Men's 7v7 Soccer

Rules for Men's 7v7 Soccer

Joimo Soccer follows the guidelines of FIFA Laws of the Game:
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html

With these exceptions:

Number of Players on the Field
Each team consists of a maximum of 7 players and a minimum of 5 on the field, one of whom must be the goalkeeper. If a team cannot field the minimum number of 5 players a forfeit will be declared unless the team captains and referee agree on alternate plan.

Number of Players on a Team
If a player signs up as an individual (not for a specific team) they will be placed on a team of 10 to 14 players, inclusive. Every player that signs up as an individual will be provided a Joimo t-shirt that they must wear to every game. Teams made up of individual sign ups are permitted to bring walk on players (see Walk Ons) as long as the majority of the team votes that it is okay. A Joimo sports director will decide if the votes, for and against, are equal.

If a player signs up for a specific team they must have a minimum of 10 players on their roster. There is no maximum to the number of players they can have on their roster. However, once the league starts, the roster is considered final. Any additional players, not on the roster, can play for the team as a walk on (see Walk Ons). Joimo t-shirts will only be provided for the first 12 players and each additional player must purchase a Joimo t-shirt for $10 (price is subject to change).

Walk Ons
A team is allowed to bring an unlimited number of walk on players to the each game but they are subject to pay $10 per game and pass all player eligibility. In addition, the walk on player must sign a waiver of liability and play for only one team in that league. The walk on player will be added to that team's roster. No new walk on players will be allowed to play during the playoffs, only walk on players who are on the roster and have played at least one game in the regular season.

Player Eligibility
All participants must be at least 18 years of age or older and bring proper identification documentation (driver's license, ID card, passport, or military id) to every game for check in. The referee and/or a Joimo sports director will check in each player before the game is played and no player shall be allowed to play if not checked in. No jewelry, earrings, hats, or bracelets will be allowed in play unless properly bandaged and approved by the referee. Females are allowed to play in men's leagues but not vice versa.

Player Transfers
Once a player is registered with a team, he or she may not switch to a different team in the same league without the written authorization of the team manager/captain and approval from a Joimo sports director.

Player Equipment
The goalkeeper must wear colors which distinguish them from the other players and the referee. Each player must wear their Joimo team shirts. If a walk on player is present they will have to wear a shirt of similar color. Shin guards and cleats/shoes are required. Players without proper equipment will be sent off the field until the referee is satisfied. In this case another player on the same team will be able to come on the field. A game ball of size 5, nets, and goals (8x24 feet) will be provided by the league.

Substitutions
Substitutions are only allowed in the following situations: (a) when your team has a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in, (b) when a player is injured and needs to come out of the game, (c) when a goal is scored, either team may substitute. Before substitution notify the referee.

Slide Tackling
No slide tackling is allowed. The goalkeeper may slide in their own penalty box and if momentum should carry them outside the penalty box, the slide will be allowed. Total discretion will be to the referee.

Forfeits
If a team cannot field 5 players upon ten minutes of start time then they will forfeit the game. A forfeit occurs after ten minutes from start time and one or both teams are unable to field the minimum of 5 players per team. The forfeit will be recorded in a loss of 0-3. If a forfeit is unavoidable, the forfeiting team may notify Joimo at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled match time; otherwise the team will be charged a $30 fee and cannot play another game till the fee is paid. In case of a forfeit Joimo will do its best to find a replacement team but does not guarantee placement.

Goalkeepers
A goalkeeper is not allowed to intentionally handle the ball with his/her hands if a team-mate has intentionally passed the ball to them with either their feet or directly from a throw-in. A goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball with his/her hands if a teammate passed it to them, in the air or on the ground, by a part of the body other than the foot (i.e., knee, head, shoulder). Players are not allowed to flick the ball up from the ground to themselves, before heading it back to the goalkeeper. This would be deemed as ungentlemanly conduct, and would result in a free kick being awarded. Any free kick awarded within 5 yards of the goal, will be moved at least 5 yards from the goal. Judgment of placement will be determined by the referee. Additionally, goalkeepers can kick, punt, or throw the ball as far as they like.

Referees
The referee is responsible for enforcing the "Laws of the Game" and all league rules. All decisions of the referee shall be final. There will be only one referee per game. At the end of each game the referee shall submit the game record and results to the Joimo sports director, including all additional information, such as roster, misconduct, injuries, etc.

Duration of the Game
The game shall be divided up into two equal periods of 25 minutes each. If a match is tied after 50 minutes the match is declared a tie. There will be a 5 minute halftime. Official game time will be held by the referee. No time outs! If a game should be cancelled, for any reason, with more than half of the game already played, the current score is considered to be final. If a game should be cancelled within the first half, for any reason, the game will be considered a bye for both teams.

The Start of Play
The winner of a coin flip decides which team will kick off or what side of the field to start play on. Home team will call the coin flip. Each team must stay in its own half of the field and the defending players must be at least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked. After a goal, the team scored on will kick off. After halftime, the teams change ends and the kickoff will be taken by the opposite team to that which started the game. Kickoffs can go in any direction (forward, backward, or sideways) on first touch. Kickoffs are considered free kicks.

Tie Games
During regular season games, if a game ends in a tie, it is recorded as a tie. However, if it is during the playoffs, both teams will continue playing in a sudden death round (first team to score, wins) for two 5 minute halves.

If teams are still tied after the sudden death rounds, there will be penalty kick face-off. Each team will pick 5 players, which were on the field at the end of the second sudden death round, to kick first. All shootout kicks are worth one point. First kick will be determined by a coin flip, where the coin flip winner can choose to kick or defend first. Once all 5 players have kicked, the team with the most points will be declared the winner. If after 5 kicks the score is still tied, kicks will be made with the remaining players. No player can kick twice until every on their team has gone.

Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the cross bar, whether on the ground or in the air.

Goal Limit
Every game will be limited to a 10 goal differential. Teams can score an unlimited amount of goals, but will be capped out at a 10 goal differential. For example, if the final of a game is 14-2 it will be recorded as 12-2.

Offsides
There will be no offsides!

Fouls and Misconduct
All free kicks are direct, including corner kicks. A free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: (a) dangerous play, (b) deliberately handles the ball with their hands, or (c) tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, (d) making contact with the opponent before touching the ball, (e) obstruction, deliberate act of a player, not in possession of the ball or not attempting to play the ball.

A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above offenses is committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play. Penalty area will be consider 10 feet from the goal and decided upon referee discretion.

Yellow Card
A player is cautioned and given a yellow card if he commits any of the following: (a) unsporting behavior, (b) shows dissent by word or action, (c) persistently infringes the Laws of the Game, (d) delays the restart of the game, (e) fails to stand the required distance for a corner kick or a free kick. After receiving a yellow card player must be substituted. A yellow card will result in a free kick. Two yellow cards in one game will result in a red card.

Red Card
A player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits the following: (a) guilty of serious foul play, (b) guilty of violent conduct, (c) spits on an opponent or any other person, (d) denies an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity with a foul, (e) uses offensive language, or (f) receives a second caution in the same match, (g) fighting.

1 Red Card is cause for ejection from current game and will have to leave the premises. 2 Red Cards in one season results in ejection from league, no refund. Fighting or responding to a fight in a violent manner will almost always result in ejection from league, no refund.

Rules are subject to review and change by Joimo sports directors following incidences.

Free Kick
Free kicks are classified direct and require a referee's whistle to continue play. For all free kicks the defending team must be at least 5 yards from the ball or the goal line until the ball is kicked. Any player who commits encroachment (this includes jumping towards the ball and/or sticking your leg towards the ball) will be given a warning and if the player still continues they may receive a yellow card.

Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is a free kick taken at the penalty mark. All players except the player taking the kick and the goalkeeper must stay outside the penalty area and be at least 10 yards from the ball (hence the arc at the edge of the penalty area). The goalie in goal at the time of the foul must face the kick.

Throw In
When the ball has wholly crossed the touchline, it is put back into play by a throw-in from the spot where it went out and by a player from the opposite team to the player who last touched it. The player taking throw in must have both feet on the ground. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. A goalkeeper is not allowed to intentionally handle the ball with his/her hands if their player throws it to them.

Goal Kick
When the ball has wholly crossed the goal line after being last touched by a player from the attacking team, it is put back into play by a kick from the goal area by the defending team.

Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play when (a) it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline, whether on the ground or in the air, or (b) when the game has been stopped by the referee. The ball is in play at all other times.

Corner Kick
When the ball has wholly crossed the goal line after being last touched by a player from the defending team, it is put back into play by a kick by the attacking team from the corner on the side the ball went out.

Field Supervision
Joimo will provide nets, referees, and size 5 soccer balls. If games are canceled due to weather or reasons outside of Joimo's control, Joimo will attempt to reschedule. However there is no guarantee that games will be rescheduled and no refunds will be made.

Playoff Eligibility
At the end of each regular season the top 4 teams will advance to the playoffs. The rankings will be determined by the following point system:

* Win = 3 points
* Tie = 1 point
* Loss = 0 points

Teams that have the same Average Points Per Game are further ranked by the following tiebreaker system:

1. Head-to-Head Games
2. Goal Differential
3. Goals Scored
4. Shutouts
5. Coin Toss

Contact Information

Phone Number: (614) GO-JOIMO
Email Address: info@joimo.com

Past Championships

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