Health and Safety Protocols 

• We have added hand sanitizer stations that participants must use prior to play. Participants are also encouraged to bring and use their own hand sanitizer regularly throughout the game. 
• Players must complete a COVID-19 self-assessment prior to participation. 
• Players must maintain a physical distance of 2 meters from others before, during and after all activities. This includes but is not limited to arriving at your playing area, sitting on the bench/sidelines and departing from the facilities.   
• Sport specific rules may indicate different physical distancing measures taken on the playing surface, please review those rules.  
• Players must stay within their designated bench or standing area while not on the playing surface   
• Post-game handshakes are prohibited until further notice. Verbal cheers, however, are encouraged!  
• We ask that players come ready to play each game and must leave immediately after their game.  
• We ask that players arrive with water bottles filled and remind you that absolutely no food is permitted at the game-site.   
• Players/Participants should avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth 
• Players/Participants are to be mindful and must abstain from spitting  

Team Safety Ambassadors 
Team Safety Ambassador Guidelines  

• All teams must assign a Team Safety Ambassador (TSA) for the season.  
• The TSA must be a registered player.  
• Teams must select their team safety ambassadors and they must be confirmed prior to the start of their first game by the league supervisors. Failure to comply may result in suspension.  
• The role of the TSA  
  • ​Double check that the team’s attendance as indicated on the game sheet is accurate for each game. This record may be called upon by Ottawa Public Health for contact tracing.   
  • Ensure that participants have completed their COVID-19 self-assessment.   
  • Ask players to leave the game if they arrive presenting with cold of flu symptoms.  
  • Ensure physical distancing measures are enforced by their team. Physical distancing measures are mandatory when players are arriving on-site, playing the sport, resting, sitting on the sidelines and departing from the game.  
  • Sport specific rules may change physical distancing requirements on the playing surface.  

  • Remind all players to arrive on time and leave immediately after their game is over.  

  • Ensure that their team is following any verbal directions set forth by league supervisors, referees and management on site.   

  • Ensure all players have read and understand the following:   

    • ​Safe Return to Play Guidelines  (this document)  

    • COVID-19 self-assessment tool.

League & Sport Rule Modifications 

Due to COVID-19, some changes have been made to rules for the Fall 2020 season. These rule modifications supersede any previous rules or requirements set forth in the league and sport general rule guidelines: 

• Soccer Leagues will be 7v7. There are no offerings for 11v11 Leagues for 2020-2021. Rosters will be capped at 12 players per team. Leagues will operate in tiers of 4 teams per league. 
• Players can arrive to Lees Campus 5 minutes prior to their game, however, will not be permitted entry until the start of the hour, once the Dome has been fully vacated and high-touch areas as well as equipment have been sanitized. Players should enter the dome fully kitted and ready to play.  
• Games will have a 5 minute warm-up, two twenty-two minute halves, and a one-minute halftime. There will be no injury time added or game extensions if a game starts late.  
• Games will be held on the east and west fields. There will be no games on the centre field. Players are asked to stay off the centre field (including for warm-ups) as it must remain idle.  
• Absolutely no spitting will be permitted. Spitting will result in immediate dismissal from a game and potentially further league disciplinary action.  
• On corner kicks, any intentional touching with hands, arms or grabbing will be cautioned. 
• Players are asked to refrain from touching the goalpost or the ball with their hands. Between games both the posts and the balls will be sanitized by staff. 
• Goalkeepers will be required to sanitize their gloves before the game. Referees will provide the sanitizer for the keepers. 
• Participants should not congregate in parking areas, or public areas before or after soccer related activities. 
• Participants shall limit all physical contact outside the normal parameters of recreational soccer (i.e. handshakes or high fives will not be permitted). 
• Participants must use individual water bottles – the sharing of water bottles is prohibited. Players must fill their water bottles up before arrival and must not leave them on the sidelines for staff to pick up.  
• Spectators or non-players will not be allowed inside the dome. 
• Huddling or gathering in close quarters before, during or after the game will not be permitted.  

1. Laws of the game

1.1. The referees apply the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rules.

1.2. Sports Services has introduced a number of special rules to better comply with the philosophy and objectives of its intramural programs:

2. Team/Player Eligibility

2.1. All participating players must be registered with the intramural department in order to be eligible to play.

2.2. A piece of identification and the team's t-shirts are required at each game to gain access to the field.

2.3 Equipment

2.3.1. The intramural program will distribute up to 15 t-shirts of the same dominant color to team captains at the mandatory captains' meeting. These shirts are to be worn during EVERY game. The captain is responsible for distributing the t-shirts to his/her teammates.
2.3.2.  Upon the referee’s discretion any players, after the minimum required players, may have a shirt other than the intramural shirt that is of the same colour as their team’s intramural shirt.
2.3.3. Individuals are responsible for providing all other required equipment: shoes, socks, shorts, etc.
2.3.4. Players must remove all jewelry before entering the field of play. This includes electronic fitness devices such as the ‘Fitbit’ bracelet.
2.3.5. Jeans, flip-flops, boots or any other equipment that the referee deems unsafe for the participants are not allowed on the field.
2.3.6. Shin guards are optional, but recommended for the safety of the participants. Cleats are prohibited for any indoor soccer game.
2.3.7. Metal cleats are not allowed. Regular cleats are prohibited for any indoor (gymnasium) soccer game.

3. Minimum Players Required

3.1. A minimum number of players is required in order to be eligible to start the game.

3.2. 11 a-side game (Matt Anthony Field and Gee-Gees Field):

3.2.1. For men’s and women’s leagues, a match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players on the field with their intramural shirt, including a goal keeper.
3.2.2. For co-ed leagues, a match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players on the field with their intramural shirt, including a goal keeper, three of whom must be female.

3.3. 7 a-side game (Lees Dome):

3.3.1. For men’s and women’s leagues, a match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than five players on the field with their Intramural shirt, including a goal keeper to start a game.

3.3.2. For co-ed leagues, a match may not start or continue if either team had fewer than five players on the field with their Intramural shirt, including a goal keeper to start a game, two of whom must be must be female.

3.4. 5 a-side game (Montpetit and Lees Gymnasium):

3.4.1. For men’s and women’s leagues, a match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than four players on the field with their Intramural shirt, including a goal keeper.
3.4.2. For co-ed leagues, a match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than four players on the field with their Intramural shirt, including a goal keeper to start a game, two of whom must be must be female.

3.5. Should a female player become injured during the game and be no longer able to continue play, causing the team to fall below the minimum required of players; the team may play one player down to a minimum of 4 players (5 a-side league) or 5 players (7 a-side league) or 7 players (11 a-side league) on the field.

4. Game Format

4.1. Games are 44 minutes in length, divided into a 5 minute warm-up, two 22 minute halves and a 1 minute halftime. If, for any reason, the game should begin late, time will not be added to the game.

4.2. Tie Game

4.2.1. No game shall end in a tie. Penalty kicks will occur at the end of regulation time with 3 players from each team alternately attempting a penalty kick in the first round. Players must be on the field of play at the conclusion of the game to be eligible to attempt a penalty kick. The team with most goals after 3 kicks shall be declared the winner.
4.2.2. If the game is still tied, additional penalty kicks shall be attempted, alternately by members of the two teams who have yet to attempt a penalty kick until one team has more goals than the other after each team has attempted an equal number of penalty kicks. Players cannot attempt to score twice, unless all eligible players have participated. Players who are penalized at the end of the regulation time are not eligible to participate.

5. Rules Governing Play

5.1. Referee

5.1.1. Decisions will be made to the best of the referee’s ability according to the Laws of the Game and the ‘spirit of the game’ and will be based on the opinion of the referee who has discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game and the Intramural Soccer Rules.
5.1.2. The referee has the authority to take disciplinary action from entering the field of play until leaving the field of play after the match ends (including kicks from the penalty mark). If, before the start of a match, a player commits a sending-off offence, the referee has the authority to prevent the player taking part in the match.

5.2. General Rules

5.2.1. Kick-ins are indirect.
5.2.2. If the ball contacts the ceiling or other obstacles, play resumes with an indirect free kick for the opposing team from the touch line parallel to the point of contact with the ceiling.
5.2.3. A player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area/bench area.

5.3. Required distance

5.3.1. 11 a-side leagues (Matt Anthony Field and Gee-Gees Field):

5.3.1.1. The required distance on any free kick for the opponents is 10 yards (9.15 meters) from the ball.
5.3.1.2. The required distance on throw-ins is 2 meters.

5.3.2. 7 a-side leagues (Lees Dome):

5.3.2.1. The required distance on any free kick for the opponents is 6 yards (5.5 meters) from the ball.
5.3.2.2. The required distance on kick-ins is 3 meters.

5.3.3. 5 a-side leagues (Montpetit and Lees Gymnasium)

5.3.3.1. The required distance on any free kick for the opponents is 4 yards (3.7 meters) from the ball.
5.3.3.2. The required distance on kick-ins is 3 meters.

5.4. Substitutions

5.4.1. 11 a-side leagues (Matt-Anthony Field and Gee-Gees Field):

5.4.1.1. There is no limit to the number of substitutions during a game, but a substitution can only be made during (any) stoppage in play, and only at the referee’s discretion.

5.4.2. 7 a-side leagues (Lees Dome):

5.4.2.1. There is no limit to the number of substitutions during a game, but a substitution can only be made during (any) stoppage in play, and only at the referee’s discretion.

5.4.3. 5 a-side leagues (Montpetit and Lees Gymnasium):

5.4.3.1. During the game, unlimited “on-the-fly” substitutions are permitted at any time for field players provided that both the following two conditions are satisfied.
5.4.3.2. The player(s) leaving the field must be within his team’s substitution zone, one meters from the player’s own bench area, or off the field in the bench area. Players being substituted may not leave the field outside of the substitution zone unless instructed to do so by the referee.
5.4.3.3. Neither players entering the field nor players departing the field may participate in play when they are simultaneously on the field.
5.4.3.4. Goalkeepers cannot change on the fly. In order for a goalkeeper to make a substitution, the authorization of the referee and a stoppage in play is needed

5.5. Offsides

5.5.1. 11 a-side leagues (Matt Anthony Field and Gee-Gees Field)

5.5.1.1. Offsides are in effect. A player is in an offside position if he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent.
5.5.1.2. An offside offence will be called if in the opinion of the referee a player in an offside position is interfering with play, interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage by being in that position. The play will be restarted by an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

5.5.2. 7 a-side leagues (Lees Dome) and 5 a-side leagues (Montpetit and Lees Gymnasium):

5.5.2.1. There shall be no offside offence in 7 a-side and 5 a-side leagues.

5.6. Sliding Tackle

5.6.1. Absolutely NO sliding allowed by any player (including the goalkeeper).
5.6.2. Slide tackling is defined as a tackle in soccer in which a player attempts to disrupt the play, or take possession of the ball away from an opposing player by deliberately leaving his/her feet and sliding along the ground with one leg or both legs extended to block or push the ball away from the opposing player. The slide tackle is committed against an opponent within playing distance.
5.6.3. The fact that contact with the ball was made first does not mean that the tackle is legal.
5.6.4. A player may slide to block a shot or save a ball from going out of bounds, providing he/she is not near any other player (his team or opposing team). This decision is based on the referee’s discretion.
5.6.5. Sanctions

5.6.5.1. A direct free kick will be awarded to the opposing team. The infringement may result in a caution (yellow card) or dismissal (red card) for the offending player at the discretion of the referee, depending on the gravity of the infraction.
5.6.5.2. A caution (yellow card) is to be awarded for dangerous play if the tackle would have been deemed careless under FIFA regulations.
5.6.5.3. A red card (dismissal) will be awarded if the tackle is considered reckless or with excessive force under FIFA regulations.

5.6.6. Goalkeeper

5.6.6.1.The goalkeeper may slide hands first to make or attempt a save while inside the goal area. Once the goalkeeper leave the goal area, he is subject to the same rules as fielded players.
5.6.6.2. If the goal keeper slide tackles a player feet first, an indirect free kick is to be awarded if the tackle would have been deemed legal under FIFA regulations.
5.6.6.3. A caution (yellow card) is to be awarded for dangerous play if the tackle is considered careless under FIFA regulations. The play is restarted with a penalty kick if the offence occurred in the penalty area.
5.6.6.4. A red card (dismissal) is to be awarded if the tackle is considered reckless or with excessive force under FIFA regulations. The play is restarted with a penalty kick if the offence occurred in the penalty area.

5.7. Power Play

5.7.1. A player receiving a yellow card will serve a 2 minute penalty while his team plays a player short for the duration of the penalty or a goal against.
5.7.2. A player receiving a red card will be ejected from the match while his team plays a man short for 5 minutes despite the number of goals against.

5.7.2.1. Exemption: on 11 a-side games, the team who’s player is sent off will play a player short for the rest of the game.

5.7.3. A goalkeeper receiving a yellow card does not have to serve a 2 minute penalty, he may stay on the field. However, one of his teammate must serve the 2 minutes penalty for him.
5.7.4. A player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area.
5.7.5. A team can never play below the minimum required of players. For instance, on a 7 vs 7 league, a team can never play under 5 players. If a player receives a card while his team is playing shorthanded and has already reach the minimum required of players, he must leave the court and wait for any preceding penalties to finish before his time will begin. However, if the team fall below the minimum required of player because of a sent off offence (red card), the game is over.
5.7.6. If a card is handed out to both teams on the same play, the teams will play four on four. If a team scores a goal before the end of the penalty, the two teams will still play four on four until the end of the penalty.

6. Defaults

6.1. Teams losing by default must pay a $20 performance-bond penalty, which is to be paid at the Montpetit or Minto Sports Complex Client Services Desk before the next scheduled game. If a team fails to follow this, that team will be suspended until further notice and will incur further performance bond penalties for each subsequent game defaulted. For more information please see the Performance Bond section in the Intramural Guide.

6.2. A default takes place if, after a 5 minute warm-up and 5 minute grace period, one of the two teams

1. has fewer than 4 players on the field or if one of the players on the field is not wearing the intramural t-shirt;
2. has fewer than 2 female athletes on the field;

6.3. A default can also take place if, for any reason, a team can no longer provide the minimum number of players required by their league regulation.

6.4. If the defaulting team’s captain has given due notice (3 working days before the game) to the League Coordinator, the team having won by default may use the field to practice, or to play a friendly game.

6.5. In the event of a default, the recorded score will be 3-0 in favour of the team with the appropriate number and composition of player

6.6. The referees will stay to officiate a friendly game if at least 14 players are present.

7. Standings

7.1. Standings are decided according to the team's winning percentage (matches played / matches won).

7.2. If there is a tie in the standings at the end of the regular season, the team with the greatest point differential (goals for - goals against) will finish first.

7.3. If a tie remains after looking at the greatest point differential, the team who won the head-to-head game between the teams involved will be declared the winner.

7.4. In the case of a three-way tie, the team with the greatest point differential between only the 3 teams involved will be declared the winner. The winner of the remaining 2 games will then be decided by head-to-head results.