SSC SOCCER 11v11 RULES
OFFICIALS:
The SSC will provide Officials for all games. Excessive arguing with Officials will not be tolerated.
EQUIPMENT:
The SSC will provide a regulation size five ball for each field. An alternate game ball may be used if agreed to by both
team captains.
Shin guards are required for all players.
The following items are not permitted:
- Shoes with metal or ceramic cleats
- Athletic braces or casts made from hard, unyielding material (unless covered on all sides and edges with at
least ½ inch of closed cell slow recovery rubber or similar material)
- Headgear containing hard, unyielding, or stiff material (including billed hats)
- Jewelry (except for smooth wedding bands)
PLAYING ROSTER:
The maximum number of players on the field is eleven. The minimum number of players is nine. The maximum
number of males is six. The minimum number of females is three.
If a team is short the minimum number of players by game time, the game will be considered a forfeit and an
exhibition played.
The minimum number of players to play an officiated exhibition game, and avoid the forfeit fine, is seven.
Substitutions may be made at any time. The exiting player must be completely off the playing area before the
substituting player enters.
Teams lose the ability to challenge a player’s eligibility at halftime, except in the case of a late-arriving player.
FORMAT:
Each game shall consist of two 30-minute halves separated by a five-minute halftime intermission. Regular season
games may end in a tie.
Once the second half is underway, the game shall be considered final if cancelled for any reason.
START OF PLAY:
Kickoff and direction shall be determined by Rock, Paper, Scissors at the beginning of the game. Teams will switch
goals in the second half.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff.
OUT OF PLAY:
The ball is considered out of play when the ball entirely crosses any boundary line or when play is stopped by the
Referee.
FEMALE TOUCHES:
If a team gains possession on their own half of the field, a female touch must occur during that possession in order for
a scored goal to be counted. If it is determined by the Referee that a female touch did not occur, the goal will not
count and the opposing team awarded a goal kick. A female throw-in shall count as a female touch.
If a team gains possession on their opponent’s half of the field, no female touch is required for a scored goal to be
counted.
SCORING:
A goal is scored when the ball entirely crosses the goal line.
Goals scored by male players count as one point. Goals scored by females count as two points (including penalty
and shootout kicks). A female goal is one where the initial shot or deflection is by a female and causes the ball to
cross the goal line. Whether a goal is scored by a male or female shall be at the sole discretion of the Referee.
OFFSIDE:
Offside offenses apply in 11v11 Soccer and will be called in accordance with FIFA’s Laws of the Game.
FOULS AND MISCONDUCT:
Yellow cards shall be issued as a warning to players who are considered to be either engaging in dangerous play or
dissention towards Officials. A player who has been issued a yellow card must leave the playing area, with the team
continuing a player short, for a period of not less than two minutes. A goal scored by either team does not shorten
this period.
Red cards shall be issued in the event of player’s repeated misconduct, serious foul play, violent conduct, or any
wholly unsporting acts. A player who has been issued a red card must immediately leave the field of play, with the
team continuing a player short for the remainder of the game. The player may also be subject to additional
disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the league, at the discretion of the league office.
SLIDE TACKLING:
Slide tackling is not permitted in any SSC league. A player sliding near another player shall result in a foul, whether
or not it was intentional. A yellow card may be issued depending on the severity of the act.
FREE KICKS:
Free Kicks can be direct or indirect depending on the foul. In either case, the defending team must maintain a
position at least seven yards from the ball until it is kicked.
PENALTY KICKS:
Penalty Kicks shall be awarded, at the Referee’s discretion, if a foul stopped a goal or materially affected a scoring
attempt, regardless of the position of the ball or players at the time of the foul. Any player may attempt the penalty
kick. A penalty kick goal scored by a female counts as two points.
The goalkeeper in goal at the time of the foul must face the penalty kick.
GOAL KICKS:
Goal kicks may be taken at any point within the goal area. Opposing players must remain outside of the penalty area
until the ball is kicked.
CORNERS:
All corner kicks are direct. A player may not move the corner flag in order to attempt a corner kick.
GOALKEEPERS:
Goalkeepers may use their hands only while in their own penalty area.
PLAYOFF RULES:
Games tied at the conclusion of regulation shall go directly to a penalty kick shootout.
The shootout shall begin with each team attempting five penalty kicks. The first five kicks must be taken by three
males and two females, alternating male and female.
If, after each team has attempted five kicks, the game remains tied, teams will alternate kick attempts until a winner
has been decided. These additional kick attempts must alternate male and female, with no player attempting another
kick until all members of the same gender of that team has also attempted a kick.
PLAYOFF TIEBREAKERS:
1. Head to Head
2. Strength of Schedule
3. Record vs. Common Opponents
4. Points against
5. Point differential
Any rules not specifically mentioned here follow the Laws of the Game set forth by FIFA.