Introduction

Pinelanders Intramural Soccer Program is designed to teach youngsters how to play the game of soccer. The emphasis of the Program is on learning soccer skills, strategy and good sportsmanship. Coaches, officials and parents are reminded that they should always set a good example of sportsmanship and behavior.

Division Structure

Divisions are made up as follows:

*The number of players on the field includes the goalkeeper.  The number may be modified in  a given season, depending on the number of players initially assigned to teams.

Rules

1. FIFA Rules. FIFA’s Laws of the Game apply to all divisions except where modified by the rules that follow.
2. Length of Games. Game lengths for each division are given in the table above. There will be a 5-minute break between periods. On days of excessive heat, at the discretion of the Board Member on Duty (BMOD), breaks may be longer and additional water breaks may be added. All games will end at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the next game on that field, regardless of their own start time or any delays, unless an emergency situation dictates otherwise.
3. Playing Time. Every player must play at least one half of the game regardless of his/her ability or skill level.
4. Goalkeepers. No player may play goalkeeper for more than half of any game.
5. Substitutions. Goalkeepers or field players may be substituted with the permission of the referee on any goal kick or throw in, or after a goal has been scored. Players leaving the field must be removed prior to their replacements entering the field of play.
6. Injuries. In the event a player is injured, the referee will stop play so that the player may be attended to. Play will be resumed with a dropped ball at the point the ball went out of play, or if the ball was in play at the stoppage a drop ball will be given at the point where the ball was when play was stopped. If a player sustains a significant injury, the player’s coach must immediately bring the injury to the attention of the BMOD, and complete an Injury Report form after the game.
7. Playing Positions. Coaches may set up players in whatever positions they feel is advantageous. They may use wings, halfbacks, stoppers, sweepers, fullbacks etc. However, coaches must use players at several different positions throughout the season to increase the players’ knowledge of the game and improve skills.
8. Self-Protection. Players may use their hands and arms in a “cross-arm” fashion to protect their faces or chests. However, if in the opinion of the referee the player had other options available, or gains an advantage by such use (i.e. propels the ball), a free kick or penalty kick, as appropriate, will be awarded to the opposing team. All other use of the hands will be considered a violation of the laws of the game.
9. Slide Tackling. Slide tackling is prohibited in all divisions. Indirect free kicks are to be awarded from the point of infraction of this rule. Repeat offenders will be considered to be exhibiting unsportsman-like conduct, and cautioned accordingly.
10. Uniforms. The club uniform comprises a Pinelanders shirt, plain black shorts, plain black socks completely covering shin guards, shin guards, and soccer cleats or sneakers. The goalkeeper will wear a shirt that easily distinguishes him/her as goalkeeper. Players not in uniform will be sent off the field by the referee, and not allowed to return until in proper uniform. Players are not permitted to play in mutilated shirts. Any player who mutilates his/her team shirt must either repair it or bear the cost of a replacement shirt.
11. Dangerous Articles. For reasons of safety, no jewelry or hair barrettes may be worn during a game, and players may not chew gum while on the field. The referee is to remove any player wearing dangerous articles from the game until the items in question are removed. A substitute may only replace a removed player during normal substitution times as defined elsewhere in these Rules. It is the coach’s responsibility to check players for proper equipment prior to the game, and have them remove any improper articles before taking the field.
12. Disputes. Any rules disputes are to be brought to the attention of the Commissioner. If they cannot be resolved at that level, they should be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors for resolution. Interpretation of the Laws of the Game is not grounds for dispute. All interpretations of the laws of the game by the referee are final. No protests are allowed.
13. Arrival Time. All players and coaches must arrive at the field fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their game.
14. Game Reports. Each team is required to fill out a Game Report form for each game. Points for standings will not be awarded if a report is not submitted. Separate Injury Reporting must be completed and brought immediately to the attention of the BMOD if any significant injury occurred.
15. Schedule. All games will be played as scheduled unless postponed by the designated Scheduling Manager. Postponements are subject to the following restrictions:
    • Requests for postponements must be made to the Scheduling Manager by the Wednesday prior to the game. The Scheduling Manager may grant a later request under extenuating circumstances.
    • No coach may change the scheduled time or date of a game. Any game not played as scheduled, and not officially postponed, will result in a no-game.
    • Games may only be postponed for reasons of inclement weather, illness or special circumstances as deemed appropriate by the Scheduling Manager.
    • All postponed games must be made up within a reasonable time after the original scheduled game or a no-game will result. Both teams will be informed of the new time and date for rescheduled games.
16. Blood Rule. Should a player become injured and start to bleed, that player must be removed from the game until the bleeding is stopped and the player is properly cared for. Each team may substitute on the stoppage of play.
17. Referee Abuse. Abuse of the game officials will not be tolerated. If the referee determines that dissent is exhibited by a player, coach or spectator, a warning will be issued to the player, or in the case of a coach or spectator, the warning will be issued to the coach(es). If a second incident occurs involving the same individual, that person will be ejected from the game. An ejected player must stay by his/her coach, or may leave the field if accompanied by a responsible adult. An ejected adult must leave the vicinity of the game. Refusal to leave will result in a suspension of the game and a forfeit by the offending team, and will be recorded as a 0 to 1 loss for that team.
18. Disciplinary Action. Any player, coach or spectator ejected from a game will be considered in violation of the Pinelanders Rules of Conduct, and will be required to appear before the Board of Directors, or the Board’s designated committee, to seek reinstatement.
19. Red Card Policy. The Disciplinary Committee will review every red card and establish any penalty it deems appropriate.
    • A player who receives a red card will receive an automatic two-game suspension, beginning with the following game, pending review by the Committee.
    • A coach who receives a red card will receive a minimum two-game suspension, pending review by the Committee. If a coach is coaching in multiple divisions, the suspension will apply to all divisions. If the infraction occurs at the end of the season, and a coach skips one or more seasons, the suspension will still be served in the coach’s next active season. The Disciplinary Committee must report the outcome of each incident to the Board, and may choose to defer to the Board for a decision. The offending party may request that the full Board review a decision of the Disciplinary Committee. Decisions of the Board are final.
20. Coach & Spectator Positioning. During a game coaches and teams are limited to “technical areas,” defined as within 10 yards of the mid-field line, on their own side of the midfield, as chosen at the beginning of the game. For small sided fields, coaches are limited to their chosen side of the mid-field but must not enter the “6 yard” area. Spectators and teams are to be on opposite sides of the fields during a game – that is, both teams must be on one side, and all spectators must be on the other side. Coaches are encouraged to let the players learn by playing the game, and not to provide excessive coaching instruction during the game. Spectators are encouraged to cheer for the whole team, and not to “coach” their own children during the game. No spectators or coaches will be allowed to run the length of the field to coach players during a game.
21. Short-handed Games. The minimum number of players required for a “standing division” game is seven. If a team cannot field at least seven players within 15 minutes of the scheduled start of the game, that team will forfeit the game and a score of 1-0 will be recorded in favor of the opposing team. Otherwise, the game must be played with the same number of players on each team. This means that if one team is short-handed, the other team must play “down” to the same number of players. Additional players may be fielded by both teams if more become available during the course of the game. There is no requirement for a team to play down to compensate for a player on the other team who is ejected during a short-handed game, or who leaves the field as a result of injury or for any other reason.
22. Standings and Playoff Games. In “standings” divisions, points are awarded as follows: 3 for a win, 1 for a tie, and 0 for a loss. If there is a tie for a standings position at the end of the regular season’s games, playoff games will be held as necessary to determine the final standings. If a playoff game is tied at the end of regulation time, the teams will play two additional 5-minute halves. If the score is still tied, the game will end with a penalty shoot-out, with the teams each taking five shots from the penalty mark, alternating with each kick. If the game is still undecided after five shots each, the teams will continue to take shots until one team has scored one goal more than the other from the same number of shots.

Additional Rules for Division U6/U6G, U7/U7G

23. Free Kicks. All free kicks are indirect, regardless of the violation.
24. Offside. The offside rule is not applied in this division.
25. Throw-Ins. If a player makes a foul throw in, he/she will be instructed on proper technique and given another attempt. This will continue until a proper throw is made. Players making throw-ins or corner kicks must be rotated during each game so all players have a chance to develop proper technique.
26. Coaching on the Field. Coaches may enter the field of play to position players at the start of a game or a period. With the referee’s permission they may also do so for a penalty kick or a corner kick, but must not unduly delay the game. Coaches may not enter the field of play for any other reason while play is in progress.
27. Goalkeeper’s Box. The box is used to protect the goalkeeper. The following rules apply to the box:
    • Any player may enter the area inside the box, but players cannot score from within the box. If the ball should enter the goal being kicked within the box the restart will be a goal kick.
    • The goalkeeper may use his/her hands to play the ball inside the box, but must kick the ball when it is outside the box.
    • After a save in the box and for only weeks 1, 2 and 3 of the season each player in the position of goalkeeper will get one warning if they leave the box with the ball still in their hands. The referee will stop play, instruct the goalie about the boundary of the box and return the ball to the goalkeeper to restart play. Further infractions by the same player during that game will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.
    • After a save in the box the goalkeeper may drop kick or throw the ball back into play.
    • Defensive players may enter the box to assist the goalkeeper but may not use their hands to play the ball.
    • Offensive players must position themselves at least five yards from the box on all goal kicks.

Additional Rules for Division U5

Rules for U6/U6G, U7/U7G apply to U5 as appropriate, except as modified below.

28. Coaching on the Field. Coaches may go onto the field at any time, but must stay out of the flow of the game.
29. Games & Practices. Games are structured as 30 minutes of instruction followed by four 7-minute periods of play. No scheduled practices are to be held in this division.
30. Players. Each team plays with four players on the field. No player may be assigned to the goalkeeper position.
31. Fouls. Fouls and handballs will only be called where the offense is blatant.
32. Goalkeeper, Goal Box/Arc.
    • Any player may enter the area inside the arc, but players cannot score from within the arc.
    • If the ball should enter the goal being kicked within the arc the restart will be a goal kick.