Official Rulebook

Men's 7v7 Soccer Rules

Complete guidelines for gameplay, team conduct, and league operations

Updated 2025
Men's League
7v7 Format

Important Notice

These rules are non-negotiable and are made with your best interest as the top priority. Any other concerns may be brought to Mellennial Sports management and will be fully considered.

1. Roster

7v7

6 field players, 1 goalkeeper

12

Maximum players per team

6

Minimum to play (5 field + 1 GK)

Teams have until the third week of the regular season to finalize their roster.

All team payments must be made before the season starts.

Each player must sign the liability waiver once and be registered with Mellennial Sports to be eligible to play.

One jersey is provided per rostered player.

Using Subs / Adding Players

If a team needs extra players, the following order applies:

1

Contact Mellennial Sports to state how many players you need.

2

Mellennial Sports will try to find players from other teams in the same season.

3

If no regular-season team players are available, the team captain may bring in the number of new players needed.

4

Each new player is considered a sub. Subs must pay a fee of $20 per game and must sign the liability waiver before stepping onto the field.

5

If no subs are available and you have at least 6 players, your team must still play the scheduled game a player down.

6

Subs must play in three regular-season games to be eligible for playoffs.

7

Subs have until week 5 of the regular season to reach playoff eligibility.

Injury / Medical / Relocation Replacements

If there is a medical issue, injury, or relocation, you must provide proof to Mellennial Sports before replacing a player.

If a team needs to replace a player in weeks 1–3, the replacement must pay a three-game sub fee ($80) to be eligible for the entire season (regular season and playoffs).

After week 6, replacements cannot be added if your team can still field a minimum of 6 players.

Referees and team captains must be informed of all changes before kickoff and must agree to them.

IN ANY UNFORESEEN SITUATIONS, ALL RULES ARE DETERMINED AND IMPLEMENTED BY MELLENNIAL SPORTS MANAGEMENT.

2. Game of Play

2 × 20 min

Two 20-minute halves, running clock

Uniform

Team jerseys are distributed by Mellennial Sports before your team's first game of the season.

One jersey per rostered player.

Team captains are responsible for reporting the number of jerseys needed and player sizes.

Lost jersey replacement: $10

Subs may purchase a jersey for $10.

Subs who play a three-game minimum will receive a jersey after their third game to wear in playoffs.

JERSEYS MUST BE WORN FOR EVERY GAME.

Footwear and Gear

Not Allowed

Metal cleats

Permitted

Rubber cleats and/or rubber soles only

Recommended

Shin guards (not mandatory)

Scoring

Regular-season games may end in a tie.

Golden Goal will be used in playoffs.

Golden Goal Rules

  • First team to score wins
  • Up to a maximum of two 5-minute extra time periods
  • If both Golden Goal periods end in a tie, penalty kicks determine the winner
  • Penalty kicks: 3 shooters per team; shooters must have been on the field at the end of Golden Goal

3. Game Time Rules

Kickoff

Kickoff from the center mark after a coin toss; the winning team starts with the ball.

Goals cannot be scored directly from any kickoff.

The ball must be touched by at least two players before a goal is scored.

The defending team must be 5 yards from the ball at kickoff.

Unlimited substitutions; teams do not need referee permission or a stoppage of play.

All non-playing players must stand in the designated area off the field.

Free Kicks and Offside

Free Kicks

All free kicks are indirect (must touch at least two players before scoring)

Offside

No offside rule in this league

Goalkeeper Rules

No intentional contact with the goalkeeper

No punting

No drop kicks

The goalkeeper may not throw the ball directly over midfield; the ball must bounce or touch a player before crossing into the attacking half.

Goal kicks may pass midfield without touching the ground or another player.

Other On-Field Rules

Throw-ins are used to restart play when the ball leaves the field on the sidelines.

No slide tackling

The goalkeeper may not slide feet-first to defend an oncoming player; this is a foul and may result in a card after the first offense.

The last player to touch the ball before it goes out of play must retrieve it.

One match ball will be provided per game.

4. Fouls, Sportsmanship, Misconduct

All foul calls are at the referee's discretion.

Swearing, gestures, or arguing with referees, players, or spectators may result in a card or ejection.

All cards result in a free kick for the opposing team.

Cards and Penalties

One Yellow Card: 2-minute penalty; team plays a player down

Two Yellow Cards (Same Player, One Game): = One red card and ejection from the game

One Red Card: Player is ejected and the team must play the remainder of the game a player down

Fouls in the penalty box are at the referee's discretion to be called as an indirect kick or a penalty kick.

Illegal Actions

Intentionally trip another player

Kick or strike another player

Jump at another player

Hold another player

Push or charge another player

Handballs

Intentional handballs result in a free kick.

Unintentional handballs used for self-protection or non-deliberate contact are judged at the referee's discretion.

Slide Tackling Violations

1st Violation

Free kick

2nd Violation

Card issued

Multiple Violations

Ejection

ANY AND ALL UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOR MAY RESULT IN A PLAYER OR TEAM BEING CARDED, EJECTED, OR SUSPENDED FROM GAMES OR FUTURE MELLENNIAL SPORTS LEAGUES.

ANY VIOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL BE HANDLED BY REFEREES AND MELLENNIAL SPORTS OPERATIONS.

PLEASE STAY ACCOUNTABLE AND KEEP THE FIELD CLEAN AFTER GAMES. THROW AWAY TRASH IN THE CANS PROVIDED. WHATEVER YOU BRING WITH YOU, YOU LEAVE WITH YOU.

5. Suspensions and Ejections

All referee decisions are final and may not be disputed. Concerns may be brought to Mellennial Sports management after the game.

Any player, players, or team involved in a fight may be suspended from all Mellennial Sports leagues, and remaining games may be recorded as forfeits.

Excessive contact or harmful physical play may result in ejection.

Abusing the referee will not be tolerated and will result in ejection with no warning.

Mellennial Sports and its employees reserve the right to ask any person to leave the premises at any time.

6. Playoff Games

2 × 20 min

Two 20-minute halves

Ties at end of regulation go to Golden Goal

Playoff Eligibility

Only players on the original roster may play in playoffs, plus any sub who:

Has played at least three regular-season games

Has signed the liability waiver

Has completed payment and has a jersey

If a player who has not played three full games before playoffs participates in a playoff game, they are automatically out for the rest of the season.

Indirect Kicks and Penalty Kicks

At least two players must touch the ball before a goal counts from an indirect kick.

Defending team must stand 5 yards from the spot of an indirect kick.

One player is selected to take a penalty kick (does not need to be the player fouled).

All remaining players must stand behind the penalty box line until the ball is struck.

If the ball stays in play after the shot and the goalkeeper saves it, the ball is live.

Golden Goal Penalty Kicks (Playoffs)

If Golden Goal (one 10-minute period) ends in a tie, a penalty kick shootout decides the winner.

Penalty Kick Shootout

  • Each team selects 3 players who were on the field at the end of Golden Goal
  • A coin toss decides which team shoots first
  • All shots are taken at the same goal, chosen by the referee
  • Teams alternate direct penalty shots
  • If the first round ends in a tie, the second round becomes sudden death

Penalty Kick Sudden Death (Playoffs)

  • One player from each team is selected to shoot
  • If both score, two new shooters are chosen
  • The first miss, when the other team scores, results in a loss
  • Players who shot in the first round cannot shoot again until all remaining players have shot
  • If one team must restart its lineup of shooters, the opposing team may also reuse shooters

7. Ranking & Forfeiture

Ranking

Teams are ranked using the following criteria:

1

Overall Record

Teams ranked first by wins/losses/ties

2

Goals Against

If teams have same record, ranking determined by total goals conceded during regular season

Forfeiture Penalty

1st Offense

Loss of game

2nd Offense

Loss of game and removal from playoffs

3rd Offense

Seasonal forfeit

If you know in advance that your team will forfeit a game, you must contact Mellennial Sports at least 24 hours in advance so your opponent can be notified.

Questions About the Rules?

Contact Mellennial Sports for any clarifications or concerns.

Contact Mellennial Sports