Soccer 6v6 Game Rules

Rules follow Ontario Soccer Playing Rules for Indoor Soccer with the following exceptions:

Administration, Players and Rosters

• All players must be registered, with valid annual membership, and on the roster prior to playing.
• All players must be registered prior to the 6th game of the season.
• A full team is 6 (5+GK).  A forfeit occurs when a team is missing more than 2 players. If a team is short players and would like to add a non-roster player in order to avoid forfeit, that player must be a current member, with paid membership and completed waiver, and be approved by the opposing team prior to the start of the game. If a non-roster player is used without prior opposing team consent, the result is recorded as 3-0 against the team using the non-roster player.
• COED teams require at least two (2) female, trans or non-binary persons on the field at all times. In cases where there is only one female, trans or non-binary person on the field the team must play with one less player. In the absence of any female, trans or non-binary players, the game is a forfeit.  
• Teams may have up to eighteen (18) registered players on the roster.
• If teams would like to protest a player's eligibility, this must be done prior to the start of the game. If a player arrives late he is still eligible for protest up until halftime.  
• During any playoff game, no player may enter the field of play if they arrive after the start of the 2nd half.

Spectating

• At Soccer World, no spectators are permitted on the bench side of the field. 
• At Wentworth, no spectators are allowed in the field areas. 
• All players in the team technical area must be on the game sheet and identified with a number.
• All coaches must be identified as such and on the game sheet. 
• Ejected or suspended players/coaches are not permitted in the team technical area. 

Players and Rosters

• Unlimited substitutions at any time in the game within 1 meter of the player bench.

Game Duration

• League games are 2x20 with a one (1) minute half time.
• Clock will start at scheduled game time with one (1) minute added to the total duration of the half.
• Clock may be stopped or time may be added, at the discretion of the referee, for injury, player cautioning, sending off, or any other circumstances resulting in loss of playing time.

Scores & Mercy Rule

• The maximum goal difference in a game is 7 goals.

Players Equipment

Shin Pads

• Mandatory shin pads (concealed by socks or track pants), and outdoor cleats or indoor shoes.
• Players not wearing shin pads must leave the field immediately.

Braces & Casts

• Sport-specific (light weight, smooth, soft exterior, plastic) and bubble wrapped metal and plaster braces & casts are acceptable if they provide sufficient cushion and safety to other players.
• Aggressive, sloppy and/or dangerous play while wearing a brace or cast is not acceptable. Players wearing a brace or cast assume all liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their choice.

Jewellery

• Necklaces, bracelets, chains, and hooped earrings must be removed.
• Fitbits are allowed if they are covered with a wrist band that provides sufficient padding.
• Studded earrings can be taped.
• Wedding rings can be taped or covered.
• Removal of all piercing and body jewellery is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for all players. Referees will not turn away players with taped piercings and body jewellery, however, if a player wishes to play with jewellery (however concealed) they assume all responsibility and liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their choice.

Glasses

• Active Sports Eyewear with a head strap is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for players who require corrective eyewear. Referees will not turn away players who do not have Active Sports Eyewear, however, if a player wishes to play with glasses they must have a head strap and they assume all responsibility and liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their eyewear choice.

Clothing

• Head coverings may be worn although it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED the fabric of such be elastic and tight fitting so as not to become a strangulation and/or tripping hazard. Players wearing head coverings during play assume all responsibility and liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their clothing choice. Referees will not turn away players who wear head coverings.
• Shorts, track pants and/or tights are the preferred clothing while playing soccer, however, players may choose to wear alternate/additional clothing during play as long as the player is clearly identifiable as to which team they belong to and have their number clearly visible on their back. 

Jerseys

• Team colours should not conflict with each other or with the referee. Goalkeepers shall wear colours which distinguish them from each other, the other players and from the referee.
• If there is a colour conflict, it is the responsibility of the home team to wear an alternate colour or acquire pinnies from the front desk. 
• In playoffs, if there is a colour conflict, it is the responsibility of the lower ranked team to wear an alternate colour or acquire pinnies from the front desk.

Ball out of Play

• The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the line on the ground or in the air.
• The ball is out of play when it touches the roof or dome, the game is restarted at a point below where it touches the roof with an indirect free kick for the non-offending team.
• If a ball touches the roof or dome above the goal area, the game is restarted with an indirect free kick outside the box if the ball came off a defending player. If the ball was last touched by an attacking player, a goal kick is awarded.

Wentworth Ball out of Play

• When the ball comes in contact with the structure (beams and light pots), it is out of play. The restart takes place directly beneath where the ball contacted the structure with an indirect free kick for the non-offending team. 
• On field #2, the mesh in the two corners covering heaters is out of play and the silver bars over top of the red cross bars are out of play. The black mesh that serves as field dividers are out of play.
• When a ball is struck off the mesh and goes directly into the goal without touching another player, the restart will be a goal kick. 
• On field #2, the black wire used for the dividers running across the field is out of play.

Ball in Play

• The ball must be returned to play from the nearest point to where it left the field.
• The ball must be stationary when it is put back into play.
• Opposing players must be at least three (3) meters from the stationary ball.
• There are no retakes for kick-ins if the ball travels out of play without touching another player.
• All kicks are indirect with the exception of a penalty kick.

Wentworth Three Line Pass

• When the ball is delivered from behind the first white line and travels over and past the third white line in the air without touching another player or the field of play, it is considered a three-line pass. The restart takes place where the ball crossed the first white line with an indirect free kick for the non-offending team. 

Penalty Kick

• Penalty kick is taken from 8 meters from the goal line.
• All players must be three (3) meters back from the ball.
• Goalkeeper must have both feet on the goal line at the time the ball is moved.

Sliding & Slide Tackles

• Sliding to play a ball or keep it in bounds is permitted, if there is no attempt to contact an opposing player. If an opponent is close to the ball and the slide will interfere with his playing of the ball, or potentially make contact, the slide is not allowed.
• As soon as one knee touches the ground, it is considered a slide.

Offside

• There is no offside rule.

Penalties & Discipline

YELLOW CARDS

• Yellow cards are recorded beside the offending player on the game sheet.
• The offending team must play short for 2 minutes.

RED CARDS

• Offending player must leave the facility. Red is noted on the game sheet and report completed after the game.
• The offending team must play short for 5 minutes.
• Players shown a Red Card are assessed penalties according to the HamOnt Sports Discipline table.
• Players receiving a Red Card will automatically miss at least the next one (1) game.
• Two (2) Yellows = Red.
• Second sliding tackle is a Red Card offence.
• Verbal or physical abuse directed towards an official is an automatic red card and will result in additional discipline which may include ejection.
• Any player or team ejected for disciplinary purposes will forfeit all fees paid.

Time Penalties

• A player committing any offense may be given a 2-minute time penalty.
• Time penalties, yellow card penalties and red card penalties shall commence when the game is restarted. Time penalties to goalkeepers may be served by another player who was on the field. 
• All penalties are served until time expires, regardless if a goal was scored. 

SIN BIN (Yellow Card + Temporary Dismissal)

• If a player receives a Yellow card for dissent by word or action directed towards the referee, the player will receive the Yellow card AND be directed towards the "Sin-Bin" and temporarily dismissed. The referee will indicate a temporary dismissal by showing a Yellow card and then clearly pointing with both arms to the players bench.
• If a goalkeeper receives the temporary dismissal, the team may select another on-field player to serve the time.
• The offending team must play short for 4 minutes.

Defaults & 'Not enough players' to start

• Default and no-show games are recorded as 3-0.
• A five (5) minute grace period will be provided to teams to meet minimum requirements, the game clock will start at the scheduled start time. 

Tie Breakers (Playoffs) - Golden Goal Overtime:

Quarter & Semi Finals

• 1x5 minute period of golden goal overtime

Finals

• 1x10 minute period of golden goal overtime

Penalty Kicks

• If at the end of the match one team has a greater number of players than its opponents, it must reduce its numbers to the same number as its opponents and only those players are eligible to take penalty kicks. Any ineligible player/s must be identified to the referee and must not take part in penalty kicks
• Best of three (3) penalty kicks to determine a game winner
• If required, after both teams have taken three kicks and the score is still level, kicks continue until one team has scored a goal more than the other from the same number of kicks

Rankings and Standings Tie Breakers

1. points where win = 3, tie = 1 and loss = 0
2. number of wins
3. goal differential
4. goals scored
5. head to head