NTH - Smyrna

Recreational Rules

NASA Tophat – Smyrna’s mission is to provide soccer players of all ages the appropriate level of play and training in a supportive environment where the game is delivered in a fun, positive, and educational atmosphere, enhancing our player's character and desire for the game.  
In promoting our players in the lesson of becoming good citizens who respect each other and compete in a healthy but competitive soccer environment, our goal is to encourage players to express themselves through their actions on the field of play and to improve through our soccer curriculum focusing on each players technical, tactical, physical and mental skills regardless of level, skill or ability. 
Our purpose is to provide all levels of programs that are fun, rewarding, challenging, and demanding for the player that wants to strive to play at the highest level. 
The club is dedicated to providing a community based environment for the residents of the city, and developing a multicultural organization that fosters the "World's Favorite and Most Beautiful Game".

Under 4 through Under 6: Teams will be split into two games on adjoining fields, playing simultaneously. The goal is to have even matches where possible with each team having an opportunity to score and enjoy the game. We recommend games be played with 8-10 minute quarters, but coaches should use their best judgement to ensure the game is fun for everyone. The games can be anywhere from 4v4 to 6v6. Please keep teams even and try your best to maintain equal number for both teams. Coaches should encourage their players to engage in the play and not stay back by the goal as “goalkeepers”. Games will be played with a size 3 soccer ball, and parents should stand along the boundaries to try to keep the ball in play. For the Under 5 and Under 6 age groups, coaches should discuss pregame whether or not they want to play with throw-ins or other restarts, as a practice for the older age groups. Slide tackling and other dangerous play should be discouraged and stopped by the child’s coach.

Under 7 and Under 8: Beginning with this age, we will follow FIFA Laws of the Game, with Georgia Soccer modifications, unless modified below

1.      6v6 including goalkeepers

2.      2x20 minute halves with a 5-7 minute interval at halftime

a.      This can be altered to a quarter system if a team is short players and both coaches agree to it

3.      Substitutions allowed at any stoppage, with the permission of the referee

4.      Size 3 soccer ball

5.      Players should be rotated as goalkeeper, so as not to ensure one player is always playing goalkeeper for the entire season.

6.      All free kicks, including the kick off, are indirect kicks. Players should stand at least three yards away from each kick

a.      No Penalty Kicks

7.      No offside, however coaches should discourage players from hanging near the goal and teach them the fundamental principle of offside

8.      Coaches should also discourage any hanging defenders, and encourage players to join the game and participate

9.      The club will do its best to provide a single, center referee for each game. In the event one cannot be present, coaches can either act as officials, or agree upon a parent to officiate

10.  After the first improper throw-in, play should be stopped and instruction given on how to take a proper throw-in. If the second attempt is also improper play should be allowed to continue

11.  No heading will be allowed. Any heading will result in an indirect free kick from the spot where the heading occurred.

12.  A goalkeeper cannot punt or drop kick the ball. The resulting free kick will be an indirect free kick from midfield at a line parallel from where the goalkeeper committed the infraction.

13.  When the goalkeeper possesses the ball, or on a goal kick, the attacking team must retreat behind the build out line. Once the ball has been touched by an outfield player, or has left the area of the build out line, then the attacking team may enter the build out area and defend.

Under 10:

1.      7v7 including goalkeepers

2.      2x25 minute halves with a 5-7 minute interval at halftime

3.      Substitutions allowed, with the permission of the referee, at the following restarts:

a.      On own possession throw-in

b.      Either team’s goal kick

c.       After any goal

d.      After an injury, for either team

4.      Goalkeepers should expect to play equal time in both goal and in the field each game. It will be incumbent upon the coaches to regulate their teams in this regard.

5.      Size 4 soccer ball

6.      Kicks are either direct or indirect, based on the Laws of the Game or as amended herein.

a.      Opponents should be 6 yards away from any kick

7.      The offside rule is in effect

a.      A player can only be offside in the attacking half of the field AND beyond the build out line. A player cannot be offside before they reach the build out line

8.      The club will do its best to provide a single, center referee for each game. In the event one cannot be present, coaches can either act as officials, or agree upon a parent to officiate.

9.      An improper throw-in will result in a loss of possession and a throw-in to the opposing team, assuming the ball entered the field of play.

10.  No heading will be allowed. Any heading will result in an indirect free kick from the spot where the heading occurred.

11.  A goalkeeper cannot punt or drop kick the ball. The resulting free kick will be an indirect free kick from midfield at a line parallel from where the goalkeeper committed the infraction.

12.  When the goalkeeper possesses the ball, or on a goal kick, the attacking team must retreat behind the build out line. Once the ball has been touched by an outfield player, or has left the area of the build out line, then the attacking team may enter the build out area and defend.

Under 12:

Please note these rules will be superseded by any interleague rules. These rules are purely for in-house league games.

1.      9v9 including goalkeepers

2.      2x30 minute halves with a 5-7 minute interval at halftime

3.      Substitutions allowed, with the permission of the referee, at the following restarts:

a.      On own possession throw-in

b.      Either team’s goal kick

c.       After any goal

d.      After an injury, for either team

e.      After the issuing of a card, either red or yellow, for either team

4.      Goalkeepers should expect to play equal time in both goal and in the field each game. It will be incumbent upon the coaches to regulate their teams in this regard.

5.      Size 4 soccer ball

6.      Kicks are either direct or indirect, based on the Laws of the Game or as amended herein. Opponents should be 8 yards away from any kick

7.      No heading will be allowed. Any heading will result in an indirect free kick from the spot where the heading occurred.

8.      The club will do its best to provide a crew of three referees for each game, but in the case this isn’t possible, the use of a single, center referee is permissible.

Under 14 and older:

These age groups will abide by the rules of the competition they are entered in. Games will be 11 a side and will play between 35 and 45 minute halves.