RULE 7 - THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

The match lasts three equal periods of 12 minutes of effective playing.The Time-keeping is undertaken by a timekeeper whose duties are defined in Rule 6.

The time can be stopped as is detailed in Rule 6:

· when a goal is scored;

· when a penalty kick or a direct free kick is awarded;

· when a player is wasting time (under indication from the referee).

The duration of each period may only be prolonged to enable a penalty kick or a free kick to be taken. In one of these cases, the game or period will end when:

· the ball goes directly to the goal and a goal is awarded;

· the ball is kicked out of bounds;

· the ball touches the defending goalkeeper and/or the posts, and/or the crossbar and/or the sand, and crosses the goal line - the goal will be valid;

· the ball touches any other player than the defending goalkeeper after it is kicked · the kick will have no effect;

· the ball is stopped by the defending goalkeeper or posts and does not cross the goal line.

The person that determines the end of each period of 12 (twelve) minutes is the timekeeper.

The referee will listen to the whistle or air horn, and officially end the period or game. It is clear that after the timekeeper determines the end of a period or game, no other action (except the above) will be valid. If the ball has already been kicked, the referees must wait for the conclusion of that shot occurred before the timekeeper whistle or air horn, in order to finish the period or game.

The in-between periods interval must last 3 minutes.

In case of a draw at the end of the match, an extra time period of no longer than 3 minutes will be played. If after the extra time a draw persists, alternate penalty kicks will be taken. The team scoring the higher number of goals with an equal number of kicks will be the winner.