Small Sided Football - Laws of the Game

Ball Out of Play

 

The ball is out of play when:

• It has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air
• Play has been stopped by the referee
• When playing indoors, it hits the ceiling

Ball In Play

The ball is in play at all other times including when:

• It rebounds from a goal post, the crossbar, or the barricades onto the playing area
• It rebounds from the referee when on the playing area

Decisions

When a game is being played on an indoor playing area and the ball hits the ceiling, the game is restarted by an indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team to the one which last touched the ball.

The indirect free kick should be taken from the point at which the ball began to rise. Should this occur in the penalty area, the free kick should be taken from the penalty area line nearest to where the offence was committed. The exception to this rule is when the ball hits the ceiling following a deliberate ‘save’ (as opposed to a clearance) by the goalkeeper. In this case teams should play on.

Height of ball restrictions

If a height restriction is to be introduced the competition rules should identify the height above which an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team. If a height infringement occurs within the penalty area and is committed by the defending team an indirect free kick should be awarded on the penalty area line nearest to where the offence took place. The exception to this rule shall be when the ball rises above the designated height restriction resulting from a save or block performed by a goalkeeper. Play should continue in this circumstance. Should another player then play the ball whilst it is at a height above the designated height restriction this will result in an indirect free kick to the opposing team