The emphasis is on enjoyment, a social atmosphere and skill development / maintenance. While competitiveness is not discouraged, novice players need encouragement and the “win at all costs” philosophy is not appropriate. All rules are open to the interpretation of the Referee, and their decision is final.

Weather conditions will be monitored and considered from 4:00 pm onwards on game days. If fields are closed and matches cancelled, notification will be via:

1. The TTFC website home page – “Fields CLOSED”
2. Club social media
3. Email directly to managers to pass on to teams

If none of these notifications are received, games will play as scheduled until TTFC officials deem play unsafe. If a night is cancelled part way through, affected divisions will have 0-0 draws recorded for equity. Games lost to wet weather will be rescheduled to mandated catch-up nights where possible. TTFC officials reserve the right to cancel any fixtures due to weather or unsafe conditions.

• Hand-ball: The ball touching the hand of a player will not necessarily constitute a free-kick. A handball is called when a player intentionally contacts the ball with a hand or arm (not shoulder or chest), usually by moving the hand or arm towards the ball, or by holding the arm in a position where contact would advantage the player’s team.
• Free Kicks: The team awarded a free kick can take it straight away without waiting for a whistle, unless the Referee asks them to wait. Players should assume all free kicks are direct unless the Referee holds one hand straight up above their head to signal an indirect free kick.
• Dangerous Play: A Referee can award an indirect free kick if a player performs a dangerous act, even without contact. Examples include raising a foot above waist height or raising studs at a player to challenge for the ball.

• Players must be registered through the Tarragindi Tigers website and Squadi and paid in full before being eligible to play.
• A team may borrow players from the same or lower divisions, but that player must also be registered and paid in full.
• All players are responsible for reading and understanding these rules.
• Players and spectators are not permitted to be under the influence of alcohol or other banned substances during games.
• Any unclear rules should be discussed with the Referee before the game or at half time. Referees will not discuss rulings during the game due to time constraints.
• Players who consistently damage equipment or venue apparatus may be suspended and required to pay for damages.

Complaints or requests for review are to be made in writing to the 7-a-Side Co-ordinator. Decisions and complaints will be investigated by a panel of TTFC personnel, with the complainant advised of the outcome in writing.

Draws will be published prior to the commencement of the season. Alteration requests must be received by the 7-a-Side Co-ordinator two weeks (10 working days) before the scheduled match. Requests will be considered on an individual basis; however, the Club’s decision regarding fixture reschedules is final.

• Teams should arrive 10 minutes prior to kick-off.
• Game times will be determined by a hooter. If a team is not ready when the hooter sounds, no extra time will be added.
• If either team is not ready within 10 minutes of the scheduled kick-off, the opposition will be awarded a 3-0 win.
• If playing conditions become unsafe, games may be abandoned at the referees’ discretion. TTFC will determine a result for the fixture.
• Forfeits must be notified to the Co-ordinator within 2 days of the fixture. The fixture will be awarded as a 3-0 win to the opposition. If no notification is received, the result will be recorded as 5-0.
• Teams that forfeit more than 2 games without a valid reason may be asked to leave the competition without refund.

• A team can register a maximum of 10 players. All must be fully registered and paid before playing.
• A maximum of seven (7) registered/eligible players (including a goalkeeper) may be on the field.
• Five (5) registered/eligible players are the minimum for 7-a-side; three (3) for 5-a-side. Fewer players will result in a forfeit.
• Unlimited substitutions are allowed once the ball is out of play. The Referee will not necessarily stop play from restarting. The substitute must enter from the same location as the player exits.
• No substitute is allowed to replace a player who is sent off.

• All players must wear shin guards covered by long socks.
• Teams will be provided with TTFC shirts which must be worn at every match. No player will be permitted to take the field without the correct jersey.
• No player can take the field with bare feet or wearing jewellery of any kind. All watches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets or rings must be removed.
• Players must wear covered footwear. No screw-in studs, work boots or hiking boots. The Referee will inspect footwear before the game.

Games consist of two halves with a five-minute half-time and five minutes between games.

• 30 minutes: U5–9 Girls & U5–7 Boys
• 40 minutes: U8–17 Boys & U10–17 Girls
• 50 minutes: Seniors

If a game starts late, it must still finish at the scheduled time. Halves may be shortened at the Referee’s discretion.

To maintain enjoyment for all teams, the following player additions are allowed when the score difference grows:

• If the score reaches a 3-goal difference, the opposition may add one extra player.
• If the score reaches a 5-goal difference, the opposition may add two extra players.
• The maximum goal difference to be recorded will be 7.

A kick-off is used to start or restart play after a goal. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off. The ball must be placed on the half-way line and is in play when it is kicked and moves forward. The kicking player may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

Players must be five metres (5m) from the ball for all restarts of play (free kicks, kick-offs, goal kicks, kick-ins and corner kicks). For a direct penalty, the ball is placed six metres (6m) from the goal line and a goal may be scored directly. All players must be at least 5m from the penalty spot and behind the ball.

• Attacking players are NOT permitted to touch the ball when it is in the goal box ‘D’.
• No offside rule is in play.

• Goal kicks: A defending player places the ball inside the Goal Box ‘D’ and kicks it to a teammate. The player cannot “kick it to themselves” nor have a teammate pass it back to the keeper to pick up. A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick. If the ball crosses the halfway line without being touched or bouncing, an indirect free kick is awarded to the other team from the halfway line.
• Corner kicks: A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick. If the player taking the corner touches the ball a second time before another player, the corner is retaken. If repeated, an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team from where the infringement occurred.
• Kick-ins: A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in. The player must kick it to another player before touching it again. If repeated, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from where the infringement occurred.

• A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line in the goal.
• Goals can be scored from anywhere on the field except from inside the Goal Box ‘D’ by an attacker.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from kick-off or directly from a kick-in without another player touching it first.
• A goalkeeper may not hold the ball in their hands for more than 5 seconds or an indirect free kick will be awarded.
• The goalkeeper cannot touch the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a team-mate, or after receiving it directly from a kick-in taken by a team-mate.
• The goalkeeper can throw or kick the ball after securing it, but it cannot cross the halfway line without being touched or bouncing first. If it does, an indirect free kick is awarded from the halfway line.
• Changing the goalkeeper may only be done when the ball is out of play, and the Referee must be notified.

NO slide tackles are allowed due to safety concerns. If a player loses their footing and any part of their body ends up on the ground while making a tackle, a direct free kick is awarded to the other team. A warning may be given for a first inadvertent offence. Repeated offences will result in a Yellow Card. Intentional slide tackles may be cautioned immediately. A second caution results in a Red Card and the player is sent off without replacement.

Rough play, abusive language, back-chat or challenges to the Referee’s authority will not be tolerated. Rough play includes aggressive slide tackles, tackling from behind, shoulder charging and any act that, in the Referee’s opinion, places player safety at risk.

• First Offence: A Yellow Card. The Referee may also award 5 minutes in the sin bin (signalled by a Blue Card or by showing a Yellow Card and the number 5). No substitute may replace a sin-binned player.
• Second or excessive offence: The player is sent off for the remainder of the game. A Red Card may be issued immediately for violent, anti-social or dangerous incidents. The player may be asked to leave the venue and will receive a one-week ban.

• Any player who receives a Red Card will be automatically suspended for a minimum of 1 match.
• Any player who accumulates 3 Yellow Cards within the tournament will be automatically suspended for 1 match.
• Poor conduct on or off the field can result in additional suspensions, removal of a player from the competition, or removal of a team from the competition.
• The 7-a-Side Management Committee’s decisions are final.

• A player may call for a stoppage due to injury or illness, but the decision to stop play is at the Referee’s discretion.
• For a minor injury or blood on clothing, the player has a maximum of 2 minutes to be treated or remove all signs of blood before being substituted. After 2 minutes, the Referee will restart the game.
• Time for injury or medical emergencies will not be added on.
• For a medical emergency, the Referee should remain with the injured player and send someone else to inform the Ground Official.
• Should a medical emergency result in less than half the game being played, all efforts will be made to reschedule the game.
• All head injuries will be treated under the TTFC Concussion Policy.

TTFC reserves the right to amend 7-a-side rules at its absolute discretion. All decisions made by the committee are final and may not be appealed. TTFC faces no obligation to refund fees due to suspension or inability to play due to social, financial or religious obligations.

Contact 7aside@tarraginditigers.com.au or see the Squadi Hub .