Rules

Players are responsible for knowing each rule.
Please report misapplication of the rules to the League immediately so we can make it right. 
Talk to the Commish or League Office Rules Committee for rule clarifications or suggestions.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction/Ethos
  2. Definition
  3. Game Rules
  4. Roster Rules
  5. Hooligans/Guest Policy
  6. Conduct
  7. Covid-19 Mitigation/Containment
  8. Arbitration/Appeals Process
  9. Points
  10. Promotion and Relegation
  11. Indy Cup Rules

  1. Introduction/Ethos

City Futbol (“CF” and/or “League) is a recreational soccer league whose rules are geared

toward creating fun - and safe - neighborhood soccer!

Rule #1: Don’t be a jerk.

Many of the rules below outline the things NOT to do in the League, but let’s start with the picture of success:

What makes an ideal ICF Player?

An exemplary ICF player will play City Futbol’s version of the world’s game with:

  • Enthusiasm for friendly competition against their neighbors.
  • An attitude of teaching new players the tips, tricks, and love for the game.
  • A welcoming attitude for neighbors from all backgrounds, orientations, religions, and experiences.
  • A willingness to stand up to bullies and jerks…or at least to alert the League when necessary.
  • An eagerness for participating in League initiatives: volunteerism, transit use, social engagement, League and partner activities.
  • Participation in making ICF better for everyone by volunteering for Game Day shifts, League Office/writing/designing/filmmaking/or other volunteer roles.
  • A positive, hyped up evangelization about the League and our goal to make Indy a better place!

Want to know more about the work behind the scenes to make this League happen?

Here’s how we define success for team managers and League Officials:[a]

  1. Definitions
  1. The following defined terms are applicable throughout ICF’s Rules and unless otherwise noted have the meaning noted below:
  2. “Aggressive Behavior” is defined as behavior including, but not necessarily limited to:
  1. Continuous or excessively physical play, including but not limited to:
  1. Excessive use of hands on another player;
  2. Shouldering;
  3. Using excessive/unnecessary speed or force [2019];
  4. Kicks must not be above the waist when other players are present [2018];
  5. Repeated play in a way that demonstrates a lack of regard for the safety of fellow players [2018/2022]; and/or
  6. any other unnecessary physical contact.
  1. Cursing AT (you’re going to have a hard time in ICF if you can’t tell the difference between cursing and cursing AT someone) teammates, referees, volunteers, League officials, guests, fans, etc.
  2. Harassment of referees, League officials, volunteers, or anyone else within a 5 mile radius of Kuntz Stadium, etc.
  3. Arguing about rules with the Rules Committee, other League officials, and/or the referees.
  4. Escalating tensions or starting fights.
  5. Excessive celebrations—especially when your team is up by multiple goals.
  1. “Guest” is defined as any non-League registered attendee of an ICF match or event.
  2. “Player” is defined as any League registered player, on either the playing roster or the non-playing playing roster.

  1. Game Rules
  1. All games are scheduled for Thursdays at 6:30 and 7:30pm at Kuntz Soccer Stadium.
  2. ALL FIFA LAWS APPLY (which can be found here), WITH THESE EXCEPTIONS:
  1. Games will consist of two equal halves of 26 minutes with a 2-minute intermission. [2021 - added 2 minutes per half].
  2. Teams should be at the field 15 minutes prior to the start of their game.  
  3. Teams forfeit games if they do not have 6 players by 10 minutes into game time.
  4. Games canceled due to excessive rain or severe weather which may or may not be rescheduled at the discretion of the League Office pursuant to availability of facilities. Decisions to cancel games are no longer at the sole discretion of the League but instead by the Indy Parks facility manager. The League will notify captains of any decision by 5:15 pm before kick-offs. Refunds are not given for canceled games [2019].
  5. Games are 8 on 8. Each team will field a team of 7 players and 1 goalkeeper (clearly delineated with a different-colored shirt).
  6. Only managers are allowed to speak to referees during game play. [2018]
  7. Goalkeepers are not permitted to punt or drop kick the ball.
  8. Goalkeepers may only throw, roll, or pass the ball from the ground. [2019]
  9. A field player cannot challenge the goalie once he has obtained possession of the ball or played the ball.
  10. On goal kicks, the other team's players must retreat behind midfield. If a player is caught on the offensive side of midfield, the goalkeeper does not need to take the goal kick until the player retreats. [2019] Once the ball is touched, normal play resumes. If the team with the goal kick wants to kick the ball before the other team reaches midfield, they may, however this allows the opposing team to challenge without retreating behind midfield.
  11. Field size is reduced from the standard recommended dimensions to 110ft by 220ft (approximately 36 yd x 73 yd).
  12. Size of the goals are reduced from standard size to 6.5' x 18'.
  13. The Penalty Box will be: x .
  14. Penalty kicks will be taken 10 yards from the goal.
  15. There will only be indirect kicks from free kicks.
  1. An indirect kick must be passed at least five yards before a shot can be attempted.
  1. Unlimited substitutions can be made at will during stoppages. Substitutions will be made from midfield, and can be made “hockey-style” during play, so long as it does not give that team an advantage or interfere with play.
  2. Off-sides penalty is not enforced except in egregious situations.  See the cherry-picking rules.
  3. Players are expected to be courteous, appreciate the recreational nature of the game and officiate themselves to the best of their ability.
  4. ‘You kick it you get it.’ The player that kicks the ball past the end line or sideline is responsible for its retrieval.
  5. Referees are encouraged to call a delay of game penalty due to teams and/or players intentionally retrieving a ball in a manner designed to reduce the amount of time the ball is in play.
  1. A delay of game penalty will award the other team an indirect free kick from the spot the ball went out of play on the sideline. If the ball went out of play on the end line, the team will be awarded a corner.
  2. To mitigate the impact of chasing balls delaying games, extra balls will be made available by the League and/or both teams to resume play while the player retrieves the lost ball.
  1. Game officials will address both teams before the first week’s match to go over the League rules and to ensure that all players are officially on the roster. A pre-match handshake will happen before each match. After the first week, the pre-match meeting will only have to be with the managers, but the handshake should happen each week.
  2. Cleats and shin guards are encouraged but not mandatory.
  3. While close instances of offsides are not called, players who are consistently and/or significantly behind the defense will be called for cherry-picking. If the team gains an advantage on the play, it is considered cherry-picking. [2019]
  4. Slide tackling is not permitted.  Players must remain on their feet when challenging for a ball. Players are not allowed to play the ball if they are on the ground and playing the ball would endanger other players. [2019]
  5. Teams are responsible for choosing the match ball. If there is no agreement regarding using a ball supplied by the teams, the referee or the team managers will select one of the balls supplied by the League. [2022]
  6. Prior to issuing a yellow card, a referee will issue a warning to a player. That warning will also require a player to remove himself from play for 5 minutes.
  7. An individual who receives a yellow card is required to have a conversation with the Commissioner and/or Vice Commissioner before returning to play [2019].
  1. Two yellow cards = an automatic red card.
  2.  Individuals who receive a red card will not be allowed to play the next game and the team will play one same-sexed player down (i.e. if a female is ejected, the team will play a female down...or vice versa) for the remainder of the current game.
  3. Two red cards will be cause for automatic ejection from the League.
  1. Most importantly: HAVE FUN!

  1. Roster Rules
  1. Games are 8 vs 8. Each team will field a team of 7 players and 1 goalkeeper (clearly delineated with a different-colored shirt).
  2. A team must have at least 6 players by 10 minutes after game time to avoid a forfeit. In the case of a forfeit, teams can still play a friendly, but for the purpose of official records it will be recorded as a loss.
  3. Each team must have at least 2 members of the opposite sex on the field during play. If a team only has 1 member of the opposite sex then they can only field 7 players (6 of one sex and 1 of the minority sex). If a team has no members of the opposite sex, it is a forfeit.
  4. Each team must have at least 12 registered players and up to 20. The League has the authority to allow for special circumstances regarding team make-up and partial registrations. [2019]
  5. No player is permitted to play unless they have signed the Hold Harmless Waiver, the Don’t Be a Jerk Waiver, submitted their COVID-19 vaccination card, and paid the registration fee fully. Discovery of an unregistered player will result in the forfeiture of the game and red card for the team manager.
  6. Keeping with the intent of the community organizing origins of the League, each team is allowed only 8 non-neighborhood residents on their roster.  The League may make exceptions in extenuating circumstances.
  7. All teams have a team manager; if that manager does not live in the neighborhood for their team, their goal is to recruit one who is for the following year.  These individuals will be responsible for ensuring team compliance of all League rules, and are the only players eligible to resolve team conflicts with the refs and with the League. Managers will also be responsible for submitting game reports. [2019]
  8. Rolling registrations close after Week 9. Prior to Week 9, managers must mutually agree to team rosters prior to the beginning of the match.
  9. Unrostered Subs
  1. In order to meet player requirements for a game to be played, registered players from other teams may fill in to achieve a full on-field team.
  2. The manager from the opposing team, or from both teams if both teams are using fill-ins, must agree to allow any unrostered subs prior to kickoff.
  3. Un-rostered subs may only be used to reach the 8 player mark or the minimum sex requirement. [2022]
  4. Un-rostered subs shall not be used for additional subs (i.e. no ringers).
  5. Un-rostered subs will not be allowed after Week 9. After Week 9, if the minimum 6 player and 1 of each sex requirement cannot be met, the team(s) will forfeit the game.

  1. Hooligans/Guest Policy
  1. Guests and Players must observe all Indy Parks’ rules.
  2. Guests must also observe all ICF Rules, including the League’s COVID19 mitigation and containment processes.
  3. The Player and team any Guest is visiting/attending in support of is fully responsible for that Guest’s behavior, which can result in the same discipline for the team as on-field (cards, penalties, ejections, etc.) by either the referee or League Officials.
  4. Furry Guests are allowed inside Kuntz Soccer Stadium as long as they are leashed and with a human at all times.

  1. Conduct
  1. DON’T BE A JERK.
  2. This is a recreational experience meant for enjoyment, and for making your city a better place.
  3. Jerks will not be tolerated, and will be ruthlessly curated out of this invitation-only League.
  4. A non-exhaustive list of some things that make you a jerk:
  1. Endangering teammates, referees, volunteers, and League officials by:
  1. Bringing weapons of any kind to League games or functions
  2. Overly physical play.
  1. Aggressive Behavior;
  2. Inappropriate social media behavior.
  3. Complaining about yellow-cards. We’ll do our best to set wrongs right. That’s easier to do when Players and Guests aren’t yelling.
  4. Endangering neighbors by violating the League, City, or County COVID-19 mitigation plans.
  5. Making games less fun by:
  1. Any or all of the above.
  2. Cherry-picking.
  3. Kicking a ball out of bounds without retrieving it.
  4. Intentionally time-wasting.
  5. Directing chatter at other players, League officials, or referees.
  1. Serious trash talking, taunting, and/or cursing at other Players, Guests, referees, League officials, or volunteers is not tolerated and will result in a player’s immediate removal from the game [2019].
  1. Need a rule of thumb? Ask yourself: am I making this experience better or worse for the players, refs, League officials, and/or neighbors around me?
  2. Is something wrong? Tell your manager. Or check yourself out of the game and come tell us so we can make it right.
  3. Please don’t escalate or tweet it if you haven’t yet tried letting us know.
  1. Health and Safety
  1. As part of our ethos of caring for your neighbors, every ICF Player and Guest will do their part to reduce the risks of injuring their fellow players, Hooligans, and Guests.  If we’re going to play soccer together, we sure as hell are going to be the safest League in town to do so.
  2. Concussion Policy
  1. In the event of a suspected head injury, the referee will ask the player to remove themselves from play, until a League Official designated to administer a concussion test can determine whether the player needs additional assessment or is cleared to play.
  1. COVID 19 Mitigation Policy
  1. Since the easiest way to protect your neighbors is to get vaccinated, COVID-19 vaccinations are required to play in ICF, or to visit the stadium as a guest.
  2. The League may implement additional precautions in response to changing conditions in Indiana, as advised by our team of epidemiologists, researchers, and doctors.
  3. Players and guests this year will check in with the Indy Eleven app, and names/vaccination status will be checked against the League’s internal database.
  4. Violation of COVID-19 mitigation/containment steps is cause for an immediate red card and/or ejection from the stadium and from the League.
  5. Harassing volunteers for implementing these rules procedures is also cause for an immediate red card and/or ejection from the stadium and from the League.
  1. COVID-19 Containment Policy [2022]
  1. In order to prevent or contain the spread of any COVID-19 infection/exposure within ICF; the following protocols apply:
  2. Confirmed Positive Test and/or Symptoms
  1.  If a Player/Guest tests positive for COVID-19, that Player/Guest must immediately inform their team manager if they test positive and/or develop symptoms within 48 hours after they attended an ICF match or event. Team managers must immediately contact the Commissioner and/or Vice-Commissioner regarding this development.
  2. Containment Protocol:
  1. A Player/Guest who tests positive and has no symptoms may not attend any ICF events or matches for at least 5 full days after their positive test.
  2. A Player/Guest who tests positive and has no symptoms may not attend any indoor ICF events for 10 days following a positive test.
  3. A Player/Guest who has symptoms may not attend any ICF events or matches for at least 5 full days after they developed symptoms and must have stopped displaying symptoms for at least 24 hours prior to the event/match.
  4. A Player/Guest who has symptoms may not attend any indoor ICF events for 10 days after they developed symptoms and must have stopped displaying symptoms for at least 24 hours prior to the event/match.
  1. Possible Exposure to COVID-19
  1. Regardless of whether a Player/Guest is exposed to someone who tested positive and/or displays symptoms of COVID-19 at an ICF event or match or is exposed at any other time, this protocol applies.
  2. The date of your exposure is considered Day 0. Day 1 is the first full day after your last contact with a person who has had COVID-19.
  3. Close Contacts for ICF Event/Match Exposures
  1. If a Player/Guest that attended a team’s last match tests positive and/or displays symptoms within 48 hours of that match, all members of a team who attended are considered “Close Contacts.”
  1. Players/Guests of the opposing team will only be considered a Close Contact if
  2. Containment Protocol:
  1. A Close Contact Player/Guest must monitor themselves for symptoms for 10 full days following their exposure.
  2. A Close Contact Player/Guest may not attend any ICF match or event unless they have tested negative 5 full days after their exposure.
  3. Close Contact Players/Guests are required to wear a well fitted mask to attend any indoor ICF events.
  1. Protocol for Players/Guests with Previous Confirmed COVID-19
  1. If a Player/Guest has had a confirmed COVID-19 case within the last 90 days of any exposure, the Player/Guest does not need to enter any protocol unless they develop symptoms within 10 days of the exposure.
  1. Arbitration/Appeals Process
  1. In the case of an appeal of an on or off-field judgment, a Player has 48 hours from the incident to request arbitration.
  2. The League will respond and begin the arbitration process within 48 hours of the request.
  3. A Player may trigger Arbitration when:
  1. Any League decision is made and that Player wants to appeal.
  2. Any card has been given and a League official or other Player requests an additional penalty.
  1. Arbitration/Appeals Procedure
  1. Statements (written, audio, or other reasonable format) will be submitted from each of the following:
  1. The “offending” Player;
  2. That “offending” Player’s team manager;
  3. The manager of the opposing team (if applicable);
  4. Any opposing Player, Guest, or other witness who is party to the offense (if applicable); and/or
  5. The referee of record (if applicable)
  1. These statements are presented to an Arbitration committee consisting of:
  1. The “offending” Player’s team manager;
  2. The manager of the opposing team (if applicable);
  3. A designated - and unaffiliated - League official; and
  4. The Vice Commissioner in the city of the offense.
  1. The Arbitration committee will vote to either sustain, increase, reduce, or entirely overturn the penalty. The Arbitration Committee can choose to attach a statement to their vote.
  2. If a Player is unhappy with the decision of the Arbitration Committee, the Player may lodge a final appeal to the Commissioner, who may elevate or reduce penalties at will.
  1. If the Commissioner is involved in the matter subject to the Arbitration/Appeal, the decision will be reviewed by a Commissioner of a separate City or a separate committee of 3 unaffiliated League officials.
  2. In either case, the decision rendered after this final appeal is final.

  1. Points
  1. Match Points
  1. Teams will receive 3 points for a victory, 1 point for a tie, 0 for a loss.
  2. There are no overtime periods or shootouts for regular season games [2019].  
  3. At the conclusion of each game the game official will note the game result and the score and relay this to the League.
  1. ICF Points
  1. Teams may earn additional points by using responsible transport (carpooling, bikes, public transit, etc.), by volunteering during team volunteer events, attending official after parties, ICF challenges, and various other activities.
  2. “Official Volunteer Opportunities” will be publicly posted by the League and participation reported by team managers.
  3. Managers may request their neighborhood's volunteer events qualify as official opportunities to earn additional points.
  4. Players earn 2x volunteer points for Official Volunteer Opportunities.
  5. 1 ICF Point is equivalent to .00317 Match Points [2021]
  6. Teams will be capped at 3 soccer points for each category (Volunteer, Transit, Social) for a maximum of 9 ICF Soccer Points.
  7. Individuals report their mode of transit to their manager, who reports for the team.  
  8. Any additional engagement points MUST be reported by noon the Thursday after they were earned. No exceptions. Managers should submit these points to the League.
  1. Hooligames Points
  1. Hooligames will consist of several games/game nights throughout the season that will allow teams to earn an additional 3 soccer points towards their end of season tally.
  2. Hooligames points will be awarded based on the final standings of the Hooligames at the end of the season. The first place team in Hooligames will be awarded three (3) soccer points, the second place team two (2) soccer points, and the third place team one (1) soccer points.
  1. Promotion and Relegation
  1. League Play
  1. There will be two leagues, styled as League 1 and League 2.
  2. League 1        
  1. League 1 will consist of 11 regular season games in which a team will play all other teams in League 1, once.
  2. At the end of the regular seasons the bottom 3 teams in League 1 will be relegated to League 2. The 3 relegated teams will be in League 2 for the next season.
  1. League 2        
  1. League 2 will consist of 11 regular season games in which a team will play all other teams in League 2, once.
  2. At the end of the regular seasons the Top 3 teams in League 2 will be promoted to League 1. The 3 promoted teams will be in League 1 for the next season.
  1. Calculation of Standings
  1. The standings used to calculate which teams are promoted and relegated will be based on match points, ICF points, and Hooligames points.
  2. In the event of a tie between two teams on total points, the tie breakers are in the following order:
  1. Head to head record;
  2. Goal differential (Goals for - goals against); and
  3. Managers arm wrestle or other agreed upon feat of strength/skill.

  1. Indy Cup Rules
  1. Overview
  1. Indy Cup is a knockout “cup” style competition similar to the English FA Cup, the German DFB Pokal, and the USA’s Lamar Hunt Open Cup.
  2. The Indy Cup will take place concurrently with the ICF Season, with matchups being determined by random draw after each successive round.
  3. Although Indy Cup matches will be governed by the same gameplay and conduct rules as regular season ICF matches, ICF points will not factor into determining the winner of Indy Cup. The Indy Cup Champion will be determined solely based on the outcome of the matches in the tournament.
  1. Competition Format
  1. All twenty-four ICF teams will compete in the Indy Cup each season.
  2. Indy Cup will consist of fives rounds:
  1. First Round;
  2. Second Round;
  3. Quarter Finals;
  4. Semi-Final; and
  5. Final
  1. All teams will enter in the first round of the draw except for the following 8 teams:
  1. Reigning Indy Cup Champion;
  2. Reigning League 1 Champion
  3. Reigning League 2 Champion
  4. Reigning Transit Winner
  5. Reigning Social Winner
  6. Reigning Volunteer Winner
  7. Reigning Hooligames Winner
  8. Reigning Sportsmanship Winner
  1. After the first round the eight remaining teams will be entered into a random draw along with the eight teams that received a bye in the First Round.
  2. The eight remaining teams after the Second Round will be entered into a randomized draw for the Quarter-Finals. However, this draw will also pair the four sets of Quarter-Finalists into groupings for the Semi-Finals.
  1. Rules Specific to Indy Cup
  1. First and Second Rounds
  1. If a match during the First or Second Rounds is drawn at the end of regulation, the match will immediately go to penalties.
  1. Quarters, Semis, and Final
  1. If a match during the Quarters, Semis, or the Final is drawn at the end of regulation, the teams will play one seven (7) minute period of extra time.
  2. This period of extra time will be played with the “golden goal” rules, meaning that the next goal scored wins the match immediately.
  3. If the match is still drawn, the teams will proceed to penalties.

[a]This feels like something that was supposed to link or lead somewhere else that I don't see in the rules. Perhaps move this elsewhere?