League Rules

LATE KICK-OFF
If a team is not ready to play at the correct time and correct pitch as detailed on the fixture list they will forfeit their points. The match will NOT be re-scheduled.

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
· All Players must be registered by completing their personal details on the List of Registered Players Form.
· Transfer of players can only be by permission of the Management Committee.
· Minimum age of players is 16 years.

PLAYING AREA
The pitch shall be half of the main Astroturf pitch.
· The penalty area will be a semi-circle of 5 m radius.
· The penalty spot will be a point on the edge of the area.
· Substitution areas will be marked on each side of the halfway line from which all substitutions must be made.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS
· Each team shall consist of not more than 6 players, one of whom is a goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than 5 players.
· A player arriving late may join the game with the referee’s permission.
· Any of the players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed before the change is made and provided also that the change is made during a stoppage in the game.
· 3 substitutes shall be permitted at any time during a game.
· Rolling Substitutes – A player who has been replaced may return to the playing area as a substitute for another player. Substitutions may only take place during a stoppage in play and with the consent of the referee.

The substitution must be made – both incoming and outgoing player – from the substitution areas.
The incoming player cannot enter the pitch until the outgoing player has completely crossed the sideline.
The referee must be informed of a change being made and it must occur during a stoppage in the game.
· A player registered for one team may not play for any other team, even if they are a sister team.

PLAYERS EQUIPMENT
· No studs, No moulds, No blades – only flat or dimpled rubber. Astroturf trainers are accepted.
· The wearing of shin-guards is compulsory.
· Each goalkeeper must wear colours to distinguish him from the other players and referee.
· Players must not use equipment or wear anything, which is dangerous to himself or any other player.
· In the event of 2 teams wearing the same colours, alternative coloured bibs will be supplied.

REFEREES
· A referee shall be appointed to officiate in each game. He has full authority to enforce the laws of the game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed.
· The referee shall report to the organisers at the end of each games as follows:
a) final score
b) names of any players cautioned/sent off/reported for misconduct

DURATION OF THE GAME
· The match will last for 17 minutes. Two equal periods of 8 minutes 30 seconds. There will be a half time interval of up to one minute.
· If a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken, the duration of the match will be extended until the penalty kick is completed.

START AND RESTART OF PLAY
· At the beginning of the game the choice of ends shall be decided by the toss of a coin.
· Both teams shall be in their own half of the playing area for the start of play, restarting play after a goal has been scored and, if appropriate, at the start of extra time.
· On a signal from the referee the home team shall start the game by passing the ball forwards from the centre mark.
· The team shall be restarted in a like manner after a goal has been scored but by the team who conceded the goal.

BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY
· There is no height restriction.
· When the ball goes out of play over the touchline a member of the opposing team shall roll the ball back into play with an underarm action.
· Corners shall be taken by rolling the ball into play underarm.
· The goalkeeper shall return the ball into play underarm.

OFFSIDE
There is no offside. Players may position themselves in any part of the playing area outside the goal area.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
· Aggressive physical play is forbidden and shall be penalised by the awarding of a direct free kick.
· Sliding tackles will be penalised by a direct free kick.

CAUTIONS IN ONE GAME
· There is use of BLUE CARDS and no yellow cards.
If a player received a BLUE card he will have to sit out FOUR minutes of the game immediately. A second BLUE card will mean he shall not be able to take part in the rest of the game.
· The Competition Organisers will decide whether the player could be suspended for the duration of the tournament depending upon the seriousness of the incident.

SENDING OFF – RED CARD
· If a player is given a straight red card, he must miss the following weeks’ fixtures.
· If the red card is given in the first match of the evening, he will miss both the next game and the following weeks’ fixtures.
· The Competition Organisers will decide whether the player could be suspended for the duration of the tournament depending upon the seriousness of the incident.

SENDING OFF OFFENCES
A player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following offences:

· Is guilty of serious foul play
· Is guilty of violent conduct
· Spits at an opponent or any other person
· Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
· Denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
· Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language
· Receives a second blue card in the same match

FREE KICK
· At free kicks opposing players shall be at least 2 metres from the ball. All free kicks given against the defending side committed in or near the goal area shall be taken from a distance not less than 2 metres outside the area at the nearest point to where the offence occurred.
· All free kicks will be direct and taken when the referee confirms the play to continue.

PENALTY KICK
· A penalty kick shall be taken from the penalty mark and, except for the defending goalkeeper, only the player taking the kick can enter the penalty area and for that purpose only.
· Only 1 step is allowed before kicking the ball.
· Whether or not a goal is scored from the kick the player concerned must leave the penalty area immediately after taking the kick and before taking any further part in play.

PLAY WITHIN THE GOAL AREA
· Only the defending goalkeeper is allowed within the goal area.
· The punishment for infringement is:
1. By the attack – roll out by the goalkeeper
2. By the defence – a penalty kick

NOTE referees should distinguish between accidental and intentional entry into the goal area. Only deliberate actions where the player either plays the ball, tries to play the ball or seeks to gain an advantage, should be penalised. Accidental entry, which has no effect on the play, should be ignored.

GOALKEEPER RETURNING THE BALL INTO PLAY
· The goalkeeper must return the ball with an underarm bowling action. It must not be thrown or kicked. The goalkeeper cannot receive the ball after he has played it to a member of his team, unless the ball has been played by a second player. Penalty for infringement is an indirect free kick 2 yards outside the area.
· The goalkeeper cannot leave his area. A penalty will be given against the goalkeeper if this rule is infringed deliberately.
· The goalkeeper must not intentionally kick the ball. If the referee decides the ball has been intentionally kicked then an indirect free kick is taken 2 yards outside the goal area.

INSURANCE
· All participants entering into sporting activities do so entirely at their own risk and the organisers, their servants or agents do not accept any liability for any personal injury or loss/damage to property howsoever caused.

Trophies will be awarded to the winners and runners up in the competition.

ANY DISPUTES ARISING WILL BE SETTLED BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND ITS DECISION WILL BE FINAL.