Worcester State

Intramural Outdoor Soccer Rules

Teams, Timing, and Forfeits

• Teams shall consist of eight (8) to twelve (12) players.
• Each team must have at least two male and two female players on the field at all times.

• To start a game, there must be at least six players on each team.

*The six players must include minimally one male and one female player on the field.  

• If a team has fewer than six players or less than one male or female player, a forfeit shall be declared 10 minutes after the scheduled game time.  
  • A forfeit will be scored 2-0.

Games shall consist of two (2) eighteen (18) minute halves, with a 3 minute halftime.

• During each half, the clock shall not be stopped unless a player on the field is injured or at the referee’s discretion.
• If the game is tied at the end of the second half of a regular season game, it will end in a tie*.
  • *During the playoffs, two five-minute sudden death overtime periods shall be played.
  • If the game is still tied after the overtime periods there will be a shootout.
    • The shootout consists of five shooters from each team, with a minimum of two male and two female shooters for each team.
      • If the score is tied after five shooters from each team, then each round will become sudden death until a winner is determined.

• *No player may shoot twice until every member of the team has shot once.
• It is optional for the goaltender to shoot.

Gameplay

• The game shall be played by two teams, each consisting of 8 players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper.
• Each team must be wearing matching shirts or uniforms
  • If a team is not wearing matching shirts or uniforms, they may be required to wear pinnies provided by Campus Recreation
• Players may only wear sneakers or turf shoes while playing. No metal cleats/spikes or other footwear are permitted.
• The game shall be started with a kickoff
• Teams shall exchange goal lines after each half and each overtime period
• The home team shall have the option of taking the opening kickoff or the second half kickoff
• A goal is scored when the entire ball passes beyond the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar provided it has not been deliberately thrown, carried or propelled by the hand or arm of a player on the attacking team and it has not been scored directly from an indirect free kick.
• There is no offside rule for Intramural Outdoor Soccer.

• Goalkeeper restrictions
  • The goalkeeper shall not punt the ball.
  • To release possession of the ball, the goalkeeper may throw or roll the ball to another player.  
  • If the goalkeeper throws the ball in the air, the ball must come in contact with the ground or a player from either team prior to crossing the midfield line
    • If contact with the ground or a player is not made prior to crossing the midfield line, the opposing team shall receive an indirect kick at midfield.

• Player Substitutions
  • Substitutions may only be when the ball has gone out of bounds or a goal has been scored.  If play must be stopped for an injured play, that player may be replaced.
  • The referee must be informed of all substitutions.
  • Substitutes must stay behind the sideline and may not interfere with play.
• Out of Bounds
  • The ball is considered out of play when it has completely crossed a goal line or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air.
• Throw-in:
  • A throw-in shall be awarded to a team when the ball last touched a member of the opposing team before the entire ball passes beyond the touchline either in the air or on the ground.
  • A ball shall be thrown in any direction from the point where it crossed the touchline by a player who is facing the field of play and has both feet on the ground on or behind the touchline.  The thrower shall use both hands (unless a physical impairment would limit use to one hand) and shall deliver the ball from behind and over the head in one continuous movement.  A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.

Fouls

• Penalty kicks are direct kicks and will be taken from a mark designated on the field by official.
• Fouls include but are not limited to:
  • Indirect Kick
    • Charging
    • Obstructing a player
    • Dangerous play
  • Direct kick
    • Slide tackle
    • Checking
    • Contacting the goalie
    • Intentionally kicking or striking an opponent
    • Tripping opponents
    • Deliberately handle, carry or strike the ball with a hand or arm.
    • Holding or pushing an opponent with the hands or arms extended from the body
• A flagrant foul will receive any of the following, depending on the severity (at the official’s and supervisor’s discretion):
  • Five minute penalty or suspension from participation