GSSA AGE GROUP RULES

U6 AGE GROUP

  • Spirit of the game: The idea is to learn how to play and be involved in the game. It IS NOT just about scoring.
  • There are no goalies at U6. Defenders are allowed, but no hands are allowed, and defenders should be encouraged to get into the whole game and not “camp out” in front of the goal.
  • While there are no referees in U6, we want our players to be prepared for referees in the Fall of their U7 season. Please call penalties and help them learn what to expect.
  • Coaches must have their background check complete.
  • Coaches must have their badge at each game.
  • Only Coaches and Asst. Coaches on the players’ sideline.
  • Refer to the Rules of the Game on the Coaches’ page of the website (will be updated).
  • Players should 50% of the time, from the time they arrive to the game.
  • Meet with opposing coach before the game to agree on details. Games will be at Bob Jones Park.
  • U6 will play 4v4. Played with a size 3 ball.
  • No heading allowed during practice or game.
  • Games will be four (4) eight (8) minute quarters and quarter break for five (5) minutes and half time for five (5) minutes.
  • No slide tackling is allowed.
  • Shin guards are mandatory and cleats are preferred.
  • No jewelry is allowed at all (no tape over earrings).
  • Parents are allowed to sit on the parents’ side, not with the players or behind the goal.
  • Parents are required to have proper conduct. There is a Zero tolerance for referee abuse.
  • Please keep in mind- the City of Southlake and Grapevine PROHIBITS Dogs at the Soccer Fields. This is a City ordinance.

U7/U8 AGE GROUP

  • Treat referees respectfully and handle disputed calls professionally (if at all at this age level).
  • North Texas Soccer has a Zero tolerance for abuse directed at the Referees- from Parents & Coaches. Please adhere to this. GSSA WILL ENFORCE THIS.
  • If there is no ref, someone other than a coach should be recruited to referee
  • Be mindful of behavior (coach and parents) in front of youth players and spectators.
  • Coaches must have their background check complete.
  • Coaches must have their badge at each game.
  • Only Coaches and Asst. Coach on the players’ sideline. Parents should sit on the fans’ sideline, not behind the goals
  • Please be aware that slide tackling and “heading” the ball is prohibited. Do not practice this.
  • Shin guards are mandatory and cleats are preferred.
  • No jewelry is allowed at all (no tape over earrings).
  • Please keep in mind- the City of Southlake and Grapevine PROHIBIT Dogs at the Soccer Fields. This is a City ordinance.
  • Games will be played with a size 3 ball.
  • U7 will be played at MeadowMere Park. U7 will play 4v4
  • U7 will play four (4)-eight (8) minute quarters with five (5) minute break at quarter and halftime.
  • U8 will be played at MeadowMere or Oak Grove Park.
  • Field size will be at a 60x40yds and stay at 7v7 this year.
  • U8 will play four 11 minute quarters with 1 minute break and 5minute half time.
  • Any fouls are indirect kicks.
  • Players are expected to do goal kicks, corners, throw-ins and kickoffs. Referee will request a replay if performed in correctly.
  • Unprofessional behavior will result in A&D hearings. (ESPECIALLY COACHES).

U9-U10 AGE GROUP

  • Please remember the main reason why we are involved in recreational soccer: It is to have fun and provide an opportunity for our youth to learn, and develop a passion for the sport.
  • Coaches must have their background check complete.
  • Coaches must have their badge at each game.
  • Only the Coach and the Assistant Coach can be on the sideline (badges are required).
  • North Texas Soccer has a Zero tolerance for abuse directed at the Referees- from Parents & Coaches. Please adhere to this. GSSA WILL ENFORCE THIS.
  • U9 will play 7v7 (6 plus Keeper)
  • U10 will play this year at 8v8 (7 plus keeper).
  • Please be aware that slide tackling and “heading” the ball is prohibited.
  • Offsides is called in these age groups.
  • Games will be played at Bob Jones or Oak Grove Park for your home games.
  • Please review the NMCSL bylaws available on the NMCSL website.Be familiar with any rules differences between U8 and U9, there are several of them.
  • Shin guards are mandatory and cleats are preferred.
  • No jewelry is allowed at all (no tape over earrings).
  • Please keep in mind- the City of Southlake PROHIBITS Dogs at Bob Jones. This is a City ordinance.
  • Each coach is responsible for calling in his/her own game scores to the number on the game report/NMCSL website schedule tab.
  • Please have a completed game report (preferably typed in) prior to each game to hand to the Referee.
  • Fill out the entire top box and the roster information.
  • There is an attached copy in word format for multiple uses.
  • If a red card is given, in addition to the red card ejection and subsequent sit-out, the verification form must be completed and the referee must sign off on the fact that the player/coach did not participate, but was present at the following game in uniform on the bench for the entirety.
  • A copy is attached for use; hopefully you won’t have to.

U11 and Above Age Group

  • Coaches must display their coach’s ID card at all games! Those without ID’s will be asked to leave if there are multiple coaches, and the coach will be suspended for the next game by NMCSL officials. You also must have a signed copy of your team roster at all games.
  • Games will played at MeadowMere and possibly Oak Grove Park.
  • U11 will play 9v9 and U12 and above will stay at 11v11 for the year.
  • Please be aware that “heading” the ball is prohibited for U12 and U11.
  • You will need to have the typed NMCSL game report filled out to hand to officials with the player cards (U13-U19) prior to being allowed to start the game.
  • Please remember the main reason why we are involved in recreational soccer: It is to have fun and provide an opportunity for our youth to learn, and develop a passion for the sport.
  • Coaches must have their background check complete.
  • Coaches must have their badge at each game.
  • Only the Coach and the Assistant Coach can be on the sideline (badges are required).
  • Shin guards are mandatory and cleats are preferred.
  • No jewelry is allowed at all (no tape over earrings).
  • Please keep in mind- Dogs are PROHIBITED AT ALL SOCCER FIELDS. This is a City ordinance.
  • North Texas Soccer has a Zero tolerance for abuse directed at the Referees- from Parents & Coaches. Please adhere to this. GSSA WILL ENFORCE THIS.
  • Each coach is responsible for calling in his/her own game scores to the number on the game report/NMCSL website schedule tab.
  • Please have a completed game report (preferably typed in) prior to each game to hand to the Referee.
  • Fill out the entire top box and the roster information.
  • There is an attached copy in word format for multiple uses
  • If a red card is given, in addition to the red card ejection and subsequent sit-out, the verification form must be completed and the referee must sign off on the fact that the player/coach did not participate, but was present at the following game in uniform on the bench for the entirety.
  • A copy is attached for use; hopefully you won’t have to.
  • U13+use a picture roster from your team login site for picture ID, as NMCSL will accept it. There will be a player/coach card PDF under the team profile>documents tab created this week if you really want cards. There is a laminator in the office or you can just keep it as a sheet of cards. Again, the picture roster is sufficient.

You need to print your Official roster also and have it with you at all games. It will be located in the same place as the cards.