6-a-side Competition Rules
Number of Players
The minimum number of players required for a team to take the field is 4, one of whom must be designated
as the goal keeper.
For Mixed Competitions:
A minimum of 3 female players must be on the field of play at all times; or
If there are only 2 female players then the team can only have 5 players on the field until the third female player enters the field of play.
Interchange or Substitution
Interchange applies.
A substitution may only be made when the ball is out of play. To replace a player with a substitute, the
following conditions must be observed:
The players enter and leave the pitch via the substitution zone at halfway.
The substitute only enters the pitch after the player being replaced has left.
The substituted player may take further part in the match.
If a period is extended to allow a penalty kick, a kick from the second penalty mark or a direct free kick without a wall to be taken, only the goalkeeper of the defending team may be substituted.
Changing the goalkeeper
Any of the substitutes may change places with the goalkeeper without informing the referee or waiting for a stoppage in the match.
Any player may change places with the goalkeeper.
A player or substitute replacing the goalkeeper must wear a different jersey colour.
Players Equipment
All players must wear the same coloured shirt with the number clearly shown on either back or front. Teams have until Round 3 to have correct strip.
Team Captains are to resolve strip clashes with their oppositions using the Captains WhatsApp chat before a game is played. We no longer supply bibs due to hygiene issues.
All players must wear shin pads. Referees shall not allow any player to take the field of play without shinpads.
Normal grass field playing boots are advised. No metal studs permitted.
Running style shoes and indoor football boots are acceptable, but not recommended.
No jewellery whatsoever is permitted to be worn by any player or official. Match Officials may wear wristwatches for timekeeping purposes.
Match Officials
Fully qualified referees will be appointed to games.
Duration of Matches
Playing time allowed for each game shall be: -
Twenty (20) minutes per half; Two (2) minute half time break;
There will be no added time for injury and other stoppages;
Kick off times are listed on the draw.
Three minutes are allocated for an on-pitch warm-up prior to your game.
Games will commence on time and the Head Referee will be the sole timekeeper for all games.
The Head Referee whistle will signal to the referee to start/end play.
Play will start on the referee whistle once both teams are ready and the ball is in the centre of the pitch.
Play will finish on the referee whistle immediately after the Head Referee whistle. The exception is for Penalty kicks which have already been awarded. In this instance, the penalty kick will proceed to be taken.
Extra time is NOT to be added on to any games for any reason.
Start and Restart of Play
A kick-in shall be taken when the ball crosses the sideline. The following conditions apply: -
The ball is placed either on the touchline or outside within 25 centimetres of the touchline before kicking.
The kicker's foot not kicking the ball must be outside or at least on the touchline; if it crosses the touchline all of the way, into the pitch, the kick-in is given to the opposing team.
The kick-in must be taken within four (4) seconds; if it is not, the kick-in is given to the opposing team.
The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until another player has played it; infringement of this rule entails an indirect free kick to the opposing from the point of infringement.
All opposition players must be at least five (5) metres away from point of kick-in.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in. Any player within the field of play must touch the ball first, prior to wholly crossing the goal line.
Corners that are taken incorrectly or which exceed four (4) seconds will result in a goal clearance being awarded to the defending team.
Goals can NOT be scored directly from a kick off.
Forfeits will be awarded when an opposing team does not field a minimum of 4 (four) players, one of whom must be the designated goalkeeper, 10 minutes after the scheduled commencement of the game:
A forfeit will be awarded to the non-offending team and will be recorded as a 3 - nil win.
Offside and Sliding Tackles
There will be no offside rule applied in any game in the competition.
Sliding tackles are not permitted.
Free Kicks and Penalty Kicks
All free kicks will be awarded as direct or indirect, as adjudicated by the referee.
The minimum distance an opposing player may be from the ball in any free kick situation is five (5) metres.
Once the referee has signalled to take a direct or indirect free kick the team has four (4) seconds (not penalty kicks).
Penalty kicks are to be awarded when a defending team commits a “direct free kick” offence inside the “D” radius.
Penalty kicks are to be taken six (6) metres from the goal line, in the centre of the “D” radius.
If the half-time or full-time whistle is blown and a Penalty kick has been awarded and not taken, then the penalty kick will proceed.
Goal Keepers
The Goalkeeper cannot punt kick or drop-kick the ball (out of their hands) over the half-way line on the full. This infringement will result in an indirect free kick to the opposition at the half-way line where the ball crossed the half-way line.
The Goalkeeper cannot throw the ball (out of their hands) over the half-way line on the full in general play or from a “Goal Clearance”. This infringement will result in an indirect free kick to the opposition at the half-way line where the ball crossed the half-way line.
The Goalkeeper CAN kick the ball on the full over half-way from general play (i.e. only from the ground).
The Goalkeeper cannot pick the ball up directly from a “kick-in” taken by a member of his / her own team. This infringement will result in an indirect free kick at the point of the offence.
The Goalkeeper must release the ball within four (4) seconds of gaining control of the ball in their hands and / or feet. The penalty for this indiscretion will be an indirect free kick at the point of the offence.
The Goalkeeper may touch the ball for a second time. Back-pass rule does not apply.
The usual goal-kicks are taken by throwing the ball (out of their hands) into play beyond the radius circle. This is called a “Goal Clearance”.
If a ball is thrown by the Goalkeeper directly into his / her own goal, wholly crossing the goal line, play is recommenced with a corner kick to the attacking team.
Cautions / Send Offs
Referees at their discretion may issue yellow cards. An accumulation of four (4) yellow cards will result in an automatic one-match suspension.
Referees at their discretion may issue a red card and send the player from the field of play.
The following mandatory suspensions apply:
Second cautionable offence in a match – 1 match;
Deliberate hand ball to prevent a goal scoring opportunity – 1 match;
Serious foul play to prevent a goal scoring opportunity – 1 match;
Serious foul play of a non-violent nature – 1 match;
Offensive, insulting or abusive language loudly to opponents or teammates – 1 match;
Offensive, insulting or abusive language to referees, officials or spectator – 2 matches;
Serious foul play of a violent nature – 3 matches minimum;
Violent conduct – 3 matches minimum.
The Head Referee has the discretion to cite and / or suspend any player / official / spectator for breaches of the respective “Codes of Conduct” in consultation with the respective team manager and NSFA. This disciplinary action may include instances of violent and / or abusive behaviours before, during or after a game.
All Suspensions will be served in the next scheduled game(s).