Soccer Rules
Length of Games:
(clock will run continuous)
- Pre-K to Kindergarten: 15 minute halves with a 5 minute half time
- 1st-3rd grade: 20 minute halves with a 5 minute half time
- 4th-6th grade: 25 minute halves with a 5 minute half time
Number of Players:
- Pre-K –Kindergarten: 5 vs. 5 – no goalkeeper
- 1st-3rd grade: 7 vs. 7
- 4th-6th grade: 8 vs. 8
If a team cannot field the number of players for that age group, if agreed upon by coaches, the number can be adjusted (5 vs. 5, 6 vs. 6 etc.)
Ball Size:
- Pre-K to Kindergarten: Size 3
- 1st-3rd: Size 4
- 4th -6th: Size 5
**Time Outs: There will be no time outs. If it’s a hot day a decision can be made by the officials only to take a timeout.
Ties: If the score at the end of the game is tied, the game will end in a tie. No overtime will be played unless in tournament, we will play a 15 min. O.T.
Substitutions: are done during a dead ball and can be done freely, with official signaling subs onto field
At the start of the game, choice of field ends and kick-off is determined by the flip of a coin or by odd/even. The home team will make the call. The winner will pick which side they want to defend. The other team will have kick- off.
The team who is kicking off is the only team inside the center circle. The teams should be on their defending halves, not past the center line. The kick off should be played forward over the line by the attacking team, if the ball is not played forward, the team should then be given another chance after explaining this rule to the kids. If the team does not play the ball forward on the second chance, then the opposing team is given a direct free kick.
Once the ball is in play, the teams shall be allowed to play the ball until the whole ball crosses over the out of bounds line, completely out of bounds. If the ball crosses over one of the sidelines, the team who did not touch the ball last will have the chance to throw the ball in.
A proper throw-in should consist of using both hands: the ball going all the way over the head and then releasing the ball above the head. The thrower should keep both feet on the ground and be out of bounds. If these rules are not met:
*preschoolers to third graders have another chance to throw, before giving the other team possession.
*Fourth graders to sixth graders should be aware of these rules and therefore, if they do not correctly throw the ball, give the other team the throw-in.
If the ball crosses over the goal line, but not going in the goal, there will be two possible restarts, a corner kick or a goal kick.
*If the attacking team kicks the ball out of bounds, the defending team will then receive a goal kick, which will allow them to set the ball on the six yard box and kick the ball back in play.
*If the defending team kicks the ball out of bounds, then the attacking team will be given a corner kick, in which they take the ball to the corner flag and place the ball on the corner arc and then allowing them to play the ball back into play.
If the ball fully crosses the line within the goal post, then the attacking team is awarded with a goal. The defending team is then given a kick-off . The ball, at any point should bounce off of the goal posts or corner posts and bounce back into the field, the ball should be played as a live ball.
Hand balls:
Hand balls occur when a player knowingly hits the ball with their hand or arm to stop the ball in its path. When the ball is hit intentionally by a player with their arm or hand, then a direct free kick should be given to the opposing team.
Penalty kick:
A penalty kick will be set up as follows:
*The defending goalkeeper will stand on the goal line in between the goal posts
* The attacking player taking the kick will be inside the goal box
*while all other players will be outside the goal box.
*The ball shall be placed on the penalty mark.
*On the whistle the attacking player will approach and kick the ball, trying to score a goal.
*If the ball goes in the goal, a goal is awarded.
Fouls:
There will be two different types of restarts for certain fouls.
Direct free kick:
This restart means that the team given the restart may score off of the kick without the ball hitting another player. Direct Free kicks are given to the opposing team, when one of these fouls occur:
*Kicking or attempt to kick an opposing player including the goalkeeper (not going for ball)
*Tripping or attempt to trip an opposing player
*Slide tackles by making contact with player before ball
*Jumps at an opposing player with a violent demeanor
*Charges an opposing player with a violent demeanor
*Strikes or attempts to strike an opposing player
*Pushes an opposing player
*Holds an opposing player
*Spits at an opposing player.
*Hand balls
*When the goalkeeper handles the ball outside of the goal area
All of these infractions will be punished by giving the opposing player a direct free kick at the point where the infraction occurred.
Indirect Free Kick: M
Means that the ball must touch another player before it can cross the goal line and be rewarded as a goal. Indirect free kick will be given when one of the following occur:
*Offside (ages 1st graders and above)
*A second touch after restart
*When the goalkeeper plays a ball with their hands after being kicked or thrown to them by a teammate
*When a goalkeeper has control of the ball with their hands for more than 6 seconds
*When any player prevents the goalkeeper to release the ball.
When the goalkeeper has a second touch.
If any of these occur, then an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team at the spot where it occurred.
On both of these kicks, the team not given the kick should not be closer than 5 yards to the ball. The team is allowed to make a wall, but they should not be closer than 5 yards.
Goalkeeper’s second touch: The goalkeeper cannot pick the ball up, set the ball down, and then pick it up again without it touching any other player.
If a team member kicks the ball back to the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper MAY NOT pick up the ball with their hands. The goalkeeper may kick the ball if it is passed back.
Offside:
*No offside for Pre-k and K.
*1st graders to 6th graders will play with offsides.
*Offside: when an offensive player is on the opponent’s side of the field and a teammate touches the ball, there must be at least two opposing players who are closer to the goal line than the offensive player is. If this attacking player receives the ball, they are in an offside’s position, and then the defending team should be given an indirect free kick.
Second touch:
A player playing the ball off of a restart should not be allowed to touch the ball again without it touching another player. If they do touch it again without other player contact, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team.
Drop ball:
Is when one player from each team faces each other, and the referee drops the ball between them. Once the ball touches the ground the ball is live.
If an injury occurs when the ball is in play or bad weather then the referee can use the drop ball to restart play.
There are two different colors of cards that can be given for extreme un-sportsmanlike misconduct.
A yellow card (warning card) should be given in the following instances:
- is guilty of unsporting behavior
- shows dissent by word or action
- persistently infringes the Laws of the Games
- delays the restart of play excessively
- fails to respect any player, coach or referee
- slide tackles another player dangerously
A red card (most leave the facility) should be given in the following instances:
- guilty of serious foul play
- guilty of violent conduct
- Spits at opponent or any other person
- Uses offensive, or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
- Receives two yellow cards in one game
If the game stops because of a yellow or red card given to player or coach the opposing team of the carded player will receive a direct free kick if the person that got the red card does not leave the facility completely the team will have to forfeit the game. If there is a dispute over which team should get the kick, a drop ball should be played.
Pre-Kindergarten Rule
Goal Box:
There is no ball contact allowed within the goal box, however, any player may pass through the goal box. If the ball comes to rest in the goal box, a goal kick is awarded regardless of who touched the ball last. Any part of the ball or player's body on the line is considered in the goal box and is an extension of such. If a defender touches the ball in the goal box, a goal is awarded to the offensive team. If an offensive player touches the ball within the goal box, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.