Soccer Rules

THE TEAM

5-aside

  • The number of players shall be five (5) players, including the goalkeeper.
  • The gender rules will depend on what league you play in, Mens or Womens.
  • To start the game, this league requires your team to have a minimum of four (4) players participating.
  • Please consider our Default, Forfeit, and Substitute Policy
  • Substitutes can be used as long as they have created an account and signed the most up to date Urban Rec waiver. During game play, substitutes can be made at any point in the game.

GAME SPECIFICS

GAME TIME The game is played in two (2) x 12 minute halves with a few minutes break at half time.

COURT BOUNDARIES The court size may vary depending on each venue. Usually, games will be played on a standard size Tennis court, with no outs. The goals are of smaller than standard size and a size 4 Futsal Ball may be used.

STARTING THE GAME Captains will Scissors, Paper, Rock to determine who starts with the ball first, the losing team will start with the ball in the second half.

SCORING Each goal is worth one (1) point. Once a goal is scored the team who conceded the goal starts with the ball from the middle of the court.

RULE SPECIFICS

THE START OF PLAY A game is started by a kick-off in a forward direction from the centre mark. All players must be in their own half before the kick-off can be taken.

OFF SIDE RULE There is no offside rule in Street Soccer.

BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY Everything is in-bounds, unless the ball physically moves outside the area of the pitch (e.g. it is kicked over the top fence or goes into the back netting). The Event Host will have final discretion as to whether the ball is playable or not.

THE GOALKEEPERS AREA

  • The goal area is the semi-circle in front of the goal posts
  • The goalkeeper must remain within the area always
  • A team is only permitted to swap the goalkeeper at stoppage of play, not when the goalkeeper gets stuck outside the goal circle by their own doing.
  • Only the goalkeeper may touch the ball with their arms or hands, and only within the goal area (not behind the goal circle).

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT: A player may not intentionally kick, trip, jump at, strike, hold, elbow, push, charge from behind or violently charge an opponent. Players should not swear, gesture, or argue with the Event Host or any player. Fouls can be awarded against the player for this behaviour.

  • Players should exercise caution when the ball is in play next to a fence, wall or netting area or in the air. Defenders are responsible for letting the attacker take control of the ball before commencing defence.
  • Any player that compromises the safety of another player will result in a free kick to the opposing team, or may warrant further sanctioning depending on the severity of the offence
  • NO SLIDE TACKLING Slide tackles will result in an indirect free kick for the team and it is up to the Even Host discretion as to whether the player is removed from the game for an amount of time.

FREE KICKS – ALL FREE KICKS ARE INDIRECT For the purposes of our recreational league, all free kicks are indirect.  An ‘indirect’ free kick is one where a goal cannot be scored unless another player other than the kicker has touched it. The free kick is to be taken from the spot where the free kick was awarded.  Free kicks may be awarded for behaviour including, but not limited to the following:

  • Dangerous manner of play 
  • Impeding the progress of an opposition player 
  • Prevents the goal keeper from releasing the ball
  • Causes unnecessary delays in play
  • Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
  • Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent
  • Jumping at an opponent
  • Charging an opponent
  • Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
  • Pushing, elbowing or holding an opponent
  • Making contact with an opponent before the ball whilst making a tackle to gain possession of the ball
  • Handling the ball

“GOAL KICKS” (GOAL ROLLS) “Goal kicks” will be in the form of rollout from the goal-keeper.  This goal rollout may be taken from anywhere in the goal area. Opponents must be clear of the goal area.  Goal rolls must be a roll (i.e. not an overhand throw) and must be on the ground.

BACK PASSES In the event of a back pass to the goal keeper, the goal keeper MUST NOT pick up the ball (i.e. it can only be played by the feet)

CORNER KICKS There are no corner kicks in street soccer, as everything is inbounds.

URBAN REC SPECIFICS

FUN FIRST POLICY All Urban Rec leagues, irrespective of skill level, are fun-first. Our Event Hosts facilitate a fun, safe environment for teams. They will acknowledge, coach and make calls according to your level of experience playing the game. Urban Rec leagues expect a certain level of self-officiation, meaning that players are expected to display good sportsmanship to govern their behaviour. Open communication and camaraderie between teams is encouraged.

DISCIPLINE Urban Rec Event Hosts have the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved. If you are seen to be rude or not playing within the respect of the rules, your Event Host has the right to ask you to sub and take a break. If your Event Host then has to warn you more times then they have the right to ask you to leave the field or court and an assessment will be made if you can return to play. We don’t tolerate idiots, play fair.

INCLUSION Urban Rec seeks to provide a safe, inclusive and happy environment for our members, staff and participants. Gender diverse, transgender and non-binary participants are welcome to play within our leagues along with any sexuality and persons from any background. Urban Rec has zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment.