Rules and regulations

1. The Number of Players

1.1 A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than the following number of players and substitutes for each format:

• 5-a-side = 5 players per team and 3 substitutes (total of 8 players)
• 6-a-side = 6 players per team and 3 substitutes (total of 9 players)
• 7-a-side = 7 players per team and 3 substitutes (total of 10 players)

1.2 Validity of a match

The minimum number of players required per team for a match to be considered valid is:

• 5-a-side: 4 players
• 6-a-side: 4 players
• 7-a-side: 5 players

If a team is permanently reduced to fewer players than the above in the relevant format, through injury or dismissal (not sin bin), the team captain accepts that their opponents will be awarded a ‘win’ which will be recorded as 3 – 0 against the team unable to play and/or continue.

2.1 Players should not wear anything that could be dangerous to themselves or other players, including any kind of jewellery.

2.2 The basic compulsory equipment of a player required at all times;

• A jersey or shirt
• Shorts or track suit trousers
• Socks
• Shinguards
• Footwear – restricted to astroturf boots, trainers or plastic moulds, studs of any kind are not permitted.
• Any player refusing to comply with any aspect of compulsory equipment will not be allowed to play.

Each goalkeeper must wear colours which easily distinguish them from the other players and the referee.

3.1 The maximum number of substitutes permitted per team is three.

Unlimited “roll-on/roll-off” substitutions are allowed; waiting substitutes must remain behind their own goal line and should not interfere with play until they are substituted on to the pitch.

3.2 To make a substitution;

• there must be a break in play.
• the referee must be informed before the change can take place and give a signal to approve it.
• both the player leaving the field and the player entering the field, shall do so from their own goal line, but not until the outgoing player has left the field.

3.3 If a substitute enters the pitch before the outgoing player has completely left the pitch;

• play is stopped.
• the substitute is ‘sin-binned’.
• play is re-started with an indirect free-kick to the opposing team, from the position of the ball when play was stopped.
• Any of the players or substitutes, may change places with the goalkeeper, providing the above rules are observed and that the goalkeeper wears a jersey or bib which distinguishes them from all other players.

A substitute is subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee whether called upon to play or not.

4.1 Each match consists of two halves, usually 18 minutes long.

4.2 Every game has a maximum half time interval of 2 minutes and each team should swap ends during this time.

5.1 Before play commences, the team listed as the ‘home team’ on the fixture list will have choice of ends. The other team takes the kick-off to start the game.

5.2 The kick-off takes place;

• at the start of the game
• after a goal has been scored
• at the start of the second half of the game
• at the start of each period of extra time, where applicable

A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.

5.3 Procedure for Kick-off;

• all players are in their own half of the playing area
• the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are outside the centre circle or in the absence of a centre circle, at least 3 yards from the ball until it is in play
• the ball is stationary on the centre mark
• the referee gives a signal
• the ball is in play when it is kicked
• the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player
• After a team scores a goal, the other team takes the kick-off.

5.4 A team that arrives late for a scheduled match and provided their opponent is ready to start the match, will have goals deducted against them for every 5 minutes of lateness. For example, a team arriving 1 – 5 minutes late will start the game one goal down, and 6 – 10 minutes late they will start two goals down. If they arrive more than 10 minutes late the match will be forfeited as a 3 – 0 loss against them, and the match fee will still be due.

6.1 The ball is deemed to be out of play when the whole of the ball has crossed the goal line or the side line.

6.2 When the ball crosses the side line, a kick-in is awarded to the opposing team of the player who last touched the ball. A kick-in is taken from the place where the ball crossed the side line. The players of the defending team must be at least 3 yards from where the kick-in is taken. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.

6.3 A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line and a goal is not scored. The ball is then placed in the corner arc and opposing players must remain at least 3 yards from the ball until it is kicked. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team.

6.4 A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the opposing team, passes over the goal line and a goal is not scored. The goal-keeper may kick the ball out from anywhere within the penalty area. The ball must be stationary on the ground when it is kicked. The goal-keeper is not permitted to kick the ball out of his arms at any point during the game, while he is allowed to throw the ball under or over arm.

6.5 Free Kicks

For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken. All opponents must be at least 3 yards from the ball until it is in play.

7.1 Direct Free Kick

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

• Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
• Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
• Jumps at an opponent
• Charges an opponent, even with the shoulder
• Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
• Pushes an opponent
• Tackles an opponent

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences:

• holds an opponent
• spits at an opponent
• slide tackles from any direction
• handling the ball deliberately, except for the goalkeeper in his own penalty area

• Time wasting
• A player not retreating 3 yards from the ball or showing dissent
• Sliding
• Kicking the ball away
• Fouls
• Obstruction

A direct free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

7.2 Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits any of the above offences inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball but provided that it is in play. A penalty kick must be taken with a one-step finish.

7.3 Indirect Free Kick

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper commits one of the following offences:

• touches or controls the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate
• touches or controls the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a kick-in taken by a team-mate
• touches or controls the ball with his hands or feet, in the penalty area, for more than four seconds

7.4 The Blue Card and The ‘Sin-Bin’

A player is shown the blue card and temporarily excluded from play for two minutes if he commits any of the following offences:

• C1 is guilty of unsporting behaviour
• C2 shows dissent by word or action
• C3 persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
• C4 delays the restart of play
• C5 fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, kick-in, free kick or goal kick.
• C6 enters or re-enters the playing area without the referee’s permission or infringes the substitution procedure
• C7 deliberately leaves the playing area without the referee’s permission outside of a substitution

For any of these offences, a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred. The player who has received the blue card must remain off the pitch, behind his team’s goal line, until the referee grants him permission to re-enter the pitch.

7.5 Sending-Off Offences

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

• S1 is guilty of serious foul play
• S2 is guilty of violent conduct
• S3 spits at an opponent or any other person
• S4 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)
• S5 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
• S6 uses offensive, insulting or abusive language
• S7 receives a third blue card in the same match

Any player receiving a red card will be permanently excluded from the remainder of the game and they will be suspended from Ultimate Football matches for at least one game. Players are reminded that the Rules and Regulations of The FA and the sanctioning County FA allow for fines to be imposed as a result of misconduct.

7.6 Abandoned Games

7.6.1 If a game has to be abandoned due to lack of discipline, the referee will submit his report to the FA, who may choose to impose suspensions, bans, and monetary fines. It may also affect other forms of football such as 11 a-side. Where the opposition are showing ill-discipline, the opposing team must walk away in order to show the referee that they are in no way involved. This will allow the referee to punish the offending team.

7.6.2 The result of abandoned games will follow these principles:

• We shall review all Competition Matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, we shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand.
• In all cases where the Management are satisfied that a Competition Match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one Team or its member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the Competition Match to the opponent.
• In cases where a Competition Match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both Teams or their member(s), the Management shall rule that neither Team will be awarded any points for that Competition Match and it shall not be replayed.

SUMMARY OF RULES AND REGULATIONS - MONDAY 6 A-SIDE