Rules

Note: Unless otherwise stated below, 5 A SIDE will be played to the current FIFA Laws of the Game.

  1. SPIRIT OF THE GAME

1.1. 5 A SIDE is a social sport aimed at providing a fun and enjoyable environment in which to participate in small sided soccer. Players must conduct themselves in an appropriate fashion at all times and ill-discipline will be dealt with seriously.

1.2. It is also expected in 5 A SIDE that teams not engage in negative (or “game killing”) tactics. This can manifest both when a team is in possession of the football and when a team is defending. Such examples are:

  • Repeated back passes to the goalkeeper;
  • Intentionally kicking the ball over the sideline or goal line so as to waste time;
  • Intentional fouls to slow down attacking play;
  • Any other act or offence that the referee deems to be not in the ‘Spirit of the game’.

The referee has the discretion to sin bin (See Section 20) a player for any singular or repeated offence that is deemed to be a ‘game killing’ tactic on top of any in-game punishment.

  1. FIELD DIMENSIONS

2.1. Minimum dimensions are 30m long by 20m wide. Fields should not exceed 40m long by 30m wide.

2.2. Goals should not exceed 3m in width and 2m in height.

2.3. The D or penalty area is a semi-circle of 6m radius from the goal line at each end on the field.

  1. UNIFORMS

3.1. Teams are to be in the same colour shirts/singlets.

3.2. Teams are to have numbers on these shirts/singlets.

3.3. Bonus points will be on offer for teams that have satisfied 3.1 and 3.2. However, teams that do not satisfy 3.1 and 3.2 will still be able to participate in most circumstances.

3.4. A player who is not in at least the same coloured jersey may be refused entry onto the field if the referee feels that he/she will not be able to distinguish that player from the opposition.

3.5. Each team’s goalkeeper must wear a different coloured jersey or ‘bib’ so the referee can distinguish them from their teammates.

  1. TEAM COMPOSITION

4.1. Men’s and Women’s: 5 people on the field; including 1 Goalkeeper and 4 outfield players. Maximum of 5 reserves.

4.2. Mixed: 5 people on the field; including 1 Goalkeeper and 4 outfield players. Note, a maximum of 3 outfield players can be male. Maximum of 5 reserves.

  1. REGISTRATION

5.1. At the beginning of each season, individuals must register in order to play 5 A SIDE. Individual registration can be done online – instructions will be emailed to the team captain upon the team’s registration.

5.2. A player is registered when they have registered online agreeing to the terms and conditions. Registration for one-off games must still be made online.

5.3. It is the responsibility of the player to ensure they are registered.

5.4. Teams are able to register a maximum of 10 players but must do so before the start of their Week 8 fixture. Anyone not registered at that point cannot play finals football in weeks 9 and 10.

  1. INSURANCE

6.1. Insurance – All registered players are covered by 5 A SIDE’s insurance policy. In the event of injury, please ensure you report this to both the match referee and the competition manager on the night of the injury (this is critical).

6.2. Even minor injuries/potential injuries must be reported. A failure to report the injury to either the referee or competition manager on the night of the incident may void that player’s right to make a claim.

6.3. To make a claim, please contact 5 A SIDE. You must be a registered player to make a claim.

  1. DURATION

7.1. Games are to run for 45 minutes in total (2 x 20 minute halves with 2 minutes for half-time, and three minutes at the end of the game set aside for signing the scoresheet and any other administrative tasks).

7.2. Should the game start late for whatever reason, the half-time break can be reduced at the discretion of the referee.

  1. FORFEITS

8.1. A team must have a minimum of 4 players to field a team.

8.2. A team has 5 minutes from kick-off to take the field. If the team is late, the opposition will be awarded 1 in-game point for every minute it is late after that 5 minute period has elapsed. If after 10 minutes, the other team has still not taken to the field (with the minimum numbers required), the game will be forfeited unless the opposition captain agrees to play in what time is left. If the opposition captain agrees to play, their team will have a 5-0 headstart.

8.4. Forfeited games equate to a 5-0 score line in favour of the non-forfeiting team. The non-forfeiting team will also obtain a ‘win’ as well as one bonus point (5 points total).

9 . COMPETITION POINTS/BONUS POINTS/IN-GAME POINTS

9.1. A win is worth 4 points. A loss is worth 0 points. A draw is worth 2 points.

9.2. A bonus point can be obtained from scoring 5 in-game points or losing a game by 1 in-game point.

9.3. A maximum of 3 bonus points can be obtained by a team in one game (does not include uniform bonus points).

9.4. 1 “in-game’ point per goal for male goals (Mens and Mixed). 1 “in-game” point per goal for female goals (Women’s only). 2 “in-game” points for female goals (Mixed only).

9.5. 1 bonus point per week from weeks 4-8 where entire team is in perfect uniform (identical shirts with permanent numbers).

  1. SAFETY

10.1. No jewellery or watches may be worn. The referee will ask that all players remove such items before the start of play. It is the players’ responsibility to ensure they are not wearing such items.

10.2. Fingernails must be trimmed.

10.3. Only prescription glasses are allowed – sunglasses are not allowed. A player wearing prescription glasses does so at their own risk and will accept responsibility for any injuries that are inflicted upon any other player.

10.4. The referee is to ensure that any injury is attended to as soon as possible.

10.5. Any player that experiences a loss of blood will be ordered from the field and will need to clear or remove the blood in order to return to the game.

10.6. Players must be at least 16 years of age to play Senior 5 A SIDE. [It is the responsibility of the captain to ensure appropriate steps are taken to gain relevant parental/guardian approval for any player that is aged 16-17 and to ensure no player is under the age of 16].

10.7. All players on the field must be wearing appropriate shin guards that are covered by socks. While the referee will check for this, it is the Individual players responsibility to ensure they are wearing the appropriate equipment.

  1. MISCONDUCT

The referee has the power to penalise a player for misconduct. What constitutes misconduct is a matter for the referee to decide. It includes but is not limited to striking another player, being over-zealous with a challenge, verbal abuse directed at another player or the referee, time-wasting/deliberately slowing down the game, and, any action which is deemed not to be in the spirit of the game.

Please note, if a player strikes another player, the game will most likely be abandoned and “called off”. The offending person/s will also be suspended from the remainder of the season unless there are extenuating circumstances (please see 26.3). In some instances life bans may be invoked.

  1. SUBSTITUTION

12.1. General substitutions are unlimited and can be made at any time. Players must exit the field at their defensive end over the goal line.

12.2. A player entering the field of play from a substitution must wait until the other player has crossed the goal line. Failure to comply by the above rules will result in a direct free kick from either halfway or where the ball was situated to the non-infringing team, which ever offers the greatest advantage.

12.3. Substitution of a goalkeeper can only occur in a break in play (such as a ball going out of play or a goal being scored). The referee must be notified when this is to occur.

  1. THE D (PENALTY AREA)

13.1. The D is defined by a semi-circle of 6m radius extending from the goal line at each end.

13.2. Only the goalkeeper of each team is allowed within ‘The D’.

13.3. If a player from the defensive team enters ‘The D’ and comes into contact with the ball a penalty will be awarded 6m from the center of the goals.

13.3. If an attacking player enters ‘The D’, possession will be awarded to the goalkeeper or advantage played. This will be up to the referee’s discretion.

  1. KICK OFFS AND STARTING THE GAME

14.1. At the start of each half and when a goal is scored a kickoff will occur. This will be taken at the centre point of halfway.

14.2. The opening kick-off will be decided by a coin toss or other appropriate means.

14.3. Subsequent kick-offs are performed by the non-scoring team.

14.4. All players from both sides must be within their own defensive half for a kick-off to occur. (If the defensive team may be seen to be time wasting, a referee will have the discretion to allow the attacking team to start the game before the above rule is met). All players on the defending team must be at least 5m away from the point of the kick off.

14.5. A player may score directly from a kick-off.

  1. FREE KICKS AND PENALTIES

15.1. Direct free kicks will be awarded for the below infringements:

  • Dangerous Play – Kicking, tripping, or charging an opponent.
  •  Slide Tackle – Players must always remain on their feet, excluding a goalkeeper in their own D who is attempting to make a save.
  •  Handball – Excluding a goalkeeper in their own D.
  •  Incorrect substitution.
  •  Time wasting.
  •  Any other act the referee deems to be not in the spirit of the game (See Section 1).

15.2. A player can score directly off a direct free kick and does not need to pass the ball to another player.

15.3. Indirect free kicks will be awarded only in the case of an illegal back pass or incorrect goal kick (See Section 18). A player cannot score directly off an indirect free kick and must first pass to another player.

15.4. A defensive team will have the option of creating ‘a wall’ for a direct free kick. This wall must be a minimum of 5m from the position of the free kick and can contain no more than 2 players. All other players must not position themselves in a direct path from the ball to the goal and must also be 5m away from the point of the free kick.

15.5. A penalty will be taken 6m from the centre of the goal (Edge of the D). A maximum of a 2-step run up is allowed to take a penalty. No other player other than the defensive goalkeeper will be allowed within the D for a penalty. Penalties will be awarded for the below infringements:

  • Goalkeeper making contact with the ball outside their own D.
  • Player making contact with the ball inside their own defensive D.
  1. OUT OF PLAY

16.1. A ball will be deemed out of play If a) the entire body of the ball has completely crossed a sideline, or b) the entire body of the ball has completely crossed the goal line outside of the goals.

16.2. If a) is to occur the referee needs to deem who the ball has come into contact with last. A kick in will be awarded to the other team. The defensive team must remain 5m away from the kick in and a goal cannot be scored directly off this kick in.

16.3. If b) is to occur, the referee needs to deem who the ball has come into contact with last. If it is an attacking player, the defensive goalkeeper will receive possession of the ball. If it is a defensive player, a corner kick will be awarded to the attacking team.

16.4. A corner kick will be taken within a 50cm radius of the corner of the field dependent on which side of the goal the ball crossed the line. A player cannot dribble the ball from the corner but must pass it to a teammate. A goal can be scored directly off a corner.

  1. TACKLES/CHALLENGES

17.1. Slide tackles are forbidden in 5 A SIDE. Any player seen to have performed a slide tackle with intent, will receive 5 minutes in the sin-bin. (This may be up to the discretion of the referee). If a player performs a slide-tackle a direct free kick will be awarded to the non-offending team.

17.2. The above rule also applies when a player attempts to block a shot or pass. A player should aim to always remain on their feet throughout the game.

17.3. The above does not apply to a goalkeeper who is in the D and attempting to prevent the ball from entering the goal.

17.4. Any challenge deemed to be ‘over-zealous’ by the referee is a sin-binnable offence.

  1. GOALKEEPER

18.1. A goalkeeper must at all times be distinguishable from other players on the field via wearing a bib or a different coloured jersey. This is so the referee can easily identify them.

18.2. A goalkeeper is the only player on the field allowed to use their hands to play the ball.

18.3. A goal kick can be taken by either a) rolling or throwing the ball from the hands or b) placing the ball within the D and passing the ball to a teammate. If a player kicks the ball out of their hands, an indirect free kick on the edge of the D will be awarded to the non-offending team.

18.4. A player can pass the ball back to their keeper, as long as they have not received an initial pass from the goalkeeper. If this occurs, an indirect free kick to the non-offending team will be awarded on the edge of the D.

18.5. A goalkeeper must at all times remain in the D. If a goalkeeper comes into contact with the ball outside of the D, a penalty will be awarded 6m from the center of the goal to the non-offending team.

  1. OFFSIDES

19.1. The offside rule does not apply in 5 A SIDE.

  1. DISCIPLINE

20.1. Dissent/Abuse – The referee’s decision is final. Dissent will not be tolerated and will always be penalised. Continued or unacceptable dissent by a player can be punishable by sin bin (5 minutes), or send off (whole game). In either case, the infringing team will lose a player from the field. That player must stand behind their own goal line in the middle of the field.

20.2. Serious Offences – Serious offences such as striking another player and continued dissent to the referee will be reported by the referee to 5 A SIDE. Depending on the nature of the offence, a suspension may be invoked. 5 A SIDE will be in contact with the offending team’s captain after the round to discuss the matter and will take necessary steps to ensure no further infringements will occur. 5 A SIDE also reserves the right to ban a player from the competition and future competitions if the player poses a danger to other players.

20.3. Please note, the general position is that if a player strikes another player, they will be suspended from the remainder of the season. This suspension may be increased to a life ban or may mean the whole team is banned for that season/life. Only in extenuating circumstances will a player that has struck another player be invited to play again that season. 5 A SIDE will not hesitate to involve police where a potential assault has taken place.

20.4. Off-field Matters – The referee’s jurisdiction extends to the sidelines of the field he/she controls. Breaches of discipline are treated the same as if they have occurred on the field.

20.5. Post-game Matters – The referee’s jurisdiction also extends to incidents that may occur after the game has concluded. If an offence occurs after the final whistle, this will be reported and dealt with appropriately, by 5 A SIDE.

  1. FINALS & MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

21.1. In the event that a Grand Final is drawn at the end of full-time, the teams will immediately enter a 5 minute period of golden point (i.e. first team to score wins). If the scores are still level at this point, the teams will participate in a penalty shoot-out as per FIFA rules.

21.2. In the event that a Semi Final is drawn at the end of full-time, the teams will immediately enter a penalty shoot-out as per FIFA rules.

21.3. INTOXICATION – Nobody is allowed to consume alcohol or drugs at the grounds (spectator or otherwise). Any players found to be drinking or drug taking will be asked to leave the premises and will be subject to rules under “Section 20: Discipline”. Furthermore, no player under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be allowed onto the field.

21.7. COVID-19 – 5 A SIDE will comply with any public health order mandated at any particular point in time. Currently any person with COVID-19 or COVID-like symptoms must not participate in any 5 A SIDE game or attend any 5 A SIDE venue as a player, spectator or otherwise.