Beach Soccer Rule of the Game

Rules

USBSF Rules of the Game

Authorized by the United States Beach Soccer Federation, effective January 2009

NOTE: Subject to the agreement these Rules are maintained, the Rules may application for matches for players of under 15 years of age, for female players, for veteran players (over 45 years), players with disabilities, or special benefit matches and tournaments.

Any or all of the following modifications are permissible:

•size of the field of play;

•size, weight and material of the ball;

•width between the goalposts and height of the crossbar from the ground;

•duration of the periods of play;

•the number of players;

•style and appearance of jersey/uniforms;

Further modifications are only allowed with the consent of the USBSF.

RULES:

Rule 1	The field	Rule10	The method of scoring
Rule 2	The ball	Rule11	Fouls and Misconduct
Rule 3	The number of players	Rule12	Free Kicks
Rule 4	The players’ equipment	Rule13	The Penalty Kick
Rule 5	The referee and the second referee	Rule14	The Ball Inbound
Rule 6	The timekeeper and the third referee	Rule15	The Goal Clearance
Rule 7	The duration of the match	Rule16	The Pass-Back Rule
Rule 8	The start and restart of play	Rule17	The Corner Kick
Rule 9	The ball In and out of play	Rule18	Procedures to Determine the Winner of a Match

Expand to include all the Rules on this one Page

RULE 1 - THE FIELD

Surface of the field:

The surface must be of sand, levelled, free of rocks, shells, and any other object that may offer risk of injury to the players.

For international competitions, the sand must be of fine grains, being at least 15 inches deep. The sand also must be sifted until it becomes acceptable, not rough, free of rocks and dangerous pieces. It shall not be excessively fine to cause dust or attach to the skin.

Dimensions:

The field must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the end line.

Length: 115 feet

Width: 90 feet

Field markings:

The field is marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries.

The two longer boundary lines are called touchlines. The two shorter lines are called end lines.

All lines are 3.5 inches wide and made of a tape of resistant material with sufficient color in order to contrast with the sand. These lines are anchored to the sand at each corner using special corner connectors and sand anchors, and to the goals using rubber rings attached to the goal posts.

The field is divided into two halves by an imaginary halfway line defined by two red flagpoles.

The center of this imaginary line is the exact position for the kick-off.

The penalty area:

A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as the imaginary line parallel to the end line that joins the touchlines at 30 feet into the field, defined by 2 yellow flagpoles.

An imaginary penalty mark shall be defined at the center of the penalty area line, equidistant from the goal posts.

Flag posts:

Flag posts measuring not less than 5 feet high, with a non-pointed top and a flag, are placed around the field. They are made of unbreakable plastic an dare elastic and weatherproof.

Four yellow flagpoles mark the penalty area at each side of the field. One red flagpole is placed at each corner of the field. Another two red flagpoles mark the imaginary halfway line, one at each touchline.

All flag posts, except those placed at the corners, shall be anchored on the outside of the field, 3 feet from the touchlines.

Substitution zone:

The teams' benches are situated behind the touchline directly next to the free space on both sides of the timekeeper's table.

The substitution zones, where the players enter and leave the field for substitutions, are situated between the teams' benches and the timekeeper's table, and are 16 feet in length, which is the distance between the intersection of the halfway line and the touchline and the teams' benches. This free space, directly in front of the timekeeper's table, is kept clear.

Goals:

Goals must be placed on the center of each end line. They consist of two upright posts equidistant from each corner and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goals must be painted with sufficient color to contrast with the sand.

The distance (inside measurement) between the posts is 18 feet and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 7 feet.

Both goal posts and the crossbar have the same width and depth which will not exceed 7.5 inches.

Nets, generally made of nylon, are attached to the posts and crossbars behind the goals.

The lower part of the vertical posts shall have an anchor plate to be anchored under the sand for safety reasons. Two lateral bars with a length of 5 feet shall be placed at sand level and connected by a crossbar or plastic covered chains with hooks and laces at both ends. This crossbar shall be anchored to the sand as well.

Safety:

A 5 to 10 feet perimeter security zone surrounds the field.

The goals may be portable but they must be anchored securely to the ground during play.

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RULE 2 - THE BALL

Qualities and measurements:

The ball is:

· spherical;

· made of leather or other suitable material, abrasion resistant, shape-retaining and weatherproof;

· of a circumference of not less than 68 cm and not more than 70 cm (size5);

· weighs not less than 400 grams nor more than 440 grams at the start of the match;

· of a pressure between 5.5 to 8 PSI (0.4 to 0.8 bars) at sea level.

Replacement of a defective ball:

If the ball becomes defective during the course of a match:

· the match is stopped;

· the match is restarted (according to Rule 8).

If the ball becomes defective while not in play, at kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or kick-in/throw-in:

· the match is restarted according to the Rules.

For international matches, the game shall be played with a minimum of twelve balls: one ball in play and the remaining in possession of four of the eight ball boys standing at the four corners of the perimeter zone.

The ball shall be changed during the match when it goes out of the perimeter zone. The closest ball boy shall give the ball to the player authorized to put it back into play.

Decisions:

1 The official ball used in USBSF international competitions will have to be approved by FIFA.

2 In standard competition matches, only balls that meet the minimum technical requirements stipulated in Rule 2 are permitted for use.

NOTE: In FIFA competition matches, and in competition matches organized under the auspices of the USBSF, acceptance of a ball for use is conditional upon the ball bearing one of the following three designations:

The official "FIFA APPROVED" logo or the official "FIFA INSPECTED" logo or the "INTERNATIONAL MATCH BALL STANDARD" reference.

Such a designation on a ball indicates that it has been tested officially and found to be in compliance with specific technical requirements, different for each category and additional to the minimum specifications stipulated in Rule2. The list of the additional requirements specific to each of the respective categories is to be issued by FIFA. The institutes conducting the tests are selected by FIFA.

The USBSF can impose the use of balls bearing any one of these three designations for their own competitions.

In all other matches the ball used must fulfil the requirements of Rule 2.

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RULE 3 - THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Players:

A match is played by two teams, each consisting of no more than five players, one of them being the goalkeeper. There are up to 5 (five)substitutes according to the regulations of the competition.

Substitution procedure:

Substitutes may be used in any match played under the rules of an official competition at FIFA or USBSF level.

The maximum number of substitutes permitted is five.

The number of substitutions made during a match is unlimited. A player who has been replaced may return to the field as a substitute for another player.

A substitution is one which is made when the ball is in or out of play and for which the following conditions are to be observed:

· the player entering the field must signal his intention to enter the field by raising above his head a sign with the number of the player to be

substituted;

· the player leaving the field must do so at his own substitution zone;

· the player entering the field must also do so at his own substitution zone but not until the player leaving the field has passed completely over the touchline;

· a substitute is subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referees whether called upon to play or not;

· the substitution is completed when the substitute gives the sign with the number of the player leaving the field to the player being substituted and enters the field, from which moment he becomes a player and the player whom he is replacing ceases to be a player.

The clock will not stop during the substitution.

Changing the goalkeeper:

The goalkeeper can be substituted at any time by his substitute; the clock will not stop during the substitution.

Any of the other players may change place with the goalkeeper provided that:

· the referee is informed before the change is made;

· a field player can only replace a goalkeeper in case no other goalkeeper is in playing condition due to serious injury. In this case, the goalkeepers will not be allowed to return to the match;

· the player must wear a goalkeeper shirt. He will keep with his number on the shirt the same number as used when he was playing as a field player for the record of the score-sheet.

Infringements / Sanctions:

If, while a substitution is being made, a substitute enters the field before the player being replaced has completely left or leaves the field from a place other than the substitution zone or infringes the Substitution procedure:

· play is stopped;

· the player is cautioned and shown the yellow card;

· play is restarted by a free kick to be taken by the opposing team from the center of the halfway line. In addition, if the ball was out of play, the match shall be re-started according to the Rules of the game;

· in case of re-occurrence of this infraction of the substitution regulations by the same player, the referee shall adopt the same procedure and caution the substitute player showing him a blue card. The suspended player will not be allowed to enter the game in the next 2 (two) minutes. The team remains with the same number of players on the field that it had before the infraction.

Decisions:

1 At the start of a match, each team must have a minimum of four players. In The case of a match starting in a situation like this, if other players arrive to the field during the match, they are allowed to get in the game if they were already listed with the starters.

2 If, in the event of players being sent off by red or yellow cards, fewer than three players (including the goalkeeper) are left in either of the teams, the match must be abandoned, not dependent on the score of the match at that moment.The final score of the match for goal average purposes will be 10 x 0 for the winning team (the team with at least three players in the pitch).

3 For matches played by players under twelve years old, the maximum number of substitutes permitted is seven. For matches played by women, the maximum number of substitutes permitted is six.

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RULE 4 - THE PLAYERS' EQUIPMENT

Safety:

A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to him self oranother player, including any kind of jewellery.

Basic Equipment:

The basic compulsory equipment of a player is:

· a jersey or a shirt;

· shorts can be soccer or surf style - Brazilian "speedo" style is not permitted; thermal under shorts may be worn only with shorts.

· players shall be authorized to wear elastic ankle and/or foot wraps;

· the use of rubberized footwear is not permitted; lycra or neoprene beach socks may be worn provided thickness is no greater than 3mm.

· plastic goggles - the use of plastic goggles for eye protection is permitted.

Jersey or shirt:

· Numbers between 1 and 22 shall appear on the back of the shirts;

· colors of the numbers shall contrast clearly with the colours of the jersey.

In the case of two teams showing up at the field wearing the jerseys and/or shorts of the same color or very similar, the home team will have to change to a second uniform. If there is no home team, the decision of which team will have to change the uniform will be done through the toss of a coin by the referee.

For international matches, numbers shall also appear on the front of the short though in a smaller size (15 x 7.5 cm).

Goalkeepers:

· Each goalkeeper wears colors which easily distinguish him from the other players and the referees by the referee;

· the goalkeeper is allowed to play with "warm up pants" instead of shorts,when authorized.

If a field player replaces a goalkeeper, the goalkeeper's jersey worn by the player must be marked on the back with the player's own number.

Decision:

Any other part of equipment will have to be free of any commercial message and be approved by the USBSF and/or FIFA.

Infringements / Sanctions:

For Any Infringement of this Rule:

· the player at fault is instructed by the referee to leave the field to correct his equipment or to obtain any missing item of the equipment. The player may not return to the field without first reporting to one of the referees,who then checks that the player's equipment is now correct. The player is only allowed to re-enter the match when the ball is out of play.

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RULE 5 - THE REFEREE AND THE SECOND REFEREE

The authority of the referees:

Each match is controlled by two referees (1st and 2nd) who have full authority to enforce the Rules of the Game in connection with the match to which they have been appointed, from the moment they enter the locality where the field is situated until they leave.

Powers and duties:

The referees:

· have to signal start and restart of the play, faults, penalties, etc;

· enforce the Rules of the Game;

· allow play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalizes the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time;

· keep and sign a record of the match and provide the appropriate authority with a match report which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents which occur before, during or after the match;

· act as timekeeper in the event that this official is not present;

· stop, suspend or terminate the match for any infringement of the Rules or due to any kind of outside interference;

· take disciplinary action against players guilty of caution-able and sending-off offences;

· ensure that no unauthorized persons enter the field;

· stop the match if, in their opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensure that he is removed from the pitch;

· stop a player if, in their opinion he is wasting time;

· allow play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured;

· ensure that any ball used meets the requirements of Rule 2.

Decisions of the referee:

The decisions of the referees regarding facts connected with play are final.

Decisions:

1 If the referee and the second referee both signal an offence simultaneously and there is a disagreement as to which team is to be penalised, the referee's decision shall prevail.

2 Both the referee and the second referee have the right to show a yellow or red card to a player, but in the case of a disagreement between them, thereferee’s decision shall prevail.

3 In the event of undue interference or improper conduct, the referee will relieve the second referee of his duties, arrange for his replacement and submit a report to the appropriate authorities.

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RULE 6 - THE TIMEKEEPER AND THE THIRD REFEREE

Duties:

A timekeeper and a third referee are appointed. They are seated outside the field at the halfway line on the same side as the substitution zone.

The timekeeper and the third referee are equipped with a suitable clock(chronometer) to be supplied by the association or club on whose field the match is being played.

The timekeeper:

· Ensures that the duration of the match complies with the provisions of Rule 7 by:

- starting his clock (chronometer) after kick-off;

- stopping the clock (chronometer) 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);

- re-starting it after a kick-off, a free kick and kicks from the penalty mark;

· checks the two-minute effective time punishment period when a player has been sent off;

· indicates the end of each period, the end of the match, the end of the extra time with a whistle or some other acoustic signal distinct from those used by the referees;

· indicates to the referees the exact time to re-start the second and third periods after the three-minute stoppage, as well as the re-start of the

extra time, in such event;

The Third Referee:

The third referee assists the timekeeper. He:

· keeps a record of stoppages in the game and the reasons for them;

· ensures that substitutions are carried out properly and indicates with a whistle or some other acoustic signal distinct from those used by the

referees any infringement occurred during the substitution procedure;

· takes note of the numbers of the players who score goals and the time of its occurrence;

· recalls the names and numbers of the players cautioned or sent off;

· provides any other information relevant to the game;

· takes care of the behavior of the people allowed to be on the bench destined to the substitute players;

· informs to the teams the exact time when a player who was sent off is allowed to return to the game or to be substituted;

· at the end of the over time, notes the numbers of the players that ended the match. Only these players are allowed to participate in the penalty kick shoot-out (Rule 18).

In case of injury, the third referee may replace either the referee or second referee.

Decisions:

1 For international matches, the use of a timekeeper and a third referee is compulsory.

2 In the event of undue interference by the timekeeper or the third referee, the referee will relieve either of them of their duties, arrange for their

replacement and report to the appropriate authorities.

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RULE 7 - THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

Periods of play:

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.

In-between periods interval:

The in-between periods interval must last 3 minutes.

Extra time period:

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.

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RULE 8 - THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY

Preliminaries:

Either the choice of ends or kick-off is decided by the toss of a coin. The team winning the toss decides either: which goal it wishes to attack in the first period of the match or if the team prefers to start the game.

The team that does not take the kick-off to start the first period will take the kick-off to start the second period of the match, while the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals.

In the third period of the match, the toss of a coin decides which teams will choose ends or take the kick-off to start this last period.

In case of overtime the team that did not take the kick-off to start the third period will take the kick-off to start the overtime of the match, while the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals.

In case of a penalty series there will be another toss before the series in order to determine who kicks first (see Rule 18).

Kick-off:

A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play:

· at the start of the match;

· after a goal has been scored;

· at the start of the second and third period of the match;

· at the start of the extra time period, where applicable.

A goal cannot be scored directly from the kick-off.

Procedure:

· All players are in their own half of the field;

· the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 16 feet from the ball until it is in play and must wait to enter the opponent’s half of the field until the ball is in motion;

· the ball is stationary on the centre of the halfway line;

· the referee gives a signal;

· player has to put ball in motion.

· the ball is in play when it is airborne or when it is put in motion and has made a full turn over its circumference, after which another player can then kick or pass the ball;

· the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

After a team scores a goal, the other team takes the kick-off.

Infringements/Sanctions:

If the kicker touches the ball a second time before it has touched 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 retaken.

Dropped Ball:

A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage which becomes necessary while the ball is in play and provided that immediately preceding the stoppage it has not passed over the touch line or end line, for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Rules of the Game.

Procedure:

· One of the referees drops the ball in the center of the halfway line;

· play restarts when the ball touches the sand.

Infringements/Sanctions:

The ball is dropped again:

· if it is touched by a player before it makes contact with the sand;

· if the ball leaves the field after it makes contact with the sand, without a player touching it.

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RULE 9 - THE BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

Ball Out of Play:

The ball is out of play when:

· the whole ball has touched the off bound area of the field or has touched

a player totally or partially in contact with such area of the field;

· play has been stopped by the referee.

Ball in Play:

The ball is in play at all other times including when:

· it rebounds from a goal post or the crossbar onto the field;

· it rebounds from either of the referees when they are on the field;

· it is airborne at the kick-off.

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RULE 10 - THE METHOD OF SCORING

Goal Scored:

Except otherwise provided by these Laws, a goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, unless it has been thrown, carried or intentionally propelled by the hand or arm by a player of the attacking side, the goalkeeper included.

The goalkeeper:

· cannot score directly throwing the ball with his hands. If he does, the opposing team will be allowed a goal clearance;

· cannot score if he kicks the ball in the air (volley shot) before it touches the ground and after releasing it from his hands;

· can score if he puts the ball down on the ground and controls it with his feet.

Winning Team:

The team scoring the greater number of goals during a match is the winner. If both teams score an equal number of goals or if no goals are scored, an extra time period will be played at the end of normal time.

Provided that the extra time ends in a draw, the game will be decided with alternate kicks from the penalty mark. In this case, the team that at an equal number of shoots scores more goals is the winner.

If a team remains with less than three (3) players due to disciplinary expulsions, this team shall be declared the loser of that game, regardless of the score at the time the game was stopped. In this case, the score of the game, for goal average purposes, will be 10 x 0 for the winning team.

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RULE 11 - FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

Fouls and misconduct are penalized as follows:

Direct Free Kick:

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

· kicks or attempts to kick an opponent;

· trips or attempts to trip an opponent;

· jumps at an opponent;

· charges an opponent, even with the shoulder;

· strikes or attempts to strike an opponent;

· pushes an opponent.

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses:

· holds an opponent (which includes pulling the opponent’s uniform);

· spits at an opponent;

· handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area);

· plays in a dangerous manner;

· deliberately impedes the progress of an opponent when the ball is not being played;

· prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands;

· throwing of sand to an opponent or the referee;

· commits any other offense, not previously mentioned in Rule 11, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player;

Penalty Kick:

A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits any of the aforementioned offenses inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball but provided that it is in play.

The player who received the foul takes the penalty kick, unless seriously injured, in which case his substitute does. In the event that the offense committed was deliberate handling of the ball, any player from the team awarded with the free kick may take it.

Kicks from the Halfway Line:

A direct free kick from the center of the halfway line is also awarded to the opposing team if:

· a team has possession of the ball inside its own penalty area for more than 5 (five) seconds, and is not defending it from any opponent;

· the goalkeeper uses his hands to receive an intentional pass from any team-mate, two times right after each other without the ball having

touched an opponent;

· the goalkeeper kicks the ball in the air (volley shot) before it touches the ground and after releasing it from his hands

· the goalkeeper, after having possession of the ball in his hands inside his own area, plays the ball with his feet out of the penalty area and then comes into that area again and takes the ball with his hands (see Rule 11)

· the goalkeeper restarts the game with his feet.

Disciplinary Sanctions:

Cautionable offenses by players

Yellow card

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following offenses:

· is guilty of unsporting behavior;

· shows dissent by word or action;

· persistently infringes the Rules of the Game;

· delays the start of play;

· fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, kick-in, throw-in, free kick or goal clearance;

· enters or re-enters the pitch without the referee's permission or infringes the substitution procedure;

· deliberately leaves the pitch without the referee's permission;

· handles the ball deliberately on a non goal scoring opportunity.

Sending-off offenses by players

Red card

A player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following offenses:

· is guilty of serious foul play;

· is guilty of violent conduct;

· spits at an opponent or any other person;

· denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (with the exception of a goalkeeper within his own penalty area);

· uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures;

· receives a third caution in the same match.

Decisions:

A player who has been shown the red card may not re-enter the game in course nor may he sit on the substitutes' bench. A substitute player may enter the field two complete minutes after a teammate has been sent off with a red card.

Cautionable offenses by the technical staff

Yellow card

A member of the Technical Staff (i.e. coach, team delegate, players on the bench) is cautioned and shown a yellow card if he commits any of the following offenses:

· is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct toward the opponent team, spectators, or any tournament official;

· shows violent dissent by word or action from any decision taken by the referees.

Red Card

A member of the technical staff is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following offenses:

· is guilty of violent conduct;

· spits at an opponent or any other person;

· uses offensive, insulting or abusive language and / or gestures;

· receives a second caution in the same match;

· enters the field without the referee's permission.

For any of these offenses, a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the center of the half way line.

The referee shall report the reason why a member of the technical staff has been sanctioned with a red card to the Disciplinary Committee, who will analyze the possibility of additional sanctions.

Technical staff sent off by referee will have to be seated in a location far enough from the competition area as not to interfere with the game.

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RULE 12 - FREE KICKS

Free Kicks:

There are only direct free kicks.

· No players may form a wall in any case.

· the player who received the foul takes the free kick unless seriously injured, in which case, his substitute does. In the event that the injured player comes off the pitch, without taking the free kick, he will not be allowed to return to the match;

· the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player;

· additional time is allowed for a free kick to be taken at the end of each period of the match or of the extra time;

· an own goal cannot be scored directly from a free kick. In this case, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team;

· a goal may be awarded from a direct free kick.

Position of Free Kick:

Free kick from own field

If the free kick is taken at the infractor team's defensive half of the field, all other players, except the kicker and the goalkeeper, must be located:

· inside the field;

· behind or to the side of the ball, except the goalkeeper, who may remain in his penalty area;

· at least 16 feet from the ball until it is in play.

Free kick from opposite field:

If the free kick is taken at the infractor team's offensive half of the field, the players, other than the kicker, and the defending goalkeeper must be located:

· inside the field;

· at least 16 feet from the ball until it is in play and never within the area between the goal and the ball, except the defending goalkeeper who may remain in his penalty area;

· the ball can be kicked in any direction, including back to any teammate including the goalkeeper. As a clarification, the “no touch” to the ball only applies if the ball is kicked in the direction of the goal (in the spatial figure delimited by the ball and the two goal poles) while remaining in the air, without touching the ground; in this case, only the defending goalkeeper can touch the ball. In any other instance (ball outside the limits above) and/or ball touching the ground, it becomes free and any player can touch it.

Procedure:

· The kicker may make a small sand lump using his feet or the ball in order to elevate the position of the ball;

· the free kick must be taken within 5 (five) seconds after the authorizing whistle by the referee;

· the kicker may not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player;

· the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves;

· when the ball is kicked in the area between the goal posts and the place where the kick is taken, players (except for the defending goalkeeper) may not play the ball before it has touched the field, the defending goalkeeper, any post or the crossbar.

Infringements/Sanctions:

If a player of the attacking team infringes this Rule:

· a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

If a player of the defending team infringes this Rule:

· the kick is not retaken if a goal is scored;

· if a goal is not scored, his team will be penalized with a free kick at the place where the infraction occurred;

· if a goal is not scored and he infringes the Rule inside his own penalty area, his team will be penalized by a penalty kick.

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RULE 13 - THE PENALTY KICK

The penalty kick:

A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits one of the offenses for which a direct free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play.

A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.

Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each period of the match or of the extra time.

Position of the Ball and the Players:

The ball:

· is placed at the centre of the penalty area line (30 feet from the center of the goal).

The player taking the penalty kick:

· is the one who was fouled, unless seriously injured, in which case, his substitute does.

The defending goalkeeper:

· remains on his goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts, until the ball has been kicked, and is allowed to moved sideways.

The players other than the kicker are located:

· inside the field;

· outside the penalty area;

· behind or to the side of the ball;

· at least 16 m from the ball.

The referee

· does not signal for a penalty kick to be taken until the players have taken up position in accordance with the Rule;

· decides when a penalty kick has been completed.

Procedure:

· The player taking the penalty kicks the ball forward;

· he may not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player;

· the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward.

When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at the end of each period to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, before passing the goalposts and under the crossbar:

· the ball touches either or both of the goalposts, and/or the crossbar and/or the goalkeeper.

Infringements/Sanctions:

If a player of the defending team infringes this Rule:

· the kick is retaken, only if a goal is not scored;

· the kick is not retaken if a goal is scored.

If a team-mate of the player taking the kick infringes this Rule of the Game:

· the kick is retaken if a goal is scored;

· the kick is not retaken if a goal is not scored.

If the player taking the kick infringes this Rule of the Game after the ball is in play:

· a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

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RULE 14 – The BALL INBOUND

A ball inbound is a method of restarting play.

Any of the players can execute the ball inbound, including the goalkeeper.

A goal cannot be scored directly from a ball inbound.

If the ball inbound is taken directly to the goal, the ball doesn't touch any player, and it crosses the goal line:

· a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team if the ball is kicked against the team's own goal;

· a goal clearance is awarded to the opposing team if the ball is kicked against the opposite team's goal.

A ball inbound is awarded:

· when the conditions in Rule 9 apply;

· from the place where it crossed the touch line;

· to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball.

Position of the Ball and the Players:

Types of the ball inbound:

The kick-in (the players of the defending team should be at least 16 feet from the place where the kick-in is taken).

Procedure:

The ball:

· must be stationary outside of the field;

· is kicked back into play in any direction;

· is in play immediately after it is kicked or touched.

The player taking the kick-in:

· has both feet on the ground outside the touch line at the moment of kicking the ball;

· may not perform a throw-in after placing the ball for a kick-in;

· must do so within 5 seconds of taking possession of the ball;

· may not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

The throw-in:

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:

· faces the field;

· has both feet on the ground outside the touch line;

· use both hands;

· delivers the ball from behind and over his head;

· must do so within 5 seconds of taking possession of the ball;

· the thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player;

· the ball is in play immediately after it enters the field;

· may not perform a kick-in after placing the ball for a throw-in.

Infringements/Sanctions:

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if:

· the player taking the kick-in/throw-in plays the ball a second time before it has touched another player. The direct free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred, if inside the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded.

The kick-in/throw-in is retaken by a player of the opposing team if:

· the kick-in/throw-in is taken incorrectly;

· the kick-in/thrown-in is taken from a position other than the place where the ball passed over the touch line;

· the kick-in/throw-in is not carried out within 5 seconds of the player taking it being in possession of the ball;

· any other infringement of Rule 14 occurs
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RULE 15 – THE GOAL CLEARANCE

A goal clearance is a method of restarting play.

A goal may not be scored directly from a goal clearance. See ways of a goalkeeper scoring in Rule 10.

The goal clearance is awarded when:

· conditions mentioned in Rule 9 apply to the ball or players at the goal line, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Rule 10.

Procedure:

· The ball is thrown from any point within the penalty area by the goalkeeper of the defending team using his hands;

· the goalkeeper does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player;

· the ball is in play when it leaves the goalkeeper's hands;

· once the goalkeeper has the ball in his hands, he has 5 (five) seconds to put the ball in play.

Infringements/Sanctions:

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the center of the halfway line if:

· the goalkeeper takes more than 5 (five) seconds to execute the goal clearance;

· the goalkeeper executes the goal clearance with his feet.

In case a goal clearance is taken, the ball doesn't touch any player, and a goal is scored, the goal will not be valid, and a goal clearance will be awarded to the opposing team.

If the ball touches any player before it goes in the goal, the goal will be valid.

In case the goalkeeper scores an own goal of a goal clearance, the goal will not be valid, and a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team.

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RULE 16 – THE PASS-BACK RULE

· The goalkeeper shall not be allowed to touch the ball with his hands or arms when a ball is returned to him from a player of his team, including a header or an inbound pass, twice consecutively, without the ball having touched an opponent player;

· once the ball has been passed to the goalkeeper from one of his team-mates once, the referee shall signal this first pass raising his arm above his head momentarily.

Infractions/Sanctions:

A free kick from the halfway line is awarded to the opposing team if:

· after the ball being in play, the goalkeeper receives it back with his hands twice from a team-mate (without any opponent having touched the ball);

· any other infraction to Rule 16 occurs.

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RULE 17 – THE CORNER KICK

A corner kick is a method of restarting play.

A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team.

A corner kick is awarded when:

· the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the end line according to conditions mentioned in Rule 9, touches the ground, or a player outside of the field, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Rule 10.

Procedure

· The ball is placed precisely inside an imaginary corner arc of 3 feet radius at the nearest corner;

· the kicker may make a small sand lump, using the ball or his feet, in order to elevate the position of the ball;

· opponents remain at least 16 feet from the ball until:

· the ball is played;

· the ball is kicked by a player of the attacking team;

· the ball is in play when it is kicked or touched;

· the kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player;

· the corner kick must be taken within 5 (five) seconds from the time the player taking the kick takes possession of the ball.

Infringements/Sanctions:

A direct free kick is taken by the opposing team if:

· the player taking the corner kick plays the ball a second time before it has touched another player. The direct free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

The opponent's goalkeeper re-starts the play if:

- the corner kick is not carried out within 5 seconds from the time the player taking the kick takes possession of the ball.

If the team takes the corner kick, the ball doesn't touch any player and an own goal is scored, the goal will not be valid, and a corner kick will be allowed to the opposing team.

If the corner is taken, and the ball touches any player and an own goal is scored, the goal will be valid.

For any other infringement:

· The corner kick is retaken.

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RULE 18 – PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE THE WINNER OF A MATCH

Taking kicks from the penalty mark is a method of determining the winning team whenever no goal is scored during the three (3) minute overtime.

Procedure:

· The referee chooses the goal at which the kicks will be taken;

· the referee tosses a coin and the team whose captain wins the toss takes the first kick;

· the referee keeps a record of the kicks being taken.

Each series of shots is composed of 1 (one) penalty shot per team. The penalties may only be taken by the players that ended the match, including the goalkeeper. A player may only kick another penalty after all other eligible players have taken theirs. A new series of kicks may start, and the order of the kickers may change.

· The series will be repeated as many times as necessary in order to determine a winner;

· the winner is the team that scores more goals with the same number of shots;

· the names, numbers and the order of the players taking the kicks are announced to the referee by the captains or the coaches of each team before the kicks from the penalty mark are taken;

· any player who has been sent off may not take part in the kicks from the penalty mark;

· any eligible player (a player who was playing in the field when the game finished) may change places with his goalkeeper;

· only the eligible players and match officials are permitted to remain on the field when kicks from the penalty mark are taken;

· all players, except the player taking the kick and the two goalkeepers, must remain in the opposite half to that where the kicks are being taken. The second referee controls this area of the field and the players who are situated there;

· the goalkeeper who is the teammate of the kicker must remain on the field without interfering in the progress of the play.

· if a team has less eligible players than the opponent due to expulsion, the opponent will have to reduce its own number of eligible players in order to equalize them.

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