mini-pitch football rules

«Playoff Arena» mini-pitch football is a very liberal sport, with each group being able to play by its own rules. In this document we will outline the rules that will govern the football matches organised by Playoff Arena. Points not mentioned in these rules shall be interpreted according to the rules of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

General:

• Straight-soled shoes with small, soft pumps are allowed. Shoes with metal «nails» and long corks.
• The game is played in a 4-on-4 format, including goalkeepers.
• The game is played according to normal football principles (no stoppage time).
• It is forbidden to stall or be passive. In the event of a foul, the ball shall be returned to the goalkeeper of the injured team.
• Players have the right to enter and play in the goal area.
• Players are prohibited from leaning against the court structures and goals.
• If the attacker tries to make a move between the guard and the board, the guard must avoid possible contact.
• In case of unsportsmanlike or rude conduct, the player is suspended for the rest of the match and the team remains in the minority. If the goalkeeper is sent off, the team remains in the minority, but another player may take the goalkeeper's place. This rule also applies to dangerous play where, by a combination of circumstances, the opponent is not injured.
• A goal is scored when the ball has completely crossed the goal line.

Goalkeeper:

• The goalkeeper may leave his goal area, but may only touch the ball with his hands in his goal area.
• It must be clear to all participants who the goalkeeper is for each team. A goalkeeper substitution may only be made in the event of a stopped match (as opposed to the “last man in goal” principle).
• The goalkeeper may hold the ball in his hands for no more than 3 seconds. In the case of the first infringement, the ball is given to the opponents (goalkeeper of the injured team), in the case of the second and each subsequent infringement, a penalty is awarded.
• The goalkeeper has the right to throw or kick the ball across the centre and to kick it on goal.
• The goalkeeper may take the ball in his hands after a teammate's pass with his chest or head. A goalkeeper may not take the ball in his hands after a teammate has passed with his foot.
• The goalkeeper may play on the ground (falling), but it is forbidden to make a lunge (including with the hands) towards the opponent's feet.
• It is forbidden to interfere with the goalkeeper's ball.
• If the goalkeeper scores a goal by throwing the ball with his hand, it is disallowed, except if the ball is touched by a player.

Shifts:

• Each team has an unlimited number of reserves and substitutes. Subject to the substitution rules, field players are free to substitute the goalkeeper.
• Changes take place when the ball is not in play.

Ball out of bounds («auts»):

• If the ball touches the netting (sides, ends and ceiling), this is interpreted as the ball leaving the court.
• Instead of corner kicks, a foot pass from the attacking team's goal is used. Corner kicks are not awarded.
• «In the case of an offside, the ball is put into play from the ground with the foot of the attacking team's goal.

Pendeles:

• «The »Pendelle“ is executed as a 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper from the centre of the crease, following the ”hockey bullseye« principle. The goalkeeper is not allowed to leave the goal area. »The Pendele is allowed 5 seconds. If during this time the goalkeeper touches the ball (except during a shot), the ball touches the structures of the rink or the net, the «pendele» is deemed to be deflected. The striker may only make movements towards the goal.
• «A »Pendelle" is awarded if:
  • The goalkeeper touches the ball with his hand outside the box;
  • The player makes a scramble;
  • The player has committed a gross or deliberate foul;
  • The goalkeeper makes a lunge towards the opponent's feet (also with his hands);
  • The goalkeeper touches the ball with his hand after a teammate's pass with his foot;
  • The goalkeeper holds the ball for more than 3 seconds (for the second and each subsequent infringement);
• If the execution of the pendele results in a goal, then the play shall be from the centre. If no goal is scored, the goalkeeper shall take the face-off.

Others:

• Aggressiveness and excessive activity leading to possible collisions are prohibited. The referee has the right to warn in case of a first offence and to reject the offender until the end of the match if the player does not change his behaviour.
• Leg guards are allowed but not required. The goalkeeper may use gloves.
• The rear position is not fixed.
• The opening face-off shall be played from the centre. Direct kicks on goal are prohibited.
• To preserve the advantage of the injured team, the penalty may not be fixed immediately.
• If the player in control of the ball feels cornered, he may raise his arm and the ball will be given to the opposing goalkeeper for a shot from goal.

Special rules for tournaments:

• Each team shall have one captain on the pitch at all times.
• The referee has the right to extend each half-time with injury time according to the spirit of the game (e.g. in case of injuries or deliberate delays). The referee is not required to disclose the length of the injury time.
• The game is stopped if any of the participants is in danger of ill health.
• A team may start the match with an incomplete team.
• In the knockout matches play-offs In the event of a tie in the rounds, each team shall make 3 post-play pendels. If the score is still tied after these, the series of penalty shoot-outs shall continue until one team has scored in a round and the other has failed to do so.
• If a team does not want to start the game, the opposing team is credited with a goal for every minute of game time that elapses. That is, after 3:01 minutes a team has scored four goals. If a team has scored five unanswered goals in this way and the score is 5:0, the game is stopped.
• In case of no-show, the team receives a technical forfeit with a score of 0:5.
• If a team earns two red cards in a match, it is awarded a 0:5 forfeit.
• If two or more teams are tied on points after the group stage, the following criteria will determine the higher-ranked team:
  • more points scored in group play;
  • Better goal difference between each other;
  • more goals scored in international matches;
  • better goal difference between goals scored and goals conceded in all group games;
  • more goals scored in all group games;
  • more wins in all group games;
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• 3 points are awarded for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss. In the event of a 0:5 loss in the situations described in these rules, the team shall receive 0 points.
• Teams must play in the same coloured shirts (or capes). No shirt is allowed.
• The tournament organiser reserves the right to expel any team for gross infringement of any rule without refunding the entry fee.

We wish you an exciting game!