Senior 5-a-side Game Rules (Cage Football)
Game Rules for 5-a-side Games
| 1 | Each team may field four outfield players and a goalkeeper on the pitch at any one time. |
| 2 | Substitutions are unlimited during the game, they can only be made with the Referees consent. Outgoing substitutes must leave the field of play before the replacement enters the playing area. The oncoming players are active immediately and can receive the ball. Substitutes must stand outside the pitch perimeter and spectators must not enter the field of play under any circumstances. |
| 3 | Teams may not change their goalkeeper more than once during the course of the game. A change of goalkeeper must be authorized by the referee. |
| 4 | All Players must wear shin pads. The wearing of any form of jewellery is not permitted during play. |
| 5 | Boundaries: The ball is always in play and can be played off the walls. |
| 6 | Each half will begin with one team taking a centre. After a goal has been scored the game will be re-started by the goalkeeper rolling the ball underarm out of their area. This can be done immediately and the defending players must retreat to their own half before they can attack the ball or opposition. A defending player attacking the ball before setting foot in their own half will concede a direct free kick from the penalty spot. All players are active once the ball crosses half way. |
| 7 | All players can enter the goal areas, only the goalkeeper can handle the ball in this area. The goalkeeper may not handle the ball in this area if it is played to him by a teammate. |
| 8 | The goalkeeper must return the ball into play by playing it out of his area with an under-arm bowling action. If the ball is returned any other way a free-kick will be given to the opposition two meters outside the area. |
| 9 | No dangerous play close to the fencing, any players using shoulder charges on players near the fencing or pushing other players toward the fencing will be sent off and possibly removed from the competition. No more than two players (one from each team) are allowed to challenge the ball near the fencing. In the event the ball is trapped by two competiting players the referee will signal one player to retreat and the other player must play the ball within 5 seconds. |
| 10 | A goal may be scored from any point within the field of play. |
| 11 | No slide tackles are allowed. Infringement of this rule will lead to a free kick being awarded against the offending players team. |
| 12 | All restarts must be made within 5 seconds. Teams defending the restart must retreat the specified distance first otherwise rule 16 will apply. |
| 13 | Professional fouls will be penalised with a penalty and the guilty player may face disciplinary action. |
| 14 | All free kicks will be direct. |
| 15 | If the ball becomes stuck behind the goalposts, play will be restarted by the goalkeeper |
| 16 | Opposition players must be at least five meters from where any free-kick is taken. If opposing players do not retreat the required five meters the kick may be moved forward by three metres. |
| 17 | The Goal keeper must be on the goal line when a penalty is being taken. |
| 18 | Shin Pads must be worn by all players during the game. Referees will refuse to allow players to play without shin pads. |
| 19 | The League rules are not exhaustive and may be added to or amended at any time. |
| 20 | The Referees decision on all on-field matters is final and no discussions will be entered into either on or off the field with him/her about any decision. The Referees jurisdiction on disciplinary matters will apply until the game is finished and players have left the field of play. Players repeatedly disputing decisions may have further disciplinary action taken against them. |
| 21 | Foul or abusive language will not be tolerated and any offending player will be cautioned. |
| 22 | Teams with a valid complaint against a match official must be put in writing within 48 hours of the match taking place. The complaint should be emailed to the centre manager or written and posted/handed in to the centre manager. Complaints by phone or in person will not be recorded |