The rules and officiating of soccer are rooted in the philosophy and spirit of the
game. Soccer is played by gentlemen (and gentlewomen). The referee is ALWAYS right.
Dissent is not allowed or tolerated. Unfair or unsportsmanlike advantage is neither sought
nor taken.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
Tigard Soccer Club (TSC) rules dictate that each player must play at
least half of each game. Coaches, however, are permitted to substitute only in certain
situations, including: half time (quarters for younger players), after a goal is scored,
on a goal kick, on their own throw-in, or after an injury (for the injured player).
EQUIPMENT:
All-purpose shoes with square or rectangular cleats are not
permitted. No hard cast is permitted. No jewelry is permitted, including watches,
bracelets, necklaces, hair clips and earrings. If players intend to get their ears
pierced, we suggest that they do so a month before games begin, or after the season is
over.
KICK-OFF:
The kick-off must travel toward the opponent’s goal a distance equal
to the circumference of the ball (about 2 feet) before it is in play. It must then be
played by another player. If the ball is kicked backward, or forward less than about two
feet, then it never went into play and the kick is retaken. If the kicker touches the ball
a second time without another player touching it, then the opposing team is awarded a free
kick.
OUT OF BOUNDS:
The ball is in play unless all of the ball passes beyond all of the
sideline (touchline) or goal line (end line). If the ball is out over the sideline, the
team opposite the last touch throws it in. If the ball is over the goal line and not in
the goal, it is kicked off the ground by the opposing team from the corner if last touched
by a defender, or from the goal area if last touched by an attacker. A corner kick can go
directly into the goal for a score. If the goalie, in possession of the ball, falls or
rolls into the goal carrying all of the ball over all of the goal line, a score results.
If play is stopped for any reason with the ball in play, it is restarted by a drop-ball.
INFRACTIONS:
The conduct infractions are listed elsewhere. "Handling" the
ball prohibits intentionally playing the ball with the hand or arm. Accidental contact is
not an infraction. No player, except the goalie, is allowed to put self or other in danger
of injury; thus the rule against dangerous play. Most calls for dangerous play are the
result of a high kick or a low head. High kick is defined in relation to the other
player’s head, not the kicker’s waist. You can’t kick the ball while you
are on the ground in traffic because you place your head in danger. If, in the judgment of
the referee, the team offended by an infraction has a clear advantage which could lead to
a scoring opportunity, the advantage rule may be invoked with the clear call of
"Advantage - play on!" and a forward sweep of the hands.
FREE KICKS:
The infractions result in free kicks awarded to the offended team. They
are either direct or indirect kicks. On a direct free kick the kicker can put the ball
directly into the goal for a score. On an indirect free kick another player on either team
must touch the ball before it can score. The referee will indicate an indirect free kick
by holding one arm directly overhead. A penalty kick is awarded for a direct free kick
infraction committed by the defense in its own penalty area. This call is determined by
the position of the defending player; the ball need not have advanced into the penalty
area. In Tigard Soccer Club play below the fifth grade level, there are no penalty kicks
and all free kicks are indirect.