Respect the Referees! 

Age Group                             # of Players                                  Time            Ball Size

U9-U10               7 field players plus a goalkeeper        2×25 min       #4 Ball          *Punting is only allowed at U9-U10 (not over 3 lines) 

U11-U12              6 field players plus a goalkeeper        2×25 min       #4 Ball          *only 1 bounce drop kick allowed (not over 3 lines)  

U13-Adult           5 field players plus a goalkeeper        2×25 min       #5 Ball          *no punting or dropkicks

***No heading the ball allowed until U13

***All players U9 and up must be registered on the team roster and have an active BSC membership. If not, they do not play.

Game Day Procedures

1. Teams are able to warm up behind the fields. Teams do not receive any warm-up time on the fields.
2. It is the responsibility of the home team to switch jerseys in the event that both teams wear the same colors. Brookfield Sports Complex is not able to supply any shirts or pinnies to teams.
3. At the end of the game, it is the responsibility of the teams to score check with the referee and to make sure the correct winning team is recorded.
4. Coaches may coach at a reasonable level from the bench, NOT scream and yell at the players. It is paramount that decorum be maintained by coaches at all times.
5. Clear the field area as quickly as possible and clean up all trash.
6. Only players and up to 2 coaches/managers are permitted on the bench and field. No spectators, parents and other children allowed on the field.
7. All youth teams must have an adult that is 21 years old or older on the bench at all times, however, no more than TWO adults may coach/manage from the bench. 
8. All players U9 and up must be registered on the team roster and possess an active BSC membership.  If not, they are not allowed to play.
9. Players may wear molded cleats, turf shoes, or flats. No metal cleats or screw-ins are permitted.

Sliding/Ground Play – There is no slide tackling permitted for any reason. If a player slides or plays the ball from on the ground, within the vicinity of an opponent, a free kick will be given at the spot in which the infraction occurred.

If there is no other player within the vicinity (approx. 5 yards from another player) —

The goalkeeper may slide in their own penalty area.

A player can play the ball from on the ground/slide.

NOTE: There is no slide tackling. Only a slide to stop the ball when no other player is nearby is permitted.

Substitutions – Substitutions may occur on the fly provided the player leaving the field and the player entering the field do not participate in active play or seek to gain an advantage while both players are simultaneously on the field. Any teammate can change places with the goalkeeper at any time with the permission of the referee. The goalkeeper MUST wear a jersey that distinguishes him/her from the rest of the team and be a different color than the opponent’s jerseys.

3-Line Rule- At no time can any player kick the ball through the air untouched over 3 lines. Bouncing off the wall and glass is considered untouched.  A goalkeeper can throw the ball over 3 lines. The ball will be placed at the middle of the defensive line if there is a 3-line violation.  EXCEPTION: There is no 3-line rule on field 2.

Offsides- There is no offsides. 

Additional Player- If a team is behind by five goals or more, that team has the option to add ONE additional player. Regardless of how many goals a team is behind, no more than one additional player may be added. (e.g. if the score is 2-12, the losing team may not have two additional players).

Forfeiture – If a game is forfeited, the opposing team will receive a 5-0 victory recorded.

Penalties- Any player who attempts to and/or kicks, trips, strikes, elbows, jumps at, pushes, holds, charges, obstructs, or performs an intentional handball shall be penalized by awarding a free kick to the opposing team.

Any fouls committed by the defending team in its penalty area shall result in a penalty kick and the possible issuing of a card. 

Penalty Kicks will be taken at the top of the arch with NO human wall blocking. On Field 2, the penalty kick will be taken at the center of the penalty area line that is parallel to the goal line.

Free Kicks/Indirect Kicks –  Any foul that occurs on the field results in an indirect kick. Only penalty kicks/fouls inside the box  result in a direct kick. On all indirect kicks, the ball must make one full rotation before another player may touch or shoot the ball. A player cannot simply tap the ball to have it be live.

All fouls result in a free kick. All kicks (except penalty kicks) including the kick-off are indirect kicks. On Field 2, Kick-ins are indirect kicks.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalties- Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties may be assessed at the discretion of the referee. These penalties shall be administered by the issuing of a blue, yellow or red card resulting in a power play for the opposing team. A coach, manager, or player that is not on the field can receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for abusive language or any other conduct that the referee deems to be offensive and/or abusive.

Time Penalties- Time penalties may be assessed for incidents of boarding, elbowing, striking, spitting, and other offenses deemed serve, tactical, or blatant in nature. These two- or five-minute penalties will be administered by the showing of a red or blue (yellow) card. A power play will be awarded to the offended team.

Red Card: A player that receives a red card is suspended for the remainder of the game along with the next game. Team of the offender will play a person down for 5 minutes. Referees will log the red card onto the roster in the player’s row. The offending player will be notified via e-mail when they can play again.

Blue Card / Yellow Card: A blue card and yellow card are used interchangeably at BSC.  The offending player will serve a 2-minute penalty.  The team must play down a player during this time. The carded player returns when 2 minutes is up or if the opposing team scores. Referees will log the Blue/Yellow card onto the roster in the players row.

***2 Yellow cards equal a Red card.

*If additional cards are issued to a team that is already serving a penalty, both penalties will be served simultaneously. If the opposing team scores, the player penalized first my return (Blue card only).

Goalkeeper Restrictions-Goalkeepers U9–U10 can punt the ball, but not over 3 lines. Goalkeepers can dropkick or bounce the ball once and kick it at ages U11/12.  Ages U13–Adult cannot punt or drop kick the ball. On a goalkeeper restart, no attacker can challenge the ball until it has forward movement on the ground; all opposing players must be at least 2 yards outside of the box. They may only challenge the goalkeeper after the ball has been put on the ground and played forward (kicked, passed, etc). 

If the goalkeeper fails to distribute the ball to another player within 5 seconds of having received the ball in hand, this results in an indirect kick from the top of the arc. If the goalkeeper picks up a deliberate pass from a teammate, this will result in an indirect kick from the top of the arc.

When the ball is last touched by the offensive player and hits the back net it is whistled dead as a “DEAD BALL”. The ball remains dead until the goalkeeper touches it with their hands. The restart is a “Keeper Distribution”(goal kick).

All “Keeper Distributions” (goal kicks) MUST START FROM THE GOALKEEPER’S HANDS. Once the goalkeeper releases the ball and there is forward movement, , it is a free live ball. 

When a two-minute penalty is assessed against the goalkeeper, it will be served by a teammate. If the goalkeeper is red carded then he/she must leave the remainder of the game and is suspended for the next game.

Injuries- The clock will NOT stop for an injury. In cases in which a coach, manager, or trainer must enter the field of play to attend to a player, the player being attended to must leave the field. The injured player becomes eligible after the restart of the game. An injured goalkeeper may remain on the playing field if a trainer, manager, or coach enters the field. If called upon to enter the field again, the goalkeeper must leave and is not eligible to play until play is restarted.

Under no circumstances can a player be allowed to continue to play while he/she has an open wound and blood is evident.

Walls/Boarding: Players cannot use the wall for leverage by using their bodies or arms. If a player is using the wall as leverage to push into another player, an indirect kick shall be given at the spot of the infraction. A player cannot be pushed into a dasherboard or checked into a wall at anytime. Violations will result in a yellow card and 2 minute penalty. 

Start/Restarts of Play- A minimum of 4 players (3 field players and a goalkeeper) are required to start a game.

Kick-off is by the visiting team in the first half, the home team in the second half.  The kickoff is an indirect free kick. 

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes completely over the goal line, providing the attacking team has not committed any infractions.

On Fields 1 & 3: The ball is out of bounds when the ball hits the net above the wall or when it hits the ceiling. The ball will be placed where it went out of bounds.    EXCEPTION on FIELD 2: Kick-ins and free kicks are indirect kicks. You cannot score on a kick-in.

Fields 1 & 3:
If the ball is last played or touched by a player standing inside their own goal box and the ball goes out of bounds above the goal box only, play will restart with the ball placed on top of the arc. There are no corner kicks on Fields 1 & 3.

If a player kicks the ball out of bounds from inside their own goal box, anywhere else, the ball will be placed at the spot where it went out of bounds.

EXCEPTION on FIELD 2: Corner kicks will be taken at the corners just like outdoor soccer.

If the ball touches the superstructure ceiling, then the Opposing team will have a free kick from where the ball hit the ceiling. 

For all direct kicks, 5 Yards (5 steps) will be granted if asked for by the player kicking the free kick. A coach cannot ask for the distance and it is NOT automatically given. Failure to maintain distance after it has been granted will result in the issuance of a yellow card. Delay of game attempts will result in the issuance of a yellow card — this includes standing within 2 yards in front of the kicker and or sticking a foot out in front of the ball to block it while being within 2 yards of the kicker in any direction.

All free kicks must be kicked within 5 seconds of notice, signal or whistle from the referee. Violations are a free kick awarded to the opponent at the same spot.

Coed Leagues- In adult and high school coed leagues there is a minimum of two females required to be present on the field at all times. In the case a team has only two females and one of the females is penalized, a male player on the field must serve the penalty. A team can play with only one female but will play 5 v 4 for the game. If there are no females present, the team will result in a forfeit.

For all leagues, there must be someone that is 21 years of age or older on the bench in order for the game to be played. If there is not someone over the age of 21, then that team will have to forfeit.

Ties: All games end in a tie.
No tiebreakers will be played except in playoff games that require a winner.

Playoff Schedule Breakdown: Playoff formats vary by division and league based on the number of teams and scheduled games. Some divisions may play a round-robin format only, while others may include championship or elimination playoff games.

If teams are tied in the standings prior to playoffs, placement will be determined by: Points, Head-to-head, Least goals allowed

Once playoff games begin, standings no longer apply. Playoff games are win/loss only.

At any point during the season, teams may only win by a maximum of 10 goals.
Any goal differential greater than 10 will not be recorded.

Playoff Tiebreaker Procedure: Only for playoff games that require a winner.

If a playoff game is tied at the end of regulation, the following tiebreaker procedures will apply:

Only players on the field at the end of regulation are eligible to participate in overtime.

Overtime will consist of one-minute periods.

The ball will start with the team that kicked off the first half, and possession will alternate after each period.

No substitutions are allowed. Only if a major injury, referees discretion. 

If a player is injured during a period, their team must play short for the remainder of that period.

Goalkeepers may be changed between periods only, using eligible players who were on the field at the end of regulation.

If a penalty is called for a breakaway foul that denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the offending player is ejected for the remainder of the game. If this occurs during 2v2, the offending team forfeits the game.

If the score remains tied after the 2v2 period, the game will be decided by a coin flip.

Both captains will meet the referee at midfield.

The visiting captain calls heads or tails.

There will be no penalty kicks or shootouts.

Brookfield Sports Complex Facility Rules

1. Respect for Officials: All guests and participants are expected to show respect for referees and officials. Their decisions are final, and any concerns should be addressed respectfully; please remember that officials are doing their best job, just as players/coaches are, and may make a mistake from time to time. Officials are Failure to follow this conduct may result in removal from the premises or suspension from future sessions.
2. Coaching Conduct: Coaches are encouraged to provide guidance to their teams from the bench in a respectful and controlled manner. Loud/aggressive behavior toward players, the referee, or other team, is prohibited. Failure to follow this conduct may result in removal from the premises or suspension from future sessions.
3. Prohibition of Vandalism and Property Damage: Vandalism or intentional destruction of property will not be tolerated. Any damage to the facility or equipment may result in financial penalties, suspension, or legal action.
4. Appropriate Footwear: Only molded cleats, turf shoes, or athletic flats are permitted. Metal cleats and screw-in cleats are strictly prohibited.
5. Restricted Access Areas: Access to the Large Training Room is restricted to authorized personnel only. The room is available to rent through the proper channels.
6. Trash Disposal: Please dispose of all trash in the appropriate bins located throughout the facility to help maintain a clean environment. This also makes it easier for employees to clean off tables and keep the upstairs tidy throughout the day.
7. Facility Use and Reservations: Brookfield Sports Complex is a private facility. Field time must be reserved in advance for all rentals or league activities.
8. Seating Guidelines: Upstairs chairs are to remain upstairs. If you wish to sit downstairs to view a game, please bring a personal portable chair/lawn chair.
9. Health and Safety: Players with an open wound and visible blood must exit the field and may not return to play until the wound is properly covered.
10. Parking Rules: Parking on Lisbon Rd. is prohibited. Additional parking is available at Voigt Soccer Park, located down the hill behind the complex.
11. Prohibited Items and Activities:  Chewing gum is not allowed on the turf. Spitting is strictly prohibited anywhere inside the building, including on the turf and rubber flooring. Outside alcohol is not permitted on the premises.

Brookfield Sports Complex reserves the right to expel anyone found in violation of these rules.