
THE SOCCERCOLISEUM
League Rules
1. Number of players on field:	U14 and younger: 5 + goalie
	U15 and older: 4 + goalie
2. Substitutions are unlimited and may be made when ball is out of play (any stoppage) or on the fly, provided player has left the field at player’s bench area before substitute enters at same location.
3. A kickoff need not be played forward. Team providing a suitable ball will kick off; if The Soccer Coliseum provides the ball, team ready first will kick off. Team ready on field first lines up to defend goal it chooses. There is no coin toss.
4. All kickoffs at halfline are indirect.
5. On a goal kick or goalie throw, if ball goes over halfline without bouncing or touching a player from either team, the other team shall be awarded an indirect kick from halfline.
6. Goalie cannot punt ball. Opposing team receives an indirect free kick from halfline. Keeper may become a field player entitled to kick ball over the half-line if (a) keeper places ball on the ground and touches it twice, or (b) keeper lets ball bounce twice and obviously forward; in either case ball must be outside penalty area before keeper kicks it over the halfline. Opposing team may challenge for the ball once it is on the ground.
7. If ball strikes ceiling or light fixture, an indirect kick shall be awarded from halfline.
8. The ball must be put into play from a restart within 5 seconds. If not, at the referee's discretion, the ball will be given to the opposing team for delay of game (throw-in or free kick to opposing team, corner/goal kick switch).
9. On free kicks, goal kicks, corner kicks, penalty kicks and kick-offs, opposing team must be 5 yards away from ball.
10. The goal area and penalty area are the same area.
11. All free kicks are indirect, with the exception of handballs. Penal fouls inside the penalty area still result in a penalty kick.
12. Penalty kicks are taken from the penalty area marker.
13. Coaches and players are responsible before the games to insure that players are properly equipped (socks over shin guards, etc.) and are not wearing anything dangerous (for example, jewelry, long pants on field player, hard casts). Decision of referee or tournament official is final on those issues.
14. Players receiving a yellow card must serve a 2 minute penalty requiring the team to play short for the 2 minute period.
15. A player who is red carded is automatically ejected from remainder of the match.
16. Each team should bring 2 sets of jerseys.
17. There is no off-side rule.
18. When a team is down by a 3 goal margin in a game, they may add an extra player onto the field until there is a 2 goal margin and at that point go back to even sides.
19. Each win is 3 points; each tie is one point. Forfeit will count as 4-0 win.
20. In case of a tie at end of league season, the tie will be broken as follows:
	(1) head to head.
	(2) goal differential to maximum of 4 per game.
	(3) least amount of goals allowed (max of 4 per game).
	(4) coin toss.
	3-Way Tie: Eliminate one team, beginning with goal differential (team with lowest goal differential is eliminated from contest); then back to (1), (2), etc. for remaining two teams.
21. NO CLEATS. Rubber-soled or turf shoes only. Should the referee discover a player or players wearing cleats, he will ask the offending player to leave the field. Should a team continue to field a player or players with cleats the ref will declare the game a forfeit. If referee forfeits both teams due to cleats on players, score will be recorded 0-0, with neither team receiving points in standings and both teams receiving –4 (minus 4) towards their goal differential.
22. Games start with a starting horn and end with an ending horn. The games are 40 minutes. Please move quickly on and off the field since lost time will not be made up.
23. Slide tackles are prohibited and result in an indirect kick.
24. Any protest from a team must be conducted in a civilized and thoughtful manner by one coach or manager. Only coaches and managers may approach Tournament Officials and Referees regarding discrepancies.
25. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players and fans. Only coaches and players on the playing field. Disruptive behavior may result in a team yellow card or expulsion from the tournament and/or facility.