What is The Difference Between MASL and Traditional Soccer?

MASL features fewer players on the pitch, rolling substitutions, and shorter matches than traditional soccer. 

Smaller Field

Arena soccer matches are played on a field that’s 150 – 200 feet long and 85 feet wide, leaving players less room to maneuver compared to traditional footballers. In comparison, a standard soccer pitch stretches 115 yards long and is 74 yards wide.

Narrower Goal Posts

MASL strikers need an accurate boot to score in these narrow goalposts, measuring 14 feet wide and 8 feet high. Traditional soccer posts are the same height as their arena companions, but they are 8 yards wide, leaving a wider target to aim at.

No Throw Ins

Unlike traditional soccer, there aren’t any throw-ins in the arena game, because of the surrounding dasher boards and plexiglass. Play continues when the ball rebounds off the boards or plexiglass, never allowing players a moment to catch their breath.

Six Players on a Team

Each team in arena soccer has six players on the pitch, 5 outfield footballers, and a goalkeeper. A traditional soccer team features eleven players, including a goalkeeper and 10 outfield players.

Unlimited Substitutions

Rolling or unlimited substitutions are allowed in MASL, which means players can leave the pitch and return multiple times during the match. This contrasts soccer where teams can only make three to five changes in a game depending on the league.

15 Minute Quarters

Major Arena Soccer League matches are divided into 15-minute quarters, delivering a total match time of one hour. Basic soccer is split into two halves of 45 minutes, leading to a 90-minute game, excluding injury times.

Time-Outs

Teams receive two 60-second timeouts per game and an additional one in overtime. Soccer doesn’t have timeouts, although a short drinks break might be enforced by the referee in warm weather.

Two Referees

Two on-field referees police MASL games, enforcing free kicks, penalties, and issuing cards to unruly players. This system differs from soccer when one on-field referee runs the show but is aided by two assistant referees on either flank of the field.

Penalty Points

Major Arena Soccer has adopted a penalty points system to discipline competitors. When a player receives two penalty points in a game, they’re ejected from proceedings. If a player accumulates seven to ten points, they receive a 1 game suspension, while 12 points keep them out of action for 2 matches.

Traditional soccer uses the card system, which has similar consequences for players. For example, in the English Premier League, a player is suspended for one match if they receive 5 yellow cards in 19 games. A direct red card will earn you a one-match ban.

Cards

Unlike traditional soccer, MASL uses a blue card on top of the standard yellow and red. Minor to medium infringements are subject to a blue or yellow card, which earns a player a 1 point penalty. A red card is an immediate 2 point penalty, as is leaving the bench during an altercation.