MATCH RULES
*Box rules can change dependant on pitch dimensions at each separate venue.
1) REFEREE
The Referee at times will use his discretion when making a final decision. This decision is final and must be accepted in ALL instances.
Any player that shows dissent to the referee will be given a yellow or red card.
Play is started when the referee gives the ball to a team at the start of the match. The following half will be started by the other team.
2) PENALTIES WILL BE AWARDED
If the goalkeeper goes outside his area to gain an advantage in the match.
If a team member of the goalkeeper goes inside his area to gain an advantage in the match.
Any team caught with more than 6 players playing the match.
3) PENALTIES
The penalty taker is allowed no more than one step before striking the ball.
The goalkeeper must remain on his line and not move until the ball is struck.
It is the responsibility of players to clarify to the referee who is taking the penalty kick. The penalty will be disallowed if the referee feels the goalkeeper was placed at a disadvantage by the opposing players not making it clear which player is taking the penalty kick.
In the absence of a penalty spot being visible, the penalty shall be taken 1 yd back from the edge of the goalkeeper’s area.
4) SLIDE TACKLES
Slide tackles are not allowed in our leagues this includes going to ground in any way during a tackle.
A free kick is rewarded for a slide tackle and going to ground.
5) BACKPASSES
When an outfield player receives the ball from the goalkeeper, the ball MUST be touched by another player before being passed back to the goalkeeper.
If the player passes the ball back to the keeper without touching another player it will be a free kick where the player is standing on the field of play
6) FREE KICKS
ALL free kicks are INDIRECT.
Players must be 2 yds from the ball.
When a free kick is on the edge of the goalkeeping area the ball will be placed 2 yds back to allow a defending player to block the direct shot.
The ball must be stationary before you take the free kick.
7) THE GOALKEEPER AND THE GOALKEEPER AREA
After a goal is scored, the goalkeeper shall roll the ball out to restart play.
If the goalkeeper makes a save but part of his body slides outside his area as long as the ball is still in the area this ok. If the goalkeeper touches the ball in his area and part of his body remains in his area it will NOT be a penalty.
If the team makes a change of goalkeeper during the match the players must notify the referee and then wait for a signal from the referee before making the change of goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper must always roll-out the ball with an underarm action when continuing play.
If the goalkeeper makes a foul throw the free kick should be taken 2 yds outside his area where the ball left his area.
If the defensive team have a free kick near the goalkeeper area the referee may decide to continue play with an underarm roll-out by the goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper is the only player that can play the ball in his area. If any other player plays the ball in the goalkeeper area it will be a free kick or a penalty.
No player will be penalized if they have entered goalkeeper area when being pushed by an opposing player or when the momentum of an action being taken outside the area takes the player into the goalkeeper area.
The goalkeeper may not kick the ball under any circumstances except in the course of making a save. *The area rule can change depending on pitch & box size and will be adjusted by the Referee before the night starts. Due to some box sizes being too big we may allow all players to go inside the boxes, the league manager/ referee will let you know if this is the case before your first game.
8) SUBSTITUTES
Teams are allowed 4 substitutes who must stand behind the goal which is occupied by their goalkeeper or in the viewing area.
Substitutions can be made as needed we operate a roll on – roll off system.
If the team makes a substitution during the match the players must notify the referee- the referee will decide if the game needs to be stopped for the substitution to take place or whether the substitution can be made whilst the game is still playing.
Any team caught with more than 6 players playing the match the opposing team will be awarded a penalty.
9) THE HEAD-HEIGHT RULE
For OUTDOOR leagues there is NO head height ruling.
For INDOOR leagues only, the ball is not allowed to pass above head height. An indirect free kick will be awarded against the team who play the ball above head height. The free kick will be taken where the ball was originally played.
10) THROW INS / CORNERS
When the ball leaves the area of play the referee will award a kick-in to the appropriate team.
When the ball leaves the area of play behind the goal and it is the goalkeeper’s ball he will roll-in as stated above.
11) FREE KICKS
ALL free kicks are INDIRECT.
Players must be 2 yds from the ball.
When a free kick is on the edge of the goalkeeping area the ball will be placed 2 yds back to allow a defending player to block the direct shot.
The ball must be stationary before you take the free kick.
12) THE SIN BIN
If a player is shown a yellow card the player will be sin-binned for 2 minutes and must leave the pitch until the referee instructs him to come back onto the field of play.
The referee shall be the sole time keeper.
13) DISMISSAL
If a player is given a yellow card and he refuses to leave the pitch he will be dismissed.
If a player is dismissed he must leave the pitch immediately, failure to leave the pitch will result in the referee awarding the match to the apposing team.
14) TIME WASTING
Referees are told to take a positive action for time wasting.
Any player found guilty of time wasting could be given a yellow card.
The referee will award a free kick for time wasting.
The free kick will be taken where the player was standing on the field of play.
Any player intentionally kicking the ball away will be given a yellow card.
MATCH NIGHT RULES
15) LEAGUE POINTS
The scoring system is 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
16) MATCH DURATION
Match duration depends on the league that you play in. The duration of the match will be stated on your League details when signing up your team.
17) SQUAD & PLAYERS
We operate a flexible squad system. Teams may use as many adult male players as they wish during the season, however only 10 players may be used for any one match night. Players may only play for ONE team in the league unless they become a guest player just for the night.
If your team is short you have the right to use a guest player(s) from the league but this must be cleared by the referee and the opposition manager/captain prior to kicking off your match.
Following FA Guidance –
Players who are 16 and over must not play in mixed teams of men & women.
18) CLOTHING
Outfield players must not play with a cap, hat, jeans, shoes or without a shirt.
The goalkeeper can play with a cap.
All teams must use the bibs provided unless the whole team are using the same colour shirt.
19) AWARD PACKAGE FOR WINNERS OF THE LEAGUE
Winners will receive 10 team trophies.
Prizes can take between 2-6 weeks to order in. Prizes will not be given out if teams have any debt or been removed from the league for behaviour issues.
The League Manager will contact the Team Manager when league is fully complete to find out what team has requested.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Football is physically challenging and carries with it risks that we cannot entirely eliminate. These include the risk of personal injury.
Rules
- You must act responsibly and sensibly at all times.
- You must not participate if you are pregnant or under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs.
- You must follow any safety warnings or instructions displayed or given to you by the venue or the referee.
- We are not qualified to express an opinion that you are fit to safely participate. You must obtain professional or specialist advice from your doctor before participating if you are in any doubt. We are not responsible for arranging or providing any first aid or medical treatment.
- All Players must check that the playing surface and other conditions are safe for playing competitive football. If you feel it is not safe report your findings to the referee and DO NOT start the match. Elite Sixes Ltd will then decide if you should be reimbursed for match fees.
- It is your responsibility to arrange your own insurance cover for all and any injuries, damage or loss.
- You must follow all FA, Government and venue Covid-19 guidelines.
In the absence of any negligence or other breach of duty by us, attending and/or playing at fixtures is entirely at your risk.
In the absence of any negligence or other breach of duty by us, we are not responsible for any theft, damage, destruction or loss of your property or belongings while attending and/or playing at fixtures.
COVID
Teams/Players/Officials
- All players and officials must self-assess for Covid19 symptoms before arriving for any match. If they are symptomatic or living in a household with possible infection they MUST not participate or attend.
Social distancing should be observed before and after every match and during any break in play. - Players and officials should sanitise hands before and after each match.
- Players only, no spectators allowed. The only exception to this rule are parents/guardians of players under 18yrs. These spectators must be brought to the attention of the referee prior to the game starting.
- Ball handling should be kept to a minimum with most contact via a boot.
- The ball disinfected in breaks of play
- Goal celebrations should be avoided.
- Equipment should not be shared, and goalkeepers should ensure they disinfect their gloves thoroughly before and afterwards.
Players should arrive 5 minutes before kick-off, changed and ready to play. - They should vacate the venue within 5 minutes of their match finishing and shower at home. Any use of indoor facilities must follow government advice and abide to the venue rules and restrictions.
Participants should follow best practice for travel. People from a household or support bubble can travel together. - Any instances of dissent will be punished by the referee with an advancement of 5m.
- Players should ensure they have their own water bottle and hand sanitiser and it should not be used by anyone else.
- We are already committed to a strict discipline rules and will apply the permanent change to the rule that will not allow any player to within 2m of the referee.
- Any player or players will be issued a red card if they do not adhere.
COVID
Team Managers
- A list of team members names and contact details must be provided to Elite Sixes in-order to support NHS Test and Trace. Any additional names should be provided prior to playing.
- Teams should arrive to play in matching colours as the use of bibs are restricted.
- Players only, no spectators allowed. The only exception to this rule are parents/guardians of players under 18yrs. These spectators must be brought to the attention of the referee prior to the game starting.
- Any warmup balls required should be provided by the team.
Match fees should be provided by bank transfer to Elite Sixes wherever possible 24hrs before match day before your match.
Complaint Procedure
We admit, at times we can get things wrong at Elite Sixes. We value your feedback, so please take the time to email us with full details of your query, suggestion or complaint and we guarantee we will acknowledge receipt and provide you with a response within 48hrs. Please email any feedback to info@elitesixes.co.uk
We take all complaints serious, we will review and investigate and inform all parties of any action taken.
In the case any serious complaint we will inform the relevant authority.
If you are still unhappy with the response, you should then contact the Managing Director who will respond within four working days.
Managing Director
neil.hopkins@elitesixes.co.uk
Elite Sixes Ltd
Nuthurst
CV7 8GH