The Pitch (Beach Version):
- Overall Dimensions = 32-55yds x 22-38yds.
- Goalposts = 6' wide x 10' high No Behinds
- Behind Posts = 6-18' wide x 10-26' high.
- Goal Area = 36-60' x 12-18'.
- Penalty Area = 10' x 66-114'.
General Rules:
- The Ball = Any Soccer Ball (typically sizes 3-5).
- A game consists of 2 20-minute (halves with a 10-minute halftime; When play is unduly delayed, such as the ball going out of the playing area, the clock is stopped and time is not added on similar to American football.
- Teams change ends at the end of each half.
- Each team has unlimited substitutions for each half and at the halftime break (from 6 & Under to Junior High School).
- Each team has 6 substitutions per half and unlimited substitutions at the halftime break (High School & College).
- A team is allowed 45 seconds to replace an ejected or injured player.
- A player running with the ball must either bounce (dribble like basketball) or solo (dropping the ball onto your boot and kicking it back into your hand), or touch the ball to the ground once every 4 steps (beach + up to 10 & under) or 15m/16yds (12 & under & all higher levels); The players are allowed to bounce or solo the ball as many times as they please.
- A player may also kick the ball by either 1) out of their hands or 2) along the ground.
- A player may also handpass the ball (i.e. holds the ball stationary with one hand and slaps the ball with the palm of the other hand; To handpass correctly, the hand holding the ball must not move relative to the player's body)
- A player may also handball the ball (i.e. holds the ball stationary with one hand and punches the ball with the clenched fist of the other hand similar to a volleyball strike; To handball correctly, the hand holding the ball must not move relative to the player's body).
- A player may hold the ball for unlimited time when he is not being held by an opponent.
- A player lying on or over the ball is considered to be in possession.
- A player in possession of the ball and held by an opponent must dispose of the ball immediately by kicking or handballing the ball.
- Passing/Kicking the ball in any direction.
- Handballing (a player holds the ball stationary with one hand and punches the ball with the clenched fist of the other hand; similar to volleyball); To handball correctly, the hand holding the ball must not move relative to the player's body.
- If the ball is dropped by a team-mate or opponent, it is play on.
- There are no marks in this version of the game (6/8 & under only).
- Punt Kick: The most used kick where the ball is dropped vertically and kicked before it hits the ground. It is regarded as more accurate, and easier for a teammate to mark. It can also be used for scoring goals and behinds if kicking straight on.
- Hook Kick: Predominately used to score goals and behinds, it is also used to pass to teammates over considerable distances for marks.
- Push Kick: Allows you to send a highly accurate, short pass to a teammate.
- Instep Kick: Relies on the upper surface of your foot, also called “the laces.” Mainly used for shooting, the instep kick entails running straight to the ball, placing your support foot beside the ball and swinging your kicking leg swiftly forward. Contact the ball with your laces, keeping your ankles locked. When used by beginners, the instep kick can be inaccurate, so the push pass is often a better choice.
- Inner Side of Instep Kick: For long-distance passes or shots. Offering slightly more foot contact area and control than the regular laces kick. Run up to the ball at a 45-degree angle, place your support foot beside and behind the ball, contact the ball with the inner side of your instep, and kick the ball with an appropriate force for the ball to reach your target. Lock your ankle as firmly as possible.
- Outside Kick: Uses the outside of your foot to surprise and deceive the opposition. This kick is more likely to be used and mastered at the elite level. While typically used as a short shovel pass to nearby teammate, once you master it you can also employ the outside kick for shooting, corner kicks or distance kicking. Take a long approach stride and contact the ball with the outside of your foot, keeping your ankle locked.
- Shoulder to shoulder contact with the ball carrier and slapping the ball out of an opponent's hand are permitted.
- Tackling a opponent, blocking a shot with the foot, pulling an opponent's jersey, charging an opponent from the front or back, pushing an opponent, holding an opponent, sliding tackles, kicking and/or striking an opponent, tripping an opponent, spitting at an opponent, jumping at a opponent, using both hands to tackle, and wrestling the ball from an opponent's hands are all fouls.
- If any of the aforementioned fouls occurs, the opposition is awarded a penalty kick at the spot of the foul.
- Changing hands: Throwing the ball from your right hand to left or vice versa
- Going 3 seconds without releasing, bouncing or soloing the ball.
- Hand passing a goal or behind outside of the goal area.
- Picking the ball directly off the ground if on their knees.
- Throwing the ball (it may be "hand-passed" by striking with the fist).
- When an umpire/referee awards a free kick to an opposition player
- Following an unsuccessful kick at goal.
- When an opposing player intercepts a pass.
- When the player in possession drops the ball and it is recovered by an opposition player.
- When the ball is wrestled from a player's possession
- Teams determine the choice of goal by tossing a coin.
- Ball-up: The field umpire starts play by blowing his whistle and bouncing the ball in the center circle so that it rebounds vertically to be contested by the players in the center square. At the start of play, no player may enter the center circle, and only four players from each team are permitted in the center square until after the ball has been bounced.
- After a goal is scored, play is restarted in the center of the ground in the manner described above.
- Out of Bounds: If the ball goes out of bounds, the referee restarts play with a throw-in.
- Goals are worth 1 point; The goal umpire signals a goal with two hands raised at elbow height and then confirms the signal with the other goal umpire by waving green flags above his head.
- Players can score goals by either 1) kicking the ball with either the foot and/or shin, or 2) handballing the ball with the hand; however, the ball can only be handballed for either a goal or behind inside of the goal area.
- AFL jersey, shorts, shoes/cleats (rubber only), soccer shin guards, and mouth guard.
- Similar to rugby, both teams must wear their dark color uniforms during games unless either 1) the teams share similar colors or 2) if someone is colorblind; If that is the case, the designated home team will wear their dark color uniforms and the away team will wear either 1) their lighter color uniforms or 2) an alternative darker color uniform.
- Uniform # System: Defenders = 65-99 / Midfielders = 32-64 / Forwards = 00-31.
- 8 & Under (Same for 6 & Under) = Goal (6' wide x 10' high) & No Behinds, Field Size (25-35yds x 15-25), Circle (48' Diameter), Goal Area (36'x12'), Penalty Area (72'x36'), Match Format (4 vs 4 & 20-minute halves), Ball (Size 3).
- 10 & Under = Goal (12’ wide x 20' high) & Behinds (6' wide x 10' high), Field Size (55-65yds x 35-45yds), Circle (60' Diameter), Goal Area (52'x18'), Penalty Area (96'x45'), Match Format (7 vs 7 & 25-minute halves), Ball (Size 4).
- 12 & Under = Goal (18’ wide x 24' high) & Behinds (12' wide x 15' high), Field Size (70-80yds x 45-55yds), Circle (60' Diameter), Goal Area (60'x18'), Penalty Area (132'x'54'), Match Format (9 vs 9 & 30-minute halves), Ball (Size 4).
- Junior High School = Goal (24’ wide x 30' high) & Behinds (18' wide x 20' high), Field Size (100-130yds x 50-100yds), Match Format (11 vs 11 & 35-minute halves), Ball (Size 5).
- High School = Goal (24’ wide x 30' high) & Behinds (18' wide x 20' high), Field Size (100-130yds x 50-100yds), Match Format (11 vs 11 & 45-minute halves), Ball (Size 5).
- College = Goal (24’ wide x 39' high) & Behinds (18' wide x 26' high), Field Size (100-130yds x 50-100yds), Match Format (11 vs 11 & 45-minute halves), Ball (Size 5).
- Each team has unlimited substitutions for each half and at the halftime break (from 6 & Under to Junior High School).
- Each team has 6 substitutions per half and unlimited substitutions at the halftime break (High School & College).