Rules
Basic Rules for all age groups
- Home team wears blue.
- Substitutions can be made at any stoppage of play.
U6 Rules
- 15 minute halves
- Size 3 ball
- 3v3 on 2 adjacent fields playing simultaneously
- No goalies
- No corner kicks (all balls that go out on end line will be goal kicks)
- Teach proper throw ins but do not stop the game to try again
- No headers
- No slide tackling
U8 Rules
- 20 minute halves
- Size 3 ball
- 5v5 (including the goalie)
- Parent/coach referees are encouraged to provide instruction whenever appropriate.
- In the event of an illegal throw-in, play should be stopped and instructions given on proper throw-in technique. If the second attempt is an illegal throw-in, play shall continue.
- Goal keeper cannot punt the ball
- No headers
Goalkeeper Release:
- The 6-second rule does not apply.
- However, goalkeepers that walk around the Penalty Area for an extended amount of time shall be encouraged to place the ball in play by the Parent Referee.
- No punting. The goalie must throw the ball to a player or set it on the ground and kick it to them.
- All players on the opposing team must be behind the "build-out" line and may not encroach until the goalkeeper releases the ball by throwing it to teammate or setting it on the ground.
Free Kicks:
- All Free Kicks (including Kick-Offs) are to be Indirect Free Kicks.
- A goal cannot be scored directly from an Indirect Free Kick, it must touch ANY player prior to being scored.
Goal Kicks:
- Goal Kicks are to be taken from the top of the Penalty Area.
- All opposing players must be behind the "build-out" line prior to the goal kick being taken.
Offside:
- Only gross offside will be called at the referee’s discretion.
Penalty Kicks:
- The Under 8 division does not have penalty kicks.
- All Free Kicks in the Under 8 division are to be Indirect Free Kicks.
Tackling:
- No slide tackling is allowed in the Under 8 division
U10 Rules
- 25 minute halves
- Size 4 ball
- 7 players on the field per team (including the goalkeeper) and you must have 5 to start/continue a game.
Goalkeeper Release:
- The 6-second rule does apply. However, goalkeepers that walk around the Penalty Area for an extended amount of time shall be encouraged to place the ball in play prior to enforcing this rule
- No punting. The goalie must throw the ball to a player or set it on the ground and kick it to them.
- All players on the opposing team must be behind the "build-out" line and may not encroach until the goalkeeper releases the ball by throwing it to teammate or setting it on the ground.
Free Kicks:
- All fouls are called in accordance with FIFA laws of the Game*. This includes having direct free kicks and penalty kicks, and no re-do on a bad throw-in.
Additional Fouls:
The following are fouls specific to the U10 division:
- No slide tackling. This will be considered a dangerous play and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the other team.
- No intentional headers. Any intentional headers will results in an indirect free kick for the other team.
- Offside will be called per the FIFA Laws of the Game* with one exception, a player cannot be offside if they are behind the "build-out" line (traditionally offside begins at midfield)
U12 Rules
- 30 minute halves
- Size 4 ball
- 9 players on the field (including the goalkeeper). A team must have 6 to start/continue a match
The only modification to the U12 rules is that there is no intentional headers. If an intentional header occurs, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the other team. All other FIFA Laws* are in place (goalkeepers may punt, offside begins at midfield, slide tackling is allowed)
U14 Rules
- 35 minute halves
- Size 5 ball
- 11 players on the field (including the goalkeeper). Must have 7 to start or continue.
All other FIFA Laws* are in place (goalkeepers may punt, offside begins at midfield, slide tackling is allowed, intentional headers are allowed)
U16 Rules
- 40 minute halves
- Size 5 ball
- 11 players on the field (including the goalkeeper). Must have 7 to start or continue.
All other FIFA Laws* are in place (goalkeepers may punt, offside begins at midfield, slide tackling is allowed)
* The linked FIFA Laws are written for the professional level and may not apply even if not outlined here (VAR for example). If you have a specific question about a law please contact Chris Sotak.
