A. A proper field of play is rectangular and is marked by boundaries. The longer boundaries are called touch lines. The shorter are called goal lines. The field of play is divided into two halves by a half way line. A mark indicates the midpoint of the half way line and a circle with a radius of 10 yards is marked around it. The field of play shall have an upright goal at each end with markings for the goal area and penalty box, penalty mark and penalty arc. Corners of the field of play are marked by flag posts and a corner arcs.

B. The dimensions of fields in Youth Soccer vary according to the age of the players:

C. Regulation goals are eight yards wide and eight feet high (inside dimensions). The following goal dimensions are used in Youth Soccer:

D. The penalty area is a rectangular area in front of each goal with lines 18 yards in front of the goal and from each goalpost. In Youth Soccer, smaller penalty areas are used on smaller fields (see drawings).

E. The goal area is a rectangular area in front of each goal with lines six yards in front of the goal and from each goalpost. In Youth Soccer the goal area is also scaled down according to field size (see drawings).

LAW 2 - THE BALL

A. The size and weight of the ball shall comply with the following specifications (size #5 corresponds to international regulations):

The international regulations call for the #5 ball to be inflated to between 8.5 - 15.6 lbs/sq.in. at sea level. Small balls should be inflated in accordance with the manufacturers specifications.

B. The material and construction of the ball must not be dangerous to the players.

C. The game ball will be provided by either team, with the referee having the final selection. The game ball must conform to the proper size, weight and inflation as stated in Law 2-A.

LAW 3 - NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTION

A. In international play, a full team on the field consists of 11 players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper. The game shall not be considered valid if there are fewer than seven players on the field for either of the teams. In Youth Soccer, this applies to the U15, U13, and U11 age groups.
B. In the Under 9 age division, a full team on the field consists of 9 players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper. The minimum number of players of each team to start the game shall be 7.
C. In the Under 7 age division, a full team on the field consists of 7 players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper. The minimum number of players of each team to start the game shall be 5.
D. Any of the field players may change places with the goalkeeper, with the consent of the referee, provided the change is made during a stoppage of the game.
E. An ejected player may not be replaced.
F. In Youth Soccer, substitutions are unlimited. A player who had been replaced may return to the game. Substitutions are made with the consent of the referee at the following times:

       1. Prior to a throw-in in favor of the team in possession of the ball.
       2. Prior to a goal kick (by either team).
       3. After a goal (by either team).
       4. After an injury (either team) when the referee stops play.
       5. At halftime, or between quarter in the Under 7 and U9 age divisions.

G In Youth Soccer, each player shall play a minimum of half of each game.

LAW 4 - PLAYER'S EQUIPMENT

A. A player shall not wear anything that is dangerous to him or herself or another player, for example, a watch, rings, necklaces, earrings, or a hard cast.

B. In Youth Soccer, studs on shoes shall not be less than 3/8" in diameter and not more than ¾" in height and shall be an integral part of the sole. Screw-in cleats are permitted. Sneakers may be worn.

C. Uniforms consist of shorts, shirts and socks. Uniforms are provided by Youth Soccer and are required to play the game.

D. The goalkeeper shall wear a different colored shirt than the referee and the other players (both teams).

E. All players shall wear shin guards.

F. In case of color conflict, it is the responsibility of the HOME TEAM to wear another color. The Home Team is the first team listed on the schedule per game. Pinneys can be obtained at the Referee and Coaches Station prior to the game.

LAW 5 - REFEREES

A. The referee has jurisdiction from the time he/she enters the field of play until he/she signals the end of the game. The referees decisions are final.

B. The referee shall enforce the rules of the game but shall refrain from stopping the game for an infraction when he/she is satisfied that by doing so he/she would be giving an advantage to the offending team.

C. The referee can stop the game for infringement of the rules (by blowing a whistle).

D. The referee can suspend or terminate a game whenever he/she deems necessary , for example, because of severe weather or interference by spectators or coaches.

E. The referee can caution a player and shall eject from play any player guilty of violent conduct or serious foul play, use of foul or abusive language, or persistent infringement of the playing rules.

F. The referee acts as the timekeeper and keeps a record of the game.

YSI note: Coaches may check the record sheet immediately after the game for correct inscription of the goals. A score, written in error, shall not be changed unless approved by each coach of each team of that game and by the referee.

YSI note: In Youth Soccer, the U7 age group may not be assigned a referee. Instead , the coaches will conduct the game as an instructional game.

LAW 6 - ASSISTANT REFEREES

A. Two assistant referees shall be appointed to assist the referee.

B. The duties of the A.R.s are to signal by use of the A.R.'s flag:
       1. When the ball is out of play.
       2. Which team is entitled to the corner kick, goal kick, or throw-in.
       3. When an offside infraction has occurred .
       4. When an infraction has occurred that the referee may not have seen.

C. The referee always makes the final decision of the action to be taken even if the initial A.R.'s signal is to the contrary. Only the referee can stop the game.

YSI note: Each team is to supply two volunteers per season to be trained as assistant referees when needed. Trainings occur during the second or third game days. The team A.R.s will line when certified A.R.s are not available.

LAW 7 - DURATION OF THE GAME

A. In Youth Soccer, the duration of the game is adjusted according to age division and overtime is not played except during tournament games at the end of the Spring season. The following periods apply to Youth Soccer:

B. Player shall have a five-minute break at halftime. U 9 and U 7 age division players shall have a two-minute break after the first and third quarters, and a five-minute break at halftime.

C. In Youth Soccer, the clock runs for the duration of the periods. It does not stop for goals, injuries or other causes. The referee will make adjustments to the length of the periods to stay on schedule.

D. Forfeit time for start of the game is five (5) minutes from the scheduled kick-off time. The referee's watch shall be considered official.

LAW 8 - START OF PLAY

A. The start of play at the beginning of each half and after a goal shall proceed with a kickoff.

B. At the beginning of the game, the choice of ends or kickoff shall be determined by the toss of a coin. The team winning the toss shall choose direction of attack.

C. After halftime. The ends shall be changed and the kickoff shall be taken by the team opposite from the team that took the kickoff at the beginning of the game.

D. In the Under 9 and Under 7 age divisions, the team kicking off the first quarter shall kick off the second quarter. After halftime, the ends shall be changed and the kickoff shall be taken by the opposite team for both the third and fourth quarters.

E. On a kickoff, the ball must be stationary on the ground at the center of the field and must travel the distance of its circumference into the opponent's half of the field before being in play. If this rule is violated, the kickoff shall be retaken.

F. The player taking the kickoff may not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player. If this rule is violated, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.

G. Every player on each team must be in his/her own half of the field, and all players of the team opposing the kicker must be at least 10 yards away from the ball when it is put into play. If this rule is violated, the kickoff shall be retaken. In the Under 7 age division, all players of the team opposing the kicker must be at least 8 feet away from the ball when it is put into play.

H. A goal may be scored directly from a kickoff.

I. After a temporary suspension of play for any reason not otherwise mentioned in the rules of the game, the referee shall restart the game by a drop ball where the ball was when play was stopped. A player may not play the ball until it touches the ground. If this rule is violated, the drop ball shall be retaken. A goal may be scored directly from a drop ball.

LAW 9 - BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

A. The ball is out of play only:
        
        1. When it has crossed the goal line or touchline in its entirety, whether on the ground or in the air.
        2. When the game has been stopped by the referee.

B. The ball is in play at all other times during the game, even if:
        
        1. It rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar, or corner flag into the field of play.
        2. It rebounds off the referee or an assistant referee when he/she is in the field of play.
        3. An apparent infraction has occurred but the referee has not stopped the game.

LAW 10 - METHOD OF SCORING

A. A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line, in its entirety, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided it was not thrown, carried or intentionally propelled by arm or hand by an attacking player (except the opposing goalkeeper who throws the ball from his own penalty area).

B. If a defending player deflects the ball with his hand or arm and the ball goes in the goal, a goal is scored.

C. The team scoring more goals during the game wins.

D. The game results in a tie if no team scores or if each team scores an equal number of goals.

E. In the Under 7 division, the initial shot on goal must come from outside the goal area.

YSI note: a team leading by five goals or more must make an effort to avoid creating a larger gap in the scores. This can be achieved in several ways, for instance, exchange the defense and offense, play with a reduced number of players on the field, apply a team rule of a minimum number of passes before an attempt on the ball.

LAW 11 - OFFSIDE

A. A player is in an offside position if he/she is nearer the opposing team's goal line than the ball at the moment the ball is played unless:
       
       1. he/she is in his/her own half of the field.
       2. two opposing players are nearer their goal line than he/she is (including the goalkeeper).
       3. a player is not offside if he/she is EVEN with the second to last opponent or is EVEN with or behind the ball.
       4. the ball is last touched by an opponent.
       5. he/she received the ball directly from a goal kick, corner kick, throw-in or drop ball.

B. A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by on of his/her team, he/she is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:
       
       1. interfering with play
       2. interfering with an opponent
       3. gaining an advantage by being in that position.

C. For an offside infraction, the defending team is awarded an indirect free kick from the place where the offside occurred.

D. In the Under 7 age division, there shall be no offside rule.

LAW 12 - FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

A. Fouls and misconduct are penalized by awarding free kicks to the opposing team. The guilty player may also be cautioned or ejected, even if a free kick is not awarded due to application of the advantage clause (see Law 5).

B. The following ten fouls are penalized by awarding a direct free kick to the opposing team:

       1. Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.
       2. Trips an opponent.
       3. Jumps at an opponent.
       4. Charges an opponent.
       5. Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.
       6. Pushes an opponent.
       7. When tackling an opponent, makes contact with the opponent before contact is made with the ball.
       8. Spits at an opponent.
       9. Holds an opponent
       10. Handles the ball deliberately, i.e. carries, strikes or propels the ball with his/her hands or arm. This does not apply to the goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area.

C. A direct free kick offense committed in the guilty player's penalty area is a penalty kick (see Law 14).

D. The following seven rule infractions are penalized by awarding an indirect free kick to the opposing team:

       1. Dangerous play.
       2. Charging fairly when not in playing distance of the ball.
       3. Obstructing an opponent.
       4. Charging the goalkeeper inside his goal area.
       5. A goalkeeper who is playing within his own penalty area and (a) delays the game, or (b) after saving and controlling the ball, takes more than four steps without releasing it. Or (c) after having released the ball, plays it again before another player has touched it.
       6. Goal keepers handling the ball on an intentioial passback from a defensive player unless the pass is chested or headed to the keeper. An indirect kick will be awarded at the point of handball or at the six yard line if contact was made within the goal area.
       7. In the Under 7 age division, sliding tackles are NOT permitted.

E. A player shall be cautioned (referee shows a yellow card) if he/she:
       
       1. Persistently infringes the rules of the game.
       2. Dissents from any decision of the referee.
       3. Is guilty of discourteous conduct.
       4. Enters or reenters the field without the referee's permission.

F. In Youth Soccer, if a player is yellow carded, he/she must be substituted immediately after receiving the card. No other player may be substituted at this time with the exception of an injured player. The carded player may return to the field of play during the next substitution opportunity.

G. A player shall be ejected from the game (referee shows a red card) if he/she:

       1. Is guilty of violent conduct or serious foul play.
       2. Uses foul or abusive language.
       3. Persists in misconduct after having received a caution (yellow card).
       4. An ejected player may not be replaced.
       5. A player receiving a red card will be suspended a minimum of one game beginning with the player's next scheduled league game.

LAW 13 - FREE KICKS

A. The two kinds of free kicks are:

       1. Direct free kicks from which a goal may be scored direct against the offending team.
       2. Indirect free kicks from which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball is touched by a player other than the kicker before going into the goal.

B. Direct free kicks are awarded only for the ten direct free kick fouls under Law 12. All other offenses are awarded an indirect free kick unless specifically stated otherwise in the rule that describes the offense.

C. A free kick is taken from the place where the offense occurred.

D. The ball must be stationary on the ground, must travel the distance of its circumference before being in play, and may not be played by the kicker a second time before being touched by another player.

E. All opposing players must be at least ten yards away from the ball when the ball is put into play. If this rule is violated, the free kick is retaken.

F. If the offense occurred less than ten yards from the opponent's goal line, The opposing players may stand on their goal line between the goal posts.

G. On free kicks taken within its penalty area by the defending team, all opposing players must be outside the penalty area and at least ten yards away from the ball. The ball must travel outside the penalty area to be in play.

LAW 14 - PENALTY KICK

A. A penalty kick is awarded if the defending team commits one of the ten direct free kick fouls within its own penalty area.

B. The penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark, which is centered 12 yards in front of the goal. In the Under 9 age division, the penalty mark is 10 yards from the goal. In the Under 7 division, the penalty mark is 8 yards from the goal.

C. All players except the kicker and the goalkeeper must be outside the penalty area and at least ten yards away from the penalty mark.

D. The goalkeeper must stay along the goal line. He/she may move laterally along the goal line but may not penetrate beyond the line until the ball has been kicked.

E. The ball must be kicked forward, must travel the distance of its circumference before being in play, and may not be played by the kicker a second time before being touched by another player.

F. A goal may be scored directly on a penalty kick.

G. For any violation of this rule:
       
       1. If by the attacking team and a goal results, the penalty shall be retaken.
       2. If by the defending team and a goal does not result, the penalty kick shall be retaken.

LAW 15 - THROW-IN

A. A throw-in is awarded if the ball passes completely over a touchline, either on the ground or in the air.

B. The ball is thrown in at the place where it crossed the line by a player of the team opposite the team to that of the player who last touched it.

C. The thrower must face the field and part of each foot must be on the ground, either on the touchline of outside the field of play. The ball must be thrown with both hands and must be delivered from behind and over his head.

D. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.

E. If a throw-in is improper, a throw-in from the same place shall be awarded to the opposing team. In the Under 7 age division, a second throw-in may be awarded if the first throw-in was improper.

F. The ball is in play immediately upon entering the field of play, but may not be played by the thrower before being touched by another player.

LAW 16 - GOAL KICK

A. A goal kick is awarded the defending team if the ball passes over the goal line, in its entirety, outside the goal, after having last been touched by a player of the attacking team.

B. A goal kick may be taken from any point within the goal area.

C. All opposing players must be outside the penalty area.

D. The ball must travel outside the penalty area before being in play and may not be played by the kicker a second time before being touched by another player.

E. A goal cannot be scored directly from a goal kick.

F. If the ball does not travel outside the penalty area, the goal kick shall be retaken.

LAW 17 - CORNER KICK

A. A corner kick is awarded the attacking team if the ball passes over the defending team's goal line, in its entirety, outside the goal, after having last been touched by a player of the defending team.

B. The corner kick is taken from within the quarter circle nearest the place where the ball crossed the goal line.

C. All opposing players must be at least ten yards away from the ball.

D. The ball must travel the distance of the circumference before being in play, and may not being played by the kicker a second time before being touched by another player.

E. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

F. If the kicker plays the ball before it is touched by another player, the opposing team shall be awarded an indirect free kick. For any other violation of this law, the corner kick shall be retaken.

(RETURN TO TOP)

Webmaster