BUBBLE SOCCER RULES
GAME REGULATIONS
Each team shall field no more than 5 players (3 guys/2 girls) at any one time. Teams that play with less than 2 females will play short. No more than 3 guys on the field at any time. There is no limit for females. You can have up to 5 females and no guys if you want. SARC rules allow a team to play with a minimum of 3 people (1 has to be female). Teams may pick up subs during the regular season to prevent forfeits. However, teams CANNOT pick up more than 50% of their team UNLESS, approved by the opposing captain.
PLAYING TIME
Play will be divided into (3) 10-minute quarters separated by 3-minute breaks. There will be a running clock maintained by a referee. The clock will stop during injury time-outs. Teams can sub when the ball goes out of bounds or after a goal. Any delay tactics, (kicking the ball far out of bounds) will allow the referee (at his/her discretion) to stop the clock.
THE GAMES/SCORING
Kick-off – the ball will be placed in the center of the field, and teams line up 10 feet off the centerline. When the whistle blows, teams may run to the ball for possession. This will occur every time a goal is scored and to start every period.
Ball in Bubble – If the ball lands in a bubble, play will stop and the ball retrieved. The referee will then conduct a “drop ball” with one member from each team.
Drop Ball – 1 player from each team will stand 5 yards away from the ball, as the ball hits the ground each player may charge towards the ball to retrieve it.
Regular season games ending in a tie score will be recorded as tie games. 5-minute overtime will be used in the playoffs. If a tie remains after the first overtime, then teams will drop a player every 3 minutes until a golden goal is scored.
Players can only score
SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions may be made throughout the game when the ball if out of play or after a goal. Teams are allotted 15 seconds for substitutions. After 15 seconds, ball must go back into play.
HITTING PLAYERS
Players cannot be hit by other players unless the ball is on the same half of the field as the ball. Also, other players cannot hit players when the ball is not in play. Hitting of women must be done so at a “conservative” force by the men.
Infraction- FREE KICK SPOT OF FOUL
FOOTWEAR
No studded footwear is permitted. Players must wear appropriate closed-toe footwear. No shin-guards will be allowed.
NO GOALKEEPERS
Teams will not be allowed to have a goalkeeper.
THE GOAL BOX
A goal box will be marked off in front of each goal. It will extend 4 yards wide and 3 yards deep. All players (offensive and defensive) must remain outside this area. If the defense is in the goal box and blocks a shot, then the offense is awarded a goal by the player who kicked it. However, if an offensive player enters the goal box and touches the ball to shoot or not, the play is over and ball is given to defense as a goal kick.
OFFSIDES
There is no offside.
OUT OF BOUNDS
Anytime the ball goes over either sideline, out of bounds, a kick-in will ensue. All defensive players must be at least 4 yards away from the ball on restarts.
Anytime the ball crosses an end line, a corner kick or goal kick will ensue.
a. Last touched by a defender- a corner kick. Ball is placed on nearest corner and kicked in by offensive team. Goals may be scored on corner kicks. All players must be outside the goal box until the ball enters the goal box and the defense must be at least 4 yards from the corner.
b. Last touched by attacker. A goal kick by the defense.
LEAGUE POLICIES
GAMES:
During the regular season games are to be played within time allotted (warm up time is included)
REFS:
SARC will provide a paid referee(s) for each soccer match. Referee(s) will have final say in any judgment call or issue regarding rules. Refs have the power to remove any player(s) from a game and/or the league, if deemed necessary. Any rules clarification must be brought to the attention of SARC staff member prior to the continuance of the game.
FORFEITS:
If your team forfeits a game during the season, the following rules apply:
First Offense: 3-0 loss of game in standings and warning issued.
Second Offense: 3-0 loss of game and staff reserves the right to remove team from playoffs and remainder of season.
If you know in advance (at least 4 hours) that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to contact us so as to help us schedule your opponent a game.
Teams have until ten minutes past the designated start time to field a full squad (minimum number of players required according to the rules).
The staff and the opposing team’s captain must approve anything other than that.
STANDINGS:
The updated standings will be posted weekly, displaying each teams rank. Rank is based on winning percentage and score differential.
PLAYOFFS:
All eligible teams make the playoffs (teams that have not abused any policies are eligible).
OVERTIME: Teams will play sudden death (golden goal) until someone scores. Every 3 minutes, teams will lose a player until it’s 1v1.
Seeding: Teams are seeded according to winning percentage and score differential.
Teams may play more than one game per day. If a team does not have a full squad minimum number of players required according to the rules) by ten minutes past the designated start time, they will forfeit the game (per staff & opposing team captain).
Any questions regarding rules, policies, or eligibility must be addressed before the start of the game.
WAIVERS:
In order to participate in the league, each participant must sign the team waiver. Waivers are provided and must be completed and handed in no later than the first night of play. Players not present the first week of play will still be required to sign a waiver with our staff before participating.
SPORTSMANSHIP:
The idea of SARC is to have fun. We hope that all participants keep that in mind when becoming involved. Although the games may become intense, you still can be competitive while maintaining good sportsmanship. With this said, any behavior deemed unacceptable by staff may result in suspension and/or ejection from a game or the league.