INTRODUCTION:

Our club aims to develop the sport of small sided football and ensure all players enjoy the game to the full. The following club rules apply, and are refereed to ensure full enjoyment of the sport. 

We expect that all players play in the spirit of the game - fast, skilful, technical, tactical.

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HEALTH & SAFETY:

Player safety is paramount. The following rules apply:

We abide by Football NSW Heat Policy and Lightning and Thunder Policy. Games may be played or postponed in accordance with these policies.

All players are REQUIRED to wear shinpads and closed footwear that is suitable for playing on  turf. ARTIFICIAL TURF shoes should be worn for play.

Raben shoes are NOT acceptable to wear for play!!

Jewellery CANNOT be worn.

All players are required to abide by these rules!

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Those teams or individuals who do not wish to abide by the rules, or play to the spirit of the game may be de-registered. The process will be that:

1) The referee will write a report about behaviour(s) deemed to be serious,

2) The club management will discuss the matter with the individual or team officials concerned,

3) A letter of warning will be issued that outlines the repercussions for bad behaviour,

4) If the behaviour is again reported by the referee, the offender or team will be de-registered and details will be sent to Football NSW.

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GAME SPECIFIC RULES:

* All games for 14 minutes each way, with a one minute half-time break.

* Scoring:

3 points for a win, 2 points for a score draw, 1 point for a scoreless draw, 0 points for a loss

* In the event teams are equal at the end of the preliminary rounds the following qualifications apply to determine team positions:

a) goals difference, b) goals for, c) goals against, d) disciplinary cards, e) toss of a coin

* If after the end of normal time a semi-final/final match ends in a draw, extra time shall be played (one period of five minutes) and if still equal, penalty kicks will be taken to determine the winner. In the event of a penalty shootout, each time will take 3 direct penalties. If the teams are still drawn, both teams each take one penalty each until one team misses and one team scores. The scoring team wins the final.

* The semi finals and the final will be played on the one night. The format is that 1st plays 4th, and 2nd plays 3rd in the semi's. The winner of each semi will progress to the final. There will be a minimum rest break of ten minutes between semi-final and final games. Semi-final games are played concurrently.

* Winners and runners-up will be awarded medals.

* Each goalkeeper must wear a shirt or bib that is coloured differently to other players.

GENERAL RULES OF SMALL SIDED FOOTBALL:

* Maximum number of players on the field at one time = 5 including one goalkeeper

* Maximum number of players per team is ten

* Unlimited interchange is allowed

* The interchange procedure is that a player must be off the field via the sideline only before another player can take the field

* From a kick-off the other team must stand at least 3 metres away in their own half

* From the kick-off, the ball must go forward

* Goals cannot be scored directly from the kick-off, it must touch another player

* From any free-kick, kick-in or corner, the defensive team must be five metres away from the ball

* From a kick-in, the ball must be placed on the line and be stationary

* No slide tackles are allowed

* Goalkeepers can throw, punt or drop-kick the ball over the half way line

* Goalkeepers cannot directly score from a throw into the opposition's goal unless touched by a player

* Goalkeepers, once in control of the ball, have four seconds to release the ball

* Goalkeepers can move outside the area as a normal player

* Kick-in's, free kicks and corners have a four second time limit

* A goal cannot be scored direct from a kick-in. It must touch another player.

DIRECT FREE KICKS are awarded for:

* kick or attempt to kick an opponent

* tripping an opponent

* jumping at an opponent

* charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner

* charging an opponent from behind

* striking or attempting to stike an opponent

* holding an opponent

* excessively shoulder charge an opponent

* sliding at an opponent

* deliberately handling the ball, except for the goalkeeper in his/her penalty area

If the offence occurs in the penalty box, a direct penalty is awarded. For all other offences, the opposing team must be a minimum of 5m away from the ball and a wall can be made.

If a 5th accumulated foul occurs in a half, from the 6th offence a direct penalty is awarded.

INDIRECT FREE KICKS ARE AWARDED FOR:

* charging the goalkeeper

* goalkeeper picks up or touches the ball with his hands from a back pass

* goalkeeper controls the ball with part of his body for more than four seconds

YELLOW CARD OFFENCES

* persistent infringements of the rules of the game

* show dissent to any decision of the referee

* Yellow cards to the same player on three consecutive weeks will result in an automatic one match ban to be served on the following game.

RED CARD OFFENCES

* serious foul play

* violent conduct or behaviour

* foul or abusive language

* a second yellow card issued to the same player

* intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity

If a player is red-carded, he/she is sent off for the remainder of the game and a direct penalty is awarded. A replacement player can take the field but only after 2 minutes of game time has elapsed.

VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR:

Violent behaviour is defined as any of the following: spitting, punching, headbutting, fighting, hair-pulling, verbal intimidation, stalking, charging, kicking etc.

Violent behaviour will be dealt with to Football NSW standards.

Any violent behaviour by players or spectators will be dealt with in the following manner:

* Perpetrator(s) will be banned from the club

* Perpetrator(s) will be referred to Football NSW to face disciplinary action. It should be noted that Football NSW enforce a very strict code of conduct. Football NSW action may include banning perpetrator(s) from all forms of soccer.

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

·         Play by the rules and understand the spirit of the game.

·         Work equally hard for yourself and your team.

·         Play fair to earn respect and to detest cheats.

·         Refrain from sexual harassment towards fellow players, coaches and officials.

·         Never argue with an official, captain, coach or manager who is there to maintain discipline and fair play.

·         Control your temper and avoid verbal abuse, sledging or deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent.

·         Be honest with the coach concerning illness and injury.

·         Be a good sport and applaud all good plays, whether they are part of your team or not.

·         Accept defeat with dignity and don’t seek excuses for defeat or blame the referee or anyone else.

·         Promote the interests of Football and Futsal and encourage other people to watch it or play it fairly.

·         Treat all participants equally, and reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers to our sport.

·         Help others to resist corrupting pressures and remind them of their commitment to their team and the game.

·         Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents.

·         Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit.

·         Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants, coaches and officials.

·         Denounce those who attempt to discredit our sport.

·         Honour those who defend the sports good reputation with honesty and fairness and encourage others to act in the same way.

PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT

·         Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment.

·         Encourage children to participate, do not force them.

·         Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.

·         Encourage children always to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.

·         Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.

·         Remember that children learn best by example.

·         Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all participants.

·         Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from all of St George Futsal SSF activities.

·         Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.

·         Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.