PLAYING RULES
The playing rules may be adapted depending on the physical characteristics of the venue but must
adhere to The FA Laws of Small Sided Football. Summary rules as used at most regional finals are as
follows:
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A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than five players, one of whom
is the goalkeeper.
The match day squad shall consist of no more than eight players.
The maximum number of substitutes permitted is three. Substitutions are unlimited during
the game and can only be made when the ball is dead and with the Referees consent.
A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to him/her or another
player. Referees will perform a spot check prior to kick-off and their decision is final. Players
must wear shin guards.
The choice of ends is decided by the toss of a coin. The team winning the toss decides
whether they wish to kick off or choose which goal it wishes to attack. A goal may be scored
directly from the kick off.
Teams must be ready to play their game at the allocated time. If after 30 seconds the team
are not ready for kick off the match will be forfeited and awarded to the opposing team with
a score of 3-0.
There shall be no offside.
There will be a height restriction equivalent of approximately 6ft. The exception to this rule
shall be when the ball rises above the designated height restriction resulting from a save or
block performed by a goalkeeper or by the ball striking the goal post or cross bar. Play
should continue in these circumstances. Should another player then play the ball whilst it is
at a height above the designated height restriction this will result in a direct free kick to the
opposing team.
The ball must never be played with the head even if it is below board height.
Goalkeepers are allowed to pick up the ball from a pass back. The goalkeeper must return
the ball into play by rolling it out of his area with an under-arm bowling action. The player
receiving the ball may not return the ball directly to the goalkeeper - the ball must first make
contact with another team mate or an opponent.
Direct free kicks will be awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any one of a
number of fouls as per The FA small sided regulations.
Opposing players must retreat two metres away from the ball at free kicks.
A Referee may make use of a temporary suspension from play for players that pose a danger
to themselves or others. The options for a match official imposing disciplinary sanctions are
therefore:
o Player shown a blue card and temporarily suspended from play. The period of timed
suspension should be two minutes.
o Player issued with a second blue card and permanently excluded from play.
o Player issued with a red card and permanently excluded from play.
A player who has been sent off may not take any further part in the match and may be
subject to further suspension at the discretion of the competition management team.
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A player shown a blue card and temporarily suspended from play can only return to the field
of play once the Referee signals that the player can resume playing.
A match should not be considered valid if more than two players (permanently) reduce the
playing strength of either team.
Only the defending goalkeeper is allowed in the semi-circle goal areas. Infringement of this
rule by defenders results in a penalty kick to the attacking team. Infringement by attackers
results in a free kick to defenders from one metre outside the area. If a goalkeeper leaves
the penalty area a penalty kick is awarded. Referees shall distinguish between accidental and
deliberate entry.
At penalty kicks the attacker may only take one step.
No sliding tackles or shoulder charging opponents into the kick boards will be allowed.
Infringements of this rule will result in a direct free kick to the opposition. Where in the
Referee’s opinion there is ongoing abuse of this rule it may result in players receiving a blue
card.
Unsporting conduct - constant time wasting by teams deliberately abusing the unlimited
substitution rule may result in players being shown a blue card.
The competition organiser may expel any team from the entire competition for serious or
repeated incidents of misconduct by the team or their players.
All rules are in conjunction with The FA’s small sided regulations
Please note:
All players must wear shin pads. Any player without the correct equipment will not be allowed to
play.