Rules
New to football? Or just want clarity on the exactly what rules are? We have you covered.
Great for settling sideline debates, these come directly from Football Australia.
FAQ’s
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A player is in an offside position if they're in the opponent's half and closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is played to them. However, they're not penalised for merely being in an offside position; they must be involved in active play (interfering with play, an opponent, or gaining an advantage). Offside is only called when this happens. The rule applies to all u13 games and above. For under 12’s Referee’s have been given the power to call offside if they believe a player has continually engaged in such behaviour, altering the play of the game. For u12 games, Referee’s will provide a few warnings first, but have been given the authority to apply the offside rule.
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Fouls include actions like tripping, pushing, holding, or playing in a dangerous manner. If the foul prevents a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, it might result in a penalty kick if inside the penalty area. Direct free kicks are awarded for offences that directly result in a goal like kicking or striking an opponent. Indirect free kicks are for offences that don't involve direct contact, like playing dangerously or impeding an opponent.
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A standard soccer match is divided into two halves, typically 20-25 minutes each for u6 to u12, with a 5-minute halftime break. If a game ends in a draw, in grassroots soccer, it might simply end there unless it's a tournament or playoff situation where extra time or penalties might apply.
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Throw-ins: Awarded when the ball goes out over the touchline. The player must throw the ball with both hands from behind and over their head, with both feet on or behind the touchline.
Corner Kicks: Given when the ball crosses the goal line last touched by a defender but not scoring. The ball is placed in the corner arc of the side where it went out, and any player can take the kick.
Goal Kicks: Awarded when the attacking team last touches the ball before it goes out over the goal line without scoring. The goalkeeper or another player kicks the ball from within the goal area back into play.
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A handball is called if the ball touches a player's hand/arm and:
The hand/arm is deliberately moved towards the ball.
The hand/arm is above shoulder height when the ball hits it (unless it's an accidental deflection).
The player scores or creates a goal-scoring opportunity immediately after the ball touches their hand/arm, even if accidental. However, players can use their arms to protect their body or if the ball rebounds directly from their own head or body.
Football Australia
MiniRoos was developed by Football Australia to provide a structured, age-specific football experience for children aged 4 to 12. The program aims to foster skill development, enjoyment, and lifelong participation in football. Football Australia designs the curriculum, training modules, and guidelines for MiniRoos. To find out more detail on their specific Rules and play guidelines, check out this document:
The International Football Association Board
In Australia, the under 13’s and above play to the IFAB Laws of the Game. You can find You can find the most recent version of the Laws of the Game here