Game Rules

Rule 1 The pitch

The pitch is formed by the black lines and the constant black line marks the goalkeeper area.

Rule 2 The number of players

A player is a person who is in possession of a sports card and who is subscribed to a team according to the database of the match commissioner.

2.1
There can be a maximum number of players on the field of 5, of whom one is the goalkeeper. A game should start with at least 4 players from one team. When during a match the number of players is less than four, the game will be ended.

2.2
A player can substitute with a team member at all times, when he is within 3 meters of the middle line.

2.3
The substitute can enter the field when the other player has left the pitch. When the substitute is executed in a wrong way, the opposing team will be given a free kick on the place where the ball was when the game was stopped, unless the ball was within the goalkeeper area, then the ball will be placed on the black line, positioned closest to the place where the ball was the last time. When repeatedly faulty substituting a penalty time of 2 minutes will be given to the player who is entering the pitch.

Rule 3 The tasks of the referee

3.1
He makes sure the game is played according to the rules and decides over every rule, at which difference can arise. As long as the game isn't resumed after stopping the game, the referee can change his decision. The referee will not argue with players about his decisions.

3.2
The referee doesn't need to punish in case he is convinced this will not have any consequences on the game.

3.3
He needs to keep track of the played time.

3.4
He will indicate which team is to resume play after a whistle blow by stretching his arm to the goal of the opponent.

3.5
He will indicate to a player a time penalty with his fingers

3.6
He will blow his whistle:

1. at the beginning and the end of the match
2. when a team has scored a goal
3. when a team resumes play after a goal
4. when a penalty can be taken
5. when the ball hits the ceiling
6. when the rules have been violated
7. if he thinks it is necessary to stop the play for what reason so ever

3.7
He has the next resources:

1. to give a free kick
2. to give a reprimand
3. to temporary exclude a player from player for 2 minutes
4. to remove the player from the game permanently
5. to temporarily or finally end the match

3.8
The referee has the right to correct the linesmen.

Rule 4 The linesmen

The referee will be assisted by a linesman, coming from the team that is mentioned on the match form. The duties of this linesman are:

1. Indicating whether the ball crossed the side- or backline.
2. Indicating which team is to resume play.
3. Besides this the linesmen may give advice to the referee when a fault is committed. It is up to the referee to decide what to do with this.

Rule 5 Duration of the game

A match lasts 25 minutes, to play in one session.

Rule 6 Starting the game

6.1
At the start of a game the kick-off should be taken by the team that is playing a home match according to the match form.

6.2
Every player should be positioned on his own half of the pitch. The opponent also should reside outside the kick-off circle.

6.3
After the kick-off whistle signal of the referee the ball should be kicked towards a teammate. This can be done either forward or backward.

6.4
The kick-off should take place within 4 seconds after the whistle blow (penalty: free kick for the opponent)

6.5
The player who begins with the kick-off can only touch the ball one time. (penalty: free kick awarded to the opponent)

6.6
From the first ball touch there can’t be scored directly.

Rule 7 How to play the ball

7.1
By field players: the ball may be played in every way possible, as long as it doesn’t cause any danger to the opponent. The ball can’t be intentionally played by arm or hand. The protection of the face and privates is accepted.

7.2
By the goal keeper: the same rules apply to the goal keeper, only he can play the ball with his hand within his goalkeeping area. The keeper cannot kick away the ball from his hands (penalty: free kick on the black line). After the keeper retains possession of the ball, he needs to bring back the ball in play within 4 seconds. The stopping of the ball with any part of his hand or arm will also be considered as ball possession (of course we don’t mean a “save” with this rule (penalty: free kick on the black line). To play back on the keeper is allowed (also with the head) from every point of the pitch, but the keeper can’t touch the ball with his arm or hand (also if ball is headed back this rule applies) (penalty: free kick from the black line). If the ball is returned to the keeper by an opponent or unintentionally by a team member, the goalie is allowed to use his hands on the ball (there is no playing back to the keeper in this case).

Rule 8 How to obtain a goal

8.1
If the ball has completely crossed the goal line, it is a goal.

8.2
A goal can be scored from all over the pitch.

8.3
If a goal keeper throws the ball in the opponent’s goal, it’s not a goal. It will be regarded as a keeper’s ball.

8.4
From the kick-off or kick-in you can never score directly.

Rule 9 The referee ball

After an interruption which isn’t followed by a free kick, the referee can resume play with a referee ball. He does this by drop the ball between two players from knee height. At the moment the ball bounces at the floor, the play is resumed. All other players should remain at a distance of 5 meters. If the ball is touched before it reaches the floor, it will be replayed.

Rule 10 Violations and misbehavior

A player should be punished by rewarding the opposing team with an indirect free kick if he intentionally commits one of the following fouls. If one of these fouls is committed within the goalkeeper area, a penalty will be awarded:

1. He kicks an opponent or tries to
2. He recklessly duels for the ball
3. He makes an opponent fall
4. He jumps to an opponent
5. He attacks an opponent in a rough or dangerous way
6. He attacks an opponent from behind
7. He hits an opponent or spits at an opponent
8. He holds back his opponent
9. He pushes his opponent
10. He gives his opponent a shoulder bash
11. He tries to tackle the ball away from an opponent’s foot
12. He plays the ball with his hand or arm A player who commits a foul as indicated in the next section will be punished by an indirect free kick by the opponent and not a penalty but a free kick on the black line if the foul is committed in the goal keeper area:
13. He plays the ball in a way the referee thinks it is dangerous
14. He intentionally impedes a oponent while he doesn't have the ball
15. He holds the ball between his feet
16. He plays the ball while he’s sitting or lying at the floor even while the're is no player around
17. He disrupts the game by kicking away the ball without any reason
18. He intentionally waits for too long to get the ball
19. He shouts to an opponent to mislead him
20. If he behaves improperly
21. If he keeps the ball under his feet intentionally A goalkeeper who makes a foul as indicated in the next section will be punished by an indirect free kick for the opposing team and not a penalty when the foul is committed within the goalkeeper area, the free kick will be taken from the black line if:
22. He touches the ball with his hand or arm which is intentionally played back to him by one of his team members
23. He touches the ball more than three times in a row in his own area, without intervention of another player
24. He doesn’t resume play within 4 seconds
25. He kicks away the ball from his hands A player will receive a time penalty (2 minutes) besides the free kick or penalty against his team if:
26. He uses a sliding directly against an opponent.
27. A rough attack on an opponent
28. To hold back or push an opponent with the arm or hand
29. Undue behavior (for example insulting the referee or repeated fouls)
30. Intentionally not keeping distance at a free kick
31. He is disrupting the game play
32. Any action which prevents a good penalty kick A player will be removed from play permanently if:
33. He commits an aggressive action
34. He keeps behaving improperly A player which is removed from play can’t participate in the game anymore. 5 minutes after his exclusion the team can substitute him with somebody else. The referee has the ability to give a penalty time of 2 minutes, 2 times, and after that permanently remove the player from the pitch (so maximum penalty time is 9 minutes).

Rule 11 The free kick

In Rule 10 is explained when a free kick is awarded to a team, the execution should be as follows.

11.1
A free kick should be taken on the place where the foul was committed. The only exception is when the foul is committed within the goal keeper area, and then it should be taken from the black line, closest to the place of the foul.

11.2
When the free kick is taken all the opponents should remain at a minimum distance of 5 meters from the ball.

11.3
The ball must lie still when the free kick is taken.

11.4
A free kick must be taken within 4 seconds, or a free kick for the opponent will follow.

Rule 12 The penalty

In Rule 10 is described when a penalty is awarded, this should be taken by the following rules:

12.1
A penalty should be taken from the black line at 6 meters from the goal, right at the center of the game

12.2
The ball must lie still.

12.3
All players (except the player taking the penalty and the goal keeper) should remain outside the dashed line and at a minimum distance of 5 meters from the ball

12.4
The goalkeeper must remain on the line of his goal until the ball is kicked.

12.5
The penalty should be taken within 4 seconds after the referee indicates he is ready.

12.6
When the ball comes into play again by hitting the bar or the post, the player who has taken the penalty can’t touch the ball again. If the ball is touched by the keeper, the penalty taker can play the ball

12.7
A trick move is permitted taking a penalty

12.8
The penalty should be taken without interruption of his run to the ball

12.9
When the penalty should be taken again during the game, the keeper and player who takes the penalty can be replaced.

Rule 13 The kick-in

A kick in will follow after the ball has completely crossed the sideline or when the ball touches the roof. It has to be taken according to the following rules:

13.1
The player should remain out of the pitch with one or both feet (penalty: kick-in for the opponent).

13.2
The opponent should remain at a minimum distance of 5 meter (penalty: free kick).

13.3
The ball should be kicked in within 4 seconds, when the conditions of rule 13.2 are met.

13.4
There can’t be scored from a kick-in directly.

13.5
The ball has to lie still on the black line during the kick-in.(Penalty: kick-in for the opponent).

13.6
A player who kicks in may not hit an opponent on purpose (penalty: free kick against).

13.7
When a player kicks the ball against the roof, the opponent gets to take a kick-in at the sideline at the same place the ball touched the roof.

13.8
When a player intentionally gets in the way of the ball during kick-in this will case a free kick for the team that took the kick-in.

13.9
When the kick in is intentionally impeded by an opponent, a time penalty of 2 minutes will be awarded.

Rule 14 The throw-in

A keeper throw is awarded when the ball has crossed the back line completely and last has been touched by an opponent.

14.1
During a keeper throw the goal keeper should throw the ball outside the keeper area using one or both hands.

14.2
The keeper throw should be taken within 4 seconds.

14.3
If the ball is touched by a team member within the goal keeper area, this will result in a indirect free kick on the black line.

14.4
When it is a keeper throw the goal keeper can not throw the ball to himself. If the keeper has got the ball without it has crossed the back line (no keeper throw) he can throw the ball to himself.

14.5
At a keeper throw the opponents should keep a minimum distance of 5 meters.

Rule 15 The corner

A corner is awarded when the ball has crossed the back line and has been touched by an opponent for the last time.

15.1
The opponent should remain at a minimum distance of 5 meters from the corner, until the corner has been taken.

15.2
The corner should be taken within 4 seconds after the ball has been put down.

15.3
From a corner you can’t score directly in the goal.