THE SOCCER BOX DALLAS

LEAGUE RULES Updated: Summer 2021

1. Coach and Parent Conduct
   1. Any parent or coach who is deemed to be violating the spirit of the game will be given one warning and then asked to leave for the remainder of the game. 
   2. This warning and ejection can come from any Soccer Box Staff.
   3. Coaches of 5U and younger ages can coach on the field.
   4. Coaches who are deemed to be interfering with the game will be asked to leave the field.
   5. All teams must submit rosters by the 3rd game played, and a team can no longer add players after the 4th game played.
   6. All guest players after the fourth game must be approved by the League Supervisor, cmassey@thesoccerbox.com . Guest players will not be allowed to play in Semi Final or Final Games.
   7. Any team using a player outside of their roster or above their age gap, without permission, will take an automatic 0-20 loss on that game. Continues offenders will be removed from the league without a refund. 
   8. Any team who cannot start a regularly scheduled game within 5 minutes of the start time will forfeit their game with a 0-10 loss.

1. 4 v 4 format
   1. 8U (2013 for Summer) and older will play 4V4.
   2. 3 field players and a goalie for 4 v 4, using the full sized goal
   3. Rosters must have a minimum of 4 players and is limited to 8 players.
   4. A team must have a minimum of 3 players, including a goalie, to start the game.

1. 3 v 3  format
   1. 7U and younger will play 3V3
   2. 3 field players, no goalie, for 3V3, using small 4X4  inside goal
   3. Rosters must have a minimum of 4 players and is limited to 7 players.
   4. A team must have a minimum of 2 players to start the game.

1. Direction of Play
   1. In the 1st half teams will defend the end at which their bench is located.
   2. In the 2nd half teams will attack the end at which their bench is located.

1. Game Length
   1. All games will be played with two 20-minute halves, and a 2-minute half time.
   2. Teams will have 3 minutes to warm up before the game begins.
   3. Any delays to the game starting on time will be deducted from the 1st half duration.
   4. In a knockout game such as Semi-Finals or Finals, if the game ends in a tie, a sudden death overtime will be played after a 2-minute break; the winning team shall be the first to gain a two-goal advantage. Direction of play will remain as in the 2nd half.

Rules of Play

All rules will conform to FIFA rules of the game with the following exceptions.

1. All kickoffs and restarts will be indirect.
2. Fouls and handballs outside of the goal box will result in an indirect free kick to the opposing team.
3. If the ball is held along the boards without movement for more than 3 seconds, the play will be called dead and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the defending team.
4. Conscious intentional or flagrant fouls, at the referee’s discretion, will be given a yellow or red card due to the severity of the incident.
   1. A straight red card requires the immediate ejection from the game, minimum. The league director, along with the two coaches, and referee will meet postgame to determine if a longer suspension is in order.
   2. A yellow card carries an immediate substitution for the guilty player. That player may return as early as the next dead ball, or as the player’s coach determines adequate.
   3. Two yellow cards in one game results in a red card and ejection from the game.
5. For any intentional or flagrant fouls, or intentional handball by the defending team, in the goalie box
   1. In a 4 v 4 game a penalty shot shall be awarded,
   2. In a 3 v 3 game, an indirect freekick shall be awarded just outside the goalie box closest to the spot of the foul. 
6. In a 4 v 4 game, a 1v1 penalty shot will be taken from the center spot if within the goalie box. 
   1. The attacking player may take a direct shot, or dribble the ball, from the center spot.
   2. The goalie must start from their goal line.
   3. The play is dead when:
      1. the player scores
      2. the defender or goalie touches the ball and the ball does not directly cross the goal line,
      3. the ball hits the side or back boards before entering the goal, or
      4. the player dribbles back up the field of play.
   4. Players from both teams, excluding the penalty taker and the goalie, must remain behind the halfway line, outside the center circle until the penalty is dead.
   5. A missed penalty results in an indirect kick for the defending team, from inside the defending team’s box.
7. All balls going out-of-bounds will result in a drop ball at the center spot.
8. Goals may be scored from anywhere on the field, with exception to a goalie. 
   1. The goalie is only able to score after the ball has left their goalie box.
9. Goalies may use their hands inside their own box at any time during the game except when the ball is passed back to the goalie from a member of the goalie’s own team.
10. Goalies may not punt the ball, i.e. kicking from their hands. The ball must touch the turf before being kicked.
    1. Punting will result in an indirect freekick to the opposition from the place where the punt was made.
11. No offsides will be called.
12. Substitutions may be made on any dead ball by either team including out of bounds, fouls, or after a goal is scored.
    1. The referee must be notified and acknowledge the substitution before a new player may enter the field.
    2. If in the referee’s opinion substitutions are being made to slow the pace of the game or to kill time, the substitutions will not be allowed.
13. The referee will keep the official time and score on the field and all decisions of the referee are final. There will be no protests. 
14. If you would like to file a formal complaint about a referee, please send this to cmassey@thesoccerbox.com and nmarshall@thesoccerbox.com .  
15. Equipment
    1. No outdoor cleats are allowed.
    2. Goalies must wear a jersey of different color than that of his/her team or the opposing team.
    3. Shin guards are required.
    4. No jewelry allowed.
    5. No food, including gum or candy, or drinks, except water, are allowed on the field.