3v3 Indoor Soccer
These rules are under review by IMS staff and may be modified prior to the start of league play.
The rules governing this Intramural Sport activity are derived from rules used by the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) and National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) and rules unique to the UVM Intramural Sports Program. This rules sheet is not meant to be all-inclusive; rather it is a summary of the more common rules, policies, and procedures used by the Intramural Sports Program. All important policy information can be found in the Intramural Sports Handbook. All team captains and players are responsible for reading this document and understanding the rules, policies, and procedures prior to participating in this activity
General/Eligibility
See the Intramural Sports Handbook for complete listing of eligibility.
Varsity & Club Player Eligibility
Members of the UVM Varsity Soccer Teams are not eligible to participate in intramural soccer.
Members of the UVM Club Soccer Teams are eligible to participate in intramural soccer; however these players are subject to the following participation guidelines:
- Competitive League Teams – No restrictions.
- Recreational League Teams – No club players.
Penalty: Any team with a varsity player on the roster or that is in violation of the club player participation guidelines will automatically forfeit every game in which the ineligible player(s) participated.
Intramural Team Participation
Individuals may only play on one team within the 3v3 Indoor Soccer League. You may not participate on both a recreational and competitive team.
UVM Identification
All players MUST present a UVM Cat Card to the IMS Supervisor prior to each game. Players who do not have their Cat Card will be subject to the terms of the Campus Recreation ID Policy.
Team Rosters
The official team roster consists only of those individuals who are eligible and who have signed the official online roster/waiver. Confirming that all players are listed on the official online roster is the responsibility of the Team Captains. Rosters are capped at a certain amount due to COVID modifications. See IMLeagues sports desription for details on how many can be on a roster.
Communication with IMS Staff
Team captains are the only individuals permitted to speak with officials regarding calls or questions. If another player attempts to dispute, a warning may be issued. Subsequently, a yellow or red card may be given, followed by a possible ejection.
Equipment
Game Jerseys: IMS Pinnies will not be checked out - (we ask all teams come to field with a light colored shirt (white) and dark colored shirts)
Footwear: Turf shoes and soft, pliable, rubber bottom shoes are permitted. All shoes must be non-marking, and METAL CLEATS, SANDALS & OPEN TOED SHOES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED. All players are encouraged to carry in shoes to be worn during play. Snow, mud, and salt carried in on shoes can cause unnecessary floor damage and be a safety concern. Players will not be permitted to wear these shoes unless they get cleaned or they replace them. If there are any questions concerning footwear, contact the supervisor on duty.
Jewelry: All jewelry must be removed. This includes, but is not limited to, necklaces, earrings, newly pierced earrings, facial piercings, rings, bracelets, and watches. Individuals will not be allowed to tape over any jewelry item. If you cannot remove the item, then you CANNOT play. Once the game has begun, any player entering the field with jewelry on could receive a yellow card.
Soccer Balls: Official UVM IMS soccer balls (size 4) will be provided. The game ball shall be issued by the officials. Teams are encouraged to bring their own soccer ball(s) to practice or warm up with.
Protective Equipment: Shin pads, knee pads, elbow protectors, and mouth guards are strongly recommended, but not required or provided.
Players & Substitutions
Players
Each team will have three (3) players on the field, no goalies. Teams must have a minimum of two (2) players to start a game. In the event a player becomes injured or has to leave (other than ejection) the game will continue until it is deemed a farce as determined by the officials and supervisor.
Field Player Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions are permitted. Substitutions may be made on the fly from the designated substitution area at the mid-line.
Ejected Players
No substitution is permitted for an ejected player. The team will play shorthanded for the remainder of the game. If a team loses two (2) players due to ejection, the game will end immediately and they will receive a forfeit. If a player is ejected due to unsportsmanlike conduct and a team falls below the minimum amount (2 players), the game will result in a forfeit.
Captains’ Meeting and Coin Toss
Five (5) minutes before the game, the officials will conduct a ‘Captains’ Meeting’ with the team captain of each team. Home team calls the toss (team listed first on schedule; if overtime (playoffs only), then opposite team from first half). The team winning the toss shall have their choice of the options for the first half or shall defer their options to the second half. The options for each half shall be the following:
- Team winning toss: chooses the kickoff OR chooses the goal to defend.
- Team losing toss: exercises the remaining option.
Playing Field
Location: PFG Multipurpose Turf/Indoor Tennis Court (converted to turf)
Mid Line: The line separating the offensive zones of each team. In order for a goal to be awarded, a ball must be kicked on the attacking offensive teams side toward their opponents goal. See exceptions in "scoring" in text below.
Side Lines: The sidelines are indicated by lines on the turf. Ball will be put into play with a “kick-in” from the point where it traveled out of bounds by the player/team that did not touch it last (No Throw-Ins).
End Lines: A normal soccer end line will be used. The end line is indicated by a painted line and extends from the goal post to the corner/sideline.
- If the ball goes out over the end line by the offense, it is a goal kick for the defense.
- If the ball goes out over the end line by the defense, it is a corner kick for the offense.
Goal Box: An arc or box will be displayed on the field, the following applies to play inside the box:
- There is no ball contact allowed within the goal box, however, all players may pass through the goal box as long as they do not touch the ball while in the box.
- Exception – if the defense regains possession (on their side of the field, outside of the box) they may freely dribble or possess the ball within the box as they move to the other end of the field. However, they may not hold/stall the ball within the goal box for more than 6 seconds
- Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box is considered in the goal box and an extension of such. The plane of the goal box extends upward.
- If a defensive player touches the ball after it has entered the plane, a goal will be awarded to the offensive team.
- If an offensive player touches the ball after it has entered the plane, a goal kick will be awarded to the defensive team.
- If the ball comes to a rest on the goal box, a goal kick is awarded regardless of who touched the ball last.
Team Bench: The team bench area will be designated by cones. Each team will be assigned a half of the field on this sideline. This area is designated as your team box. This area is limited to players who are on your roster, checked in, and currently not in the game (this area is NOT for spectators). Accordingly, all belongings of team members shall be placed behind nets along outside the edge for safety purposes.
Obstacles: If the ball goes out of play (hits anything hanging from ceiling, etc) it will be a indirect kick for the team that was not last to touch it and will be taken from where the ball was last touched or was touched inbounds.
If the ball goes out of play from the penalty and hits the ceiling, an indirect kick will result in one of three places based on where the ball was kicked from either corner of the box or in the direct middle of the box.
General Game Information
Game Duration
Games will consist of three (3) 10-minute periods. The clock will run continuously and will only stop on injuries, protests, and officials’ time outs/discretion.
Timeouts
No timeouts are available
Mercy Rule
If a team is down by (7) goals or more at the two (2) minute mark in the third period, the game will end.
Intermission
Intermissions will not exceed three (3) minutes.
Overtime
Regular season games that end in a tie will be recorded as such.
Game Time is Forfeit Time!
All intramural events are tightly scheduled based on facility availability to allow for maximum participation, so keeping the games on schedule is very important. Please have your team at the field checked-in and ready to play at least ten (10) minutes before your scheduled game time. If one team is late/is not present, the team's captain that is present and has the minimum number of participants required ready to play will be given two options (once a decision is made it cannot be changed):
- Take the forfeit immediately
- Give the team five (5) minutes to show
- If the team shows, the game must be played with only the remaining amount of time left. If the team still does not show, it will be a forfeit.
Reserve Clause: The IMS Staff reserves the right to make time adjustments to accommodate scheduling conflicts.
Playing Rules
Kickoff
A kickoff begins from the center of the field of play, on the referee’s whistle. The kick off may be taken in any direction. You cannot score directly from a kick off (ball must be 100% over the mid-line to be considered on the offensive half of the field).
Scoring
- A goal may only be scored from a touch (offensive or defensive) within the team’s offensive half on the field. The ball must be completely on the offensive half of the field, and cannot be touching the mid-line (Example: kick-off).
- If a player in their defensive half kicks the ball across the midline and the ball hits another player (offensive or defensive) and the ball goes in the goal, a goal will be awarded.
- If a ball is kicked from the defensive half and is not touched before the ball rests in the goal, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.
Goal Kick
The goal kick is a direct kick and must be taken from anywhere within the goal box.
Offsides
There are NO offsides in intramural indoor soccer.
Out of Bounds - “Sideout:” Indirect kick from the sideline where the ball went out of bounds (NO Throw-Ins).
Drop Ball
A drop ball will occur when:
- An injury has transpired and no one has clear control of the ball.
- Both officials are unsure of an out of bounds call.
- There is a double foul (one on each team).
Five Yard Rule
- In all dead-ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball.
- If the defensive player’s goal is closer than five yards, the ball shall be played five yards from the goal box in line with the direction of play prior to the penalty.
Delay of Game
Any player may be cautioned with a yellow card if it is deemed by the supervisor that the player is intentionally wasting time. Ex. a player intentionally kicks the ball long distances away from the playing field in order to waste time
Advantage
The “advantage” rule is used when the team with the ball is better off maintaining possession instead of stopping to enforce the penalty on the opposing team. The referee will yell “PLAY ON” to acknowledge the foul, while maintaining the flow of play. This is strictly a judgment call by the referee and may not be protested.
Direct and Indirect Kicks
All dead-ball kicks (kick-ins, kick-offs, free kicks) are indirect with the exception of corner/penalty kicks.
Penalty Kicks
Penalty kicks shall be awarded if, in the officials opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by an infraction (the infraction does not automatically result in a red card).
- Penalty kicks are direct kicks taken from the center of the mid-line with all players (on both teams) behind the mid-line.
- Ball must be kicked on goal
- Penalty kicks are dead ball infractions.
- If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick.
Fouls and Misconduct
Ejections
A player shall be ejected if the player intentionally kicks, strikes, spits, pushes, trips, attempts to kick, strike or jump at an opponent, teammate, spectator and/or official.
Penalty: Offending player will be ejected and a direct free kick will result from the spot of the foul for the non-offending team.
Note: If both teams are involved in misconduct, a midfield drop kick will occur. Unsportsmanlike players will be ejected and will be subject to IMS policies and procedures regarding ejected players.
Slide Tackling
Slide tackling is PROHIBITED and a yellow card will be given immediately to the offending player! Slide tackling is a penalty when in the immediate vicinity of an opposing player and contact does not have to be made in order for a yellow card to be given. A direct free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
Dangerous Play
A dangerous play will result in an indirect free kick in the following situations:
- Raising a foot to a level that may endanger an opponent.
- Scissor kicking, bicycle kicking, or high kicking that may result in an injury.
- Playing the ball while on the ground in the vicinity of another player.
- Lowering the head to waist level in an effort to head the ball in the vicinity of another player.
Note: Be aware that any flagrant foul by a player is cause for an immediate ejection.
Red Card Violation
Player is ejected from the game and their team must play shorthanded for the remainder of the game. Sending-off offenses include:
- Guilty of serious foul play.
- Guilty of violent conduct.
- Spits at an opponent or any other person.
- Denies an opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball.
- Denies an opponent moving towards the player’s goal an obvious goal scoring opportunity by committing an offense punishable by a direct free kick or a penalty kick.
- Uses offensive, insulting, or abusive language or gestures.
- Receives a second yellow card in the same match.
Yellow Card Violation
Player is cautioned and must sit out for four (4) minutes. The team can substitute for that player. If a player receives a second yellow card, the individual will be ejected and their team must play shorthanded for the remainder of the game.
Offenses include but not limited to:
- Guilty of unsportsmanlike behavior.
- Slide tackling
- Shows dissent by word or action.
- Persistently infringes the rules of the game.
- Delays the restart of play.
- Dislodging the goal intentionally.
- Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, kick-in, free kick or goal clearance.
- Enters the field of play from outside of the designated substitution area.
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