Football 5s and 7’s 2016
ADMINISTRATION RULES:
FIXTURES:
 The artificial pitch is an all-weather surface and games will not be cancelled due to
rain.
 Fixture lists are generated and posted on the website (button Summer Football. Team
captains/organisers are also emailed relevant draw and competition information.
Please ensure team captains/organisers regularly visit the Mainland Football website
for updated fixture information.
 Please note that you will have different fixture times throughout the competition.
 If the number of entries allow it, teams may be graded into divisions.
FEES & FEE POLICY
We require full payment prior to the competition starting.
REFUNDS:
 The entry fee will be fully refunded if the entry is withdrawn before 1st Game
 Where a team withdraws after 1st Game but before 2nd Game the entry fee paid will be
refunded less a $50 administration fee.
 Where a team fails to give notice of withdrawal within these timeframes the entry fee
will not be refunded.
ABSENCES & DEFAULTS:
 If teams default a fixture, regardless of whether they have informed Mainland Football,
they will be charged for the full match fee.
 If your opposition is absent, you will win by default. Mainland Football will try to
organise a friendly match for that round.
 An abandoned match is not replayed.
LAWS OF THE GAME:
Special note: Where the law is not specified, refer to FIFA’s Laws of the Game. This also
includes descriptions of penalties for infringement.
FIELD OF PLAY:
 Size of field is 30x25m for 5’s 50x32 for 7’s
 The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway cone, which joins the midpoints
of the two touch lines.
 The goal area is marked by an arc of 5 m radius from the centre of the goal.
KIT:
 A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or
another player (including any kind of jewellery).
 Players must wear appropriate clean artificial turf shoes or football boots.
 The wearing of shin guards is compulsory, and must be covered by socks, in
accordance with the Laws of the Game is compulsory.
 Normal football boots are acceptable.
 Teams are encouraged to wear team playing uniforms. Matching shirts and shorts are
acceptable.
 If team uniforms clash or a team does not have a uniform, bibs will be provided for one
team to distinguish between the teams.
THE PLAYERS:
 A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than five players 5 a side
and seven player 7 a side, one of whom is the goalkeeper. For Mixed Social teams
there must be two players on the field at all times.
D’s (Semi circle):
 All players are allowed inside the D’s any time the ball is in play.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
 All teams may have a maximum of 5 subs on the match night. It is acceptable for a
team to take the field with no subs.
 The Rules of the Competition allow for “rolling” substitutes to be used. A player who
has been replaced may later return to the playing area as a substitute for another
player. A “rolling” substitution is one which is made when the ball is out of play. The
referee’s permission is not required.
 Referee has to be notified of any substitutions
 Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that the
referee is informed before the change is made, and the change is made during a
stoppage in the game.
GOALKEEPER:
 D’s (semi circle) is in operation
 Keeper is allowed out of the goal area (whilst out he will be treated as any other
player).
 Keeper is allowed to save or stop the ball with his hands inside the goal area D’s (semi
circle) only.
 Keeper can only return the ball into play with a throw in action within the semi circle.
Penalty for infringement: indirect free kick 6m from goal line at a point determined by
the referee.
 The keeper may throw the ball to outside the D, then play the ball themselves. Penalty
for infringement: indirect free kick 6m from goal line at a point determined by the
referee.
 Keeper is not allowed to handle the ball after a pass or kick-in from his own team but
may use their feet to distribute the ball.
 After holding the ball the goalkeeper must immediately return the ball into play with a
throw or kick within 4 seconds.
 If the ball deflects off a cone used for field marking, for example, the goal area, the
goal shall stand as the cone is a part of the field of play.
GAME DURATION:
 All games played: 2 x 15 minute for 5 a side and 2 x 20 periods with a 2 minute
halftime interval; games will start on the whistle from the referee and finish on a
whistle. Teams must be ready to take the field at kickoff time.
 All games will kick off and finish at the scheduled time, teams arriving late shall
be penalized by one goal per minute late with a maximum of 3 goals.
 If a team is more than 5 minutes late: they have defaulted (referee’s discretion) and
will lose the game with 3 goals.
 If a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken at the end of either half, the duration of
either half is extended until the penalty kick is completed.
POINTS:
 There shall be 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
 There shall be 3 goals allocated for a defaulted game.
START OF PLAY:
 The home team, listed as first team on the fixtures, starts the game with a kick-off from
the centre spot.
 A goal may not be scored directly from the kick-off.
 The opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 4 m from the ball until it is in
play
 The ball may go in any direction.
 In the event of any infringement of the kick-off procedure, the kick-off is retaken.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES:
 If a player receives a sin bin they must sit out 3 minutes of play (as determined by the
referee). A player given a sin bin cannot be replaced with another player from that
team.
 A sin bin is also given for any verbal abuse. The player receiving a sin bin for verbal
abuse must give his full details to the referee.
 A player receiving a direct red card is suspended for the rest of that game and also
the following game. A player that has been sent off cannot be replaced with another
player from that team.
 A player committing a second sin binning offence will be issued with a red card and
sent off for the rest of that game and the following week’s game.
 A player sent off MUST give his full details to the referee
 If a player doesn’t give his name, the referee has the right to withdraw the game and
team loses 3 points plus the game.
SLIDE TACKLES AND AGGRESSIVE PLAY:
 SLIDE TACKLES ARE NOT ALLOWED
 No aggressive force to be used
 Sin bin may be used for persisting slide tackles.
FREE KICK:
 Opposition must stay 4m away from the location of the free kick.
PENALTY KICK:
 A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits an offence for which a direct
free kick is awarded, inside its own defensive third.
 The ball is taken from 6m from the goal at a point determined by the referee.
 The player taking the penalty kick must be properly identified and has to have the
foot by the ball.
 The defending goalkeeper must remain on his goal line, facing the kicker, between
the goalposts until the ball has been kicked
 All players must be behind the off side line while penalty gets taken.
KICK IN (THROW IN):
 It is kicked in: there are no throw-ins.
 Opposition must stay 4m away.
 A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.
GOAL KICKS:
 A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on
the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a
goal is not scored.
 The keeper can return the ball into play within the semi circle by using their hands
only. Penalty for infringement: indirect free kick 4m outside goal area.
 Opposition must stay 4m away.
CORNER KICK:
 A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either
on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a
goal is not scored.
 A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
 The ball must be placed within 30 cm of the corner cone nearest to the point where
the ball crossed the goal line
 The corner cone must not be moved
 Opponents must remain at least 4 m from the ball until the ball is in play
Important Note:
Please note that Mainland Football does not provide insurance cover for personal injury.
Mainland Football will not be held responsible for personal injuries Mainland Football will
not be responsible for any personal loss of property at ASB Football Park.
Please note Summer Football is a social competition and all games MUST be
played in the spirit of the game. Mainland Football reserves the right to re-grade or
remove teams/players should they be deemed to be playing in the wrong grade or
not in the spirit of the competition.