1. The Pitch
The dimensions shall be 30 m length and 15 m width.
The perpendicular distance between the center of the two goal post and the
penalty area line shall be 5 m.
2. Players
Each team can have a squad of 7 players.
No more than 5 players must be present on the pitch at any one time.
Any team with more players on the pitch than authorised will be penalised with
a yellow card to the player at fault.
A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than four players.
The match is forfeited if one of the teams has fewer than four players on the
pitch, resulting in a 3-0 loss or the prevailing match score, whichever is higher.
During a match, any team who cannot field a minimum of 3 players due to
suspensions or injuries will forfeit the match and will result in a 3-0 loss or the
actual score, whichever has the worst goal differential.
Any team playing an unregistered player, suspended player or a player who is
not an amateur will be disqualified.
Substitutions are unlimited during any game.
A substitution may be made at any time, whether the ball is in play or not.
A substitute can only get on to the pitch once the player he is replacing has
come off through the only gate allowed for substitution.
Any of the substitutes may change places with the goalkeeper without
informing the referees or waiting for a stoppage in the match.
A goalkeeper may not change places with a player and is only allowed to
change place with a substitute.
A player or substitute replacing the goalkeeper must wear a goalkeeper’s
jersey with his number on the back.
If a substitute enters the pitch before the player being replaced has left, the
referees shall stop play (although not immediately if they can apply the
advantage) to caution him. If the referees have stopped play, it is restarted
with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the position of the ball at
the time of the stoppage.
3. Clothing / Attire
Suitable footwear must be worn at all times. Blades and studded boots are not
allowed.
Compulsory equipment are footwear, shirt with sleeves, football stockings,
shorts. Goal Keepers may wear track suits bottom.
All players must wear a numbered shirt at all times and teams must make every
attempt to ensure that all players play in similar colors. Players must wear bibs
where applicable and instructed by the referee.
For the safety of all players, all items of jewellery should be removed before
entering the field of play, including watches. Additionally, it is recommended
that all players wear shinguards.
Where not addressed specifically in these rules, judgments over the suitability
of player’s equipment are at the discretion of the referee. Players who refuse
to remove jewellery; have inappropriate footwear, or wearing attire that is not,
in the referee’s view suitable, will be asked to leave the field of play.
4. The Duration of the Match
For group stages, games will be a total of 14 minutes played in 7 minutes
halves with no half time.
For knockout stages, games will be a total of 20 minutes played in 10 minutes
halves with no half time.
Any team that reports for a match later than 5 minutes from kick off time or
with less than 4 players, will forfeit the match 3-0.
5. The Ball In and Out of Play
The ball shall not be out of play if it touches the barriers and the nets on the
touch line.
If the ball touches the net behind the goal line and outside the goal post, the
match will restart with a goal clearance.
Corner kick will not be awarded. The match will be restart with a goal
clearance. If a player uses a deliberate trick to put the ball out of play behind
the goal line and outside the goal post in order to circumvent the Law, a
penalty will be awarded.
Kick in shall be applicable only if the ball goes beyond the side
netting/barriers.
The opponents must be at a distance of no less than 4m from the place on the
touch line where the kick-in is taken.
If, when a kick-in is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required
distance, the kick-in is retaken by the same team and the offending player is
cautioned, unless the advantage can be applied or an offence punishable by a
free kick or penalty kick is committed by the opposing team of the player
taking the kick-in.
If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the player taking the kick-in he is
cautioned for unsporting behavior.
A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-in.
6. Dropped ball
If, after the ball has made contact with the ground, a player kicks it once
directly towards one of the goals and the ball goes directly
o into the opponent’s goal, a goal clearance is awarded
o into the team’s own goal, an indirect free kick on the penalty area line
will be awarded to the opposing team
If, after the ball has made contact with the ground, a player kicks the ball with
more than one touch towards one of the goals and the ball enters one of the
goals, a goal is awarded.
7. 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 half of the match
• at the start of extra time, where applicable
Players may shoot and score directly from the kick-off.
The referee must give the signal.
8. The Method of Scoring
A goal can be scored from anywhere including the opposition’s penalty box.
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between
the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the
Laws of Open Foot Five has been committed previously by the team scoring the
goal.
A goal is disallowed if the goalkeeper of the attacking team throws or hits the
ball intentionally with his hand or arm from inside his own penalty area and is
the last player to touch or play the ball. The match is restarted with a goal
clearance to the opposing team.
If, after a goal is scored, the referees realises, before play restarts, that the
team that scored the goal was playing with an extra player or had carried out a
substitution incorrectly, they must disallow the goal and restart play with an
indirect free kick to be taken by the opponents of the offending player from
any point inside the penalty area.
If the goal was scored by the other team, they must allow it.
9. Free Kicks
All Free kicks will be indirect. However, if a goal is scored via a deflection (via
team mate or opposition), it shall count.
A foul inside the penalty area will be sanctioned by a penalty unless otherwise
stated.
Free kick outside the penalty area
o All opponents must be at least 4 m from the ball until it is in play.
o The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
Free kick inside the penalty area to the defending team
o All opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in
play.
o The ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area.
o A free kick awarded in the penalty area may be taken from any point
inside that area.
Time wastage by the goalkeeper will be sanctioned with an indirect free kick
on the penalty area line.
An indirect free kick conceded in the penalty area is taken on the penalty area
line at the point nearest to where the offence was committed. The wall shall
be on the goal line and the goalkeeper one step ahead.
10. Offside
1. There is no offside in Open Foot Five
11. Fouls and Misconduct
1. Slide tackles are forbidden.
2. Players must not use defensive slides to intercept a ball regardless of whether
they are near another player or not.
3. Players must not use attacking slides when shooting for goal or when passing.
4. Lunges that result in slides are illegal.
5. Goal keepers are only allowed to slide when saving a goal and NOT to defend in
the feet of an opponent.
6. A player who makes a slide that involves contact with an opponent will be
penalised and given either a yellow or red card.
7. Any team who argue excessively/is verbally aggressive/using foul languages
towards the referee will be automatically disqualified from the tournament.
11. The Penalty Kick
1. While taking a penalty, a player MUST have his standing foot in line with the
ball. He may take one step back to shoot. The standing foot MUST not leave the
ground at any point.
2. The penalty taker must be identified to the referee before the penalty is
taken.
3. The goalkeeper must be standing on the line when a penalty is taken. However,
he may take steps to either the left or the right.
4. A penalty kick shall be taken from the penalty kick mark and, when it is being
taken, all players with the exception of the player taking the kick and the
opposing goalkeeper, shall be at least 4 m from the ball and must stand behind
the penalty kick mark.
12. Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers are allowed to go forward (outside the box) during open play.
Goalkeepers are allowed to take penalties or free kicks.
Goalkeepers may use any part of his body to make a save inside the box
including his hands.
If a goalkeeper handles the ball outside the box, it shall result in a red card
if an opponent is in playing distance to the ball.
Goalkeepers are not allowed to pick up or handle back passes inside the
box. This shall result in a free kick & yellow card.
There are no goal kicks. If a ball is kicked out for a goal kick, the
goalkeeper must return the ball into play within 4 seconds by throwing it
out using either an under arm or side arm action.
An over arm throw will result in an indirect free kick at the edge of the box.
While saving a penalty, the goalkeeper cannot take a step forward.
However, he may take steps to either the left or the right.
13. The Referee
The referee’s decision is final. Any fouls or penalties will be awarded at the
sole discretion of the referee.
The referee reserves the right to penalise a player for aggressive behavior
or excessive arguments towards the referee.
The referee also reserves the right to penalise coaches/substitutes situated
on the bench, including and not limited to, a red card for any of the
aforementioned parties.
The referee may restart play using a dropped ball if he is required to stop
play temporarily for any extenuating circumstances.
14. Yellow Cards
A yellow card will result in a 1 minute suspension during group stages and a
2 minutes suspension during knockout stages. During this period, the player
must exit the field and, his team shall continue play with 4 players.
The suspension ends after 1/2 minutes accordingly or if the opposition
scores a goal, whichever comes first.
Two yellow cards in the same game will result in a red card. (Details can be
found in red card section).
If more than two players receive yellow cards at the same time during a
game, the match will be forfeited resulting in a 3-0 loss or the prevailing
match score, whichever is higher
15. Red Cards
A red card will result in an immediate suspension for the player who must exit
the field and the substitution zone immediately.
The team cannot replace the player and must finish the game with only 4
players.
The player who receives the red card will serve at least 1 match ban which will
result in him not being eligible for the following game as well. If a team
receives two red cards during a game, it will result in an immediate 3-0 forfeit
or the prevailing match score, whichever is higher and, the game will stop. The
two players will also serve at least 1 match ban for the following game.
16. Use of Barriers
Players must not hold on to the barriers in order to gain advantage. Aggressive
play against the barrier will not be permitted.
17. DISCIPLINE AND FAIR PLAY
Violent and aggressive play, unsportsmanlike behaviour, and foul and abusive
language will not be tolerated. Players exhibiting such behaviour will be
penalized by the referee.
In the event of persistent or extreme abuse or bad behaviour, the referee has the
power to abandon the game which may result in the disqualification of one or both
teams from the tournament.
Violent conduct on or off the pitch will result in the immediate suspension of the
individual and could result in a ban from F5WC qualifiers . Open Foot management
reserves the right to ban a team or individual from further participation in all
tournaments.
Referees must be treated with respect by all teams. Players may be suspended and/or
banned by open foot management for abuse/harassment of referees, on or off the
pitch.
The decision of open foot management in all matters pertaining to the administration
of tournaments is final.
Open Foot management may overturn a rule if it is perceived that a team is
deliberately using an interpretation of the rules to gain an unfair advantage.
18. Penalty Shootout
If one team has a greater number of players than its opponents, it must reduce
its numbers to equate with that of its opponents and the team captain must
inform the referee of the name and number of each player excluded. Any
player thus excluded may not participate in the penalty shootout.
Penalty shootouts will consist of 3 kicks per team.
If tied after 3 penalties, the match shall go into sudden death.
During sudden death, if the team shooting first misses, the team shooting
second must score to win.
If the team shooting first scores, the team shooting second must score to stay
alive, a miss will result in elimination.
We are welcome to play