Rules & Regulations
Review the official rules and regulations for Chupacabras Pitch, including match format, player eligibility, substitutions, discipline, equipment, weather procedures, and league operations. All players and teams are responsible for understanding and following these rules throughout the season.
(League Play)
Standard Rules:
Five players per team, including one goalkeeper.
A match can continue with a minimum of three players.
A maximum of 12 players per squad.
Rolling substitutions are unlimited, and substituted players may return.
The incoming player cannot enter until the outgoing player has left the field.
The goalkeeper cannot pick up the ball from a direct pass backwards.
Match Length & Offsides:
Two equal halves.
Each half must be between 20 minutes.
Halftime cannot exceed five minutes.
The referee may add time for injuries or other stoppages.
There is no offside rule.
Kick-offs:
All players begin in their own half.
The ball must move forward.
A goal can be scored directly from a kick-off.
After a goal, the team that conceded restarts play from the center spot.
Ball leaving the sideline:
The goalkeeper restarts from inside the penalty area.
Opponents must remain outside the penalty area.
The ball must leave the penalty area before it is in play.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a goal kick.
The goalkeeper cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it.
The ball can be kicked, or be thrown underarm. No overarm distribution.
Fouls:
Standard direct-free-kick fouls include:
Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
Tripping/Pushing/Holding/Charging/Striking.
Handball.
Reckless or dangerous tackling.
Sliding to challenge an opponent for the ball.
The rules prohibit sliding tackles when an opponent is playing or attempting to play the ball. Sliding to keep an uncontested ball in play can be permitted, provided it does not endanger another player.
Discipline:
Yellow card: formal caution.
Second yellow: red card and sin bin for 2 minutes.
Straight red: dismissal for serious foul play, violent conduct, abusive language, spitting, or denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
Sin bin for 5 minutes/ player cannot return. Down to referee discretion.
Red cards for violent conduct, abusive language, spitting, or similar will result in a one-game ban. Suspension will be permanent if it occurs more than once.
Goal kicks:
Play restarts with a kick-in, not a throw-in.
The ball must be stationary on the touchline.
Opponents must remain at least three metres away.
The ball can be kicked in any direction.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.
The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it.
Corner kicks:
Awarded when the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses its own goal line.
The ball is placed at the nearest corner.
Opponents must remain three metres away.
A goal can be scored directly from a corner.
Penalty kicks:
A penalty is awarded when a defending player commits a direct-free-kick offence inside their own penalty area.
The ball is placed on the penalty mark.
The goalkeeper stays on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
All other players remain outside the penalty area, at least three metres from the ball.
The kick must be taken forward.
Two steps maximum for penalties - cannot do a long run-up.
Equipment:
Players must wear:
Matching team jersey.
Shorts or athletic trousers.
Socks.
Shin guards are optional.
Plastic cleats or turf shoes - NO metal cleats.
Jewelry and dangerous equipment are prohibited.
Free kicks:
Free kicks may be direct or indirect.
Opponents must remain at least three metres from the ball.
A direct free kick can be scored without another touch.
An indirect free kick must touch another player before entering the goal.
The kicker cannot play the ball twice consecutively.
Misc:
Heading is permitted.
Games can end in a draw.
3 points for a win. 2 points for a draw. 1 point for a loss.
The stopwatch will start when the game is scheduled to begin. If a team is late, the amount of time gone will be taken off the total game time.
If the referee is late, then the game will be played in full.
If a match is abandoned due to lightning, storms, or other severe weather before halftime, it will be replayed in full.
If a match is abandoned at or after halftime, the score at the time of abandonment will be recorded as the final result.
