INDOOR RULES 2011-2012

FIFA rules apply with the following modifications.

Goal Area:

There is a goal area marked in tape on the floor of the gym. The goalkeeper can pick up the ball with her hands in this area but must put it back in play by THROWING it (she cannot kick it back into play).

Players are allowed to enter the goal area and score from within the goal area.

Once the Goalie has her hands on the ball no other player is allowed to kick at it

Restarts:

Restarts by the goalkeeper are generally made via throw-ins; i.e. ball trapped behind the net or kicked in through the side of the net, GK saves etc. However, if the game is stopped in the goal area for a foul against the goalkeeper, the restart will be via a free kick for the defenders and the goalkeeper may kick the ball back into play.

Balls that hit the wall higher than the painted area on the solid walls, the basketball nets or the ceiling are considered out-of-bounds and play is restarted by the opposing team with an indirect free kick-in from the spot where the ball last touched the prohibited area.

Balls that hit the canvas wall or net or benches on the side where the players sit or enter the openings on either side of the benches are considered out-of-bounds and play is restarted by the opposing team with an indirect free kick-in from the spot where the ball last touched the prohibited area.

Balls that hit the wall behind the goal higher than the painted area on the solid walls are considered out-of-bounds. If the defending team last touched the ball, restart is via an indirect-free kick by the opposing team from the corner closest to where the ball hit the prohibited area. If the opposing team last touched the ball, play is restarted by the defending team with an indirect free kick-in from the goal area.

All other situations are handled via a dropped ball.

Penalty Kicks:

Penalty kicks are taken from the mark on the floor inside the penalty (goal) area.

Pass Back:

A goalkeeper cannot pick up the ball on an intentional pass back from her own team mates.

Free Kicks:

All free kicks are considered indirect meaning a goal may not be scored until the ball touches another player. The exception is when a direct free kick offense occurs inside the penalty area (e.g. deliberately handles the ball) in which case a penalty kick is awarded from the designated penalty mark.

Use of Walls:

No hands are permitted on the walls for support beyond a second or two.

Tackles:

No slide tackles are permitted under any circumstances. Slide tackles that occur close to another player will be sanctioned by a caution (yellow card). A tackle, which endangers the safety of an opponent, must be sanctioned as serious foul play. i.e. a red card and expulsion from the game – this is a FIFA directive.