Tararua Junior Football

7 A-side Grade Rules

1) Under no circumstances are coaches permitted to play unregistered children or players from other teams’ rosters as fill-in players for their team. If a team is players short they are to follow the procedure outlined in 2), 3), and 4) below. Failure to comply results in a default.

2) Only 7 players per team on the field at any one time and only 1 more player is allowed than on the opposing team. If a team is short of numbers, the opposing team is to lend players.

3) A team will default (2-0 win to the opposing team) if it has less than 5 players. In the event of a default a friendly match will be organised for those players that have turned up.

4) The process for substitutions is to wait until the ball is not on the field and then attract the attention of the referee before the substitute enters the field of play. Substituted players can be reintroduced at any time during the match.

5) All players must wear shin pads.

6) Referees. The referee’s decision is final. Teams provide a ref for a half each, no instruction is permitted on the field at all whilst refereeing. However, where a coach must ref an entire match, they are permitted to provide instruction for the whole match.

7) Each game is played for a total of 50 minutes, divided into two 25-minute halves with a 5 minute break at half time.

8) If winning by 6 or more goals, mix your team around or agree an alternative with the opposing coach. It is not good morale for the losing team to be “whipped.”

9) A goal kick (after the ball has gone out of play) can be taken from anywhere in the penalty box. The attacking team is required to be back behind the retreat line.

10) The Retreat Line: IMPORTANT: Please refer to “The Retreat Line” Information Sheet.

11) Offside is played in this grade.

A concise definition is:It is not an offence to be in an offside position.

A player is in an offside position if: player is nearer to their opponents’ goal line than the ball and the second last opponent.

A player is not in an offside position if: player is outside their opponents ‘retreat line, is level with the second last opponent, is level with the last two opponents, or is level with the ball when it is passed to them.

A player is only penalised if, at the moment the ball is played by one of their teamates, and the recieving player is involved in active play by: interfering with play, interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage by being in that position.There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from: A goal kick, a throw in or a corner kick.

12) Correct technique for throw ins is to be encouraged. This is: both feet on the ground, on or behind the sideline, both hands behind the head and facing the direction they are throwing. Don’t stop the game for every incorrect throw only the “seriously bad” ones.  

13) Kick-off will be 10.30am in Dannevirke, Woodville and Pahiatua, unless otherwise stated in the draws.It is recommended that teams are at the ground by 10am to warm up.