Soccer 7v7 Game Rules

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

League Administration

Players

All players must be registered, with completed liability waiver, profile photo and paid membership.
Photo should be a clear head-and-shoulders shot that accurately resembles the player, with no obstructions such as sunglasses or hats.
Memberships are valid from September 1st and expire on August 31st.
Memberships are non-refundable.

Rosters

All players must be on the team roster prior to playing.
Teams may have up to eighteen (18) registered players on the roster.
Players may not be added to a team roster after the 6th game of the season. (Includes Preseason)
No player may be registered for more than one team in the same division.
Only two players registered in the highest division may play on a team registered in lower divisions.

Game Format

A full team is 7 (6+GK).
COED teams require at least two (2) non-male players on the field at all times. In cases where there is only one non-male player on the field, the team must play with one less player.
Masters 35+ division teams may have up to two (2) players between the ages of 30 and 35 at the start of the season.

Division Assignments

League may reallocate teams and divisions up to the 6th game of the regular season to balance divisions.

Payments

Players are responsible for payment of their membership.
League may remove players from rosters for non-payment of membership fees.
Team Manager is responsible for the team fee and any surplus will be returned to the Team Manager for distribution.
League may remove teams from schedules and/or cancel games (without notice) for fee non-payment.

Schedules & Schedule Changes

In order for a team to be scheduled, a full deposit and eight (8) rostered players is required.
Schedule change requests may be sent to leagues@hamiltonindoor.com. Requests made at least 72 hours in advance will initiate requests to all affected teams and if agreeable to all teams will be confirmed. No schedule changes will be made without all team managers agreement.
Playoff games will not be rescheduled for any reason.

Forfeits

Forfeit occurs when a team (men's or women's) 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 game is a forfeit.
COED forfeit occurs when there are no non-male players.
Notice of forfeit by a team must be made at least 72 hours in advance and sent to leagues@hamiltonindoor.com. Failure to notify the league will result in a $100 fine that must be paid prior to the start of the next game.
Forfeit games are recorded as 3-0 win for the opposing team.

Protests

Teams may only protest an opposing player's eligibility before the start of the the game.
If an opposing player arrives late, their eligibility to play may be protested up until halftime.
Late players, with the opposing team's consent, may enter the field of play after the start of the 2nd half.
During playoff games, no late players may enter the field of play after the start of the 2nd half.
Protests are reviewed and adjudicated by the discipline committee. Protest decisions by the discipline committee are final.

Mercy Rule

Maximum recorded goal difference in a game is 7 goals.

Scores

Default and no-show games are recorded as a 3-0 loss for the absent team.
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.
Games abandoned, for whatever reason (major injury, power outage, etc.), will have the score at the time the game was abandoned recorded as the result.

Standings

Ranks & tie breakers are determined using the following sequence

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

Game Ready Policy

Players safety and well-being of our participants are of utmost importance. To ensure an enjoyable and secure experience for all players, we have established the following guidelines for being "Game Ready"

Players must be mentally, physically, and emotionally fit to participate in our games. This includes being free from the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other substances that may impair judgment or coordination.
Players should refrain from participating if they are experiencing physical discomfort, illness, or emotional distress that may impact their ability to play safely.
Players must not have any physical conditions or injuries that could pose a risk to themselves or others during gameplay. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing braces, casts, or any other items that could potentially cause harm.
Individuals who are beyond a certain stage of pregnancy (as determined by a Doctor's advice) are advised not to participate due to potential risks to themselves and their health.
All uniforms or accessories on your person must be in compliance with our Players Equipment rules (below).
Players are expected to exercise personal responsibility and consider the safety of themselves and others at all times during gameplay.

Failure to comply with the "game ready" policy may result in the player being asked to refrain from participating in the current or future games.

Spectators

Soccer World spectators are only permitted on the opposite side of the field from the players benches.
Wentworth Sports Complex spectators are not permitted on the turf.
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 Equipment

Shin Pads & Footwear

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.
Metal cleats are not permitted.

Braces & Casts

Sport-specific (light weight, smooth, soft exterior, plastic) braces are acceptable.
Bubble wrapped metal braces and plaster casts are acceptable if they provide sufficient cushion (as decided by the referee) 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

Players must each have a unique number on the back of their jersey.
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.

Game Rules

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.

Substitutions

Unlimited substitutions at any time in the game within 1 meter of the player bench. Substituted player must be off the field of a play before a substitute can come onto the field

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.
When the ball comes in contact with the Wentworth Sports Complex 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.
Ball is out of play at Wentworth Sports Complex if the ball touches the:
- corner mesh protecting the heaters.
- silver bars above the red cross bar.
- black mesh nets that serves as field dividers.
- black wire used for field dividers running across the field.
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.

Ball in Play

The ball must be returned to play from the nearest point to where it left the field.
The ball may be placed up to one (1) meter inside field for kick-in.
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.

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.

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.

Tie Breaks

Playoff tie breaks are decided with Golden Goal Overtime followed by penalty kicks.

Quarter & Semi Finals play 1x5 minute period of golden goal overtime.
Finals play 1x10 minute period of golden goal overtime.

Penalty Kicks (to determine winner)

If at the end of the match one team has a greater number of players than its opponents, that team 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.
Any player sequence is acceptable, including in COED leagues.

Three Line Pass

There is no three line pass rule.

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.

Bench Clearing Incidents

Leaving the bench to engage in an altercation not only endangers the safety of our players and referees but also tarnishes the reputation of our league.

If a team or team(s) leave the bench, referees will automatically abandon the game.
Result of the game will be determined by the Discipline Committee for any games abandoned due to an incident.
Any individual (player/coach/manager) entering the field of play without the permission of the referee will receive an automatic dismissal (red card) and must leave the field of play.
Any further discipline resulting from a bench clearing incident will be reviewed by the Discipline Committee.

Discipline and Suspensions

The league is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable space for all to play.

All discipline incidents are reviewed by committee.
All cases are adjudicated using the Discipline by Review (DBR) system.
Discipline Committee meets weekly and posts decisions on the Discipline Page.
Decisions of three (3) or less games are final.
Suspensions of four (4) or more games may be appealed in writing from the team manager or suspended player to zach@hamiltonindoor.com.