Metro Sports League Rules
Indoor Soccer
This set of rules is established to govern Indoor Soccer games in the MSL.
Updated June 25th, 2024
​
​
Conduct
​
In the spirit of sportsmanship, regardless of the outcome, embrace kindness, have fun, and stay positive. Remember, we are a social league, and nobody wants to take a trip to the emergency room. Keep a relaxed attitude, engage positively with other players, and respect one another.
​
Be mindful that no alcohol is permitted on the fields, as it violates state park regulations. Violators risk immediate expulsion to maintain a positive relationship with the facilities and ensure continued permission to use them.
​
Players suspected of having alcohol on the field may face permanent bans, affecting both individuals and their teams without refunds. Anyone bringing alcohol, weapons, or controlled substances to the field faces immediate removal.
​
These regulations are in place to safeguard players, enhance enjoyment, and foster camaraderie while respecting league partners and establishments.
​
​
Team Size and Player Eligibility
​
To participate in Metro Sports League, players must be at least 18 years old and sign a waiver. Teams with 8 players constitute a full roster, with a maximum limit of 11 players on a team. MSL may add individual players to teams if they do not have the 8 player minimum before the start of the season.
Guests are permitted during the regular season for free. Guests must fill out a waiver and receive a stamp in order to participate on the field. If a guest player has not signed a waiver and is found playing on the field, they will be removed from the facility and the team given a forfeit for that match.
​
Indoor soccer will consist of 5v5 on the field. For Co-Ed, a minimum of 1 girl will be required on the field at all times.
​
The minimum number of players required to start a match will be 4. At least 1 female must be on the field. Teams with fewer than 4 players or no female players will be required to forfeit their match for the evening and receive a 0-3 loss.
​
Teams who do not have enough players for their match are encouraged to ask players on other teams to fill in.
​
Games will be strictly on schedule and will start on time. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled game time to ensure you checked in any guests and have enough time to change and be on the field before your scheduled start time.
​
​
Forfeits
​
Due to a tight field schedule, games will start on time. If a team is unable to consistently begin their match on time, penalties such as point deductions, playoff ineligibility, and potential removal from the league will be considered.
​
The minimum number of players required to start a match will be 4. At least 1 female must be on the field. Teams with fewer than 4 players or no female players will be required to forfeit their match for the evening and receive a 0-3 loss.
​
Any match that ends in a forfeit will be recorded as a 0-3 score, regardless of the goals recorded on the field.
​
​
Equipment
​
MSL provides game balls for each match. Teams may bring additional balls. Players are recommended to wear shin guards but they are not required. Cleats are not allowed for indoor soccer. Players will receive team shirts as part of their registration.
​
​
Game Length and Clock
​
Games consist of two 25-minute halves with a 3-minute halftime. Regular season ties may persist, while postseason games use sudden-death overtime.
​
​
​
Captains
​
Each team must have one or two team managers. Only team captains can interact with the referee should a dispute arise. The captain is responsible for team registration, handling any disputes on the field, relaying communications from the league to their team, and notifying the league of any guests participating in their match.
​
Players CANNOT approach the referee for any disputed calls on the field. Only team captains can approach the referee on the field during a match.
​
​
Referees/Sports Officials
​
Referees must be treated with respect on the field. Once a call has been made, the referees' decisions are final on the field. Any disrespectful or aggressive behavior towards the referee or any player will result in a red card and removal from the facility. Please treat our referees and each other with respect.
​
​
Scoring
​
Points on the leaderboard are awarded based on the following:
​
Win = 3 Points
Tie = 1 Point
Loss = 0 Points
Forfeit = 0 Points with 0-3 Loss
​
When teams are tied, goal differential will determine placement on the leaderboard.
​
​
Start of Play
​
Games start with a kick-off from the center mark, and can be passed behind the line. Goals cannot be scored directly from the kick-off.
​
​
Mid-Game Substitutions
Teams may substitute players freely throughout the match. Injured players require immediate replacements.
​
​
Slide Tackles
Slide tackles are not allowed on the field under any circumstances. If a player slides forward leading with their legs, they will be given a yellow card and a free kick given to the opposing team. Goalkeepers cannot slide forward with their legs.
​
​
Yellow/Red Cards
​
Yellow cards are issued for unsportsmanlike conduct, aggressive dissent, delaying restarts, and/or persistent fouling. When a yellow card is given, the player must leave the field for 3 minutes and the team must play a person down until the penalty time is up and the player or a substitue player can rejoin the match.
​
Red cards indicate ejection for serious fouls, violent conduct, denial of goal-scoring opportunities, offensive language, or a second yellow card. Ejected players must leave the premises and meet with the staff prior to playing another match. Players found playing another match without speaking to the MSL staff will be removed from the league with no refund given.
​
​
Free Kicks and Fouls
​
Free kicks will take place at the spot of the foul. All free kicks are indirect and must be passed to another player before a shot on goal is taken. If a direct kick is taken, a foul will be called and the opposing team given a free kick.
​
Penalty shots are given at the discretion of the referee. Penalty shots are direct kicks. Any member of the team may take the free kick or penalty kick.
​
During a free kick, there will be 5 paces of separation between opposing players to ensure the team taking the free kick can get the ball out.
​
Using the barricade around the field to give yourself an advantage will result in a foul being called. Although you are allowed to bounce the ball off the wall, you cannot grab the barricade for leverage when trying to get control of the ball against the wall.
​
​
Kick-Ins and Throw-Ins
​
For indoor soccer, a kick-in will take place for any ball that is out of bounds.
​
​
Out of Bounds
​
Out of bounds for indoor soccer is the ceiling, and any time the ball hits the side netting. When the ball hits the ceiling, the play will restart at half field.
​
​
Goalkeeper
​
1. Goalkeepers have 10 seconds to distribute the ball otherwise a time delay penalty will enforced and a free kick given to the opposing team. Players cannot press the goalie during this time.
​
2. Goalkeepers can use their hands within the designated goalie box. They cannot touch the ball with their hands if the ball is passed by their teammate.
​
3. Goalkeepers cannot drop kick, slide tackle with their legs forward, or kick above their waist when attempting to save a ball.
​
4. Goalkeepers cannot be tackled when attempting a save or after a ball is secured.
​
5. Goalkeepers cannot kick the ball past half field.
​
​
Postseason Play/Playoffs
All teams will participate in at least 1 playoff game, with the losing team being knocked out of the playoffs. In the event of a tie after full time in a playoff match sudden death time will occur with the game being over after the next goal is scored.
​
No guests are permitted during playoffs. If a guest is found participating in a playoff match, the game will be forfeited by the team and disqualified.
Any player receiving a red card during a playoff match will not be able to participate in the following match with their team.
​
​
Weather
​
MSL will notify captains about severe weather conditions that might endanger play or travel. If ongoing games must halt due to weather, the league director will decide on restart or rescheduling.
Rescheduled games will be communicated via email to all captains, with potential shifts to other weekdays for makeups based on field availability.