Rooball Rules

_Rooball Rules

Rooball is an Australian term used for a type of small-sided-game ( SSG ) using modified rules better suited to young players. This form of SSG allows for all players to have more time with the ball, more touches, in a less populated and less complex environment, while still allowing for the full football experience. SSGs are a well recognised form of preferred football for younger players. There are many forms of SSGs. Rooball is the form of SSG played by the QCSA.

The following set of rules is a compilation of more-or-less standard Rooball rules. Some organisations may vary these rules to suit their own situations or ideals. Check with your organisation if you have a query on a given rule as practiced by them.

1. The Field of Play

2. The Ball

3. The Number of Players

4. The Players’ Equipment

5. The Referee

6. The Assistant Referees

7. The Duration of the Match

_8. The Start and Restart of Play

_9. The Ball In and Out of Play

10. The Method of Scoring

11. Offside

12. Fouls and Misconduct

18. Other Rooball Rules

A. On-field Coaching

B. Players in the Goal-Area

C. Spectators

Z. All Other Cases

1. The Field of Play

When separate fields are used, i.e. other than using a split full size field, the field dimensions shall be…

Length Max 55 meters Min 45 meters

Width Max 35 meters Min 25 meters

The field should be rectangular.

Goals should be 1.5 meters high and 3 meters wide.

The goal-areas shall comprise of a 5 meter radius semicircle.

Corner-kick marks should be placed on the goal-lines 10 metres from the goal-area semicircle.

The field should have a half way line.

The centre of the field should have a 1 metre diameter circle.

2. The Ball

The ball shall be spherical, made of a suitable material, and conform to the required size, weight, and pressure specifications.

The ball shall be subject to the approval by the Referee.

The ball may not be changed during the match without the permission of the Referee.

Ball Size

Under 7s - Regulation Size 3

Under 8s - Regulation Size 3

Inflating balls to extremely hard pressures does not enhance game play for young players. It can have quite the opposite effect. Highly inflated balls are more likely to cause injuries - and behave less like full sized balls fully inflated played by adults than do moderately inflated smaller balls played by children.

3. The Number of Players

Players
A match is played by two teams, each of which shall have no more than 6 players and no fewer than 4 players on the field at any time, one of whom must be a goalkeeper.

Up to nine (9) players per team are allowed on the match card.

Interchanges

Teams are allowed unlimited interchange during the match at the discretion of the referee.

Interchange, as opposed to substitution, means a player who has played earlier and been substituted is allowed to return to the field at a future time as a substitute for another player.

Unlimited interchanging allows all players to enjoy simular time on the field. It can also allow coaches/managers/carers to assist players off the field if needed.

If interchange is being used to slow down the game the referee can refuse to allow further interchanges.

Interchange players may enter the field only after the player being interchanged has left the field.

At no moment should there be more than the maximum number of players on the field.

There are two interchange methods allowed. The method used is at the discretion of the Referee and should be conveyed to the coaches of both teams before the start of the match.

Method 1 The Referee grants individual permissions upon receiving individual requests from team officials. Interchanges are made during a stoppage in play only. The referee is advised of all interchanges.

Method 2 Teams may interchange whenever they wish provided that they never have more than six (6) players on the field at any time.

Changing the Goalkeeper

Any team member can change places with the goalkeeper provided that ...

The Referee is informed before the change is made.

The change is made during a stoppage in the match.

4. The Players’ Equipment

Suitable footwear and shin pads must be worn at all times when players are participating in a game.

A player entering the field of play should not wear anything which is dangerous to themselves or another player.

Players are not permitted to wear any form of jewellery during matches. This includes, amongst other items, any form of ring, or bracelet, hard or solid hair retention devices such as metal and/or hard plastic clasps and/or 'bobby' pins.

Only the goal keeper is allowed to wear a hat or cap, provided it is of a soft type that presents no danger to themselves or others.

Players are permitted to wear prescription glasses. These should be constructed of a safety material, such as durable plastic and not glass. They should be adequately held in place by a functional soft retention device.

5. The Referee

The Referee...

Should encourage all participants and offer constructive advice where appropriate in regard to correct techniques at throw-ins, goal-kicks, corner-kicks, explaining fouls, all in a positive and reassuring manner.
Should encourage good sporting behaviour.
Enforces the Laws of the Game.
Controls the match.
Ensures that any ball used meets the requirements of Law 2.
Ensures that the players' equipment meets the requirements of Law 4.
Acts as timekeeper and keeps a record of the match.
Stops, suspends or terminates the match, at his discretion, for any infringements of the Laws.
Stops, suspends or terminates the match because of outside interference of any kind.
Stops the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that they are removed from the field of play.
Allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured.
Ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee, who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped.
Allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalises the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time.
Punishes the more serious offence when a player commits more than one offence at the same time.
Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of offences. He is not obliged to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play.
Takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at his discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds.
Ensures that no unauthorised persons enter the field of play.
Restarts the match after it has been stopped.
Provides the appropriate authorities with a match report, which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match.

Decisions of The Referee

Decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.
The Referee may change an incorrect decision only if they have not already restarted play or terminated the match.

6. The Assistant Referees
	Assistant Referees are not used in Rooball.

7. The Duration of the Match

The duration of matches shall be …

Under 7 - two 15 minutes halves with a 5 minute half-time break.

Under 8 - two 20 minutes halves with a 5 minute half-time break.

8. The Start and Restart of Play

Preliminaries

A coin is tossed.
The team that wins the toss chooses which goal they'll attack in the first half of the match.
The other team takes the kick-off to start the match.
The team that wins the toss takes the kick-off to start the second half of the match.
In the second half the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals.

Kick-off

Kick-offs are used to start or re-start play...

At the start of a match.
After a goal has been scored - by the team that conceded the goal.
At the start of the second half of a match.
At the start of periods of extra time.

A goal can not be scored directly from a kick-off in Rooball.

Kick-Off Procedure

All players shall be in their own half of the field.
The kick-off shall be taken from the spot in the centre of the centre circle in the centre of the field.
The ball shall be stationary.
Opponents of the team taking the kick-off shall be at least 5 metres from the ball until it is in play.
The ball shall move forward.
The ball is in play when it is touched and moves forward.
The ball does not have to be touched twice before leaving the centre circle.

For any infringements of the above the kick-off shall be re-taken by the same team.

The kicker shall not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

For any infringements of the above an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opponent team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

Dropped Ball

A dropped ball is a way of restarting a match after a stoppage that occurred while the ball was in play for any reason not mentioned elsewhere.

Dropped Ball - Procedure

The Referee drops the ball between two players, one from each team, who stand each side of the ball facing each other.
Play restarts when the ball touches the ground.

The ball is dropped again if...

- It is touched by a player before it touches the ground.
- It leaves the field of play after it touches the ground without touching a player.

9. The Ball In and Out of Play

The ball is out of play when...

It has wholly crossed a goal-line or a side-line, on the ground or in the air.
Play has been stopped by the Referee.

The field boundary lines, side-lines and goal-lines, are part of the field of play.

Therefore it is the outside edge of these lines that indicate the exact boundary edge of the field of play.

10. The Method of Scoring

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has crossed the whole of the goal-line between the goal-posts and under the cross-bar, provided that no infringement of the rules have been committed by the team scoring the goal.

A goal can be only be scored when the ball is in play.

A goal will not be awarded where a goal-keeper steps back into their own goal while holding the ball. In such a case play shall be restarted with a goal-kick.

11. Offside

The off-side rule is not generally applied in Rooball.

Nether-the-less, deliberately and/or consistently fielding players in what would be blatant offside positions is contrary to the spirit of the game and is discouraged.

A free-kick may be awarded to the defending team if the attacking team gains an advantage by deliberately and/or consistently fielding players in blatant off-side positions.

12. Fouls and Misconduct

Players are not permitted to endanger other players, themselves or anyone else.

Players are not permitted to use techniques that gain them an unfair advantage or which transgress the ideals of good sportsmanship and fair play.

A foul is committed if a player ...

Charges an opponent.
Jumps at an opponent.
Trips or attempts to trip an opponent.
Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.
Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.
Pushes an opponent.
Holds an opponent.
Spits at an opponent
Commits a foul tackle.

A foul tackle may be...
   - A tackle from behind.
   - A tackle to gain possession of the ball from an opponent making contact with the opponent before touching the ball.
   - A sliding tackle.
   - A tackle with a jumping motion.
   - A tackle where the tackler leads into the tackle with the studs of their boots.
   - Any other tackle that the Referee considers careless, reckless, or conducted with excessive force.

Handles the ball deliberately with any part of their hand or arm, except for a goal keeper within their own goal area.

A foul is not committed if a player genuinely accidentally handles the ball. Note that 'deliberately' for this purpose does not mean the same as 'unconsciously'. E.g. A player may instinctively react without any deliberate intention of handling the ball. Their instinctive reaction may have been unconscious but it was still a deliberate action. A genuine accidental or non-deliberate handling means the player made no movement of their hands/arms towards the ball. E.g. Non-deliberate means that the ball moved towards their hands/arms rather than their hands/arms moved towards the ball.

Also it is usually not considered to be a foul if a player handles the ball to protect themselves from a genuine threat of injury. E.g. Instinctively putting up ones' hands to protect their face/head from a fast moving ball. However the threat of injury must be genuine. E.g. Putting hands/arms up to stop a relatively slow moving ball from contacting one's torso may in the player's mind be an act of protection, but if in the opinion of the Referee injury would have been unlikely to have occurred then it would probably be regarded as a foul.

Plays in a dangerous manner.

Includes, amongst other things, raising boots to a goal keeper who has any part of their hands on the ball.

Impedes the progress of an opponent.
Prevents the goal keeper from releasing the ball from their hands.
Displays unsporting behaviour.
Delays the start or re-start of play.
Shows dissent by word or action.
Persistently infringes the rules.
Fails to respect required distanced from a corner kick, free kick, or throw in.
Enters or re-enters the field without permission.
Deliberately leaves the field without permission.
Is guilty of serious foul play.
Is guilty of violet conduct.
Spits at anyone.

,* swears, gestures at or argues with the Referee or another player;

Upon a foul being committed an indirect free-kick shall be awarded to the other team.

If the ball is kicked from within the goal-area by an attacker the defending team is awarded a free kick from the semicircle.

If the ball is kicked from within the goal-area by a defender other than the goalkeeper the attacking team is awarded a free kick from 5 metres outside the semicircle.

A player who unavoidably runs into the goal area on follow-through is not penalised provided they do not interfere with play whilst in the goal area. They should vacate the goal area as soon as practicable.

Other normal FIFA Rules apply with regard to deliberate fouls.

The Referee may send a player off the field if in his sole decreation...

The the player has committed such a serious and deliberate foul or has so seriously misbehaved that, in the Referee’s opinion, the player should be removed from the field.

Dissent

Dissent, by word or gesture, towards the Referee from players, coaches, team officials or spectators isn't tolerated.

Should a player show dissent towards a Referee the Referee may direct their coach to preform an interchange to remove the offending player from the field.

Should an on-field coach show dissent towards a Referee the Referee may direct the coach to remove themselves from the field.

Should any person engage in behaviour which prevents a match from continuing in the right spirit the Referee may direct them to leave the vicinity of the field altogether.

Should a person so directed refuse to leave the vicinity of the field the Referee may abandon the match.

13. Free Kicks

All free kicks in Rooball are in-direct.

An in-direct free kick means that that ball must be touched by another player, other than the kicker, before it can score a goal. If the ball goes into the goal from an indirect fee kick without touching another player a goal is not awarded and play is restarted with a goal-kick.

The free kick is taken from where the infringement occurred except in the following case.

If a free kick is awarded to the attacking team within 5 metres or inside of their opponents' goal-area the kick is taken back to a point 5 metres from the goal-area.

Defenders therefore may stand just outside the goal-area semicircle.

Opposing players must remain at least 5 metres from the ball until it is in play.

The ball is in play when it has been touched and moves.

A free kick awarded to the defending team within their goal-area can be taken from any point within the goal-area.

Any player of a team may take the free kick.

The ball is to be stationary on the ground when the kick is taken.

The player who takes the free-kick may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

If the kicker touches the ball a second time before it has been touched by another player an in-direct free-kick is awarded to the other team from where the infringement occurred, subject to the above.

14. The Penalty Kick
	There are no penalty kicks in Rooball.

15. The Throw-in

When the whole of the ball passes out of the field of play across a side-line a throw-in is awarded
to the opposing side to that of the player who has last touched the ball.

A goal can not be scored directly from a throw-in.

The player taking the throw-in...

Must throw the ball it from where it left the field of play.
Must have some part of both feet touching the ground on or behind the side-line when the ball is thrown.
Must face the field of play.
Must throw the ball with both hands.
Must throw the ball from behind and over their head.
Must not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

Opponents of the thrower must...

Not impede or prevent the thrower from throwing the ball.
Not encroach closer than 2 meters to where the ball is being thrown in.

Under 7s are allowed a second chance to preform a throw-in correctly.

Under 8s are allowed a second chance to preform a throw-in correctly for the first two weeks of the season only. Thereafter they are allowed one attempt only.

After a player has preformed the throw-in incorrectly the allowable number of times the throw-in will be awarded to the other team.

The referee or coach may assist the player achieve the correct method.

16. The Goal-Kick

A goal-kick is awarded when the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line and it was last touched by a member of the attacking team - except when a valid goal is scored.

The goal-kick is taken by any player from the defending team.

Goal-kicks shall be taken from anywhere within the goal-area including the goal-area line.

All players other than the player taking the kick must be at least 5 metres from the ball when a goal-kick is being taken. This does not apply to the goalkeeper if someone other than the goalkeeper is taking the kick.

If any player encroaches within 5 meters before the ball is in play the kick is re-taken.

If the player taking the kick is not the goalkeeper they must vacate the goal-area immediately after the kick is taken and must not interfere with play whilst still within the goal-area.

The ball must be stationary when the goal-kick is taken.

The ball must pass out of the goal-area directly from the goal kick or the goal kick is retaken.

Fields are sometimes marked with additional lines which run perpendicularly across the field approximately 5 meters from the apex of the goal-area circle. This line is sometimes referred to as the 'goal-kick line' and players may be asked to stand behind the line until the ball is in play. It is not a line officially required under the rules. However if present and recognised by the Referee, it should be remembered that the ball does not need to pass beyond such a 'goal-kick line' before players can touch the ball. The ball is in play the moment it is kicked and passes beyond the goal area. Players only need stay behind such a line, where used, until the kick has been taken.

17. The Corner Kick

A corner kick is awarded when the ball passes wholly over a goal-line and was last touched by a player from the defending team - except when a valid goal is scored.

The corner-kick is taken by any player from the attacking team.

Corner kicks shall be taken from ...

Under 7s - a point half way between the corner of the field and the edge of the goal-area.

Under 8s - the corner of the field.

The ball is in play when it is touched and moves.

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

The player taking the corner kick may not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

All opponents must be at least five (5) metres from the ball when the kick is taken.

18. Other Rooball Rules
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18 A. On-field Coaching
	The coach or his nominee ( one person per team) may run on the field to coach and direct their players providing the conduct of the match is not disturbed. Coaches on the field should keep the following things in mind... They're there to support and encourage their team and help them understand the Laws of the Game. They're not permitted to sledge players - from either team. Over coaching can detract from the quality of the game and enjoyment of the players. They're not to question or show dissent to the referee. Clarification may be sought from the Referee in an appropriate manner at half time or after the game if the Referee consents. They should remain behind the play at all times. The Referee may, and indeed should, direct a coach to keep behind play if they're interfering with the game. Constantly interfering with play may result in the Referee directing the coach to leave the field. They're not permitted in the goal-area except to assist a player taking a goal kick.
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18 B. Players in the Goal-Area
	Only goalkeepers are allowed in the goal-area. An exception is allowed for a single defending player to take a goal-kick or free-kick, in which case they must vacate the goal-area immediately after the kick is taken. Should any other player enter the goal-area during the match in a manner which affects the game a free kick will be awarded to the other team. A player who unavoidably runs into the goal-area on follow-through should not be penalised provided they do not touch the ball or in any way influence play while in the goal-area. If an attacking player kicks the ball into the goal or interferes with the game while in the goal-area no goal will be awarded and a free kick will be awarded to the defending team - taken from anywhere within the goal-area. If a defender, other than the goal keeper, interferes with the game while they're in the goal-area a free kick will be awarded to the attacking team - taken from five (5) metres from the edge of the goal-area nearest to where the offence occurred.
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18 C. Spectators
	No one is permitted to stand behind the goal-area while the match is in progress. All spectators must view the match from the sidelines. The coaching of players from behind the goal-area is not permitted. All spectators, substitutes and team officials should be at least one (1) metre from the sideline. The Referee may direct those on the sideline to move back if they're too close to the field and may stop play if required to do so.
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18 Z. All Other Cases
	Unless otherwise stated above the normal FIFA Laws of the Game shall apply.