Each team is allowed 6 players on the playing field during a game. A team is allowed a maximum 4 males or 4 females on the field at once, with a minimum 1 of each gender. Teams require a minimum of 4 players to take the field with at least one of each gender.
DURATION
Games are 30 minutes 2×13 minute halves with a 2 minute half-time break. The extra 2 minutes are to allow for players to take and leave the field prior to and following their game. If a game starts late, the game time may be adjusted, with each half being a minimum of 10 minutes.
THE DRAW
The entire season schedule (draw) is posted online prior to Round 1 commencing. If you have an issue with any individual times or dates, Lunchtime Legends may on request alter the draw before the commencement of Round 1. Game times generally cannot be changed after the season has started. The draw is computer generated, team match ups and times are random and are designed to offer maximum variety of competition with the available teams and number of rounds.
WARM UP
Please ensure you arrive a few minutes before your game to sign on, warm up and stretch to avoid injuries.
SIGN ON
All players must sign-on prior to their game. Players must sign on under their own names, and sign-on only for themselves and not for other team members. Players must sign on and participate in 3 games during the Round Robin competition to participate in the Finals Series. If your team has a forfeit win or a washed out game that has not been replayed, each player is considered signed on for that game (This is only relevant if your team makes the Finals Series).
Please Note: Signing on under someone elses name may disqualify you from any insurance cover you may otherwise be eligible for if you are injured. Signing on for other players may disqualify them from any insurance cover they may otherwise be eligible for if they are injured while playing. Please refer to your HR department for your specific insurance information.
PLAYING SHOES
Lunchtime Legends is intended as a Fun, Social competition conducted in the spirit of Fun & Fair Play. We have a Permitted Footwear Policy which is designed to provide;
The lowest risk for injury to all players
A level playing field for all participants
Conform to the requirements of venue owners looking to reduce wear on fields
All participants MUST wear enclosed footwear. Metal and screw in studded boots are prohibited. Moulded studded shoes are permitted, but there is an enormous variety of footwear available, with the key issue being the type of mouldings on the soles. For the purposes of this policy, we have categorised Footwear into key 3 categories;
Recommended – Footwear with a high number of low profile (<5mm) mouldings
Permitted – Footwear with a medium number of medium profile (<10mm) mouldings
Not Permitted – Footwear with a small number of high profile (>10mm) mouldings
Note: For any type of boots to be permitted, they must have a minimum number of studs;
At least 5 on the heal
An additional 10 in front of the instep area
All must be <10mm in profile
You are more likely to be penalised for a dangerous play if you are wearing boots that are not recommended.
Please ensure all watches, jewellery and sunglasses (unless prescription) are removed before the game begins. These items are best left at the office. Please do not give jewellery to your umpire/referee to mind, we have Supervisors at the grounds who will take care of such belongings if requested.
Your nails should also be cut to the height of the finger tips, and players with long nails may be requested to wear gloves or tape these for their safety and the safety of other players.
TEAM CAPTAINS
Each team is to nominate a Captain prior to the start of play. The Captain is responsible for the conduct of the team, will participate in the toss before the game, sign the scorecard and nominate a “Lunchtime Legend” from the opposing team at the end of the game.
TOSS
Captains will participate in the toss before the start of the game with the referee. The winner of the toss will decide which half of the field they take, and whether to start in possession of the ball.
LUNCHTIME LEGEND
Lunchtime Legends encourages participants to play to the best of their ability as well as exhibit good sportsmanship and fair play at all times. At the conclusion of each game, the captains nominate a player from the opposing team who they believe has exhibited this behaviour the most. This person is the “Lunchtime Legend” for that team. The competition supervisor will select a “Legend of the Round” from all the teams. This person has their name posted online for a week alongside the round results. The votes from each round are tallied through the season with a “Legend of the Series” trophy awarded at the end of each competition for the person with the most nominations.
SUBSTITUTION
Players may substitute at any time during the game as often as they wish as long as this does not cause a break in play. Players may substitute for any player on their team, so long as such substitution does not contravene the gender requirements. Players being substituted must leave the field prior their replacement entering the field.
INJURIES / BLOOD RULE
A player that receives an injury that results in any blood must leave the field of play and a normal substitute is used. The player may not return to the field until the blood is cleaned up, and the wound is covered. For serious injuries received during play, the game may be stopped to assess and provide aid to the injured party. If the player needs to leave the field, a normal substitute is used. If a valid substitute is not available, the team must continue to play minus a player.
LATE ARRIVAL
To keep the games on time, teams arriving late will be punished accordingly; On the second minute the offending team is running late, the opposition receives 1 point. On the fourth minute, the opposition receives another point. At the 5th minute, the game is deemed a forfeit win with a score-line of 5-0 in favour of the non-forfeiting team. If both teams are running late, both teams will be penalised. (Eg, if team 1 shows up two minutes late, and team 2 shows up 4 minutes late, the game will start 2-1 in favour of team 1). If after 5 minutes neither team has shown, the game is deemed a forfeit draw with a score of 0-0 and no points awarded in the competition total .
RING-INS
During the Round Robin competition, teams who register as a “Team Entry” may use players who did not originally register with their team to “fill in” for regular players. This is preferred by Lunchtime Legends as an alternative to forfeiting games. These players must sign on under their own name for the team they are playing for prior to the start of the game. Teams that are made of Individual Entries may use Ring Ins only where they are a direct substitute for a non participating player. Ring-ins cannot act as Captain, but for all other purposes serve as a normal player on the team. A ring-in player who signs on and participates in 3 games for another team is permitted to play for that team in the Finals Series. If teams are in need of ring-ins, we recommended finding ring-in players prior to coming down to the fields. Playing as a ring-in is done at your own risk, as your company or the company you play for may not cover you under their respective insurance policy.
FORFEITS
If you have to forfeit a game, please contact us on 0416 499 118 before 10am on the day of play. An email to admin@lunchtimelegends.com.au before the day of play is also acceptable. If you forfeit twice without giving Lunchtime Legends such notice or three times with notice, your team will be withdrawn from the competition with no refund and your place will be made a bye for the remaining rounds of the draw. There is no exception to this rule and we encourage all teams to make every effort to play at your scheduled time slot every week.
If a team is withdrawn from the competition due to forfeits, it will not be allowed to play with Lunchtime Legends the following season.
Forfeiting a game results in a 5-0 loss and NO competition points will be awarded to your team.
POINTS / COMPETITION TABLE
Teams receive 3 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 for a loss and 0 for a forfeit. The competition table is updated online at the conclusion of each round. Should 2 teams end up with equal points after the Round Robin, points for “For and Against” will apply. If 2 or more teams are on equal points and the “For and Against” difference is equal, the team with the highest “For” score will secure the higher place on the table. If this fails to separate the teams, the team with the highest number of wins will secure the higher place. In the rare event that 2 teams find themselves completely equal with each other on the table at the end of the Round Robin competition and both are eligible for a place in the Finals Series, then those teams will need to play an elimination game prior to the commencement of the Finals Series.
FINALS SERIES
At the completion of the Round Robin, the Finals Series commences. There are 2 rounds, Semi Finals and Grand Final. The top 4 teams from the Round Robin competition play each other in the Semi Finals, with 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd. The winners from each game play each other at the Grand Final. Players must have signed-on and participated in 3 or more games to be eligible to play. If your team has a forfeit win or a washed out game during the Round Robin competition, each player on your team is considered signed on for that game. In the event that a player is eligible to play for multiple teams in the Finals Series, ie. they have signed on and played for multiple teams during the round robin series, they can only play for one team in the Finals Series.
Prior to the commencement of the Finals Series, each player who is eligible to play for multiple teams must nominated the team they will play for in the Finals Series. If the team they nominate is eliminated from the finals series, then they are also eliminated from the finals series, and are still not eligible to play for any other team. Any participant from the competition is welcome to watch the Semi Finals and Grand Final, with a catered presentation ceremony at the conclusion of the Grand Final. Trophies will be awarded to the Winners and Runners-Up on Grand Final Day.
DRAWN GAMES (Finals series only)
For drawn games in the Finals Series, a drop-off system will apply.
Games are resumed with the team in possession at full time to call on a toss to determine who kicks off and the direction of play.
Teams are to start with 5 players on the field (1 player of each gender must remain on the field at all times) and drop a player off every 2 minutes until there are 3 players left on the field from each team (including goal keeper). The game ends when the first goal is scored. Players may continue to substitute during this time.
If after 2 minutes of play with 3 players remaining the game is undecided, a penalty shootout will occur.
The referee will determine at which end of the field the shootout will occur. (Both teams will use the same end).
All players other than the shooter and goal keeper must remain away from the goals and make no attempt to deliberately distract the shooter or goal keeper.
Only players who were on the pitch at the end of play are allowed to take kicks. The goalkeeper may substitute due to injury.
Each kick is taken in the general manner of a penalty kick. Each kick is taken from the penalty mark (as determined by the referee), with the goal defended only by the opposing goalkeeper. The goalkeeper must remain between the goal posts on his goal line until the ball has been kicked, although he can jump in place, wave his arms, move side to side along the goal line or otherwise try to distract the shooter.
Each shooter can kick the ball only once per attempt. If the ball is saved by the goalkeeper the shooter cannot score from the rebound (unlike a normal penalty kick). Similarly, if the ball bounces off the goal posts, the shooter cannot score from the rebound.
Teams take turns to kick from the penalty mark in an attempt to score a goal, until each team has taken 5 shots. However, if one side has scored more gals than the other could possibly reach with all of their remaining shots, the shootout ends regardless of the number of shots remaining.
If at the end of these 5 rounds of shots the teams have scored an equal number of goals, sudden death rounds of one kick each are used until one side scores and the other does not.
During the shootout, each player including the goal keeper takes a single shot in turn, with no player allowed to take a second shot until all other eligible players on his team have had a turn, and the sequence is then repeated until a result is determined.
WASHOUTS
If the weather is inclement, please check the Lunchtime Legends website after 9:30am to see if the fields are open or closed for play. Lunchtime Legends will replay washout rounds if field space permits. These replacement rounds will be conducted on a weekday between 11:30am and 2:30pm during the regular Round Robin competition, with teams given notice the week before the replay round. Teams must play washout replacement rounds as scheduled or will be deemed to have forfeited the round. Washout rounds are offered based on field availability, so if games cannot be replayed, washout rounds will be deemed drawn games. Lunchtime Legends has the right to postpone any round for the safety of participants (eg. threat of lightning, deteriorating weather conditions). Any game that is called off but has completed the first half will be considered a completed round, with the score at the time of calling being deemed the final result.
SIN BIN
Due to the social nature of the competition, the referee or the supervisor has the option to SIN BIN a player to allow them time to cool off. The player can be requested off the field for up to 5 minutes depending on the severity of the incident. Sin Binned players can be replaced and the player can return to the field after they have served their time.
SENT OFF
A player can be sent off the field if the umpire / referee or supervisor witness the player committing dangerous or violent conduct, serious foul play (eg. spitting, punching, striking) or using foul or abusive language. Such behaviour is not tolerated in any form, and a player that is sent off CANNOT return to the field and CANNOT be substituted. Depending on the severity of the incident, a sent off player may face additional disciplinary action if the umpire / referee or Supervisor deems it appropriate. This may include but not limited to suspending the player from participating in Lunchtime Legends competitions for a period of time. This decision will be made after investigation and review by the Lunchtime Legends management team.
JUDICIARY
The Lunchtime Legends management team values the participation of all teams. We understand from experience that people sometimes behave outside of character and we do not hold any grudges once a matter has been reviewed and sentences served. As a matter of process, any person facing disciplinary action will be notified in advance that a matter is being investigated. In reviewing the incident, input is taken from the team captains on both sides, any witnesses, as well as the competition supervisor and match umpire / referee. Individuals will be advised in writing of any disciplinary action via their team captain or organizer along with the incident report and must comply or the team will face disqualification from the competition.
LAWS OF THE GAME
RULES OF PLAY
Rules of play are based on standard rules as referenced by their governing body unless otherwise stated, but are modified to suit the social nature of the competition, the time available and the facilities used. Lunchtime Legends retains the right to make determinations on issues that fall outside of documented rules and is the final authority in all interpretations and decisions.
EQUIPMENT
Players are advised to wear shin-guards for their own protection, however they are not compulsory.
Uniforms are not compulsory however we do encourage teams to wear similar colour team t-shirts to avoid confusion. Lunchtime Legends provides Bibs to distinguish teams.
KICKOFF
Kick off is from the centre of the court. All players must be on side.
Goals can be scored from the kick off, either direct or indirect.
SCORING
You may score a goal from anywhere on the field.
Please Note: One point is awarded for a male goal and two points are awarded for a female goal.
Please Note: It is considered that a goal scored when deflected from a male player after play off a female player will count as two points if the goal was likely to be scored without being touched by the male player. Similarly, it is considered that a goal scored when deflected from a female player after play off a male player will count as one point if the goal was likely to be scored without being touched by the female player.
Please Note: An own goal is only ever worth one point, regardless of who scores it.
OFFSIDE
There is no offside ruling in six-a-side soccer.
SLIDE TACKLES
Slide tackles are not permitted and players are must stay on their feet at ALL times.
Players will receive a yellow card for their first slide tackle and will be sent off for their second slide tackle.
FREE KICKS
All free kicks are to be indirect if the infringement occurs outside the penalty area (the penalty area is a radius of 3m, measured from each goal post or as marked on the court).
To score off an indirect free kick, another player must touch the ball before the ball enters the goal.
Players taking free kicks CAN NOT kick the ball twice (i.e. they must pass the ball).
Defending players must move back 4m from the ball, and can not move any closer until the ball has been kicked.
The ball must be stationary before the free kick is taken.
PENALTIES
A penalty will be awarded if, in the opinion of the referee, a serious infringement has occurred inside the penalty area, which has denied the attacking team a goal scoring opportunity.
A penalty will be taken from the top of the penalty area.
All players (except for the goal keeper and the penalty taker) must stand outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked.
Goalkeepers must stay on the goal line but can move side to side.
Scoring of a goal can be direct or indirect.
If the ground is not properly marked with a penalty area, it is up to the referee to adjudicate where the semi circle is.
YELLOW CARDS – CAUTION
Yellow Cards will be awarded to players guilty of misconduct and unsportsmanlike behaviour such as;
Kicking or tripping an opponent.
Attempting to kick or trip an opponent.
Jumping or charging at an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
Holding or pushing an opponent.
Deliberately and intentionally handling, carrying or propelling the ball with a hand or arm.
Dissent or abuse to a referee’s decision.
RED CARD – SENT OFF
A player can be sent off the field if, in the opinion of the referee, the offending player is guilty of;
Violent conduct.
Serious foul play (eg. spitting, punching, striking).
Using foul or abusive language.
Receiving a 2nd yellow card.
A player can also be sent off if an obvious goal scoring opportunity has been denied through the defending players intentional handball or serious foul play.
Players that have been sent off CAN NOT return to the field and CANNOT be replaced.
GOAL KEEPER
Must only handle the ball inside the semi-circle or within 3 metre radius from the goal post.
Otherwise the Goal Keeper is free to leave the penalty area and act as an extra player, without using their hands.
The Goal Keeper must play the ball from inside the circle either from foot or hand.
Goals can be scored by the keeper from the play of ball, direct or indirect if kicked, indirect only if played by hand.
BACK PASSES
The Goal Keeper CAN NOT pick the ball up if:
It has been thrown by a team-mate off a throw-in.
If the ball has been intentionally passed backed.
The Goal Keeper CAN pick the ball up if:
The back pass was unintentional.
If it was headed, chested or thighed back.
HANDBALL
It IS handball if:
A player deliberately uses their hand, arm or shoulder to control, handle, carry, strike or propel the ball.
The player doesn’t make a reasonable attempt to move their hand out of path of the ball.
It IS NOT handball if:
It is blatantly accidental.
If the player is protecting their face (or other sensitive areas) when the ball strikes them.
The player makes a reasonable attempt to move their hands out of the way (despite there still being contact with the ball and the hands).
THROW INS
Throw ins are awarded to the opposing team when the ball leaves the court over the side line.
The throw in is taken from where the ball crosses the line.
The ball must be thrown from immediately behind the head without using a twisting motion of the arms.
The throw-in must be taken with both feet behind the line.
Both feet must be kept on the ground before and after the throw.
Goals can be scored from a throw in but must be indirect.
CORNER KICKS
A Corner is awarded when the ball leaves the court over the goal line from the touch of a defending player.
The corner is taken with the ball placed on the closest corner and kicked into play by an attacking player.
Defending players must move back 4m from the ball, and can not move any closer until the ball has been kicked.
Goals can be scored directly or indirectly.
GOAL KICKS
Are taken inside the penalty area and the ball must be stationary.
Goal kicks are awarded when the attacking team kicks the ball over their opponents goal line.
