5-A-Side Soccer Rules & Regulations - Hensley Park, Eastgardens, New South Wales

Game Rules

1	Each team may field four outfield players and a goalkeeper on the pitch at any one time.
2	Substitutions are unlimited during the game, they can only be made with the Referees consent. Outgoing substitutes must leave the field of play before the replacement enters the playing area. The oncoming players are active immediately and can receive the ball. Substitutes must stand outside the pitch perimeter and spectators must not enter the field of play under any circumstances.
3	Teams may not change their goalkeeper more than once during the course of the game. A change of goalkeeper must be authorized by the referee.
4	NO screw in studded footwear or blades are permitted to be worn by any player. Only training shoes, moulded soles and astro boots may be worn. All Players must wear shin pads. The wearing of any form of jewellery is not permitted during play.
5	Boundaries: The game will only be stopped when the ball comes to a rest over the side-lines or a player touches the ball whilst the ball is over the white lines. In essence the ball can travel anywhere within the fencing however it can only be played within the field markings. If a player touches the ball over the side-line then a kick-in will be awarded to the opposition on the line next to where the player touched the ball. If the ball comes to a rest over the side-line then the last player to touch the ball will concede a kick-in on the side-line perpendicular to where he/she played the ball from. If the ball comes to rest behind the base-line after being played by the attacking team or is touched by an attacking player then the ball will be handed to the goalkeeper. If the ball comes to rest behind the base-line after being played by the defending team or is touched by a defending player then the ball will be handed to the attacking team for a corner.
6	Each half will begin with one team taking a centre. After a goal has been scored the game will be re-started by the goalkeeper rolling the ball underarm out of their area. This can be done immediately and the defending players must retreat to their own half before they can attack the ball or opposition. A defending player attacking the ball before setting foot in their own half will concede a direct free kick from the penalty spot. All players are active once the ball crosses half way.
7	All players can enter the goal areas, only the goalkeeper can handle the ball in this area. The goalkeeper may not handle the ball in this area if it is played to him by a teammate.
8	The goalkeeper must return the ball into play by rolling it out of his area with an under-arm bowling action. If the ball is returned any other way a free-kick will be given to the opposition two meters outside the area.
9	The ball must not be played above rigid fence height (2.4 metres). An indirect free kick will be awarded against the last player to touch the ball before it goes above fence height, regardless of intent. This does not apply to the goalkeeper if the ball is played above this height in the act of making a save.
10	A goal may be scored from any point within the field of play.
11	No slide tackles are allowed. Infringement of this rule will lead to a free kick being awarded against the offending players team.
12	All restarts must be made within 5 seconds. Teams defending the restart must retreat the specified distance first otherwise rule 16 will apply.
13	Professional fouls will be penalized with a penalty and the guilty player may face disciplinary action.
14	All free kicks will be direct with the exception of over fence height which is deemed in-direct.
15	If the ball becomes stuck behind the goalposts, play will be restarted by the goalkeeper
16	Opposition players must be at least five meters from where any free-kick is taken. If opposing players do not retreat the required five meters the kick may be moved forward by three metres.
17	The Goal keeper must be on the goal line when a penalty is being taken.
18	Shin Pads must be worn by all players during the game. Referees will refuse to allow players to play without shin pads.
19	The League rules are not exhaustive and may be added to or amended at any time.
20	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/her about any decision. The Referees jurisdiction on disciplinary matters will apply until the game is finished and players have left the field of play. Players repeatedly disputing decisions may have further disciplinary action taken against them.
21	Foul or abusive language will not be tolerated and any offending player will be cautioned.
22	Teams with a valid complaint against a match official must be put in writing within 48 hours of the match taking place. The complaint should be emailed to the centre manager or written and posted/handed in to the centre manager. Complaints by phone or in person will not be recorded

League Rules

1	Prior to entering a KIKOFF league the registration must be completed in full including all players details. Players may only be added at a later date with the centre managers permission
2	The team registration fee must be paid in full prior to the second game unless authorised by the centre manager. This can be paid on the day of the game.
3	Each season will last for 10 weeks unless otherwise specified. There will be 4 seasons per year.
4	If a team pulls out of a competition at the end of the season then an extra team will be promoted from the lower division or a team reinstated as per rule 5.
5	If applicable, teams that pull out of the competetion may be reinstated in the division they last played in only if another team pulls out and at the discretion of the centre manager. Teams may only miss one season to qualify to be reinstated in a higher division.
6	Teams may remain in the same division if they wish (due to promotion moving them to a day they cannot play), in this case the next placed team may be promoted or a new team added. This will be done at the discretion of the centre manager.
7	The centre managers decision is final with regards to all promotion, relegations and team placements.
8	Teams will receive 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss. League placings will be decided by points, followed by goal difference, followed by goals scored, followed by the result between the two teams in question. A coin toss will be the last resort.
9	All players must be registered by completing the necessary forms prior to competing for any team. Teams may register up to 10 players and no player can be registered to more than one team in the same division. Players may not transfer their registration to a team in the same division during the course of a season. Players can not play in a lower division than the one they initially register for
10	Any team playing an unregistered or suspended player automatically lose the match 5 – 0 and be deducted 3 points. Players playing whilst suspended will have a further three match ban added to the end of their current suspension.
11	Teams must all have a matching kit that consists of playing shirt, shorts and socks. The goalkeeper can wear tracksuit bottoms and must have a shirt that easily identifies him/her from their team mates. Shin guards must be worn by all players and no jewellery will be allowed (except flat wedding rings which must be taped up). If two teams colours clash then one team must wear bibs, this will be decided by a toss of the coin by the referee.
12	Teams are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled kick off times. Teams must be on the park and ready to begin the match at the appointed kick-off time. If a team is more than 10 minutes late their opponents may begin with a 3 – 0 head start or even a 5-0 win at the Centre Managers discretion.
13	Teams may be replaced at any stage of the season. Replacement teams inherit the scores and points of their predecessors. No team joining after the halfway point can be awarded first or second place at the end of the season.
14	Teams failing to appear for their designated fixture or not giving 48 hours notice cancellation will be liable for the match fee, will have the match awarded to their opponents 5 – 0 and, for repeated absence, may be ejected from the League.
15	All fixtures are to be played unless adverse weather conditions make the pitches unplayable. Any decision to cancel a game can only be made by the KIKOFF Centre Manager. Postponements are not allowed, except in exceptional circumstances and at KIKOFF's discretion.
16	A fixture list and current standings will be issued at the start of each season and will be displayed and updated on the KIKOFF website - www.kikoff.com.au.
17	In the event of a fixture start time being delayed then the game will be shortened with two equal length halves so at not to delay later matches
18	Teams in Over 35 Competitions may have one player aged 30-35 for every three players aged over 35
19	Mixed Competition must have no more than three players of any one gender on the field at any time.

Disciplinary Rules

1	A player sent off for a second cautionable offence will be suspended for a minimum of 1 week. In the case serious foul play, foul or abusive language the suspension will be extended to 2 weeks or longer should KIKOFF deem this necessary.
2	If a player is given a red card whilst off the field of play (for unacceptable conduct on the sideline), the team must correspondingly reduce the number of players on the field.
3	If a team is permanently reduced to three players the game will end. The match will be awarded 5-0 to their opponents and they will be deducted 3 points. If the score at the time produces a goal difference greater than 5-0 then that score will stand.
4	If a match is abandoned for any reason the team at fault will receive a 5-0 defeat and lose 3 points unless the opposing team already has a greater advantage in which case the score will stand. If both teams are judged to be at fault the game will be void and no points will be awarded.
5	Violent conduct on or off the pitch will result in the immediate suspension of the individual and could result in a ban from all KIKOFF Soccer Centre premises. KIKOFF P/L reserve the right to ban an individual or team from further participation in all competitions.
6	Referees must be treated with respect from all teams. Teams found guilty of abusing Referees will be removed from the Leagues.
7	The decision of KIKOFF Soccer Centres management in all matters pertaining to the administration of the league is final.
8	KIKOFF Soccer Centres management may overturn any rule if they feel a team is deliberately using an interpretation of the rules to gain an unfair advantage.