5-A-Side Football

Rules & Regulations :

Introduction
The following is a quick list of the basic rules and regulations relating to the playing of 5-A-Side
Football. A team should have not more than 8 players and only 5 players will play in the field
including 1 Goal Keeper.
Kicking it above 2 metres high is disallowed
There are no off-sides
We encourage back passes to the keeper, who must return the ball by hand Throw In
Throw Ins from the keeper to a team mate must touch at least 1 other player before being
passed back
Out of bounds balls are returned by a kick-in
Team Structure
1. There will be a maximum of 5 players per team on the field at any one time.
1. Each team may field four outfield players and a goalkeeper on the pitch at any one time
2. Each team can use a maximum of 8 players per game
Substitutions
1. Substitutions are unlimited during the game, can only be made with the referees consent
1. Outgoing substitutes must leave the field of play before the replacement enters the
playing area
2. The oncoming players are active immediately and can receive the ball
3. Substitutes must stand outside the pitch perimeter and spectators must not enter the
field of play under any circumstances
4. Teams may not change their goalkeeper during the course of the game unless the goal
keeper is injured.
Game Structure
1. The match will consist of two equal halves
1. League - The length of each half will be 7& half minutes. Full game time of 15 mins
2. Semi Finals & Finals - The length of each half will be 10 minutes. Full game time of 20
mins
3. The first half will begin with one team taking a centre; the second half will begin with the
other team taking a centre
4. After a goal has been scored the game will be re-started by the team who conceded the
goal taking a centre
5. Half-Time will be a straight change around with 3 minutes break
Field Restrictions
1. There are two marked goal/penalty areas on the pitch
1. Only the defending goalkeeper is allowed to play the ball inside the goal area and only
he/she may handle the ball in this area
2. An outfield player gaining or seeking to gain an advantage by entering his own goal area
will have a penalty kick awarded against his team
3. An outfield player entering his opponents penalty area will be penalized. The game will
be re-started from the goalkeeper
4. A goalkeeper gaining or seeking to gain an advantage by leaving his area or by playing
the ball when it is outside the area will have a penalty awarded against his team
General Play
There are no off-sides
The ball must not be played above the shoulder height.
An indirect free kick will be awarded against the last player to touch the ball before it
goes above shoulder height, regardless of intent
Exception is the goalkeeper can deflect the ball over 2 meters when making a save
A goal may be scored from any point within the field of play
Goalkeepers are permitted to take penalties
Goals cannot be scored directly from a side line kick in or directly from the kick off
If the ball is returned any other way a free-kick will be given to the opposition two meters
outside the area
The goalkeeper has a maximum of 5 seconds to return the ball into play
Goal Keeper should not use his hands while back passed.
A free kick will be awarded against the offending team from the place where the
defending player returned the ball unless it is deemed by the referee that a player
returning the ball to the Goal-Keeper is gaining an advantage then a penalty will be
awarded
Free Kicks and Penalty Kicks
All free kicks will be direct with the exception of over head height which is deemed in-direct
1. Opposition players must be at least two meters from where any free-kick is taken.
1. If opposing players do not retreat the required two meters the kick may be moved
forward one meter
2. If a free kick is awarded on or near the goal area it can be moved up to two meters
backwards to allow defenders to be two meters from the ball
2. A penalty kick will be placed on the top of the goal area directly in the centre of the goal
3. The Goal keeper must not be on the goal line when a penalty is being taken. It should be left
free to score goal. But the ball should travel in air to land inside the D area and then enter the
goal post
4. Players may only take two steps whilst taking a penalty



DISPUTES/DISCIPLINE
1. The Referees decision on all on-field matters is final and no discussions will be entered into
either on or off the field with him about any decision

Let s make this Sports Event FUN