Outdoor Soccer Rules

All Montclair State University School Policies are in effect, including Student Code of Conduct.
All Montclair State University Department of Campus Recreation “Intramurals 101” policies are in effect.

ELIGIBILITY

1. All team sports are broken down into 4 different leagues which include: Men’s, Women’s, Organization, and Open. The Organization league is open to all MSU-affiliated Clubs and Organizations who register using the $60 team fee. The Open league places no restriction on gender, gender identity, or gender expression. Each player can only join one team per league (I.e. A player is allowed to play in one Open league and one Women’s/Men’s league). In leagues with multiple divisions, such as basketball, players are permitted to play in Men’s A or Men’s B only. 
2. A team’s roster should be completed prior to their first game, but additional players are more than welcome. Be advised that they MUST play in ONE regular season game before being eligible for the playoffs. All players participating in a game must be listed on that game’s scoresheet. The players who are listed will be entered onto that team’s roster. Names of individuals can be added to the original roster, prior to the new team member playing, by listing that player’s name as well as his/her ID number on the scoresheet. A player must play in at least one regular season game to be eligible to participate in the playoffs. Rosters can have a maximum of 16 players.
3. Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release from Liability Form: All players must pay and sign up on imleagues.com. You MUST PAY YOUR REGISTRATION FEE BEFORE YOU PLAY in order to be eligible to play because your payment counts as your waiver. The only players who MUST sign a physical waiver as well as pay are those who play on Greek and Organization teams. 
4. Checking ID’s: Before a contest, event, or activity, all members of a team shall present to the scorekeeper their pictured Montclair State University ID card. Those players listed on the scoresheet and verified by a scorekeeper are considered to have participated in that contest. Should a participant arrive at the contest after it has started, the participant must still sign in with the scorekeeper to verify that they are on the roster. Should a player not be verified by a scorekeeper, that individual shall be considered an ineligible player.
5. Forgotten ID Policy: If a player forgets his or her ID, that player is ineligible to participate in the SRC activity.
6. The captain is the representative of his/her team and may address an official and/or Director on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information so long as it is done in a courteous manner. Any player may address an official to request a time-out in the case of an emergency or when applicable.

Players

1. Games will be 7 on 7 with a minimum of 5 players to start or play at any point during the game.

Field

1. All games will be played on DioGuardi Field.
2. Teams are permitted to bring beverages (non alcoholic).  There is NO FOOD of any kind permitted on the premises. ANY team that leaves ANY trash on the field WILL receive an F for sportsmanship. (Sportsmanship is the deciding factor of making the playoffs)
3. NO SCREW-IN OR METAL CLEATS ARE ALLOWED.  Shoes or molded cleats are the only footwear to be worn on the field.

Time

1. Arrive 15 minutes early to hand in valid MSU ID’s and warm up.
2. Teams playing the first game are REQUIRED to assist the IM Staff in setting-up for the night.  Teams that do not show up early enough to assist will receive poor sportsmanship which can result in not playing in playoffs.  Teams playing the last game of the night are REQUIRED to assist the IM Staff in cleaning-up for the night.  Teams that do not assist can receive poor sportsmanship which can result in not playing in playoffs.
3. The game will consist of two 20-minute halves running clock with a 2 minute halftime. The only time the play clock may stop is in the event of an injury (Director’s discretion).
4. There will be no timeouts at any point during the game.

Game Play

1. Goal keepers must wear a different color jersey from the two teams playing. All players are required to wear matching colors for their team along with have numbers. Captains are responsible for signing out pinnies at equipment checkout located in the Student Recreation Center. 
2. If the ball goes completely over the sideline and out of bounds, this will result in the opposing team being awarded a throw-in.  Both feet must be on the ground and behind the sideline and both hands must be used to deliver the ball from behind and directly over the player’s head. A throw-in is considered ILLEGAL and the ball will be given to the other team whenever the thrower:
   1. 1. Steps on or over the line with any part of his/her foot.
      2. Does not have both feet on the ground.
      3. Throws the ball with one hand.
      4. Drops the ball into play.
      5. Does not throw the ball from directly behind his/her head.
3. When the ball goes over the end line and is last touched by the defensive team, the offensive team is awarded a corner kick. The kick is taken from the corner of the end line and sideline. The defensive team must be ten yards away from the ball.
4. When the ball goes over the end line, not scoring a goal, and is last touched by the offensive team, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.  Any player on the defensive team may take the kick from inside the penalty box which is anywhere between the hash marks and no farther out than the 25 yard line (5 yards from goal). The opposing players must be outside of the goalie box (30 yard line). 
5. Unlimited substitutions may be made only on any stoppage of play. Player must report to the director/referee before substituting.

Goalkeeper

1. When making a save, goalkeepers may only dive to either side. At no point is a goalkeeper permitted to slide feet first to make a save. 
2. After making a save goalkeepers:
   1. 1. May NOT throw the ball past mid-field.
      2. May NOT punt the ball at ANY time.
      3. May place the ball on the ground and play it anywhere on the field. 
3. The goal box should be outlined as such: 5 yards out from each side of the post and out to the beginning of the football sideline. All goal kicks must take place within this area.

Penalties and Fouls

1. There will be NO slide tackling at any point during the game.  Anyone who attempts a slide tackle will be immediately EJECTED from the game and could result in the removal from the league. 
2. All fouls and penalties will result in an indirect kick (kick from which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has been touched by another player before passing through the goal).
3. The opposing team must be at least ten yards from the ball on the indirect kick. 
4. On any free kick where the offense is on the other team’s side of the midfield, the team must wait for the referee’s whistle.
5. Any player receiving a yellow card must sit out for two minutes of playing time.  The player’s team will play one person down for the entire time of the penalty.  
6. Any player who receives two yellow cards in one game, which equals a red card, will be ejected from the game. 
7. Any player receiving a red card will receive a 1 game suspension. 2 Red Cards will result in expulsion from the league. Players who are ejected must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural/Club Sports before their next game, or they cannot participate.
8. Two yellow cards in one season may result in a meeting with the Coordinator of Intramural/Club Sports. Player will be notified if a meeting is needed.

Mercy Rule

1. If a team is ahead by 7 or more goals at any point in the second half, the game can be called at the Director’s Discretion 

Overtime

1. In a playoff game only, if a game is a tie by the end of regular time, then two 3 minute halves shall result with whichever team scoring first being the winner (sudden death).  If the game is still tied, 5 players from each team will take a penalty shot in the order of ever other player being from the other team.  The team with most penalty goals will win.  (Home team decides shooting first or second) 
2. Any yellow cards in the playoffs, may be subject to a meeting with the Coordinator of Intramural/Club Sports 
3. Any red cards in the playoffs, must meet with the Coordinator of Intramural/Club Sports

*All rules are subject to change at a moments’ notice or at the discretion of the Intramural Sports Director. If any participant argues with an official or Director, they may be ejected from the game and/or the field space. If any issues occur, Campus Police may be called.