SUB Football | Laws of SUB Footbal

SUB Football Laws

Note:

References to the male gender within the Laws of the Game in respect of referees, players or officials are for simplification and refer to both males and females.

Law 1: The Field of Play
Law 2: The Ball
Law 3: Number of Players
Law 4: Players Equipment
Law 5: Officials
Law 6: Duration of the Game
Law 7: The Start of Play
Law 8: Ball In and Out of Play
Law 9: Method of Scoring
Law 10: Out of Bounds
Law 11: Fouls and Misconduct
Law 12: Free Kick
Law 13: Throw-in or Kick-in
Law 14: The Goalkeeper

Law 1: The Field of Play

Pitch Dimensions
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1.1 Dimensions

Maximum 70 x 50 metres.
Minimum 60 x 40 metres.

1.2 Marking

The field of play shall be marked with distinctive lines.
The line between the goal posts shall be called the goal line. The lines, which enclose the field of play, shall be called the end lines and the side lines.
The goal line is part of the end line.

1.3 The Goalkeeper’s Area

At each end of the field of play there shall be a rectangle measuring 12 x 3 metres from the centre of each end line.
Each of the spaces enclosed by the 12 x 3 meters area shall be called the goalkeepers area.

1.4 The Penalty Area

At each end of the field of play shall be drawn a semi-circle, having a radius of 12 metres from the centre of each end line.
Each of the spaces enclosed by these semi-circles shall be called the penalty area.

1.5 The Goals

The goal shall be placed on the centre of each end line and shall consist of two upright posts equidistant from the junction of the end of the side lines and four metres apart joined by a horizontal crossbar, which shall be two metres from the ground.
The goals must be securely anchored to the ground. The goal posts and the cross bar shall have the same width.
Nets may be attached to the posts, cross bar and ground behind the goals. They should be appropriately supported and so placed to allow the goalkeeper ample room.

1.6 The Try Boards

The try boards shall be 600mm in height and 2000mm in width.
They shall be positioned alongside each goal post and 200mm behind and parallel to the end line.
The try boards shall be attached to two upright posts, which must be securely anchored to the ground.
The top of the upright posts shall be 100mm below the top of the try board.
The bottom of the try board shall be not more than 200mm above the ground.

1.7 The Field of Play

The field of play shall be marked with distinctive lines.
The line between the goal posts shall be called the goal line. The lines, which enclose the field of play, shall be called the end lines and the side lines.
The goal line is part of the end line.

Law 2: The Ball

2.1 Ball Dimensions

The ball is:

spherical
made of leather or other suitable material
of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less than 68 cm (27 ins)
not more than 450 g (16 oz) and not less than 410 g (14 oz) in weight at the start of the match
of a pressure equal to 0.6 – 1.1 atmosphere (600 – 1,100 g/cm2) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in – 15.6 lbs/sq in)

2.2 Changing the Ball

A ball may not be changed during a match without the approval of the referee.

2.3 End of Match

At the end of the match, the player in possession of the ball at the time must return it to the referee.

2.4 Replacement of a Defective Ball

If a ball bursts or becomes defective during the course of a match, the match is stopped and then re-started by dropping the replacement ball at the place where the original ball became defective.

Law 3: Number of Players

3.1 Starting Numbers

A match shall be played between two teams, each consisting of not more than 7 players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper.
A match shall not commence if one team has less than 5 players.

3.2 Substitutions

Unlimited rolling substitutions are permitted.
Substitutes, whether called upon to play or not, are under the jurisdiction of the match referee.

3.3 Substitution Procedure

A substitute may not enter the field of play until the player he is replacing has left the field of play.
A substitute must enter the field of play at the centre of the side line.

3.4 Changing Goalkeeper

When the goalkeeper is to be replaced it must be during a stoppage in play and the referee must be notified.

3.5 Players and Substitutes Sin-Binned or Sent Off

If a substitute enters the field of play before the player they are replacing has left the field of play, the match shall be stopped, the substitute sin-binned and play re-started with a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped.
If a substitute enters the field of play other than from the centre of the side line, the match shall be stopped, the player sin-binned and play re-started with a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped.
If a goalkeeper is replaced without the referee being notified before the change is made, the match shall be stopped, the replacement goalkeeper sin-binned and play re-started with a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped

3.6 Infringement Sanctions

A player or substitute who has been sent off or sin binned may not be replaced.

Law 4: Players Equipment

4.1 Basic Equipment

The basic, compulsory equipment of a player shall consist of a uniform shirt, short or long trousers and footwear.
The wearing of shinguards is optional but recommended. Any shinguards worn must be covered.

4.2 Safety

A player must not wear anything which may be dangerous to another player.

4.3 Footwear

A player's footwear must have a moulded sole of rubber or flexible plastic.
Football boots with rigid plastic or metal sprigs (also known as studs or cleats) are not permitted.

4.4 Uniform Shirts

Uniform shirts may be either football shirts, polo shorts or t-shirts.
A mixture of styles is not permitted. Different shades of the same colour are not permitted.
A sponsor's name and/or logo is permitted but must be identical on all uniform shirts.
A player's shirt may have a name or number on the back so that he is identifiable from other team member's.

4.5 Shorts (or tights, leggings or track suit pants)

Outfield players are required to wear either shorts or tights, leggings or track suit pants of the same colour which does not have to be the same colour as the shirts. e.g your team may have red shirts and black shorts, The shorts do not have to be the same brand, simply the same colour.
Black or white shorts are of one shade.
It is a requirement that any other colour other than black or white must be the same shade.

4.6 Goalkeepers

Each goalkeeper shall wear a shirt or a bib of a colour which distinguishes him from other players and from the referee.
The referee may, at any time, instruct a player to leave the field of play to make an adjustment to his equipment.

4.7 Infringement/Sanctions

Any player wearing football boots with rigid plastic or metal sprigs shall be sent off.
Any player wearing anything which the referee thinks may be dangerous to another player shall be required to remove it.
No game or score points shall be awarded to a team which allows any player to enter the field of play without a uniform shirt.
If a player goes on to the field not wearing the same colour shorts as the other members of the team, the referee will ask the player to change into the appropriate colour shorts. if they cannot, they must not take any further part in the game.
If a team has less than 5 players available to wear the same colour shorts then the team must default the game.

Law 5: Officials

5.1 The Authority of the Referee

Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed.

5.2 Powers and Duties

The Referee:

enforces the Laws of the Game
ensures that any ball used meets the requirements of Law 2
ensures that players' equipment meets the requirements of Law 4
acts as a timekeeper and keeps a record of the match
stops, suspends or terminates the match, at his discretion, for any infringements of the Laws
stops, suspends or terminates the match because of outside interference of any kind
stops the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play
allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured
ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped
allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalises the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time
punishes the more serious offence when a player commits more than one offence at the same time
takes disciplinary action against players guilty of sin-bin and sending off offences. He is not obliged to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play
takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at his discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds
ensures that no unauthorised persons enters the field of play
restarts the match after it has been stopped
provides the Competition Organiser with details of any sending-off action taken against a player or any disciplinary action taken against a team official
secures the match ball and bibs

5.3 Decisions of the Referee

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.
The referee may only change his decision on realising it is incorrect and provided that he has not re-started play.
Under normal circumstances, a referee is the only person appointed to officiate during a match, but this does not preclude a Competition Organiser appointing one or more additional officials if, in his opinion, such appointment would enhance control of a special match, e.g. Competition Final. The role of any additional official(s) must be clearly defined.

Law 6: Duration of the Match

6.1 Periods of Play

The match lasts two equal periods of not more than 20 minutes each.
If a match is being played with start and finish times specified by a Competition Organiser it shall end on time even if it starts later than the scheduled kick-off time.
At half-time, teams shall change ends and begin the second half as soon as possible with no interval.
No allowance for lost time is permitted.

Law 7: The Start of Play

7.1 Preliminaries

Before the start of a match, the referee shall decide which team shall defend each goal and which team shall take the kick-off.

7.2 Kick Off

A kick-off is a way of starting or re-starting play at the beginning of a match, after a goal has been scored and at the start of the second half of a match.
A goal or try may be scored from a kick-off.

7.3 Procedure

all players are in their own half of the field of play
the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 5 metres from the ball
the ball is stationary on the centre mark
the referee gives a signal
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves in any direction
the kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been played or touched by another player

After a goal has been scored, the game shall be re-started from the centre mark by a player of the team which conceded the goal.
After a try has been scored, the game shall be re-started by a player of the team which conceded the try, by a place kick from any point within his goalkeeper's area.
The ball when kicked must clear the penalty area.
The kick-off at the start of the second half shall be taken by the team which did not take the kick-off at the start of the match.

7.4 Infringements / Sanctions

If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball a second time before it has been touched by another player, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.
For any other infringement of the kick-off procedure, the kick-off is re-taken.

7.5 Dropped Ball

A dropped ball is a way of re-starting the match after a temporary stoppage which becomes necessary, while the ball is in play, for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of SUB Football.

7.6 Procedure

The referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped.
Play re-starts when the ball touches the ground.

7.7 Infringements / Sanctions

If a dropped ball is touched by a player before it makes contact with the ground, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
If the ball leaves the field of play after it makes contact with the ground without a player touching it, the ball is dropped again.

Law 8: Ball In and Out of Play

8.1 The ball is out of play when

It has wholly crossed the end line or side line whether on the ground or in the air.
The referee has stopped the game.

8.2 The ball is in play

If it rebounds from a goal post, crossbar or the outside edge of a try board.
If it rebounds off the referee when he is in the field of play.
In the event of a supposed infringement of the Laws, until a decision has been made.

Law 9: Method of Scoring

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has passed over the goal line and under the crossbar provided it has not been thrown, carried or intentionally propelled by hand or arm by a player of the attacking team, except in the case of a goalkeeper who is within his own goalkeeper’s area or by a player taking a throw-in. The team, which scores a goal, shall be awarded 3 points.
The team, which scores a goal, shall be awarded 3 points.
A try is scored when the ball strikes the face or top of the try board, provided it has not been thrown, carried or intentionally propelled by hand or arm of a player of the attacking team except in the case of a goalkeeper who is within his own goalkeeper’s area or by a player taking a throw-in.
The team which scores a try shall be awarded 1 point.

Law 10: Fouls and Misconduct

10.1 Goalkeeper's Area

To minimise the risk of injury to the goalkeeper, it is an offence for an outfield player to enter the goalkeeper’s area, with the following exceptions :
1. an outfield player of the defending team is permitted to enter the goalkeeper’s area if called upon to take a place kick after a try has been scored or if a player of the attacking team has propelled the ball over the end line within the penalty area.
2. An outfield player is permitted to enter the goalkeeper’s area provided he is not, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play.

10.2 Infringements / Sanctions

If a player of the attacking team involved in active play enters the goalkeeper's area, the defending team shall be awarded a free kick.
If the attacking player is running towards the goalkeeper's area and his momentum carries him into the goalkeeper's area, he shall be sin-binned.
If he collides with the goalkeeper he shall be sent off.
Any goal or try scored in the attacking movement shall be disallowed.
If a player of the defending team involved in active play enters the goalkeeper's area, the attacking team shall be awarded a penalty goal.

Law 11: Fouls and Misconduct

11.1 Free Kicks

A free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences :
1. uses force when taking or attempting to take the ball from an opponent
2. slides when taking or attempting to take the ball from an opponent
3. kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
4. trips or attempts to trip an opponent
5. jumps at an opponent
6. charges an opponent
7. strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
8. pushes an opponent
9. spits at an opponent
10. holds an opponent
11. handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own goal area)
12. plays in a dangerous manner
13. impedes the progress of an opponent
14. prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
15. takes or attempts to take the ball from an opponent from the rear

Should a player of the defending team commit any of the above offences whilst in his own penalty area, a penalty goal shall be awarded to the opposing team.

A player shall be sin-binned if he commits any of the following 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 re-start of play
5. fails to respect the required distance when play is re-started with a corner or free kick

A player who is sin-binned must remain off the field of play for 5 minutes and may not be replaced

A player shall be sent from the field of play if he commits any of the following offences:
1. is guilty of violent conduct
2. is guilty of serious foul play
3. spits at an opponent or any other person
4. uses offensive or insulting or abusive language or gestures
5. denies the opposing team an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own goalkeeper's area)
6. denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or penalty goal
7. is sin-binned twice in the same match
8. wears football boots with rigid plastic or metal sprigs (aka studs, cleats)

A player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play.

Law 12: Free Kick

12.1 How to take a Free Kick

A free kick is taken from where an offence is committed.
All opponents must be, at least, 5 metres from the ball and they must not interfere with the kicker in any way.
The ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker is not permitted to touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.
A goal or try may be scored from a free kick.

12.2 Position of Free Kick

Inside the Penalty Area

If a free kick is awarded in a penalty area, all opponents must be, at least, 5 metres from the ball and must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
The ball is not in play until it has been kicked beyond the penalty area.

Outside the Penalty Area

If a free kick is awarded outside the penalty area, all opponents must be, at least, 5 metres from the ball until it is play.
The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.

12.3 Infringements / Sanctions

If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is less than 5 metres from the ball, the free kick shall be re-taken.
If, when a free kick is taken within a penalty area and the ball does not travel beyond the penalty area, the free kick shall be re-taken.
If the player taking a free kick touches it a second time before it has been touched by another player, a free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from where the offence occurred.

Law 13: Throw-in or Kick-in

A throw-in or kick-in is a method of re-starting play.
A goal or try can be scored from a throw-in or kick-in.
A throw-in or kick-in is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over :
1. an end line between the penalty area and the side line, either on the ground or in the air or
2. over the side line either on the ground or in the air.
It shall be thrown-in or kicked-in from the point where it crossed the line by a player of the team opposing that which last touched it.
A player who elects to take a throw-in must use both hands with equal force to deliver the ball. Also, he must take the throw-in or kick-in on or behind the boundary line and be facing the field of play.
A player who elects to take a kick-in must ensure that the ball is on the ground, on or behind the boundary line, and stationary before the kick-in is taken.
A player who takes the throw-in or kick-in shall not play the ball again until it has been touched or played by another player.
When a kick-in or throw-in is being taken all players of the opposing team must be not less than 5 metres from the ball.
If the ball goes over the crossbar or the boundary line within the penalty area :
1. if last touched by a player of the defending team, the attacking team shall re-start the game by a throw-in or kick-in from the junction of the penalty area and the end line.
2. If last touched by a player of the attacking team, the defending team shall re-start play by taking a place kick from anywhere in the goalkeeper’s area.
3. The ball, when kicked, must clear the penalty area.
4. If the ball does not clear the penalty area the kick shall be re-taken.
5. If an outfield player takes the place kick, he must clear the goalkeeper’s area immediately.
6. The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player.
7. Players of the attacking team shall remain outside the penalty area until the ball has cleared the penalty area.

13.2 Infringements / Sanctions

If, after the ball is in play, the player who has taken the throw-in or kick-in touches the ball a second time before it has been touched by another player, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team from where the infringement occurred.
If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the person taking the throw-in or kick-in he shall be sin-binned.

13.3 No Offence

If a player taking a throw-in or kick-in does so incorrectly, the referee shall stop the game and have the throw-in or kick-in re-taken.

Outside the Penalty Area

If a free kick is awarded outside the penalty area, all opponents must be, at least, 5 metres from the ball until it is play.
The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.

13.3 Infringements / Sanctions

If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is less than 5 metres from the ball, the free kick shall be re-taken.
If, when a free kick is taken within a penalty area and the ball does not travel beyond the penalty area, the free kick shall be re-taken.
If the player taking a free kick touches it a second time before it has been touched by another player, a free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from where the offence occurred.

13.4 No Offence

If a player taking a throw-in or kick-in does so incorrectly, the referee shall stop the game and have the throw-in or kick-in re-taken.

Law 14: The Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper is the only player allowed in the goalkeeper’s area except under defined circumstances (refer Law 10).
The goalkeeper’s area is the only part of the field of play that a goalkeeper may deliberately handle the ball.
If a goalkeeper takes control of the ball with his hands, this includes deliberately parrying the ball, he must throw the ball into play.
Because of the small field size, a goalkeeper is not allowed to punt or drop kick the ball. If he does punt or drop kick the ball, play must be stopped and the ball returned to him so he can throw it into play.
It is an offence if the goalkeeper handles the ball when it is deliberately kicked, headed or propelled by any other part of the body, to him by a member of his own team.
A goalkeeper must not waste playing time when throwing the ball into play or when taking a place kick from the goalkeeper's area so as to give his team an unfair advantage.
It is an offence for a goalkeeper to deliberately propel the ball from his penalty area into his goalkeeper's area and thus gain an unfair advantage over his opponent.

14.1 Infringements / Sanctions

If a goalkeeper travels beyond the penalty area, a free kick should be awarded to the opposing team at the point where the goalkeeper exited the penalty area.
If a goalkeeper deliberately wastes time when throwing the ball into play or when taking a place kick from the goalkeeper's area, the referee should award a penalty goal to the opposing team.
If a goalkeeper handles a ball passed to him by a member of his own team, the referee should award a penalty goal to the opposing team.
If a goalkeeper propels the ball from his penalty area to his goalkeeper's area, the referee should award a penalty goal to the opposing team.
If a goalkeeper touches the ball outside the penalty area after having taken a throw-in or kick-in from the end line, the referee should award a free kick to the opposing team.

14.2 No Offence

If a goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, the referee should stop the match, return the ball to the goalkeeper and direct him to throw the ball into play.