The best way to learn how to play is to find a game in your area using the ‘Gamefinder’ feature on our Homepage. But if there isn't a game in your area, here's how to get one started...
The Basics
- circle rules football is played on a circular field (~50 meters diameter) with one goal in the center (2 or 4 meters wide, 3 meters tall), and a gameball, roughly equivalent to a 55cm physio ball
- Each team scores through opposite directions of the goal
- Around the goal there is a circle called the ‘key’ (6 or 8 meters diameter)
- Instead of a coin flip, the game begins with a Downup. One player from each team competes standing opposite each other. On the referee’s signal, the first player to touch both shoulder blades to the ground simultaneously and return to the standing position wins. The winner decides which direction their team will score and whether to kick or receive at the onset of a match.
- If a player on the defense touches the ball inside the key, the opposing team takes a penalty shot, a direct kick 15 meters from the goal, with all other players remaining on the opposite side of the midline until the ball enters the key or crosses the midline.
- If a player on offense touches the ball inside the key, that player is suspended for one minute with no substitute. The opposing team gets an indirect kick from the spot of the foul.
- If a player accumulates three key violations in a game he/she sits out for five minutes.
- When playing with five or more players per team, each team is allowed only one player inside the key. These goalkeepers may not score for their own team, but may defend.
- Key violations in a large rules game (10+ players), are all penalized as one minute suspensions. In addition, non-goalkeeper players who enter the key but do not touch the ball are suspended for 30 seconds.
- Goalkeepers (when applicable) have full contact with each other. Striking and contact above the neck is prohibited.
- All players may touch the gameball with any body part, but may not hold or sit on the gameball. Holding constitutes both hands on the ball at once. Sitting constitutes >50% of your body weight resting on the ball in a stationary position.
- Contact between players (goalkeepers excluded) is minimal. ‘Go for the ball, not the player’. Stationary picks or screens are allowed.
- When a goal is scored, the scoring team starts inside the key, and may kickoff in any direction they choose. The kicking team may not leave the key until the receiving team has touched the ball.
- An Official game is typically played in four, fifteen minute periods.
You want play for real? For a free official 2010 rulebook, with complete rules and guidelines e-mail: info@circlerulesfederation.com subject heading: rulebook
