General Rules

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1.  When a referee is present, they are the final authority of the game.  Parents and coaches should not say anything to the officials during the run of play.  Any questions and concerns can be discussed at half or at the end of the game.  This message serves as a warning.  If a referee is harassed or spoken to rudely during the run of play the referee has the right to eject the person immediately with no warning.

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2. Every player must play at a minimum half of every game.  If a player refuses to go in please address this with parents between quarters or at half.  DO NOT just not play the child.  EVERY player must sit out at least a quarter of play.  This is our biggest parent complaint, that coaches play the best player the entire game or coaches play their child the entire game.  

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3. Players must wear shin guards and proper cleats.  No toe cleat.

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4. Jewelry may not be worn during games.

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5. Regular season games may end in a tie.  For tournament games over-time will be utilized in U8 and U10.  U12 will go directly to penalty kicks.  Overtime procedure will be:

     

For U6/U8 - In the tournament if the game ends in a tie teams will play one two-minute Golden Goal overtime period.  If still tied they will play a second Golden Goal period.  If still tied each team will remove a player from the field for a 1 minute over-time.  If still tied each team will remove another player for another 1 minute over-time period.  This will continue until it is 1v1.  The same players may not participate in more than 3 consecutive OT periods.

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For U10 - If tied at the end of regulation teams will play one 5 minute Golden Goal overtime.  If still tied at the conclusion of the overtime teams will use a best of 5 shootout.  If still tied shootout will become sudden death at each round.  All players must kick before a player can take a second kick.

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U6 - Rules

1. Size 3 ball

2. Coaches ref all games

3. 4 - 8 minute quarters with running clock, if there are 2 games in a day for teams then time will be 4 - 6 minute quarters.

4. 4v4 no goalkeepers

5. Goal Arch Rule - players may not defend in the arch.  If a defensive player enters the arch prior to the ball and stops the ball a free kick is awarded to the attacking team halfway between midfield and the arch.

6. All free kicks are indirect and opponents must be 4 yards away

7. No slide tackling and no headers - if a player heads the ball it is a free kick from the spot the head occurred for the other team.

8. No offside

9. Throw-ins for all balls going into touch on sidelines, corner and goal kicks for balls crossing the end lines

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U8 - Rules

1. Size 3 ball

2. Coaches will referee all games

3. 4-10 minute quarters with running clock, clock should only stop for injuries.  If there are two games scheduled for teams in a day time will be 4 - 8 minute quarters.

4. 5 v 5  with keepers

5. All free kicks are indirect and defending team must give 5 yards, no penalty kicks.  If a foul occurs in the box it should be pulled directly outside the box.

6. No offside

7. No keeper punts

8. No heading.  If ball is headed free kick is awarded to other team at the spot of the infraction

9. No slide tackles

10. No penalty kicks.  If a foul occurs in the box the ball will be pulled out of the box for the free kick

11. An athlete may only play half of the game as goalkeeper.  Ideally you should switch every quarter.

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U10 - Rules

1. Size 4 ball

2. We will do our best to have referees for all games

3. 2 - 20 minute halves with running clock, clock should only stop for injuries.  

4. 7 v 7 with keepers

5. Free kicks can be direct or indirect, see FIFA rules (contact fouls, hand ball, kick-off are all direct)

6. Offside is played - only beyond the build out line

7. No keeper punts

8. No heading.  If ball is headed free kick is awarded to other team at the spot of the infraction

9. No slide tackles

10. There are penalty kicks

11. An athlete may only play half of the game as goalkeeper.  Ideally you should switch every quarter.

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U10 Rules

 

  • The spirit of this rule is to encourage the U9 and U10 teams to learn how to play the ball forward from the first third. Traditionally keepers have been able to just punt the ball across the midway line which was a detriment to the players learning how to progress the ball forward from defense to mid field to the attackers.

 

  • When the goalkeeper (Team O) has the ball in his/her hands during play, the opposing team (Team X) must move behind the build-out line until the ball is released from the goalkeeper's possession and crosses the penalty area.

 

  • Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line, the goalkeeper can release the ball by passing (NOT dribbling), throwing, or rolling the ball to a teammate who is on his/her side of the build-out line or beyond the build-out line.

 

  • Section 1R has clarified that the goalkeeper may roll (not bounce) the ball and then pass the ball to a teammate on their side of the build out line.

 

  • PUNTS and DROP KICKS are not allowed from the keeper.

 

  • After the ball is released from the goalkeeper's possession and crosses the penalty area, the opposing team may cross the build-out line and play resumes as normal.

 

  • The goalkeeper releasing the ball from possession or the player taking the goal kick does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build-out line.

 

  • The play from the goalkeeper or from the goal kick can be played to a teammate beyond the build-out line.

 

  • 2018 FALL Season UPDATE - on Goal Kicks, the ball must be kicked and cross the penalty area before the opposing team can cross the build out line to attack the ball.

 

OFFSIDE

  • The build-out line shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.

  • Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build-out line and goal line.

  • ARs should position themselves with the build-out line, the second to last defender, or the ball, whichever is closest to the goal.

Guidance to Referees

  • Encourage the opponents to move quickly beyond the build-out line. Do not start the “6-sec clock” until all opponents have retreated behind the build-out line.

  • The referee should position themselves on or very close to the build-out line and ask the players to stay behind until the ball is released.

  • If a player insists on crossing over the line a couple of times without respecting the referee’s direction; you have an IFK for the goalkeeper’s team… location: on the build-out line, place closest to where the player crossed the line

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U12 - Rules

1.  All FIFA Rules will be in place

2. 2 - 25 minute halves

3. 9 v 9

4. Size 4 ball

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