Crescent Futball League | Official Website

Game Format & Structure

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 game
Matches consist of two 25-minute halves, with a 5-minute halftime break
Running clock throughout each half – no timeouts
Officials, scorekeepers, or supervisors may stop or forfeit a match for reasons including participant safety or gross misconduct

The game begins with a coin toss odd/even between captains. The winner chooses either possession or which goal to defend
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: When it leaves the field, touches the net above the white boards, or the referee stops play

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, Goalkeeper throws/kicks
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 game will be called

Goalkeeper substitutions can only occur during a dead ball, and the referee must be notified
The goalkeeper must wear a jersey of a distinct color, different from both their team and the opponents subject to referee approval
A goalkeeper must remain in goal to defend a penalty kick if the infraction occurred while they were in goal
Goalkeeper cannot handle the ball directly after a goal kick

On-the-fly substitutions are allowed for field players
Goalkeepers may not be substituted on the fly
Do not jump over the walls when subbing
Improper substitutions may result in a yellow card and a 2-minute power play for the opposing team

Direct Free Kicks: Awarded for fouls like tripping, pushing, handballs, illegal contact, and slide tackles except GK hands-first save
Indirect Free Kicks: Awarded for ceiling contact, hands on wall, obstruction, or GK holding ball too long
Defenders must give 5 yards of space on all free kicks
Direct fouls in the penalty area result in a penalty kick
Goal Kicks: Awarded when attacking team plays the ball out over the end line netting. Must be taken from within the goal area. Ball must leave the penalty area before another player may touch it
Corner Kicks: Awarded when the defending team last touches the ball out over the end line netting. Kicked from the nearest corner, with a 3-foot buffer from the wall. Defenders must be 5 feet away until the ball is played
Ceiling Violations: Ball hits ceiling or curtain = indirect kick from Center circle if mid-gym or Gold plate if closer to goal

Awarded for fouls in the penalty area
Kicked from the penalty spot, must move forward
All other players must be 5 yards behind the spot, outside the penalty area
If defending team encroaches and the shot scores, it stands. If missed, retaken
If attacking team violates and scores: no goal + goal kick. If missed: indirect kick for defense

Slide Tackling: All slide tackles are prohibited. Any slide tackle results in an indirect free kick and automatic yellow card. Sliding from behind = automatic red card
Board Play: Players may not use two hands to box out or push an opponent against the boards. Defending one offensive player with two defenders against the boards is not allowed unless two offensive players are involved. No body checking or shoving players into the boards
Referees will call 'Space' for disadvantageous contact or 'Illegal use of the board' for hands
Offside: Offsides are not enforced in 7v7. Players may receive the ball anywhere on the field

Yellow Card: 2-minute penalty player may return if opponent scores
Red Card: Immediate ejection. Team plays down for 5 minutes, regardless of goals scored
2 Yellow Cards = Red Card
3 Red Cards by a team = Forfeit
5+ Red Cards in the season = player banned for the rest of the season and playoffs

One 5-minute overtime period no golden goal
If tied, proceed to penalty kicks: 5 players per team, including the goalkeeper, may take initial kicks
If tied after 5, proceed to sudden death with next players in order

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

Download the complete rulebook for detailed regulations and guidelines.