5v5 Soccer Rules

⚽ 5v5 Caged Court Soccer Rules

Welcome to 5v5 Caged Court Futsal – a fast-paced, high-energy version of the game with continuous play, no outs, and unique rules for fairness and safety.

🕒 Match Format

• Game Duration: 15 minutes straight (no halftime)

• Running Clock: The clock does not stop except for serious injury

• Team Size: 5 players (4 outfield + 1 goalkeeper)

• Minimum 7 players required to register

• Maximum Squad: 9 players per team

👟 Equipment Requirements

• Shin Pads: Mandatory

• Footwear: Studs only

• Uniform: Teams must wear matching tops or bibs

🧱 Playing Surface

• Caged Court: Fully enclosed turf field – the ball is always in play unless there’s a foul or goal

• No Throw-ins or Kick-ins – Play continues using rebounds off the cage walls

🧤 Goalkeeper Rules

• Goalkeeper Circle:

  • A marked area where the goalkeeper must remain inside at all times

  • Outfield players cannot enter the goalkeeper circle (offence = indirect free kick)

  • Goals cannot be scored from within the keeper circle

• Ball Release:

  • The goalkeeper must release the ball within 4 seconds

  • Ball must be rolled or thrown underarm (no overarm throws or kicks allowed)

  • No punts or drop-kicks

• Back Pass Rule:

  • A goalkeeper cannot receive the ball again unless it has been touched by an opponent or crossed halfway

  • A deliberate back pass results in an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the edge of the keeper circle

❌ Fouls & Misconduct

• No Slide Tackles – any slide tackle attempt may result in a yellow or red card

• No Above-Shoulder Passes – passing or playing the ball above shoulder height = foul

• No Contact in the Goalkeeper Circle

• All Free Kicks are Indirect

• Repeated infringements may result in temporary suspension (sin-bin) or permanent red card dismissal

🔁 Substitutions

• Substitutions allowed ONLY:

  • After a goal is scored

  • During a stoppage for foul play

• Players must enter/exit from the designated substitution zone

• All substitutions are rolling, but referee permission must be granted

⚽ Scoring & Penalties

• Goals must be scored from outside the keeper circle

• Penalties:

  • Awarded for serious fouls inside the penalty area

  • One-step penalty shots only

• No direct goals from kick-offs or indirect free kicks unless deflected

🧑‍⚖️ Disciplinary System

• Yellow Card: Player sent to sin-bin for 2 minutes

• Red Card: Player sent off for the rest of the match; team plays short for 2 minutes or until a goal is scored

✅ Match Conduct

• Teams are expected to show good sportsmanship and respect referees' decisions

• Any form of abuse or misconduct will result in warnings, suspensions, or removal from the competition