Outdoor 7v7 Soccer Rules
Outdoor 7v7 Soccer Rules GAME TIME The game shall be played by two teams of seven (7) players, one of which shall be the goalkeeper. The minimum number of players required to begin a game shall be (5) players. A team must begin if at least (5) players are present. Game will consist of two (2) twenty (20) minute halves with a three to five (3-5) minute half time. There are no timeouts and the clock will consistently run throughout each half. To start the game, odd or even between the captain and the winner has the choice of offense or defense, or a goal to defend. The opposing captain will choose the remaining option. The game will begin with a kick off by the offense. At the moment of the kick off all players must be in their team’s half of the field and all defenders must be at least 10 yards from the ball. The ball is in play when it completes at least one full rotation to another teammate. After the ball is kicked, the kicker may not play the ball again until it is touched by any other player. The ball is OUT of play when it has completely crossed a goal line or touchline either on the ground or in the air. The ball is IN play at all other times including: o When it rebounds from a goal post, cross bar, or corner flag o When it touches an official in the field of play o Until the whistle sounds o After a free kick or kick-off o When a drop ball touches the ground o NOTE: A player may be out of bounds and legally play the ball. Officials, scorers and/or supervisors may stop or forfeit a game at any point in the interest of participant safety or in the event of gross misconduct by players and/or spectators. GOALKEEPER The goalkeeper may be either male or female, but cannot be substituted for on the fly. The captain must notify the official at a time when the ball is dead. He or She must wear a different color jersey from their own team and the opponent. If a penalty kick is awarded, the goalkeeper who was in the goal at the time of the infraction must remain in the goal for the penalty kick. SCORING A ball must be 100% over the line to count as a goal. A goal may be scored directly from a direct free kick, a goal kick, a penalty kick, a corner kick, a drop ball, or a goalkeepers’ throw, or kick. A goal may NOT be scored directly from an indirect kick, punt (no punts in 7v7), or a throw in. SUBSTITUTIONS Substitutes for either team may enter the game during halftime, after a goal, on any goal kicks, and their own throw in and corner kicks.
When a player(s) has been cautioned, or if a player is injured, he/she may be substituted. If such a substitution is made, the opponent shall have the opportunity to make a like number of substitutions. Players must be waved in by the officials on all substitutions. Any ejected player may not be substituted for. If playing with less than 5 due to ejection, the game is a forfeit.
SLIDE TACKLING SLIDE-TACKLING is not allowed, all slide-tackles will be a minimum of an indirect kick to the other team and an automatic yellow card. Slide-tackling an opposing player from behind will result in an automatic red card. FREE KICKS Free kicks shall be classified DIRECT (from which a goal may be scored directly) or INDIRECT (from which a goal may not be scored directly unless the ball is played or touched by a player other than the kicker). All free kicks are taken from the spot of the foul. Direct free kicks awarded to the offensive team in the penalty area are penalty kicks. For all direct and indirect kicks, the defensive team must be at least 10 yards from the ball. Direct free kicks are awarded for the following offenses: o Spitting, kicking, striking, attempting to kick or strike, or jumping at an opponent. o Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent. o Goalkeepers striking, or attempting to strike opponents. o Handles the ball deliberately (except of the goalkeeper within his own penalty area) o Pushing an opponent with hands or arms extended from the body. o Holding or placing hands on an opponent in an attempt to reach the ball. o Any player charging an opponent at any time Indirect free kicks are awarded for the following offenses: o If the ball is played next by the kicker following a kick off, a free kick, a penalty kick, a goal kick, or by the thrower following a throw in. o Obstructing an opponent when not in possession of the ball. o Kicking or attempting to kick the ball while in possession of the goalkeeper. o Dangerous play. o The goalkeeper takes more than six seconds before releasing the ball for play. o The goalkeeper touches with his or her hands a ball deliberately kicked or thrown back to them by a teammate. o The goalkeeper touches the ball again with his hands after he has released it from his possession and before it has touched another player. GOAL KICK A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the entire ball crosses the goal line or hits the netting above the goal line after the attacking team last played or touched the ball. Players opposing the kicker shall remain outside the penalty area until the ball moves out of the penalty area. The ball shall be kicked from the ground from within the goal area. A goal kick must clear the penalty area and enter the field of play. Failure to do so will result in a re-kick.
After the goal kick leaves the penalty area the ball may be played by any player except the one who executes the goal kick. The kicker may not play the ball until it has been played by another player. The goalkeeper shall not pick up the ball and play it, nor receive it with the hands directly from the goal kick.
CORNER KICK A corner kick shall be awarded to the attacking team when the entire ball passes beyond the goal line after the defending team last played or touched the ball. Defending team players shall be at least 10 yards from the ball until it has been kicked. The ball shall be kicked from the ground within the quarter circle nearest where the ball left the field of play. It is in play when the ball moves. After the corner kick, any player may receive the ball except the one who executed the corner kick. PENALTY KICKS A penalty kick shall be awarded when a foul by the defending team, which ordinarily results in the awarding of a direct free kick, occurs within the penalty area. The ball must be in play for a penalty kick to be awarded. All players except the kicker shall be outside the penalty area, on the field of play at least 10 yards from the ball and behind the penalty line or spot until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper shall be able to move laterally along the goal line prior to the kick. The ball should be kicked while it is stationary on the ground from the penalty line or spot. The ball must be kicked so that it moves forward. Failure to kick the ball as specified shall result in a re-kick. Encroachment by the defending team or movement by the defending team's goalkeeper is ignored if the goal is scored, but if the penalty shot is missed, it is retaken. If there is a violation by the attacking team and the goal is scored, it is a no goal and a goal kick for the defending team. If a goal is not scored, it is an indirect free kick for the defending team at the point of the infraction. THROW-IN A throw-in shall be awarded to a team when the opposing team last plays or touches the ball before the entire ball passes beyond the touch line (sideline). The 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 outside or on the touch line. The thrower shall use both hands with equal force and shall deliver the ball from behind and over the head in one continuous movement. If the ball fails to enter the field of play, it shall be re-thrown. If the ball in improperly thrown in, it will be an illegal throw-in and the opposing team will be awarded the throw-in. After the throw-in, the ball may be played by either team. The thrower shall not play the ball before it has been touched by another player. OFFSIDES Offsides does not exist in 7v7 UIC Intramural Soccer. Players are allowed to touch the ball at any location on the field.
OVERTIME Playoffs only and only the players who are on the current roster and checked in to the game before an OT period took place are allowed to participate. One 5-minute overtime period with a continuous running clock will take place. If the score is still tied after the 5 minutes, we will move to a shootout. Each team shall designate 5 kickers, which may include the goalkeeper. The first 5 kickers from each team will take penalty shots. If the score remains tied the next 2 kickers (or however many players remain on the field) will take SUDDEN DEATH penalty shots in alternating order towards the same goal. For Co-Rec o Each team shall designate 5 kickers, which may include the goalkeeper, and 2 must be female. o Teams may choose to start with a male or female kicker, but must then ALTERNATE SEXES for the remainder of the tiebreak procedure. The first 5 kickers from each team will take penalty shots. If the score remains tied the next 2 kickers (or however many players remain on the field) will take SUDDEN DEATH penalty shots in alternating order. o Female goals count for 1 point only. PENALTIES Two yellow cards = red card. Two red cards on one team = FORFEIT If a player receives a yellow card, they must immediately be substituted for another player. The team will not play a person down. When a player receives a red card, the player will be ejected from the game and must leave the facility immediately. UIC police will be called if they fail to leave the premises. If a player receives 2 or more red cards in the regular season, they will not be allowed to participate for the remainder season including playoffs. CO-REC A minimum of 5 players are required to start a game, of which at least 2 must be women. Each team must maintain a 4:3 ratio of Men: Women or a 3:4 ratio of Men: Women. (5 men and 2 women or 4 men and 2 women is NOT allowed) If playing with less than seven (7) players, you may not exceed more than one specific gender over another. All goals are only worth 1 point and does not depend on the gender. PROTECTION Women may use their hands and arms to protect themselves above the waist and below the neck, provided their arms and hands are "glued" to the body; that is, the arms and hands are merged as closely as possible with the part of the body they are protecting. Men may also protect themselves below the waist provided their hands are next to their body. ADDITIONAL RULES Any new rule or rule modification may be implemented during the season by the Intramural Administrative Staff who will inform team managers by email or memo of additions, clarifications, or changes.
Any rule or interpretation not covered in these rules will be governed by the National Federation High School Soccer Rules. Some minor modifications have been implemented for the intramural program to encourage sportsmanship, provide for the safety of the participants and to adhere to time and facility restrictions. All captains have the option to select which division their team plays in. However, by the discretion of the Intramural Administrative Staff, a team may be moved to a league that best fits their competitive ability.
When a player(s) has been cautioned, or if a player is injured, he/she may be substituted. If such a substitution is made, the opponent shall have the opportunity to make a like number of substitutions. Players must be waved in by the officials on all substitutions. Any ejected player may not be substituted for. If playing with less than 5 due to ejection, the game is a forfeit.
SLIDE TACKLING SLIDE-TACKLING is not allowed, all slide-tackles will be a minimum of an indirect kick to the other team and an automatic yellow card. Slide-tackling an opposing player from behind will result in an automatic red card. FREE KICKS Free kicks shall be classified DIRECT (from which a goal may be scored directly) or INDIRECT (from which a goal may not be scored directly unless the ball is played or touched by a player other than the kicker). All free kicks are taken from the spot of the foul. Direct free kicks awarded to the offensive team in the penalty area are penalty kicks. For all direct and indirect kicks, the defensive team must be at least 10 yards from the ball. Direct free kicks are awarded for the following offenses: o Spitting, kicking, striking, attempting to kick or strike, or jumping at an opponent. o Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent. o Goalkeepers striking, or attempting to strike opponents. o Handles the ball deliberately (except of the goalkeeper within his own penalty area) o Pushing an opponent with hands or arms extended from the body. o Holding or placing hands on an opponent in an attempt to reach the ball. o Any player charging an opponent at any time Indirect free kicks are awarded for the following offenses: o If the ball is played next by the kicker following a kick off, a free kick, a penalty kick, a goal kick, or by the thrower following a throw in. o Obstructing an opponent when not in possession of the ball. o Kicking or attempting to kick the ball while in possession of the goalkeeper. o Dangerous play. o The goalkeeper takes more than six seconds before releasing the ball for play. o The goalkeeper touches with his or her hands a ball deliberately kicked or thrown back to them by a teammate. o The goalkeeper touches the ball again with his hands after he has released it from his possession and before it has touched another player. GOAL KICK A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the entire ball crosses the goal line or hits the netting above the goal line after the attacking team last played or touched the ball. Players opposing the kicker shall remain outside the penalty area until the ball moves out of the penalty area. The ball shall be kicked from the ground from within the goal area. A goal kick must clear the penalty area and enter the field of play. Failure to do so will result in a re-kick.
After the goal kick leaves the penalty area the ball may be played by any player except the one who executes the goal kick. The kicker may not play the ball until it has been played by another player. The goalkeeper shall not pick up the ball and play it, nor receive it with the hands directly from the goal kick.
CORNER KICK A corner kick shall be awarded to the attacking team when the entire ball passes beyond the goal line after the defending team last played or touched the ball. Defending team players shall be at least 10 yards from the ball until it has been kicked. The ball shall be kicked from the ground within the quarter circle nearest where the ball left the field of play. It is in play when the ball moves. After the corner kick, any player may receive the ball except the one who executed the corner kick. PENALTY KICKS A penalty kick shall be awarded when a foul by the defending team, which ordinarily results in the awarding of a direct free kick, occurs within the penalty area. The ball must be in play for a penalty kick to be awarded. All players except the kicker shall be outside the penalty area, on the field of play at least 10 yards from the ball and behind the penalty line or spot until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper shall be able to move laterally along the goal line prior to the kick. The ball should be kicked while it is stationary on the ground from the penalty line or spot. The ball must be kicked so that it moves forward. Failure to kick the ball as specified shall result in a re-kick. Encroachment by the defending team or movement by the defending team's goalkeeper is ignored if the goal is scored, but if the penalty shot is missed, it is retaken. If there is a violation by the attacking team and the goal is scored, it is a no goal and a goal kick for the defending team. If a goal is not scored, it is an indirect free kick for the defending team at the point of the infraction. THROW-IN A throw-in shall be awarded to a team when the opposing team last plays or touches the ball before the entire ball passes beyond the touch line (sideline). The 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 outside or on the touch line. The thrower shall use both hands with equal force and shall deliver the ball from behind and over the head in one continuous movement. If the ball fails to enter the field of play, it shall be re-thrown. If the ball in improperly thrown in, it will be an illegal throw-in and the opposing team will be awarded the throw-in. After the throw-in, the ball may be played by either team. The thrower shall not play the ball before it has been touched by another player. OFFSIDES Offsides does not exist in 7v7 UIC Intramural Soccer. Players are allowed to touch the ball at any location on the field.
OVERTIME Playoffs only and only the players who are on the current roster and checked in to the game before an OT period took place are allowed to participate. One 5-minute overtime period with a continuous running clock will take place. If the score is still tied after the 5 minutes, we will move to a shootout. Each team shall designate 5 kickers, which may include the goalkeeper. The first 5 kickers from each team will take penalty shots. If the score remains tied the next 2 kickers (or however many players remain on the field) will take SUDDEN DEATH penalty shots in alternating order towards the same goal. For Co-Rec o Each team shall designate 5 kickers, which may include the goalkeeper, and 2 must be female. o Teams may choose to start with a male or female kicker, but must then ALTERNATE SEXES for the remainder of the tiebreak procedure. The first 5 kickers from each team will take penalty shots. If the score remains tied the next 2 kickers (or however many players remain on the field) will take SUDDEN DEATH penalty shots in alternating order. o Female goals count for 1 point only. PENALTIES Two yellow cards = red card. Two red cards on one team = FORFEIT If a player receives a yellow card, they must immediately be substituted for another player. The team will not play a person down. When a player receives a red card, the player will be ejected from the game and must leave the facility immediately. UIC police will be called if they fail to leave the premises. If a player receives 2 or more red cards in the regular season, they will not be allowed to participate for the remainder season including playoffs. CO-REC A minimum of 5 players are required to start a game, of which at least 2 must be women. Each team must maintain a 4:3 ratio of Men: Women or a 3:4 ratio of Men: Women. (5 men and 2 women or 4 men and 2 women is NOT allowed) If playing with less than seven (7) players, you may not exceed more than one specific gender over another. All goals are only worth 1 point and does not depend on the gender. PROTECTION Women may use their hands and arms to protect themselves above the waist and below the neck, provided their arms and hands are "glued" to the body; that is, the arms and hands are merged as closely as possible with the part of the body they are protecting. Men may also protect themselves below the waist provided their hands are next to their body. ADDITIONAL RULES Any new rule or rule modification may be implemented during the season by the Intramural Administrative Staff who will inform team managers by email or memo of additions, clarifications, or changes.
Any rule or interpretation not covered in these rules will be governed by the National Federation High School Soccer Rules. Some minor modifications have been implemented for the intramural program to encourage sportsmanship, provide for the safety of the participants and to adhere to time and facility restrictions. All captains have the option to select which division their team plays in. However, by the discretion of the Intramural Administrative Staff, a team may be moved to a league that best fits their competitive ability.
