BLACKBURN ARMS 2005-2006 INDOOR SOCCER

EQUIPMENT

Shin guards must be worn at all times.

Only flat soled indoor, turf shoes, or multi-studded outdoor shoes (ordinary outdoor cleats) may be worn by the players (no 6 stud metal or 6 stud plastic cleat outdoor shoes are allowed).

Each team must have numbered jerseys. The keepers must wear shirts distinct in colour from their team and that of their opponents.

The home team must provide to the referee, before the start of the game, a game ball that is appropriately inflated and is in suitable condition to use for the game.

In the event that the two teams have similar uniforms, it is up to the home team to change jerseys.

Any player wearing a wrist or arm cast is ineligible to play because of the chance of injury to him or other players. Knee braces are permitted provided that they appear safe, stable and meet the referee’s approval. A knee brace may be padded to render it acceptable. All visible jewellery must be removed (medic alert bracelets may be worn but must be taped). Players may wear eye-glasses (plastic or sport lenses are strongly recommended).

BALL-the BA League will provide a game ball.

GAME SHEETS-each team must provide the referee with a completed game sheet (available on www.gloucesterhornets.ca) preferably before the start of the game. The 2^nd half will not start unless a game sheet has been handed into the ref. .

REFEREE DECISIONS –SUSPENSIONS-APPEALS

All referees are OSA registered referees. We stand by and respect the decisions made by the referees.

Referee performance will be monitored. Comments or concerns about the quality of the refereeing should be directed to the referee coordinator through the team manager.

Please note: Any players, coaches or fans that threaten or assault game officials will be banned from the facility. In the case of players and coaches, such actions will result in the immediate suspension of the registrant until such time as the BA League Executive deals with the matter.

Filing a Complaint

If you have a complaint that you would like to file against a player, coach or referee the complaint must be forwarded to the President of the BA League. The League will examine the complaint and determine whether the complaint is within their jurisdiction. The League must forward all referee complaints to the District. Please note that when filing a complaint that if the League or District determines that a hearing is warranted, then the complainant (usually the author of the complaint) will be required to attend the hearing. Should the author of the complaint refuse to attend a Discipline Hearing, then the Hearing cannot take place.

Referee Assault

All reports of referee assault will be forwarded to the District. Players accused of referee assault will be automatically suspended from all soccer related activities until such time as a hearing can be convened. Players should be aware that they could also be charged with assault under the criminal code. The authority of the referee extends to the parking lot of the Facility.

League Rules for the 2005/2006 Season

1. Game Duration: 2 X 25 minute halves with 1 minute at half time. Teams must be ready to play on time. Any team unable to field the required number of players by 5 minutes after the scheduled start time of the game forfeits the game. Any team that forfeits more than 2 games in the season may be subject to League sanction.

There is no added time for any reason… stoppage for minor injury must be absorbed within the time allotted for the game. Facility management will resolve situations where there is significant injury stoppage ( to call an ambulance for example).

2. Number of players: 7 X 7 (including the keeper) on the full fields (1/3 of the full Dome). Teams must have a minimum of 5 players (including the keeper) on the field to start the game. No formal warm-up time is allotted (if the games run on time, there is time for warm up on the field).

Only individuals named as players or coach on the game sheet are permitted in the bench area. All others must remain on the opposite side of the field from the players or, at the ends of the field.

Both teams must establish a bench area sit on the same side of the field.

3. Ball Out of Bounds: Instead of throw-ins, players will play “kick-ins” from out of bounds. All opposing players must be a minimum of 5 yards from the ball in all directions. A ball out of bounds on the end lines will result in either a goal kick or corner kick. Keepers are NOT permitted to pick-up “kick-ins”. If a kick-in does not enter the field of play, the kicking team relinquishes the ball to their opponent.

4. Offside: there will no off-side in the game.

5. Scoring: all field players may score from anywhere on the field with the following exceptions: you cannot score directly from a centre-kick, goal-kick, indirect kick, or kick-in. Goalkeepers cannot score by throwing the ball into the net.

6. Free kicks: Direct and indirect free kicks are awarded (according to the infraction of the Laws of the Game). Opposing players must be 5 yards from the ball in all free kick situations. Outstretched arms/legs into the 5 yard zone are considered encroachment and may result in a yellow card. The ball coming into contact with any part of the Dome structure while in play will result in an indirect free kick (exception follows) for the opposite team. If the ball hits the building structure within the penalty area either a goal-kick or corner kick (direct kick) will be awarded depending on which team last touched the ball.

7. Goal-kick: all goal kicks are deemed indirect (goal kicks may be taken from any spot within the goalkeeper’s box (if there are 2 boxes marked on the field, this wording applies to the larger of the two boxes).

8. Penalty-kick: A penalty kick will be awarded for a team player (other than the keeper) deliberately handling the ball in the penalty area, tripping in the box, and any other infraction of the Laws that result in the award of a direct free kick inside the keepers box (based on FIFA Laws of the Game). All players from both teams must stand behind the ball until the kick has been taken.

9. Corner kick: corner kicks are played on all fields. Corner kicks are direct.

10. Centre-kick: will be awarded to the opposing team after every goal is scored and to start both halves.

The home team kicks off to start the game.

11. Pass-Back: regular FIFA pass back rules are in effect.

12. Substitutions: substitutions are unlimited and may take place at any time including “on-the-fly”. However, players must substitute at their bench area. An illegal substitution may result in the award of an indirect free kick where the ball was last played and repeated disregard could result in a yellow card.

13. Sliding tackles: NO slide tackles are permitted. A direct free kick will be awarded to the opposing team. Sliding to prevent the ball from going out of bounds or in the goal area, THAT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A TACKLE OR ENDANGER AN OPPONENT in any way is PERMITTED. A keeper may slide to make a save.

14. Yellow Card: A player receiving a yellow card will leave the field for two (2) minutes (based on the referee time), forcing his team to play short handed for that time. If the opposing team scores before the two minutes has expired, the penalty is considered served and the player (or a substitute) can return to play on signal of the referee.

If a goal is not scored within the two minute penalty, the penalized player or substitute returns to play ONLY on the notification of the referee.

If a defending player performs an action that is punishable by a penalty kick and also receives a caution, he will leave the field of play to serve a two minute penalty. The two minutes will not commence until the penalty kick has been completed. If a goal is scored on the penalty kick, the two minute penalty is considered served and the player can return to the field of play. If the penalty kick is saved or misses the goal, the two minute penalty will commence at this time and the offender’s team will play short handed. The referee will signal when the two minute penalty has been served.

If a keeper receives a yellow card, a player on the field of play at the time of the penalty must leave and serve a two minute penalty. The caution will be noted under the keeper’s name and not under the name of the player serving the penalty. If a keeper receives a second caution, this will result in a red card. The keeper must leave the field of play and his team must nominate another keeper. The team will play short one man for the duration of the match.

Team members sitting on the bench are substitutes, not players. If a substitute is cautioned, his team will not have to play short handed or serve a two minute penalty. The referee will note the substitute’s name, jersey number and offence.

In the event that two players from the same team are given yellow cards, the first player must leave the field of play and serve his two minutes as outlined above. When the second player gets a yellow, he must leave the field of play immediately, leaving his team two players short. However, the second penalty does not start until the first penalty has been served or a goal scored). If a goal is scored, the second penalty begins.

15. Red Card: Any player receiving a red card will leave the field and the facility for the duration of the game. A coach who is asked to leave a game must leave the facility for the duration of the game.

The team of the player receiving a red card will play short for the remainder of the game. A referee will terminate the game if the dismissal of a player means that the team falls below the minimum number of players required to play a game.

Team members on the bench are substitutes, not players. If a substitute is dismissed, his team will NOT play short handed.

16. The use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and /or gestures toward ANY player, team official, and spectator will result in sending off (red card) and/or expulsion from the facility. If a player, during the course of the game curses or swears at himself in frustration, the referee MAY warn the player and give the player’s team a verbal warning. From that point on, any player on the team that has been issued the warning, who curses or swears in frustration, will receive a caution. The player receiving the caution will leave the field of play and his team will play short-handed.

General: During the course of the season, it may be necessary to amend the Rules of Play. All team representatives will be notified of any changes.

IT IS THE RESONSIBILITY OF MANGERS/COACHES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR PLAYERS ARE AWARE OF THE RULES. IT IS JIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT THEY ALSO CONSULT THE FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME.