Socca RUles.

  • Socca resembles much of the same format, rules, regulations and norms as the 11v11 format however played on smaller scale with some minor changes. Please read details on the rules and regulations.

    1.0 Matches are played on a field no larger than 60m×35m.

    1.1 The standard match time for Socca competitions is 40 minutes (two halves of 20 minutes each), unless otherwise agreed for individual tournaments by the Tournament Director. 

    1.2 The two halves are divided by a 5 minute break.

    1.3 During half time the playing teams must leave the field and congregate within the technical zone.

    1.4 Playing squads have a maximum of 15 players in the matchday roster with 5 starting field players and 1 goalkeeper.

    1.5 Socca balls are size 5 standard allocation.

    1.6 During half time players may not leave the pitch area (e.g. to visit the changing rooms), unless in a medical emergency.

    1.7 The goalkeeper may be taken out of the match and substituted for another outfield player (a ‘fly goalkeeper‘) at any point in the match. The fly goalkeeper must, however, wear an official Socca bib, provided by the match referees, as designation of a fly goalkeeper. The designated ‘fly goalkeeper’ is not allowed to touch the ball with his feet within his own half, with the exception of in his own penalty area.

  • 2.0 The format of major tournaments typically include a group stage followed by knockout rounds. Specific details and format are determined by the ISF and/or the host of the event. The 2024 World Cup hosted 40 nations, split into 8 groups of 5 countries. The top two teams from each group qualifying to the knockout rounds.

    2.1 If a match is drawn at full time during the knockout stages of a tournament, a ‘Socca Penalty‘ shoot out will take place, as follows:

    • i. The first three penalty takers from each team are identified

    • ii. Penalty takers can be selected in any order, and may include a goalkeeper.

    • iii. Each team takes alternate turns to take a Socca Penalty.

    • iv. To start, the ball is positioned on the centre spot. The penalty taker must dribble the ball towards the goal and has 10 seconds to shoot. The player may shoot from any position on the pitch. One member of the defending team, guarding the goal, may also move to any position on the pitch. If the ball rebounds off the post, crossbar or the defending play, and stays in the field of play, then play continues as normal for the full duration of the 10 seconds.

    • v. The penalty is over when:

      • a.The ball enters the goal (result = goal)

      • b.The goalkeeper fouls the player (result =goal)

      • c.The ball leaves the field of play (result = no goal)

      • d.The penalty taker fouls the goalkeeper (result = no goal)

      • e.The 10 second period finishes without the above taking place (result = no goal)

    • v. The goalkeeper can be changed during the shoot out for any named player in the squad.

    • vi. If, after each team has taken three penalties, the result is drawn, then the shoot out continues to sudden death, with each team taking alternate penalties until one team has a higher score after taking the same amount of penalties.

    • vii. Each penalty taker must be a different member of the named squad, until the end of the roster is reached, excluding any suspended player.

  • 3.0 There are no offside rules in ISF competitions

    3.1 All opposition players must be a distance of 5 meters from the ball at any restart (such as a goal kick, free kick).

    3.2 All kicks are direct. Goals can be scored direct from a goal kick, kick in, corner and kick off.

    3.3 There are no indirect free kicks in ISF matches, including offences committed inside the goalkeeper’s box. Any offence committed inside the goalkeeper’s box by the defending team will result in a Socca penalty kick against the defending team.

    3.4 A kick-in is awarded to the team which did not last touch the ball, when the ball leaves the field of play over any of the side lines. The ball must be placed on the ground stationary on or before the side line at the place where it went out. Kick ins are permitted to go above head height. Except for goal kicks where it can be placed anywhere inside the goal area.

    3.5 A drop ball will be used to restart the match after a temporary stoppage, such as a serious injury, the ball deflating or being damaged or the ball hitting an object that is not part of the field of play.

    3.6 If an incident occurs inside goalkeeper’s box that requires a drop ball as the restart then the drop ball occurs on the edge of the goalkeeper’s box nearest to where the incident occurred.

    3.7 Slide tackling against or next to an opponent is always considered a foul. A player can not challenge a player with a sliding challenge/tackle within 1 meter of the player in possession of the ball.

    3.8 Slide tackling to prevent the ball from going out of play or into the goal is allowed when there are no nearby opponents.

    3.9 Screening is when a player tries to delay or prevent an opponent who is not in possession of the ball from reaching a desired position on the pitch.

    Screening will be classed as legal providing the player who sets up the screen:

    • i. Stands completely still (inside his cylinder with his hands to the body) when ‘contact’ is made.

      ii. The player has both feet on the turf and does not move when ‘contact’ is m

    Screening will be classed as obstruction, and therefore a foul will be awarded to the defending team, when the player who sets up the screen:

    • i. Moves when contact is made.

      ii. Uses his hands in contact e.g. grabs the opponent, enlarges his natural body shape.

      iii. Pushes the opponent with his hands or body to change the players normal running path.

    3.10 Substitutions are unlimited and may occur at any time during play, under the observation of the referee positioned at the halfway line. The exiting player must have left the playing area before the substitute player crosses the side line. If a player is injured they may leave the field from another point, but the player replacing them must enter at the halfway line upon authorisation of the referee.

    3.11 The player being replaced must immediately put on the substitutes bib supplied and return to the technical zone.

  • 4.0 All penalty kicks during normal time will be a ‘Socca Penalty’.

    To start, the ball is positioned on the centre spot and a designated penalty taker must make himself aware to the referee. The remaining players from both teams must be positioned in the non-penalty half of the pitch and are not permitted to enter the other half for the duration (10 seconds) of the penalty kick.

    The goalkeeper must start on his goaline. The penalty kick taker has 10 seconds to shoot. The player may shoot from any position on the pitch. The defending team goalkeeper may also move to any position on the pitch and, for the duration of the Socca Penalty only, may touch the ball with his feet in his half outside of the penalty area.

    The penalty is over when:

    • i. The ball enters the goal (result = goal, normal restart)

      ii. The goalkeeper fouls the player (result = goal, normal restart)

      iii. The ball leaves the field of play (result = no goal, goalkeepers ball.)

      iv. The penalty taker fouls the goalkeeper (result = no goal, goalkeepers ball)

      v. The 10 second period finishes without any of the above taking place (result = no goal, goalkeepers ball.)

    4.1 A goalkeeper, whether primary or flying, is allowed to touch the ball with his feet within the green areas (shown in diagram below) under any circumstances, (for example; making a tackle, making a save, clearing the ball, dribbling out with the ball, receiving a pass from a teammate or shooting at goal.) as many times as they want without restrictions. This allows the goalkeeper to leave his area whilst dribbling the ball to create for a more exciting game.

    Within the red area, the goalkeeper (primary or flying) is allowed to touch the ball with his feet under any circumstances, (for example; making a tackle, making a save, clearing the ball, dribbling out with the ball, shooting at goal) as many times as they want but they are NOT permitted to receive the ball via a pass from a teammate. This will result in a free kick to the opposing team.

    This is to prevent slow play from the team in position of the ball.