Get on the pitch

1. Each team may field four outfield players and a goalkeeper on the pitch
   at any one time. There is a maximum of nine players allowed per team
   for each fixture (up to 15 can be registered in the squad but only 9
   can play each match).
2. Substitutions are unlimited during the game, and can be made at any
   point. 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 conceding team at the
   centre spot.
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 penalized 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 two meters from where any free-kick
    is taken. If opposing players do not retreat the required two 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.
    
    

League Rules

1. Prior to starting in a KIKOFF league the registration must be completed
   in full including all players details.
2. A $400 non-refundable deposit is paid upon registration to secure your
   slot in the league, this will be deducted from your total invoice for
   the season.
3. Prior to the start of the first game, your team will be required to pay
   the fee for the season. The applicable fee for the season will be the
   number of games scheduled multiplied by the match fee.
4. Leagues will have between 6-10 teams registered.
5. If a team pulls out of a competition at the end of the season then an
   extra team will be promoted from the lower division or a team
   reinstated as per rule 5.
6. If applicable, teams that pull out of the competition may be reinstated
   in the division they last played in only if another team pulls out and
   at the discretion of the centre manager. Teams may only miss one season
   to qualify to be reinstated in a higher division.
7. Teams will receive 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss.
   League placings will be decided by points, followed by goal difference,
   followed by goals scored, followed by the result between the two teams
   in question. A coin toss will be the last resort.
8. All players must be registered by completing the necessary forms prior
   to competing for any team. Teams may register up to 15 players and no
   player can be registered to more than one team in the same division.
   Players may not transfer their registration to a team in the same
   division during the course of a season. Players can not play in a lower
   division than the one they initially register for
9. Any team playing an unregistered or suspended player automatically lose
   the match 5 – 0 and be deducted 3 points. Players playing whilst
   suspended will have a further three match ban added to the end of their
   current suspension.
10. Teams must all have a matching kit that consists of playing shirt,
    shorts and socks. The goalkeeper can wear tracksuit bottoms and must
    have a shirt that easily identifies him/her from their team mates. Shin
    guards must be worn by all players and no jewellery will be allowed
    (except flat wedding rings which must be taped up). If two teams
    colours clash then one team must wear bibs, this will be decided by a
    toss of the coin by the referee.
11. Teams are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled kick off times.
    Teams must be on the park and ready to begin the match at the appointed
    kick-off time. If a team is more than 5 minutes late their opponents
    may begin with a 3 – 0 head start, teams more than 10 minutes late will
    forfeit the game 10-0 at the Centre Managers discretion.
12. Teams may be replaced at any stage of the season. Replacement teams
    inherit the scores and points of their predecessors. No team joining
    after the halfway point can be awarded first or second place at the end
    of the season.
13. Teams failing to appear for their designated fixture will be liable for
    the match fee, will have the match awarded to their opponents 10 – 0
    and, for repeated absence, may be ejected from the League.
14. All fixtures are to be played unless adverse weather conditions make
    the pitches unplayable. Any decision to cancel a game can only be made
    by the KIKOFF Centre Manager. Postponements are not allowed, except in
    exceptional circumstances and at KIKOFF’s discretion.
15. If a team forfeits their fixture, they are liable for both their match
    fees and their oppositions fees.
16. Teams will not be charged for the fixture if their opposition forfeits.
    In the event that the team has already paid the season fees in full
    then a credit will be applied to the captains account to use in the
    future.
17. A fixture list and current standings will be issued at the start of
    each season and will be displayed and updated on the KIKOFF website –
    www.kikoff.com.au.
18. In the event of a fixture start time being delayed then the game will
    be shortened with two equal length halves so at not to delay later
    matches
19. Teams in Over 35 Competitions may have one player aged 30-35 for every
    three players aged over 35
20. Mixed Competition must have no more than three players of any one
    gender on the field at any time.
    
    

Disciplinary Rules

1. A player receiving a yellow card must leave the field of play for 2
   minutes, the player can not be replaced.
2. A player sent off for a second cautionable offence will be suspended
   for a minimum of 1 week. In the case serious foul play, foul or abusive
   language the suspension will be extended to 2 weeks or longer should
   KIKOFF deem this necessary.
3. If a player is given a red card whilst off the field of play (for
   unacceptable conduct on the sideline), the team must correspondingly
   reduce the number of players on the field.
4. If a team is permanently reduced to three players the game will end.
   The match will be awarded 5-0 to their opponents and they will be
   deducted 3 points. If the score at the time produces a goal difference
   greater than 5-0 then that score will stand.
5. If a match is abandoned for any reason the team at fault will receive a
   5-0 defeat and lose 3 points unless the opposing team already has a
   greater advantage in which case the score will stand. If both teams are
   judged to be at fault the game will be void and no points will be
   awarded.
6. Violent conduct on or off the pitch will result in the immediate
   suspension of the individual and could result in a ban from all KIKOFF
   Soccer Centre premises. KIKOFF P/L reserve the right to ban an
   individual or team from further participation in all competitions.
7. Referees must be treated with respect from all teams. Teams found
   guilty of abusing Referees will be removed from the Leagues.
8. KIKOFF Soccer Centres management may overturn any rule if they feel a
   team is deliberately using an interpretation of the rules to gain an
   unfair advantage.