League and
Playing Rules
If you would prefer, you can download these rules in
PDF format.
All Rules are subject to copyright, and
may only be used by registered Pitch Invasion players.
Please note that in addition, our TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS
apply to all participants.
| © 2008/9 Pitch Invasion Limited |
1. CAPTAINS ROLE
As the team captain you are agreeing to the terms
and conditions of playing within the Pitch Invasion league as set
out below. It is the responsibility of the captain to be the
primary contact for the team and all players involved.
It is also the duty of the captain to ensure that all players are
aware of the rules, by allowing a player to take part in a
club’s match, the captain is confirming that a player has
been shown these rules and that the player shall abide by them.
1. PLAYER REGISTRATION
& ELIGIBILITY
1.1 All new clubs shall be given a Team Registration form
prior to their first match night.
1.2 The captain must ensure that all players have completed
this form and handed the sheet to a Pitch Invasion representative,
or sent the form to the Organisers office, or submitted via the
website.
1.3 Players may only be registered for one club in each
sanctioned competition.
1.4 Players can join the team at any point throughout a
season. To register the player either give the details to the Pitch
Invasion representative or submit the details via the website. This
must be done before the player participates.
1.5 If a player wishes to transfer to another club, they must
first resign from their first club and re-register for the new club
using the above procedures.
1.6 On occasion a team may be short of players. They are
permitted to ‘borrow’ an unregistered player if they
have the agreement of the Pitch Invasion representative and the
opposing team. If this has not been sought after and agreed and the
unregistered player plays, the game shall be awarded to the
opposing team.
2. MATCH
FEES
2.1 The team match fee shall be determined
by Pitch Invasion, this may change
from
time to time. The match fees are payable before the game
commences.
2.2 Teams can pay match fees in advance via the team website,
or pay at the night via credit card or cash.
2.3 If the full match fee is not received, Pitch
Invasion shall implement the ‘No Pay – No Result’
procedure. Furthermore, the match fee will be deducted from the
holding deposit.
2.4 If a team is affected by the ‘No Pay –
No Result’ procedure they shall have any goals scored removed
by the organisers and the result awarded to their opposition.
Furthermore, an administration fee will be charged to the
team’s holding deposit. The administration fee is
currently £5, though the Organisers can amend this with seven
days notice.
2.5 Any team that pay their match fee by cheque which is then
declined by the bank, shall incur an additional £10
administration fee. This shall be detailed on the team account
statement, the match fee shown as underpaid and the ‘No Pay
– No Result’ procedure implemented.
2.6 Failure to pay fees on any occasion shall be deemed a
breach of competition rules and the organisers reserve the right to
remove the team from that competition.
2.7 The team captain is responsible for all team underpayments
and match fee arrears. Any monies owed which are not covered by the
original team deposit shall be collected by Pitch Invasion or an
appointed agency from the captain. By entering a team, the
captain agrees to this responsibility.
2.8 Any team that leaves the competition with arrears greater
than the original deposit may be banned from sanctioned football by
the sanctioning County FA.
2.9 Pitch Invasion reserve the right to withhold any trophies
from teams that have monies owing from debt accrued throughout any
season(s).
3. TEAM
DEPOSIT
3.1 All teams pay a refundable team
deposit to enter a Pitch Invasion competition. The deposit is
payable once and shall be held on the team’s account.
3.2 The team deposit amount is determined by Pitch Invasion
and may vary between different leagues.
3.3 The deposit is paid to ensure your attendance throughout
the duration of the entire Pitch Invasion competition.
3.4 Pitch Invasion may deduct fees owing from the team
deposit.
3.6 To ensure the deposit is fully refunded, team’s must
ensure that all match fees owing have been paid and that the
withdrawal procedure as set out in section 6.2 is
followed.
2. LEAGUE STRUCTURE
1. FORMAT
1.1 The competition shall be played on a league basis.
1.2 The league shall consist of one or more divisions
containing several teams.
1.3 Matches shall be played on one nominated day every
week.
1.4 Teams shall play each other once or twice over a period of
several weeks.
1.5 Three points shall be awarded for a win and one point for
a draw.
1.6 The Organisers may change the match night, times, venue
or playing format where it is to the advantage of the
league.
2. PROMOTION &
RELEGATION
2.1 At the end of the season the highest ranked teams in each
division (except the top division) shall be promoted to the
division above.
2.2 In the event of two or more teams being equal on points,
the team with the best goal difference shall take precedence. In
the event of the goal difference also being equal, the goals scored
shall take precedence.
2.3 At the end of the season the two lowest ranked teams in
each division (except the bottom division) shall be relegated to
the division below.
2.4 The winners of each division at every promotion/relegation
phase shall be awarded a trophy and/or associated prizes, which may
be kept indefinitely.
2.5 All other sundry trophies, prizes or mementos shall be
awarded on certain match nights at the organisers discretion,
and may be kept indefinitely.
2.6 Pitch Invasion reserve the right to amend the league
structure and format including promotions and relegations.
2.7 Note specifically that when a new team is entered into
the league, it may be necessary to promote or relegate either more
or less than the normal two, so that the new team can be placed in
a division of their ability.
3. FIXTURES
3.1 Fixtures shall be created by Pitch Invasion and where
possible teams shall be given the full range of fixture
times.
3.2 Fixtures for the entire season shall be posted on the web
site at least 48 hours before the first game of the season.
3.3 Once fixtures have been created these shall not be
amended or re-arranged unless determined by Pitch
Invasion if it benefits the organisation of the league.
3.4 Once a season is completed, promotions and relegations
shall be made, the new fixtures generated and the new season shall
start the following week. There are no pauses between seasons
unless determined in advance by Pitch Invasion.
3.5 Fixtures are available via the web site or by signing up
to the SMS fixture alert service. There is a charge per message via
the SMS service. Full details are found on www.pitch-invasion.com
4. ABSENT TEAMS & UNFULFILLED
FIXTURES
4.1 If a team is absent for a fixture without
giving proper notice the opposition shall be awarded the
game. The match fee and an administration fee shall be
charged to the team’s holding deposit.
4.2 The administration fee is currently £5, though the
Organisers may amend this with seven days notice.
4.3 In order to give proper notice, a team must inform the
Organisers of their forthcoming absence before NOON on the day of
the fixture, over the phone or website. This must be
accompanied by payment for the absence at a DISCOUNTED rate
(currently a £10 discount). This discount reflects the
benefits to the Organisers of being informed of absences in
advance.
4.3 Where a team is absent for 2 consecutive games, Pitch
Invasion reserve the right to remove the team from the competition
and withhold the team deposit, which shall be forfeit.
4.4 If a team has no opposition as they are absent, to claim
the points they must be available to play and have paid the
relevant match fee. If this is not the case than they shall be also
deemed as absent.
4.5 If a team is late by more than 5 minutes or do not have
enough players (see 6.3), the game shall be awarded to their
opposition.
4.6 The match fee is still payable via the team who was unable
to fulfil the fixture and this shall be deducted from the team
deposit if not paid.
5. ABANDONED GAMES
5.1 In all cases where Pitch Invasion is satisfied that a game
has been abandoned through the fault of one of the teams, the match
shall be awarded to their opponents.
5.2 A maximum of 3 points may be deducted from the total
gained by any club found responsible for causing the match to be
abandoned as a result of the conduct of its
players/officials.
5.3 In the event of a game being abandoned through any other
extreme cause not provided for above, one point shall be awarded to
each team.
5.4 Pitch Invasion shall review all abandoned matches and in
all cases where it is an advantage to the competition, Pitch
Invasion shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the
abandonment to be the result.
6. NUMBER OF PLAYERS
6.1 The number of players is limited to either 5, 6, or 7-side
(depending on your league) with a further maximum of 3
substitutes.
6.2 The number of players allowed in your actual squad is
unlimited, however all players must be registered to your team
before they play.
6.3 If a team is reduced by 2 players or more either though
injury or suspension the game shall be abandoned and awarded to the
opposition.
3. PLAYING
RULES
1. DURATION
1.1 All matches consist of 2 halves, usually of 14 or 18
minutes (check with Pitch Invasion for specific durations).
1.2 The half time interval shall be a maximum of 1 minute
duration.
2. START OF PLAY &
BREAKS IN PLAY
2.1 At the beginning of the game the choice of ends is decided
by the match official
2.2 Play may be started by the referee nominating a team to
kick off from the centre of the playing field.
2.3 The game shall be started in the same manner after a goal
has been scored by the conceding team.
2.4 After any other stoppage the game shall be
re-started by the referee dropping the ball at the nearest
point to where the play was suspended.
3. THROW INS &
CORNERS
3.1 If a ball crosses the side line or it hits the fence above
a kick board, a throw in is awarded to the opposing team.
3.2 To return the ball into play the player must deliver the
ball underarm and under knee height. The ball must go in a
horizontal or downward direction.
3.3 A foul throw shall be called if the ball reaches above
knee height or is not underarm.
3.4 If a ball crosses the goal line by the
opposition where it is not a goal, a corner kick shall
awarded. If the ball crosses the goal line by the attacking
team, a Goal Kick shall be awarded (see 7.5).
3.5 A corner kick is taken in accordance with the normal rules
of the game.
3.6 The opposition must be a minimum of 2m from a throw in or
a corner kick.
4. OFF SIDE, FREE KICKS &
PENALTIES
4.1 There is no offside. Players may place themselves in any
part of the playing area without any restriction.
4.2 When a player is taking a free kick, the opposition shall
be a minimum distance of 2m from the ball until it is in
play.
4.3 All free kicks that happen around the penalty area must be
a minimum distance of 1m from the goal area.
4.4 A penalty kick shall be taken from the penalty mark or
from the edge of the area directly in line with the centre of the
goal.
4.5 No player can enter the area until the penalty kick has
been taken.
5. SCORING
5.1 A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line
between the goal posts and under the cross bar.
5.2 A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw in or
carried/propelled over the line via use of the hand by a player of
the attacking side, except in the case of a goalkeeper who is
within his own goal area.
6. GOAL AREAS
6.1 There are no restrictions on players entering the goal
areas.
6.2 Attackers and defenders may enter the goal area and play
the ball.
7. THE GOAL KEEPER
7.1 The goal keeper is allowed out of his goal area. Once he
has crossed onto the outfield, he shall be treated as normal
player.
7.2 The goal keeper cannot take the ball back into his area
from the outfield.
7.3 There is no restriction on the goalkeeper using
his feet in the area.
7.4 If the goalkeeper returns the ball using a throw, it must
be thrown underarm and under knee height in a horizontal or
downward direction.
7.5 For a Goal Kick, the goalkeeper must return the ball into play
using one kick from anywhere on his goal line. They may not
return the ball using a throw.
7.6 If a goal keeper passes the ball to his own player the
ball must be played to another player before it can be returned
into the area for the keeper to pick up.
7.7 Penalty for infringements of 7.2, 7.4 to 7.6 is a free
kick to the opposition 1m from the goal area.
8. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT
8.1 All players MUST wear shin pads. This is compulsory and
failure to do so may result in that player being excluded
from play.
8.2 Footwear is restricted to astro turf boots or trainers.
Blades, football studs or moulded studs are not permitted. Failure
to wear the appropriate footwear may result in that player being
excluded from play.
9. SUBSTITUTES
9.1 Three (3) substitutes per team shall be permitted during a
game.
9.2 These substitutes may be pooled from the team’s
registered players but must be nominated at the start of the
match.
9.3 The rules of the competition allow unlimited rolling
substitutions.
9.4 The conditions for making a substitution are:
• The referee must be informed before a substitution can
be made.
• The player leaving the field shall do so from their own
goal line.
• The player entering the field must do so from their own
goal line but not until the other player has left the field.
9.5 Any player may change with the goal keeper , provided that
the referee is informed of the change and it is done so in a
stoppage of play.
4. DISCIPLINARY
1. MISCONDUCT
1.1 Pitch Invasion operates its competition under strict
guidelines with regards to discipline and misconduct. Please click
the FA logo above.
1.2 If in the opinion of Pitch Invasion the conduct of any
club or player brings the competition into disrepute, Pitch
Invasion reserve the right to report the player and club to
the sanctioning association for disciplinary action in pursuance of
rule 25 or any successor provision.
1.3 Pitch Invasion also reserve the right to prohibit the
player or club from taking any further part in Pitch Invasion
competitions.
1.4 During a game the referee may award a blue or red card
depending on the severity of misconduct.
2. BLUE CARDS
2.1 If a blue card is awarded the player shall be temporarily
suspended from play.
2.2 During the suspension a player must stay off the field of
play behind his own goal, this shall be deemed as the ‘sin
bin’.
2.3 The referee shall inform the player when the suspension is
over.
2.4 The period of suspension shall be 5 minutes unless the
match length is under 30 minutes duration when the suspension shall
be 4 minutes.
2.5 If a player receives 2 blue cards in the same game he
shall not take any further part in the game.
3. RED CARDS
3.1 If a red card is awarded the offending player shall not be
allowed to take further part in the match and shall be suspended
from Pitch Invasion for a minimum of 1 match.
3.2 There are various red card offences which carry heavier
suspensions from the Pitch Invasion competition
MISCONDUCT DEALT WITH BY PITCH INVASION
ONLY
- Receiving a 2nd blue card. 1 match ban
- Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by physical
means or by deliberately handling the ball. 1 match ban
- Use of offensive or insulting or abusive language / gestures, not
to a match official. 1 match ban
MISCONDUCT DEALT WITH BY THE SANCTIONING COUNTY FA
All other red card offences shall be dealt with by Pitch Invasion
and the sanctioning County FA.
3.3 Any suspension awarded by Pitch Invasion
shall affect this competition only.
3.4 Any suspensions awarded by the sanctioning County FA
shall affect all football competitions including Pitch
Invasion.
3.5 County FA suspensions may or may not run at the same
time as Pitch Invasion suspensions.
3.6 Players and officials are reminded that the Rules and
Regulations of The FA and the sanctioning County FA allow for fines
to be imposed as a result of misconduct.
3.7 Players should refer to the rules of The FA for a full
explanation of all playing rules.
4. SLIDING TACKLES
4.1 Please note particularly that charging / sliding tackles
are forbidden and shall be penalised by the awarding of a free
kick.
4.2 Persistent charging / sliding tackles shall result in a
blue card.
5. SANCTION & AFFILIATION
1. NAME & DURATION OF THE
COMPETITION
1.1 The competition shall be called the Pitch Invasion
league.
1.2 The competition shall run between June 1st and May 31st of
each year.
2. ORGANISING &
SANCTIONING
2.1 The competition organiser shall be Pitch Invasion
Ltd, Unit 6, Ringwood Trading Est, Ringwood , Hampshire, BH24
3BB.
2.2 The competition shall be governed in accordance with the
Rules and Regulations of The FA and the relevant sanctioning County
FA.
2.3 Matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of
Small Sided Football as laid down by The FA and set out within
these rules/provided alongside them.
2.4 The relevant County FA shall sanction the
competition.
2.5 The competition, all clubs, players and other associated
persons shall be subject to the Rules and Regulations of The FA and
the sanctioning County FA.
2.6 The relevant sanctioning County FA shall deal in
accordance with breaches of the Laws of the Game/Laws for Small
Sided Football and the Rules and Regulations of the Football
Association.
2.7 The Organiser may amend these rules at any time giving
seven days notice via email or letter to the team
captain.
2.8 A person who is not a referee (as
recognised by the Football Association) may carry out the duties of
a Match Official in a specific match where a qualified referee
cannot be found.
3. AFFILIATED TEAMS
3.1 Pitch Invasion shall affiliate with the sanctioning County
FA a number of ‘team slots’ on an annual basis.
3.2 The number of ‘team slots’ affiliated shall
equate to the number of teams participating in a competition.
3.3 Pitch Invasion can change the teams participating in a
competition but shall always stay within the actual number of
‘team slots’ affiliated to the sanctioning County
FA.
3.4 Pitch Invasion shall make available the contact details of
all captains/secretaries of the affiliated teams within a
competition, to the sanctioning County FA for disciplinary and
affiliation purposes only.
4. RIGHT OF APPEAL
4.1 Any appeal against a decision of Pitch Invasion must be
made to the sanctioning County FA in accordance with the
appropriate rules of the association.
4.2 An appeal fee may also apply.
6. PARTICIPATION & LEAVING
1. LENGTH OF PARTICIPATION
1.1 When a team joins a Pitch Invasion league they are committing to the duration of the entire competition.
1.2 A team shall always be automatically entered into the next season unless notice of withdrawal has been served by the team captain.
2. LEAVING PROCEDURE
2.1 A team can only leave at the end of a season.
2.2 To withdraw from the league the team captain MUST give at
least two (2) weeks written notice before the end of that current
season.
2.3 The team must then fulfil the remainder of that
season’s fixtures, and shall be withdrawn before the new
season commences.
2.4 The team can give the written notice to the
Organisers office by post, or submit it via the website.
2.5 Any team that leaves the league without the two (2) weeks
written notice or before the end of a season, shall forfeit their
team deposit. If a team is removed for disciplinary reasons
or bad behaviour, the deposit is strictly non-returnable.
2.6 Any team that leaves with monies owed greater than the
original team deposit, shall have those arrears collected by Pitch
Invasion or an appointed agency and may also be banned from all
sanctioned football by the sanctioning County FA. The
registered captain at the time of the team withdrawal shall be
wholly responsible for these monies.
2.7 The team captain consents that if
outstanding monies for the team remain unpaid fourteen days after
leaving the league, Pitch Invasion have permission to collect the
fees from the credit card details held on file from previous
transactions with Pitch Invasion.
2.7 If a team leaves the league following the correct
procedures as stated above, the deposit, (minus any match fee
underpayments deducted, if applicable), shall be returned via a
cheque.
2.8 The cheque shall be made out to the registered team
captain at the time of withdrawal and sent to the address as per
the records held by Pitch Invasion.
All participants entering into sporting activities do so
entirely at their own risk and the organisers, their servants or
agents do not accept liability for any personal injury or
loss/damage to property howsoever caused.
A copy of these rules shall be given to all participating clubs and are binding on the clubs and players taking part. A copy of these rules are available on request from Pitch Invasion and a copy of The Laws of Small Sided Football are available from the relevant sanctioning County FA or from www.thefa.com
www.pitch-invasion.com
0870 241 2494 ops@pitch-invasion.com
Pitch Invasion is a registered trade mark
