All comments and questions you may have regarding the contents of this document direct them to: ISL Director of Officials

 

 

This document is the exclusive property of the Island Soccer League. Any reproduction without the expressed written permission of the Island Soccer League is strictly prohibited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dimensions: the length of the field of play shall not be more then 210 feet, nor less then 175 feet, and its width not more then 110 feet, nor less then 80 feet.

 

Marking of the field: the field of play shall be marked with distinctive white lines, not less then four inches (4”) nor more then five inches (5”) in width. A halfway line shall be marked out across the field of play. The center of the field of play shall be indicated by a nine-inch (9”) circular red mark and a circle with fifteen-foot (15”) radius shall be marked from the center of this mark. A yellow line marking shall be placed across the field fifty feet (50”) from each goal line. A nine inch (9”) circular red mark ( shootout Mark) shall be at the center of each yellow line.

 

Penalty Kick Mark: A nine-inch (9”) circular mark shall be made within each penalty Area twenty-four feet (24’) from the midpoint of the goal line, measured along an un-drawn line at right angles thereto. These shall be Penalty Kick Marks.

 

Goals: The goals shall be placed on the center of each goal line, and shall consist of two (2) upright posts, equidistant from the corner flags and fourteen (14’) apart from each other ( inside measurement), joined by a horizontal crossbar, the lower edge of which shall be eight feet (8’) from the surface. The width and depth of the goalposts and crossbars shall not be less than four inches (4”) nor exceed five inches (5”).the goalpost, crossbars and goal line shall have the same width. Nets shall be attached to the posts, crossbars and to the ground behind the goals. They should be appropriately supported and be so placed as to allow the goalkeeper ample room. The depth of the goal net shall be a minimum of five feet (5’). The goalpost and crossbar shall be white in colour.

 

Players Benches: the player’s benches for the teams shall be place ten feet (10’) off the touch lines, they shall be placed on the same side and twenty feet away from the half line of the field of play. The benches shall be covered to shelter the players from any bad weather.

 

Exceptions: The commissioner must approve any exceptions Rule 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved Ball Specifications: the ball to be used is the ISL approved ball, which shall meet the following specifications: The ball shall be spherical and the outer casing shall be leather or other approved material. No material shall be used in its construction that might prove dangerous to the players. The ball that will be played with will be a size 5, and the weight at the start of the game shall not be more than sixteen (16) ounces nor less than fourteen (14) ounces. The pressure shall be equal to 9.0-10.5lb./sq inch.

 

Ball Change: the ball shall not be change during the game unless authorized by the referee.

 

Property: The ball used in any game shall be considered the property of the league, and at the end of the game of play the ball must be returned to the referee.

 

Defective Ball: If the ball burst or becomes deflated during the course of the game, than the game shall be stopped and a new ball shall be put in play after being checked by the referee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teams: A game shall be played with two (2) teams, each consisting of not more than 6 players, five (5) field players and one goal keeper. Both teams shall dress a maximum of twelve (12) players and a minimum of eight (8) players.

 

Official Line-Up: Not later than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the game, the official line-up card should be handed in to the Referees by each team. No change to the line-up shall be made unless to replace the goalkeeper, who is injured prior to the start of the game. Starting players shall be on the field at the start of the game. If the team does not want to start the game with the selected starters as indicated on the line-up card, the referee shall file a report.

 

Substitutes: Substitutions may be made only when your team has the ball on restarts, there will be unlimited substitutions by both teams, coaches making any substitutions shall notify the referees in the middle. All substitutions shall enter at the half field line, players being substituted for must leave the field of play at the same area. Players substituted must leave the field of play before any player can come on. All subs are rolling subs, no restrictions.

 

Goalkeeper Substitutions: Teammates may change place with the goalkeeper at any time as per regular substitution procedures, provided that the goalkeeper wears a jersey that distinguishes him from the other players and the referees.

 

Inadvertent Restart: If a play is inadvertently restart with too many players on the field, no penalty shall be assessed, and the game shall be restarted again properly.

 

Team Captains: Each team shall have a captain who shall wear an official arm band. No goalkeepers as designated on the line-up or player/head or assisted coach shall be permitted to be captain. In the event of a dispute or problem on the field, the referee will inform the captain of the decision and each captain will advise his coach. Only when invited by the referee shall the captain have the privilege of discussing any point relating to interpretation of the rules that may arise during the progress of the game.

 

Injured Goalkeeper: In a situation where a goalkeeper is injured, a team trainer after being signaled to enter the field of play may attend to the goalkeeper. Following this attention, this injured goalkeeper may stay in the game.

 

Goalkeeper Warm-up: In cases where a team’s trainer enters the field of play after being requested to do so by the referee to attend to an injured goalkeeper, another goalkeeper from that team may warm up with a practice ball in close proximity to his team’s bench. Once the trainer leaves the field, the goalkeeper’s warm-up must conclude.

 

Injured Player: In cases where either team’s trainer is requested to enter the field by the referee to attend an injured player, excluding the goalkeeper, that player may not rejoin the play until the next substitution made by there team. At this time a player must sub in for the injured player.

 

Substitutions on Free Kicks, Goalkeeper Distributions, Corner Kicks and Throw-in: Free kicks, Goalkeeper Distributions, Corner Kicks and Throw-in restarts shall not be delayed for substitutions purposes. Substitutions may be made.

 

Alternate Players: Three (3) alternate players will be selected for each team at the draft, these players are allowed to train with the team but not allowed to play unless selected by coach to take the place of an injured player or a player not performing. At this point the player now becomes a regular player in the line up of twelve (12) Note, the altinate player will be taking the place of the injured player or a player not performing, this means that a player that had been replaced by an alternate can not return to the regular line up until the coach makes a line up change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Usual equipment: The equipment of a player during the entire game is a jersey, shorts, socks and shinguards. Numbers shall be place on the back of the jersey and on the front of the shorts. The number on the back shall not be less than eight inches (8”) in height and the number in front shall not be less than three inches (3”) in height. In addition, Shirts must remain tucked into the shorts at all times and socks pulled up, covering the shinguard. Protruding apparel under the uniform must be the same colour as the uniform shorts dominate colour.

 

Footwear: A Players footwear must conform to the following standards: Any Soccer Studded shoes may be worn on the field of play. A player who loses a shoe during the normal course of play may continue to play until referee stops the play. Players can not leave the bench area to enter the field with no shoes on.

 

Shinguards: Players must wear shinguards during the game, they may not start any game with out any shinguards. A player who loses a shinguard during the normal course of play must secure shinguards before continuing to play until referee stops the play. Players can not leave the bench area to enter the field with no shinguards on.

 

Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper must wear colours that will distinguish him from the field players and referees. Players replacing a goalkeeper must wear a goalkeeper jersey.

 

Dangerous Equipment: Players shall not be permitted to wear necklaces, chains or bracelets at any time during the playing of a game. Rings shall be removed or properly covered with tape. Any cast worn shall be properly covered with a pad to the satisfaction of the referee. If players are found wearing any dangerous equipment by the referee shall be ordered to have it removed or cover with tape or padding.

 

Infringement: For any infringement to this rule, the player may be ask to leave the field of play to adjust the equipment and shall not return until reporting to the referee, who shall have the final approval of the player playing in the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Referees: two (2) referees shall officiate the game, both will be on the field of play. One (1) assistant referee will be on the sidelines working with the substitutions and time keeping . The referees are responsible for – time keeping, recording the game, adding time and control on the game.

 

Powers: The referee’s decision is final as far as the result of the game is concern. The referee has the power to: Warn, Penalize, Report, Caution and Eject. From the time the referee enters the field , he/she has the authority to penalize or report any team, player or bench personal, as required by these rules, for fouls, warnings including Blue, Yellow and Red Card offenses regardless if the ball is in-play or not.

 

Game report: the referee shall file a game report after each game.

 

Assistant Referee: Assistant referee is responsible for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duration: The duration of a regulation game shall be 2 halves of Thirty minutes (30) with a total of sixty minute (60) games. There will be a running clock, unless there is an injury to a player or any disruption for the referee to stop the game, at that time is when the clock will stop. The referee will have full control of stopping the clock and adding on any additional time necessary.

 

Half Time: The duration of the half time will be for fifteen minutes (15), coaches will have this time to organize there players. Any team that takes over the time given for the half time period will be reported by the referee.

 

Overtime Period: If the score is tied after regular time than there will be an overtime of ten (10) minutes added on. There will be a golden goal overtime period, if a team scores first inside the overtime period than that team will be the winner of the game. If no team scores than there will be added time for sudden death shootout goals, which will be taken from the yellow line. One player from a team will have five seconds (5) to score against the goal keeper from the opposite team, the ball must cross the goal line inside of the five seconds (5). This shootout sudden death will continue until there is a winner.

 

Coin Toss: A coin toss will determined which team will start with the ball in the overtime period. The team that wins the coin toss will have the option of starting with the ball or picking the side they want to defend/attack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of the Game: The home team will start with the choice with of ends and the away team shall start with the ball for kick off. The referee will start the game with a whistle, before that whistle the team without the ball must stand outside the center circle. The team kicking off the ball does not have to allow the ball to travel forward they could play the ball backwards to start the game. The player on the ball of the kick off can not touch the ball twice, if so the start off game will be restarted.

 

After A Goal is Score: After a goal is scored the game shall be restarted by the opposing team.

 

Restarts when referee has stopped the Game: If a team is in possession of the ball when the referee stops the game for  any cause not mention in the above rules, than the team that had possession will be awarded a free kick where the ball had been stopped.

 

Five Second Play Requirements: Failure to start the play within five seconds (5) after the referee has blown the whistle than there will be a possession turnover to the opponent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ball in Play: The ball is in play at all times from the start of the game to the finish, also including:

 

Ball Out of Play: The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses one of the touch lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal Goal: A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the goal post. A goal can not be scored off a direct throw-in, unless the ball had been touch by any player. The use off hands or arm to put a ball pass the goal line will not be considered a goal. The referee will make a judgment call in this case. There are no off sides in the game.

 

Scoring Point values: A goal scored will value as one goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Line pass: If a player or keeper plays the ball over the three lines without touching a player than the ball will be set up as a free kick at the their defensive yellow line on the red mark for a free kick for the opposing team. If the ball is passed on the ground over three lines than no violation is committed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fouls: A player who intentionally commits any of the following offenses while the ball is in play shall be penalized by the referee awarding a free kick to the opposing team, which will be taken at the point of where the foul took place:

What warrants a free kick is when a player:

 

Cards : cards given to a player may range from yellow, Blue or red.

 

Yellow card: The yellow card will be considered as caution card, players will receive this card if they:

 

Two (2) yellow cards by a player in a game will be followed by a blue card which will result in a shootout. If a player gets three (3) yellow cards in one game, than that player will be ejected from the game with a red, the player can not play in the next game.

 

Blue card: A blue card will result in a shootout goal attempt on  the goalkeeper, this card will give the opposing team a chance to score a goal within five (5) seconds. If a Blue card is given than the ball will be place on the red mark on the yellow line of the players whom had the card given. All defensive an attacking players must be on the half way line. The player taking the shootout will be setting up behind the ball which will be placed on the yellow line red mark. The goalkeeper must stay on the goal line until the referee blows the whistle to start the five (5) seconds. If the players gets the ball pass the goal line before the end of the five (5) seconds than it will be considered a goal. If a player does not get the ball passed the goal line in the Five (5) seconds than after the time has passed the referee will start the game with a goal kick for the defensive team. The ball will not be live after the time has expired.

 

Two Blue cards in a game will be followed with a red card ejection and the player has to miss the next game.

 

Red Card: the red card is considered the ejection card, if receiving this card you will no longer be able to play the game and will have to leave the field of play, no longer will you be able to stay on the bench area.

 

Coaches Red cards: an ejected coach may not have any contact with the team, and must not be allowed to sit on the bench with the team and will miss the next game.

 

Players Red Cards: an ejected player may not have any contact with the team, and must not be allowed to sit on the bench with the team and will miss the next game, pending on the red card given ( if red card is for three (3) yellow cards)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goalkeeper Restrictions: the following infractions shall cause the referee to stop the play and award a free kick, penalty or shootout to the opposing team at the free kick yellow line red mark or penalty spot:

 

Obstructing a goalkeeper: If a player intentionally obstructs the opposing goalkeeper in an attempt to prevent him from putting the ball into play than the referee shall award a free kick

Charging A keeper: In case of body contact in the penalty area between the attacking player and the opposing goalkeeper not in possession of the ball, the referee shall stop the game if , in his opinion, the action of the attacking players was intentional, and award a free kick.

Endangering a goalkeeper: a player who intentionally commits a foul against a goalkeeper which in the opinion of the referee, falls short of serious foul play (ejection) but endangers the goalkeeper, this shall be considered to be a blue card and a shootout be given against the player.

Goalkeepers can stay on the field if they commit a shootout penalty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Definition: A restart is a manner of starting the play after it has been stop other than a kickoff. Play being stop whiles the ball in on the playing field:

 

Play being stop when the ball leaves the playing field:

 

Restart regulations and restrictions: If a team commits an infraction causing a stoppage of play, the opposing team is awarded a free kick restart. The referee may allow a free kick to be taken from the point within a three (3’) radius of the point of the infraction unless, in his opinion, a team gains an unfair advantage in which case the kick shall be retaken. Before the free kick is taken the ball must be stationary and the kicker shall have five (5) seconds within which to play the ball after being spotted and signaled to play by the referee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Kick restarts: all free kick restarts the players from the opposing team must be fifteen feet (15’) away from the ball. If the ball is in the defensive area of the opponent an a free kick has been given than the ball shall be placed on the yellow line on the red free kick mark. If a free kick is given between the two (2) yellow lines than the free kick shall be taken where the infraction was

 

Corner Kick: the restart for the corner is taken from the corner kick area.  

 

Three Line pass Violation: the restart of a three-line pass violation shall be taken at the offending teams defensive shootout mark.

 

Encroachment: if a defending player within fifteen feet (15’) intentionally interferes with the taking of a free kick, he shall be considered guilty of encroachment. For the first violation, the referee shall issue a player warning for encroachment. The second time the referee shall give player a yellow card.

Drop Ball restart: if neither has cleared possession of the ball at a stoppage, the Referee restarts play with a Drop Ball where the ball was when play was stopped. A Drop Ball originating while the ball is inside a penalty area takes place at the Free Kick Mark. Once the ball contacts the ground untouched the ball is in play.

 

Goalkeeper Distribution on Goal kick: when the keeper is taken a goal kick he shall place the ball anywhere inside the goalkeeper’s box. The ball will be considered in play once the ball leaves the goal box area or penalty area. Opposing players must remain outside the box until the ball leaves the area.

 

Throw-ins: throw-ins are taken when the ball goes passed the side lines, an improper throw-in will cause the ball to be turned over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Definition: A penalty kick is a free kick from the Penalty Mark taken by a properly identified opponent against the goalkeeper without interference by other players. A penalty kick is an awarded against a team , which while the ball is in play commits within its own penalty area ( or area within the goal) one of the fouls listed in Rule 11.

 

Player Position during Penalty Kick: the referee will not blow the whistle for the taking of a penalty kick unless the players are around the outside of the yellow line. The defending goalkeeper shall remain in the goal for the taking of the Penalty Kick. Players can not interfere with the Penalty Kick, after the kick has been taken and if the goal has been missed or saved by the goalkeeper the ball is considered dead play, the goal keeper at this time will start the ball as a goal kick. If the is scored than the ball will start as a game restart.

 

Ball in Play: the player taking the penalty kick shall kick the ball forward, the ball shall be deemed in play after it has been played.

 

Infringements/Sanctions: if the referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and , before the ball is in play, one of the following occurs:

 

Violation after the Penalty Kick has been taken: If the kicker touches the ball a second time a free kick is given to the defending team at the spot of the infringement.

 

Penalty Kick in Extended Play: Play shall be extended at the end of any half to allow the penalty kick to be taken.

 

Shootout: a shootout is awarded for any fouls outside the box when a player is heading towards the goal on a break away. This could also lead to a player being ejected pending the referees decision. Also when a playing receive two (2) yellow cards

 

 

 

Shootout been taken: A shootout is taken at the red mark located on the yellow line nearest the attacking goal. All players of both teams shall be behind the half way line. The player taken the shootout will have five seconds (5) to score the shootout, the ball must cross the line in that time. The goal keeper can approach the ball once the referee has blown the whistle for the player top start the shootout.