8v8 Rules

Rules of Competition
All Soccer Matches will follow the rules listed here:
Warning: Every player must sign the I PLAY FOR SF Liability Waiver in order to participate (included with online registration). Please have your team members apply online or arrive early to your first game to complete.
While I PLAY FOR SF encourages and promotes Fair Play and Safety, participation in our League can cause injuries and you must play at your own risk.

Style: 8 players vs. 8 players (7 Field Players and a Goalkeeper)

1. Roster:
Maximum of 16 players

2. Game Length:
Games will consist of two (2), twenty-five (25) minute halves, with a rest period of no more than three (3) minutes. The clock for the matches will start at the posted game time and according to the officials watch.

3. Offside:
There is NO offside rule.

4. Goalkeepers:
  • The goalkeeper may kick, punt, drop-kick, or throw the ball in the air past half-field.
  • The goalkeeper is allowed to slide inside his/her own goal box.
  • The goalkeeper can only hold the ball in his/her hands for six (6) seconds. A violation will result in a free-kick from the spot of the ball for the opposing team, unless it is closer than 8 yards from the goal, in which case the ball will be moved back to 8 yards from the goal line.

5. Field Players:
Are NOT allowed to slide-tackle.

6. Free-Kicks:
All free kicks are DIRECT. A wall is permitted, but must be 8 yards from the spot of the ball.

7. Penalty-Kicks:
Are taken in accordance with FIFA laws of the game.

8. Minimum Players and Forfeitures:
The first game of the night there will be 10-minute grace period before the start of the game to allow players coming from work, etc.
All other games will start at the time scheduled.
Teams must have a MINIMUM OF 6 PLAYERS to start the game, if 6 players are not available to start the game, the game is forfeited. Both teams can still choose to play the game, but the opposing team will receive the points for winning the match.

The CO-ED Division requires a minimum of three (3) female field players on the field at all times. If a team is short on players, the following is required:
                    7 players: 2 female field players
                    6 players: 2 female field players
                    Less than 6 is a forfeit as stated above

9. Game Ball:
Each team is responsible for providing a game ball.

10. Jerseys:
Each team should have a dark and light jersey in case a conflict arises.

11. Point Calculation:
Regular Season
3 Points for Win
1 Point for Tie
0 Points for Loss
No extra-time or penalties in regular season.

12. For Playoffs and Finals:
In the result of a tie, there will be kicks taken from the penalty mark.
Format: Best of 3 followed by sudden death
Coed: At least 1 out of every 3 kicks must be taken by a female player

13. Regular Season Standings:
TOTAL POINTS
HEAD TO HEAD
GOALS DIFFERENTIAL (Max. 7 per game)


14. Protesting a rule/result:
The Referees decision is final.
Any protests regarding a match must be made within a half an hour of the competition ending with an opposing captain or referee.
All protests must then be submitted in writing within 48 hours via email, IPLAYFORSF@StreetSoccerUSA.org.
If a player/team would like to appeal a decision they must do so in writing and accompany the appeal with a $25 check (payable to Street Soccer USA) and make a payment via streetsoccerusa.org.

15. Injury:
Any player injured or bleeding must exit the field. All clothes and body must be free of blood before returning to the field for play.

16. Yellow Cards:
Team must play a player down for 5 full minutes, even if a goal is scored.

17. Red Cards:
One (1) Game Suspension minimum with option for more as determined by the league.
Player must leave the field of play, but are allowed to stay within grounds so long as their conduct is appropriate.
Offending Team will play a player down for the remainder of the match.

18. Substitutions:
Rolling & unlimited.
Do not have to be approved by the referee.

19. Scoring on Kickoff: 
A Goal CAN be scored directly from a kick-off

20. Shin Guards:
Shin-Guards ARE required. Mini-Shin Guards NOT allowed

21. Fighting: 
Zero-Tolerance policy for Fighting. May result in police action as well as extended suspension from the league. Please refer to our safety policy for more information.

22. Team Conduct:
Team captains are responsible for the conduct of the team

23. Cancellations: 
All games are on artificial turf. Cleats or Flat shoes are allowed. Games will be played RAIN or SHINE, unless posted on the league homepage. Cancellations by the league will be made no later than 4pm the day of the games and will be posted on the website and team captains will be notified.
Cancellations made after 4pm will be made at the referees discretion. 

24. Rain/Weather:
We will issue pro-rated refunds if we have to cancel or shorten a season more than 2 games due to unforeseen weather, etc. All refunds will be made at the discretion of I PLAY FOR SF. Games will be rescheduled if allowed by facility.

To be directed to the homepage, click here.



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