Football

Primary Competition Rules

• Competition and Match Formats

  Expand Competition and Match Formats

  Region and Division Match Format

  For Regions and Division match format, please consult the relevant page on the SSV website or contact the relevant Coordinator.

  State Competition Format

  Split Round Robin, Final.

  State Match Format

  • All state matches shall consist of 2 times 15 minute halves with a half-time interval of 5 minutes.
  • Recommended non-state duration of game is 2 x times 25-minute halves with a half-time interval of 5 minutes (when possible) .

  State Match Schedule

  • There will be a Pre-Championship Briefing for all teams prior to the first round of matches.
  • See the Football (Soccer) Draw on the SSV website for the Match Schedules.

• Tournament Scoring and Tie-Breakers

  Expand Tournament Scoring and Tie-Breakers

  State Round Robin Scoring

  Points will be allocated for Round Robin matches as follows:

  • 3 points for a win
  • 1 point for a draw
  • 0 points for a loss

  Round Robin Tie-Breakers

  In the event that two teams are tied at the end of the round robin, the winner of the face-to-face match will be declared the winner. If this was a draw or if more than two teams are tied, the following parameters will be used in order to determine the winner:

  1. Goal Difference: Subtracting goals conceded from goals scored; the team with the most positive goal difference wins.
  2. Most Goals Scored: The team that has scored the most goals .
  3. Least Goals Against: The team that has had the least goals scored against them.
  4. First Goal Scored: The team that scored first when the tied teams played against each other.
  5. Least Red Cards: Team with the least amount of red card infringements.
  6. Least Yellow Cards: Team with the least amount of yellow card infringements .
  7. Coin Toss: In the event that a winner still cannot be determined, a coin toss will decide the winner.

  State Final Winner

  • If the final is tied at full-time, 10 minutes of extra time will be played (5 minutes each way).
  • If still tied after extra time, a series of 5 penalty kicks shall be taken by each team:
  • Each penalty kick is taken alternately by five different players, with the goalkeeper defending.
  • Teams toss again to determine the choice of whether to shoot or defend first.
  • If still tied, a further series of penalty kicks will be taken alternately on an even kick basis until a decision is reached.
  • Players who participated in previous penalty kicks cannot be used again unless all team members (excluding the goalkeeper) have participated.

• General Conditions and Eligibility

  Expand General Conditions and Eligibility
  • Governance: See School Sport Victoria's 'General Conditions of Competition'. All players, teachers, spectators, and officials are bound by the 'SSV Codes of Conduct' and the 'Participant Behaviour Policy'.
  • Dual Team Participation: A girl cannot play in a girls' team and a boys/mixed team in the same sport.
  • Binding Competition Levels: The level of competition chosen by a student at District level remains binding through to Division, Region, and State levels.

• Team Roster, Officials, & Field Specifications

  Expand Team Roster, Officials, & Field Specifications

  Team Size & Medallions

  • A maximum of fourteen (14) players may be used in one day.
  • Nine (9) players (including a goalkeeper) on the field and up to five (5) rolling substitutions named for each game.
  • Only fourteen (14) SSV medallions plus one (1) for the team coach will be awarded to placegetters. Extra medallions will not be available .

  Rules & Referees

  • Football will be conducted under the FIFA 9 v 9 Laws of the Game unless otherwise stated. Refer to Football Victoria Under 12 9 v 9 Format Competition Guidelines and the SSV Primary Schools Resource Manual.
  • Referees will be provided at State Finals. The referee enforces the laws of the game and their decision is final.
  • Cards & Disqualification:
  • Yellow cards apply per FIFA rules.
  • A red card results in automatic disqualification for the match and day under the Order Off Rule .

  Field & Goal Dimensions

  • Field of Play:
  • Best Practice:  65 long x 45m wide
  • Minimum:  60m long x 40m wide
  • Maximum: 70m long x 50m wide
  • Goal Size: 5m wide x 2m high
  • Penalty Area: 10m deep x 20m wide

• In-Game Rules and Substitutions

  Expand In-Game Rules and Substitutions

  Interchange / Substitutions

  • Players are permitted to interchange during the game when the ball is out of play, or during half-time.
  • In both situations, the referee must be notified of the intended change prior to it occurring.
  • Replaced players are permitted to return to the field at a later stage.

  Linespeople

  • Each team is required to provide a competent linesperson.
  • Two linespeople are appointed whose duties include out of bounds and off-side.

• Match Day Requirements and Safety

  Expand Match Day Requirements and Safety

  Uniform and Dress Code

  • Players must wear matching strips with distinctive numbering corresponding to their team sheet, same colour shorts (without pockets), and same colour socks.
  • The goalkeeper must wear a contrasting shirt.
  • Shin Guards: Compulsory.
  • Mouthguards: Strongly recommended.
  • Jewellery: No jewellery is to be worn.
  • Players not correctly dressed will not be permitted to compete.

  Lateness Penalty

  • With Communication: If a team is late for reasons beyond their control and communicates with the convener, the convener will try to accommodate the team as best as possible.
  • Without Communication: If a team is more than 10 minutes late without notice or communication (or if in the convener's opinion their lateness makes the draw impracticable), they will be penalised one goal for each completed 10 minutes of lateness.

  Equipment and Documentation

  Competing schools must provide:

  • Match and Practice Balls: One new competition size 4 soccer ball. Match balls will be provided for State Finals, but teams must bring their own practice balls.
  • Linesperson: One competent linesperson.
  • First Aid Kit: An appropriate first aid kit suitable for the venue location .
  • Tape & Strapping: Sports tape MUST be supplied by the student/competing team. Strapping must be performed by the student or competing team. First Aid Responders attending State Finals are not permitted to perform strapping .
  • Team Sheet: An up-to-date team sheet including players' uniform numbers handed to the convener on match day .