Starting the game
The referee will conduct a coin toss. The winner will select offense or defense.  The game will begin with a kick off by the offense. At the moment of the kick off all players must be in their team’s half of the field and all defenders must be at least 10 yards from the ball.  After the ball is kicked, the kicker may not play the ball again until it is touched by any other player.

Substitutions
Teams will be allowed to substitute players at any play stoppage (ball out of bounds, goal scored, injury time out, foul, official's time out etc.).

Equipment
Standard athletic apparel is required. No metal cleats, players may wear molded rubber cleats only. We highly recommend that all players wear approved shin and mouth guards. Players are not permitted to wear jewelry. At the discretion of the IM official and/or supervisor, players may be asked to remove clothing or accessories that may be dangerous to him/herself or competitors.

Throw Ins
A throw-in shall be awarded to a team when the opposing team last plays or touches the ball before the entire ball passes beyond the sideline.

Offsides
There will be no offside penalties.

Slide Tackling
Prohibited in all IM Soccer leagues.

Free Kicks (Direct)
All free kicks are taken from the spot of the foul. Defensive team must be at least 10 yards from the ball.

Direct free kicks are awarded for the following offenses:

a) Spitting, kicking, striking, attempting to kick or strike, or jumping at an opponent.

b) Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent.

c) Goalkeepers striking, pushing or attempting to strike or push opponents.

d) Intentionally handling the ball by players other than the goalkeeper.

e) Pushing an opponent with hands or arms extended from the body.

f) Holding or placing hands on an opponent in an attempt to reach the ball.

g) Any player charging an opponent at any time

Playoffs
Teams will not be allowed to add any new players to their rosters for the playoffs. In order to be eligible for the playoffs, a player must have participated in at least one regular season game.

Tie games in playoff
If a playoff game is tied after regulation time, the following procedure will take effect:

• There will be a 5-minute sudden death overtime period.
• If the game is still tied, there will be a five-player shootout.
• Each team will name 5 players to take one penalty kick each
• If after five kicks a winner still hasn't been determined, teams will take alternating penalty kicks until a winner is determined.

Rainouts/rescheduling
Games will be rescheduled, time and weather permitting. Games may be moved inside the Pitt Center, space permitting. Team captains will be emailed if the games are cancelled and a notice will be posted on the IM website. Team members should call their captains with weather questions.