At Meanwhile, we’re all about keeping the game fun and fair! Here’s what you need to know to play your best:
OFFICIALS
Meanwhile provides an Official for every game. Remember, arguing with our officials isn’t part of the fun!
EQUIPMENT
We’ll supply a regulation size five game ball for each field. If both team captains agree, an alternate game ball can be used. Shin guards are required for all players.
Not Permitted:
- Shoes with metal or ceramic cleats
- Hard athletic braces or casts (unless covered on all sides and edges with at least ½ inch of closed-cell rubber or similar material)
- Headgear made of hard, unyielding material (including billed hats)
- Jewelry (except smooth wedding bands)
- Special event wristbands (must be covered by a sweatband or athletic tape)
- Low-profile smartwatches and fitness trackers are fine, but they also need to be covered!
PLAYING ROSTER
Max Players: 5 (including the goalkeeper)
Min Players: 3
Max Males: 3
Min Females: 2
The only time there can be less than 2 females in play is if the team is playing short a player. If one team is ahead by five or more goals, they must play with one fewer player. Substitutions can happen anytime, but the player exiting must be completely off the field before a new player enters. Keep in mind, teams lose the right to challenge a player’s eligibility at halftime, unless it’s for a late arrival.
FORMAT
Each game consists of two 20-minute halves, with a maximum 5-minute halftime. Regular season games may end in a tie. If the second half starts and the game is canceled for any reason, it’s considered final.
START OF PLAY
Kickoff direction will be decided by a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors at the start. Teams will switch goals for the second half. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff.
OUT OF PLAY AND RESTART
The ball is out of play when it completely crosses any boundary line, touches the netting around the field, hits any substitute player or spectator, or when play is stopped by the Referee. The opposing team has five seconds to restart play with an indirect free kick from the nearest point of interruption. If they don’t get it in play within five seconds, the other team gets a free kick.
FEMALE TOUCHES
There’s a no female touch rule in Meanwhile Soccer.
OFFSIDE
No offside offenses in Meanwhile Soccer—just play!
GOALKEEPERS
Goalkeepers can use their hands only within their own penalty area.
SCORING
Every goal counts as one point. A goal is scored when the ball entirely crosses the goal line after last being touched on the defending team’s half. If the ball was last touched on the offensive half (including the midline) and crosses the goal line, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team.
SLIDING
Intentional sliding to play the ball isn’t allowed, except for goalkeepers in their penalty area. They can slide in any direction to attempt a save, as long as they don’t kick the ball with their feet, make first contact with an opponent, or act recklessly. Reckless or dangerous slides may lead to a caution or send-off at the Referee's discretion.
FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
Yellow cards are given as warnings for dangerous play or dissent towards officials. A player receiving a yellow card must leave the field for a minimum of 2 minutes, and the team continues short. Scoring a goal doesn’t shorten this time.
Red cards are issued for repeated misconduct, serious fouls, violent conduct, or unsporting acts. A player shown a red card must leave the field immediately, leaving their team short for the rest of the game. They may also face further disciplinary action, including expulsion from the league at Meanwhile’s discretion.
FREE KICKS
All free kicks are indirect. The defending team must maintain a distance of five feet from the ball until it’s kicked.
PLAYOFF RULES
If a game is tied at the end of regulation, it goes straight to a penalty kick shootout from the nine-yard mark. Each team takes five penalty kicks, with the first five alternating between three males and two females.
If the teams remain tied after five kicks, they’ll continue alternating until a winner is determined, with no player kicking again until all of their teammates of the same gender have gone.
For any rules not covered here, we follow the Official Rules of Indoor Soccer set forth by the US Indoor Soccer Association.
STANDINGS
Teams earn three points for a win, one for a tie, and none for a loss. Rankings are determined by:
- Total Points
- Head-to-Head Results
- Total Points Allowed
- Total Point Differential
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