INDOOR TOURNAMENT RULES

The following are typical indoor tournament officiating rules.  Be sure to check with each tournament director prior to the start of your officiating assignment, to determine if there are any special rules that may be different than the typical rules below.

FIFA rules apply with the following modifications:

1.    OFFSIDE

       The outdoor offsides rule does not apply

2.    THROW-INS

       Throw-ins will be taken, A ball may not be thrown directly into the net for a score without first    touching another player.

3.    THE GOAL KICK

        On the goal kick, the ball must touch the defensive half of the playing area or a player from either team before going into the other half of the field.  A violation results in an indirect kick at the midfield line.  This rule also applies when the goalkeeper is clearing the ball after he or she gains possession of the ball.

4.    FREE KICKS

       All free kicks will be INDIRECT except for the penalty kick.  Players must allow the kicker 5 yards for the ball to be put in play.

5.    OBSTRUCTIONS

        If the ball hits any sort of oobstruction (lights, ceiling, etc.), an indirect free kick from the midfield line will be awarded.  A free kick from the defensive end need not bounce nor be touched in that zone, (ie. the ball can cross over the midfield line without being touched by a player).

6.    CORNER KICKS

       Corner kicks will not be taken.  A team awarded a corner kick will instead take a throw-in from the corner on the side on which the ball went out.

7.    PASSING BACK TO THE GOAL KEEPER

       Goalie cannot touch the ball on an intentional "pass back".

8.    SUBSTITUTIONS

       A team shall be permitted to make as many substitutions as it desires in any game.  Substitutions may be made on the fly.  All players must enter at midfield.  Players must be off the playing field before substitute/s can enter.

9.    EQUIPMENT

       The footwear is sneakers.  In the event of color conflict, the home team will change jerseys.  No jewelry and no orthopedic casts may be worn.