RULES AND REGULATIONS:
- 6 players on the field at any one time (5 outfield and one goalkeeper).
- Games are to run for 40 minutes in total (2 x 20 minute halves with a 5 minute break for halftime)
- A team must have a minimum of 5 players to field a team.
- Forfeited games equate to a 5-0 scoreline in favour of the non-forfeiting team.
- No hats, jewelry or watches may be worn. The referee will ask that all players remove such items before the start of play. It is the players’ responsibility to ensure they are not wearing such items.
- Shin protectors must be worn.
- The referee has the power to penalise a player for misconduct. What constitutes misconduct is a matter for the referee to decide. It includes but is not limited to striking another player, being over-zealous with a tackle, verbal abuse directed at another player or the referee, time-wasting/deliberately. For certain infringements, the referee may direct a player be substituted.
- Players coming onto the field must not enter onto the field until the other player has left the field of play. A failure to abide by these rules may result in a free kick to the non-infringing team on halfway (or where they have the ball – whichever provides the most advantage).
- A ball that is kicked or headed out over the sideline is to be kicked in by the other team (as opposed to a throw-in in regular soccer) at the point where the ball crossed the sideline. The defending player must stand at least 5m back from a kick in. A goal cannot be score directly from a kick in (it must touch another player first). The player kicking the ball in must pass to another player.
- All players can enter the “D”, except for opposition players for place goal kicks.
- The goalie is allowed to touch the ball with their hands if inside the “D”.
- The ball may be passed back to the goalie but he/she cannot touch the ball with their hands if this happens. Handling by the goal keeper of a ball passed back will result in an indirect free kick from the point of where the ball was picked up by the goalkeeper.
- Aside from indirect free kick as noted above, all free kicks are direct.
- No offside rule once kick off has occurred.
- Goalkeepers cannot drop kick from their hands, the ball must be thrown/rolled or released to the ground and kicked.
- From a goal kick or throw from the goalkeeper's hands, the ball cannot travel over the halfway line without bouncing or touching a player ("on the full"). If a team takes a goal kick which crosses halfway on the full, a free kick to the opposite team from the halfway line is awarded. Note - if the goalkeeper has the ball in their hands, releases the ball onto the ground and then kicks the ball, the rule does not apply, it will only apply directly from a goal kick or when thrown straight from the hands. Note, once the goalkeeper releases the ball from their hands, this is in play and can be contested.
- Mixed competition - 2 female players to be playing at all times.