League Rules | Crescent Football League

League Conduct & Discipline

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Unsportsmanlike conduct, including taunting, mocking, intentional humiliation, or behavior that disrupts the spirit of the league, may result in suspension or removal

Verbal Abuse & Disrespect

Verbal abuse, profanity, vulgar language, inappropriate gestures, or disrespect toward referees, opponents, teammates, or spectators is strictly prohibited

Physical Conduct

Any form of physical altercation, aggressive confrontation, or intentional attempt to injure another player will result in disciplinary action, including possible suspension or expulsion

Discrimination

Discriminatory remarks or conduct based on race, ethnicity, or background will not be tolerated and will be subject to immediate disciplinary review

Character & Representation

Players are expected to display good akhlaaq (character), comply with league officials’ instructions, respect facility property, and represent the Muslim community with integrity and honor at all times

League Authority

The league reserves the right to suspend or remove any player whose behavior negatively impacts the safety, reputation, or environment of the league

Match Format & Structure

Team Composition

Each match is played between two teams of seven (7) players, including one designated goalkeeper
A minimum of four (4) players is required to start a match. If a team cannot field the minimum 4 players within 5 minutes of the scheduled start time, the match is forfeited

Match Duration

Matches consist of two 25-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime break
Running clock throughout each half — no timeouts

Officials Authority

Officials, scorekeepers, or supervisors may stop or forfeit a match for reasons including participant safety or gross misconduct

Equipment

Players must wear indoor flat-soled shoes only. No cleats allowed. Players found wearing cleats after the start of the match will receive a formal warning. Any player found wearing cleats during play will be issued a yellow card

Bleeding rule

Any player with an open wound or blood on their clothing must leave the field immediately and cannot return until the wound is bandaged and blood is cleaned.

League Points System

Standings are determined by total points earned. A win awards 3 points, a draw awards 1 point, and a loss awards 0 points.

Kick-offs & Restarts

Pre-Match Coin Toss

The match begins with a coin toss (odd/even) between captains
The winner chooses either possession or which goal to defend

Kick-off Procedure

The ball is in play once it completes a full rotation to a teammate on kick-off
Defenders must stand at least 3 yards away from the ball during a kick-off
Goals cannot be scored directly from the opening kick-off — another player must first touch the ball

Ball Out of Play

The ball is out of play when it leaves the field, touches the net above the white boards, or when the referee stops play

Kick-Ins

When the ball goes over the side wall, the opposing team kicks it back into play from the touchline where it went out
The ball can be kicked in any direction
Defenders must give 5 yards of space on all kick-ins
Goals cannot be scored directly from a kick-in

Goal Throws

Awarded when the attacking team plays the ball out over the end wall (behind the goal)
The defending goalkeeper throws or rolls the ball back into play from within the penalty area
The goalkeeper must not hold the ball longer than the permitted time
A goal may be scored directly from a goal throw

Scoring Rules

Valid Goals

The ball must fully cross the goal line to be counted as a goal
Goals may be scored directly from: direct free kicks, goal kicks, penalty kicks, corner kicks, drop balls, and goalkeeper throws/kicks

Scoring Restrictions

No goals may be scored directly from indirect free kicks
No punting and no throw-ins

Mercy Rule

If a team leads by 10 or more goals with 5 minutes remaining, the match will be called

Goalkeeper Rules

Goalkeeper Substitutions

Goalkeeper substitutions can only occur during a dead ball, and the referee must be notified
Goalkeepers may not be substituted on the fly

Goalkeeper Uniform

The goalkeeper must wear a jersey of a distinct color, different from both their team and the opponents (subject to referee approval)

Goalkeeper in Play

A goalkeeper must remain in goal to defend a penalty kick if the infraction occurred while they were in goal
The goalkeeper cannot handle the ball directly after a goal kick

Goalkeeper Time-Penalty

Goalkeeper penalties may be served by a teammate, except when the GK receives a red card, in which case the GK must be ejected from the match

Substitutions

Field Players

On-the-fly substitutions are allowed for field players
Do not jump over the walls when subbing

Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers may not be substituted on the fly
Goalkeeper substitutions can only occur during a dead ball, and the referee must be notified

Improper Substitutions

Improper substitutions may result in a yellow card and a 2-minute power play for the opposing team

Free Kicks & Set Pieces

Direct Free Kicks

Awarded for fouls like tripping, pushing, handballs, illegal contact, and slide tackles (except GK hands-first save)
Direct fouls committed inside the penalty area result in a penalty kick
A goal may be scored directly from a direct free kick

Indirect Free Kicks

Awarded for ceiling/curtain contact, hands on the wall, obstruction, or goalkeeper holding the ball too long
A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick — another player must touch the ball first

Goal Kicks

Awarded when the attacking team plays the ball out over the end line netting
Must be taken from within the goal area
A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick

Corner Kicks

Awarded when the defending team last touches the ball out over the end line netting
Taken from the corner of the field closest to where the ball went out

Three Line Violation

The ball cannot cross three lines in the air on a single touch (from the defending half over all lines without touching a player, wall, or the floor)
When violated, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the spot where the ball crossed the second line
Prevents long-ball clearances that skip the middle of the field

Superstructure Violation

Ball hitting the ceiling, curtain, lights, rafters, or any object above the playing area is a superstructure violation
Play stops and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the spot directly below where contact occurred
If the violation happens in the penalty area, the indirect kick is taken from the top of the penalty area

Discipline & Cards

Blue Card — 2 Minute Time Penalty

The carded player serves a 2-minute time penalty and cannot return to the field until the time expires
The team plays a player down for the duration of the penalty
If the opposing team scores during the penalty, the time is cleared and the player may return
Issued for specific infractions at the referee’s discretion (e.g., professional fouls, dissent)

Yellow Card — 4 Minute Time Penalty

The carded player serves a 4-minute time penalty and cannot return to the field until the time expires
The team plays a player down for the duration of the penalty
The player may not return if the opposing team scores until the time expires
Accumulating three (3) cards in the same match results in an administrative red card

Red Card (Administrative) — From Two Yellows

Issued automatically when a player accumulates three (3) yellow cards in the same match
The player is ejected from the match and cannot return. Consequently, the team plays a player short for the remainder of the game.
The player may not play the first 15 minutes of their next attending match.

Red Card (Straight) — Immediate Ejection

Issued for serious offenses such as violent conduct, dangerous play, or extreme misconduct
The player is immediately ejected from the match and cannot return. Consequently, the team plays a player short for the remainder of the game.
The player may not play the 1st Half of the next attending match.
Punishment, as determined by the admin, can vary depending on the player’s reason for receiving a straight red card. The admin may impose a more severe penalty in such cases.

Team & Season Discipline

If a single team receives 3 red cards in the same match, the match is forfeited
A player who accumulates 5 or more red cards across the season is banned for the remainder of the season

Penalty Kicks & Shootouts

Penalty Kick Awarded

Awarded for direct fouls committed inside the penalty area

Procedure

Kicked from the penalty spot; the ball must move forward
All other players must be at least 5 yards behind the spot, outside the penalty area

Violations

If the defending team encroaches and the shot scores, the goal stands. If missed, the kick is retaken
If the attacking team violates and scores: no goal, goal kick awarded. If missed: indirect kick for defense

Shootout

Awarded for breakaway fouls outside the penalty area. Ball placed at the restart mark, and once the referee blows the whistle the ball is live. The attacker can dribble toward goal and the GK can come off the line. All other players must be behind the halfway line

Fouls & Prohibited Actions

Slide Tackling

All slide tackles are prohibited

Board Play & Physical Contact

Players may not use two hands to push an opponent against the boards
Referees will call "Space" for disadvantageous contact

Offside

Offsides are not enforced in 7v7

Breakaway Foul

If the last or second-to-last defender fouls an attacker on a clear breakaway toward goal, the defender receives a 2-minute time penalties and the attacking team is awarded a penalty kick (if foul was inside the area) or a shootout (if outside)

Leverage

Using a teammate, the wall, or the goal frame to gain an advantage (e.g., climbing on someone to head the ball)

Charging the goalkeeper

(except when GK is outside the penalty area or actively obstructing)

Overtime & Shootout

Overtime Period

One 5-minute overtime period is played (no golden goal)

Penalty Shootout

If the match remains tied after overtime, proceed to penalty kicks: 5 players per team
If still tied after 5 rounds, proceed to sudden death

Playoffs

Qualification

Top 4 teams qualify for playoffs
5th and 6th place teams do not qualify for playoffs

Bracket Structure

Semi-finals: 1st seed vs 4th seed, 2nd seed vs 3rd seed
Finals: Winner of Semi-Final 1 vs Winner of Semi-Final 2

Tied Playoff Matches

Tied playoff matches go to extra time, then penalty shootout if still tied

League Roles

Team Captain

Responsible for team communication, player conduct, and pre-match coin tosses
Serves as the primary point of contact between the team and league officials

Referee

Sole authority on match decisions, safety, and timing
Has final say on all matters of play during the match

Scorekeeper

Tracks goals, assists, cards, and saves during the match
Records match events in real-time to the league system

League Admin

Oversees league operations, scheduling, and disputes
Maintains standings, statistics, and overall league integrity

League Governance

Rule Amendments

League administrators may revise rules during the season and will notify teams of changes
Teams may be reassigned to maintain balanced competition

Registration Deadlines

Free Agents will not be allowed to join a team in the current season after Week 4 matches of the current season have been played
Trades for the current season will not be allowed after Week 4 matches of the current season have been played

Payment Requirements

Players who have paid the initial $75 installment must complete the remaining $75 balance before participating in Week 3 matches
Any player who has not completed the full $150 payment prior to their Week 3 match will be ineligible to participate in further matches until payment is made

Full Rulebook

Download the complete rulebook for detailed regulations and guidelines.