6-A-SIDE LEAGUE RULES

Please arrive 15 minutes before your kick-off time to allow time for warm-ups, team organisation and bib distribution.

Players must:

• Wear the numbered Match Fit bib provided.
• Wear suitable football boots for the playing surface (see Boots Guidance below).
• Wear shin pads (mandatory for league matches).
• Wear appropriate sports clothing (football shirt or t-shirt and sports shorts). Underlayers are permitted.
• Tie long hair back where necessary.
• Remove or securely cover jewellery (smart watches are permitted).
• Not wear hooded jumpers whilst playing.
• Glasses are permitted, although contact lenses or prescription sports goggles are recommended for safety.

Players must not participate whilst under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.

Boots Guidance

Match Fit is played on a 3G surface. Please check your boots against the guide below before you play.

• Matches are 45 minutes.
• Captains toss a coin for kick-off.
• Kick-off begins from the centre spot and must be played backwards.
• Every player is expected to take a turn in goal. Goalkeepers rotate every 7½ minutes unless a player volunteers to remain in goal for longer.

• No corners.
• Kick-ins replace throw-ins.
• All free kicks are indirect.
• Goalkeepers must restart play by rolling or throwing the ball.
• No drop kicks or punts.
• If the ball leaves the facility over the perimeter fence, possession restarts with the opposition via a kick-in.

Goalkeepers

• Goalkeepers must remain inside their penalty area at all times.
• Any deliberate touch of the ball by the goalkeeper outside the penalty area will result in an indirect free kick to the opposition.

Outfield Players

• Outfield players may not enter their own penalty area.
• Deliberate entry into, or handling the ball inside, their own penalty area will result in a penalty being awarded.

Penalties

• Penalties are taken as a one-step direct strike.

Shooting

• No shots may be taken from behind the halfway line.

Walls

• The walls form part of the playing area and the ball remains in play off the walls.
• If the ball hits the wall directly behind the goal area, play restarts with the goalkeeper.
• If the ball hits the rear fence outside the goal area, play continues.

Back Passes

• Back passes are permitted.
• Goalkeepers may handle deliberate back passes.

• No slide tackles.
• Dangerous or reckless challenges will not be tolerated.
• Persistent or repeated fouls may result in disciplinary action.

Yellow Card

• A yellow card results in a sin bin until the next goalkeeper rotation.

Red Card

• A red card results in immediate dismissal from the match.
• Further disciplinary action may be taken by Match Fit where appropriate.

• If a team is short of players, Match Fit organisers will allocate replacement players where possible.
• Captains and players should not arrange player movement between teams without agreement from the organisers.

• If a player is injured, both teams are expected to stop play where appropriate and allow treatment before restarting.
• Player safety always comes before the result.

Match Fit is competitive. It is not win-at-all-costs. Please remember:

• Respect the referee.
• Respect your opponents.
• Respect your teammates.
• Help create enjoyable, competitive games.
• Respect the ability levels around you. If you're one of the stronger players on the pitch, your job is to help make the game enjoyable for everyone — not to dominate it.
• Win with humility.
• Lose with dignity.