Summer Indoor 2026 – Official Game Rules

1. General Rules

  • Standard FIFA / USSF / USYSA rules apply with indoor modifications
  • All games played on field turf (McDermont X)
  • Each team must provide 2 game balls (size based on division)
  • Referee decisions are final

2. Game Format

  • 7v7, 8v8, or 9v9 depending on division
  • 2 x 22 minute halves
  • Running clock (stops only for injuries or final minute if needed)
  • 3 minute halftime
  • No timeouts
  • Games may end in a tie (regular season)

3. Game Start

  • Home team kicks off
  • 5-minute grace period
  • Minimum players:
    • Youth divisions: 7 players
    • Older divisions: 5 players
  • Failure to meet minimum = forfeit

4. Substitutions

  • Unlimited substitutions
  • On-the-fly through bench door only
  • Illegal substitution may result in a card

5. Ball In & Out of Play

  • Ball is out of play if it hits netting above the goal
  • Restart with indirect kick

6. Offsides

  • No offsides

7. Free Kicks

  • All free kicks are indirect
  • The ball must touch 2 players before a goal can count
  • Opponents must give 5 yards (15 feet) on all restarts (approximately 5 steps)
  • A goal may be scored if the ball touches any player (including the goalkeeper) before entering the goal
  • If the ball goes directly into the goal without touching another player, it is no goal and restart is a goal kick

8. Fouls

An indirect free kick is awarded for:

  • Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
  • Tripping or attempting to trip
  • Jumping at an opponent
  • Charging (especially from behind)
  • Striking or attempting to strike
  • Holding or pushing
  • Charging the goalkeeper while they have possession
  • Dangerous play (including kicking while on the ground)
  • Obstruction
  • Slide tackling (automatic foul + yellow card)

👉 If the offense occurs inside the penalty area = Penalty Kick (PK)

9. Sliding

  • No sliding for field players
  • Goalkeepers may slide inside their box only
  • Sliding outside the box = foul

10. Goalkeeper Rules

  • Only player allowed to use hands
  • Must release the ball within 10 seconds
  • On goal kicks, goalkeepers must restart play with a pass or kick and may not dribble the ball out of the penalty area

11. Scoring

  • A goal is scored when the ball fully crosses the goal line
  • The team with the most goals wins
  • Games may end in a tie during regular season

12. Cards & Discipline

Yellow Card

  • 2-minute penalty
  • Team plays short-handed
  • Penalty ends early if opponent scores

Red Card

  • Player is ejected and cannot return
  • Team plays with one fewer player for 5 minutes
  • After 5 minutes, a substitute may enter
  • The ejected player may not return

Automatic Red Card

  • Serious foul play
  • Violent conduct
  • Foul or abusive language
  • Second yellow card

13. Teams & Rosters

  • No roster changes after Week 3
  • All players must:
    • Be listed on the roster
    • Have a valid season pass
  • Only rostered coaches/managers allowed in bench area

14. Bench / Technical Area

  • Only rostered players and a maximum of 2 coaches are allowed in the bench area
  • All spectators must remain in designated spectator areas
  • Coaches must remain within the technical area during play
  • Players must remain seated unless checking in to substitute

Enforcement:

  • First violation: warning
  • Continued violations: yellow card
  • Further violations: removal from the facility

15. Uniform Policy

  • Matching jerseys with numbers required
  • Goalkeeper must wear a contrasting color
  • Matching shorts required
  • Must comply by Week 3 or risk forfeit

16. Rescheduling

  • Regular season games:
    • Allowed with mutual agreement
    • Require 48-hour notice
  • Playoff games:
    • ❌ No rescheduling allowed

17. Final Authority

LUSC Soccer and McDermont X reserve the right to modify rules and make final decisions in all situations.

Important

All players must have a completed waiver before participating.

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