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5-a-side rules

5-a-side has no single rulebook. Each venue and league sets its own, and the biggest differences are head height, the keeper's area and how the keeper releases the ball. Here are the rules most games share, and where the big chains differ.

The rules almost everyone plays

Five a side. Four outfield players and a keeper, with rolling or limited substitutes.
No slide tackles. You can't go to ground to play the ball.
The keeper's area is for the keeper. Outfield players can't stand in it, and a defender who goes in to block a shot gives away a penalty.
The keeper stays in the area. If they come out, it's usually a penalty.
No back pass straight to the keeper. After the keeper releases it, another player has to touch the ball before it goes back.
Free kicks are direct, with opponents a couple of yards back.
Sin bins for yellow cards, and no replacement for a player sent off.

Where Powerleague and Goals differ

From their published league rules, checked in November 2026. Venues can change them, so check yours before a league game.

Rule	Powerleague	Goals
Head height	The ball can't go above head height (about 6ft). No heading.	No height limit for outfield players
Keeper release	Underarm roll only, within 6 seconds	Not set in the published rules
Back to the keeper	A second player must touch it first	Two different outfield players must touch it first
Ball off the pitch	Rebounds off the boards stay in play	Deliberate: free kick to the other side. Accidental: nearest keeper's ball
Sin bin	2 minutes	3 minutes
Squad	Up to 8, including 3 subs	Up to 8, including 3 subs. A game can start with 3

Sources: Powerleague league rules, Goals 5-a-side rules (PDF).

Pitches and goals vary too. See 5-a-side pitch size and goal size for the usual measurements.

Rules for a casual game

In a kickabout with no ref, agree these before kick-off and the arguments mostly go away:

Head height or not? Decide once. Head height keeps it on the floor and safer.
Kick-ins, not throw-ins, when there are no boards.
Rush goalie or a fixed keeper? With rush goalie there is no fixed keeper: whoever is nearest your goal goes in and can rush out to play. It’s how most kickabouts start.
Next goal wins only counts if everyone hears it.
Fouls called by the fouled player, and no arguing.

Who settles the score?

In a league the referee's score stands. In friendlies and casual games, both captains agreeing the score straight after the final whistle saves the "was it 6–4 or 6–5?" argument in the group chat later.

How Rush Goalie helps

In the Rush Goalie app both captains put the score in. If they match, it's confirmed. If they don't, they can sort it out, and in a league the admin decides. Add who scored while you're there.