MVP Arena's Indoor Soccer Rules and Policies

Player Registration

All participants need to have an MVP Arena membership card. An annual registration to play on a team is $25 for youth and adults. Membership is good for MVP Arena.

Rules of the Game

MVP Arena Rules

MVP Arena has zero tolerance for the consumption of drugs or alcohol by any person prior to playing or participating in any activities in the arena. Violation of this rule will result in indefinite suspension.
Smoking or chewing of tobacco is not allowed inside MVP Arena facilities. Sunflower seeds or similar products are also forbidden.
No food, drinks, or chewing gum permitted on playing surface.
Home teams must change jerseys in the event of a color conflict.
Spitting on the playing surface or in the team box will result in a blue card penalty. Continued violation will result in a red card . Please use the garbage cans in the team boxes.
The game clock will begin at the scheduled start time regardless of the readiness of the teams to play. The referee will then start the game when the teams are ready. A forfeit will be declared if a team is not ready 5 minutes after the referee has started a game clock. MVP Arena places importance in starting games at their designated start times. Please help us this effort by being ready at game time.
Standing will be determined by points. Two points for a win, one for a tie and 0 for a loss. Tie breakers to determine playoffs will be head-to-head followed by goal differential.
Games time consists of two running 23:00 minute halves.
Playoff games which end in a tie will have two 5 minute sudden death (golden goal) periods The game ends when the first goal is scored. A shoot out will follow if no goals are scored during sudden death overtime.
Verbal abuse of the referee, the other team, spectators or team mates will not be tolerated. Violators will be barred from further participation.
Players receiving three penalties in one game will be ejected from the game.
When the goal differential of a game reaches 4 or more the losing team has the option to put another player on the field. They may keep the player on the field as long as the goal differential remains 4 or more. If the goal differential falls below 4 goals then the team must remove the extra player.

Teams can choose not to use the above rule if they wish not to.

MVP Arena has no toleration for fighting. The Facility and League Director will determine suspensions based upon the intent and facts of each incident. BE FOREWARNED, Severe suspensions will be imposed for fighting. I.e. Throwing punches will result in a minimum one-year arena suspension.

Ball Size

U-13 through adult - Size #5 ball
U-10 through U-12 - Size #4 ball
U-9 and under - Size #3 ball

Number of Players

U-12 and under ~ 7 players, one of whom is a goalkeeper.
U-13 through adult ~ 6 players, one of whom is a goalkeeper.
Coed ~ 6 players, 3 men, 3 women, one of whom is a goalkeeper.

Equipment

Flat-soled or turf studded shoes designed for artificial surfaces must be used. Cleats, hard soled street shoes, boots, soft soled slipper shoes or bare feet are not allowed.
Goalkeeper must wear colors to distinguish him/her from all other players.
All team members must wear the same colours jerseys to distinguish them from the opposing team and the referees. Players are asked to bring alternate color shirts (dark & light) in the event both teams are the same color. HOME team must change.
Each player is required to have Shinguards covered by socks.
Goalies or other players wearing any kind of protective gear (i.e. knee pads) must wear the soft cushioned type. No hard plastic protective equipment is allowed.
Knee braces are allowed on the condition that any potentially harmful edges or protrusions are adaquately padded. The referee has the right to disallow any potentially harmful knee braces.
Players with casts must have them wrapped in a foam wrap to the satisfaction of the referee and present them to the referee for inspection before the game. By allowing them to play, MVP Arena in no way accepts responsibility for any aggravation of the injury that may occur while playing.
Rings and/or pierced jewelry must be covered by tape per referee's instructions for safety and welfare of all players.
All other equipment the referee deems dangerous to that players or opponent will not be allowed.

Game Clock

The game shall be two 23:00 minute halves.
The Scoreboard is the official game time. The game is over when the scoreboard sounds.
The half-time interval will be 2 minutes. In the interest of time constraints the half-time may be shortened to catch up on lost time due to injuries or other stoppages in play.
Time between games shall be 2 minutes and teams are required to be ready to play.
Clock may be stopped for serious injuries.
When time is stopped for injury, the injured player must leave the game for a substitute and, if able to resume play, may not re-enter the game for a minimum of 2 minutes following the resumption of play.
Any player who suffers a head injury will not be allowed to re-enter the game.
If it is the goalkeeper whose injuries require the clock to be stopped and the keeper is able to continue play they may forego substitution and continue to play.
After the time between games or after the half-time has expired, the game clock will be started regardless if the teams are on the field prepared to play. The referee will start the game when both teams are ready.
The referee may start play before one or both teams are ready if the referee thinks the team is not adaquately preparing themselves for the game or simply stalling. Any goals scored after the referee's whistle count regardless of the team's readiness.

Start and End of Play

The minimum amount of players for the start of a game are 4 players, one of which is a goal keeper.
Each team must designate a team captain to the referee before each game.
A forfeit is declared when a team is unable to put the minimum number of players on the filed within 5 minutes after the game start time. The game clock will continue to run while the team is attempting to field their players and the time elapsed will not be reinstated.
Visitors kick off to begin the game every game.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff.
A kickoff must be played within 5 seconds of the referee's whistle or the opposing team is awarded the ball.

Team Boxes

Home Team is the first team listed on the schedule. Teams must take the bench designated for the Home of visitors.
Teams will switch sides but not benches at halftime.
No one except coaches and players currently playing are allowed in the team boxes with a maximum of 2 coaches per team.
No children other than those playing the present game are allowed in the boxes.
Video taping or photography is prohibited from the players boxes.
Glass containers are prohibited in the players box.
Players are asked to exit the players box immediately after the game and hold player conferences, discussions, etc. in another part of the facility.
Players are asked to pick up all thier belonging and trash immediately concluding thier game.

Ball out of Play

The ball is out of play when it touches any netting above the perimeter wall.
The ball is out of play when it makes contact with superstructure.
The ball is out of play when it makes contact with any player or spectator outside the arena walls
When the ball hits the side netting, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team. The ball shall be placed approximately two feet out from the wall at the spot where the ball went out or play
When the ball hits the super structure, lights or ceiling netting the opposing team is awarded a free kick at the closest sideline from where the ball hits the obstacle.
Players have a 5 seconds to put a free kick into play once the ball has been placed in the designated spot.

Fouls

A free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from the point of infraction, for a player who commits any of the following offenses:

Inadvertently kicks or attempts to kick an opponent while attempting to strike the ball.
Inadvertently trips an opponent while attempting to play the ball.
Inadvertently charges an opponent from behind while attempting to play the ball.
Intentionally obstructing an opponent when not in possession of the ball. This includes standing between the opponent and the ball so as to form an obstacle. Obstruction is not called when a player has a ball and is shielding so as to prevent an opposing player from stealing the ball or if the ball is kicked downfield and a player attempts to run through an opponent who has established position.
Inadvertently pushes a player into the boards.
Pushes a player in an attempt to prevent them from getting to the ball.
Playing in such a manner so as to be deemed out of control.
Charging the goalkeeper.
Playing the ball while laying on the ground or while having a hand/knee on the ground.
Intentionally playing the ball with the hands.
If a player holds an opponent in an effort to prevent them from going to the ball.
Advantage will be only allowed when the player with the ball is beyond the center line nearest the goal the player is attacking.
The referee will not whistle to restart play unless a player requests the referee measure the opposing team's wall distance.
All foul calls are at the referees discretion.
All of the above calls may result in a time penalty (blue, yellow or red card) depending upon the intent or degree of the violating player.

Restarts top of the arc

The following goalkeeping restrictions shall cause the referees to stop the play and award a free kick to the opponents at the top of the restraining arc.

If goalkeeper use their hands when the ball is passed or deflected directly off the foot of a teammate.
The goalie may not reach outside the box and use their hands even if they are standing in the box.
The goalkeeper with the ball in their hands have five seconds to distribute the ball outside of the box. Dropping the ball to their feet inside the box does not stop the count.
The goalkeeper may not go outside of the box and play the ball into the box to themselves.
If the goalkeeper begins a slide inside the box (allowed) and as a result of their slide goes outside the box.

Time Penalties

Time penalties result in the violating player having to remove themselves from play for the designated time. The violating player's team may not replace that player on the feild until the full time penalty has been served. Time penalties are broken into the following catagories:

Bench time penalties 2 minutes
Penal times penalties 2 minutes
Unsportsmanlike conduct 2 minutes
Cautionary time penalties 4 minutes
Ejectable time penalties 5 minutes
Incidental foul language 2 minutes

BLUE CARDS: Bench, Penal and Unsportsmanlike conduct time penalties shall be indicated by the referees showing a blue card and announcing to the player that they will be serving a two minute penalty and the nature of the penalty. A player receiving two blue cards in the same game will be issued a yellow card. Any player recieving three blue cards in the same game will be issued a red card.

YELLOW CARD: Cautionary time penalties shall be indicated by the referee showing a yellow card and announcing to the player that they will be serving a four minute penalty and the nature of the penalty. A player who has received a yellow card as a result of having received two blue cards will not be required to serve two additional minutes in the penalty box. A player receiving any other penalties after a yellow card will be issued a red card and ejected from the game.

RED CARD: Ejections shall be indicated by the referee showing a red card and announcing to the player that they are ejected from the game and the reason for the ejection. In addition, a red card results in a five minute penalty to be served by the alternate player. The full 5 minute penalty will be served regardless of scores. Players recieving a red card are suspended from all activities at MVP Arena until their case is ruled upon by the judicialry committee. The violator's team captain must call the facility the next day to get the judiciary committee's ruling or time table of the judiciary committee's ruling before the violating player may play at MVP Arena again.

Incidental foul language or spitting on the field will result in a two minute penalty for the player but the team will be able to substitute for that player while they are in the penalty box.

Serving Penalties

All players, including the goalkeeper must serve their own penalties.
If a goal is scored against the team that is playing shorthanded then that team may return to full strength but the player who was penalized (including the goal keeper) must continue to serve their two minute penalty.
When a team has two players in the penalty box and a goal is scored by the opposing team, only thefirst player penalized can be replaced. If another goal is scored, the second player may be replaced even though both players must serve out their penalties in the box.
A maximum of two penalties against one team shall be served simultaneously. If a player is penalized while two players on the same team are serving penalties then the penalty time of the third, fourth, etc. player shall not commerce when the first penalty time of the two players in the box expires.
In all cases where a two minute penalty is issued the team will play shorthanded (except for incidental foul language and spitting).

Blue Card Penalties

A player who commits any of the following offenses shall be penalized by the referee issuing a blue card which will result in the player serving a two minute penalty. Once a blue card has been issued the penalty time will not begin until the player has entered the penalty box. Calls are at the referee's discretion.

Intentionally trips an opponent.
Charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
Intentionally uses their hand to play the ball. If this occurs in the penalty area a penalty kick will be awarded.
Holds an opponent in an attempt to prevent them from playing the ball.
Intentionally pushes a player to knock them off the ball or after they they have been fouled.
Propels an opponent into the boards in a violent manner. A trip which inadvertently causes a player to make contact with the boards would not result in a boarding call.
Any slide whether offensive or defensive, where a player slides towards the ball or another player in an effort to steal or kick the ball is not allowed. If the goalkeeper, who is allowed to slide, begins their slide outside the goalie box they will be given a two minute penalty for slide tackling. A slide could be considered to reach for the ball by having to go to one knee.
Kicks or strikes the goalkeeper in a possession of the ball while attempting to play the ball.
Fails to stand 3 feet from the ball after it is spotted and then struck by the ball. If after giving 3 feet, the opposing player moves toward the ball and is struck with the ball they will serve a penalty. The opposing player must have a reasonable amount of time to yield the 3 feet before there is an infraction.
Once issued a blue card, a player does not immediately proceed to the penalty box. The delay will result in a second blue card which will be accompanied by a yellow card. If a player continues to refuse or delays the game they will be issued a third blue card accompanied by a red card and an ejection from the game.
A team with too many players on the field of play will be penalized with a two-minute penalty not designated to any one specific player.
Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in a time penalty where unsportsmanlike conduct includes but is not limited to the following.
Persistent disregard for the rules.
Any dissent by word or action a referee's decision.
Taunting another team in a manner so as to cause confrontations.
Encouraging players by word or action to foul, harm or retaliate against the opposing team.
Obstructing the goalie in any manner, as they attempt to distribute the ball with their hands.
Making a loud noise or action intended to distract a player on a free kick</ol> or a penalty kick.
A team committing five fouls in a half will be assessed a two minute penalty and a player from that team must enter the penalty box.

Yellow Card Penalties

A Yellow card or Cautionary penalty shall be issued for the following infractions:

A player persistently infringes on the rules.
A player persistently dissents by word or action any referee's decisions.
A player is guilty of persistent unsportsmanlike conduct.

Red Card Penalties

Red Cards are issued for the following infractions followed by ejection from the game. A player issued a red card for fighting or abuse of a referee will be required to leave the building and the team will be assessed a $50 fine which will be taken from the team deposit. Any player refusing to leave after being asked by the person in charge, whether it is a referee or office personnel, will result in the police called and a complaint filed.

Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent in a violent manner, when not attempting to play the ball, or in retaliation for a perceived foul.
Spits at an opponent.
Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent whether as the aggressor or in retaliation for a perceived foul.
Is guilty of a violent conduct or serious foul play.
Uses foul or abusive language in a confrontational manner.
Fighting regardless of the reason.
Any abuse of the referee whether it is verbal or physical. Verbal abuse may be defined, but is not limited to, swearing at or threatening a referee, or disputing a call in an overly aggressive manner, in an attempt to intimidate the referee.
Any player who leaves the bench to become involved in a fight.
If more than one player from a team leaves the bench, the players leaving the bench will be assessed red cards. The game will be stopped and the team who's players left the bench will be assessed a forfeit for that game.
In the event that players from both teams leave the bench, the players who left the bench will be issued red cards, the game will be stopped and both teams issued forfeits for that game.

Ejections and Suspensions

A person receiving a red card will be ejected from the game and will receive at least a one game league suspention. The judiciary committee will assess further suspentions. based upon the degree of the violation. Penalty will vary from three game league suspentions to permanent MVP Arena expultion.
A person receiving two red cards in one session will recieve an MVP Arena expulsion for at least 8 weeks.
A person who makes an attempt to intimidate the referee by the threat of physical abuse, pushing or attempting to make contact with the referee will be suspended from all play at the facility for a period of at least one year.
A person who strikes or attempts to strike a referee (or any employee) shall receive a permanent MVP Arena expulsion.

Restarts:

Free Kicks - The following apply to all restarts:

Opposing players shall quickly yield 10 feet from the ball. Dissent upon a request from the official shall result in a 2 minute penalty.
The player taking kick cannot play the ball again until someone else touches the ball.
If a player taking the kick delays longer than 5 seconds after having been signaled to do so by the referee, the ball shall be turned over to the opposing team to take the restart.
All free kicks will be direct except the kickoff which must be indirect.

Penalty Kicks

Penalty kicks shall be taken from the top of the arc.
If the clock stops for half-time, the penalty kick shall be taken at the start of the second half.
If the clock stops for the end of the game, prior to the penalty kick, then the penalty kick will immediately be taken by one of the players on the field at the time.
Once the ball is spotted and the goalkeeper has stated that they are ready the player kicking the ball has five seconds to play the ball.

Kick Offs
1. On a kickoff the ball may be kicked in any direction. A goal may not be scored from a kick off.
2. All players must be on their own side of the field at the start. If not they must go to their side before becoming involved in the play already started.
3. Whistle by referee is necessary for taking a penalty kick and kick off.
Out of Bounds

Kick-in: When the whole of the ball passes over the perimeter wall along the touchline, it shall be kicked in from the point on the touchline where it crossed the perimeter wall before exiting the field. The ball may be kicked in any direction by a player of the team opposite to that of the player who has last touched it. The ball shall be in play immediately after it has traveled half of its circumference. A goal may be scored directly from such a kick.
Throw in: When the whole of the ball passes over the end perimeter wall between the corner marks (excluding that portion between the goal posts and under the crossbar) having last been played by a player of the attacking team, play shall be restarted with a throw in. The throw in is taken by the keeper on the opposing team from any point within the penalty area. The ball is not in play until it has left the penalty area and has been distributed to another player outside the penalty box.
Injury stoppage: Play will restart with team in possession in the moment the injury occurs. If neither team has a clear possession the game will be restarted with a drop ball.
Violations/kicker: If a player taking a goal kick plays the ball a second time after it has passed outside the penalty area but before it has been touched by another player, a freekick shall be awarded to the opposing team at the top of the arc. When the whole of the ball having last been played by one of the defending team passes over the end perimeter wall between the corner flagposts, excluding when a legal goal is scored, a member of the attacking team shall take a corner kick. A goal may be scored directly from such a kick. Placement: The whole of the ball shall be placed on the corner mark at at nearest corner flag ons, and it shall be kicked from the position.
Goalie change during the game: No time shall be given, changes will be made the same way as a field player.

DropBall Restart

May be used by referee to restart play that has been delayed by two players trapped with ball along border.