Fouls
General Fouls and Restrictions:
If a player commits any of the following fouls, the referee will penalize that player by awarding a direct free kick to the opposing team.
- Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
- Tripping an opponent.
- Jumping at an opponent.
- Charging an opponent.
- Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
- Striking, elbowing, attempting to strike or elbow, or spitting at an opponent. Spitting calls for immediate ejection.
- Holding an opponent.
- Pushing an opponent.
- Handling the ball.
- Rough play (i.e. playing with the shoulder when the ball is not within playing distance of the players concerned.)
- Obstruction.
- Slide-tackling.
- Cursing an opponent, referee, spectator, or other use of foul language.
Penalties for foul language are at the discretion of the referee, and may include immediate ejection.
Please Note: Due to the widespread restrictions on slide-tackling and the potentially dangerous nature of the tactic in proximity to dasher boards, slide-tackling is not permitted at the St. Francis Indoor Invitational. Referees will use discretion for normal goalkeeper play within the penalty area.
Goalkeeping Restrictions:
If a goalkeeper commits any of the following fouls, play will be stopped and the opposing team will be awarded a direct free kick.
- The handling of an intentional back pass by a teammate’s feet.
- Failure to distribute the ball outside the penalty area (or to another player) within five seconds of gaining control of the ball.
- Handling or carrying the ball with the hands outside the penalty area.
- Illegal procedure – a goalkeeper who receives or carries the ball outside of the penalty area may not handle the ball within the penalty area until it is touched by another player or until play is stopped.
- Striking or throwing the ball at an opposing player, or pushing another player with the ball. If this foul is committed within the penalty area, a penalty kick will be awarded.
Please Note: Penalty kicks will be awarded for fouls committed within the penalty area, depending on their severity and impact upon the offended team.
Yellow Card Penalties
Any player may be given a yellow card for committing any of the offenses listed above. Any severe, blatant, or tactical offense, or persistent infringement upon the rules may merit a yellow card penalty.
Yellow card penalties may also be administered for unsportsmanlike or misconduct by field players, players on the bench, or coaches and other team personnel. The penalty will be noted against a specific player, or the team in general, if the offense was committed by the coach, other bench personnel, or an unidentified team member.
All yellow card issuances will result in a direct free kick given to the opponent.
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