Section 5.12 – Football State Championship Rules – boys and girls
Amended 2016
5.12.1 Refer to General State Championship Rules.
5.12.2
(a) A maximum of 12 players per team. Shirts must preferably be numbered one (1) to twelve (12) and must not be interchangeable. The goal keeper must wear a distinguishing shirt.
(b) Games to be played using a nine (9) v nine (9) formation. Each team may have 9 players on the field and up to 3 interchange players in the technical area, totalling a maximum of twelve (12) players involved in the match for each team.
5.12.3 Football shall be size four (4).
5.12.4
(a) Teams shall assemble on the ground side lines at least five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled starting time.
(b) Both teams line up in single file at the halfway mark nearest the technical area. Referees and teams walk to middle of field and ‘fan out’ facing the technical area. Teams then cross shaking hands with each other and the referees.
5.12.5 The duration of matches shall be:
(a) Pool matches twenty (20) minutes per half for seven (7) team pools and twenty four (24) minutes per half for six (6) team pools with a five (5) minute half time break.
(b) Semi Finals and the Final shall be twenty five (25) minutes per half with a five (5) minute half time break.
5.12.6
(a) Each team may make unlimited interchanges during a game.
(b) Interchanges shall take place on the sideline at the interchange zone or the closest edge of the playing field to the player being replaced at any stoppage in play after the referees permission has been obtained.
(c) All teams should play each of their players for part of each match, unless they are incapacitated or suspended.
(d) All teams allowed to have one (1) tactical stoppage for interchanges in the last 5 minutes. Injuries being the exception.
5.12.7
(a) In all matches the referee shall be the sole timekeeper.
(b) At the end of each game, the referee confirms scores and corner count with both team coaches. Coaches are to sign the score cards.
5.12.8 The 12 Years & Under competition is played under FIFA Laws of the Game with modified rules to assist players in their development.
(a) Corner kicks shall be taken from the specified corner arc marked on the modified pitch.
(b) The pitch size should be 70 metres (length) x 50 metres (width). The playing area should be set- up in an orientation of penalty box to penalty box, if within an existing pitch. *see illustration below. The orientation of the pitch is from ’18 yard box to 18 yard box’ on a full sized pitch. The championship is not to be played from ‘sideline to sideline’ or across a full sized pitch.
(c) Field markings are required and painted lines for pitch markings must be a different colour to any existing line markings used for other pitches. Field markings should not consist of cones or markers.
(d) Offside line to be marked with single cones on either side of the pitch or a dashed painted line at the halfway point of each half. If the field is not 70m long, then the offside line is to be placed 17.5m from the goal line. Offside is not judged as per the halfway line as per 11 v 11 player laws.
(e) Goal size dimensions are 5 metres in width and 2 metres in height. Permanent or portable goals must be compliant with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Consumer Notice No.28 of 2010.
(f) The goalmouth dimensions have a depth of 10 metres and width of 20 metres. The Penalty Spot is positioned 8 metres from goal line. The "goalmouth" is the area defined and marked for the goalkeeper in which they can handle the ball.
(g) Goalkeeper: To restart play after a save or gathering the ball with their hands, the ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet, within 6 seconds. The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick/punt or dropkick/drop punt the ball from their hands. Any infringement will result in an indirect free kick being awarded to the attacking team and taken from where the infringement occurred.
(h) Goal kick: Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere within the penalty area.
(i) Corner kick & Free kick: Opponents must be at least 5 metres away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
5.12.9 The point score for all pool games will be:-
Win – 4 points
Draw – 2 Points
Loss – 1 point
5.12.10
(a) In the case of a tied position in pool placings, positions shall be determined by:
(i) Goal difference
(ii) Highest number of goals scored for
(iii) Corner kick difference
(iv) Highest number of corners for
(b) In games to determine final placings, positions will be determined by, in order
(i) A playoff game i.e. 4th Pool A versus 4th Pool B
(ii) Corner kicks if drawn on goals
(iii) Points gained in pool games
(iv) Goal difference in pool games
(v) Highest number of goals scored for in pool games.
5.12.11 Drawn semi-final
(a) In the case of a drawn semi-final, then five (5) minutes each way extra time shall be played.
(b) If the score is still tied the team with the least number of corners awarded against them (during the whole match including extra time) will be awarded the match.
(c) After extra time when corners are equal the winner will be that team which was placed higher in their pool at the conclusion of the round robin matches.
5.12.12 Drawn final
If, at the end of normal time, the final is a draw on goals, then the two (2) teams shall be declared joint winners. To determine placings for pools, refer to section 5.12.9.
5.12.13 Disciplinary committee
A three (3) person Disciplinary Committee shall be formed at the Managers' Pre Championship Meeting to deal with any player sent off or cautioned
5.12.14 Protests
Must be lodged, in writing, by the Team Manager (who must be a teacher), to the Championship Manager within fifteen (15) minutes of the conclusion of the match.
5.12.15 Protest committee
A Protest Committee consisting of the Championship Manager and two (2) people elected at the Managers' Pre Championship Meeting will hear all protests.
5.12.16 Selection committee
The Selection Committee shall consist of the State Coach and two (2) Association Managers elected at the Managers' Pre Championship Meeting.
5.12.17 Goal difference
In the spirit of the game of football and in the best interests of the players in the less competitive teams – when working out the for-and-against goal differences to decide pool positions, teams may only be awarded a maximum of a plus-six goal difference for any individual game.