Football (Soccer) Rules

To Note:

Toowong Competitions - Blade/spiked/studded shoes are NOT ALLOWED at this venue, sneakers only.

We play on grass so we recommend trail running shoes (they're more grippy). Shoe checks will happen every game.
Yeronga Competitions - Shinpads are Mandatory, boots with BLADES are NOT allowed but studded boots or sneakers are good to go. Shinpad checks happen before every game. Read the difference between conical vs blade boots here.
Nundah Competitions - Indoor carpeted court so wear trainers. Best shoes are turf shoes or rubber soled futsal shoes.
Players OVER 18 years old only. SportUP operates adult only social competitions. As a result, all players must be 18, or over the age of 18, before they can start playing with us. Any players found to be playing while under the age of 18, will be asked to leave the league/venue immediately and no refunds will be offered for future fixtures missed that may have been paid for
Division explainer: https://faq.sportup.com.au/article/39-divisions

SportUP is specifically a social sports organisation, we are not a competitive league and offer social sports competitions for all sorts of teams, from complete beginners to seasoned.
Should you play like you're in the World Cup? NO. We're all here for a good time over the score with many teams being beginners.

If your team does care about winning over enjoyment of the game, SportUP isn't for you.

Respect should always be shown to your teammates, the referee and your opposition.
Any swearing, unsportsmanlike behaviour, aggressive behaviour, rough play talking back to the referees is not acceptable in SportUP Competitions. if your team or an individual within your team is reported, you will receive an official team warning.
Teams get 1 team warning and on second warning they are removed from the competition without any refund.
All unsportsmanlike behaviour is reported to SportUP Management to record and for warnings to be given.
For a definitive list of what we class as poor behaviour please see Player Code of Conduct

RULES:

Team Registration

Team Registration Fees must be paid prior to Round 2.

All players must be registered online before participating - Add Players Here

The referee will refuse any players that have not registered.

MATCH FORMAT:

Games will consist of 2 x 18 Minutes Halves with a 1-minute break in between.

TEAM SIZE

No more than five players on the pitch for each side.

A game can officially be played with 4 players on the pitch for one team.

If playing in a Mixed competition there must be one female player on the field at all times.

If a team arrives with 3 or fewer players, then the opposition must decide BEFORE kick-off if they wish for the result to count towards the standings or whether to play the game as a friendly.

This decision must be clear to both teams involved BEFORE kicking off.

TEAM UNIFORMS

All team tops must be the same t-shirt (numbers and names not necessary).

All players must wear sporting attire and footwear.

Yeronga Competitions - Shinpads are Mandatory, BLADE football cleats are NOT allowed but studded football cleats/sneakers are good to go.

Toowong Competitions - Grass field but Sneakers or Astro Turf Boots ONLY - NO Studs/Blades or Football boots of any kind.

Toowong Competitions - Indoor carpet court so Sneakers or Astro Turf Boots ONLY - NO Studs/Blades or Football boots of any kind.

FORFEITS

If your team wants to forfeit - you have to tell SportUP BEFORE 1PM to waive the $99 forfeit fee

Teams have until ten minutes past the designated start time to field a legal team before it is called a forfeit.

The length of the game will be reduced to stick to time scales and it must be clear if the game is to be played as a friendly before kick-off.

If a team has less than 3 players then the game will be played as a friendly.

If at least 1-3 players show up then the game is played as a friendly and there is no No Show fee.

If a team forfeits after 1pm and no fill-in players show up then there is a $99 No Show fee.

This No Show fee must be paid before Friday to remain in next week's fixtures.

If your team is struggling for players you can always find subs by posting on our FB subs group here.

If you post before 1 pm then you can find subs 99% of the time.

What to do if your team needs to forfeit

SUBSTITUTIONS

Substitutions can be made at any point during the game and are “rolling”.

The substitute(s) must be off the pitch before the new player(s) comes on and must enter the pitch at the same place the player left the pitch.

Substitutions should be at the halfway line and players should be within touching distance. Play will not stop for substitutions.

This includes after a goal, during a free kick etc.

Play will continue if a goalkeeper is switching into the goal, even if this involves putting goalkeeper gloves on.

There is no limit to the number of substitutions a team can make.

There is no limit to the number of substitutes a team can have on the sideline.

The "Kick-In" Rule (Replaces Throw-ins)

Since there are no nets, when the ball crosses the sideline, it is out.

No Throw-ins: In Futsal/Social Outdoor, you do not throw the ball with your hands.
The Procedure: The ball must be placed stationary on the line where it went out.
The Kick: It is an indirect kick (you cannot score directly from a kick-in).
Positioning: The kicker must have part of each foot either on the touchline or on the ground outside the pitch.
4-Second Rule: You have 4 seconds to take the kick once you have the ball. If you take longer, the kick is awarded to the other team.

Corner Kicks
Direct Goal: Unlike kick-ins, you can score a goal directly from a corner kick.
Placement: The ball must be placed inside the corner arc (or where the lines meet).
Distance: Defenders must be at least 3 meters away from the ball.

The "4-Second Rule"

To keep the game moving, the 4-second rule applies to almost every restart:

Kick-ins, corner kicks, goal clearances, and even free kicks.
Penalty: If a team intentionally delays for more than 4 seconds, the ball is turned over to the opposition (indirect free kick).

GOALKEEPERS

Goalkeepers have a box that they are allowed to pick the ball up in.

Goal kicks are to be placed on the ground and kicked.

If the keeper catches the ball they can roll, throw or kick the ball out.

The keeper may only touch the ball for 4 seconds within their own half before releasing the ball.

Back passes to the goalkeeper ARE allowed but the goalkeeper cannot pick up the ball and only has 4 seconds with the ball in the box.

Goalkeeper Clearances

On a lined court, if the attacking team kicks the ball over the backline:

The Throw: The goalkeeper restarts play with a throw (not a kick).
No "D" Entry: Opponents must stay outside the "D" (penalty area) until the ball is thrown.
The Halfway Rule: The keeper cannot throw the ball over the halfway line on the full (it must touch the ground or a player first).

FREE KICKS & PENALTIES

All free kicks must be taken indirectly unless signed.

The ball must be placed at the point of the foul and can be taken by any player.

The opposing team must be 2 metres from the ball when a free kick is taken.

A free-kick can be given for one of the following:

Shoulder charging
Roughness
Handball
Dangerous play
Slide tackles
Lack of control in a tackle
Time wasting.

Unlike 11-a-side soccer players are not permitted to deliberately use their body to gain an advantage by pushing, bumping, shouldering or nudging.

When approaching the ball, players must run in a direct line of the path to the ball. If a player steps off that line, causes contact and disadvantages an opposing player, the referee should award a Free Kick to the opposing player.

Direct free kicks are awarded for any infringement that restricts the attacking team from having a shot on goal.

Penalties are awarded for any infringement that stops the attacking team from scoring an almost certain goal. To be taken directly in front of goal, 4 metres out from the goalkeeper's line.

The penalty taker can only take one step before their penalty kick. The penalty taker is not permitted to run up to the ball before taking the shot.

🏆 Official Indoor Soccer Rules for Netted Courts

Goalkeeper (Keeper) Rules

5-Second Rule: Once the keeper has control of the ball, they have 5 seconds to release it.
No Drop Kicks: The ball must be thrown or rolled out. It cannot be kicked out of the hands or drop-kicked.
The Over-Halfway Rule: A keeper’s throw must touch the floor or a player before crossing the halfway line.

2. The "No One in the D" Rule

Offensive Players: If an attacking player enters the D (or even a foot lands anywhere inside the line), play is stopped and the keeper is awarded a goal clearance.
Defensive Players: If a defender enters the D to block a shot or interfere with play, a Penalty is awarded to the attacking team.
The "Momentum" Exception: If a player’s momentum carries them into the D after they have played the ball and they do not interfere with the keeper, the ref may allow play to continue (at their discretion).

3. Ball Height & Net Rules

Head Height Rule: The ball must not go above the "head height" of the tallest player on the court.
- Penalty: Indirect free kick from where the ball was kicked.
- Deflections: If the ball hits a player/post and goes high, it is usually "Play On" (ref's discretion).
Ceiling/Top Net: If the ball hits the top netting, it is "Out of Bounds." An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposition from the spot directly below where it hit.
No Net-Holding: Players cannot use the side nets to support themselves, "shield" the ball, or launch themselves into a tackle.

4. General Foul & Safety Rules

Strictly NO Sliding: There is no slide-tackling. Even sliding to save a ball with no one around is usually penalized in social indoor to prevent "floor burn" and collisions.
No Playing on the Ground: If a player falls, they must get up before playing the ball. Kicking the ball while lying or sitting on the floor is a foul.
All Kicks are Indirect: To keep the game moving and safe, all free kicks are indirect (must touch someone else before going in) unless a specific Penalty is awarded.
Substitution: "Roll-on, roll-off" subs are allowed at any time. The player must be fully off the court before the new player steps on.

5. Where are penalties taken from?

The Spot: The penalty is taken from the top-center of the D line (the point furthest from the goal). Players can only take maximum one step when shooting (no long run ups).
On or In? The ball must be placed on the line or slightly behind it. It cannot be inside the D.
The Keeper: The goalkeeper must stay on their goal line until the ball is kicked.
Other Players: All other players must stand behind the halfway line or at least 2–3 meters behind the penalty taker until the ball is struck.

6. How to substitute in indoor soccer?

Option A: After a Goal This is the "Universal Sub Time." After a goal is scored, both teams have about 15 seconds to swap as many players as they like. This is the best time to rotate your players so everyone gets equal game time.

Option B: When your Keeper has the ball - wait for a "dead ball" or when your own goalkeeper has the ball in their hands.

This is the safest time to zip the net open.
Note: You usually cannot sub while the opposition keeper has the ball, as this would give you an unfair defensive advantage.
Referee will pause game while players sub, then resume time once net is safely zipped back up