
2. The team scoring has too many players on the field at the time of the goal.
3. The goal is scored on the direct kickoff without first being touched by any player on the field. However, if ball hits any part of said player’s arm, play will be stopped (See section “F. Dead Ball”).  The ball is propelled in the net by any player’s (other than the goaltender’s) arm.  Explanation of the rule:  If the offense shoots the ball before they cross the center line – the ball must deflect off a position player over the center line before it can count as a goal if it goes in the net.  If the offense carries the ball into the defensive zone, since the defense can now attack the the ball and any goals scored count.  

 

H. FOULS

• A player serving a short-handed penalty must serve the entire duration of the penalty, regardless of whether or not the opposing team scores.

• The following fouls are turnover penalties and never result in a short-handed penalty regardless of severity and/or repetitiveness:

1. Handball- Carrying, striking or propelling the ball with the arm. The location of the turnover is the spot of the foul.
2. Kicking the Ball Out of Bounds- If the ball goes onto the stage or over any of the boundaries that close off the doorways or team benches. The location of the turnover is the spot of the foul.
3. Offside- When any of the two forwards or any of the two defensemen cross the center line. The location of the turnover is the spot of the foul.
4. Goaltender Throws/Kicks Ball Over Center Line- The location of the turnover is the spot of the foul.
5. Delay of Game- When the goalkeeper fails release the ball within six seconds of obtaining possession. The location of the turnover is the center line.
6. Goaltender Handles Ball Outside Four (4) Foot Goal Area- The location of the turnover is the center line.
7. Too Many Men on the Field- Having more than the six (6) players permitted on the field (less than six if a team is serving short-handed penalty/penalties). The foul will be called with discretion while teams are changing “on the fly”, but should the ball touch either, the player leaving or the player entering the game before the other has left the field of play the foul will be called immediately. The location of the turnover is the center line.

    The following fouls are turnover penalties and may result in a short-handed two (2) minute penalty depending on the severity and/or repetitiveness:

Sliding- A player is not permitted to slide into another player.  A player can slide to kick the ball as long as he does not interfere with another player’s ability to make a play on the ball. The location of the turnover is the spot of the foul.  Whether a player interfered with another player by sliding may be left solely to the discretion of the referee. 

1. “Kicking in the Box”- When an offensive player kicks the ball while it is inside the four (4) foot goal area. The location of the turnover is inside the opposing team’s offensive zone.
2. Personal Foul- When a player intentionally kicks, trips, charges, strikes, holds or pushes an opponent. The location of the turnover is spot of the foul.

• The following foul is turnover penalties and always result in a short-handed two (2) minute penalty regardless of severity and/or repetitiveness:

1. Boarding- Hitting, slamming, and/or pushing a player into the walls. The location of the turnover is at the spot of the foul.

• The following foul is a turnover penalties and always result in a short-handed five (5) penalty regardless of severity and/or repetitiveness:

1. Unsportsmanlike Conduct- Referees as well as DHAA / St. Bernadette game directors determine unsportsmanlike conduct. Referees have the right to determine any unsportsmanlike conduct not specifically listed below.
   1. trash talking / cursing
   2. improper behavior towards referees, opponents, teammates, spectators, etc.
   3. taunting / excessive celebration

If unsportsmanlike conduct is called against a coach, assistant coach or any person a team’s bench, the coach will choose a player that is on the field at the time of the foul and that player is required to serve a five minute short-handed penalty for that person.

 I. PENALTY KICKS

• Penalty Kick Regulations:

1. A penalty kick will be taken by the last player to touch the ball.
2. During a penalty kick all players except, the goaltender and player taking the shot, shall move to the boards until the shot has been taken.
3. The ball shall be placed at center court and a cone shall be set up ten (10) feet away from the net. The player taking the shot may shoot from any point between the center line to the cone.
4. If the shot does not result in a score, play will continue as if a normal shot had been taken.

 

• The following fouls are turnover penalties and may result in a penalty kick depending on the severity:

1. Personal Foul- A player is not permitted to intentionally kick, trip, charge, strike, hold or push an opponent. The player fouled must have control of the ball with no opposition between him and the opposing goal and a reasonable scoring opportunity for a penalty kick to be awarded.
2. Sliding- A player is not permitted to slide into an opponent. The player fouled must have control of the ball with no opposition between him and the opposing goal and a reasonable scoring opportunity for a penalty kick to be awarded.

• The following fouls are turnover penalties and may result in a penalty kick depending on the repetitiveness:

1. Defensive Player Assists Goalkeeper Within the Four (4) Foot Goal Area- The first time this foul occurs a team warning will be issued and a turnover penalty will be assed inside the opposing team’s offensive zone. The second team offense will result in penalty kick.

• The following fouls are turnover penalties and always result in a penalty kick regardless of severity and/or repetitiveness:

1. Defensive Handball Inside Four (4) Foot Goal Area- If a defensive player carries, strikes or propels the ball with his/her arm inside the four (4) foot goal area.

J. EJECTIONS

• Referees as well as DHAA / St. Bernadette game directors reserve the right to eject any player, coach, assistant coach or any person on a team’s bench at any point during the game.
• A player, coach, assistant coach or any person on a team’s bench is automatically ejected after their second short-handed penalty regardless of its severity and/or duration.
• Coach who is ejected from a game will be automatically suspended for four games and possibly the entire season.   The second infraction requires that the coach be suspended for the entire season with a DHAA Board review and approval to be allowed back for the following season. 

K.  GAMES ENDING IN A TIE

 In the Varsity, Junior Varsity and Rookie Division –  the game ends in a tie.   

 L.  PLAYOFFS

 Varsity Division  – there are 8 teams. 

1 plays 8

2 plays 7

3 plays 6

4 plays 5

Round Two – Highest seed plays lowest seed

Junior  Division  – there are 7 teams.  The Sixth and Seventh  place team play each other to see who plays the First Place team in round one.  In the second round

1 gets bye 

2 plays 7

3 plays 6

4 plays 5  

 In round two – the team with the best remaining record gets a bye and the other two teams play each other. 

 Rookie  Division  – there are 5 teams.  T

 1 gets bye

 2 plays 3

 4 plays 5  

In round two – the team with the best remaining record gets a bye and the other two teams play each other.