United FC Beacon matches follow the IFAB Laws of the Game with local modifications designed for small-sided, recreational competition.
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The rules below define how our matches are played. All players are expected to understand and follow them.
 

Match Format:

Outdoor

• 8v8 (including goalkeeper)

• 30-minute halves, 5-minute halftime

• Minimum 6 players to start and continue

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Indoor

• 6v6 (including goalkeeper)

• ~60-minute matches (25–27.5 minute halves)

• Minimum 4 players to start and continue

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Core Gameplay Rules:

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• No offside

• Unlimited substitutions on the fly

• Substitutions must not interfere with play

• Referees may control substitution areas for safety

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Ball & Restart Rules:

 

Free Kicks

• All free kicks are indirect

• Exceptions: penalty kicks and corner kicks

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Goal Kicks

• May not travel over midfield in the air

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Goalkeeper Distribution

• Cannot send the ball over midfield in the air directly from hands

• Ball must touch the ground or be played into open play first

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Match Conditions

• Games start with minimum player requirements

• No obligation to match opponent numbers

• Matches begin and end on schedule

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Tiebreakers

• No extra time

• Penalty Shootout:

  • Outdoor: 5 kicks per team

  • Indoor: 3 kicks per team

  • Sudden death if tied

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Match Abandonment:

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• Teams that leave the field forfeit (3–0 result)

• Applies at any point in the match

• Referee may abandon a match at their discretion