SPRING SOCCER [WED] SYNTHETIC ALDER PARK Rules

TEAM FORMAT

Urban Rec Soccer may be played in a variety of formats. Please refer to your league information to confirm which format is being played.

Team Size

  • 5-a-side

The nominated team size includes the goalkeeper.

Teams must include:

  • Minimum two (2) male players

  • Minimum two (2) female players

  • Remaining players may be any gender, including gender diverse participants.

Teams may play the entire match with a minimum of four (4) players, provided at least one (1) male and one (1) female are on the field, without resulting in a default or forfeit.

Please refer to the Urban Rec Default, Forfeit & Substitute Policy for player eligibility requirements.

Substitutes

Substitutes are permitted provided they:

  • Have created an Urban Rec account.

  • Have signed the current Urban Rec waiver.

Running substitutions are permitted at any time during play.

Goalkeeper substitutions must occur during a stoppage in play and be communicated to the League Host.

GAME SPECIFICS

Game Time

  • Games consist of two (2) x 18-minute halves with a short half-time break.

  • Game length may vary slightly depending on the venue schedule.

Field Boundaries

Urban Rec Soccer may be played:

  • Outdoors (suggested dimensions 40 x 30m)

  • Indoors (suggested dimensions 40 x 20m)

  • On an enclosed rebound court (30 x 15m)

Field dimensions may vary depending on the venue. Urban Rec allows lengths from 25 to 50m, and widths from 16 to 35m. 

Goal height will vary depending on the size of the court and venue limitations. 

League Hosts will advise teams of any venue-specific rules before play begins.

Starting the Game

  • Captains will play Scissors, Paper, Rock.

  • The winner chooses first kick-off.

  • The opposing team receives the kick-off in the second half.

Kick-offs are taken from the centre mark.

  • The ball must travel forward.

  • Opponents must remain at least 4 metres from the ball.

  • A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off.

Scoring

  • A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and beneath the crossbar.

  • Each goal is worth one (1) point.

  • Following a goal, the team that conceded the goal restarts play with a centre kick-off from the centre mark.   

  • A goal may only be scored once the attacking player has entered the opposition's half of the field. Goals scored directly from within a team's own half do not count, and play will restart with a goal roll to the defending team.

RULE SPECIFICS

Ball In & Out of Play

Outdoor & Indoor Soccer

The ball is out of play once it has completely crossed the sideline or goal line.

Play is restarted with:

  • A kick-in from the sideline.

  • A goal roll - underarm only. 

  • A corner kick where applicable.

  • There are no throw in’s. 

Enclosed Arena (Rebound) Courts

  • Where games are played inside an enclosed rebound court, the surrounding walls form part of the playing area.

  • Play continues off the rebound walls.

  • The ball is only out of play if it completely leaves the enclosed playing area.

Goalkeeper

Only the goalkeeper may handle the ball, and only within the designated goal area. 

Play is restarted by the goalkeeper after a goal roll.

  • The goalkeeper may restart play by either:

    • Rolling the ball along the ground, or

    • Placing the ball on the ground and kicking it.

  • The goalkeeper may not kick the ball directly from their hands (including drop kicks, punts or volleys).

  • Opponents must remain outside the goal area until the ball has been put back into play.

  • Where required by the venue, players other than the goalkeeper may not enter the designated goal area. League Hosts will advise teams of any venue-specific goal-area restrictions before play. 

Back Passes

  • Goalkeepers may not pick up a deliberate back pass from a teammate.

  • The ball must instead be played with the feet.

Free Kicks

  • All free kicks in Urban Rec Soccer are indirect free kicks.

  • Opponents must stand at least 4 metres from the ball.

Free kicks may be awarded for, but are not limited to:

  • Dangerous play

  • Tripping

  • Kicking an opponent

  • Jumping at an opponent

  • Holding

  • Pushing

  • Charging

  • Handling the ball

  • Preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball

  • Delaying play

  • Slide tackling

  • Making contact with an opponent before the ball

If an infringement occurs inside the goal area, the free kick is taken from the edge of the goal area.

Fouls & Misconduct

Soccer is a limited-contact sport.

A foul may be called regardless of whether the contact was intentional or accidental. Players are responsible for controlling their body and avoiding unnecessary contact.

Players may not:

  • Trip

  • Push

  • Hold

  • Elbow

  • Charge

  • Strike

  • Jump into opponents

  • Use their hands or arms to hold off, fend off or create separation from an opponent

  • Deliberately or accidentally endanger another player

Abusive language, arguing with the League Host or unsporting behaviour may also result in a free kick or further disciplinary action.

Slide Tackling

  • Slide tackling is not permitted.

  • Any slide tackle will result in an indirect free kick.

  • League Hosts may remove players who repeatedly slide tackle or who endanger opponents.

Offside

  • There is no offside rule in Urban Rec Soccer.

  • Players are expected to play within the spirit of the game and should not deliberately remain near the opposition's goal to gain an unfair advantage.

  • League Hosts may intervene where persistent goal hanging is inconsistent with the spirit of the game.

Corner Kicks

Outdoor & Indoor Soccer

  • Corner kicks apply when the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses their own goal line.

  • Opponents must remain 4 metres from the ball.

Enclosed Arena (Rebound) Courts

  • There are no corner kicks.

  • The ball remains in play off the surrounding walls.


 

ADDITIONAL URBAN REC RULES

High Ball Restriction

  • Some Urban Rec recreational leagues do not permit players to intentionally kick the ball above shoulder height.

  • If a ball enters the goal above shoulder height, the goal will generally count.

  • Where the high-ball restriction applies, headers are not permitted.

  • League Hosts will advise teams before the match if the high-ball restriction applies.

Shoulder-to-Shoulder Challenges

  • Shoulder-to-shoulder challenges should be used with care and only when fairly contesting the ball.

  • Using excessive strength or physicality against a less experienced, smaller or off-balance player is contrary to the spirit of Urban Rec and may be penalised at the League Host's discretion.

  • Play the ball, not the body.

Around the Walls (Arena Courts)

  • Where games are played on enclosed rebound courts, the walls form part of the game.

  • Players should take extra care when challenging the ball near walls, fences and rebound boards.

  • Player safety always takes priority over winning possession.

Keep the Ball Moving

  • Urban Rec Soccer is designed to be fast, social and inclusive.

  • Repeated time wasting, deliberately shielding the ball for extended periods or delaying restarts is contrary to the spirit of the game and may result in possession being awarded to the opposition.

Controlled Shooting at Goalkeepers

  • Players should use controlled force when shooting at goal, particularly when the goalkeeper is inexperienced or playing at a beginner or recreational level.

  • Deliberately shooting with excessive force directly at a goalkeeper, particularly from close range, is contrary to the spirit of Urban Rec and may result in a free kick or other action at the League Host’s discretion.

  • Score goals, not bruises.

Honest Calls

Urban Rec encourages players to acknowledge obvious:

  • Handballs

  • Fouls

  • Last touches

  • Balls out of play

Self-officiating helps games flow and creates a better experience for everyone.

Host Discretion

Not every situation can be covered by the rulebook. League Hosts may intervene where an action is technically legal but clearly unsafe, unfair or against the spirit of the game.

Fun First Policy

All Urban Rec leagues are fun-first, regardless of skill level.

Our League Hosts aim to create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment by:

  • Coaching where needed

  • Making calls appropriate to the level of play

  • Encouraging communication and sportsmanship

Urban Rec expects a degree of self-officiation. Respect, good vibes and camaraderie go a long way.

Discipline

  • League Hosts have final say on all unresolved issues.

  • If a player is acting disrespectfully or outside the spirit of the game, the Host may:

    • Ask the player to sub off and take a break

    • Issue further warnings

    • Ask the player to leave the court if behaviour continues

We’re here for good times, not bad attitudes. Play fair.

Inclusion

Urban Rec is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.

  • Gender diverse, transgender and non-binary players are welcome

  • Participants of all sexualities, cultures and backgrounds are supported

Urban Rec has zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment.

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