Official 5v5 League Rules
Welcome to Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer. Our goal is to provide fast-paced, competitive, safe,and enjoyable indoor soccer. These rules apply to Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer adult leagues unless otherwise stated for a specific division or event.
1. Team Composition
Games are played 5v5 — four field players and one goalkeeper.
Team rosters must have a minimum of 5 players and a maximum of 10 players.
A team may begin and continue a game with a minimum of 4 players.
If a team cannot field at least 4 players, the game will be declared a forfeit.
Unlimited rolling substitutions are allowed during play.
Substitutions should take place from the team's designated bench area.
The player leaving the field must be off, or clearly in the process of leaving, before the substitute enters.
Substitutions may be made without notifying the referee.
Coed Divisions
Coed teams must have at least two female players on the field at all times.
The goalkeeper may count as one of the two female players.
If a team does not have enough female players available, it must play short rather than replace the required female player with a male player.
2. Playing Area & Boards
Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer is played on a boarded indoor field.
The ball remains in play when it rebounds off the boards.
Players may intentionally use the boards to pass, receive, or control the ball.
There are no throw-ins or traditional corner kicks.
Players may not push, check, hold, or trap an opponent against the boards.
Dangerous or excessive contact near the boards may result in a foul, yellow card, or red card at the referee's discretion.
3. Game Duration
Games consist of two 20-minute halves.
Halftime is 1 minute.
The clock runs continuously.
Games are scheduled in 45-minute time slots.
The referee may stop the clock for a serious injury, facility issue, or other unusual circumstance.
Teams are expected to be dressed and ready to play at their scheduled game time.
4. Start & Restart of Play
Games begin with a kickoff from the center mark.
The ball may be played in any direction on the kickoff.
Opposing players must remain at least 5 yards from the ball on all restarts.
After a goal, play restarts with a kickoff by the team that conceded the goal.
A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar.
5. Ball In & Out of Play
The ball remains live when it rebounds off the boards.
The ball is considered out of play when it:
Goes completely over the boards.
Hits the ceiling.
Hits overhead netting, lights, beams, or another overhead structure.
When this occurs, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick from the appropriate location determined by the referee.
There are no traditional throw-ins.
6. Free Kicks
All free kicks are indirect, except penalty kicks.
A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick without touching another player.
Opposing players must remain at least 5 yards away from the ball.
Free kicks should be taken promptly.
The referee may require the kick to be retaken if defenders fail to provide the required distance.
7. Penalty Kicks
A foul committed by the defending team inside its designated penalty area that warrants a penalty kick will result in a penalty kick.
Penalty kicks are taken from the designated penalty spot.
Only the goalkeeper may defend the penalty kick.
All other players must remain outside the designated penalty area and behind the ball until the kick is taken.
The goalkeeper must remain on or above the goal line until the ball is kicked.
8. Goalkeeper Rules
Goalkeepers may use their hands only inside their designated goalkeeper area.
Once the goalkeeper controls the ball with their hands, they have 4 seconds to release it.
A goalkeeper may not handle a ball that has been deliberately kicked directly to them by a teammate.
Goalkeepers may leave their goalkeeper area and participate as a field player.
Outside the goalkeeper area, the goalkeeper is subject to the same rules as any other field player.
The goalkeeper cannot throw, punt, or drop-kick the ball directly over the halfway line unless it first touches the ground or another player before crossing midfield.
9. Sliding & Slide Tackles
Slide tackling is not permitted.
Players may not slide into or toward an opponent in an attempt to win the ball.
A slide that creates dangerous contact or puts another player at risk may result in a yellow or red card.
The referee has final discretion regarding whether a sliding action is dangerous.
Player safety takes priority over possession of the ball.
10. Fouls & Physical Play
Indoor soccer is a contact sport, but excessive or dangerous physical play will not be permitted.
Players may not:
Push or check an opponent into the boards.
Hold or trap an opponent against the boards.
Kick or trip an opponent.
Strike or attempt to strike another player.
Recklessly charge an opponent.
Use excessive force.
Engage in dangerous play.
Deliberately handle the ball, except for the goalkeeper within their designated area.
The referee determines whether contact is fair, careless, reckless, or excessive.
11. Yellow Cards & 2-Minute Penalties
A player receiving a yellow card must leave the field for 2 minutes, and their team plays short during the penalty.
Yellow cards may be issued for:
Reckless play.
Persistent fouling.
Unsporting behavior.
Dissent toward the referee.
Dangerous contact.
Illegal substitutions.
Delaying the restart of play.
Other misconduct determined by the referee.
The referee or timekeeper will determine when the 2-minute penalty has expired.
12. Red Cards & Ejections
A player receiving a red card is immediately ejected.
The player may not return to the game.
The team plays short for the remainder of the game.
The ejected player is automatically suspended for the team's next scheduled game.
Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer management may issue additional suspensions depending on the seriousness of the incident.
A player who receives a red card must leave the playing and team areas when instructed by the referee or facility staff.
Fighting, violent conduct, threatening behavior, intentionally attempting to injure another player, or serious abuse of an official may result in a longer suspension or removal from the league.
13. No Offside
There is no offside rule in Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer 5v5.
Players may position themselves anywhere on the field, subject to normal restart and goalkeeper- area rules.
14. Forfeits & Late Teams
Teams are expected to be ready at their scheduled kickoff time.
A team must have at least 4 players to begin a game.
Teams will be given a maximum 5-minute grace period.
If a team cannot field at least 4 players within 5 minutes of the scheduled start, the game may be declared a forfeit.
A forfeited game will be recorded as a 3–0 result.
Because games are scheduled back-to-back, a late start does not extend the scheduled game time.
15. Rosters & Player Eligibility
Players must be properly registered with Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer.
Players may only participate on teams for which they are eligible.
Players must meet the age and/or gender requirements of their division.
A team may not use an ineligible player to gain a competitive advantage.
Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer reserves the right to review rosters and player eligibility at any time.
Teams using an ineligible player may be subject to a forfeit.
16. Uniforms & Equipment
Teams should wear matching or similarly colored jerseys/shirts.
If teams have similar colors, one team may be required to wear pinnies provided by the facility.
Shin guards are required.
Appropriate indoor soccer, turf, or athletic footwear must be worn.
Metal cleats are prohibited.
Jewelry or equipment considered dangerous must be removed before entering the field.
The referee has final authority regarding whether equipment is safe.
17. Standings
Unless otherwise specified for a league or tournament, standings will be determined using:
Win — 3 points
Tie — 1 point
Loss — 0 points
If two or more teams finish tied in points, the following tiebreakers will be used in order:
1. Head-to-head result
2. Goal differential
3. Goals scored
4. Fewest goals allowed
5. Coin toss or another method determined by Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer management
18. Playoff Games
Regular-season games may end in a tie.
For playoff or championship games that are tied at the end of regulation, the winner will be determined by a penalty kick shootout.
Each team will initially select 3 players to take penalty kicks.
If the score remains tied after three kicks per team, the shootout will continue one player at a time in sudden-death format until a winner is determined.
19. Referee Authority
The referee has authority over the game and player safety.
Referee decisions involving judgment during the game are final.
Players and coaches may respectfully ask for clarification but may not repeatedly argue calls.
Abusive or threatening behavior toward referees will not be tolerated.
Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer management may review serious incidents after a game and impose additional disciplinary action when appropriate.
20. Player, Coach & Spectator Conduct
Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer is committed to creating a competitive, safe, family-friendly environment.
Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to:
Respect referees and facility staff.
Respect opponents and teammates.
Demonstrate good sportsmanship.
Refrain from abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or inappropriate language or behavior.
Follow facility policies and staff instructions.
Help maintain a positive environment for everyone using the facility.
Spectators who interfere with a game or behave inappropriately may be asked to leave the facility.
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
Fighting will not be tolerated at Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer. Players involved in fighting, violent conduct, threatening officials or other participants, or intentionally attempting to injure another person may be immediately removed from the facility and subject to additional suspension or league removal. Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer management reserves the right to suspend or remove any player, coach, spectator, or team whose behavior jeopardizes the safety or enjoyment of others.
HAVE FUN. PLAY HARD. RESPECT THE GAME.
Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer is built around fast-paced soccer, competition, community, and fun. By participating in an Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer league or event, players agree to follow these rules, respect the officials, respect their opponents, and help create a great indoor soccer environment. Idaho Falls Indoor Soccer reserves the right to modify or clarify league rules when necessary to promote safety, fairness, and quality of play.