Sport Specific Rules: Click Here
BENCHBALL
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/Set-Up:
KWCJAM will provide 1 Wilson soccer ball for each game. 1 bench will be laid on its side seat facing out on each end of the court. The bench should be placed up against the wall. All teams should bring both a light and dark coloured shirt to all games.
2. Game Time/Default:
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so that games will start on time.
- Games are 55 minutes in length, with no stoppage for a halftime. If one side of a venue has a potential advantage (i.e. stage at one end, etc), teams should agree BEFORE the game that they will be switching sides at approximately the mid-point of the game (and agree on the time to switch). A captain that requests a switch pre-game MUST be accommodated.
- Please agree on one person to act as timekeeper.
- Teams are comprised of five (5) players with a minimum of two (2) men or gender minority and two (2) women or gender minority players. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad by 10 minutes past the official start time. A team can play with a minimum of 4 people, as long as two (2) of the players are women or gender minority and two (2) are men or gender minority.
- Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding roster minimums but this should be decided before the game starts. IF IT IS AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS!
3. General Rules:
In general, standard soccer rules apply to all JAM games. Notable exceptions are listed below:
- Teams are comprised of 5 players (including goalie) with min.of two (2) men or gender minority and two (2) women or gender minority players
- The game begins with one team initiating play by making a pass from the centre of the court
- Player substitutions can be made at any time (i.e. changing on the fly is allowed). However, please ensure that the player coming off has completely entered the team bench before the new player joins the action and the change does not disrupt the flow of the game. Goalies cannot change on the fly - please wait for a stoppage in play before substituting goalies.
- 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.
- All free kicks are indirect. To score off an indirect kick, the ball must first be touched by another player (offence or defence, but not the goalie)
- 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.
- Teams may call a one (1) minute time-out if needed, except in the final 10 minutes of play
- There is no high ball rule. Instead, the ball can be played off of any wall at any height. Play is stopped if the ball hits the ceiling or a major obstacle (basketball hoop). An indirect free kick is then awarded to the other team from the spot where the ball was kicked. Since there is no high ball rule, players MAY head the ball. Players may not raise their feet above their waist to play the ball. This includes jumping to kich the ball.
- Balls can be played off both back and side walls.
- A player should ONLY be using their hands on the wall to slow their momentum. A player can use ONE hand on the wall for support, but their arm should not obstruct an opposing player. A player should NEVER have TWO hands on the wall.
- It is the responsibility of all players to minimize the amount of "ball blasting" from occurring. Thus, while it is not forbidden to kick the ball hard, doing so with little control on a consistent basis makes the game less fun for everyone. Please use your best judgment.
- 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 a shoot-out. Three players on each team (minimum of 1 man or gender minority and 1 woman or gender minority players) takes one shot at a distance of eight paces. Only the players on the court at the end of the game can participate and 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. (Please note that playoff games should only be 50 minutes in length in anticipation of needing the extra time to settle a tie)
4. 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.
5. Scoring:
To score a goal, the ball must hit the front of the bench (benches turned on their side will be used as goals).
- If the ball hits the top of the bench and then deflects off the back wall, it is NOT A GOAL.
- A ball that hits the top of the bench and then bounces back into play without hitting the back wall (or hits the ground before hitting the back wall) is a FAIR GOAL.
- A ball that deflects off the corner of the bench, regardless of whether it hits the back wall or not, is NOT A GOAL.
- In addition, you cannot score by shooting the ball from your own side of half - the ball must first be touched by an offensive player in the attacking half, or deflect off a defender in the attacking zone. A shot from your own side of half that deflects off only the goalie and goes in is not a goal. This will help to reduce the amount of "ball blasting".
- If a discrepancy arises as to whether the ball hit the front of the bench or the corner, 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, co-ed, social league, so any arguments or disputes should be kept to a minimum.
6. Goalies:
- Goalies CANNOT use their hands to block a shot. If a ball deflects off the goalie's hands and goes in, it is a goal. If a ball deflects off the goalie's hands and does not go in, an indirect kick is awarded to the offensive team from where the ball was kicked. If a goalie purposely uses their hands to block a shot that would have otherwise gone in, it is a goal.
- Goalies must stay behind their "crease line" (In most gyms, this is a line approximately 1 metre in front of the bench) - they can touch a ball that is on the other side of the line, as long as one foot remains behind the line and they do not touch the floor on the other side of the line.
- Goalies ARE permitted to slide or spread out along the floor, provided that it is a reaction to the play. (i.e. goalies cannot stay in this position).
7. 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 KWCJAM 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.