Rules and Regulations Playing Rules: 1. All games will abide by the United States Youth Soccer Association Guidelines, with FC Belton optioning to add/drop rules where needed to improve the league. The rule as set forth in this outline shall be strictly adhere to and supersede rules from all other sources in the specific areas with which they are concerned. 2. Format of play: U5-3v3 No Goalie 1 Official U6-3v3 No Goalie 1 Official U7-4v4 No Goalie 1 Official U8 4v4 No Goalie 1 Official U9 6v6 Goalie 1 Official U10 6v6 Goalie 1 Official U11 8v8 Goalie 2 Officials U12 8v8 Goalie 2 Officials U13 11v11 Goalie 2 Officials U14 11v11 Goalie 3 Officials U16 11v11 Goalie 3 Officials 3. No player, parent, or coach is allowed along the goal line of the field at any time, and parents should be on the opposite sidelines of the team s players and coaches. 4. Each team will have a maximum of (3) coaches in the bench area during the course of a game. ALL coaches must submit/pass a criminal background check prior to ANY/ALL involvement with team in the role of coach. 5. Kick-0ff: (a) Each half begins with a kick-off
(b) Teams change ends of the field at the half 6. Slide- Tackles: SLIDE TACKLING: NO SLIDE TACKLING IS ALLOWED (a) SLIDE TACKLE PENALTY: Slide tackling will result in a warning and/or yellow card and an indirect free kick. (b) DEFINITION OF A SLIDE TACKLE: A slide tackle is defined as a player going to the ground to take the ball from an opposing player. For the slide tackle rule to be enforced, both a slide and a tackle must occur. (Only the Goal Keeper may slide tackle in the penalty area.) (c) SLIDING TO SAVE BALL: Sliding to save a ball that is about to go out of bounds is allowed, but only when another player is not (in the eyes of the referee) in "Harm s Way" of the slide. Sliding to save a ball from a goal is also permitted, however, only when another player is not (in the eyes of the referee) in "Harm s Way". 7. The clock will run continuously each game, stopping only for intermission periods. 8. Yellow Cards & Red Cards (a) The official has great discretion in calling fouls, and may choose to ignore minor infractions that would slow the game. The official may give a yellow card and award an indirect kick to the opposing team in the event of undue harassment from coaches and spectators. If harassment continues, the referee will consider it unsportsmanlike conduct and will enforce the punishments listed in the by-laws. (b) Referees have been instructed to be lenient in the lower age groups and to make games a learning experience for the players, keeping the safety of the players in mind. (c) Yellow Card- warranted by a player by means of a violation of the laws of the game or misconduct. (d) Red Card- warranted by a player or coach my means of a violation of the laws of the game, misconduct, or multiple infractions. Player must leave the complex before play will resume. 9. NO OT WILL BE PLAYED. 10. No score or standings are kept in the U5-U6 divisions. The players in these divisions will receive a participation award. 11. Score and standings will be kept in U7-U15 divisions. The 1st & 2nd place teams in each division will receive awards. All players in the CSN, U5, & U6 divisions will receive awards for participation. U5 RULES:
1. 1 field of 3v3, no goalies. 2. Participation award. 4. One official 5. No off sides/ no goal-penalty kicks as there is NO goalie 6. For goal kicks, the opposing team must retreat to their own half of the field before the kick is taken. 7. Corner kick are in play 8. Substitutes at any time U6 RULES: 1. 1 field of 3v3, no goalies. 2. Participation Award 4. One Official 5. No off sides/no goal-penalty kicks as there are NO goalie 6. For goal kicks, the opposing team must retreat to their own half of the field before the kick is taken. 7. Corner kicks are in play 8. Substitutes at the beginning of each quarters only, unless a player is injured U7/U8 RULES: 1. 4v4, no goalies 2. 1st, 2nd place will receive awards 4. 1 official 5. No off sides/ no goal penalty-kicks as there is NO Goalie 6. Penalty arc: An area in front of each goal prohibiting contact with the ball. Intended to discourage the placement of players in front of the goal. 7. Goal scored from defensive half: Any goal scored from a team s defensive end of the field will not count and a free kick will be awarded to the defending team from their end line. 8. All opposing players retreat to their own half for goal kicks. Opposing players can enter the half the moment the ball is back in play. 9. Corner kicks are in play 10. Substitutes at the beginning at each quarter only, unless a player is injured U9/U10 RULES: 1. 6v6, goalies 3. Ball size:4 4. 3 officials 5. Off sides will be enforced, penalty kicks, free kicks, and goal kicks are all played.
7. All other FIFA laws of the game shall apply U11/U12 RULES: 1. 8v8, goalies 3. Ball size: 4 4. 3 officials 5. Off-sides will be enforced; penalty kicks, free kicks, and goal kicks are all played. 7. All other FIFA laws of the game shall apply. U13 & UP RULES: 1. 11v11, goalie 3. Ball size: 5 4. 2 officials 5. Off sides will be enforced, penalty kicks, free kicks, and goal kicks are all played. 7. All other FIFA laws of the game shall apply. PLAYING TIME: 1. An official game shall consist of: U5/U6 Four (4) eight (8) minute quarters/ 5 Minute halftime U7/U8 Four (4) ten (10) minute quarters/ 5 Minute halftime U9/U10 Two (2) twenty (20) minute halves/ 5 Minute halftime U11/U12 Two (2) twenty-five (25) minute halves/ 5 Minute halftime U13 & UP Two (2) thirty (35) minute halves/ 5 Minute halftime 2. The clock will run continuously each game, stopping only for intermission periods or injuries. 3. The pre-game warm-up and any intermission periods may be cut short by the league official present if games are running behind posted schedule. PARTICIPATION RULE FOR RECREATIONAL LEAGUES: The following applies to each player that has made half (1/2) of all scheduled team practices within the last seven (7) days and who is on the field in uniform five (5) minutes prior to the start of the game for referee check-in. Non-compliance to the players participation rule could result in forfeiture of the game up to dismissal of the coach from the league, etc. There will be free substitution during stoppage of play, i.e. corner kicks, throw-ins
1. Each player is required to be given playing time equal to half of the game. 2. Injury/ Discipline Exception: The coach is required to notify the center referee and opposing team coach, by name, any player that is not playing at least 50% of the game due to injury, discipline or any other issue. EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS: 1. All players on each team must wear the uniforms provided by FC Belton to games. 2. Shoes with rubber or plastic cleats are recommended. NO shoes having a toe cleat will be permitted. 3. Shin guards are required for all practices and games to prevent lower leg injuries. 4. Players who wear any type of glasses on the field must have a retainer strap. 5. No jewelry may be worn at any time during the game, unless medical alerts, which shall be taped down. Special rules will apply to CSN participants and will be determined by the referee for any safety issues. 6. Referees may ban any equipment that they deem as unsafe or illegal. PLAYER/TEAM/SPECTATOR GAME GUIDELINES: All divisions, players and coaches (both teams) will be on one side of the field with all spectators on the opposite side. Parents, players and coaches will be respectful at all times. There will be no cursing. Positive gestures are highly encouraged. THERE IS ABSOLUTY NO SMOKING, VAPING, ACOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND/OR ILLEGAL DRUGS AT ANY TIME.