THE MARYLAND SPORTS ARENA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES, REGARDLESS OF HOW SUSTAINED WHICH A PLAYER RECEIVES.  MARYLAND SPORTS ARENA ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MEDICAL TREATMENT OF ANY PLAYER OR FOR PAYMENT OF MEDICAL BILLS.

 

Maryland Sports Arena League Rules for 2025-26 season

Each team's roster/liability waiver form must be fully completed and submitted before the beginning of the first game of the season.  Each team will be emailed a separate password protected link for their team. Type all information then print the form. All information is automatically saved on the form when typed. Have each parent sign where it is indicated on the form. If the parent is not available to sign the roster/liability form please forward the separate individual parent liability waiver form to that parent.  Form is located here http://marylandsportsarena.com/waiver.pdf  Submit your signed liability/roster form to the concession stand prior to your first game.  Hand written forms and forms from other leagues are not acceptable and will be returned. Completion of online form and submission of roster/waiver form is mandatory.  Please save your online roster link for future additions.  You may add or drop players up to the beginning of the 6th game of your season. Teams may carry a maximum of eighteen players.  Players may not play on more than one team in the same league.  If you forfeit your game, there is a $150 forfeit fee due before your next game.  Failure to pay will result in expulsion from league without refund.

 

Teams U12 and younger play with 7 players and use a size 4 ball.  Teams U13 and older play with 6 players and use a size 5 ball.  No slide tackling is allowed in ALL Coed, Men’s Over 30 and U14 and younger leagues.  A “kill rule” is in effect for youth teams.  If a team is losing by 6 goals, to promote sportsmanship, fairness and fun, losing teams have the option of adding up to 3 players on the field to make the game competitive.  Once the losing team adds the additional players, the winning team receives the victory.  The score will be recorded 6-0.  Teams may have a maximum of 3 coaches on the players’ bench.  Players not dressed to play are not allowed on the bench unless given approval by staff.   All High School teams must have an adult coach (i.e., a parent or someone of similar parental age) on their bench during all games.

 

All rules are those of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) unless amended by the Maryland Sports Arena.  Gum chewing or chewing of other similar type of products will result in a 2-minute penalty.  SPITTING ON THE FIELD IS A RED CARD AND EJECTION.  Games will be played in two halves, 22 minutes running time per half. No timeouts.  Halftime is 30 seconds. Game time is forfeit time.  Be prepared to play when your team enters the field. There is minimal on field warmup time.  Please stretch or warm-up off the field prior to your game. Clock will start when your game is scheduled to begin. Substitutions are unlimited.  Maximum 15 seconds allowed for guaranteed substitutions (ceiling, side, or rear netting out of bounds.)  Fouls are not guaranteed substitutions.  Teams may substitute "on the fly" for fouls.  Ball must be played within five seconds in foul situations.  Two whistles for out of bounds, one for fouls.  No guaranteed substitutions will be allowed during the last 5 minutes of each half.  Youth teams must have 5 players to start and finish the game, adults 4.  Ball may be played back on kickoff. Goalkeepers may not handle balls which are intentionally played to them by a teammate except for head balls or other balls played above the knee.  No punting or drop kicking is allowed by the goalkeeper EXCEPT for u8, u9 & u10 leagues.  For youth leagues, ages u14 and younger except for the leagues previously mentioned, once the goalkeeper has possession, the ball may only be distributed by throwing (U11, U12, U13 & U14). For ages u15 and up, the goalkeeper may also roll the ball to his/her feet as an alternative to throwing, however, once the keeper places the ball on the ground, it is no longer his/her possession and may be challenged by an opposing player.   The 3-line rule is not enforced. The opposing player must be 10 feet from the ball in dead ball situations.  Outstretched legs into the 10 feet area are considered encroachment and may result in a two-minute penalty. No coaches’ meetings on the field after the game.  Please use other locations inside the building and leave the field immediately when your game has finished.

 

Dissent towards officials will not be tolerated from players, coaches, or spectators.  Continued dissent may result in expulsion.  Taunting is a 2-minute penalty.  Teams are responsible for the behavior of their fans. Any player ejected before, during or after a game will be automatically suspended from league play for a minimum of two additional games. In addition, all red cards are reviewed with the possibility of a larger game suspension, league expulsion or facility ban.  A red card is a 5-minute un-releasable penalty.  Any teams, players and coaches who threaten officials will be banned from the facility.  Simultaneous penalties are un-releasable.  A referee's decision cannot be protested.  Teams wishing to protest ineligible players must notify the referee prior to the end of the game regarding the player being protested. Referee will note the players being protested by asking the opposing coach the name of the players and birthdays.   A $100 protest bond per player must be paid to the Maryland Sports Arena within 24 hours of the game. The $100 protest bond will be returned if the player is found ineligible.  Only teams playing in the game may protest.  If we discover a team is cheating by using ineligible players from the official, we reserve the right to forfeit the game. Sportsmanship is a very important part of your player’s learning process.  We encourage you to coach your players in a positive manner.  Please do not shout disparaging remarks at other players or coaches.   Never tell your players to foul an opponent.  If your game becomes physical, or you have a player out of control, it is your responsibility as a coach to correct your player.  For major infractions in the penalty box, penalty kicks are awarded.  Penalty kicks are taken from the first “dot” outside the penalty box.  All other players must be behind the 2nd dot outside the penalty area when the penalty kick is taken.   Ball is live once the kick is taken.  Shootouts have been eliminated from league play.

 

A player wearing a plaster cast will not be allowed to play. Other casts are allowed if wrapped and are not dangerous to other players.  Earrings and other types of jewelry may be taped or covered in a manner to avoid injury to other players.   Players may use flat soled soccer, tennis type shoes, or turf shoes on the field.  No cleats are allowed on the playing surface.  Shin guards are mandatory for all youth players.  The home team is responsible for uniform changes in case of conflict. 

 

In case of a tie for league champion, the following tie breaker will apply:  first, head-to-head competition, second, goal differential head-to-head, third, teams will be declared co-champions.  Please note, do not run up the score on weaker teams. The maximum recorded score will be 6-0 (youth leagues).  3 points for a win, one point for a tie.  For playoff round advancement, same format plus 3rd tiebreaker – least number of goals allowed.  If still tied, shootout before playoff game or coin flip.  Management will make the determination. Penalty shot tie-breaker is always the best of 3. If tied at 3, penalty kick rounds continue until someone misses.  Both teams have penalty kick opportunities in all rounds.

 

For inclement weather, coaches please visit our website, game cancellations will be posted.  You may also call 410.538.7300, visit your schedule @ http://marylandsportsarena.com or visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/marylandsportsarena.  It is strongly suggested that coaches, parents, and players follow our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/marylandsportsarena for league updates and facility information.  We do not follow Harford County School Cancellations. 

House Rules

No commercially prepared food or drink may be brought into the facility.  Food from “Eat Like a Greek” (located in our parking lot) may be brought into the facility.   No food or drink is allowed on the playing field.  Sports drinks or water may be consumed on the players’ benches only.  Plastic bottles only inside facility.  No gum, chewing tobacco or sunflower seeds.  No ball playing off the field.  All balls must be held or bagged.  Please do not bounce balls off the field. Children must be supervised by their parents. To be courteous to others, please do not stand in front of the bleachers.  Please remain seated while on the bleachers.  For your safety, please do not stand on the bleacher’s top level.  No climbing is allowed on any building structures.  Do not bang on the glass dasher boards. No smoking.  No foul or abusive language.  Anyone fighting on the Arena's premises may be banned from the facility.  Please place your name and phone number on all balls used at the facility.  Lost ball closet is next to the concession stand. Lost and found bin is next to the concession stand.  If arriving late, please see the concession stand attendant.  You will be allowed on the field at the next dead ball situation at the player’s entrance adjacent to concession stand.  Do not enter through outside side emergency exits or employee/referee only entrance.

Have fun and enjoy the facility but enter and play at your own risk.