Soccer Rules (Indoor 5-a-side)

To Note

Players over 18 only. SportUP runs adult-only social competitions, so every player must be 18 or over before they can start playing with us. Any player found playing while under 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 cares 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 or 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.
2 team warnings removes your team from the competition.
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 the Player Code of Conduct.

Rules

Team Registration

Team Registration Fees must be paid prior to Round 2.
All players must register via the SportUP App and be on a team before participating.
The referee will refuse any players that have not registered.

Match Format

Games consist of 2 x 19 minute 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, the opposition must decide BEFORE kick-off whether the result counts towards the standings or the game is played 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.
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, the game will be played as a friendly.
If at least 1 to 3 players show up, 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, 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 in our SportUP Subs groups: Brisbane, Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast. If you post before 1pm, you can find subs 99% of the time.

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.

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.

Free Kicks & Penalties

All free kicks must be taken indirectly unless signalled.
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 any 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. They are 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 and is not permitted to run up to the ball before taking the shot.

Points

3 points for a win.
1 point for a draw.
Forfeit or BYE: 3 points and a 5-0 result.
Abandoned game: decided on a fault basis. One team at fault = opposition awarded a 5-0 win. Both teams at fault = no result (no points awarded).
Teams that join late will be given points to place them in the mid-table.