Indoor Soccer Rules
Game Length
Games are 55 minutes in length with a 5 minute stop for halftime.
Games start and end according to your online CSSC schedule.
If games start late, games must finish at the scheduled time
Players on Court and Defaults
Teams are comprised of 5 players on the court (4 players and 1 goalkeeper).
Teams must play with a minimum of 2 males and 2 females on the court at all times.
A team can play with a minimum of 4 people, as long as the gender requirements are met.
Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum players and gender ratio before the game starts.
Game Set-Up
Nets will be set up by CSSC or facility staff upon the arrival to your game.
Games are played on a basketball sized court.
Team captains should meet before the start of the game to go over rules.
Teams are responsible for keeping score and time. Often an CSSC Event Coordinator is on-site and will offer to keep score for the game.
To start the game, teams should decide who is awarded the kick-off with rock paper scissors. The opposing team will then start the second half with the ball.
The game begins with the ball being passed back to a teammate before crossing centre line.
General Game Rule
Balls kicked above the head should result in stoppage of play with the opposing team taking posession in the form of an indirect kick (similar to handball).
There is no out of bounds. If the ball isn’t playable, possession goes to other team and results in an indirect kick.
Player substitutions can be made at any time and ensuring the player has left the court before a new player joins the play.
To score off an indirect kick, the ball must be touched by another player (offense or defense).
There is a 5 second time limit placed on all free kicks.
The whole of the ball must cross the whole of the line for it to be deemed a goal.
Players must retreat 3 metres from the ball at all ‘set’ plays like indirect kicks.
There are no offsides.
Slide tackling or blocking a shot is not allowed under any circumstances.
Goalie Crease & Goalkeeper
In most cases, the ‘key’ line on the basketball court will be used to define the goalkeeper’s crease.
On a goal kick, the goalie must place the ball 5 steps out from the centre of their net. If the court has basketball key lines the ball is placed within this zone.
Goalies:
May only use their hands to touch the ball within their own crease in front of the net.
Cannot control the ball with their hands for more than 4 seconds before releasing.
Are allowed to handle the ball from a pass back or kick in; however, must only use their feet.
Can only slide within the confines of their own penalty area. Sliding feet first toward an opponent is illegal and considered a dangerous play.
May not score a goal by throwing the ball.
If goalie handles the ball outside of the crease or from a pass back, an indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Penalty kicks are taken from the top of the crease, and the goalie must remain on the goal line.
Violations
It is inevitable incidental contact may occur among players. However, any aggressive contact such as pushing and shoving is not allowed (you should not touch any other player with your body at any time on purpose, and should do your best to avoid unnecessary contact). Any aggressive contact may result in ejection from the game.
A handball infraction occurs when the ball hits a player’s arm from the elbow down (as opposed to the shoulder). This results in an indirect kick being awarded to the opposing team.
It is extremely important that all players make the appropriate calls for infractions and illegal plays. The offending player should call their own infractions, however any player that is currently on the court can make a call.
When a foul is called, play must stop as there is no ‘advantage’.
If a disagreement cannot quickly be resolved, the two team captains should meet at the middle of the court (without any other players) and discuss a resolution.
More Questions?
Text or Call 902 318 5538