What are the 5-a-side football rules?

11-a-side football’s younger sibling, 5-a-side football, is the well-loved, smaller version of the game with smaller pitches, fewer players, and a greater emphasis on quick passing and movement. It offers a fresh challenge for both casual players and seasoned footballers. 

But while it shares many similarities with traditional 11-a-side football, 5-a-side comes with its own unique set of rules designed to keep the game flowing, safe, and fair. Whether you’re stepping onto the pitch for the first time or brushing up on the finer details, understanding the rules is key to enjoying the game to the fullest. In this blog, we’re going to take you through the essential 5-a-side football rules every player should know.

Standard 5-a-side rules

Unlike 11-a-side, there is no standardised set of rules for 5-a-side football that is regulated by a registered governing body. Due to this, many clubs and leagues will have their own set of rules that have been previously agreed upon and may make tweaks and changes depending on preference, availability and convenience. However, these changes are usually minor and are agreed upon by both teams before a match is played.

Despite these changes, most rules remain the same across clubs and teams, and below you can find some of the standard rules in 5-a-side football and how they apply to the game.

1. Set up and kick off the rules

As the name suggests, each team will have five players - four players and a goalkeeper per team. As with any form of football, an impartial referee should be present at the start and during the game. The referee will make decisions regarding penalties and ensure the game runs smoothly from start to finish.

Next is to decide which team will have the first kick-off. Most often, this is decided by a coin flip, but some pre-planned matches may already have a schedule in place. 

For kick off, there are a few rules that should be followed:

• The kick-off should be taken from the centre spot and must not begin until both teams are on their side of the pitch
• The player selected for kick-off should be the only one within 2 meters of the ball and once kicked, they must not touch the ball again until it has come into contact with another player or a goal has been scored
• All kick-offs after this one will be taken on a turn-by-turn basis.

2. 5-a-side football rules for mid-play

After the first kick-off, there's a list of rules that should be followed. If any of these rules happen to be broken, then the referee needs to call out these actions for a fair game. Here are the list of rules to abide by:

• The head height rule - this rule states that the ball must not go higher than head height during the game. ‘Head height’ varies from game to game and is most often defined as the height of the tallest player, but final rulings always default to the referee

• Returning the ball rule - once a goal has been scored, the goalie must return the ball by bowling it past the goalkeeper’s area. Using an underarm motion ensures the ball will not go over head height.

• The passback rule - Once the goalkeeper has passed the ball to a teammate, that player cannot pass the ball back to the keeper. This rule also states that the ball must be touched by any player on either team before it can be returned to the keeper.

• Holding the ball rule - this rule states that the only player allowed to touch the ball with their hands is the goalkeeper, and they can only do this within the goalkeeper's area.

• Goalkeeper area rule - outfield players are not allowed to enter the goalkeeper’s area with the intention of saving the ball; all defensive actions must take place outside of this semi-circle unless performed by the goalkeeper.

• The substitutions rule - substitutions of outfield players are permitted in 5-a-side, but must first be approved by the goalkeeper. The substitution should take place without pausing play, and the new player cannot enter the pitch until the first player has exited. The substitution of a goalkeeper is permitted once per game, unless in the event of an injury.

• Out of play rule - if the ball is out of bounds, then the game will restart with a ‘drop ball’. The referee will release the ball between two players, and the game commences once the ball touches the ground.

Penalties and free kicks

In the event that rules are broken, the referee has the responsibility to impose penalties accordingly. The five-a-side rules also state that penalties are to be taken as free kicks from the point of the foul.

Red and yellow card rules

Football can be very competitive, and with emotions and adrenaline running high, sometimes players can unknowingly break the rules during these moments. However, it’s important to behave respectfully to all those involved, as good sportsmanship is essential for any good game.

A few of these fairplay rules include:

• Under no circumstances should any player be subject to physical or verbal abuse. Any behaviour of this kind will be treated by the referee, and any punishment will be at their discretion
• Disrespectful behaviour can be met with a red or yellow card. It is up to the referee to decide which card is suitable for any given discretion
• If a player receives a red card, they must leave the pitch for the remainder of the game, and no substitute can be made in their place
• In severe and repeated cases, players who break the rules of fair play could face disciplinary action such as a suspension or a ban.

How long is a 5-a-side match?

Unlike a standard 11-a-side match that lasts 90 minutes, a 5-a-side game lasts around 50 minutes, with each half lasting around 25 minutes each. Most matches will also have a 5-minute interval between halves, giving players a short rest to get a drink and stay hydrated.

What is the pitch size for 5-a-side football?

A standard 5-a-side football pitch, according to the Football Association, should be around 36.6m by 27.5m. This size caters to the smaller number of players to keep the game fast and fun.

5-a-side equipment

There are also rules around the equipment and kit in 5-a-side for fairness and safety. These rules can be quite strict and should always be followed. The equipment will also change depending on the surface being played on; for example, studded football boots should only be worn on grass pitches, while standard trainers are recommended for games played indoors or on astroturf.

To help you get a better understanding of the rules surrounding 5-a-side equipment, we’ve made a list of the main rules below:

• All players should be wearing shin guards over their socks to ensure safety
• Suitable footwear must be worn by all players
• Both teams playing should be dressed in different colours, or wearing a coloured bib to identify which side they’re playing for
• The goalkeeper should be dressed in a way that makes them easily identifiable, separate from the other four players on their team
• The goalkeeper must be wearing protective gloves
• The right type of football must be used for the game, for example, a small ball such as this size 3 Pro Player Football for younger players. If you’re unsure which will be the best football for your game, then read more on our blog on how to choose a football.

PRO PLAYER FOOTBALL - HYPER BLUE - £8.95

Get 5-a-side ready with Avec Sport

5-a-side football may look simple at first glance, but its unique rules are what make the game so exciting, fast-paced, and enjoyable. From smaller pitches to rolling substitutions and restrictions on the goalkeeper, each rule is designed to keep the match fair, safe, and action-packed. 

Whether you’re playing competitively or just for fun, knowing the basics helps you avoid confusion and lets you focus on what really matters - enjoying the game.

If you’re ready to kick off your 5-a-side football journey, make sure you’re ready for every scenario with a kit that supports your movement and browse our team kits collection for something that suits every team and player.