The Rules of Rooball
The Field of Play
Dimensions
The field of play should be rectangular. In the adult game large variations in the length and breadth are allowed.
In view of the fact that Rooball may be played on the quarters or halves of a main adult ‘field’ there will still be variations.
The recommended sizes for Rooball fields are:
Under 8 years of age: Maximum 50m x 35m Minimum 40m x 25m
Under 10 years of age: Maximum 70m x 50m Minimum 60m x 45m
Markings
To simplify the markings there is to be a half-way line, a centre spot and a goal area.
The Goal-Area
The size of the Goal-Area should be:
Under 8 years of age: 6m in radius from the goal line
Under 10 years of age: 7m in radius from the goal line.
N.B. No person shall be allowed within the radius directly behind goal area.
The Corner-Area
There is no need for the corner-area to be marked for Rooball. Corners can be taken form the point where the goal-line and side-line meet.The Goals
It is very important for younger players that the goal size is closely related to their age.
The maximum height and width of the goals should be:
Under 8 years of age: 1.7m x 5m.
Under 10 years of age: 2m x 6mThe Field
To ensure that Rooball can be easily played and very few special requirements needed, the dimensions of a Rooball field can easily fit onto an adult soccer field. However Rooball can be played on any field or open area.
If a marked centre circle is required, it is to be the same radius as the goal area.
Key: No person shall be allowed within the radius behind the goal area at either end shown by the shaded area thus.
The diagram above shows how 3 Rooball games can be played on 1 adult soccer field. This means that a minimum of 42 players can be actively involved in playing soccer.
The Ball
For Rooball the ball sizes should be:
Under 8 years of age: size 3
Under 10 years of age: size 4
Number of Players
The number of players for Rooball provides for the optimum involvement and development of the young player and should be:
Under 8 years of age: six players including the goalkeeper
Under 10 years of age: nine players including the goalkeeper
Interchange of players is permitted during all Rooball games.
Interchanging is encouraged to provide each player with equal time and a chance for a supportive coach to help the young player. The interchange can be conducted while the game is in play.
Player’s Equipment
A player taking the field of play should not wear anything which is dangerous to another player.
Boots or training shoes and shin pads must be worn.
Referees
As this level Official Referees are not necessary.
Players generally in these age groups rarely attempt to deliberately break the law. If they do other players will all too readily draw attention to it.
Responsible adults organising games could well referee the matches if needed.
The role of the referee in such games should be to encourage the participants and offer constructive advice where appropriate, and also give positive praise to players from both sides.
Duration of the Game
Young players organising their own games rarely set time limits. They will normally play for as longas they a re enjoying themselves.
Recommended times have been set with the interchange of players in mind. There is no stoppage of play for interchange.
Therefore the recommended times for Rooball are:
Under 8 years of age: 2 halves of 20 minutes each
Under 10 years of age: 2 halves of 25 minutes each.
At half-time the interval should be 5 minutes for all age groups.
The Start of Play
A game is started by a kick-off from the centre mark.
T the team winning the toss of a coin shall have the option of choosing ends or taking the kick-off.
After a goal has been scored the game is restarted from the centre mark with the side conceding the goal taking the kick.
Following half-time the game is restarted with teams changing ends and the kick-off being taken by the side who did not start the game.
A goal cannot be scored direct from the kick-off.
Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal-line or the side-line. These lines are part of the field of play.
Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the ball has wholly crossed the goal-line between the goal-posts and under the cross-bar.Off-Side
There is no Off-side in Rooball, but deliberately placing a player or players in an offside position is contrary to the spirit of the game and is discouraged.
Fouls and Misconduct
This is an important rule and relates to the behaviour of players during play. In the adult game a player may not intentionally kick, trip, jump at, strike, push, charge from behind or violently charge an opponent.
The rule specifies that all of the above offences must be committed intentionally to warrant being penalised.
Other parts of the law emphasises the need for players to behave in a manner appropriate for a sportsperson.
At Rooball level it is important for the referee to determine the intention of players relative to the above offences and at all times encourage sporting conduct.
Only goalkeepers may touch the ball with their arms or hands, and only within the goal area.
Free Kicks – Indirect
The ‘indirect’ free-kick is one where a goal can not be scored unless it has been touched by another player other than the kicker.
In Rooball all free-kicks are deemed to be ‘Indirect’.
All of the opposing players should be at least 7 metres from the ball when a free kick is taken.
If a free kick is awarded within the goal area, the kick it to be taken 12 metres from the goal, closest to where the free kick was awarded.
Throw-Ins
When the whole of the ball passes out of the field of play along the side-line a throw-in is awarded to the opposing side to that of the player who has last played or touched the ball.
the ball is thrown-in from the spot where the ball left the field of play.
At Rooball level players should be given a second attempt if the first throw is invalid. the referee or coach should assist the player to achieve the correct method. Following two foul attempts then possession will pass to the opposing team.
Goal-Kick
Goal-kicks may be taken from anywhere in the goal area.
Goal-kicks are awarded when the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line (except for the scoring of a goal) and last touched by one of the attacking team. Opponents must be 7 metres from the ball.
Corner-Kick
When the ball passes wholly over the goal-line (as above) and was last touched by a player from the defending team then a corner-kick is awarded.
Opposing players should be 7 metres from the ball.
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