Additional Rules

  • There are no off-sides. This is intended to open up the play in the 7-aside format.
  • The ball is kicked in rather than thrown in. Opposition players must be approximately 4m away from the ball.
  • At a free kick, opposition players must be at least 7m from the ball.
  • Penalty areas are marked on the field. Normal football rules regarding fouls and handball apply, including inside the penalty area.
  • Penalties are taken from the edge of the penalty area.
  • Pool games are decided by the score at full time. There are no penalty shoot-outs during the pool stage.

Time keeping

  • Referees and teams must be ready to play 5 minutes before the scheduled start of their match.
  • Matches are played in two 5-minute halves with no half-time break. At the half-time hooter, teams will change ends and play will restart immediately.
  • The timed start for each match will be signalled by one long blast of the horn.
  • The end of the first half will be signalled by two short blasts.
  • The end of the match will be signalled by one long blast.
  • Referees must follow the official timekeeping of the horn and blow their whistle immediately when the horn sounds.
  • There is a 5-minute buffer between rounds. This time is intended for teams to leave the field, get organised and allow the next round to start on time.
  • If one team is ready to play and the opposing team is not on the field at kick-off, the referee will allow a reasonable opportunity for the opposing team to arrive. If the opposing team fails to appear, the match will be recorded as a 3–0 forfeit.
  • If neither team is present 5 minutes after the scheduled kick-off time, the match will be recorded as a forfeit and neither team will receive any points.