Many players will be new to playing soccer, following is a guide to the administration and rules.

• Match Officials: Normally you will have a parent in charge of interchange on each field (a coach). As well, your team will provide a referee for half the game, your opposition provides the other. Your team manager will need to complete a results card at the end of each game and drop it at the club recorder (address TBA)
• Replacements/interchange: Players can be swapped on and off the field at any time. You can also borrow players from any st ives team in the same or lower age group. If you think you will be short players, you can often ask the team playing before you if a player wants a second game. The first game of the season is the 17th April, ALL teams are likely to struggle for players on this day because of school holidays.
• Rosters: Many teams roster shirt washing, bringing oranges/jelly snakes etc. What tends to work best is for the person returning with shirts also bring other items for that week.
• Draw: The draw is prepared by Ku Ring gai District Soccer Association (KDSA). As soon as it is available it will be on our web site and theirs. Every 5 weeks KDSA reviews opponents, teams that are losing will be moved down to play weaker teams and stronger teams moved up. For this reason, the draw is only ever available in 5 week sets.
• Arrival and departure: Arrive 10-15 minutes before start time. If your game starts late it must still finish on time otherwise later games will be delayed.
• Wet Weather: Failing rain does not stop games however Council may close grounds if there is too much water on the ground. This decision is usually made by 4pm Friday and available from a link on the St Ives web site. Lightning will stop games for 30 minutes.
• Shin pads are mandatory.No watches or jewellery are permitted on the field.
• Safety Glasses only to be worn. Players who wear glasses should obtain a letter from their optometrist and carry it with them at all times stating glasses are safety glasses.  
• PLEASE DON'T ARGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION OR REFEREE.......there is nothing to be gained, if you feel there is an issue, the club will raise it on your behalf (and yes it happens every year)
 

• Under 8/9 teams shall consist of a minimum of seven (7) players and a maximum of ten. 7 players from each team may be on the field at any time, one of who must be a goalkeeper, with up to 3 nominated to interchange
• Under 10/11 teams shall consist of a minimum of nine (9) players and a maximum of twelve (12) players. (9) players from each team may be on the field at any time, one of who must be a goalkeeper, with up to 3 players nominated for interchange
• All players in attendance at a game shall receive equal playing time
  

1.  Play should be as continuous as possible with no stoppages.
2. There is NO offside but the referee can move players blatantly put in offside positions. (Compared with 2009, this explicitly gives the referee the authority to move players out of offside positions. Coaches are encouraged to make their players aware of off side at training and to play this way in game situations. Offside will still occur during games but the intention is to pre-empt blatant situations and not to penalise marginal situations.
3. A player may only enter the opposition’s penalty area when the ball is in the same half of the field.
4. The game is started with a kick off on the halfway line.
5. The team kicking off will be determined by the referee using the “which hand is the whistle, rock etc. in” method.
6. When a goal is scored play is restarted from the halfway line.
7. The following restarts can be started with a pass or a dribble: -
       i. Goal kicks (when the ball travels over the goal line).
       ii. Kick offs (except at start of game where the ball must be passed to a team mate).
8. Corner kicks and indirect free kicks must be kicked into play (no dribbling).
9. When the ball goes over the sideline and out of play, play is restarted with a throw in. The player taking the throw in must face the field of play, have part of each foot either on or behind the side line, use both hands and deliver the ball from behind and over the head. The thrower may not touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it.
10. All free kicks are indirect free kicks, except where a player deliberately commits any of the following offences anywhere on the field: -
        i. kicks an opponent
        ii. strikes an opponent
        iii. tackling an opponent in a dangerous manner
        iv. charging an opponent in a dangerous manner.
        v. handles the ball in own penalty area, except if he/she is the nominated goalkeeper.
      in which case a penalty kick shall be awarded.
 
11. The penalty kick is taken from the centre of the penalty area line, eight (8) metres from the goal line, with a goalkeeper in position. All other players must stand behind the half way line.
12. All opposition players must stand at least 4.5m from kicker at every restart until ball is played or the referee has finished his countdown and has called “Go!” The ball must be touched twice before a goal can be scored from any restart.
13. The team taking a restart has 3 seconds to recommence play.
14. All players must take a penalty kick before any player can take a second penalty kick in a game.
15. Goalkeepers may only release the ball into play by throwing it or placing it on the ground and kicking it. Goalkeepers must throw or kick the ball within 5 seconds of catching it.
    Punt kicks and drop kicks are not allowed. 
16. Where goal posts are not available cones may be used. Where cones are used a goal is scored when the ball passes over the goal line and between the cones, without knocking the cones over.
17. It is not in the spirit of the game to have a player permanently stationed in the goal area as an attacker or defender.
18. When and individual player has scored three goals and their team is winning by a three-goal margin he/she must be taken off (even if there are not substitutes available) until the other team has scored a goal.