Rules available as a
pdf for download
NOSO In-house Recreational Game Rules
Rule 1: Playing Field
A. Field size depends on grade and number of players. The general field sizes will be ¼ for Little Kickers, ½, ¾, and full for all other grades.
B. All fields shall have proper markings for goal box, penalty area box, penalty box arc, penalty spot, corner arc, goal lines, touch lines, mid-field line, center circle and center spot.
C. All fields shall have goals, nets and corner flags. Little Kicker fields have no flags.
Rule 2: Ball Size
A. Ball size is dependent upon player age. The oldest player on the team shall determine the ball size.
B. Generally Grades Pre-K thru Grade 6 play a #4 ball. Grades 7 and up play a #5 ball.
Rule 3: Player Numbers
A. Two teams shall play.
B. All teams shall have a goalkeeper except Little Kicker grades Pre-K and K.
C. Age and player numbers will determine team size. The maximum and minimum player numbers will be set by the In-house Committee before each season.
D. Substitutes may be used during the game. Substitutes must report to the referee. Punishment: Failure to report results in a Yellow Card caution to the player(s) involved.
E. Substitutions shall occur during stoppages of play such as after a goal, before a goal kick, injury, or either possession throw-in.
F. It is desired that teams play with equal numbers of players. If a team has less than the minimum number of players, coaches may swap players with the referee’s permission
G. Each player shall play a minimum of half the game. It is suggested that players play different positions during the game rather than one particular position.
Rule 4: Player Equipment
A. All players shall wear the same team color jerseys either Black or Orange.
B. Goalkeepers shall wear a different color than the two teams playing. This does not apply to Little Kickers grades Pre-K + K.
C. All players must wear shin-guards to practices or games and socks must be worn over the shin-guards. Players who fail to wear shin-guards will not be allowed to participate in games or practices.
D. Sneakers, molded rubber or plastic stud, or plastic screw-in stud soccer shoes are permitted. Street shoes, football, baseball, track, golf, or shoes with metal spikes or studs are not permitted.
E. Jewelry such as watches, rings, earrings, necklaces or bracelets are not permitted to be worn. Tape on earrings is not. Medical Emergency or certain religious necklaces/bracelets or headgear may be permitted but must be taped to the body securely.
F. Players may wear knit caps during cold weather. Goalkeepers may wear soft-billed caps during warm weather.
G. Players wearing improper or dangerous equipment during games will be sent off the field by the referee to remove the improper equipment. At the next stoppage of play, the player may return to play with referee permission.
Rule 5: The Referee
A. The powers of the referee begin when he/she enters the field of play. All decisions of the referee are final, and are judged by player intent in the opinion of the referee.
B. Keeps the official time and score, and sees that the Laws are complied with.
C. Refrains from penalizing is cases where he/she is satisfied that by doing so, he/she would give an advantage to an offending team. The referee shall sweep up both arms and yell, “PLAY ON!” If the advantage does not achieve in a short period of time, the referee must stop play and re-start play at the original spot of the foul. This is the advantage clause.
D. Suspend or terminate any game for cause such as weather, fan interference or any reason deemed necessary.
E. May reverse his/her decision before play is restarted.
F. Allows no person(s) other than players and assistant referees onto the field without his or her permission.
G. Stops play for serious injury; has player removed as soon as possible and then resumes play. Play continues for slightly injured players until a stoppage in play.
H. Cautions (Yellow Card) any player, coach, or spectator guilty of misconduct, abusive language, or unsporting behavior. If persistent, he/she shall sent off (Red Card) from that person from further play.
I. Remove players who are bleeding from play and have the bleeding attended to. The player may return with referee permissions at the next stoppage of play.
Rule 6: The Assistant Referee
A. When necessary, two assistant referees will assist the center referee during any game when sufficient numbers are available.
B. The assistant referee shall indicate ball in or out of play, direction for throw-in, corner kick, goal kick, penalty kick, fouls, goals, substitutions and any other duties assigned by the center referee.
C. Assistant the referee to control the game. Gains the referee’s attention for breaches of the Laws where the center referee may not see or hear the infraction. The final decision always belongs to the center referee.
Rule 7: Duration of Play
A. The game shall consist of two (25 or 30 minute) halves with a 5-minute half time.
Little Kicker games consist of 4 x 10 minute quarters, 2-minute rest after the first and third quarters and a 10-minute half time.
B. Time may be extended to complete a game in the event of a serious injury.
C. Time may be extended at the end of the half and the game to allow the taking of a Penalty Kick.
D. All games must begin and end on time. Team warm-up must be completed before the scheduled game time.
E. The clock is a running time kept by the referee.
F. There is no over-time and all ties end as ties.
G. In the event of severe weather (lightning), the referee, Directors of In-House, Referees, Coaches, or NOSO President shall suspend all games until the severe weather passes.
Rule 8: Start of Play
A. The game begins when the referee signals with the whistle, and the ball is played forward by the Black team or the Orange team depending on the half.
B. Black always starts the first half and Orange always starts the second half.
Little Kicker games: Black team starts quarters 1 and 4. Orange team starts quarters 2 and 3. All players remain outside the center circle and in their half of the field during the kick-off. The kicker may not play the ball a second time until another player plays the ball.
Punishment: Indirect Free Kick (must be played by two players).
C. After a goal is scored, the game re-starts with the opposing team kick-off.
Rule 9: Ball in and out of Play
A. The ball is out of play when it has completely crossed the goal or touch lines either on the ground or in the air.
B. The ball is out of play when the referee stops the play.
C. The ball is in play when it completely crosses the touch line, goal box line or penalty box line after the taking of a throw-in, free kick, or at times when the ball rebounds off the referee, assistant referee, goalpost, crossbar, and corner flag and back onto the field.
Rule 10: Scoring
A. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line, between the goal posts, either in the air or on the ground.
B. A goal may be scored by head, body, leg or foot and not by hand.
C. A goal may not be scored by intentional use of hands or arms, or by a direct throw-in.
D. A goal may be scored directly from a kick-off, goal kick or Direct Free Kick. A goal may be scored from an Indirect Free Kick only after two players have touched it.
Rule 11: Off-Sides
A. A player is off-sides, if, at the moment the ball is played by a teammate, a player is nearer to the goal than the ball, ahead of the second last defender, seeking advantage, interfering with or distracts the goalkeeper.
B. A player can not be called for off-sides just for being in an off-sides position.
C. A player is on-side when even with the ball, even with the second last defender or in their own half of the field.
D. A player is not off-side from the taking of a throw-in or goal kick.
E. Punishment: Indirect Free Kick at the spot of the foul.
Rule 12: Fouls and Misconduct
A. There are 10 major fouls requiring a Direct Free Kick or Penalty Kick; kicks, trips, jumps, charges, strikes, pushes, holds, handles, spits, or tackles without regard for safety or playing the ball.
Punishment: Direct Free Kick at the spot of the foul.
B. If a major foul occurs in the penalty area box, by the defending team, a Penalty Kick shall be awarded to the opposing team.
C. There are 7 minor fouls requiring an Indirect Free Kick: unsporting behavior, persistent infringement, failure to respect distance, dissent by word or action, delays the restart of play, leaves and/or enters/re-enters the field without referee permission.
Punishment: Indirect Free Kick at the spot of the foul.
D. A caution (Yellow Card) is issued for the following: goalkeeper takes more than 5-6 seconds to put the ball back into play, pass-back by foot to hands of goalkeeper by teammate, time wasting, obstruction, dissent, persistent infringement, failure to withdraw distance for any Free Kick, leaves or enter/re-enters the field without referee permission.
E. An ejection (REDCARD) is issued for the following: serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting, denies any goal scoring opportunity punishable by a Free Kick or Penalty Kick, offensive or abusive language or receives a second Yellow Card.
Rule 13: Free Kicks
A. Free kicks fall into two types, Direct and Indirect.
Direct Free Kick requires only 1 player to put the ball in play. The referee’s arm is pointed out at 45 degrees. A goal may be scored directly from a Direct Free Kick.
Indirect Free Kick requires two players to put the ball in play. The referee’s arm is raised straight up until the ball is touched by a second player or goes out of play. A goal may not be scored directly from an Indirect Free Kick unless touched by a second player.
B. All defenders must withdraw 10 yards (30 ft.) from the ball on any Free Kick.
C. Defenders who fail to withdraw distance, waste time or encroach during a Free Kick shall receive a caution (Yellow Card).
D. During any Free Kick the ball must be stationary before being played and may not be played twice by the kicker. A ceremonial re-start kick requires 10 yards, while a quick kick re-start only requires that be ball be momentarily stationary.
Rule 14: Penalty Kick
A. If a defender commits any major foul within the penalty area box, the referee shall award a Penalty Kick to the opposing team by blowing the whistle, stopping play, and pointing to the penalty spot.
B. The ball is placed on the penalty spot and all players (except the goalkeeper and kicker) must withdraw outside the penalty area box and arc. The goalkeeper may move side-to side or up and down, but may not move forward until the ball is played. The kicker must move to the ball and play it forward when the referee gives the whistle signal and may not play the ball a second time until the ball is played by another player.
C. A goal may be scored from a Penalty Kick.
D. Time shall be extended to complete the Penalty Kick at the end of each half.
E. If a defender infringes the Law and a goal is not scored, the kick is re-taken. If an attacker infringes the Law and a goal is scored, the goal is disallowed and the kick is re-taken. If the ball does not enter the goal, play is stopped and an Indirect Free Kick is awarded to the defending team. If both sides infringe the Law, the kick is re-taken regardless of what happens during the kick.
Rule 15: Throw-In
A. A throw-in is awarded to the opposing team when the entire ball crosses over the touchline, either in the air or on the ground, last played by the team in possession.
B. The thrower must face the field, have both feet touching the ground, be behind the touchline and throw the ball forward with both hands from behind the head. The thrower may not advance more than 1 yard from the spot where the ball left the field. If the ball does not enter the field of play, the ball shall be re-thrown. However, if the ball does not enter the field of play, and any one of the elements for throwing are not met, the ball is be given to the opposing team.
C. The thrower may not play the ball a second time without another player touching it.
Punishment: Indirect Free Kick at the spot of the foul.
D. Defending players must withdraw 2 yards from the thrower and may not gesticulate or impede the thrower.
Punishment: caution (Yellow Card). A goal may not be scored from a throw-in.
E. A goalkeeper may not receive a throw-in by hand from a teammate.
Punishment: Indirect Free Kick
Rule 16: Goal Kick
A. A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the ball crosses over the goal line, not between the posts, either in the air or on the ground, last played by the attacking team.
B. The ball may be placed anywhere within the goal box area, and the attacking team must withdraw outside the penalty area box. The entire ball must then cross the penalty area box line to be put back into play. If the ball does not completely cross the penalty box line, the kick is re-taken. If an attacking player enters the penalty box before the ball has crossed out of it, the kick is re-taken and a caution (Yellow Card) may be issued.
C. The kicker may not play the ball a second time until it has crossed the penalty area box line and is played by another player. Punishment: Indirect Free Kick
D. A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick.
Rule 17: Corner Kick
A. A corner kick is awarded when the entire ball crosses over the goal line, not between the goal posts, last played by the defending team.
B. The ball is placed within or on the corner arc and played by the attacking team.
C. The defending team must withdraw 10 yards from the ball.
D. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
E. The kicker may not play the ball a second time until played by another player.
Punishment: Indirect Free Kick
Rule 18: Common Sense
RED CARD FOULS
1. Any player receiving a Red Card during a game shall be sent off from the field. His/her team shall play 1 player short for the rest of the game.
2. Coaches or spectators receiving a Red Card during a game shall leave the field area.
3. Players, coaches or spectators who receive a Red Card are suspended for the next game.
4. Players, coaches or spectators who receive a second Red Card during a game may be suspended from further participation in the In-House program. The In-House Grievance Committee and NOSO President will decide further disciplinary action.
5. Coaches are responsible for the actions of their players, assistants, spectators and themselves. Foul or abusive language or persistent dissent will not be tolerated.
6. Excessive celebration after a goal will not be tolerated. Punishment: Yellow Card
Casts: Hard or Soft
1. Plastic soft casts with padding will be permitted with referee permission.
2. Hard plaster casts with added padding will be permitted with referee permission.
Slide Tackling
1. Slide tackling is permitted at the upper ages (grades 7 – 12), as long as the player is playing the ball. Slide tackling at the younger ages is no allowed.
2. Slide tackling without the ball that is reckless, with intent to injure an opponent, results in a Red Card and a sendoff from the field. That team shall play a player down for the remainder of that game.
NOSO In-house Game Rules are modeled after FIFA / USSF / USYSA Laws of The Game with modifications allowing for field size, player numbers, and ages.
Peter S. Meckes, Director of Schedules/Referees
Rev. Date: 04-23-2015