Immaculate Heart of Mary modifications to the FIFA Laws of the Game. FIFA Laws of the Game can be found at www.ussoccer.com/referees.

 

Law 1 – The Field of Play

Dimensions: The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the goal line.

Length: minimum 40 yards maximum 50 yards

Width: minimum 30 yards maximum 40 yards

Standard Size: 47.5 yards x 35 yards

IHM Dimensions:  46.7 yards x 33.3 yards

Field Markings: Distinctive lines not more than five (5) inches wide. The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line. The center mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of five (5) yards is marked around it.

The Goal Area: Same as Penalty Area below.

The Penalty Area: A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, seven (7) yards from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of ten (10) yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made eight (8) yards from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of five (5) yards from each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.

Flag posts: Conform to FIFA.

The Corner Arc: Conform to FIFA.

Goals: Goals must be placed on the center of each goal line. They consist of two upright posts equidistant from the corner flag posts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The maximum distance between the posts is twenty one (21) feet and the maximum distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is seven (7) feet.

Buildout Line: Buildout line will be placed half way between the midfield line and the penalty area.  When ball is possessed by the goalie or on a goal kick the attacking team must retreat beyond the buildout line until the ball is put in play.  The ball is considered to be put in play when it crosses the buildout line, is received by a teammate of the goalie, or the goalie places the ball on the ground and dribbles the ball.  Once the ball is put in play, the attacking team may cross the build out line.

Law 2 – The Ball: Size four (4).

Law 3 – The Number of Players: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than seven (7) players, one of whom is the goalkeeper, unless modified as a result of Law 20. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than five (5) players.  Teams are encouraged to share players if needed to make sure each team has enough players to play the game.

Substitutions: There shall be unlimited substitutions, with permission of the referee, at any stoppage of play.  All substitutes must enter the playing field from the midfield line and should not enter the playing field until acknowledged by the referee.

Playing time: Each player shall play a minimum of 25% of the total playing time. Teams and matches may be coed.

Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment: Conform to FIFA. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather conditions, but uniforms must still distinguish teams. When teams have uniforms that are not distinguishable to the referee, the Away team will be required to wear pinnies. Jewelry, wrist adornments of any type, earrings even if taped are not permitted.  Only medical alert braclets and religious items are permitted providing they are taped to cover completely.  Shin guards will be worn under the socks and must be fully covered.  This is a safety issue in case the shin guards break, fracture, or have sharp edges that can hurt opposing players.  The referees will remove a player with exposed shin guards from the field of play. 

Law 5 – The Referee: Registered referee, especially Grade 9 or higher if USSF or registered official with DSOA.  Parent/coach or assistant coach can be used if registered referee is not available. All rule infringements shall be briefly explained to the offending player.

Law 6 –The Assistant Referees: Not required. The referee may use linesmen/women if desired.

Law 7 – The Duration of the Match: Shall be four (4) equal quarters of ten (10) minutes each. There shall be intervals lasting two (2) minutes following each quarter.

Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play: Conform to FIFA with the exception of the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least five (5) yards from the ball until it is in play.  

Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play: Conform to FIFA.

Law 10 – The Method of Scoring: Conform to FIFA.

Law 11 – Offside: Conform to FIFA.

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct: Conform to FIFA with the exception that slide tackling is not allowed.  Any slide tackle will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

Law 13 – Free Kicks: Conform to FIFA with the exception that all opponents are at least ten (10) yards from the ball.

Law 14 – The Penalty Kick: Conform to FIFA with the exception that the penalty mark is made eight (8) yards from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them.

Law 15 – The Throw-In: Conform to FIFA.  During the first 2 weekends of the season, if a foul throw occurs, the referee will allow the offending player to retake the throw-in 1 time before awarding a throw in to the opposing team.  At the start of the 3rd weekend of the season, all foul throws will result in a throw-in for the opposing team.  If the ball does not enter the field of play during a throw-in, the throw-in will be re-taken.  The throw-in should not be contested within a 3 yard radius of the ball, i.e. players should not be marked close to the ball.  We want the kids to have an open throw to quickly resume play.  If the referee deems the throw-in was pressured by the opposing team, the throw will be taken again.

Law 16 – The Goal Kick: Goal kicks will be taken from the outside edge of the goal area.  Opposing team players must stand behind the buildout line until the ball crosses the buildout line or is received by a teammate of the player taking the goal kick.  Goal kicks must touch a player or the ground prior to crossing midfield.  A goal kick that crosses midfield without touching a player or the ground will result in an indirect kick for the opposing team. If the ball comes to a rest before the teammate of the goalie touches the ball, the play will be blown dead and the goal kick will be retaken. New rule in 2021:  the team bringing the ball from the back cannot let the ball come to a rest.  They must attempt to play the ball in a “normal fashion”.  This is a judgement call by the referee. 

Law 17 – The Corner Kick: Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play.

Law 18 – Player, Coach, and/or Spectator Behavior: All players, coaches, and spectators will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the spirit as well as the letter of the Laws of the Game. Referees have been instructed to run the matches according to this spirit and will act accordingly. Dissent from players, coaches, and/or spectators will not be tolerated; cautions and/or dismissals will result. Players are encouraged to play all matches with intensity and desire. However, unnecessary physical play, particularly with the intent to injure will not be tolerated; cautions and/or dismissals will result from such actions. The manager/coach will be responsible for the behavior of their fans and the referee will have the authority to warn and ultimately send off, any manager/coach whose fans behave in an abusive or disruptive manner. Players dismissed from a match will not participate in the next match. Coaches or spectators dismissed from a match may be banned from further league participation. Players dismissed for fighting may be banned from further league participation. Any team playing a dismissed player outside of this rule will forfeit all remaining games. The league directors reserve the right to terminate the participation of a team/coach/or player in the league if the behavior of the players, coaches, and/or spectators creates the atmosphere in which a match or matches cannot be completed within the spirit of the league.

Law 19 - Weather Cancellations: Every effort will be made to play games at their scheduled times, however inclement weather may cause games to be canceled if unsafe field conditions are created.  All decisions on canceling games prior to their start will be made by the league and announced as early as possible.  Once a game begins the referee will decide if field conditions warrant the game to be canceled. The presence of thunder and/or lightening in the area will be cause for canceling games.  The league reserves the right to not reschedule 1 canceled game per team during the season.

Law 20 - Mercy Rule:  If at any time during a game there is a 5 goal differential, the losing team has the option to add a player and play the game with 8 players. If the goal differential becomes 8 goals, the losing team can add an additional player and play with 9 players.  If the goal differential changes to 4 or less, both teams will return to playing 7 v 7.  The mercy rule is a last resort to try and balance the game.  Coaches are encouraged to make adjustments to their line-up, formation, and/or style of play prior to getting to a 5 goal differential.  New rule (2023): If a team is winning by 5 goals, they must connect three consecutive passes prior to scoring.  If the winning team scores a goal with less than three passes, then the goal will be disallowed and a goal kick will be given to the losing team.