USIndoor Releases 2009 Official Rules

WASHINGTON, D.C  (October 16, 2008) - The United States Indoor Soccer Association announced today the release of its Official Rules of Indoor Soccer, 3rd Edition, for Amateur and Youth.  The rulebook offers the industry’s rules of the game, including field specifications and markings.  USIndoor’s Rules Commission, including a representation of indoor soccer facility operators and referees nationwide, spearheaded the project.

The Official Rules set the standards for the boarded game of indoor soccer, including most regional and national competitions.  The 2009 Edition, compared to its predecessor published in 2004, further articulates the rules and distinguishes the game from other forms of indoor and outdoor soccer.  In a recent survey, the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association identified indoor soccer as the ninth most popular US team sport and estimated a total of 4.8 million players.  Outdoor soccer came in third behind basketball and baseball.

Compared to the previous edition, changes in the current version are largely technical.  The most notable change is perhaps the adoption of the Blue Card for serious fouls.  In the 2004 edition, the Blue Card was merely a “preferred” compliment to the traditional Yellow and Red Cards used outdoors.  The new rulebook also clarifies the administration of all Penalty Cards, as well as certain terminology.  Where other questions arose during the 2004 edition’s tenure, additional explanation is provided.

Besides its common use among administrators, coaches and players, the 2009 rulebook will also serve as the focal point of USIndoor’s Referee Certification Program.  This Program offers specialized instruction dedicated to refereeing indoor soccer for amateur, youth and professional play and is the only nationally recognized certification program for indoor soccer referees.  All referees certified through USIndoor will receive and be tested on The Official Rules of Indoor Soccer.

USIndoor acknowledges and thanks the following individuals for their service and leadership on its Rules Commission: Committee Chairman, Said Sanhoury (USIndoor Director of Officials), and Members Ralph Shirley (American Indoor), Mike Johnson (Rochester Sports Garden), Mike Urban (All American Indoor Sports) and David Simmons (USIndoor National Instructor and Assessor).

To order USIndor’s new Official Rules, or for more information on USIndoor’s Referee Program, please visit the foregoing links.