Sport Specific Rules: Click Here
INDOOR SOCCER 5's
JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement
Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.
Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.
Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.
Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.
1. Equipment/Field Set-Up:
Teams are suggested to bring both a light and dark jerseys to each game. Protective Gear - we suggest that shin guards are worn to prevent accidental kicks to the shins, however, they are not mandatory. Cleats are allowed as long as they are not metal.
2. Game Time/Default:
Please arrive 15 minutes early to get ready for your game. Games are 55 minutes in length, consisting of two 25 minute halves with a 5-minute half-time break. Check your online schedule for exact start and end times. KWCJAM representatives will be responsible for keeping time and will signal then start and end of each half. Teams are comprised of 5 players with a minimum of 2 men or gender minority players and 2 women or gender minority players on the field at all times. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad by 15 minutes after the official start time. A team can play with a minimum of 4 people, as long as there is a minimum 1 man or gender minority player and 1 woman or gender minority player playing. Goalkeepers DO count towards the roster minimum.
Games must END ON TIME, regardless of when they start.
3. General Rules:
In general, standard soccer rules apply to all KWCJAM games. Notable exceptions are listed below:
i. Each half starts with one team initiating play by making a pass from the centre of the field. This pass does not have to travel forwards but may not be touched a second time by the kicker until it has contacted another player. Flip a coin or 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who will kick first. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff.
ii. If a ball is kicked out of bounds along the sidelines, a kick-in is awarded to the opposite team. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.
iii. If a ball is kicked out of bounds along the goal line by the offence, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team.
iv. If a ball is kicked out of bounds along the goal line by the defence, a corner kick is awarded to the attacking team. A goal cannot be scored directly from a corner kick.
v. Substitutions can be made on the fly, as long as the player leaves the field prior to the new players taking their place reentering. Substituting a goaltender can only occur during a stoppage in play.
vi. A handball infraction occurs when the ball hits any part of the player's arm, from the SHOULDER down. Players may use their arms to block the ball from hitting their groin area, and women can also use their arms to block the ball from hitting their chest without a handball being called. This rule will reduce the number of stoppages in play. Please don't abuse this rule.
vii. The offending player should call their own infractions, however, any players involved in the incident can also make a call. Players not on the field at the time of any incident cannot make a call at any time.
viii. A game can end in a tie during the regular season. In the playoffs, a game that is tied at the end of regulation time is decided by a shoot-out. Three players on each team (minimum of one man or gender minority shooter and one woman or gender minority shooter) take one shot from the penalty spot (approximately 12 paces). Anyone can shoot, including the goalie. The goalie that finished the game remains the goalie for the shoot-out. After three shots, if still tied, teams continue taking single shots until one team has scored (and the other team does not). The order of shooters must be maintained.
4. Modifications for a self-officiated league:
Since this league will be self-officiated, a few rules have been altered to reduce the potential for discrepancies. Please respect the following rules in order to improve the experience for everyone.
i. Off-sides: There are NO off-sides. However, a strategy of consistently "cherry-picking" is considered to be unsportsmanlike.
ii. All free kicks (including corner kicks) are indirect. To score off an indirect kick, the ball must first be touched by another player (offence or defence). For all free kicks, the defending team must stay at least 10 yards (or paces) away from the ball until it is touched. It is unsportsmanlike to delay the re-start of a game by encroaching on this space. NOTE: if the infraction takes place within 10 yards of the goal line (i.e. in the crease), the ball should be placed approximately 10 yards out from the goal line (i.e. not at the spot of the infraction) so that this 10-yard buffer between the ball and defenders can be maintained.
iii. Penalty shots will NOT be awarded at any time. Any infractions that occur within the goalie's crease will simply be indirect free kicks.
iv. Players may not jump to play the ball with their feet. Anyone who attempts to play the ball above their own waist with be called for a foul and a free kick will be awarded.
5. Sliding:
Even if contact is made with the ball first, sliding (whether on defence to stop an attacker or on offence to strike the ball) is not allowed under ANY circumstances. Exception: goalies can slide to make a save or block a loose ball. This can only be done within the goalie crease area and should be done with the safety of all players in mind.
6. Scoring:
To score a goal, the ball must fully cross the goal line, and enter the net.
7. Goalies:
- Goalies can use their hands ONLY when they are within their crease area. If the lines for the goalie crease are not visible on the field, players should use their best judgment.
- A goalie CANNOT pick up a ball with their hands if the ball has been played back on purpose to the goalie by a player on their team. This includes all forms of passing and kick-ins. The only exception is if the player directs the ball back to the goalie with their head - in this case, the goalie CAN pick the ball up with their hands. A violation of this rule results in an indirect free kick for the other team at the spot where the goalie inappropriately used their hands.
- A goalie can "roam" from the goal crease but may not cross half. Once outside of their "crease", the goalie CANNOT use their hands at any time.
- If a goalie makes a save by catching the ball with their hands, they can do one of three things; (a) throw the ball out, (b) kick the ball (out of their hands), or (c) put the ball down on the ground (at which point it becomes a live ball). Please note that if a goalie elects to put the ball on the ground, the goalie cannot immediately pick the ball up again.
- Goalies are permitted to score when the ball is in play, however, they cannot score a goal from a goal kick or dropkick. The ball must be played off the ground in a non-goal-kick scenario or the ball must be redirected by another player.
8. Discrepancies/Disputes:
- If an infraction is disputed, a kick-in from the sideline is awarded to the offensive team.
- If a goal is disputed, an indirect kick is awarded to the offensive team from where the original shot was taken.
- Please remember that you are playing in a self-officiated, Mixed-Gender, social league, so any arguments or disputes should be kept to a minimum.
9. Rough Play:
ANY ROUGH OR PHYSICAL PLAY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION FROM FURTHER LEAGUE PLAY AND MAY RESULT IN LIFETIME LEAGUE EXPULSION. PLEASE SEE THE SPORT AND SOCIAL CLUB POLICY SHEET FOR OUR OFFICIAL POLICY ON THIS SUBJECT. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play. This rule supersedes all others.