How a goal counts
Rules 5.3 – 5.6- 5.3Only the Striker scores. Each team picks one Striker per set, marked with Striker flags. Everyone else plays defense, and those positions can trade jobs.
- 5.5Fly through the other team's goal, forward. The Striker's whole drone must pass completely through the opponent's goal ring. Going through backward doesn't count and is a penalty.
- 5.6Offsides after every goal. The Striker and every active teammate must get back behind the center line before the Striker can score again. The Goal Judge keeps a flag up until your whole team has retreated.
- 5.7Defenders who go through a goal forward score nothing and get no penalty.
- 5.4Team Captain. One active pilot wears an armband and is the only one who talks to referees, along with any pilot a call is about.
Ties and penalties
Rules 5.1 – 5.2, 5.7 – 5.8- 5.1Most goals wins the set. Best two out of three sets wins the match.
- 5.2Tied set: sudden death. One Striker against one Striker, no defenders, both starting from their own start areas. First goal wins the set. If one Striker can't fly, the other team wins the set.
- 5.8Penalty shots happen at the end of the set. Each team's penalties cancel out (Red 3, Blue 2 leaves Red with 1). Each remaining shot adds 10 seconds: the Striker attacks one defender picked by the defending Captain, and offsides still applies.
Direction of flightA Striker flies through the other team's goal from the back.
GoaltendingA defender hovers inside its own goal or goes through it in reverse. Any drone at least halfway into a goal must fly out and around.
Early startA drone leaves the ground before the start signal. Armed drones stay down until the set begins.
Improper contactHitting an opposing drone on purpose while it's on the ground.
Controlled flightReckless flying that damages drones or the arena. A disabled drone must be disarmed right away.
InterferenceAnyone but a referee touches a drone, including through the netting.
MisconductPlayers, coaches and spectators must be respectful at all times.
Not following a refereeIgnoring a direct instruction from a referee or event official. Can mean removal from the set, match or event.
Your drone must pass inspection
Rules 3.1, 3.3, 4.5 – 4.6| Total weight | 300 g or less, battery included |
|---|---|
| Cage diameter | 20 cm ± 2 cm, any material except metal |
| Flat base (truncation) | 2 cm maximum |
| Battery | 3S or 4S LiPo, 4.2 V per cell max, no LiHV this season |
| Propellers | 7.6 cm diameter max |
| Motors | Electric, 4 maximum |
| Radio | 2.4 GHz |
| LEDs | Red or blue, switched from the transmitter, visible from every angle |
What inspectors check (4.5)
- Cage is solid: they rotate it gently in two hands to test the zip ties.
- Zip ties are tight, trimmed with no sharp edges, and not sticking out of the frame.
- Receiver is firmly attached, not flopping.
- Every screw is tight.
- All-up weight is 300 g or less.
Referees can also spot-inspect any drone before or after a set (4.6). Failing once disqualifies the team for that set; more than once can disqualify the team from the event. Good joints from Solder 101 help here.
Safety and batteries
Rules 4.3 – 4.4, 4.8- 4.3Eye protection within 10 ft of the arena during play. Regular glasses count.
- 4.8Only referees go inside the arena. A referee carries each drone in and plugs in its battery before the set.
- 4.4No battery power outside a netted arena. No charging at the venue; only designated staff charge batteries, and they can take away any puffy or damaged battery.
- 5.12A drone escapes the arena: the Head Referee calls time out and every pilot lands and disarms.
Our team rule: batteries are the coach's job
Teams bring four charged batteries per drone, strapped on but not plugged in. On our team, your coach handles every battery: charging, strapping on and bringing them. You never plug one in, at the bench or at an event.
During a match
Rules 4.2, 4.8, 5.9 – 5.13, 6.1- 6.1Only a whistle or horn stops play. Stay disarmed until the referee says "Arm your drones."
- 4.2No swaps during a set. Pilots, drones and radios stay the same for the whole set. Substitutions happen between sets.
- 4.8Team Zone is for flying only. Bring your drones (one spare each), one radio per drone and nothing else. No tools, spare parts or repairs in the Team Zone.
- 5.13Repairs happen in the repair interval between sets, at least 5 minutes long. Stay at the arena until it starts, and be back before it ends or you sit out the next set.
- 5.11Striker down. If your Striker can't fly, the Captain calls "Striker down." Play stops and another pilot becomes Striker. Each team can do this once per set.
- 5.9Upside down? Use turtle mode, or a teammate can bump you upright. Stuck in the net? The Captain tells the referee. Never touch a drone yourself.
- 5.10A drone that can't fly, or one with its battery dangling, must disarm right away. The team keeps playing one short.
Team and fair play
Requirements · Rule 4.1- 4.1Coed teams. At District and National Championships, each team needs at least one male and one female pilot in the first two sets of every match. A roster has at most ten crew members.
- Req.Respect. Zero tolerance for bullying, racism, bigotry and harassment, and no retaliating against anyone who speaks up.
- Req.Fair play. No radio jamming, hacking, tampering, eavesdropping or distracting the other team.
- Req.Report problems. Unsafe situations or bad conduct can be reported anonymously to reporting@usdronesoccer.org.
Where these rules come from
U.S. Drone Soccer Association, Comprehensive Ruleset, 2026–2027 Season, FAI F9A – 20 cm Drone Soccer Gameplay, ruleset f90426, September 4, 2026 edition. We keep a copy here in case the original link moves; we saved it November 1, 2026. Check the official rules page for anything newer.