RULES FOR 8 A SIDE FOOTBALL FOR FOOTBALLERS WITH DISABILITIES

These rules have been adapted with guidance from the Football Association and the Mini Soccer Handbook.

The rules aim to be simple and as near to mainstream football as possible. Changes can be made when players with specific disabilities require modification to the rules to allow them access to play as near to mainstream rules as possible e.g. at throw ins roll the ball or kick the ball instead.

PLAYING AREAS
Recommended size of pitch - Minimum length 60 metres. Maximum length 90 metres.
Minimum width 50metres. Maximum width 80 metres.

Penalty area - Minimum length 8 metres. Maximum length 10 metres.
Minimum width 6 metres. Maximum width 12 Metres.

Penalty mark - Using ¾ size goals 10 metres from the goal line. - Using full size goals 12 metres from the goal line central to the goals.

Halfway line. The field of play is divided equally by into two halves by a straight line across the pitch from touch line to touchline. In the centre of that line will be the centre mark.

LAW 1. GOAL POSTS
The size of the goal posts may vary according to location but a minimum requirement is to have full or ¾ size goal posts with netting correctly fitted to stop the ball once the ball goes into the net.

Portable goals of any size should be pinned or weighted to the floor to prevent unnecessary accidents. (Small sized goals may be used if no larger goals are available)

LAW 2. THE BALL
The ball should be no larger than a size 5 regulation football. A different size or type of ball can be used but must be suitable for use and agreed by all players participating in the game.

A second ball should be available as a replacement if required.

LAW 3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Each team shall have no more than 8 players on the pitch at any one time. This will include the goalkeeper and 7 outfield players. A goalkeeper must play in that position for the duration of the match.

Each team must not have a playing squad larger than 12 players in total.

All players must be named on the registration form prior to the match being played.

A player who has been substituted may return to the pitch later in the game as a substitute for another player. The referee needs to be notified of a substitution and they will be made in a suitable stoppage in play.

LAW 4. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT
Players must wear shin guards and the shin guards must be covered completely by the player's socks.

Goalkeepers must wear a distinguishing kit that identifies them from the other outfield players.

Outfield players must all wear the same coloured socks, shorts and shirts to ensure that they are clearly identified as the same team players.

Shirts must be numbered for all players from 1 to 12 and only one number must be allocated to each player.

Footwear should be suitable and safe for the player on the specific surface of play but must also be safe to avoid unnecessary injury to other players.

LAW 5. REFEREES
Each match is controlled by a nominated referee who has the full authority to enforce the laws of the game in connection with the match to which they have been appointed.

Power and duties

Enforce the laws of the game.
Control the match with the support of assistants/time keepers.
Ensure that the ball meets the requirements of law 2.
Decision of the referee

The decision of the referee regarding the facts connected with play are final.

The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his/her discretion providing that play has not re started.

Linesmen/Assistant referees will be used to support the referee during the game. These can be one representative from each club if no other officials are nominated for the game.

LAW 6. TIMEKEEPERS/SCORERS/ASSISTANTS
A person may be nominated to assist the referee to: -

a. Record goals scored.
b. Act as timekeeper.
c. Suspend time when indicated by the referee.
d. Supervise the use of rolling substitutes.
e. Carry out any other duties as prescribed by the referee.

LAW 7. DURATION OF GAME
Play shall be divided into 4 (four) periods of 20 (twenty) minutes of duration each period. There will be a break of 5 (five) minutes duration between periods.

LAW 8. START AND RE START OF PLAY
A kick off is taken at the centre mark of the playing area to start the match and after a goal has been scored. Opponents must be a minimum of 4,5 metres away from the ball and in their own half of the field. The ball must be played forward.

A dropped ball to re start the match, after play has been temporarily stopped inside the penalty area, takes place on the penalty area line parallel to the goal line at that point nearest to where the ball was located when the play stopped.

LAW 9. BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY
The ball is out of play when: -

a. It has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air.
b. Play has been stopped by the referee.

The ball is in play at all other times including when: -

a. When it rebounds off any lawful equipment used on the field of play.
b. When it rebounds off the referee of assistant when they are on the field of play.

LAW 10. METHOD OF SCORING
Goal Scored

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the laws of the game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.

Winning Team

The team scoring the greater number of goals during a match is the winner. If both teams score an equal number of goals, or no goals are scored, the match is drawn. A draw is a recognised result with no extra time being played.

Competition Rules

For matches ending in a draw, competition rules may state provisions involving extra time, or other procedures approved by the International FA Board to determine the winner of a match. The Northern Alliance Network will play a penalty shoot out the end of the game if goals, points etc are equal. Additional rules will be issued to cover this

Please note this must be included within the maximum participation time.

LAW 11. OFFSIDE
There is no offside.

LAW 12. FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
All free kicks are direct.
A free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences in a manner considered to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: -

a. Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.
b. Trips or attempts to trip an opponent.
c. Jumps at an opponent.
d. Charges an opponent.
e. Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.
f. Pushes an opponent.

A free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences: -

a. Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball.
b. Holds an opponent
c. Spits at an opponent.
d. Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his or her own penalty area).
e. Plays in a dangerous manner.
f. Impedes the progress of an opponent.
g. Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands.
h. Commits any other offence not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is is stopped to caution or dismiss a player.

Penalty kick

A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above offences is committed by a player inside his/her own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.

A free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper: -

a. Takes more than 6 seconds to release the ball from his/her hands.
b. Touches the ball again with his/her hands after it has been released from his/her possession and has not touched any other player.
c. Touches the ball with his/her hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him/her by a team mate.
d. Touches the ball with his/her hands after he/she has received it directly from a throw in taken by a team mate.

For all these offences, the free kick should be taken from the penalty area line, parralel with the goal line, at the nearest point to the offence.

Cautionable Offences

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he/she commits any of the following seven offences: -

1. Is guilty of unsporting behaviour.
2. Shows dissent by word or action.
3. Persistently infringes the laws of the game.
4. Delays the restart of play.
5. Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick.
6. Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referees permission.
7. Deliberately leaves the field of play without the referees permission.

Sending Off Offences

A player is sent off and shown the redcard if he/she commits any of the following seven offences: -

1. Is guilty of serious foul play.
2. Is guilty of violent conduct.
3. Spits at an opponent or any other person
4. Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity, by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area).
5. Denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the players goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick.
6. Uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures.
7. Receives a second caution in the same game.

LAW 13. FREE KICKS
For all free kicks opponents must be 4.5m (5 yards) away from the ball.

LAW 14. PENALTY KICKS
A penalty kick is awarded for offences, as described in Law 12.

Position of the ball and the players

All players except the defending goalkeeper and the kicker must be outside the penalty area and at least 4.5 m (5 yards) from the penalty mark, and behind the ball.

The ball must be kicked forward.

Infringement/sanctions

If a player or players commit an offence at the taking of a penalty kick his/her team shall not be allowed to gain an advantage (i.e. the kick is re-taken or the goal is disallowed depending on which team offended).

If a player of both the defending and the attacking teams offend, the kick shall be re-taken.

LAW15. THROW INS
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw in.

A throw in is awarded: -

a. When the whole of the ball passes over the touch line, either on the ground or in the air.
b. From the point where it crossed the touch line.
c. To the opponents of the player who last touched the ball.

Procedure

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower: -

a. Faces the field of play.
b. Has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line.
c. Uses both hands.
d. The throw in is awarded to the opposing team if any of these requirements are not carried out.
e. Delivers the ball from behind or over the head.

This can be modified to suit specific disabilities but rules procedures 15a and 15d (with modification) must be maintained throughout the changes.

LAW 16. GOAL KICK
Procedure

A player of the defending team kicks the ball from any point within the penalty area.

Opponents must remain outside the penalty area and at least 4.5m (5 yards) from where the kick is taken until the ball is in play.

LAW 17. CORNER KICKS

The opposing players must remain at least 4.5m (5 yards) from the ball until it is in play.

The kicker may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. If he/she does a free kick is awarded against them.

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