BWSL

Broward Women's Soccer League

Summer 7 vs. 7

Game Rules

(Revised 4/21/08)

Number of Players

Teams can have a maximum of 15 players on their roster. The minimum number of players on the field is 5.  Registered League players can participate on other teams if that team is short players.

Substitutions

Teams may have unlimited substitutions during the course of a game.  However, players may only enter and/or leave the field on a dead ball. Absolutely NO Substitutions will be permitted "on the fly".   Also, NO substitutions are allowed on indirect/direct kicks awarded as a result of a foul (except if permitted by the referee).  Ultimately, the referee must approve all players entering and leaving the field of play.

Players' Equipment

SHIN-GUARDS ARE MANDATORY and must be completely covered by socks at all times.  All players that are on the pitch (sideline included) must wear shin-guards.

Game Duration

Games consists of two thirty (30) minute halves. Half-time is 10 minutes. 

Fouls & Free Kicks

There are NO off-sides.  NO slide tackling is permitted at any time.  All other direct and indirect fouls apply. Opposing players must remain at least 15 feet from the ball during a free kick. Once the referee signals for play to continue, the kicker has five (5) seconds to play the ball or else the referee has the option to reward possession of the ball to the opposing team (in the form of an indirect free kick).  Offensive indirect kicks are always to be taken outside of the goal area.  If a foul occurs INSIDE of the goal area - the placement of the kick is to be left to the discretion of the referee.  At ALL times, decisions made by the referee are final. 

Goalkeepers

A goal keeper, having control of the ball in hands, and having released it from her hands to be played, either by self or a teammate, shall not handle the ball again until it has been touched by an opponent, or a stoppage of play occurs. 

Keepers may not handle the ball if passed directly to them by a teammate (unintentional deflections and headers are considered INDIRECT passes -- THROW-INS are considered DIRECT passes).  The punishment for a keeper failing to follow this rule is an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

Once the keeper has control of the ball she has five (5) seconds to put the ball back into play. Failure to do so will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team. 

Keepers may not throw, punt, or drop kick the ball in the air over midfield line.

Keepers may not play throw-ins with their hands.  

Penalty Kicks

If a stationary penalty kick (direct kick) is to be taken (at the top of the penalty box), all players except the kicker and the opposing goalkeeper must stand outside the top of the penalty area, 15 feet away from the kicker. Players are not permitted on either side of the penalty area. 

On indirect kicks players must remain 15 feet from the ball.  Referees have the right to issue a yellow card to any player the referee feels is intentionally slowing down the flow of the game by not providing the mandatory 15 feet. No substitutions are permitted during any penalty kicks (EXCEPT for injuries and are still subject to the referee's discretion).

Throw-Ins

The five (5) second rule also applies to throw-ins.  The opposing team will regain possession after a five (5) second infraction. Keepers may not receive throw-ins with their hands unless the ball was thrown in by the opposing team.

Goal Kicks

The five (5) second rule does not apply to goal kicks. Goal kicks may not cross the midfield line in the air. Goal kicks are taken 1 yard off the end line, anywhere inside the penalty area (One step off goal line).

Corner Kicks

Corner kicks are considered direct kicks. Therefore, goals can be scored directly on corner kicks. Opposing players must be at least 15 feet away and the five (5) second rule applies.