WELCOME TO ARENA SUMMER SOCCER

YOUTH COMPETITION

GRADES

  • School Years 7 & 8 – Girls or Mixed Grades
  • School Years 9 & 10 – Girls or Mixed Grades

YOUTH RULES

All matches will be played under the normal FIFA Laws of the Game, with the following Arena Summer Soccer exceptions:

  • No offside.
  • No slide tackles.
  • No metal-studded boots. Moulded boots, turf shoes and sneakers are permitted.
  • Shin pads are strongly recommended for all players. While not compulsory, playing without shin pads may increase the risk of injury.

TEAMS

  • A maximum of 6 players may be on the field for each team at any one time, including the goalkeeper.
  • Women’s goals are worth 2 goals.
  • Men’s goals are worth 1 goal.

GOALKEEPING AREA – THE D

  • The D (goalkeeping area) is for the goalkeeper only. No other player may enter the D.
  • If an attacking player enters the D, a free kick will be awarded from anywhere within the D.
  • If a defending player enters the D, a free kick will be awarded 2 metres from the top of the D.
  • This free kick is indirect, meaning the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored.
  • The goalkeeper is the only player who may leave and return to the D during play.
  • The goalkeeper may be substituted in the same manner as any other player, but the match official must be informed of the change.

Goalkeeper Distribution

  • Punting and drop-kicking are not permitted from inside the D.
  • During play, the goalkeeper may throw or roll the ball to a teammate, or place the ball on the ground and kick it out.
  • A ball kicked from inside the D cannot cross halfway on the full.
  • Goal kicks may be taken from anywhere inside the D.
  • The goalkeeper may not pick up the ball if it has been deliberately passed to them by a teammate using their feet.

PENALTIES

Denying a Goal or an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO)

Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own half that denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the referee shall award a penalty kick.

  • The penalty kick will be taken from 1 metre from the top of the goal circle.

Awarding a Penalty Goal

An automatic goal may be awarded if a player deliberately enters the goal circle and prevents the ball from entering the goal.

  • This can only be awarded when the goalkeeper is already out of play.
  • The decision to award an automatic goal will be at the discretion of the match official.

TIMING & SCORING

  • Matches will consist of 18 minutes each way.
  • Half-time will be 2 minutes.
  • Match timing will be controlled centrally by a hooter, whistle or siren.
  • Any injury or stoppage time will be at the discretion of the organiser.
  • Teams must be ready to start with a minimum of 4 players when the hooter sounds.
  • Teams not ready to start will have 2 minutes to take the field and kick off.
  • Failure to do so will result in a default, with the match recorded as a 3–0 result.
  • Win = 3 points
  • Draw = 1 point
  • Loss = 0 points

COLOUR CLASH

If teams have a clash of playing colours:

  • The team listed second in the draw will be considered the away team and must change their playing strip.
  • Bibs will be available from the organiser at the referee hut, located between the turf and grass pitches.

SUBSTITUTIONS

All grades will operate revolving substitutions.

  • Teams may make unlimited substitutions within their squad.
  • Players may return to the field after being substituted.
  • All substitutions must be made through the match official.
  • Substitutions should normally be made when the ball is dead.
  • The match official may allow a substitution during play where they consider it appropriate.
  • If a substitution is made without the match official being notified, the incoming player will be deemed an extra player.
  • The opposition will be awarded a free kick from the centre spot.
  • If the incoming player is the goalkeeper, an indirect free kick will be awarded 2 metres from the offending goal.

BOOKINGS & SEND-OFFS

  • All decisions regarding fouls, misconduct and playing time will be at the sole discretion of the match official.
  • A player sent off during a match, whether through two yellow cards in the same game (resulting in an automatic red card) or a straight red card, will receive a two-match suspension.
  • Any player receiving a second red card during the season will be suspended for the remainder of the competition.

REFEREES

Referees will be provided for as many matches as possible.

Where an official referee is unavailable, the two teams must organise a referee between them.