Soccer Rules

🕒 Match Structure
Each team plays with 4 players total: 3 field players + 1 goalie.
There must always be a minimum of 2 genders on the court at all times.
If a team is short players, they may still play without defaulting as long as they have at least 3 players, including 1 female and 1 male. Teams may play shorthanded.
Games consist of two 30-minute halves.
Substitutions are on-the-fly, except for the goalie, who may only be substituted during a stoppage.
Heading the ball is permitted.
Games are self-officiated. Captains are responsible for managing their team’s conduct and calling fouls honestly.
Concerns about poor sportsmanship or uncalled fouls should be reported to the SVL lead.

🚫 Fouls & Prohibited Actions
The following actions are not allowed:
Jumping to play the ball with your feet
Kicking (or attempting to kick) the ball above your own waist while standing
Two high-kick fouls in one game = ejection
Bicycle kicks
Kicking or trying to kick an opponent
Tripping or attempting to trip
Jumping at an opponent
Reckless, violent, or dangerous charging
Holding or pushing
Obstruction
Slide tackling (no sliding at any time)
Using your body in a forceful or illegal way to gain advantage

✋ Handballs
A handball is called if the ball contacts any part of the arm or hand, from shoulder to fingertips.
Exception: Goalkeepers inside their own crease.
All handballs result in an indirect free kick for the other team.

▶️ Game Play Rules
Games begin with possession at center. Captains use rock–paper–scissors to decide first possession.
Teams switch ends at halftime and alternate kickoffs.
Kickoffs are used to start each half and restart play after goals.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff.
Defenders must stay at least 10 feet away on kickoffs until the ball is played.
⚠️ No sliding or slide tackling — players must stay on their feet.

🧤 Goalie Rules
Goalies may dive head/hands first to make saves.
A goalie may leave their feet only when moving parallel to the goal line.
They may collect the ball this way as long as they are not moving toward an oncoming opponent.
Goalies may not leave their feet to challenge or tackle a player.
Goalies cannot use their hands on balls intentionally passed or kicked to them by a teammate.
If they do, the opposing team receives an indirect free kick.
They may use their hands in the crease on opponent shots, passes, or deflections.
Players must not interfere with the goalie inside the crease.
Passing through the crease is allowed, but interference results in goalie possession.

🧱 Corner Ball Safety Rule
When two players pursue a ball into a corner:
The lead player gets first opportunity to play it.
The trailing player must give 5 feet of space and allow 3 seconds.
After 3 seconds, play becomes open.
If there is no clear lead player, the defender has right of way.

Quick Rules