The match style is 7 versus 7). A maximum of seven (7) players including the goalie may be on field at any given time. For co-ed leagues, a minimum of two (2) women must be on the field at any given time and a minimum of four (4) registered women must be on each team’s roster. A minimum of six (6) players including goalkeeper are needed to start a match with a minimum of four (4) required to finish a match.

Unlimited substitutions are allowed during the play. There is no limit on how long a player must stay on the field, nor is a stoppage required for player substitutions. Player substitutions are permitted during the play “on the fly”. Players substituting must enter and leave the field via the marked substitution zone in front of the team benches.

Enforce the laws, apply the advantage rule, keep a record of all incidents before, during and after game, stop game when deemed necessary, caution or expel players guilty of misconduct, violent conduct or other unsporting behaviour, allow no others to enter the pitch, stop game to have injured players removed, signal for game to be restarted after every stoppage, decide that the ball meets with the stipulated requirements.

1. Home team kicks off first half and away team kicks off second half. Opposing team waits outside center circle and the ball is deemed in play once it has been touched. The ball can be passed behind to defenders and moved forward. In order to re-start the game after the ball has gone out of play, the ball is kicked back into play from the touchline. All opposing players must be a minimum of eighteen (18) feet (6 yards) from the ball. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.

Touchlines and goal lines are considered. All free kicks and corner kicks are direct. All opposing players must be a minimum of eighteen (18) feet (6 yards) from the ball. The ball coming into contact with any part of the building ceiling structure while in play will result in a direct free kick for the opposite team under the spot where the ball hits the structure. If the ball hits the ceiling structure within the penalty area either a goal kick or corner-kick will be awarded depending on which team last touched the ball.

For kick-ins, free kicks, goal clearances and corner kicks, the player in possession of the ball has 4 seconds to restart play which the referee will count with fingers in the air. If play is not restarted within four seconds possession of the ball will be awarded to the opposing team. Same rule applies to the goalkeeper.

Goalkeepers are allowed inside the playing area and to come out of the penalty area and players are allowed to go into the penalty area. A goal clearance can be thrown or kicked. Goalkeepers cannot score by throwing the ball directly into the opposing net.

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his/her own penalty area, commits any of the following three offences:

1. Controls the ball with his/her hands for more than four seconds before releasing it from his/her possession
2. Touches the ball again with his/her hands after he/she has released it from his/ her possession and before it has touched another player
3. Touches the ball with his/her hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him/her by a team-mate (including kick-ins)

The match consists of two 25-minute halves that are played in real-time which means the clock will not stop when the ball is out of play (except under exceptional circumstances as decided by the main referee). Half time will consist of a 1 minute break. The referee must end the match 5 minutes prior to the start of the next game.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled game time for dressing and warm-up. Games will begin and end on schedule.

Mercy Rule

At any time during the game that one team has scored ten (10) more goals than the other team, the game is deemed completed. They may continue to play until final whistle if they wish.

Playoff Shoot-Outs

During playoff games, should a match end in a draw, a shoot-out will take place which will involve 3 players of each team.

Sliding tackles are not permitted. However players are allowed to slide on the field (e.g., to stop a ball from going out of play, to direct a pass towards the net, etc.).

Players shall be cautioned or sent off in accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game.

For instance, players shall be cautioned (i.e., shown yellow card) when:

• Player persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
• Player shows dissent with any decision of the referee
• Player is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct

If a player is shown a yellow card and the intensity of the offense or atmosphere calls for it, the match referee reserves the right to request the player be substituted for a cool-off period of up to two minutes.

Players shall be sent off (i.e., shown the red card) for:

• Violent conduct & serious foul play
• Foul or abusive language
• Second yellow card
• Intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity in the penalty area by handling the ball

If a player is sent off with a red card then his/her team must remain with only five players until either two minutes have elapsed or the opposing team has scored. Depending on the severity of the offence, players who are shown a red card will be charged with a $50 penalty fee and miss one (1) or two (2) immediate next games his/her team is scheduled to play. PlayClub management will determine the appropriate consequence in consultation with the main match referee, and reserves the right to expel the offending player from the season and/or league.

For offences in the Penalty Area, there may be penalty kicks awarded.

• Kicks from the Penalty Mark will be enforced for draw results during playoff period only.
• Main referee decides goal to be used.
• Coin tossed to decide order.
• Each team will take five (5) kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with FIFA rules;
• If the score still remains tied, each team will alternately take one kick from the penalty mark. This process to be repeated until a result is obtained.
• Players sent off during the match are not eligible to take these kicks.
• Any eligible player may change places with his goalkeeper.
• While the penalty shoot-out is in progress, players will remain in the area designated by the referee.

A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery).

Shoes must be worn by all players. Rubber soled shoes are suitable but indoor soccer shoes (TURF SHOES) are highly recommended for safety off the field.

Caution: cleats have no grip off turf surface! Wear cleats at your own discretion. No metal cleats are allowed. Shin guards must be worn by all players and made of rubber, plastic or similar material.

Individual player rankings are ordered in accordance with number of goals scored, or goals-against for Keepers. Yellow and Red cards are also tracked.

Standings are determined by the addition of points.

*Default occurs when a Team Captain provides PlayClub Management 12-hour prior notice that the Team will not be present for their scheduled match. *Forfeit is defined as a no show of the team (fewer than 5 players dressed and fielded) at seven (7) minutes past the scheduled match start-time.

*A defaulted game leads to a 3-0 score and a 1-point loss from the standings.

*A forfeited game leads to a 5-0 and a 4-point loss from the standings. Forfeits need to be confirmed by PlayClub management.

Qualifying play standings will be determined by the following criteria taken in the order listed as far as necessary:

• The greatest number of points awarded;
• The winner of the game between teams having an equal number of points (apply only when two teams are concerned);
• Goal difference (goals for, minus goals against);
• The greatest number of games won

Mercy Rule

At any time during the game that one team has scored ten (10) more goals than the other team, the game is deemed completed. They may continue to play until final whistle if they wish.The least number of goals against.