2024 Northern Valley Soccer League
Indoor Soccer Rules
The following are the rules of NVSL Indoor Soccer.
1. FACILITIES
Two goals (estimated 12 ft. Wide by 7 ft. High) each equipped with a net.
One Voit size 4 indoor (fuzzy yellow) soccer ball is used for all divisions.
No other balls (outdoor or indoor) are allowed on the gym surface before, during, or after games.
2. TEAMS and ROSTERS
Divisions 78 (7th/8th grade), 56 (5th/6th grade), and 34 (3rd/4th grade) will have regular season standings
Division 12 (1st/2nd grade) are friendly games only
All players must be insured and registered through their respective recreation programs. Can not use players from other towns unless the recreation department allows registration.
Teams’ roster sizes are limited to the following formula – numbers of players on the field at once x 2 + 3. Exceptions to these roster sizes must be approved
Div 78 roster max = 15
Div 56 roster max = 15
Div 34 roster max = 17
No Div 12 rosters needed
[amended rule 2024] Players can NOT play for another team in its same age group, with the exception that a team has no substitutes and can use the extra player(s) up to having one substitute at start of game (which will allow full team if team adds one during game). Coach must disclose to other coach if crossover player being used and must remove cross over player(s) when regular rostered players arrive
Players can play up an age group an unlimited number of times during regular season.
Rosters must be submitted to the league. The league will make random checks throughout the season using these rosters. The rosters will also be used for the playoffs.
No playups or across during playoffs. No exceptions
3. CONDUCT OF GAMES
Coaches, assistant coaches, town representatives, and assistant town representatives are responsible for the proper behavior of their own coaches, their own players, and spectators before, during and after the game.
[new rule 2024] Coach interference – referee can not referee game due to excessive coach comments, complaints, communication
1st violation = corner kick
2nd violation = 2 minutes with one player less
3rd violation = removed from game / red card, penalty kick awarded
4. REFEREES
League referees will be assigned to the older age groups and some younger age groups.
Towns will be asked to assign a block of games per week, which could be at different facilities
5. SAFETY
All players shall wear shin guards and flat shoes. Kneepads and sweatpants are acceptable.
Hard casts are not permitted, even with covering
Earrings are not permitted.
[new rule 2024] Glasses need to be secured with head straps
6. NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Division 78 (7th and 8th Grade) 5 plus a goalie
Division 56 (5th and 6th Grade) 5 plus a goalie
Division 34 (3rd and 4th Grade) 6 plus a goalie
Division 12 (1st and 2nd Grade) 6 plus a goalie
7. RULES REGARDING THE BALL IN PLAY
Whenever possible, play should not be interrupted. The ball bouncing off walls at the sides and ends are in play.
Each gymnasium will have its own special "ground rules" pertaining to what is "out". These must be explained to the referee and visiting coaches prior to the start of the game.
A ball striking a spectator is considered "out" only if
in the opinion of the referee, the spectator purposely re-directed the ball
in the opinion of the referee, too much time has elapsed. For example, opposing players stand waiting for the ball to reenter
Free kicks
When a ball goes ‘out’ over a sideline, the opposing team is awarded a kick-in, (not a throw-in).
All outdoor rules pertaining to fouls, unsportsmanlike conduct apply. Infractions result in a free kick.
Sliding either to defend or finishing an offensive play is a free kick for the opposition
Striking the ceiling results in a free-kick, below the point where the ball struck the ceiling.
All free kicks are "Indoor INDIRECT", except penalty kicks.
Opposing players must be 10 feet away from the ball on a free-kick, a kick in, and a kick off.
A referee whistle will always signify a restart
The ball must travel at least the distance equal to the width of the ball before another attacking player may play the ball. An infraction of this rule will result in the awarding of a free kick to the opposition at the same point.
To score from kick-off /free-kick/corner kick, the ball must touched by two different attacking players.
Fouls, deliberate ‘hands’, sliding, etc. by a defending player inside his own penalty area results in a penalty kick. Outdoor penalty kick rules apply.
An attacking player cannot score from his own half of the gymnasium, unless the ball is touched by another attacking player in the defenders half of the gymnasium.
Free-kick from centerline
If the goalie’s throw in crosses the center line without first touching a player, wall, or floor.
If the goalie kicks the ball over the center line from outside his penalty area after having touched the ball with his hands without touching a wall, player, or the floor.
Corner kicks
If a defending player strikes the ceiling within his own penalty area.
If a defender deliberately kicks the ball into the end-line obstruction or behind the goal in an effort to gain a goalie’s throw in, the defending team is penalized with a corner kick.
If team has too many players on the floor (substitute enters game too early)
If goalie takes too many steps after gaining control of the ball.
Headers
Intentional heading is disallowed in Division 34 and Division 56
Intentional header results in a free kick for opposing team
Intentional header inside the defensive penalty box by the defense results in an offensive corner kick
8. RULES APPLYING TO THE GOALIE
A goalie may play the whole game
Goalie must wear a neutral colored shirt or pinnie
Play stops when goalie has hands or arms around the ball, regardless of control. Players may not dislodge a ball from the goalie’s control.
Goalie Throw-In
A ball striking ANY part of a basketball assembly ABOVE the goal results in a goalie throw-in.
A ball lodged behind the goal results in a goalie throw-in.
If a ball is unplayable after going over the end-line the defending goalie gets the ball for a throw-in, regardless who kicked the ball over the end-line.
Throw-in may not be touched by a player from either team until the ball has passed outside the penalty area. A violation results in another goalie’s awarded throw-in.
The goalie must throw the ball from the point where he caught the ball, or where he arose from the ground. A goalie may not run up to the edge of the penalty box to throw-in. For Div 12 and Div 34 only, goalies are allowed unlimited steps within the penalty area.
If a goalie is awarded a throw-in without having first captured the ball (the ball hitting the basketball assembly, ball lodged behind the goal etc.) he must take the throw-in from behind the goalies TOUCH LINE which is located three (3) feet in front of the goal line. Violation results in a corner kick.
If a goalie touches the ball with his hands outside the penalty area, the opposition is awarded a free kick from the point of the infraction.
Half-Line Rule
Half-line rule states that a ball received by a goalie inside the goalie box and distributed (throw or kick) by the goalie must touch either floor (bounce or roll), wall, or another player before crossing the half line. Otherwise a free-kick is awarded to the opposition at the half-line where the ball crossed the line.
Half line rule is in effect if:
Goalie awarded a “goalie throw” from ball hitting basketball unit or caught behind goal
Goalie legally possesses ball with hands inside box
Goalie receives ball inside box and dribbles outside box and distributes
Half line rule is not in effect if:
Goalie receives ball outside box and kicks ball over half line
9. LIMITS ON SCORING
A differential of 10 goals reached is an automatic loss for the winning team. A maximum of a 5 goal differential will be the official score so there is no need to run a score to the maximum 9 goal differential. For example a score of 8-1 will be officially recognized as 6-1 in the standings. Coaches do NOT have to remove players at any point during the game.
At a 4 goal differential or greater, the losing team is required to have an extra player to the field of play. Teams play with equal numbers at goal differentials of 0-3.
11. COURTESY AND DISCIPLINE
When a kick-off, a kick-in, a free kick, a corner kick, an awarded keeper’s throw-in, or a penalty kick is awarded, play may not resume until after a referee’s whistle.
A referee whistle stops play and another whistle from the referee restarts a play.
A referee may issue a yellow card to a player, coach, or assistant coach for a serious infraction of the rules or a repeated minor one. A "yellow-carded" player is benched for a minimum of two minutes and may not return to the game until advised by the referee. A substitute may take the "excused" player’s place. Two yellow card infractions by a player within a single game constitute a red card. Further, three yellow cards accumulated by a player during the season and play-offs will result in an automatic one game suspension.
12. LENGTH OF GAMES
Referee should be urged to always start on time, even if a team is short or there has been no warm up.
Coaches should plan on the game starting at the exact start of the time slot. Prior to the game, teams can stretch and warm up without a ball out in the hallway. Do not plan on pre-game floor time.
All games will fall into the 45 or 50 or 60 minute time slot. Therefore, all games regardless of division, should be limited to 20 min halves with no halftime. At halftime, the teams will switch ends and a kickoff will ensue.
All games must end promptly at the allotted time regardless of the time left in the game. Therefore, if a game starts late, the duration of the halves must be shortened such that the games end by the end of the time slot. Both coaches must be notified before the game if game time is going to be shortened. For example, a game that starts 10 minutes late should fall back to 15 minute halves so as to keep the schedule on track.
13. PRE-GAME PROCEDURES
Referee meets with players
Checks shin guards of players
Explains to goalies the goalie box
Referee meets with coaches
Explains to the coaches the area of the goalie box
Referee reminds the coaches of the “indoor indirect rule”
Referee has coaches disclose playups and crossover players
Referee sets game time (shortens if necessary)
Referee reminds coaches that there is a limit to scoring and losing team is allowed to play with an extra player if score if 4 goal differential or more.
14. STANDINGS
Standings will be kept during the regular season. A team receives 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss, and -1 points for a forfeit. Standings are ordered by points per game played since there may be an imbalance in the schedule for games played.
Games cancelled due to gym conflicts or weather do not have to be made up. Unfortunately teams with less games due to scheduling conflicts might not be able to make up the game.
Every team makes the playoffs, so standings are only a formality for seeding in the playoffs.
Tiebreakers after points are goals against, then goal differential. Since goals against are a high priority, emphasis should be on defense in a close situation.
15. PLAY-OFF RULES
Seeds will be determined by regular season standings.
All rules that apply to regular season games also apply to play-off games with the following exceptions:
Players can only play on one team in the playoffs, no playing up or across
Goalie can play the whole game
20 minute halves
If tied after regulation, 5 minute sudden death overtime
If tied after overtime, 3 player shootout
If tied after shootout, 1 player shootout until winner
Shootout rules
The goalie that was in the goal at the end of the game must remain in the goal during the shoot-out, unless injured during the shoot-out.
Before the shoot-out starts, each coach must select the three kickers and place them in the order in which they are to kick. First three kickers are seated on the floor, behind the penalty spot in the order in which they are kicking. No other players or civilians are allowed on the floor
