# Outdoor Soccer Rules

All players in all sports are bound by Play Sask’s policies & procedures. We want you to have fun and make friends in a safe, welcoming environment; teams that do not adhere to our Code of Conduct as outlined in the Policies & Procedures will be dealt with accordingly.

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[policies-and-procedures](../policies-and-procedures)
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{% content-ref url="../policies-and-procedures/rain-out-policy" %}
[rain-out-policy](../policies-and-procedures/rain-out-policy)
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### The team <a href="#the-team" id="the-team"></a>

* Each team has 7 players on the field.
* At least 2 players of the opposite gender must be on the field at all times.
* You need at least four roster players at the posted game time. If you don’t have the minimum, you lose by default.&#x20;
* Forfeits must be confirmed with both teams and the coordinator before the game begins. Forfeits will be scored 5-0 for the opposing team.
* Subs who are not on the roster are allowed to play but need to sign a waiver online before playing.
* Unlimited subs at any time during play. Subs must enter the field after the other player comes off the field.

### The Basics <a href="#the-basics" id="the-basics"></a>

* Games are played with two 25 minute halves.
* Teams will change sides at half-time.
* There is no offside in this league.

### Starting the game <a href="#starting-the-game" id="starting-the-game"></a>

* Captains should ensure that the goal creases, lines, and sidelines are clearly outlined before starting the game.
* Captains will decide which team starts with the ball.
* The ball does not need to move forward at kick off.
* Players cannot score directly from kick off.
* After a goal has been scored, the game shall be restarted by a kick off, to be taken by a player of the team against which the goal was scored.

### Out of Play <a href="#out-of-play" id="out-of-play"></a>

* The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the sideline or goal-line.
* If the ball is out of play the opposing team will be given a throw-in (sideline) or corner kick (goal-line).
* Kick-ins from a team’s own goal-line must occur from the goal-line.
* Throw-ins must be completed with both hands, and feet remaining on the ground.
* The player taking the corner-kick must not play or touch the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

### Ending the game <a href="#ending-the-game" id="ending-the-game"></a>

* At the end of each game the captains will agree on the final score.

### Uniforms and equipment <a href="#uniforms-and-equipment" id="uniforms-and-equipment"></a>

* Play Sask will bring the equipment and set up the fields.
* Players are required to come to games with a light and dark coloured shirt to ensure there isn’t a conflict (both teams wearing the same colour jersey).
* NO metal cleats.
* Shin pads are optional, but strongly recommended.

### Fouls <a href="#fouls" id="fouls"></a>

* Games are self-officiated. You are responsible for calling your own fouls.
* Play Sask encourages teammates to help officiate each other in a friendly way.
* In the event of a foul, the game will stop, and the opposing team will be given a free kick (see below).

**Fouls include (accidentally and on purpose)**

* Physical contact: Tripping, kicking, holding or pushing an opponent
* Slide tackling
* Hand/arms making contact with the ball.

### Free kick <a href="#free-kick" id="free-kick"></a>

* The free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred.
* The player taking the free kick must not play or touch the ball a second time until it has been played or touched by another player.
* All free-kicks are indirect (you cannot score a goal directly).
* During a free kick, the opposing team must stand 10 feet away.

### Goalkeepers <a href="#goalkeepers" id="goalkeepers"></a>

* The use of hands is strictly limited to the Goalkeeper’s penalty area.
* Goalkeepers are free to go anywhere on the pitch and kick the ball with their feet.
* Goalkeepers can throw the soccer ball past half.
* Goalkeepers can drop-kick a soccer ball.
* Goalies _cannot_ pick up a ball passed back to them from a teammate.
* Goalies can score, but not by throwing or drop-kicking the ball.

### What’s different from other leagues? <a href="#whats-different" id="whats-different"></a>

* There is no offside.

### Playoffs <a href="#playoffs" id="playoffs"></a>

Subs are allowed at playoffs but they must have subbed for your team previously in the season — no new subs can play during the playoffs (no ringers).

Playoff games can’t be tied. In the event of a tie, a shootout will determine the final score. Three players will take kicks on the goal from the top of the goalie’s penalty area. If the scores are level after three players from each team have kicked, the shootout goes to sudden death, where each team takes a further one kick each, repeated until only one team scores, resulting in the winning of the game.
