Rules and Policies

Welcome to Power Haus Sports- Please take a moment to review the rules and policies- As some have changed!

Inclement Weather

We almost always play, in the case of inclement weather; the best way to determine if games are on at your facility is to check our website at www.powerhaussports.com. Our website will be up to date and will give times of when we will update next. You may call our facility; however, many times people can’t get through because of the high volume of calls. In most cases, our website OR Facebook page is your best opportunity to get the most updated status.

Liability Release

You must read it and sign it in order to play. Soccer can be a hazardous activity and injuries may occur.
You are contractually agreeing that you have signed the liability release and you are waiving your right to file a lawsuit. You accept the conditions of the field and any unforeseen situations that may occur.

Rosters

On-Line Rosters are to be complete prior to your team taking the field for your first game. Rosters may
be changed prior to the start of your team’s 3rd game, but not after. All Participants must sign the liability waiver or complete the on-line liability waiver prior to taking the field. No Exceptions! All participants must be rostered on the team in which they are competing. A roster check must be requested before the game begins. The referee or manager will check both teams’ rosters before declaring a decision. Players may be rostered on as many teams as they like. OUR RULE IS PLAY AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE, JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON THE ROSTER!

Protests

A protest must be submitted in writing, and accompanied by $50, from the coach or captain within 48 hours of the game. The $50 is nonrefundable if the decision goes against the protesting team.

Player Eligibility

A team using a player who has not signed the liability waiver or completed the on-line liability waiver will forfeit that game. Management may request an ID on a player at any time. A team using an ineligible player will forfeit all games in which that person played.

Field Players

  • All jerseys on a team must be the same base color
  • Shin guards are required for all youth play and recommended for adults shin must be covered
  • Braces must have all metal covered.
  • Turf or Indoor Shoes may be worn, no player will be allowed to play in cleats of any kind.
  • Kindergarten and First grade = 4 players – no goalie
  • Second grade = 5 players- 4 field players and a goalie
  • 3rd – 8th grade = 7 players – 6 field players and a goalie
  • High School and above = 6 players – 5 field players and a goalie
  • COED Varies based on field and league

Bench Behavior

  • A maximum of two coaches are allowed on the bench
  • NEW GUM POLICY= Gum is very harmful to our field- If any player is found to be chewing gum on the field or bench the TEAM will receive a warning- 2 nd offence by the same TEAM in the same game will result in a Yellow Card being issued.
  • Any Coach leaving the bench, upon an altercation on the field, receives a red card and causes a game forfeiture for their team. . Any player leaving the bench during an on field altercation will receive a minimum of a 5 minute yellow up to a maximum of forfeiture for their team.
  • No food, soda or alcohol. Water and sports drinks are permitted
  • No un-rostered players are permitted in the bench area. Parents are responsible for keeping kids out of the bench area during the game
  • Suspended players may not enter the bench area during their suspension period
  • Spitting is only permitted in the trash cans. Any place else is disgusting & may result in a twominute penalty

Discretion

The referee’s decision on “points of fact” (discretion, judgment) will stand as called. This is common policy in all sports officiating.

Standings

  • 3 points for a win
  • 1 point for a tie
  • 0 points for a loss

Tie Breakers

  1. Most points
  2. Direct head to head
  3. Head to head goal differential
  4. Least goals against all opponents during league play
  5. Total goal differential for season (goals for minus goals against)
  6. Number of shutouts in that session (including forfeits)
  7. Penalty kicks (best of 5) prior to playoff games

Dissent

Power Haus Sports referees are instructed to penalize any dissent from players. Only the authorized captain may discuss a call with the referee provided it is civil and in between periods. Please help control your own teammates so we may all enjoy the game. A dissent penalty results with a yellow card, which the player serves the full 5 minute penalty, however the team does not play short-handed. Two dissent infractions will result in a soft red card, in which the player is ejected; however, the team doesn’t play short-handed. Excessive and abusive language or violent conduct are not tolerated anywhere on the premises. These actions may result in a yellow or red card depending on the severity and referees discretion.

Sportsmanship Rule (YOUTH GAMES ONLY)

  • Any team leading by five or more goals cannot score a goal inside the opposing team’s penalty box or arc (the lines are included as “in the box”) a. If a goal is scored inside those areas, the defending team shall be awarded a free kick on their “neutral zone” white line.
  • Any team trailing by five or more goals can add one player to the field (no more than one extra player) Once the team trails by 4 or less goals, the extra player is removed from the field.

The “Running” Clock

  • Length of game is determined age group
  • Kindergarten and First Grade = Four 10 minute periods
  • 2nd grade = Two 20 minute periods
  • 3rd grade – Adults = Two 22min periods
  • Game time is start time; Warm up between games is based on the next scheduled game time. Teams are NOT guaranteed warm up time if games are running behind.
  • If a team does not have the minimum number of players to begin (One player short) there will be a 10 minute grace period. If after the 10 minute “grace period”, the team still does not have the minimum to begin play, the game will be considered a forfeit.
  • The clock will stop on all whistles in the last minute of the game, if the score differential is one goal or less. The referee may add time to the clock if he or she is not in position to stop it. Ball “In & Out” of

Play

  • Balls that hit the side netting are placed 3 ft. from the boards.
  • Balls that hit the ceiling are placed at the center of the nearest white line (including center line) where the original kick took place.
  • Teams may pass back to the Goalie from anywhere on the field and the goalie MAY USE HIS OR HER HANDS-
  • Goalkeeper Substitutions must be requested from referee
  • All other substitutions are on the fly
  • On Kick off the ball does not have to go forward
  • All free kicks are direct
  • Ball must be stationary before a free kick is taken
  • The player who takes the free kick may not touch the ball again until it is touched by another player
  • Players 3rd grade and over must ask for 10 feet on a free kick- Referees will give 10ft to all free kicks in 1st and 2nd.

Dangerous Play

  • High kick -called when the foot or leg endangers an opponent
  • Playing with the sole of your foot up, facing the opponent
  • Going into a play with your back turned
  • Sliding/ slide tackling
  • Playing the ball while on the ground

Sliding/Slide Tackling/Playing on the Ground

  • Slide Tackling, Sliding, and playing on the ground are not permitted at any time.
  • A slide tackle in High School or adult games carry a mandatory 2:00 minute yellow, red card may be issued based on the intent and severity of the play.
  • A slide tackle in youth games, will be whistled as a foul and may result with a yellow card based on the intent and severity.
  • If a player plays the ball first and then falls to the ground it may be considered “no foul” provided the player did not endanger an opponent.
  • If one knee touches the ground during play, in most cases, it will be called a dangerous play. It is the player’s responsibility to stay on his/her feet.
  • A player may not play the ball while on the ground at any time, even if there is not another player around.

Kicking the ball from behind the opponent

Not permitted in High School and Adult games the intent of the rule is to keep the game safe and fun.
The chances of striking the opponent’s ankles or knees are far greater from behind than a “clean” strike of the ball from the front of the player.

  • This includes kicking the ball from behind, through, in between, and around the back of legs of the person who has possession of the ball.
  • The defender may shadow the player with the ball but not strike from behind, or through the legs for the ball.
  • In advanced competition, a referee may allow a defensive player to hold their position with a light hand check on the offensive player shielding the ball.
  • This rule will be enforced 100% in High School and adult games, even if the ball is struck cleanly with no contact to the legs or ankles.
  • In YOUTH GAMES (K thru 8th grade), a foul shall be called IF the defender makes ANY contact to the attacker with the ball

Handling the Ball

This is FIFA’s interpretation of the “Handling the Ball” rule. Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:

  • the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
  • the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
  • the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement
  • touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shin guard, etc.) counts as an infringement
  • hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shin guard, etc.) counts as an infringement

The Exceptions

  • If you block your face with your hands and the ball hits them, no foul shall be called as long as you did not direct the ball to you or your teammates intentionally.
  • A deliberate handball (for example, a player knocks the ball out of the air with his/her hand purposely) may result in a 2:00 yellow card penalty.

Goalkeeper Rules

  • Goalkeepers must start their slide inside the box and make contact with the ball inside the box.
  • Goalkeepers have 5 seconds to distribute the ball from their hands. They may bounce the ball while in their possession.
  • Goalkeepers may dribble the ball into the box and pick it up.
  • A deliberate handball by the keeper, outside the penalty box, may result in a two -minute penalty and a penalty kick.
  • The goalkeepers entire body can be outside of the box, however, if the ball is inside the box, there is no foul.
  • Goalkeepers serve ALL of their own timed penalties
  • After the goalie has used hands, the ball must be touched by the opposing team before he/she can use hands again. (For example, a goalie rolls the ball to a teammate, and the ball is passed right back to the goalie, he/she may NOT use hands)

Fouls and Penalties

A foul, resulting in a free kick, is assessed to a player who commits any of the following offenses:

  • Kicking
  • Tripping
  • Holding
  • Pushing
  • Charging
  • Jumping
  • Handling the Ball
  • Obstruction
  • Dangerous Play
  • Elbowing
  • Boarding – GUM CHEWING

A timed penalty (2:00 yellow card) should be assessed when any of the above offenses are deemed by the referee to be careless, reckless or involved excessive force.

Yellow card is issued for:

  • Playing in a careless, reckless or dangerous manner, unsportsmanlike behavior or dissent.
  • The team plays shorthanded for two minutes unless a goal score
  • A delayed 2:00 penalty may be given in the event of an advantage

Red cards are issued- “HARD” team plays short for 5:00 or until the opposing team scores a goal

  • Fighting, spitting on or striking an opponent.
  • Vicious or an extremely dangerous play

“SOFT” Team does NOT play short – For a 2nd yellow card to the same player during the game.

The referee has the right to eject a player, coach, or spectator, before, during, or after the game and request they leave the premises (If the individual refuses to leave the field/premises and ignores the official, the official may forfeit the game)

Foul /Abusive Language towards another player or referee will not be tolerated at Power Haus and will result in a Yellow or Red card at the discretion of the referee

Penalty Kicks – A penalty kick is ONLY awarded when:

  • A penalty is issued to a defensive player for a foul that was committed inside the box

All penalty kicks are taken from the top of the arc

Please remember we play soccer for fun and exercise- NO ONE at Power Haus is a professional- not he coaches – players or referees. Let’s work together to make great memories!!!