Soccer 7-a-side rules and vocabulary

INTRODUCTION TO 7-A-SIDE SOCCER

1.          THE PLAYING FIELD

1.1        DIMENSIONS

The playing field is of rectangular shape with a maximum length of 60 metres and a minimum of 50 metres. The width of the playing field cannot exceed 45 metres and must be a minimum of 30 metres.

The length of the playing field must always exceed the width.

1.2        LINES

The lines marking the field (touch lines on the sides and goal lines at the ends). A centre line running the width of the field will divide the playing field into halves. The centre of the playing field must be clearly identified and a circle, 6 metres in diameter, marked around it.

1.3        PENALTY AREA

At each end of the playing field, two lines, perpendicular to the goal line, will be marked at 9 metres from each goal post. These perpendicular lines will extend 9 metres into the playing field and be joined by a line parallel to the goal line.

1.4        GOALS

On the center of each goal line, a goal must be placed consisting of two upright posts 6 metres apart (inside measurements), joined by a horizontal crossbar, the lower edge part being at 2 meters from the ground.

Each goal shall have a properly installed net attached to its posts, crossbar and the ground behind itself with no obstruction to the goalkeeper.

1.5       PLAYING FIELD PLAN

                                                                                       

2.  THE BALL

A number 4 ball shall be used. The ball cannot be changed during the game unless authorized by the referee.

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

The game shall be played by two teams, each with a maximum of 7 players including one goalkeeper.  A team may dress a maximum of 13 players per game. The minimum number of players per team is 5.

During a game, the goalkeeper can be replaced by another team player providing the coach has obtained prior approval from the referee and the substitution is made when the play is stopped.

A player who has been expelled during the game cannot be replaced.

Substitutions

Subject to prior authorization of the referee, unlimited substitutions may be made as follows:

a) after a goal

b) prior to a goal kick

c) at half time

d) when play has stopped because of an injury (only injured player)

e) at throw-ins (substitutions may be made by the team taking the throw-in and ONLY if they make substitutions, may their opponents also substitute.)

4. DURATION OF THE GAME

The duration of the game shall be as follows: 2 equal periods of 25 minutes

The referee shall add on to each period estimated lost time for replacements, injured players taken off the field, or elapsed time for other reasons.

If necessary, the duration of the game will be extended to allow for a penalty shot.

There will be a resting period of 5 minutes at half time.

5. THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY

The choice of sides and kick off will be decided by flipping a coin.  The winning team decides which goal to shoot at for the first half and the other team proceeds with the kick off.

The referee whistles for the start of the game.  The ball is positioned on the ground in the middle of the field; the first kick is done facing the defending goal.  All players must be on their respective side of the field.  The defending team players are not allowed within 6 metres of the ball prior to kick off. The ball will be in play after it has been kicked and has moved forward.  The kick off player will only be allowed to play the ball a second time once the ball has touched another player.

The game is restarted in the same manner after each goal scored and at half time.  In the event of a violation of this rule, the kick off will be retaken.  However, if the player taking the kick plays the ball a second time before it touches another player, the opposing team shall be granted a free kick from where the offense was committed.

A goal may be scored directly from a kick off.

6. BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

The ball is considered out of play when:

a) it has completely crossed a side (touch line) or a goal line, whether it be in the air or on the ground;

b) the referee has stopped the play.

The ball is in play at all times from the beginning to the end of the game including:

a) when it rebounds from a goal post, cross bar or corner flag post and remains on the field of play;

b) when it bounces off the referee while he/she is on the field of play;

c) while waiting for a delayed decision on the part of the referee in the case of an infraction to the rules and regulations where the referee is allowing the advantage or waiting for the next stoppage of play in order to deal with the infraction.

 7. METHOD OF SCORING

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball completely crosses the goal line between the posts and under the cross bar without being carried in, thrown in, or intentionally handled by any opposing player except the goalkeeper in his own penalty area.

  8. OFF-SIDE

No offside rules will be applied for 7-a-side soccer.

9. FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

ALL major and minor infractions if committed outside of the penalty area are sanctioned by a DIRECT FREE KICK.

If a MAJOR infraction is committed inside the penalty area by the defending team a penalty kick will be awarded to the attacking team.

If a MAJOR infraction is committed by the attacking team inside the penalty area, a DIRECT FREE KICK will be awarded to the defending team. The ball will be position anywhere inside the penalty area.

 If a MINOR infraction is committed by the defending team inside the penalty area, a DIRECT FREE KICK from outside de penalty area will be awarded to the attacking team. The kick should be taken from the part of penalty area line which runs parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the offense was committed, and no member of the opposing team should be closer than 6 meters from the ball.

If a MINOR infraction is committed by the attacking team inside the penalty team, a DIRECT FREE KICK is awarded to the defending team. The ball could be place anywhere inside the penalty area.

MAJOR OFFENCES:

a) Breach with the hands: handling the ball (deliberately playing the ball with the hand or the arm) except while playing as the goal keeper; pushing, holding or striking (or attempting to  strike) an opponent;

b) Breach with the feet: kicking (or attempting to kick) an opponent; tripping (or attempting to trip) an opponent; tackling an opponent (making contact with the opponent before touching the ball);

c) Body breach: jumping  at an opponent; violently (or dangerously) charging an opponent. spitting at an opponent.

MINOR OFFENCES: dangerous play judged by the referee; charging (shoulder to shoulder) while the ball is not in play distance; obstructing a player when the ball is not within playing distance;

Being a goalkeeper inside his/her own penalty area:

·         deliberately wastes time or delays the play to benefit his team;

·         THE 6 SECONDS RULE APPLIES FOR THE GOALKEEPERS AT 7 A SIDE

·         touching the ball with his/her hands after it has been deliberately kicked back to him/her by a teammate.

10. DIRECT FREE KICK

On the taking of a free kick, the ball must be stationary and members of the opposing team shall be at least 6 metres away from the ball. However, the attacking team members are allowed to position themselves as they see fit.

A player taking a free kick may do so in any direction as long as he does not play it a second time before it has touched another player.

11. PENALTY KICK

A penalty shot will be granted when a defending team player commits one of the major offenses within his/her own penalty area.

The ball will be placed on the ground 7 meters away from the goal line at a point midway between the goal posts.

It is mandatory that the referee signal authorization to take the penalty kick by blowing his/her whistle.

The penalty shot is taken from the penalty mark.  When a penalty shot is taken, all other players, except for the goalkeeper, must remain outside the penalty area, furthest from the goal line, and behind the ball.

The opposing goalkeeper shall remain on his/her goal line between the posts.  If a goal is scored while the goalkeeper is not respecting this rule, the goal shall be granted.  If a goal is not scored, the penalty shot shall be retaken.

The player taking the kick must kick the ball forward.  He/she cannot play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

12. THROW-IN

When the ball completely crosses the touch lines, whether it be in the air or on the ground, the ball is put back into play by a throw-in, in any direction, by a player of the opposing team than the last one who touched the ball.

The player shall stand facing the field at the point where the ball crossed the touch line.

The ball must be held over the head and thrown-in with both hands.

The player may stand with part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line. Both feet, or a part of both feet, must remain on the ground at all times.

A goal cannot be scored on a direct throw-in. (Restart with a goal kick unless the ball has been thrown by a player into his/her own net in which case it is a corner kick).

The player taking the throw-in may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

The ball is in play immediately when it enters the field of play.

A second throw-in will be allowed if the player commits an error on the first one.  Should a second error occur, the ball will be granted to the opposing team.

13. GOAL KICK

When the ball is last played by an attacking team player and has completely crossed the goal line outside the goal posts and the cross bar in the air or on the ground, the ball must be positioned within the penalty area with no further delay.

In such a case, the ball will be considered in play only when it crosses out of the entire penalty area.

The opposing team players must remain outside the penalty area and at least 6 meters away from the ball.

The goal kick will be retaken if the ball is touched or played by another player prior to crossing the entire penalty area.

A goal can be scored from a goal kick.

14. CORNER KICK

When the ball is last played by a defending team player and has completely crossed the goal line outside the goal posts and the cross bar in the air or on the ground, the ball must be positioned inside the corner flag arc closest to where the ball went out without removing the corner flag.

The opposing team players must remain at least 6 meters away from the ball.

The player taking the corner kick shall not play the ball again until it has touched another player.

The ball is in play when it has been kicked and moves.

A goal can be scored on a corner kick.