It’s likely you’re reading this with a knowledge of 11 side football rules, so you’ll be pleased to know that the rules for 5 a side football are very similar.

All the standard rules of a normal sized game apply, for example no outfield player handballs or foul play etc.

There are however some rules which are unique to small-sided games such as the ‘head height’ rule, as well as some others you’ll find details on below.

The rules outlined within this post are commonly used in the UK, but just note they may vary for different competitions or groups. We always recommend contacting the organiser to get a full rundown of the rules and some are likely to vary for different clubs and grounds.

WHAT CLOTHING SHOULD YOU WEAR

The suitable clothing when playing 5 a side is pretty much the same as what’s used in a normal game.

Players should wear a shirt, shorts, football socks and appropriate footwear.

If however you’re just playing a casual game, then you can of course choose to wear different bottoms and comfier footwear.

As mentioned before, it’s always best to double check with the organiser if you’re playing in a competition or with a new group.

SHIRTS & BIBS

In some cases, all players must wear a shirt at all times, and it’s great if each team attempts to have all their outfield players in similar colours. However, this isn’t always necessary. Shirts can often come off for goal celebrations and those days of ‘shirts vs skins’ could even make a comeback on those really hot days.

If you’re looking to bring some coordination to your squad, these limited edition 5 a side inspired tees are perfect.

Also, when available and instructed by the ref, players should wear bibs - and hope that no one in your team faces the same bib struggles as Balotelli!

FOOTWEAR

Appropriate footwear should be worn at all times. The type of footwear depends on the surface of the pitch, as in some cases certain boots are not permitted. For example, when playing on artificial pitches such as astroturf, metal studded boots and blades aren’t allowed. Appropriate indoor footwear that have no non-marking soles should be worn for hard surface indoor pitches. So it’s worth checking out what the grounds and clubs allow, but often this just comes down to individual preference.

If you’re wanting to step up your footwear style, check out the huge range of BW Boots retro boots you need to be adding to your 5 a side clothing game.

SHIN GUARDS

For the majority of the time, shin guards are advised to be worn for 5 a side football matches. Some organisers actually insist on all players wearing them, so be sure to check the competition rules. If however you’re playing more casually with friends or colleagues for example, it’s completely your own choice whether you wear them or not.

BAGS

You’ll also need something to carry your personal belongings in and maybe even your boots. The variety of 5 a side inspired bags available at Formation studio can be hung from the cages to keep your valuables safe whilst you’re on the pitch.

TEAM SIZE

A 5 a side game is played by two teams that consist of no more than 5 players on the pitch for each side.

The game is conventionally played with 4 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper per team. Positions are set by each team and there are no limits to the amount of attackers or defenders. This can be decided when choosing the most effective 5 a side formation for your team.

DURATION

5 a side football games are divided into two equal halves that can last anywhere from 5 minutes up to 25 minutes for official matches, making them fairly shorter than normal sized games. Unless altered by the referee, half time intervals are a maximum 5 minutes along with any added time for any periods of the game lost through stoppages.

Depending on where you play, more casual games can even sometimes last 2 hours if there are no bookings after your slot.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Substitutions are “rolling” and can be made at any point during the match.

All subs should wait on the side of the pitch or outside the cages until a substitution is called. When this happens, the sub cannot step onto the pitch until the player being replaced has come off.

If a referee is present, they must be notified whenever a substitution of an outfield player or change of goalkeeper is made to allow for the substitution to take place during a stoppage in play (a goal kick or free kick for example).

There are usually no limits to the amount of subs a team can make.

Play will not stop for any substitution made, including for the new goalkeeper who needs to put gloves on. If time is wasted during a switch, a free kick or goal kick will be given to the opposite team.

GOALKEEPERS & GOAL AREAS

Often, only the designated goalkeeper is allowed inside the goal area during play, but this really depends on the rules adopted by the club and competition. For more official games, the only time two players are permitted to be in the area at once is during a switchover. However, if a shot is made from the opposition whilst two players in the goal area, a penalty will be awarded - so make goalkeeper switches quick!

If any defending players enter the goal area for any reason other than momentum, a penalty will be awarded to the opposing team; this includes running through and across the area. However, if the ball is touched or cleared during momentum inside the goal area, the referee may give a penalty at their discretion.

Any attackers entering the goal area will result in a goal kick being awarded. If an attacker shoots with their foot inside the area, the goal will be disallowed. However, if the attacker enters the goal area because of momentum, but the shot left their foot before entering the area, the goal will be allowed.

Likewise, the goalkeeper is not permitted to leave the goal area for any reason. If found doing so, a penalty will be given to the opposition.

Keepers are permitted to roll and throw the ball out with an underarm bowling motion as to not send the ball over head height. Some rules allow the goalkeeper to kick the ball and this is also now more widely allowed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, however if kicks are permitted, they must not keep this within head height. Kicks are also allowed from the goalie when making a save. Whichever way the keeper returns the ball, it should not go over head height, otherwise a free kick will be awarded to the opposing team from 2m outside the area. No other players are permitted to handle the ball.

KICK OFF

The team taking the initial kick off is determined by the referee either by coin toss or a predetermined schedule and the other team will kick off the second half.

Kick off’s are also performed after a goal has been scored. The ball must be stationary on the centre mark and must be played forward.

All players must be inside their own half for all kick-offs and the ball cannot be touched again by the taker until another player has had a touch.

It is possible for a goal to be scored directly from the kick off.

FREE KICKS

When taking either a direct or indirect free kick, the ball must be stationary and must be set at the point of the foul where applicable. Free kicks can be taken by any player and members of the opposing team must retreat at least 2m away from the ball.

If a free kick is given within 2m of the edge of the area, it should be moved so it is 2m from the edge to allow a defensive wall to be formed in front.

The ball is back in play once the free kick taker has touched the ball and they cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

Free kicks can be awarded for any of the following: the ball going over head height (kicked directly or a deflection from who it touched last), handball, slide tackles, dangerous play, charging, lack of control in tackle, time wasting, roughness.

BACK PASSES

Back passes during normal play are allowed and the keeper is permitted to pick up the ball from a back pass.

If however there are multiple passes made between one player and the keeper, this is likely to be seen as time wasting and will therefore be reviewed at the referees discretion whereby a free kick could potentially be given.

HEAD HEIGHT

‘Head height’ is a rule within small sided football that requires the ball to be kept below a certain height - usually that of the tallest player. This height is often marked on the cage for example, which is used as a guide.

The reason behind this rule is to encourage play of the ball along the ground as opposed to long passes through the air.

When the ball does go over head height, a free kick will be given against the player who last made contact and from the position that contact was made.

If the ball goes above head height after making contact with the goalpost or from a keeper making a save, play will continue as this will not be considered a breach of this rule.

Diving headers are permitted, provided they are kept below ‘head height’.

In more casual games however, this rule often doesn’t apply. The 5 a side players here at Formation Studio rarely play with the head height rule; that’s why you’ll find this rule not counting on our 5 a side inspired tees.

PENALTIES

If there is no determined penalty spot, the penalty kick should be taken from the centre of the pitch. The referee must identify the penalty taker before the shot is taken and the goalkeeper must be standing on the line. Only the player taking the shot is allowed in the penalty area.

The penalty taker can only take one step before striking the ball and they are not permitted to run up to the ball before their penalty kick. If the keeper deflects the ball back into the playing field once the penalty has been taken, a goal can be scored by another player.

If either team breaches these rules, the penalty will be retaken.

BALL OUT OF PLAY

If the ball leaves the perimeter, play should restart with the appropriate team kicking the ball back in as opposed to throwing it.

DISCIPLINE & FAIR PLAY

In 5 a side, discipline and the concept of fair play is pretty much the same as in 11 a side.

If the ref issues a yellow card, this results in the player being temporarily suspended from the game. The player may return to the field of play when the referee indicates, which is usually between 2-5 minutes. Another player is not permitted to replace them during this time. A yellow card will be given for things such as persistent fouling, dissent and unsporting behaviour.

Players who receive a red card must leave the pitch immediately and for the reminder of the game. They are not to be replaced by another player. Red cards are issued for things such as violent and aggressive play, abusive language, deliberate blocking of a goal through handball or a second yellow card.

When persistent or extreme abusive or bad behaviour is expressed, the referee can abandon the game. This may result in one or both teams being disqualified from the competition.

Within the rules of 5 a side football, there are multiple ways fouls are awarded. These fouls and misconducts are listed below:

Slide tackles - these are not permitted, including block attempts and even if the ball has been fairly and safely won
Excessive tackling - careless or reckless tackles
Dangerous play - charging, kicking or tripping an opponent
Handball - excluding the keeper when within the goal area
Time wasting
Incorrect goalkeeper distribution

WHAT SIZE SHOULD THE PITCH BE?

As per the FA's Small Sided Football Laws of the Game handbook, the pitch size for 5 a side football should be:

Length: Min. 25 metres, max. 50 metres.
Width: Min. 16 metres, max. 35 metres.

Pitches should always be rectangular in shape and the touchline being longer than the goal line.

USE OF BARRIERS

5 a side football matches can be played with or without barriers. In instances where barriers are used, players must not hold onto them to gain advantage. When play is happening against barriers, minimal contact should be used between players.

Aggressive play against any barrier is not allowed.

When retrieving the ball from the corner, the player can bring the ball out unobstructed by the opposing team. The player will have 5 seconds to take the ball out from the corner. Any longer will be seen as time wasting and will result in a free kick being given to the opposition.

CONCLUSION

As you can probably tell after reading this post, the rules for 5 a side do vary a lot depending on the grounds, club and preference of players including the competition. This is one of the reasons we’re in love with the game here at Formation Studio, along with a ton of other reasons you’ll likely resonate with in this creative midweek 5 a side story @TREKuartista95 pulled together.

Let us know in the comments if you have anything to add that you feel we’ve missed, and don’t forget to grab yourself or your team a F/S tee for coordination or just some 5 a side appreciation.

5 a Side Football Rules