RULES and other GUIDELINES

Rule 1 - The Field Of Play
Field measures 80' wide x 180' long.  Markings on the field include:
·         Penalty Areas, with Penalty Mark at top center
·         Center Circle
·         Halfway Line, with Center Mark at center
·         “Red Lines” (which are not actually red), with Restart Mark at center.  Red Lines are located halfway between the Halfway Line and each Goal Line.
 
Rule 2 - The Ball
The ball is size 5.
 
Rule 3 - The Players
3.1 - Number of players
a)       Team roster is limited to 14 players.
b)       6 players per team, one of whom is a goalkeeper, with no less than 4 players per team on the field at all times.
c)       Coed teams must have a minimum of 2 female players on the field (female goalkeeper counts).  If a coed team has only 1 female player present at game start time, the game will begin but that team will play shorthanded (maximum of 5 players on the field) until a second female player is available.
d)       If a team does not have the minimum number of players (4 total and, for coed, including at least 1 female player) at game start time, the game clock will start and 1 goal will be awarded to the opposing team for each minute that passes until A) the team has enough players to play; or B) five goals are scored in this manner, at which point the game will be considered a forfeit.
e)       During an Overtime Period, neither team shall play with more than 4 players on the field, one of whom is a goalkeeper. For coed, each team must have a minimum of 1 female player on the field (female goalkeeper counts).
 
3.2 - Substitutions
Substitute players are to remain in their team bench area.  Teams may substitute players freely during play (“on the fly”) provided that:
a)       Substituting players must enter/exit the field of play between the Halfway Line and the nearer end of their own team's bench by "tagging" in and out.
b)       The player substituted for does not, in the determination of the Referee, interfere with play at the time the replacing player enters the field of play.
 
3.3 - Goalkeeper substitution
Goalkeeper substitution is only permitted during a stoppage (i.e., NOT "on the fly”), and only provided that:
a)       The Referee is notified before the substitution is made.
b)       The new goalkeeper is properly and legally equipped.
 
Rule 4 - The Players' Equipment
a)       Each team’s players must wear matching-color jerseys.  The team listed as the "home" team on the schedule is responsible for having alternate color jerseys in the event that both teams show up wearing the same color. In playoff matches, the lower-seeded team will be responsible for changing into alternate color jerseys.
b)       The goalkeeper wears jersey colors distinguished from all other field players and from the Referee.
c)       All players must wear shin guards, which must be completely covered by socks.
d)       Turf shoes are recommended, but molded plastic or rubber cleats designed for use on synthetic turf ARE permitted.  Absolutely NO metal cleats or screw-in studs are allowed. Flat-soled shoes are, of course, legal as well.
e)       Players shall not be permitted to wear anything deemed dangerous by the Referee.
 
Rule 5 - The Referee
The decisions of the Referee regarding facts connected with play and interpretations of the Rules are FINAL.
 
Rule 6 - The Duration of the Game
a)       A regulation game consists of two 25-minute Halves, with a 2-minute (or shorter, at Referee’s discretion) halftime interval.
b)       Time will be extended for the taking of a Penalty Kick.
c)       Except in the case of an unusual delay, determined by the Referee, the Game Clock counts down continuously through each Half or Overtime Period.
d)       Regular-season games may end in a tie (i.e., no overtime/tiebreaker).
e)       If a game where a winner must be determined (e.g., playoff, tournament), is tied at the end of regulation, a 5-minute "Golden Goal" Overtime Period is played.  If still tied, a Tiebreaker takes place, as described in Rule 12.
f)       In extreme heat conditions, the Referee may call a short break at a stoppage in play that occurs roughly halfway through each Half. The game clock will continue to run during this break and play will resume with the restart appropriate to the stoppage.
 
Rule 7 - The Start and Restart of Play
7.1  - Game Start Time
Games will start promptly at the scheduled game time.  When the previous game ends, teams will be allowed a reasonable amount of time to get all equipment into the bench area and take the field.  We ask that players whose game has just ended not linger in the bench area to make way for players playing in the next game. Forfeit time is five minutes past scheduled game start time.

7.2 - Kickoffs
A Kickoff from the Center Mark starts play at the beginning of each Half and after every goal.  Standard FIFA rules apply regarding Kickoffs, with the exception that the ball does not have to move forward.   Teams will change direction at half time and alternate kick off.

7.3 - Free Kicks
A team is awarded a Free Kick after an infraction of the rules by the opposing team.  ALL FREE KICKS ARE DIRECT.

Before a player takes any Free Kick, the ball must be stationary.  All opposing players must be a minimum of 5 yards from the spot of the Free Kick (or, if within 5 yards of the opponent's Goal, along the Goal Line).  The player taking a Free Kick cannot play it again until someone else first touches the ball.

The Free Kick is taken from the spot on the field where the infraction occurred, with the following exceptions:
a)       Within Own Penalty Area: from any spot therein
b)       Within Opponent's Penalty Area: from the Penalty Mark
c)       Delayed Penalty: A) as normally administered according to the ensuing stoppage; or B) in case the offending team obtains possession of the ball during play, at the spot of the original offense
d)       Three-Line Violation: from the offending team's Restart Mark
e)       Superstructure Violation: from the Center Mark or Restart Mark nearer to where the ball was last played
 
7.4 - Drop Ball
If neither team has clear possession of the ball at a stoppage, the Referee restarts play with a Drop Ball. A Drop Ball caused while the ball is inside a Penalty Area takes place at the Penalty Mark.
 
For restarts in unusual circumstances (e.g., after injury), play is restarted with a Drop Ball from the location of the ball when play was stopped.
 
7.5 - Five Second Rule
Failure by a player to put the ball into play within 5 seconds, as signaled by the Referee, shall result in a possession turnover to the opponent. When playing as goalkeeper, failure to distribute the ball having held it in his or her hands for over five seconds, which, in the opinion of the Referee, is designed to delay the game shall be penalized by awarding a Free Kick (not a Penalty Kick) to the opposing team from the Penalty Mark.
 
Rule 8 - The Ball In And Out Of Play
a)       A Throw-In, Corner Kick, or Goal Kick (all per standard FIFA rules) will be awarded when the entire ball crosses the Touch Line or Goal Line.  For a Goal Kick, the ball may be placed anywhere within the Penalty Area.  For a Corner Kick, the ball must be placed within one (1) yard of the corner of the field.  The Corner Flag may NOT be moved.
b)       Three-Line Violation occurs when a player (goalkeepers included) propels the ball in the air across the two “Red Lines” and the Halfway Line toward the opponent's Goal without touching another player or a Referee on the field of play.  The whole of the ball must have crossed both “Red Lines.”  (i.e., if the ball is placed on one Red Line and kicked from there and then crosses over the other Red Line, there is no violation.)
c)       A Superstructure Violation occurs when the ball contacts any part of the building above the field of play.
 
Intentionally kicking the ball hard enough and with the intent to hit the superstructure, ceiling, signage or lighting will be cause for a red card issued by the referee. THIS WILL ALSO BE deemed as an intent to destroy property of One-Touch Soccer.  A five (5) minute penalty will be assessed to the offending team and a direct kick awarded to the opposing team.  Additional sanctions (such as the offending player facing a suspension or ban from One-Touch Soccer) may also be considered.
 
Rule 9 - The Method of Scoring
9.1 - Goals
A team scores a goal when the whole of the ball legally passes over the Goal Line between the goalposts and under the crossbar. A goal may be scored directly from a Kickoff, Free Kick, or any Restart except a Throw-In.
a)       In coed leagues, a goal scored by a female player will count as 2 goals.  This includes all Free Kicks, Penalty Kicks, and Shootouts.
b)       An own-goal will count as 1 goal, regardless of whether it was scored by a male or female player.
 
9.2 - Forfeits
A forfeit is recorded as a 5-0 final score.  A double-forfeit is recorded as a 0-0 result with NO points being awarded in the standings to either team. A team will forfeit a game for the following reasons:
a)       Not having the minimum number of players required by the end of the 5-minute grace period after game start time.
b)       Dropping below the minimum number of players required at any point during the game.  This includes players lost due to injury as well as players serving Time Penalties or sent off with a Red Card, as explained in Rule 11.  In this type of forfeit, the official game result will still be scored 5-0, regardless of who is winning and what the actual score is at the point in the game when the forfeit is invoked.
 
Rule 10 - Fouls and Other Violations
10.1 - Standard Fouls
Standard FIFA-rules Fouls that result in a Free Kick for the opposing team include:
a)       Holding, handling, playing in a dangerous manner, impeding (obstruction)
b)       Kicking, tripping, jumping, charging, striking, or pushing in a manner the Referee deems careless, serious, reckless, or involving excessive force
c)       Violations committed by a Goalkeeper:
                                 i.            Illegal Handling: A goalkeeper who carries the ball from inside the Penalty Area to outside of the Penalty Area by foot shall not handle the ball again inside the Penalty Area prior to the ball being touched by an opposing player.
                                 ii.            Standard FIFA rules apply regarding when a goalkeeper may handle a ball played back from a teammate.
d)       Unsporting Behavior, including:
                                 i.            Leverage: Using the body of a teammate or any part of the field to gain an advantage
                                ii.            Encroachment: Entering the 5-yard protected area of an opposing player taking a Free Kick
                               iii.            Preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his or her hands
                               iv.            Dissent
 
10.2 - Slide Tackling
Slide tackling is NOT PERMITTED and will result in a Free Kick being awarded to the opposing team.  Any player who slides or similarly leaves his/her feet in the vicinity (considered to be one body-length in any direction) of any other player (even if a tackle is not the primary objective) shall be deemed to have committed a slide tackle. A slide tackle in the Penalty Area will result in a Penalty Kick being awarded to the opposing team.  Additional penalties (e.g., Blue, Yellow, or Red Card) may also be enforced at the Referee’s discretion.  Referees will use discretion for normal goalkeeper play within the Penalty Area, as it relates to slide tackling.
 
10.3 - Bicycle Kicks
Bicycle kicks are NOT PERMITTED and will result in a Free Kick being awarded to the opposing team.  Additional penalties (e.g., Blue, Yellow, or Red Card) may also be enforced at the Referee’s discretion.
 
10.4 - Flagrant Fouls
a)       A Penalty Kick is awarded for a Foul committed within the Penalty Area for which the offending player receives a Time Penalty (i.e., a Card is shown).
b)       A Shootout is awarded as the penalty for Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity (standard FIFA-rules apply for criteria to determine DOGSO).
 
10.5 - Cards
a)       Blue Card Offenses:
                     i.            serious Fouls
                    ii.            Unsporting Behavior
                   iii.            Deliberate Handball
                   iv.            Deliberate Handball by a Goalkeeper outside the Penalty Area
                    v.            Goalkeeper Endangerment
                   vi.            Any Foul by the Goalkeeper during a Shootout
b)       Yellow Card (Cautionable) Offenses:
                     i.            second Blue Card
                    ii.            reckless Fouls
                   iii.            Unsporting Behavior
                   iv.            Dissent
c)       Red Card (Ejectionable) Offenses:
                     i.            *second Yellow Card (or third Blue Card)
                    ii.            Fouls which the Referee considers violent or committed with excessive force
                   iii.            Violent Conduct or Fighting
                   iv.            Leaving team bench to engage in a fight or confrontation
                    v.            Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity
                   vi.            Extreme Unsporting Behavior, including:
                                           1.       Spitting at an opponent, Referee, or any other person
                                           2.       Use of abusive, insulting, or threatening language and/or behavior
                                           3.       Bodily contact with a Referee in dissent
 
Rule 11 - Time Penalties and Short-Handed Play
11.1 - Time Penalties
The following penalties apply to offenses for which a Card is issued:
a)       Blue Card                              =              2-minute Time Penalty
b)       Yellow Card                           =              2-minute Time Penalty
c)       *Administrative Red Card     =              2-minute Time Penalty AND ejection
d)       Straight Red Card                  =              5-minute Time Penalty AND ejection
 
The player who commits a carded offense serves the Time Penalty, seated in his or her team bench area, until its expiration and the Referee beckons the player back onto the field.  This includes goalkeepers.  If a substitute in the bench area or non-player personnel commits a carded offense, on-field players are designated by their teams to serve the Time Penalty in order to satisfy the requirement for playing short-handed.  When a player is ejected, another player on the offending team must be designated to serve the time penalty.
 
11.2 - Short-Handed Play
For each Time Penalty being served by a player, his or her team plays with one fewer field player until its expiration.  NOTE: A team may not have fewer than the minimum required number of players on the field, regardless of the number serving Time Penalties, so if a player receives a Time Penalty while two or more teammates are already on the bench serving other Time Penalties, his or her team continues to play with the minimum while he or she joins teammates on the bench (i.e., the offending player shall be replaced by a substitute to satisfy minimum player requirements).  If the team does not have sufficient player(s) on the bench to make the replacement and satisfy minimum player requirements, the game is immediately ruled a Forfeit.
 
11.3 - Exceptions
Under the following circumstances, Time Penalties either expire prior to their completed countdown, or have the beginning of their countdowns delayed:
a)       Powerplay Goal: If a team is scored upon having fewer players on the field of play, due to one or more players serving Time Penalties, a player from the team is released back into the field of play.  If the team has two players serving Time Penalties, only the player whose Time Penalty was recorded earlier is released back to the field of play.
b)       Simultaneous Ejections: When two simultaneous Red Cards carrying the same Time Penalties are assessed to opposing players, their Time Penalties are not served.
c)       End of Game: All Time Penalties carry over between periods but expire at the end of the game.
 
11.4 - Delayed Penalty
In instances where the Referee would issue a Blue Card, but applies the Advantage Rule, the Referee shall record and assess the offense when A) the team of the offending player gains control of the ball; or B) the Referee stops play for any other reason, whichever comes first.  In the event a goal is scored as a result of Advantage being applied, the offending player's penalty shall be recorded for accumulation purposes but the Time Penalty is not served.
 
Rule 12 - Shootouts and Penalty Kicks
Any eligible player may take a Shootout or Penalty Kick.  All substitutes and players serving Time Penalties must remain seated in their team bench area.  For Shootouts, all other players must remain behind the Halfway Line.  For Penalty Kicks, all other players must remain behind the nearest “Red Line” to the Penalty Kick.
 
12.1 - Shootout
a)       The ball is placed at the Restart Mark nearer the attacking Goal;
b)       The Goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the Goal Line and may not move off of it until the Referee whistles the Shootout to begin;
c)        Once the Referee whistles the Shootout to begin, the ball is in play;
d)        The player has 5 seconds to score after the Referee’s whistle;
e)        If the player does not score within 5 seconds, play is restarted with a Goal Kick.
 
12.2 - Penalty Kick
a)       The ball is placed at the Penalty Mark;
b)       The Goalkeeper must have both feet on the Goal Line until the ball is in play; and
c)       The player who takes the Penalty Kick may not touch the ball again until after it touches another player.
 
12.3 - Tiebreaker
If a game that must have a winner (playoff, tournament, etc.) is still tied following the 5-minute Overtime Period, a Tiebreaker takes place, via Shootouts, with the following additional/special provisions:
a)       The Referee designates the Goal at which both teams shoot.
b)       The higher-seeded team shall decide which team shoots first.
c)       All players, other than the player taking the shot and the defending Goalkeeper, must remain within their team bench areas
d)       Each team has three (3) shots, with players from each team kicking alternately.
e)       A different player must take each of the shots.  For coed leagues, one (1) of the shot-takers must be a female player.
f)       If, after both teams have taken three (3) shots neither has an advantage, the Tiebreaker continues, alternating one player at a time (for coed, one out of every three shot-takers must be female), until both teams have taken an equal number of shots and one team has scored when the other has not.
g)       Any foul by the goalkeeper—inside OR outside the Penalty Area—results in a penalty kick without the goalkeeper in goal.
 

YOUTH LEAGUE GAME RULE VARIATIONS

Rule 2 - The Ball
U9 to U12 games will use a size 4 ball.  U8 and below will use size 3.
 
Rule 3 - The Players
3.1 - Number of players
a)       Team roster is limited to 12 players.
 
3.2 - Substitutions
Substitutions shall only occur at stoppages in play and with the referee's approval (under the same guidelines as Georgia Soccer matches). **High School leagues shall use the same substitution rule as the adult leagues, as laid out above.

Rule 7 - The Start and Restart of Play
7.5 - Five Second Rule
The Five-Second Rule shall not be enforced in U16 and below.  **High School leagues shall use the same Five-Second Rule as the adult leagues, as laid out above.

Rule 9 - The Method of Scoring
9.1 - Goals
a)       In coed leagues, a goal scored by a female player will count as 1 goal.