MODIFIED RULES FOR U4, U6, & U8 MICRO-SOCCER (Adopted 8/16/95; Modified 8/20/96, 8/15/97, 8/19/98, 1/12/00, 11/9/00, 2/7/03, 8/24/03, 2/1/05, 9/23/05, 8/24/09, 3/6/10, 9/11/10, 2/25/11, 7/6/13)
SSA U4, U6, & U8 MICRO-SOCCER MODIFIED RULES The following are modified rules for U4, U6, & U8 micro-soccer as implemented by the West Georgia Futbol Club. These rules serve as modifications to the FIFA Rules of the Game and the GSSA Rules and Regulations and, unless specifically modified herein, the rules of micro-soccer conform to the FIFA Rules of the Game and the GSSA Rules and Regulations. Law I: The Field of Play A. Outer Dimensions (yards): Age Group Minimum Maximum Recommended U4/U6 20 x 15 30 x 20 25 x 20 U8 30 x 20 50 x 40 50 x 30 B. Inside Markings and Dimensions: Halfway Line Center Circle: U4/U6: none U8: 6-yard radius Penalty Area Markings: U4/U6: line 6 yards from goal line running from touchline to touchline U8: line extending from touchline to touchline Length: ¼ of the total length of the field Goal Area Markings: U4/U6: none U8: 10 ft x 6 ft. Corner Arcs: 2-foot radius Penalty Kick Mark: none C. Goals (L x H): U4/U6: 4 feet x 6 feet U8: 6 feet x 12 feet Law II: The Ball Size 3 Law III: Number of Players A. Maximum number of players on the field and the minimum number of players to start and to continue: U4/U6: 3 max. / 3 min. U8: 5 max. / 5 min. B. Maximum (recommended) number of players on a team: U4: 6 U5 6 U6: 6 U8: 10 C. U4/U6 will not have goal keepers. -2-
D. U8 will have a goal keeper. U8 will have a player on the team as the goalkeeper and can handle the ball only in his/her penalty area. The goalkeeper must be distinguished from the field players by some form of additional identification such as a training bib or different color jersey. In U8 all players must rotate into the keeper position. E. Substitutions: U4/U6: There shall be five times to substitute. 1. At two of these times, substitutions are mandatory: a. In the middle of the first half of play(first dead ball after 8 th to 10 th minute); and b. In the middle of the second half of play (first dead ball after 28 th to 30 th minute). 2. At the other three times, substitutions may be made at the option of the coach: a. At half time; and b. In case of an injured player substitution, the opposing team may also substitute (one player for each injured player substituted). c. In case of fatigue, or for individual player instruction, or to return a player after instruction at a stoppage in play (in this case, only one player may be substituted at a time on this occasion). Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of each half unless unwilling or unable to do so. U8: There shall be five times to substitute. 1. At two of these times, substitutions are mandatory: a. In the middle of the first half of play (first dead ball after 12 th minute); and b. In the middle of the second half of play (first dead ball after 41 st minute). 2. At the other three times, substitutions may be made at the option of the coach: a. At half time; and b. In case of an injured player substitution, the opposing team may also substitute (one player for each injured player substituted). c. In case of fatigue, or for individual player instruction, or to return a player after instruction at a stoppage in play (in this case, only one player may be substituted at a time on this occasion). Law IV: Players Equipment A. Shoes, socks, shirts, shorts, and shin-guards are mandatory (practice & games). B. Shin-guards must be worn completely under socks. C. Shoes may be soft-cleated soccer shoes or tennis shoes. Baseball cleats with front toe spike is not allowed. Toe spike may be filed or cut off of cleat. D. Players will not be allowed to play with a cast or with jewelry. Law V: Referee A. A certified referee who is knowledgeable of micro-soccer rules shall be eligible to referee U8 micro-soccer games. If no certified referee is available, a coach or parent who is knowledgeable of micro-soccer rules may referee the game with the mutual consent of the opposing coaches. All rule infractions shall be briefly explained to the offending player. In U8, after such explanation (and at the referee s discretion), any improperly taken kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, or kick-in may be retaken by the offending player. B. The referee shall call for substitutions (after a stoppage in play) at the times specified in Law III E. In U8, substitutions at mid-quarter should be made as quickly as possible and the game restarted immediately. -3-
C. Coach U4/U6 U8 There are no referees in U4/U6. One coach per team will be on the field to direct their players without interfering with play. The referee shall allow one coach to enter the field to arrange the players during any stoppage of play. Coach must exit the field of play immediately after arrangement has been made. Law VI: Assistant Referees (Linesmen) There shall be no assistant referees (linesmen) in U8. Law VII: Duration of Game A. U4/U6: Two 20-minute halves U8: Two 24-minute halves B. There shall be a minimum of a five-minute break between halves. Law VIII: The Start of Play U4/U6: Defending players must be inside their own penalty area on the kick-off. U8: Defending players must be on their own half of the field and outside of the center circle on the kickoff. Law IX: Ball In and Out of Play U4/U6: Loose boundaries. There will not be throw-ins or kick-ins. The coach will insert a "new ball" when players go too far out of bounds. The proper way to insert a new ball is by rolling a ball into play. Avoid throwing a ball into play. U8: Ball will be placed back into play by a kick-in. Law X: Method of Scoring - A. U4/ U6: Score every chance you get. Encourage the use of both feet. B. U8: Score with your right foot, score with you left foot. Law XI: Offside A. U4-U8: There shall be no offsides. Law XII: Fouls and Misconduct A. All fouls will result in an Indirect Free Kick (no Direct Free Kicks) with the opponents five yards away from the ball when the free kick is taken. B. There will be no cautions (yellow cards) or send-offs (red cards) given to players. C. All rule infractions shall be briefly explained to the offending player. D. In the case of serious misconduct, the referee will have the discretionary power to suspend the player from play for a prescribed period of time (e.g., 4 minutes, 6 minutes, quarter, half, etc.). However, no red card will be shown. E. No Slide Tackling. (Players can slide for a ball if there is no contact/intent to contact initiated. i.e. player can slide for a ball that is going out of bounds, if no other players are around). An inappropriate slide tackle will result in an indirect kick for opposition. F. U8 Goalkeeper Harassment Rule (restated here for informational purposes from the GSSA Rules and Regulations): When the goalkeeper has taken possession of the ball within his/her own penalty area, opposing players are required to move away and to the side so as not to interfere with the goalkeeper putting the ball into play. Once the goalkeeper has put the ball into play, opposing players shall not touch the ball until it has left the penalty area. In all other respects, however, the ball is in play (e.g., if the goalkeeper throws the ball and it strikes a teammate within the penalty area and rebounds into the goal, the goal counts) and the normal two-touch and time-wasting rules are in effect. Infringement of this rule will result in an indirect free kick at the spot of the infringement. -4-
Law XIV: Free Kicks A. All free kicks will be indirect with the opponents at least five yards away from the ball when the kick is taken. B. Free kicks will be taken at the spot of the infringement but, in any case, no closer than five yards from either team s goal. C. There shall be no penalty kicks. Law XV: Throw-Ins / Kick-Ins U4/U6: There shall be no throw-ins or kick-ins. When the ball passes outside the field of play over the touchline, loose boundaries will be in affect. Players will be allowed to "play-on". In the case where a ball is kicked out of reach and out of bounds a "new ball" will be placed anywhere on the field of play by the coach and players will play-on. U8: Only Kick-ins will be used at U8. Law XVI: Goal Kick A. Goal kicks are taken anywhere within the penalty area of the team awarded the goal kick. B. U8 goal kicks are taken from any point on the line that dissects the field halfway between the center line and the end line. C. Opposing players must be on their half of the field when the goal kick is taken. Law XVII: Corner Kick U4/U6: No corner kicks. U8: All opposing players must be at least five yards away from the ball when the corner kick is taken. -5-