Controlled Football Laws of the Game

Introduction

Controlled Football is football with free movement and controlled physicality. Players may walk, jog, run or sprint at any time; contact, sliding challenges, high balls and heading are not allowed.

Every match should be played safely, with full consideration of each participant’s age, gender and ability. All players, managers and club members are expected to respect fellow participants, including referees and other match officials. Failure to do so may lead to disciplinary action, including disqualification of individuals or clubs from Controlled Football events.

These Laws are adapted from the FIWFA Laws of the Game (2026 edition). All restrictions on running have been removed; every other safety protection is retained.

For these Laws, active play means players within playing distance of the ball with the opportunity to challenge for it.

Section A: Players, Substitutes and Pitches

Players

Matches are six-a-side or seven-a-side. Mixed ages and genders are permitted.
Goalkeepers must be clearly distinguishable from outfield players on both teams.
A competitive match should be abandoned if a team is permanently reduced below the minimum number of players. ‘Permanently’ does not apply to sin-binned players, but does apply to players unable to continue through injury or a red card. The minimums are:
- Six-a-side: 4 players
- Seven-a-side: 5 players
The team that causes the abandonment of a match forfeits that match.

Substitutes

Substitutes must be clearly distinguishable from players on both teams until the referee calls them into play during a stoppage.
Substitutions are rolling: players may enter and leave the field of play during a suitable stoppage, after notifying the referee and receiving permission. Competition rules may vary this.

Pitches

The pitch must be rectangular. The two longer boundary lines are touchlines; the two shorter lines are goal lines. The pitch may be divided into two halves by a halfway line joining the midpoints of the touchlines.
The recommended pitch size is 25–50 metres long and 16.5–35 metres wide. Where a facility falls outside this, the referee decides whether the match can be played.
Goals should be between 3 metres and 3.66 metres (12 ft) wide, and between 1.2 metres and 1.83 metres (6 ft) high. Where a facility’s goals fall outside this, the referee decides whether the match can be played.
A goal area must be clearly marked at each end. It is a semi-circle extending 4–6 metres from the goal line.
A penalty mark may be placed in line with the centre of the goal, 6–7 metres from the centre of the goal line. If the goal area is 6 metres, the penalty mark is 1 metre outside it (7 metres from the goal line).
For a penalty kick, the ball is placed on the penalty mark, or where none is marked, at the position described in Law A11.
The position of the ball is determined when the whole of the ball crosses a line. A ball on the goal-area line is within the goal area and may only be played by the goalkeeper.
Pitches with barriers are acceptable.

Section B: Foul Play

Freedom of movement and collisions

Players, including goalkeepers, may walk, jog, run or sprint at any time, on or off the ball. Speed of movement is never in itself an offence, but collisions must be avoided at all times.
- 1.1 Every player, whether or not they are playing the ball, must adjust their speed and direction to avoid running into another player.
- 1.2 When a collision occurs, the referee decides whether one player was more reckless than the other. The referee considers: the speed of each player and whether they could reasonably have slowed down or changed direction; which player was already in the space or had a clear path to the ball; whether a player moved into the path of a moving opponent (see Law B3.5); and whether a player was moving without regard for where opponents were.
- 1.3 If one player was more reckless, a foul is awarded against them. Play restarts with an indirect free kick to the opponents where the collision occurred, or a penalty kick where Section C or Section F applies. The foul counts towards totting up.
- 1.4 A collision the referee judges reckless is punished with a blue card (Law C22). A collision that endangers an opponent’s safety is serious foul play and punished with a red card (Law C24).
- 1.5 If the referee judges both players equally responsible, or the collision a genuine accident with neither at fault, no foul is awarded. Play restarts with an uncontested dropped ball to the team last in possession. Where both players were careless, the referee may record a totting-up warning against each.
- 1.6 The referee may play advantage after a collision only when it is safe to do so (Law D19).
- 1.7 The referee’s decision on responsibility for a collision is final.

Ball above head height

The ball is not permitted to travel above head height.
- 2.1 The ball is dead once it exceeds head height, except as set out below.
- 2.2 Head height is 1.83 metres (6 ft), which is also the maximum crossbar height (Law A9).
- 2.3 The whole of the ball must exceed head height for an offence.
- 2.4 The referee has sole interpretation of whether the ball exceeded head height.
- 2.5 A player commits a foul if they cause the ball to travel above head height.
- 2.6 A player commits a foul if the ball deflects off them and goes above head height.
- 2.7 A player commits a foul if they play the ball off a barrier and it exceeds head height.
- 2.8 If the ball deflects off the goal frame and exceeds head height, it is not a foul; the ball is dead and retained by the goalkeeper. Exception: if the goalkeeper deflects the ball onto the frame and above head height while making a save, and the ball goes out of play, play restarts with a kick-in or corner as appropriate.
- 2.9 If the ball deflects off the goalkeeper while making a save and exceeds head height before returning to active play, it is not a foul; the ball is dead and retained by the goalkeeper.
- 2.10 Exception: if the ball deflects off the goalkeeper while making a save, exceeds head height and then drops into the goal (directly or by momentum after landing), a goal is awarded.
- 2.11 If the ball deflects off the goalkeeper while making a save, exceeds head height and then leaves the field of play directly, a corner or kick-in is awarded depending on where it crossed the boundary.

Physical contact

Physical contact is not permitted and is foul play. It includes:
- 3.1 Tackling across a player at a barrier.
- 3.2 Blocking or cornering a player against a barrier.
- 3.3 Crowding a player against a barrier (two players against one).
- 3.4 Shoulder charging, pushing or barging.
- 3.5 Stepping across or impeding an opponent to gain an advantage or deny them access to the ball or a position.

Foul play

Foul play includes, but is not limited to, careless play, dangerous play, reckless play and serious foul play.

Playing in a dangerous manner is any action, while trying to play the ball and without contact, that threatens injury to anyone (including the player themself). This includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.
Careless play is a challenge the referee penalises and records under ‘totting up’ (see Section C).
Dangerous or reckless play is a challenge the referee penalises with a straight blue card.
Serious foul play is a challenge the referee penalises with a straight red card.

An indirect free kick is awarded if, in the opinion of the referee, a player:

plays in a dangerous manner
commits a careless challenge
commits a reckless challenge
makes a challenge the referee deems serious foul play
impedes the progress of an opponent without contact
is guilty of dissent, offensive, insulting or abusive language or actions, or other verbal offences
prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands, or kicks or attempts to kick the ball while the goalkeeper is releasing it
commits any other offence, not mentioned in these Laws, for which play is stopped to caution or send off a player.

Goal area infringements

The line marking the goal area is part of the goal area.
An outfield player entering the goal area commits a foul, whether or not they play the ball, unless they enter purely through momentum. A player who crosses the goal area during a stoppage to gain an unfair advantage receives a warning under totting up.
A goalkeeper leaving the goal area during play commits a foul, unless it is through momentum alone and they are not in possession of, and do not play or attempt to play, the ball outside the area. If the goalkeeper is still in contact with the ball outside the goal area, a penalty kick is awarded.
A goalkeeper may leave the goal area to retrieve the ball when it is out of play.
A goalkeeper who leaves the goal area to take a kick-in commits an offence. The kick-in is reversed and the goalkeeper receives a warning under totting up.

Other infringements

An outfield player commits a foul if they deliberately head the ball, even when it is below head height.
An outfield player who commits an offence during a stoppage receives a warning under totting up. Play restarts as it would have for that stoppage. Example: when the ball goes out for a kick-in, corner or goal kick and a player moves through the goal area to gain a better position, play restarts with that kick-in, corner or goal kick.
A player commits a foul by slide tackling or slide blocking. Players must stay on their feet when challenging.
Tackles may only be made from the front of an opponent. Tackling from the side is a foul.
Tackling an opponent (or poaching the ball) from behind is a foul, whether or not contact is made.
Any player other than a goalkeeper commits a foul if they deliberately play the ball with the hand or arm.
A player commits a foul if they fail to take a free kick, penalty, kick-in, kick-off or corner in accordance with these Laws or as instructed by the referee.
A player commits a foul if they take a free kick, penalty, kick-in, kick-off or corner while the ball is moving.
A player commits a foul if they take a kick-in while the ball is not on or behind the touchline.
A player commits a foul if they hold a barrier to shield the ball or obstruct an opponent, unless the contact is needed to avoid a collision or keep their balance.
Any player other than a goalkeeper commits a foul if they deliberately play the ball while on the ground (any part of the body other than the feet touching the pitch).
A goalkeeper commits a foul if they deliberately release the ball into play other than by an underarm, below-the-waist throw or roll, or by kicking it from the ground. Drop-kicks and volleys are not allowed.

Section C: Sanctions

Free kicks

Indirect free kicks and penalty kicks can only be awarded for offences committed while the ball is in play.
Every incident of foul play earns a free kick against the offending player’s team.
All free kicks are indirect and taken where the offence occurred, with opponents at least 3 metres from the ball (except for a quick free kick). On the referee’s instruction, free kicks are taken at least 3 metres from the goal area.
The kicker may start their approach a maximum of 1 metre behind the ball, in one continuous movement towards it. The referee indicates the 1-metre starting position. A minor backward step is acceptable.
The kicker must be stationary before starting the 1-metre approach. This stops players arriving from elsewhere on the pitch and striking the ball on the move.
A defender who encroaches or tries to delay a free kick may receive a blue card, and the kick is retaken if a goal is not scored.
An attacking player may not interfere with the defensive wall, including standing within 1 metre of it.
A player who tries to circumvent these Laws is penalised and may receive a blue card if the offence is repeated.
A goal from a free kick is only allowed once the ball has been played by another player from either team, including a mis-kick or mis-control. A direct shot that deflects in off another player or the goalkeeper, or any rebound, does not count.
Exceptions:
- 10.1 A goalkeeper who deliberately causes the ball to exceed head height concedes an indirect free kick 3 metres outside the goal area, next to where the offence occurred.
- 10.2 A goalkeeper who deliberately releases the ball other than by an underarm, below-the-waist throw or roll, or a kick from the ground, concedes an indirect free kick 3 metres outside the goal area, next to where the offence occurred.
- 10.3 A goalkeeper who deliberately heads the ball within the goal area to stop it entering the goal commits a DOGSO offence: red card and a penalty kick to the opponents.
- 10.4 A goalkeeper who deliberately heads the ball within the goal area when it is not travelling towards goal concedes an indirect free kick 3 metres outside the goal area, next to where the offence occurred.
- 10.5 A goalkeeper who leaves the goal area during play concedes a penalty kick. This does not apply when they leave through momentum alone and are not in possession of, and do not play or attempt to play, the ball outside the area.
- 10.6 An outfield player who enters the goal area they are defending while the ball is in play (other than purely through momentum) concedes a penalty kick, whether or not they play the ball.
- 10.7 Quick free kicks 3 metres outside the goal area are allowed, taken in line with Laws D4 and D5.

Penalty kicks

A penalty kick is a direct free kick; a goal may be scored directly from it.
The penalty taker must be clearly identified.
The taker may start their approach a maximum of 1 metre behind the ball, in one continuous movement towards it. The referee indicates the starting position. A minor backward step is acceptable if it stays within that 1 metre.
The ball must be kicked forward. A backheel is permitted if the ball moves forward.
A taker commits a foul if they feint to strike the ball to make the goalkeeper move.
If the taker touches the ball again before another player has touched it, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opponents.
The goalkeeper may move any part of the body and travel along the goal line, but must keep both feet on the goal line, between the posts, until the ball is in play. If the goalkeeper advances early, a saved or missed penalty is retaken.
All other players must be behind the ball and at least 3 metres from it when the kick is taken.
The penalty kick is complete when the ball stops moving, goes out of play, or the referee stops play for an offence.

Blue card and red card offences

A player who commits 3 foul-play infringements (totting up) is shown a blue card and sin-binned:
- 20.1 Matches of 20 minutes or less (e.g. 10 minutes each way): 2 minutes of playing time.
- 20.2 Matches over 20 minutes: 10% of the match duration (e.g. 3 minutes in a 30-minute match, 6 minutes in a 60-minute match).
- 20.3 A sin-binned player who shows dissent receives a second blue card, then a red card, and takes no further part in the match.
- 20.4 The referee has sole discretion over which infringements count towards totting up.
A player guilty of dissent may be shown a blue card and sin-binned for the period in Law C20.
A player guilty of reckless play should be shown a blue card and sin-binned for the period in Law C20.
A player who commits a further 3 infringements after returning from the sin bin is shown a second blue card, then a red card, and takes no further part in the match (and, where applicable, the competition).
A player guilty of serious foul play may be shown a red card and takes no further part in the match (and, where applicable, the competition).
Dangerous or reckless conduct amounting to aggravated foul play should be punished with a red card; the player takes no further part in the match (and, where applicable, the competition).
Any player, off-field substitute or team official who uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards any participant should be shown a red card and takes no further part in the match (and, where applicable, the competition). Anyone sent off must leave the vicinity of the pitch and technical area; the referee decides how far before play restarts.
If the referee plays advantage for a red or blue card offence and the offender then becomes involved in play, the referee stops play, takes disciplinary action, and restarts with an indirect free kick to the opponents where the offender became involved.

Sin bin protocol

The referee may show a blue card to temporarily dismiss a player at any time from entering the field of play at the start of the match until it ends, including half-time, extra time and a penalty shoot-out. A temporary dismissal is an immediate suspension from the next part of the match for a cautionable offence.

Who it applies to: all players, including goalkeepers, for all cautionable (blue card) offences.

Signal: the referee shows a blue card and points clearly to the temporary dismissal area, usually the team’s technical area or where its manager and substitutes stand.

Dismissal period:

The length is set by Law C20 and begins when play restarts after the player has left the pitch.
When the period is complete, the player may return from the touchline with the referee’s permission when the ball is next out of play. The referee has the final decision.
A temporarily dismissed player can only be substituted once the period has ended.
Time not served at half-time is served from the start of the second half; the same applies into extra time.
A player still serving a dismissal at full time may take part in a penalty shoot-out.

Dismissal area: the player stays in the technical area (where one exists) or with the team’s coach or staff, unless warming up under the same conditions as a substitute.

Offences while sin-binned: a player who commits a blue or red card offence during the dismissal period takes no further part in the match and may not be replaced.

Further action: a single temporary dismissal need not be reported to the governing body. A player who receives a second temporary dismissal in the same match should be reported.

Section D: Starting, Stopping and Continuing Play

Starting a match

A coin toss decides which team kicks off or chooses which end to attack. The winner of the toss chooses first.
The match starts only when the referee blows the whistle.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off, even if deflected in off an opponent or the goalkeeper. The goal is disallowed and a free kick awarded to the opponents.

Stopping and resuming play

When the referee stops play with the whistle, play resumes only on a clear signal from the referee (whistle, voice or arm signal), except for quick free kicks.
Quick free kicks may be taken without the referee’s signal if the referee judges it safe. If play restarts unsafely, the referee may order a retake or reverse the decision and award the free kick to the opponents.
- A player who deliberately tries to prevent a quick free kick may receive a blue card.
- It is the referee’s decision to award a free kick; it is the players’ decision to take it quickly.
If the ball hits the referee during open play and a team gains an advantage, the referee stops play and restarts with an uncontested dropped ball to the team that last played the ball.
An uncontested dropped ball may restart play when it is unclear which team should have possession (for example, after a sudden stop for injury). The referee decides which team last had possession and drops the ball to one of its players.
A kick-in restarts play where the ball left the field over the touchline. It is taken on or behind the touchline. There are no throw-ins.
A corner kick is taken on the side of the pitch where the ball crossed the goal line.
When the whole of the ball crosses the goal line, last touched by an attacker, play restarts with a goal kick by the goalkeeper from anywhere within the goal area. The ball must be stationary, and the goalkeeper may start their approach a maximum of 1 metre behind it. If the goalkeeper breaks this Law, the goal kick is retaken. If an opponent tries to stop the goalkeeper releasing the ball, that player is penalised and the goalkeeper restarts with a free kick from anywhere within the goal area.
A minor backward step is a backward step of no more than half a metre.

Continuing play

Goalkeepers may distribute the ball while on the ground.
Unlimited back passes between an outfield player and the goalkeeper are permitted. If the referee judges them to be time-wasting, a free kick is awarded to the opponents 3 metres outside the goal area where the offence occurred.
Goalkeepers may handle the ball directly from a back pass.
Goals may be scored by any outfield player from any position. A goal scored by a goalkeeper is disallowed; the ball is dead and retained by the opposing goalkeeper.

Kick-ins and corners

Kick-ins and corners are indirect, with opponents at least 3 metres from the ball. A goal only counts once another player has legitimately played the ball. Direct shots from a kick-in or corner are disallowed, even if deflected in off another player or the goalkeeper.
A goalkeeper may leave the goal area to retrieve the ball but may not take a kick-in.
The taker of a kick-in or corner may start their approach a maximum of 1 metre behind the ball, in one continuous movement towards it. The referee indicates the starting position. A minor backward step is allowed. The ball must not be kicked with undue force or in a way likely to injure another player.

Playing advantage

Referees should only play advantage when:
- it benefits the team that did not commit the offence, and
- it is safe and unlikely to lead to confrontation, especially after physical contact.

Referees should signal clearly that advantage is being played, and take the appropriate action (blue card, warning or advice) when it is safe to do so.

Section E: Safety

Players must not openly wear jewellery or watches. Tape may be used to cover rings.
All players must wear shin pads covered by their socks, unless they have medical dispensation. Shin pads must be of suitable material and size to give reasonable protection. Players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shin pads.
Players who wear glasses are advised to wear sports goggles with prescription lenses. Players are responsible for the type of eyewear they wear.

Section F: DOGSO

Penalty and red card

Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) is a red card offence. It covers deliberate handling and any foul, punishable by a free kick or penalty, on an attacker moving towards goal.
Where the offence is committed in an attempt to play the ball and the referee awards a penalty kick, the referee may instead show a blue card. In all other cases (holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility of playing the ball, and so on) the offender must be shown a red card.
Handling does not apply to a goalkeeper within their own goal area. It does apply to a goalkeeper who leaves the area to deliberately handle the ball, and to an outfield player who deliberately handles a shot that was going into the goal.
It is not a DOGSO offence when a goalkeeper makes a save inside the goal area and their momentum carries the ball outside it. Play restarts with a penalty kick to the opponents.
If a defender (not the goalkeeper) deliberately handles the ball and it still goes into the goal, the goal stands and the foul is recorded under totting up. If it is the player’s third or sixth offence, the referee takes the appropriate disciplinary action.
When an attacker moving towards goal is fouled, or a goal-bound shot is illegally blocked, the referee decides whether it was an obvious goal-scoring opportunity using the four Ds:
- Defenders: not counting the offender, at most one defender (usually the goalkeeper) is between the foul and the goal. A goalkeeper who commits the foul can also be sent off.
- Distance to the ball: the attacker is close enough to continue playing the ball.
- Distance to the goal: the attacker is, or could be, close enough to have a genuine chance to score.
- Direction: the attacker is moving towards the opponents’ goal, not towards a corner or away from goal.
Play restarts after a DOGSO offence with a penalty kick to the offended team.
The offender must be shown the appropriate card.
Example (to stop the ‘professional foul’): an attacker in possession with a goal-scoring opportunity is deliberately fouled or prevented from scoring by a defender or goalkeeper. That player is sent off (red card) and a penalty is awarded.