Charleston Masters League
Summer 5v5 Rules

Overview

The Charleston Masters League, in conjunction with Soccer 5 Charleston, intend to provide an organized, recreational indoor soccer competition for all players in a safe, competitive, and sportsmanlike environment.

League and facility administrators reserve the right to interpret and enforce all rules and make decisions in the best interest of league and facility operations and fair play.

Location

All CML 5v5 matches will be played at Soccer 5’s facility at 3297 Pacific St in North Charleston, SC.

Equipment
Jerseys and Uniforms

  • All players on a given team must wear matching shirts or jerseys.

  • If both teams wear the same or similar colors, the “away” team must change jerseys. Bibs may be provided by the facility in such situations.

  • Goalkeepers must wear a different color jersey or bib that distinguishes them from other field players.


Footwear

  • Only turf shoes or flats are permitted in the Soccer 5 facility.

  • Metal or molded studs or cleats are prohibited.


Jewelry

  • No watches, necklaces, bracelets, rings, or other potentially dangerous items may be worn during play.

  • Medical alert bracelets must be secured or taped.


Game Balls

  • Game balls must be a size 4 or 5 indoor or futsal soccer ball.


League Format and Standings
Scheduling and Points

  • Each team plays every other team once during the regular season in round-robin format.

  • Win equals 3 points. Draw equals 1 point. Loss or forfeit equals 0 points.

  • Forfeited matches shall be recorded as a 3-0 victory for the non-forfeiting team.


Tiebreakers for Standings

  • Goal differential

  • Head-to-head result

  • Goals scored

  • Goals allowed

  • Coin toss


Playoffs

  • After the regular season, teams advance to a knockout playoff bracket.

  • The top 4 seeds will play in the D1 bracket.

  • The bottom 4 seeds will play in the D2 bracket.

  • Eliminated teams may play in consolation matches.

  • Playoff matches tied at the end of regulation shall proceed directly to penalty kicks.


Rosters & Eligibility

  • Teams must carry a minimum roster size of 8 players with a maximum of 14 players.

  • All players must be at least 18 years of age.

  • All players must be registered with the Charleston Masters League for the current season.

  • All players must sign a waiver with the Soccer 5 facility prior to participating in the league. Waivers can be filled out online here.

  • Players may register on only one team unless approved by the league administration. However, they may play as a substitute player for another team, as long as it does not come at the expense of other regular players.

  • Teams may use substitute players if:

    • Needed to avoid a forfeit or have fewer than 7 players available, and

    • Substitute players are registered with the Charleston Masters League for the current season.


Match Format

  • Matches shall consist of two 25-minute halves with a two-minute halftime.

  • All matches shall utilize a running clock throughout the match (no clock stoppage).

  • Each team may field a maximum of 5 players, with each team consisting of 4 field players and 1 goalkeeper.

  • Each team must field a minimum of 4 players to start a match.

  • No team may field more than two (2) players under the age of 30 on the field at any given time.

  • If a team cannot field the minimum number of players, there will be a 10-minute grace period provided to enable the team to find additional players to meet the minimum. Any delays, however, will be deducted from the match length.

  • If a team cannot field the minimum number of players after the grace period, then the match may be declared a forfeit.


Field Access

  • Only rostered players are permitted on the field of play and in the team bench area.

  • Spectators must remain in the designated viewing area only.


Kickoffs and Restarts
Kickoff

  • The winner of a coin flip shall determine whether to kick off first or defend a particular goal to start the match.

  • Matches and second halves begin with a kickoff at midfield.

  • Opponents must remain outside the center circle until the ball is played.

  • The ball may be played forward or backwards at kickoff.

  • After a goal, the conceding team kicks off.

  • A direct goal may not be scored from a kickoff or from a team’s own half.


Kick-ins

  • When the ball wholly crosses the sideline, including hitting the fence or netting, the play restarts with a kick-in instead of a throw-in.

  • The last team to touch the ball prior to it crossing the sideline concedes the kick-in.

  • Players have a maximum of 5 seconds for kick-ins.

  • The ball must be stationary upon kick-in.

  • Opponents must remain 2 yards away until the ball is played.

  • The ball is considered in play once kicked and clearly moves.

  • Failure to complete the kick-in within the maximum time shall result in opposing team gaining possession.

  • A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-in.


Goal Kicks

  • When the ball wholly crosses the end line and no goal is scored, restart is a goal kick if the attacking team last touched the ball.

  • Goalkeepers restart play by placing the ball anywhere within the goal crease.

  • Opponents must remain outside the box/penalty area until the ball is played.

  • Goalkeepers have a maximum of 5 seconds to play the ball.

  • Failure to complete the goal kick within the maximum time shall result in a corner kick for the opposing team.

  • A goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick.


Corner Kicks

  • When the ball wholly crosses the end line and no goal is scored, restart is a corner kick if the defending team last touched the ball.

  • Attacking players restart play by placing the ball on the corner spot.

  • Opponents must remain 2 yard away until the ball is played.

  • Attacking players have a maximum of 5 seconds to play the ball.

  • Failure to play the ball within the maximum time shall result in a goal kick for the opposing team.

  • A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.


Scoring

  • A goal may only be scored from within the attacking half of the field.

  • A goal may not be scored by a player positioned inside the opposing team’s goal crease.


Substitutions

  • Substitutions are permitted on the fly, provided the entering player does not enter until the exiting player has fully left the field.

  • There is no maximum number of substitutions permitted for a given game.


Goal Crease and Goalkeeper Rules

  • Only the defending goalkeeper may stand within the goal crease.

  • If any other player touches the ball from inside the goal crease, the result shall be a dead ball and a free kick for the other team. If the offending player is on the defending team, the result shall be a penalty kick for the attacking team.

  • Goalkeepers may distribute the ball by rolling, throwing, or playing from the ground. Punts and drop-kicks are prohibited.

  • Goalkeepers may not directly catch a kick-in or pass from a player on their own team. Violations of this rule will result in an indirect kick from the edge of the penalty box for the opposing team.


Offsides

There are no offsides in CML 5v5.

Sportsmanship and Conduct

All players are expected to:

  • Respect opponents, league administrators, and facility staff.

  • Avoid abusive or threatening language or behavior

  • Maintain control over their emotions.


League administrators and facility staff may remove players or teams from the facility for:

  • Repeated misconduct

  • Fighting

  • Harassment

  • Dangerous play

  • Unsportsmanlike behavior


Fighting and Violent Conduct

  • Any fight, attempted fight, or violent conduct shall result in the immediate removal of all involved players from the facility.

  • Players involved in fighting or violent conduct are also subject to expulsion from the league for the remainder of the season and may be subject to a permanent ban from all future CML events.

  • Players expelled for fighting or violent conduct shall not receive refunds.


Sliding and Slide Tackles

  • Slide tackling is prohibited when challenging an opponent.

  • A player may slide to save a ball from going out of bounds or to block a shot only when no opponent is involved.

  • Goalkeepers are permitted to slide using their hands or body first to collect the ball but should make all efforts to avoid contact with opposing players.

  • No player may intentionally play the ball while on the ground. Any such action shall result in a foul.


Fouls and Other Misconduct

All physical or contact fouls shall result in a direct free kick for the opposing team. Examples of physical or contact fouls include the following:

  • Intentionally tripping another player

  • Pushing or shoving another player

  • Holding another player

  • Sliding into an opponent

  • Excessive force or contact with an opposing player

  • Dangerous play


All other fouls or technical infractions shall result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

Penalty Kicks

  • Penalty kicks shall be taken from the designated penalty spot.

  • All players except the goalkeeper and kicker shall remain behind the ball until the ball is played.

  • Defending goalkeepers must remain on the goal line until the kick is taken.

  • The penalty kick must be taken with one continuous motion.

  • Illegal feints or fake shots are not permitted and shall result in the forfeiture of the penalty kick.

  • Penalty kicks are one touch only. Rebounds are not allowed. Play restarts with a goal kick or kickoff depending on the outcome.