RULES OF PLAY

A Game for those who have ‘advanced’ from junior & veterans soccer. Focus on enjoyment & fitness, participation for all, minimised exposure to injury. Show respect to all & play with a smile. Expectation from each player to ‘referee themselves’ on rules, (regardless of whether game is being refereed by others)

General rules of football apply, as does ‘common sense’. Below are rules worth emphasising. 

1. Contact – Play ball, not player with no physical contact between players either with or without the ball. No shoulder charges, slide tackling, tackling from behind. Play stops if player falls / injured or ‘on the ground’ (restart — team in possession kick off). A player on ground cannot play the ball.
A player can only dispossess an opponent of the ball by making a tackle when directly in front of the player in possession of the ball. Players cannot make any tackle from behind or from the side of the player in possession of the ball. A player receiving the ball cannot back-into an opponent to protect the ball or create physical contact.

 2. Movement – Players must only walk with or without the ball – no running allowed. Walking is defined as ‘having one foot fully on ground at all times’. Note – if it looks like running, it probably is. Sanction is a free kick.

3. Ball Height – Ball must be kept below height of 6ft. Free kick sanction. (Exceptions – goalie save / deflection / block & shots on goal where crossbar > 6ft.) Note — benefit of doubt to be given as it is impossible to be very accurate — game should be allowed to flow as much as possible).

4. Ball Retention – Players are only allowed take three touches of ball. Sanction is a free kick. 

5. Keepers Area (Penalty Box)– Only Goalie is allowed inside the Keepers area. If a defender encroaches inside -and gains any advantage the sanction is a penalty. If opposing player encroaches inside a free kick to the defending team is awarded. Goals can only be scored inside opposition half, (or specific Scoring Area depending on size of pitch) and outside Keepers area. Looping shot above the height of Goal- such a shot if it results in a score does not count as it is technically a high ball before it goes in. Free kid, out is the result. Other Goalkeeper rules – Goalkeeper can pick up ball from badk-pass. In any situation including a goal kid( he has the option to roll the ball out (underarm and below head height).Alternatively they can play the ball on the floor as at present. In games of 6 a side or greater: Goalkeeper cannot return the ball to the same player he received a backpass from.

6. Frees / Restarts / Penalties / All free kicks are indirect. Opposition need to be always 3 Meters (10 feet) from Frees / Restarts / Touches or Corners.Start game by centre kick off. Restart game after goals by centre. Wides & Sideline Touches — restart by kick-in. In taking the free/restart/corner or touch -the ball should not be played with undue or excessive force- sanction is a free kick and any other disciplinary measure the ref deems appropriate in the circumstances.
A penalty will also be awarded if a player denies a “clear and obvious” goal or scoring opportunity by committing an infringement of the Rules inside the agreed Scoring Area. (Infringements include keepers making saves/ tackles outside their box, deliberate handball in the scoring zone and any body check/ trip / tackle from side or behind preventing an obvious goal scoring chance.) A penalty should be taken from a distance of 5 Meters with the penalty taker allowed only one step in his approach. 

7. Team Size Options –
4-a-Side has no goalie. 5-a-Side has ‘fly’ goalie (can handle ball in penalty box). 6-a-side and above has ‘stick’ goalie.

Note — if number of players uneven, compensation can be made by having one team with fly goalie, other with ‘stick’ goalie. Also decide on night where Scoring Area is -depending on numbers attending.

General: Expectation from all members is that they are available for 2/3 of sessions, respond to ‘availability text’ by 7PM Monday evening, be punctual, wear appropriate bibs, and align with Ethos& Rules per above.

Refereeing of game — All games should ideally have a referee appointed, who will referee to these rules. Expectation is that the referee comes from a rota of members of Amblers Athletic, expectation that all play their part equally. Referee should endeavour to allow the game flow as much as possible — it is not acceptable for referee to take any level of abuse or questioning from players. This should be enforced by all, not just referee. Dissent: The referees decision is deemed correct at all times. He has the option to reverse any free kick decision if he is questioned on his determination ( whether or not he has been proven fallible) or on any dissenting comments or actions.