Summer Outdoor Soccer UOW [Thurs] Rules

OBJECT OF THE GAME The objective of soccer is to score goals by advancing the ball down field into the opposing team’s goal. You simply want to score more goals than your opponent. Traditionally goals are scored when a team moves the ball down field through passing and shooting of the ball.

DURATION OF THE GAME 2 halves of 18 minutes each, with a half-time interval of 5 minutes. There is no stoppage of play for substitutions during the game.

THE FIELD of play of play shall be rectangular with dimensions of 44 meters in length by 18 meters in width, i.e. the size of the 18-yard box of a normal soccer field. The goal area size shall be 5 meters out from the end-line. If lines are not marked, a cone on the sideline will mark this area, with the official discretion being at the eyes of the Event Host. The goal size shall be 3 meters wide by 2 meters high. There is no corner area to be marked for outdoor soccer.  Corners shall be taken from the point where the goal line and sideline meet.

THE TEAM The number of players shall be 5 players including the goalkeeper on the field.

  • Only five (5) players allowed on the field at any one time.
  • There must be a minimum of two (2) Males, and Females on the field always.
  • This league requires your team to have a minimum of four (4) players, including one Male or Female to start the game
  • Please consider our Default, Forfeit, and Substitute Policy

SUBSTITUTIONS Unlimited substitution of players is permitted.  Substitutions may be made ‘on the fly’ without a stoppage in play, except for the goal-keeper.  Substitutions of the goal-keeper MUST be made at a stoppage of play at the indication of the Event Host.

THE START OF PLAY A game is started by an under arm roll-out from the GK. The team winning the toss of a coin shall have the option of choosing ends or taking the roll-out. All players must be in their own half before the kick-off can be taken. The opposition must be 4 meters from the ball when the kick-off begins.  As all free kicks in our league are indirect (see below), the kick-off is also an INDIRECT KICK, meaning you cannot score directly off a kick-off without the ball first touching another player. 

STARTING AFTER HALF TIME Following half-time, the game is restarted with a roll-out from the GK with teams changing ends and the roll-out being taken by the side that did not start the game.

SCORING A GOAL A goal is scored when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line between the goal posts and the cross bar. After a goal is scored, the game is restarted from the goal-keeper of the team that was just scored upon. Goals cannot be scored from within own half of the pitch.

BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY The ball is out of play when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line or sideline. These lines are part of the field of play. To restart play after a ball has gone out, it is kick-in rather than a throw-in.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT: A player may not intentionally kick, trip, jump at, strike, hold, and 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.

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.  Players from the opposing team should be at least 4 meters from the ball when a free kick is taken.  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 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
  • If any of these offenses occur within the goal area, the free kick shall be taken from the penalty line and all players other than the goal keeper must stand outside the goal area whilst the kick is taken.

GOAL KEEPER Only the goalkeeper may touch the ball with their arms or hands, and only within the goal area.

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)

“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.  Goal rolls are awarded when the whole of the ball has crossed the goal line (except for the scoring of a goal) and last touched by one of the attacking team.  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 and/or bounce before half way.

CORNER­KICK When the ball passes wholly over the goal line (as above) and was last touched by a player from the defending team then a corner kick is awarded. Opposing players should be 4 meters from the ball.

WINNING TEAM The winner is the team with the greater number of goals at the end of the game. A draw will be awarded if both teams have an equal amount of goals. The winning team receives 3 points, 1 point each for drawn game and no points for a loss. Your Fun Points will affect your position on the standings. If two teams are matched on competition points, the team with the higher fun points rating will be favoured up the ladder.

FAIRPLAY SYSTEM Each league night you will have an Event Host onsite, but these guys are not official referees. Urban Rec is a recreational league which practices a fair-play and fun-first policy, meaning you should be making your own calls on the game. The Event Host will be there to make the calls not made by individuals, keep time, and help guide the games within the game play rules. The Urban Rec Event Host has the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved.

SPORTSMANSHIP All Urban Rec participants have read and agreed to the Urban Rec Code of Conduct. We also exercise a strict Disciplinary Policy. If you are seen to be rude in any way or not playing within the respect of the rules and Code of Conduct, you will be asked by the Urban Rec Staff to sub out of the game. If after returning to the game your attitude does not improve you will be asked to leave the venue, and an assessment will be made if you can play again. We do not tolerate idiots. Play fair.

Back to League Details