The University of Wisconsin-Madison Intramural Sports ...

The University of Wisconsin-Madison

Intramural Sports
Soccer Rules

(Updated: 6/12)

Note: Play is governed by current National Collegiate Athletic Association Soccer Rules with the following modifications. Official rules can be viewed at
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=520. The Intramural Sports Policies govern policies and procedures of all play.

1. Field of Play
The fields are smaller than a regulation size field, approximately 40 yards by 80 yards.

2. The Ball
Recreational Sports shall provide the game ball. An alternative ball may be used if both captains agree. The ball shall
not be changed without permission of the official. It must be size 5 - full adult size.

3. The Players
1. A match shall be played by two teams, each consisting of not more than seven players including the goalkeeper.

In co-rec games the number of men and women on the field shall not differ by more than one (i.e.: a team may
play with four men and three women or vice versa). Each team must have 4 players, which includes a goalkeeper,
present to begin a game. If a team does not have 4 players present within the 10-minute grace period, the game
will be declared a default or a no-show. See Intramural Sports Policies.
2. Substitutions may be made during any stoppage of play. The substitute must enter at midfield and may not enter
the field without the permission of the official. PENALTY: Play shall be stopped and the offending player shall be
cautioned. Play shall continue with a drop ball.
3. Any other player may change places with the goalkeeper, provided play has stopped and the official has informed
of the change before it is made. PENALTY: Play shall not be stopped. The old and the new goalkeepers shall be
cautioned when the ball goes out of play.
4. All players must be UW-Madison students enrolled in Summer 2012 courses or faculty/staff with paid Recreation
Membership fees. Students enrolled in Spring 2012 must purchase a summer student membership to be eligible
to participate. Each team is responsible for the Intramural Sports Polices and eligibility requirements posted on the
Recreational Sports web site at http://www.recsports.wisc.edu. All players must present their UW-Madison
identification card at each game.

No Valid UW-Madison ID – No play – No exceptions.

4. Player Equipment
A player shall not wear anything that may be dangerous to him/herself or another player; this includes jewelry,
watches, metal cleats, unsecured glasses and caps. PENALTY: The offending player shall be instructed to leave the
field and shall not be allowed back on the field until the situation is corrected. A legal substitute may replace the
offending player at this time.

a. Shoes must be worn. No sandals, boots, or bare feet permitted.
b. Shin guards are highly recommended.
c. All teams are required to provide matching color team shirts, color designated at time of registration.

Players will not be allowed to participate without a matching color team shirt. The goalkeeper’s shirt must
be a color that is different than their own team’s as well as the opposing team’s tshirts.

5. Officials
Two officials shall be assigned to each game. Their authority begins as soon as they enter the field of play and
continues until they leave the field. Their power of penalizing shall extend to offenses committed by players,
substitutes, coaches and fans; during play, when play is suspended and when the ball is out of play, before the game
begins, and until all players and fans leave the playing area.

6. Duration of the Game
1. Games will begin at the scheduled time. Teams will be given a 10-minute grace period to have the required

minimum of players before the game is declared a no-show or a default. The team will be dropped from further
competition unless a $25.00 no-show fee is paid or a $10.00 default fee is paid within 48 hours to the Recreational
Sports Office (Room 1180 Nat). See the Intramural Sports Policies regarding no-shows and defaults.
2. The game shall consist of two consecutive halves of 20 minutes each.

3. The clock runs but may be stopped due to injury or delay of game by a player/team at the discretion of the official
or Intramural Sports Supervisor.

4. The half time interval shall not exceed five minutes.
5. Time may be extended at the end of each half to allow for penalty kicks or at the end of the game to allow for

shootouts to break a tie (during tournament play only).

7. The Start of Play
1. At the beginning of a game, a coin-toss shall be made between the two captains. The winning captain shall have

choice of kick-off or choice of ends with the losing captain taking the remaining option.
2. At the start of a half or after a goal is scored, play shall begin by a place kick taken at the center of the field. All

players shall be on their respective halves of the field and no player opposing the kicker shall be within the center
circle until the ball is kicked. The ball shall not be in play until it has traveled its circumference.
3. The kicker shall not play the ball a second time after kicking it until another player has touched it. If this rule is
broken, the opposing side shall take an indirect free kick.
4. After a goal, the side losing the goal shall take the kick. After half time, the team that did not kick off at the start of
the game shall take the kick.

8. Ball In and Out of Play
1. The ball is out of play when it has entirely crossed the goal line or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air, or

when the game has been stopped by the official.
2. The ball is in play at all other times, including when it rebounds from a goal post or crossbar, when it rebounds

from an official or in the event of an alleged infringement of the rules before the official has given a decision.

9. Goalies
1. Goalies may NOT pick up passes from members of their own team.
2. Goalies may NOT slide or dive at a player in possession of the ball.
3.. Goalies MAY slide or dive to block a shot.
4.. Goalies MAY slide or dive to gain possession of a loose ball.

10. Method of Scoring
1. A goal is scored when the ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar,

provided it was not propelled there illegally and is not during an indirect free kick.
2. Ties will stand except during tournament play when a shoot out shall break the tie.

11. Mercy Rule
If a team is ahead by 5 or more goals with 5 minutes left in the second half or anytime thereafter, the game shall be
over.

12. Penalty Kick Shootout (Playoffs only)
1. The referees will decide which goal the shootout will take place.
2. A coin toss will determine which team will kick first.
3. Four kicks will be taken by each team from players on the field at the end of regulation, alternating kicks. (Ex: A1,

B1, A2, B2,...) If the score is still tied after both teams have taken their four kicks, the shootout shall continue in
the same team order, until both teams have taken an equal number of kicks (not necessarily four more kicks) and
one has scored a goal more than the other. These additional kicks shall be taken by legal substitutes (those
players not in the original rotation, but they must stay in the rotation). Any eligible player may change places with
his/her goalkeeper after any attempt has ended.
4. CoRec: Genders will alternate and cycle independently, such that the entire roster will shoot AND genders will
alternate. For example, Team A which consists of 5 males and 2 females may shoot as such provided that males
1-3 were on the field at the end of regulation: A1m, A1f, A2m, A2f, A3m, A1f, A4m, A2f, A5m, A1f, A1m, A2f,
A2m…

13. Offside
There is no offside rule.

14. Fouls and Misconduct
1. A player who commits any of the following offenses in a manner that is considered by the official to be careless,

reckless or involving disproportionate force shall be penalized by the award of a direct free kick to be taken by the
opposing team at the spot of the offense, unless the offense occurs in the offender’s penalty box, in which case the
opposing team is awarded a penalty kick:

a. Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
b. Tripping an opponent.
c. Jumping at an opponent.
d. Charging an opponent unfairly (not shoulder to shoulder).
e. Striking or attempting to strike an opponent.
f. Pushing an opponent.
g. Handling the ball deliberately.
2. A player who commits any of the following offenses shall be penalized by the award of an indirect free kick taken
at the place where the foul occurred or on the nearest edge of the goal box if the foul was committed inside one of
the goal boxes:
a. Playing in a manner considered by the official to be dangerous to any player.
b. Charging fairly when the ball is not within playing distance and the offending player is not attempting to

play the ball.
c. When not playing the ball, a player impedes the progress of an opponent (OBSTRUCTION).
d. Charging the goalkeeper while he/she is inside his/her own penalty box.
e. When playing goalkeeper, taking more than four steps while controlling the ball.
f. When the goalkeeper delays play by stalling or otherwise holding up the game.
g. Playing the ball on the ground while having anything other than a hand or food on the ground (NO SLIDE

TACKLES). This includes sliding to gain possession of a loose ball. See Rule 9 – Goalies for exception.
h. Goal keeper handling a ball played back to him/her from teammates.
i. Throwing the ball in to a goalkeeper.
j. Repossession by a goalkeeper; After releasing the ball from possession the goalkeeper may only grab the

ball with his/her hands if the ball has been touched by an opponent or the ball has been touched by a
member of his/her team such that the ball is not intentionally kicked or thrown to the keeper.

3. A player shall be cautioned with a yellow card and the opposing team awarded an indirect free kick if he/she:
a. Enters as a substitute without the official’s permission.
b. Persistently breaks the rules.
c. Shows by word or action dissent from any decision given by the official.
d. Is guilty of unsportsmanlike behavior.

4. A player shall be sent off the field with a red card (and shall not be substituted for) and the opposing team awarded
an indirect free kick if he/she:
a. Is guilty of violent conduct.
b. Is guilty of serious foul play.
c. Uses foul or abusive language directed at another player, the referee or a spectator in a violent and
belligerent manner.
d. Is guilty of a second cautionable offense after having received a caution.

15. Free Kick
1. During a free kick the ball shall be stationary and no player opposing the kicker shall be within ten yards of the ball.
2. The kicker may not play the ball a second time after kicking it until another player touches it. If this rule is broken,

an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
3. A free kick to be taken in the goal box shall be placed at the nearest edge of the goal box.
4. A goal may not be scored from an indirect free kick without another player touching the ball before it passes into

the goal. Should the ball be kicked directly into the goal from an indirect free kick, a goal kick or corner kick (as
appropriate) shall be awarded the opposing team.

16. Penalty Kick
1. A penalty kick shall be taken from in front of the goal, eight yards away from the goal line.
2. All players other than the kicker and the goalkeeper must remain outside the penalty box until the ball is kicked.
3. The goalkeeper must stand without moving his/her feet and must be on the goal line between the goal posts until

the ball is kicked.
4. The kicker must play the ball forward toward the goal and may not play the ball a second time until another player

touches it.

5. The ball may not be played by any player other than the goalkeeper and the kicker when a penalty kick is taken
after time expires.

6. The kick shall not be taken until the goalkeeper is ready and the official signals the kick to proceed.

17. Throw In
1. When the ball passes wholly over the touchline a throw in shall be awarded to the team opposite the player who

touched it last.
2. The throw in shall be taken at the spot where it left the field. The thrower must face the field and part of each foot

shall be on the ground on or outside the touchline. The ball must be delivered with both hands over the head.
3. A goal may not be scored from a throw in without another player touching the ball before it crosses into the goal. If

this rule is broken, a goal kick or corner kick (as appropriate) shall be awarded to the opposing team.

18. Goal Kick
1. When the ball passes wholly over the goal line and not legally into the goal having been last touched by the

attacking team, it shall be kicked into play from any point within the goal box by the defending team.
2. The ball shall be in play when it passes out of the penalty box.
3. A goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick without another player touching the ball before it passes into the

goal.

19. Corner Kick
1. When the ball passes wholly over the goal line and not legally into the goal having last been touched by the

defending team, it shall be kicked into play from the corner of the field within one yard of the corner.
2. No player opposing the kicker shall be within ten yards of the ball.
3. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

20. Intramural Sports Policies
The Intramural Sports Policies govern the policies and procedures of all play.

21. Protests
Follow the protest procedures outlined in the Intramural Sports Policies.

22. Safety
Any player, who is bleeding or has an open wound, must leave the game until the wound is closed and bleeding has
stopped. Play will not continue until all blood has been removed from the playing area.