Six-a-side Football

Rules: These rules are based on The Football Association Small Sided Football Rules (http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/2017-18-final/032_small-sided-football.ashx) except as modified herein.  

Format: Teams will consist of a minimum of six players (nine strongly recommended) and a maximum of twelve players.  Team members may be male or female.  There must be six players including a goalkeeper on the pitch at all times.  Juniors 15-17 are permitted.

Each team should have two sets of uniform shirts available, one white and one dark.  Each shirt should have a legal number printed on the back, no smaller than eight inches high. 

The size of the FA approved artificial pitch is 50mx35m.  For Dresden, the goals are 5 meters wide by 2 meters in height.  The match shall be two 15 minute halves.  There will be no injury time.  Unlimited substitutions using the “roll-on-roll-off” rule are allowed when the ball is not in play.

All free kicks are direct and can be taken as soon as the ball is stationery. Free kicks must be taken where the offence was committed and opponents must be 2 meters from the ball. Players may not shoot free kicks into “walls” of players from the other team.

The goalkeeper should wear a shirt that distinguishes him/her from all other players.   The goalkeeper can pick the ball up anywhere inside the penalty box area, the regular back pass rule applies.  They are allowed to leave the penalty area but cannot handle the ball once outside. Distribution may be made only by throwing/rolling or playing from the ground (Kicks directly out of the hands or ‘Drop Kicks’ are not permitted).  Once the ball is placed on the ground, other players are permitted to play it. Goal kicks must be taken from inside the box, by any player. The ball must be kicked from the ground, not thrown (the ball may be thrown if the goalkeeper picks the ball up in play). 

Sliding tackles are not permitted; an infringement of this rule will lead to a free kick being awarded to the opposition.  Arm/elbow contact with the chest will NOT be allowed. If it occurs, it could result in an immediate red card. The taking of a penalty will be in line with the one step rule.  Abusive language will be penalized at the referee’s discretion by awarding a direct free kick.  

If a player commits a foul that would normally result in a yellow card, s/he will be sent off for 2 minutes and the team will play with a one-person disadvantage.  The second infraction will result in a yellow card.  A third yellow card infraction will mean that the player must leave the game and cannot play in the next game.   If a player receives a straight red card, s/he will be sent off, will not be able to play in the next game, and there may be points deducted from the team depending on the offense

If a match is tied at the end of regulation time, the tie will be resolved by a penalty kick shootout.

Equipment: Shin Pads are compulsory.  Trainers or Astro boots are the only permitted footwear. No studs, bladed boots or molded studs may be worn.  Jewelry should be removed or taped to the satisfaction of the referee.