Rules for Adult Indoor Soccer

General Rules

After rosters are frozen, after the first three weeks, in order to have a player added to your roster, you will need a signed doctors note, on a doctors letter head with a doctor's stamp. Otherwise this note will not be accepted.

  • Conduct within the facility and on the field should be within the spirit of good sportsmanship.
  • Individuals utilizing this facility do so at their own risk. The property owner(s), league operators, officers and owners and staff of the Metuchen Sportsplex assume no liability for any injuries or accidents, which may occur. Please refer to your Liability and Injury Waiver Release Forms.
  • No individual will be allowed to participate in any league games, practice session, tournament, clinic, open pick-up game, or other activities until a release form has been properly completed and signed. The facility waiver can be signed online or in print form.
  • Playing sports can be a hazardous activity and unfortunate things can happen. You are contractually agreeing that you have signed our liability release and that you are waiving your rights to file a lawsuit against us. You accept the conditions of the fields, courts, and other surfaces, and also any unforeseen situations that may occur. If you are uncomfortable with any of these conditions, you can choose not to play or participate in our leagues or other activities.
  • No food, drink, chewing tobacco, chewing gum, or metal cleats permitted on turf playing surface. No sunflower seeds or similar type products are permitted in the facility. No glass containers on the field or in the player boxes.
  • No outside food or drink of any kind will be permitted in the facility. Any outside food or drink will be confiscated.
  • No games will be rescheduled due to cancellation because of weather. If a league game is cancelled one night of a two night league, any league games that are played that week will not count toward the schedule to keep standings equal. Every game needs to be played in a given week for a given league in order for those played games to count toward the schedule.
  • The Metuchen Sportsplex reserves the right to refuse play or service to anyone.
  • Any fighting will result in permanent banishment from facility.

Team Registration
A non-refundable deposit is required to register a team. Those teams already participating in leagues receive priority over new teams when registering for the next session.  However, teams playing in current sessions must register and submit a non-refundable deposit at least three weeks prior to the next session's starting date in order to guarantee themselves a spot in the next session.

Once the three-week deadline has passed, registration will be open to all teams that wish to play and the league will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  This policy only applies to teams that wish to continue playing in the same league.  Any team not participating in a current league may be placed on a waiting list until 20 days before the next session when registration opens up to all teams that wish to play.

Full payment is required by the start of the first game of a session or the team will be assessed a late fee. If full payment is not made by the start of the second game, the team will not be allowed to play any further games until balance is paid in full. All members of a team are jointly responsible for the full payment of the team fee, however, it is the team captain who is ultimately held responsible in the case of overdue, unpaid balances.

Team Managers
Team managers are the representative for the team and are responsible for passing on any information that the Metuchen Sportsplex needs to communicate to each team. The team manager is also responsible for seeing that all team fees are paid on time and ensuring that his or her team is aware of the rules of the game as well as the Metuchen Sportsplex rules and policies.

Individuals
Individuals that sign up will be placed in a Metuchen Sportsplex database where other teams may contact you to recruit you for their team. If you still are not on a team, the Metuchen Sportsplex will create a team from all the individuals in the database if enough players are available.

LEAGUE RULES

Equipment
Teams are required to have matching uniforms. If a team does not have uniforms by the second game they will be required to purchase shirts from the SportsPlex. A “uniform” is at least defined by matching shirts with different numbers for each player; and numbers must be permanently affixed. Rubber molded cleats, turf shoes, and tennis shoes are allowed.  Shinguards are required for all leagues.

ID Cards
All players, rostered and guest, are required to have a Metuchen Sportsplex ID Card in order to play in any adult league. ID Cards can be obtained at the front desk for $5.00. A valid photo identification with date of birth is required to obtain an ID Card.

Referees will collect the ID Cards at the beginning of each game and hand them back to the team at the end of each game. If a player receives a red card during or after a game, that player's ID card will be confiscated and held in the front office until the player has served their suspension time. The card will then be given back to the player.

Players under the age of 18 may request an ID card, but must go through a waiver process. The General Manager or the Adult Leagues Manager must meet with the player and their parent, and the parent must sign a waiver for their child to play. Teams may have no more than one under aged player on their team. The Metuchen Sportsplex has the right to deny any player an ID Card.

Team Rosters
Team rosters must be turned in prior to the first league game. Additions and or changes will be permitted through the midpoint of the season (through the fourth game in an eight week season). Only rostered players can play in seeded play that could result in a team advancing to the championship game and championship games.

At the discretion of management, a team may claim hardship and add one player after the fourth game. A player may only be added after the midpoint if an unforeseen circumstance occurs such as but not limited to injury or relocation and a rostered player is unable to play for the remainder of the session. Proof of hardship must be provided in writing. Examples include a doctor’s note and employment acceptance letter.

Any player on a roster that is found to be illegal will forfeit all the games for the team during that season. It is the responsibility of the manager of the team to know which players are legal or illegal. Management reserves the right to check the identifications of any player on a player roster to check and see if they are legal players under management guidelines.

In the case of age-restricted leagues such as Over-35, no player will be allowed to play in a game unless they meet the age criteria for that league. All players must provide acceptable ID such as a drivers license or passport when they are added to the roster at the start of the season. If a player does not meet the required age at the start of the season, but reaches that age during the season, they may not participate in any games until they reach the required age. If a team suspects that their opponent is playing with an ineligible player, they must notify the referee before the opponent leaves the field. Any player whose age is questioned must be able to provide acceptable proof of their age. If a team is found to be fielding an ineligible player, that team will forfeit the game.

Official Games
A game is considered "official" after one completed half of play. If there is an injury or other unforeseen circumstance such as a power outage, the current score will stand as official once a half has been played.

Forfeits, No-Shows & Makeups
Forfeits
: Forfeiture will be incurred if a team has failed to field the minimum number of players (4 player minimum) within ten minutes from the start of the game clock. If at any point during the game, a team cannot field 4 players, the team will forfeit. This includes playing down due to yellow cards, red cards, or injuries.

Teams incurring forfeitures during a session may not be allowed to play in subsequent sessions. A game clock will not stop once it has started, and it will not be reset if a team shows up late. Any forfeit will result in a 3-0 victory for the opposing team and no rescheduled game will be given.

If a team forfeits three times in one session, they'll be pulled from the league, all money paid will be lost, and the team will have to pay in full at the time of registration for all future leagues.

In the case of a forfeited game, players from the scheduled teams are normally allowed to use the field, to practice, scrimmage, etc. However, the Metuchen Sportsplex reserves the right to use the field, at that time, for other activities at the discretion of management.

No-Shows:: If a team cannot attend its game, the team captain must call the Sportsplex or email the Soccer League Director at least two hours before the scheduled game time to notify the Sportsplex of the no-show (players cannot cancel a game, only the team captain). The SportsPlex will then notify the other team and the other team will be awarded a 3-0 victory.

If teams do not notify the Sportsplex at least two hours ahead of kickoff, there will be a $50 fine. This fine must be paid before the team's next game or the team will be forced to forfeit their next game as well. This $50 will go towards the other team that didn't get a chance to play as a credit for future leagues.

Make Ups: If a team is unable to play a scheduled game, the opposing team may choose to accept a 3-0 forfeit. If both teams agree to a make-up, they will be offered possible times from the facility management office. It will be the team manager’s responsibility to coordinate and select one of the available times and confirm the new game time. Failure to do so will result in the game being forfeited. The Metuchen Sportsplex is not responsible for teams that neglect this rule and fail to notify the opposing team that they are not going to make a scheduled game. The Metuchen Sportsplex does not guarantee that all rescheduling requests will be honored.

Sportsmanship
Individuals are expected to play under control and within the rules of the game, and to the best of their ability will avoid causing injury to themselves and other persons using the facility.

Referees
Referees appointed to officiate each game have complete authority on the field of play, and their decisions on points of fact connected with the game are final. Officiating will be monitored and assessed periodically and management will always try to provide quality officiating at the facility. Constructive comments regarding officiating are welcome and encouraged. Please submit any such comments in writing via email to the Soccer League Director.

Complaints regarding officials should be submitted in writing via email. Please include the game date, time, and field number, and have your name and the name of your team at the top. Teams are asked not to discuss the officiating in a game immediately following their game. The commissioner will take seriously all complaints written 24 hours after a game. The staff will not take seriously complaints directed at him/her immediately following a game, verbal or written. The commissioner will not overturn any calls made by the referee during the course of a game.

If a team suspects an illegal player or other illegal activity associated with other team, they should inform the staff immediately.  If this activity is discovered after the game is completed, the team should file a formal protest to the commissioner. Please read our rules above to understand how to file a formal protest.  Do not discuss officiating or the officials with the facility staff during or immediately after your game.

 INDOOR SOCCER RULE BOOK
The Rules below are either substituted for, or supplemental to FIFA soccer rules.  Any situations not covered below fall under the jurisdiction of FIFA.

Game Length
Adult Game Length: Two 25 minute periods with a 2 minute halftime. Each half will end at the discretion of the referee. The referee may add additional time to the end of a half due to time wasting by a team or other circumstances.

Warm-Up Area
The Metuchen Sportsplex does not guarantee any areas for teams to warm-up prior to their games. Teams will have approximately two minutes to warm-up prior to the start of the game. There is no guarantee that these two minutes will be available. If the small turf area is available, teams may use this to warm up in. The small turf area is a privilege not a right. If classes or a rental, etc, is being conducted on the training area, teams must stay off. Any team that disrupts these activities may be escorted out of the building and their season forfeited.

Levels of Competition
The Metuchen Sportsplex reserves the right to determine if a player is considered too advanced for a given division and remove the individual from the team roster. This is done in the spirit of maintaining parity in a given division.

Any player 18 years or older is eligible to play in our adult leagues.   Players with current or former division 1 college, semi-professional or professional experience must play Division 1.  Premier players that want to play in a lower division must get permission from the league commissioner. Any premier player caught playing in a lower division will be removed from that team's roster and that team will forfeit every game in which that player played.

  • Division 1- Premier players: For the most advanced players and teams. Current or former division 1 college, semi-professional and professional players.
  • Division 2- Competitive players: For players with several years of high school and/or college soccer experience. No current or former professional players allowed.
  • Division 3- Recreational players: For the recreational player and beginner. No current or former division 1 college, semi-professional or professional players allowed.

Players may only be on one roster in a given division. Players may participate in more than one division and league.

Coed League Play
Coed Leagues must have at least 2 women on the field of play at all times. If a team has only one woman on the field of play, a team must play down a player until another woman fills that spot. If a team has no women, the game is forfeited.

Roster
The maximum roster size will be 12 players. If rostered players are unable to play, they may be substituted by a guest player. A team may only use up to 3 guest players per game. Teams play 7 v 7 in the adult league games. Teams may not have more than 13 players on the bench at any given time (12 players and 1 coach). Rostered players can enter the game at any time however, a rostered player arriving after the 1st half can not replace a guest player.Guest players must enter the game before the 1st half.

Guest Players
All adult teams are allowed guest players as outlined in the above rules. Teams violating any of the general rules regarding guest players will forfeit their game. Any team playing for the division championship ( Play-off games ) will not be allowed to use any guest players for that game. All players who play in the play-off and championship game must be on their team's official roster as of the third game of the season.

Kick-Off
The home team (the first team on the schedule) will defend the goal furthest from the scoreboard and will kick-off the first half. The visitors will defend the goal under the scoreboard and will kick-off the second half. The kickoff can go backwards.  A goal can be scored directly on a kickoff.

Substitutions
Substitutions are free and unlimited as long as such substitutions do not interfere with the flow of the game. Furthermore, each and every substitution must wait until the player they are substituting for is off the field before they can enter. Teams that violate this rule will be given a warning for having too many players on the field by the referee. If a team has been warned but continues to ignore this rule, then the referee will award a direct kick to the opposing team from the 30 foot mark. The referee has the right to award a yellow card if teams continue to ignore this rule. Any team that continues to make illegal substitutions after the opposing team is awarded a free kick will be given a team yellow card.

Teams may substitute for the goal keeper during play. The referee should be notified of a change in goalkeeper. Play will stop for goal keeper substitution at the referee’s discretion. Penalty for failure to notify official of keeper substitution will result in a loss of possession.

Out Of Bounds

  • Kick-ins enforced when out of bounds (sidelines)
  • All kick-ins are indirect restarts. If the ball goes straight into the goal, a goal kick is awarded to the opposing team.
  • Balls leaving the field of play over the end line result in a goal kick or corner kick.

Free Kicks
On all free kicks, the defensive team must remain ten feet from the ball until the ball is kicked. After the ball has been placed, the defensive team must retreat (within three seconds) ten feet from the ball. Repeated failure to retreat or failure to retreat after the initial request by the kicker or official is encroachment, and the referee may award that player a yellow card for more egregious offenses.

Only one whistle will be sounded for free kicks. Failure to take such kick within five seconds results in a turnover of possession where the opposing team will take the free kick from the same spot.

Slide Tackling
Slide tackling is not allowed.

Center Line Rule
The center line rule is in effect on goal kicks and whenever the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball with his hands. Prior to crossing the center line, the distributed ball must first touch the floor outside of the box, a teammate, or an opposing player. The center line rule will apply to punt and drop-kicks as well throws by the keeper. If the ball crosses the center line without touching one of the above, a violation results in a direct free kick from the center line. If the goalkeeper clearly releases the ball from his/her hands onto the ground, then the center line rule no longer applies and the goalkeeper may play the ball as far as he/she wants.

Penalty Kicks
Penalty kicks shall be taken from the penalty area near the top the keeper box. The keeper must stand with heels on the goal line until the kick is taken. When the whistle is blown, the kicker has 5 seconds to make his/her direct kick. If a player does not kick the ball within 5 seconds, then the penalty kick will be taken away and the defense will obtain possession of the ball.  The player taking the penalty kick may take as many steps as desired.

Goalkeepers
After gaining possession of a ball, the goalkeeper must release it within five seconds. The goalkeeper may not pick up a ball that has been intentionally passed to him by a teammate off of that teammate's foot. Any goalkeeper infraction results in a free kick awarded to the opponents at the 30 foot mark. If there is obstruction or inadvertant charging committed against the goalkeeper, the referee will award a free kick. Violent or serious foul play against the goalkeeper may result in a yellow or red card.

Yellow and Red Cards
All cards given by referees are final, and are not subject to protest.

Yellow Card Policy: Any player that receives a yellow card will be sent off for a two minute penalty. The team of that carded player shall play a person down for the duration of those two minutes. If a team receives a team yellow card, the manager shall pull one player off the field to serve the mandatory two minute penalty. The referee shall keep track of the two minute penalty and inform the penalized team when the penalty is completed, at which time the team shall play at full strength.

Red Card Policy: Any player that receives a red card shall be sent completely off the playing area and shall not return.  If a player receives a yellow card and receives a second yellow card or a red card while on the bench serving the two minute penalty, the team shall play the rest of the game a player down.

Any player that is red carded for their conduct on the bench shall be sent completely off the playing area and shall not return.  The team does not play down a person.  If a team receives a team red card, the manager shall pull one player off the field and the team shall play the rest of the game one player down.

A player or coach that is red carded during or after a game by a referee will automatically be suspended for the next game of the league in which they received the red card. In the case of a double header, if a player is red carded during their first game of the night, they must sit out their next game. The suspension is then considered served. If a player is ejected in the last game of a session (he/she) will be prohibited from playing in the first game after he/she registers for another session.

Any team that causes a game to be called by the referee before time has expired due to unsportsmanlike conduct or extreme unsafe play shall forfeit that game.

The Metuchen Sportsplex has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY toward fighting. Anyone fighting will be ejected and they will be banned from the facility permanently.  This means that said player cannot participate or spectate at the SportsPlex ever again.

  • A player or coach red carded for the offense of "foul and abusive language" will be suspended as outlined above.
  • A player red carded for the offense of "persistent infraction of the rules” or receiving a second yellow card will be suspended as outlined above.
  • A player or coach red carded for the offense of "violent conduct" (including, but not limited to: spitting, threatening, continued rough play, etc.) will be suspended as outlined above and, in addition, will be suspended for one additional game and subject to further disciplinary action as decided by the facility management.
  • A player or coach red carded for "assaulting an official" will automatically be suspended from any further activities at the Metuchen Sportsplex.
  • Should a coach of a team be unable to control a player's actions after a red card is issued, the coach will also be suspended as outlined above.
  • A player jumping from the player box onto the field to break up or participate in a fight will automatically be ejected from the game and will be subject to the same penalties as outlined above.
  • A $100 bond will be required from any team involved in an altercation where more than one player is involved in a fight. Should a bond be placed against a team, the bond must be paid prior to the team's next game, or that game will be forfeited. The terms of the bond will be given in writing to the team. Should the team fail to adhere to the terms, the bond will be forfeited to the arena and the team's participation will be terminated. If the team adheres to the terms of the bond, then the team will receive the $100 bond at the end of the session.
  • It is the responsibility of each player and the player's team representative to be aware of the total status of their player's infractions. Failure to comply may result in further disciplinary measures which may include suspension of the coach/rep. and forfeiture of games in which that player participated.
  • At the discretion of the Sportsplex management or league director, a player's suspension may be extended further than detailed above.

Red Cards are a serious offense any player that receives more then one red card a year will be suspended as outlined below:

  1. Two red cards in a year = 3 game suspension
  2. Three red cards in a year = 8 game suspension
  3. Four red cards in a year = 1 year suspension

Standings
Teams will receive 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. League champion will be determined by the winner of postseason play or the team with the most points. Any tie breakers shall be determined in the following order:

  1. The team with the most points
  2. The winner of any head to head league play
  3. Goal Differential
  4. Most Goals scored

Playoffs
After the end of the regular season, teams will be seeded according to a predetermined format to determine playoff and consolation brackets. In a playoff game, if teams are tied after two halves, the tie will be broken with kicks from the spot. In consolation matches, if teams are tied after two halves, the game will finish as a tie and the higher seeded team will advance to the next round.

Awards
The Metuchen Sportsplex will award various prizes to winning teams. Each first place team will receive either one championship trophy, twelve Sportsplex t-shirts, or a 10% discount off the following session. If teams want additional trophies or t-shirts, they may purchase them from the SportsPlex. The 10% discount is awarded to each team as directed by the captain of that team, and not the players on that team. Should players choose to play for a different team in the following session, they would not receive the 10% discount.

FIFA Rules
The Metuchen Sportsplex will follow FIFA rules for all situations not otherwise covered in these rules.

Protest
Intention to file a protest must be noted in writing immediately following the game. A formal written protest with a $20 fee (refundable if upheld), must be submitted to the Metuchen Sportsplex within 48 hours after the end of a game. A league committee will review and have the final authority on all protests. ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE COMMITTEE ARE FINAL. Only violations of the laws of the game, rules or guidelines of the facility as published are matters for protest. Any protests regarding fielding of illegal players must be brought to the attention of the game officials prior to the suspected player(s) leaving the field of play.

Please read the SMG waiver of liability.

Contact Information
Please contact the Metuchen Sportsplex at [email protected] or 848-248-4684

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