Rules

Summer Football Rules

1. Playing Rules for Pittwater Summer Football
(a) There is no Off-Side.
(b) There are no throw-in’s. If a ball goes over the sideline play is resumed by a kick-in at the point the ball crossed the sideline. When kicked the ball must be stationary and behind the sideline.
The minimum distance an opposing player may be from a kick-in is 5 metres.

A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.
(c) All free kicks (apart from penalties) will be indirect. The minimum distance an opposing player may be from the ball in a free kick situation is 5 metres.
(d) Penalties to be taken from a spot 6 metres out and in line with the middle of the goal. Goal Keepers cannot be changed immediately after a penalty or free kick has been awarded. (unless injured)
(e) There is unlimited interchange which can only be done when the ball is out of play. Interchanges are to take place at the half way mark and the player leaving the field must do so before the replacement player enters the field.
(f) Goal-Keeping.
• Goal kicks are optional. If the ball goes out across the goal line then play can also be restated by the goalkeeper throwing the ball back into play. The G/K cannot kick or throw the ball past the halfway line on the full from a Goal Kick. Otherwise it will result in an indirect free kick to the opposition nearest where the ball crossed the half way line.
• The G/K cannot throw the ball over the halfway line on the full. Otherwise it will result in an indirect free kick to the opposition nearest where the ball crossed the half way line.
• After gaining control of the ball by using his/her hands the Goalkeeper cannot kick the ball over the half way line on the full until the ball has been touched by another player. Catching, picking the ball up, or patting it down, is considered to be having control over the ball. (Punching the ball away for a save is not considered having control.)
WHAT THIS MEANS: The only time a G/K can kick the ball over the halfway line on the full is from general play where the G/K has not used his/her hands to gain control over the ball. (or from a back-pass). Otherwise it will result in an indirect free kick to the opposition on the half way line nearest where the ball crossed.
• The Goalkeeper cannot pick up the ball directly from a kick-in by his own team (same as a back-pass). This will result in an indirect free kick to be taken on the edge on the “D” adjacent to where the offence occurred.
• The Goalkeeper must release the ball within 6 seconds of gaining control of the ball in his hands. This will result in an indirect free kick to be taken on the edge on the “D” adjacent to where the offence occurred.
2. CAUTIONS, RED CARDS & TEAM FOULS
(a) All players must abide by the spirit of Pittwater Summer Football which is biased towards being non-contact and played primary for enjoyment & practice. Any un-necessary aggression or forceful challenges, any slide tackling or tackling from behind, will result in a free kick and a possible yellow or red card.
(b) Should the players in a team commit a total of 5 fouls within any 13 minute half, the opposition team will be awarded a penalty kick.
The kick to be taken as per rule 1.(d)
(c) Any player who accumulates three 3 yellow cards in the tournament will receive a 1 game suspension.
(d) Any player receiving a red card cannot be substituted in the game and that player will receive an appropriate suspension as determined by the Disciplinary Committee. Any appeal by the player must be made in writing and received within 48 hours from the date of the suspension being announced. Appeals received after this time will not be heard and the suspension will stand.
(e) To enforce the ethos of this tournament, the Disciplinary Committee has the authority to impose an appropriate suspension on any player (or team) who does not abide by the rules or the spirit by which the rules are intended.
3. TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE
(a) Each half is 13 minutes with a 1 minute break for half time. There is no time off for injury or other stoppages except at the discretion of the referee. Games will start and stop by the referee’s whistle. Any lost time will be deducted from the playing time.
(b) A team must field a minimum of 4 players (including any borrowed players) or forfeit their game. The max. number of borrowed players in a team at any time is 3.
• A team cannot borrow any more players if they already have 7 available players, (including a maximum of 3 borrowed players.)
• Players cannot be borrowed from a higher division and no team can borrow the same player more than two times.
• All borrowed players must be written on the game card and identified to the opposition team manager before commencing the game.
• In the spirit of summer football teams should always give priority to the regular players in the team, and avoid un-necessarily borrowing stronger players simply to “stack” the team.
4. FINALS
(a) If teams are equal on competition points at the end of the last round, the finals placing shall be decided by the following order.
• The team with the better goal difference. (i.e. goals for less goals against).
• If still equal, the team with the most goals scored.
• If still equal, the win-loss result in the game/s between the teams.
• If still equal, a toss of the coin will decide the higher placed team.
• As all grades from U/10 down are non-competitive, these teams will play either a regular game on finals night or a game.
(b) The Major Final to determine the competition winner will be between the teams finishing 1st and 2nd at the end of the last round. All other teams will also play on finals night based on their standings after the last round. 3v4, 5v6, 7v8 etc.
(c) If the Major Final between teams 1v2 ends in a draw, the team finishing higher on the competition table (1st) will be declared the tournament winner. There will be no extra time played in the finals.
(d) If any round on the draw is designated as “TBA” then games for this round may be played based on the team’s position on the table after the previous week. 1stv4th, 2ndv3rd, 5thv7th, 6thv 8th or as indicated by the Tournament Manager. There will be no “knock-out” type semi-final games. Every team will play on finals night.
(e) If for any reason games are unable to be played, priority will be given to complete a full round of the draw before playing any additional rounds. In the unlikely event of being unable to replay every game on finals night only the Major final (between teams that finished 1st and 2nd) may be played to determine the tournament winner.
(f) To be eligible to play in a Major Final a player must have played at least 3 previous games for that team or seek approval from the Tournament Manager.
5. REFEREES
(a) Official referees will be appointed to all games.
6. PLAYING STRIP
(a) Teams must wear their provided shirts. It is the responsibility of each team to provide their own shorts and socks. No player can take the field without shin pads.