Divisions:
GAME FORMAT
• Referees lead both teams in prayer at midfield before the game. This is a time to keep things in perspective and set the tone before the game.
• Referees will call and explain all violations. This teaches players the game of soccer and to play within the rule structure.
• The Referee will meet with the team Captains before the game to do the Coin Toss. The Visiting Team will call the toss with the winner deciding which direction they wish to play. The other team will get the ball to start.
• Games consist of two 18 minute halves, and a fifteen minute halftime.
• The game clock is maintained by the referee and will only stop at the end of each half. There will be no Stoppage Time.
• Teams will switch goals at halftime (except in the U6 division). This will balance any advantage that may occur because of the playing field.
• Scores are not kept in the U6 division. This is done to encourage the enjoyment of the game and focus on fundamentals, not the score.
• No division standings are maintained in the U6 division.
• Division Standings will be posted for all other divisions.
• Champions Tournament (Single Elimination) will be held following the season with teams being seeded based on regular season standings.
• Coaches are allowed to walk the sidelines tin front of their bench up to midfield . Coaches are encouraged to be on the field with U6 players to help coach during games. Because the focus is on instructing the player, we want coaches to encourage and teach players at all times.
• All coaches will ensure equal playing time for all players in all divisions. Substitutions will be allowed at any dead ball situation.
• Penalty Cards:
o Yellow Card: Used to caution a player. 3 Yellow Cards in a match results in disqualification from the match
o There will be no Red Cards.
• There will be no Stoppage time.
Number of Players
U6
• Team Size: Eight is the maximum number of players per team.
• Team Format: 4 vs 4
• No Goalkeeper: Because of the size of the goal there is no need for a goalkeeper. This reason of this format is meant to give all players an active role as field players. Players should not be positioned in front of the goal to act as a goal keeper and not be an active part of the game. As a compromise, coaches may position a player around midfield to play as a defender.
U8 and 12U
• Team Size: 16 is the maximum number of players per team.
• Team Format: 9v9
• Goalkeeper: Teams will play 8 field players and a Goalkeeper
Game Duration
• Periods of Play: The game will consist of two 18 minute halves
• Half-Time: Half-Time will be an 15 minute interval between the two 18-minute halves.
• Game Clock: The game clock will be maintained by the referee
Rules of Play
• A kick-off begins each half and after a goal has been scored. Opposing players must remain outside the center circle until the ball has been put in play.
• The team that did not start the game with the kick-off will begin the second half of the game with a kick-off.
• Fouls will result in either an indirect or direct kick. Opposing players must be 5 yards away from the ball. Indirect Kick: A player other than the kicker must touch the ball before a goal can be scored. Direct Kick: The kicker may score directly without another player touching the ball.
Dangerous Play
Obstructing an opponent
Delay of game
Direct kicks are awarded to the opposing team if one of these fouls is committed:
Handling the ball
Heading the ball
Kicking an opponent
Hitting an opponent
Pushing an opponent
Tripping an opponent
Holding an opponent
Any unsportsmanlike conduct
Slide Tackling (making any contact with the ball of another player while on the ground)
• A penalty kick is awarded for deliberate handling/kicking of the ball inside the box that denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. U6 and U8: The penalty kick will be taken from the midfield line and all players should be positioned behind the player taking the penalty kick. If the kick does not result in a goal and the ball is still in the playing field, it is a live ball and play continues from the spot of the ball. In this situation, the player taking the penalty kick is not allowed to touch the ball until another player touches it. 12U: Penalty Kick is awarded from the Penalty Marker, 14 yrds in front of the goal. All other players must be outside the Goal Box.
• 12U: A goal will be scored if a player kicks or throws the ball into his or her own goal.
• U6 and U8: Scoring on one's own goal will not be counted. This will be treated as an out of bounds play resulting in a goal kick.
• 12U: Offside will not be called this season.
• U6 and U8: Offside is not called because of the field size.
• Referees should monitor substitutions and help coaches who have questions.
• Slide Tackling is not allowed in any division. Players must stay upright and “on their feet” and may not make contact with an opposing player OR the ball while on the ground.
• Players who commit three fouls resulting in direct kicks, excluding handballs, in the same match must sit the remainder of that match
Re-starts
• Kickoffs: A kick-off is taken from the center circle at the start of each half and after a goal is scored. The ball must touch another attacking player or defensive player before the initial kicker touches the ball again. If the ball is touched second time by the initial kicker before another player touches the ball, the kickoff should be retaken. Players may play the kickoff back to their own players to secure possession. Goals cannot be scored on the kickoff within the U6 and U8 divisions. The kick-off is treated similar to a free kick. This means the opposing team must stay outside of the center circle. Both teams must be on their own half of the field and outside of the center circle until the first touch on the ball is made, after which they may attempt to win the ball.
• Corner Kicks: When the ball passes over the goal line by the defending team, the ball should be placed inside the corner arc on the side it went out-of-bounds. The defensive team must be at least 5 yards away when the kick is taken.
• Goal Kicks: When the attacking team kicks the ball over the goal line or if the ball comes to a stop within the shooting arc before entering the goal, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team. The ball should be placed on the goal line next to the goal (U6 and U8) or on the goal box line (12U). The defending team must be outside the Penalty Box and the ball must be kicked outside of the Penalty Box. 6U and 8U divisions must retreat behind midfield until the ball is kicked.
• Throw-ins: When the ball passes over the sidelines, the last team to touch it loses possession and the opposing team takes a throw-in. The player throwing the ball back into play must throw the ball over his or her head with both hands, both feet must be touching the ground and the player must stay behind the sideline while throwing. The defensive team must be at least two yards away from the thrower.
• Drop-Ball: A drop-ball will occur between two players; one from each team to restart the game any time an official has to stop play for a no-penalty situation. The ball is dropped at the spot where it was last in play unless this happens in the goal box, in which case it is dropped at the nearest point five yards outside the goal box. The ball may only be kicked after it has touched the ground. A goal may be scored directly from a drop-ball.
Facilities and Equipment
Field of Play
• Dimensions:
U6: The field should have a width of 60’ and a length of 100’
U8: The field should have a width of 80’ and a length of 110’
12U: The field should have a width of 50 yards and a length of 80 yards
• Flag posts: Placed at each of the four corners of the field. Typically 60” high with a 13” x 13” flag, flexible pole on a spring base.
• Corner Arc: Corner arcs will be a quarter circles with a radius of 3’
• Goal Size:
12U: 24' x 8'
U8 and U6: 4' x 6'
The Ball
• U6 and U8: Size 3
• 12U: Size 4