Rules

Revised March 13, 2024

  1. STANDARD FIFA LAWS APPLY WITH MODIFICATIONS AS NOTED BELOW.
  1. PLAYER CARDS 
    1. All players must have a physical Player Card in order to play in the league.
    2. Player Cards are valid from January 1 – December 31 of each year, requiring a new Player Card every year.
    3. Player Cards may be purchased at the Dome Front Desk.
    4. Players are required to show their Player Card to the Referee at the beginning of each game. 
    5. Referees will not accept a picture of your card on your cell phone or pulling it up on the DASH app.
    6. Player Cards will be returned to players after the game unless a red card is issued. In this instance, the Referee will turn in the Player Card to the Dome Front Desk. The player may pick up their Player Card once their suspension is complete. See Section 8 for more details.
    7. If a player forgets or loses their Player Card, a replacement may be purchased from the Dome Front Desk.  
    8. If a player is discovered playing without a Player Card, that player will receive a minimum one-month suspension.
  1. MANAGER AND PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES
    1. KEEP THE BENCH AREAS CLEAN
      1. Players, teams and coaches are responsible for removing all items from their bench area after every game, including but not limited to used tape, water bottles, sports wrap, etc.
    2. FOOD
      1. Players are not allowed to chew gum or tobacco, or eat anything at any time on the turf surface; no food products are allowed on the turf surface.
      2. All empty bottles and containers must be removed or thrown away after every game.
    3. SPITTING
      1. Spitting on the turf is prohibited.
    4. FOUL AND ABUSIVE LANGUAGE
      1. Foul language will not be tolerated.
      2. Any F*** related words directed or questioned at Referees or Soccer Alaska Officials will result in an immediate red card.
      3. Other dissenting language may result in a Player receiving a yellow card.
    5. TAUNTING
      1. Taunting will not be tolerated.
    6. SPECTATORS
      1. Spectators, including children, are not allowed anywhere on the turf at any time before, during or after the game.
      2. The Referee or league officials will ask spectators to return to the stands if they are on the turf.
      3. Should spectators not leave, the Referee will terminate the game and notate a Forfeit against the offending team.
      4. This rule is aimed at keeping all spectators safe.
    7. ROSTERS
      1. Soccer Alaska does not currently utilize rosters, however teams should endeavor to include all their players on their team on DASH.
      2. Generally, substitute players may be added to a team, provided they have a Player Card.  
      3. Referees have absolute authority to disallow substitute players or remove said player during the game if the Referee deems:
        1. The substitute player is playing at a higher skill level and outplaying most players on the field.
        2. The substitute player is committing too many fouls in the Referee’s opinion.
  1. GAME OF PLAY
    1. ELIGIBILITY
      1. Players must be 18 years or older to play in the league.
    2. GAME DURATION
      1. Games start 5 minutes after the hour; a two-minute half time begins 30 minutes after the hour, and all games will end 59 minutes after the hour.
      2. Time will be extended for the taking of a Penalty Kick at halftime or the end of a game.
      3. All teams must sit on the same side of the field.
    3. FORFEITS
      1. A ten-minute grace period will be given to a team without the minimum number of players to start the game. This grace period will count as part of the game time. The clock is running. If, after 10 minutes, the team is still short, that team will Forfeit the game. If both teams are without the minimum number of players after the 10-minute grace period, the game is terminated.
      2. Any team with multiple forfeits will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible season suspensions for the team, manager and/or players.
    4. NUMBER OF PLAYERS
      1. WOMEN’S B, C AND ALL COED TEAMS
        1. Must have a minimum of five players at the start of the game, including one designated goalkeeper.
        2. May have maximum of seven players, six field players and one designated goalkeeper.
        3. If a team, through injuries and/or red cards falls to four players, including the goalkeeper, that team will forfeit the game. 
        4. Coed Teams Only: Must have no more than three male field players on the field during the game, with the exception of the goalkeeper.
      2. ALL MEN’S AND WOMEN’S A TEAMS
        1. Must have a minimum of four players at the start of the game, including one designated goalkeeper.
        2. May have a maximum of six players, five field players and one designated goalkeeper.
        3. If a team, through injuries and/or red cards falls to three players, including the goalkeeper, that team will forfeit the game. 
    5. SUBSTITUTIONS
      1. May be made “on the fly.”  
      2. While substituting, the player must exit the field at their bench area AND must be all the way off the field before the replacement player enters the field. 
      3. If a player enters the field before their substituting player is all the way off, the entering player shall receive a yellow card.
      4. If a team is found to have more than the maximum number of players on the field, the extra player(s) shall receive a yellow card. 
      5. The Referee must be notified of a goalkeeper change.
    6. SLIDING
      1. Sliding at or near any player is not allowed.
      2. A violation of this rule will result in an IFK for the non-offending team.
      3. Any tackle that would normally warrant a DFK, yellow card, or red card must be penalized as such.
      4. Exceptions:
        1. Goalkeepers may slide as long as their slide takes place, or begins, inside the penalty area.
        2. Sliding is allowed for Men’s A division only.
    7. GOALKEEPERS
      1. The goalkeeper will wear a jersey of a distinctive color different from any other player on the field.
      2. If a goalkeeper touches a ball with their hands on a pass back or kick in from a teammate, an IFK at the top and center of the penalty box will be awarded to the opposing team.
      3. The goalkeeper may handle the ball within his/her penalty area for up to six seconds after controlling the ball. The goalkeeper may take unlimited steps inside his/her own penalty area before releasing the ball. Releasing means throwing or rolling the ball to anyone including him/herself or dribbling the ball with the feet.
      4. If the goalkeeper retains the ball for more than six seconds, an IDK will be awarded to the opposing team at the top center of the penalty box.
      5. The goalkeeper may not drop kick or punt the ball up field after receiving the ball in his/her hands; this includes dropping the ball and kicking it while it is bouncing. 
  1. PLAYER EQUIPMENT
    1. UNIFORMS
      1. All players must wear shorts, shin guards, socks, shoes and have matching jerseys/shirts.
      2. Leggings are allowed but shorts must be worn over the leggings.
      3. Pants, including warmups, are not allowed, with the exception of goalkeepers.
      4. All teams must have matching jerseys/shirts. A plain shirt the same color as teammates jersey/shirt is not considered acceptable; it must be an exact match.
      5. The Referee shall not let the game commence until all members of the team on the field have matching jerseys/shirts. Shirts may be traded with substitute players if need be.
      6. If a team does not have enough matching jerseys/shirts, the team may rent Pinnies for that game from the Dome Front Desk for free – simply exchange your driver’s license for the pinnies and swap them back at the end of your game.
      7. When two competing teams have the same color, the home team will change to a contrasting color.  In this sole instance, teams are not required to have matching spare jerseys but all attempts should be made to have the same color shirts for the game.
    2. BLEEDING / BLOOD ON THE UNIFORM
      1. A player with a bleeding injury must be substituted for immediately. 
      2. That player may not re-enter until the bleeding has stopped and the injury is bandaged. 
      3. A player may not play with blood on the uniform.
    3. SHIN GUARDS
      1. Commercially manufactured shin guards are mandatory for all players. Shin guards must be completely covered by the socks.  Cardboard, Styrofoam, napkins, paper towels, and similar materials stuffed into socks do not replace shin guards.  
      2. Players will not be allowed to play without shin guards.
    4. CASTS/BRACES
      1. No plaster casts or metal braces shall be allowed unless wrapped safely in 1/2″ soft padding. It is up to the discretion of the Referee whether or not the padding is sufficient.  
      2. Exception: ACL and similar braces are allowed.
    5. SHOES
      1. Indoor, turf and molded cleats are all acceptable equipment. There will be absolutely no baseball, football or metal cleats allowed.
      2. Players will not be allowed to play in the shoes they wear in the door. All players must carry the shoes they intend to use for play.
    6. JEWELRY
      1. Players are encouraged to remove all jewelry while playing.
      2. If a player chooses to wear jewelry, it must not pose a risk of injury to players. A jewelry item that can scrape, gouge, entangle, or otherwise injure any player, including the wearer, is not allowed. Examples of prohibited jewelry include but are not limited to: jeweled or rough rings (smooth rings are permissible), large or rough watches (fitness tracker watches are permissible provided they have smooth edges and are tight against a player’s wrist), large or rough necklaces, and sharp or oversized earrings.
      3. Referees may require any item of jewelry worn to be taped to the skin for safety or removed completely, at the referee’s discretion, if he or she believes it may pose a risk of injury to players.
  1. RESTART OF PLAY MODIFICATIONS
    1. FOR ALL RESTARTS
      1. All opposing players must be at least 5 yards away from the ball on all restarts.  
      2. Exception: For kick ins, all opposing players must be at least 5 feet away from the ball.
      3. Players are required to give the minimum distance without the other team asking for distance.  
      4. If a player deliberately does not give the minimum distance and ball is played and touches the defensive person within the minimum distance, a yellow card may be given to that player.
    2. KICK OFF
      1. The kickoff is a DFK.
      2. The ball may be kicked in any direction, but must move to be considered in play.
      3. The kicker may not play the ball again until another player has touched it.
    3. OFFSIDE
      1. There is no offside in indoor soccer.
    4. GOAL KICK 
      1. Cannot continue in the air over the half line. A violation of this rule will result in an IFK for the non-offending team at the point where the ball crossed the half line.
    5. BALL OUT OF PLAY ACROSS TOUCHLINE
      1. Results in a kick in.
      2. A kick in is an IFK.
      3. The ball must be placed outside the field of play or on the touchline within one yard of where it exited the field.
      4. The ball must be stationary before being kicked back into play.
      5. The team has five seconds to restart play.
      6. The ball must re-enter the field of play within one yard of the kick in spot.
      7. The kick in must be below the Referee’s waist throughout the ball’s flight.
      8. If a kick in is ruled illegal, the opposing team will be awarded a kick in from the same spot; there are no re-dos.
    6. BALL OUT OF PLAY ACROSS GOAL LINE
      1. Normal FIFA rules will apply for both goal kicks and corner kicks.
    7. INDIRECT FREE KICK (IFK)
      1. Normal FIFA rules apply.
      2. Exceptions:
        1. If the ball hits the ceiling, the team that did not kick the ball to the ceiling will be awarded an IFK at the place closest to the ceiling. If the IFK would be in the penalty area, it will be moved to the top and center of the penalty box.
        2. If an IFK is awarded to the attacking team inside the penalty area, the ball will be placed at the top and center of the penalty box.
    8. DIRECT FREE KICK (DFK)
      1. Normal FIFA rules apply.
      2. Exception: If a DFK is awarded to the attacking team inside the penalty area will result in a penalty kick.
    9. PENALTY KICK
      1. The ball will be placed at the top and center of the penalty box. All field players will be outside of the penalty box and will stand behind the ball. The goalkeeper must have both feet in contact with the goal line and may not move forward from the line until the ball is kicked. The ball must be kicked in a forward direction. The kicker may not play the ball a second time until another player has touched it. Time will be extended for the taking of a penalty kick at halftime and at the end of a game.
  1. YELLOW CARD (CAUTION)
    1. All FIFA rules apply.
    2. Following a yellow card:
      1. The player will be assessed a two-minute time penalty.
      2. The player may not be replaced on the field for the duration of the penalty; the team must play down a person.
      3. The time penalty begins when the game is restarted and the ball moves. 
      4. The Referee will keep clock time and will notify the player/team when the two-minute time penalty has expired.
      5. A goal by the opposing team ends the penalty.
    3. If a goalkeeper is assessed a yellow card, they shall serve the time penalty and another player must assume the position of goalkeeper.
    4. If two players from opposite teams are assessed yellow cards simultaneously, both players shall serve the full-time penalty regardless of whether or not goals are scored, and both teams must play down a person.
    5. Two yellow cards to one player (or the goalkeeper) results in a red card.
    6. If during a game, a player(s) is assessed a yellow card and the resulting two-minute penalty causes the team to fall below the minimum required players, that team will forfeit the game.
  1. RED CARD (SEND-OFF)
    1. All FIFA rules apply.
    2. The offending team must play with one less player on the field for the duration of the game, even if the red card was due to two yellow cards to a single player.
    3. When a player is ejected, they must immediately leave the facility.
    4. The Referee will withhold the ejected players Player Card.
    5. The ejected player is not allowed to participate in any Soccer Alaska games, regardless of the team, for a minimum of eight (8) days or until they’ve missed their next scheduled game with the team in which they received the ejection – whichever is longer.
    6. The ejected player may be subject to further disciplinary action by the League.
    7. Once their suspension is complete, the player may pick up their Player Card at the Dome Front Desk.
    8. Referees have discretion on how separate players that have been ejected during the same instance.
    9. Should a player be caught playing while being suspended, that player’s suspension will be extended for a period of no less than one month and may face expulsion from the league.
  1. REFEREE OFFICIATING 
    1. Referees shall enforce these rules.
    2. When two or more referees work together they will wear uniforms that are the same color and style. If any referee’s uniform is the same color as any team, the referee will change.
  1. GAME RESCHEDULING 
    1. In the event that a Referee cannot be found, teams should play against each other at their scheduled game time. 
    2. Soccer Alaska will do its best to reschedule the game but will not issue refunds or account credits if a Referee was unable to officiate the game.
  1. RELEGATION
    1. Soccer Alaska embraces the philosophy of Relegation.  
    2. After each season, Soccer Alaska will move the top teams from each division up one division, and the lower teams down one division, based on the standings.
    3. Soccer Alaska retains the ability to move team between divisions, both prior to the start of a season or during the season if, in the League’s sole discretion, it is deemed a team should be registered in a higher or lower division.
  1. CODE OF CONDUCT
    1. All participants in Soccer Alaska must adhere to its Code of Conduct found at https://socceralaska.com/conduct/
  2. OVER-45 COED LEAGUE SPECIFIC RULES
    1. ELIGIBILITY
      1. Players must be 45 years or older to play in this division.
    2. DIVISION SPECIFICS
      1. All Soccer Alaska Indoor Rules apply to this division, with the exceptions as noted below.
    3. TEAM FORMATION
      1. At the beginning of each game, the players present will divide themselves into two different teams.
    4. NUMBER OF PLAYERS
      1. Each team must have a minimum of four players at the start of the game, including one designated goalkeeper.
      2. Each team may have a maximum of five players, four field players and one designated goalkeeper.
      3. If a team, through injuries and/or red cards falls to three players, including the goalkeeper, that team will forfeit the game. 
      4. An even number of males and females on the field is not required for this division.
    5. GOALKEEPERS
      1. May not dribble past the halfway line and cannot score.
      2. If a goalkeeper scores, the restart shall be a goal kick.
    6. SCORING
      1. Individual players are only allowed to score a maximum of three goals per game.
      2. If a player score a fourth goal, the restart shall be a goal kick.
      3. No player can score from their defensive half.
    7. FIELD
      1. This division plays in the End Zone field.
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