7v7 Soccer Rules

I. Governing Rules

The rules of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations will apply in all cases except where a special Oregon State University Intramurals rule applies.

II. Eligibility

All participants must be either students registered at Oregon State University or Faculty/Staff/Affiliate with a Recreational Sports Membership. For more information on eligibility, consult the Intramurals Handbook.

III. Pregame

  • All participants must bring their ID card to check in.
  • Team managers must check in with the Sport Program Associate on duty before each game to verify their team’s roster.
  • Team managers must take part in a meeting with the officials 5 minutes prior to game time.

IV. Uniforms/Equipment

  • No jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc.) is allowed on the field at any time. Players wearing jewelry on the field will receive a yellow card. Players must remove items immediately or leave the game. Appropriate athletic attire must be worn. No exposed hoods on hoodies are allowed.
  • Athletic, closed-toe shoes must be worn. Soccer-appropriate shoes are permitted. No baseball or football cleats. No all-metal cleats are permitted.
  • Shin guards completely covered by socks are required for all players for everyone’s protection.
  • No braces, casts, guards, or supports that may cause other players harm are permitted.
  • No hats are allowed. Players may wear headbands or stocking caps provided they do not contain any hard, unyielding, or stiff material.
  • Team colors must be worn at all times. Teams are responsible for wearing either white or dark shirts depending on the league schedule. Grey shirts are not permitted, as they do not contrast either white or dark shirts.
  • Teams must provide their own game ball. Soccer balls may be checked out from Equipment Issue in the Dixon Recreation Center.

V. Playing Field

  • The playing field will be approximately 80 yards long by 65 yards wide.
  • When playing on a field with football markings, the center “circle” will be a rectangle, 10 yards from midline on either side and extended to the hash marks.
  • Boundary lines are considered part of the playing field. The ball is out of bounds when the entire ball crosses over the outside of the boundary line.
  • Cleats may not be worn on the track surface of Whyte Track. Failure to comply will result in a yellow card.

VI. Game Time

  • The game time listed on the schedule is the official start time.
  • Teams play with seven (7) players on the field, including the goalie. Teams may start with five (5) players; otherwise a forfeit will be awarded to the opposing team.
  • The officials are the official timekeepers of the match.
  • The clock will not stop during the game except for injuries, official timeouts, or unexpected delays in the game.

VII. Playing Time

  • The game consists of two 20-minute halves.
  • There will be a five-minute halftime interval between the first and second half.
  • At kickoff, all players must be on their side of the field and defensive players must be 10 yards away from the ball until it is kicked. The ball may be kicked in any direction to start play.
  • At the completion of the game, each manager must sign the score sheet to validate the score and the individuals who participated.
  • Substitutions must be made through the center of the field.

Time for substitutions

Either team may substitute an unlimited number of players:

  • On a goal kick
  • When a player is injured and attended to on the field
  • When a player from either team is cautioned (yellow card)
  • When the ball has gone past the sideline or end line
  • When a player from either team is disqualified (the disqualified player may not be substituted)
  • The team in possession of the ball may substitute an unlimited number of players during a throw-in or on a corner kick.
  • The team not in possession of the ball may only substitute during a throw-in or corner kick if the team in possession is also substituting. Officials must be notified of substitutions, and players must be beckoned in by an official.
  • Players must report to the officials if they wish to substitute for the goalkeeper.
  • There is no limit on the number of team substitutions.
  • Disqualified players cannot be replaced nor re-enter the game.

VIII. Offside

There is no offside in Intramurals soccer.

IX. Slide Tackling

  • Slide tackling is not allowed and may result in a direct yellow card.
  • Any sliding near any other players will be a foul.
  • Goalkeepers may only slide hand to ball and will be penalized for any slides other than this.

X. Throw-Ins

  • The ball must go completely over and behind the head before it is thrown, and the thrower must use both hands.
  • Both feet must be in contact with the ground and may not touch the field of play before releasing the ball.
  • The ball cannot be dropped; it must be thrown.
  • There should be no twisting of the body. The whole body must face the direction the ball is thrown during the initial throw-in.
  • The throw-in must take place within one yard of the spot where the ball crossed the touchline.
  • Failure to follow the proper throw-in procedure results in a throw-in being awarded to the other team.
  • A player may not score on an untouched throw-in.

XI. Goal Kicks and Corner Kicks

Goal kicks

A goal kick results from the following:

  • The ball crosses completely over the goal line (excluding the portion between the goal posts) either in the air or on the ground and must be last touched or played by the attacking team.
  • A player of the defending team will kick the ball directly into play beyond the penalty area from a point within the goal area.
  • A goal may be scored from a goal kick.
  • A goal kick that is touched by a player before it leaves the penalty box will result in a re-kick.

Corner kicks

A corner kick results from the following:

  • The ball crosses completely over the goal line (excluding the portion between the goal posts) either in the air or on the ground and must be last touched or played by the defending team.
  • A player from the attacking team shall kick the ball from the nearest corner.
  • A goal may be scored from a corner kick.
  • Once the goalie picks up the ball (in play), the goalie has six (6) seconds to put it back into play.
  • The goalie may not pick up the ball when intentionally kicked back by a teammate (the goalie may pick up the ball if the back pass is off a header). The penalty for illegal touching inside the penalty box is a direct free kick taken at the closest spot along the penalty box.

XII. Free Kicks

Direct kicks

  • Awarded to the opposing team for infractions such as tripping, kicking, handling the ball, pushing, holding, dangerous play, handball, charging the goalkeeper, abusive language, etc.
  • A goal may be scored directly against the defending team on a direct free kick.

Indirect kicks

  • There are no indirect kicks in Intramurals soccer.

Penalty kicks

  • Awarded when a foul that ordinarily results in a free kick occurs within the penalty box of the team committing the foul.
  • Penalty kicks will occur at the 12-yard line.

XIII. Drop Ball

The game is restarted with a drop ball

  • When the ball is caused to go out of bounds by two opponents simultaneously
  • When the ball becomes deflated
  • Following a temporary suspension of play for an injury or when no team has clear possession of the ball
  • When simultaneous fouls of the same degree occur by opponents
  • The ball will be dropped at the location where it became dead; on the goalie box line that runs parallel to the goal line when inside the goal area; or 5 yards inside the boundary line if the ball is caused to go out of bounds.
  • The ball will be dropped by the official from waist level between two opposing players and must touch the ground before it is played.
  • If the ball is played before it touches the ground, the official shall drop the ball again.
  • A second violation by the same player on the same drop ball will result in a yellow card to the offending player, and play will restart with a drop ball.

XIV. Tie Breaker Procedures

  • If the game is tied after regulation play, a five (5) minute overtime will be played.
  • There will be a two-minute interval between the end of regulation and overtime.
  • If the game is still tied after overtime, a best-of-five penalty kick shootout will take place.

Penalty kick shootout eligibility

  • Only players on the field at the end of overtime are eligible to participate in the shootout.
  • Everyone, including the goalie, must take a shot before a player can kick a second time.

XV. Conduct

The Intramurals program promotes positive sportsmanship at all contests and activities. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes actions which are unbecoming to an ethical, fair, and honorable individual. It consists of acts of deceit, disrespect, or vulgarity and includes taunting.

  • Teams must have an overall 3.0 sportsmanship rating in order to qualify for playoffs.

XVI. Ejections

Any player ejected from a game will be immediately suspended from participating in all Intramurals activities. The ejected player must then make an appointment with the Coordinator of Intramurals and Sports Coordinator to determine the length of suspension and any other sanctions. Disqualified players cannot be replaced.

Actions that can result in ejection from Intramurals Soccer

  • Improper language
  • Unsporting conduct

Actions that result in immediate ejection from Intramurals Soccer

  • Red card
  • 2nd yellow card

Contact: Sport Programs Office, (541) 737-4083, 111 Dixon Recreation Center
Revised: 9/26/2025