Summary of Main Rules (and the penalties for their infringement): 1. Players must not enter the goalkeeper’s area at any time. (penalty if own area; direct free kick if opponent’s)
2. Goalkeepers must remain within their area at all times – this includes during the course of making a save. (penalty)
3. Players should not slide-tackle when playing/challenging for ball, or go to ground at any time. (direct free kick)
4. Up to 8 players can take part in each game. Rolling substitutions is allowed during the game, but only during a break in play or when goalkeeper is holding the ball. All substitutions should be acknowledged by the referee before taking place. (direct free kick from centre)
5. No head height rule but if the ball hits the roof structure, a free kick is taken from the place the ball was kicked – not where it went above head height. If the ball hits the roof off the keeper, a corner is taken. (indirect free kick)
6. Games will be played to the white lines and not the curtains, no throw-ins, kick-ins only from the touchline (corners if over the by-line).
7. Games will last for a straight 18 minutes with a 2 minute interval between games. Fixtures will be on display each night at the side of the pitch.
All other Association Football Rules regarding fair and foul play are the same as for 11-a-side football. If players need clarification of any of these rules please see League Administrator. Unlike 11-a-side football, indoor 5-a-Side football is a ‘low-contact’ sport. To protect players from injury, all charging and other dangerous tackles/challenges will be penalised.
Penalties
A penalty will be awarded for the following infringements: 1. If an outfield defending player enters their own box and gains an advantage from doing so. 2. If a goalkeeper exits their box and gains an advantage from doing so (including moving out their box after making a save). 3. If an attacking player is in the process of taking a shot on goal and is slide tackled, then a penalty may be awarded at the referee's discretion, taking into account the proximity of the foul to the goals.
All players must be behind the ball (or outside the designated area if marked). Goalkeeper must be on his line when ball is struck. Penalty taker's run-up is limited to two steps.
Free kicks
All normal Association Football Rules apply (see Summary of Main Rules above). All free-kicks are direct (except those for the balling hitting the roof) and players may score direct from corners however kick-ins from the touchline are indirect.
All players from the opposing team must be at least 2m from the ball when the free kick is taken. Infringement of this rule may result in the referee moving the kick 2m nearer the offender's goal. Free kicks awarded just outside goalkeeper's area are taken 2m outside the goalkeeper's area.
Sin-bin (3 minutes) / Sending-off (Off for remainder of game)/ Abandoned Game (at the referee’s discretion): ◾‘swearing at’ or ‘arguing with’ the referee or other players (on or off the pitch) ◾aggressive or threatening behaviour towards the referee or other players (on or off the pitch) ◾tackles/challenges deemed to be too dangerous for indoor play ◾persistent ‘heavy contact’ challenges ◾‘professional foul’ committed when a player would otherwise be through for a shot at goal
Players in the Sin-bin cannot be substituted, and must remain off the pitch until referee signals them back on. If referee abandons game as a result of a team’s bad discipline, a 4-0 walkover will be awarded to their opponents.
LATE ARRIVAL/CANCELLATION OF A FIXTURE
The smooth running of the league depends on your reliability. Teams arriving over 5 minutes late for their fixture can will be penalised by awarding a 4-0 ‘walkover’ to the opposing team. The game will then be played as a friendly in the time remaining. Any team unable to meet a stated fixture will be penalised by awarding a 4-0 ‘walkover’ to the opposing team and an automatic 1 league point deduction per game. Any teams failing to turn up on the night will still be charged their nightly fee of £25.
Teams must warn the league administrator the day before they are due to play if they are unable to field a team. If no warning is provided by the team, the situation will be monitored and could lead to expulsion from the league.
PLAYERS & GUEST PLAYERS
Players must be registered with the League Administrator before they are eligible to play in the league. There is no maximum to the number of players per team. Any changes to the team sheet during the season must be made known to the League Administrator before the new players are eligible to play in the league. Players cannot be registered with more than one team. A minimum of 4 registered players per team are required for a fixture to be played.
Guest players can play on the night if they are not signed for any other team and can be used twice by a team before having to sign.
LEAGUE TABLES
League Tables are updated weekly and displayed on the league notice board and on the Premier Division & First Division tabs. If teams are level on points, the order of placing will be decided in the following order:-
1. Goal Difference 2. Goals Scored 3. Results between the relevant teams
CHAMPIONS, PROMOTION & RELEGATION
• The winners of each division will be crowned Champions. • The top 3 teams from the First Division will be promoted to the Premier Division. • The bottom 3 teams from the Premier Division will be relegated down to the First Division. After Christmas, following the conclusion of the pre-christmas games new fixtures will be made up for the games after the Christmas break.
FINAL REMARKS
A final point to keep in mind the referee’s decision is FINAL and is not negotiable. Arguing only serves to disrupt the game and waste playing time. You will occasionally get decisions going against you - that’s football. Referees are just volunteers and it’s a friendly competition to be played in good spirits. Enjoy your football!