General Rules
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.
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.
3. Players must wear shin guards and proper cleats. No toe cleat.
4. Jewelry may not be worn during games.
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.
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.
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
10. Please use a whistle to indicate when play stops and starts.
U9 - Rules
1. Size 4 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. 6v6 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.
12. Please dedicate 12-15 minutes each game to your smallest and youngest players only. End of 2-3 of the quarters would be great. Then mix them in the rest of the time.
13. Please use a whistle to stop and start play.
U12 - Rules
1. Size 4 ball
2. We will do our best to have referees for all games
3. 2 - 25 minute halves with running clock, clock should only stop for injuries.
4. 8 v 8 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 in place for all of the offensive side of the field.
7. No keeper punts
8. No heading. If ball is headed free kick is awarded to other team at the spot of the infraction. If the ball hits a player in the head with no intention then play should continue.
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.