Rule 1 - THE FIELD The Rules of Mini-Soccer (U8, U10, U12 Coed) updated April 2018 Field markings shall be clearly visible, and of uniform width of approximately 5 inches. All lines are part of the area they encompass. The width of the goals shall be measured from the inside of one goal-post to the inside of the other goal-post, and the height from the ground to the underside of the cross-bar. Whenever possible, goal-nets shall be used. Corner-posts shall stand not less than 5 feet from the ground and shall be placed in each corner of the field of play. All lines shall be distinctively marked not more than five (5) inches wide. Corner aches are 4 foot radius. The size of the goals shall be: 1. 8 feet wide and 5 feet high for the Under 8 s 2. 16 feet wide and 6 feet high for the Under 10 s 3. 18 feet wide and 6 feet high for the Under 12 s Rule 2 - THE BALL 1. The ball shall be spherical and shall be constructed of material, which is not dangerous to the player. 2. Ball size for 4 to 8 years olds: Size 3 (Squirts U6, Under 8) 3. Ball size for 8 to 10 years olds: Size 4 (Under 10) 4. Ball Size for 10 to 12 years old: Size 4 (Under 12) Rule 3 - NUMBER OF PLAYERS 1. The Under 8 will play 5 aside one of whom shall be the goalkeeper. 2. The Under 10 will play 7 aside one of whom shall be the goalkeeper 3. The Under 12 with a roster of 14 players will play 9 aside, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper and if roster is 15 or more will play 11 aside, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper. 4. A maximum of 12 players can be dressed for a game in the Under 8 and 10 divisions 5. A maximum of 16 players can be dressed for a game in the Under 12division. 6. Unlimited substitution shall be allowed. Page 1 of 6 Grass Roots U8, U10, U12 Coed 21 April 2018
7. Substitutions shall be allowed at stoppages, under the control of the referee. 8. Both teams must have at least 5 players to start the game, (Under 12 7 players). 9. The game should not continue if a team has less than 5 players, (Under 12-7 players). 10. Players ejected by the referee must be replaced by team substitute. 11. Ejected players must not take any further part in the game. 12. Each Player SHALL play a minimum 50% of the total playing time. 13. In each Age Group, all Teams and games may be co-ed. Rule 4 - PLAYERS EQUIPMENT 1. Players shall not wear anything which endangers themselves or other players. 2. Basic compulsory equipment shall consist of shorts, socks, shin guards, footwear, and a numbered shirt. Goalkeepers must wear colours which are distinguishable from all outfield players and the referee. Goalkeepers may wear gloves, tracksuittype pants and a cap to keep sun out of eyes. 3. A player who is asked to leave the field of play because of defective or dangerous equipment may not re-enter the field of play until the referee is satisfied that the equipment is permissible. 4. No jewelry is allowed. Earrings, studs must be removed. 5. Medical bracelets must be taped up. 6. No plaster cast allowed light wait cast may be allowed on referee discretion. 7. All players are to wear shin guards. Rule 5 - The Referee The Referee appointed to officiate a mini-soccer game will have the full authority to enforce the mini-soccer rules. Referee decisions regarding facts connected to play are final. The referee shall: 1. Enforce the rules of the game. 2. Refrain from penalizing in cases where the offending team may gain an advantage. 3. Report in writing to the appropriate authority, any misconduct by players, parents, spectators or other persons which takes place on the field of play or its vicinity at any time during the game. 4. Controls who may enter or leave the field of play. 5. Stop the game immediately if a player appears to be injured, bleeding, or concussed. 6. Signal to start the game, and to restart it after a stoppage. Decide if the field of play and all applicable equipment is suitable. Rule 6 - DURATION OF GAME 1. The game shall be divided into two equal halves. 2. Under 8 shall have 2 equal halves of 16 minute. With a practice of 15 minutes. 3. Under 10 shall have 2 equal halves of 20 minute duration each. A 5 minute break between halves, and a 10 minute practice at the start. Total playing time for U10 is 49 minutes. 4. Under 12 shall have 2 equal halves of 25 minute with a 5 minute break between halves. Page 2 of 6 Grass Roots U8, U10, U12 Coed 21 April 2018
Rule 7 - START OF PLAY 1. At the beginning of the game, choice of halves and kick-off shall be decided by the toss of a coin. The team that wins the toss shall have the choice of which half to play in, the losing team gets to kick-off. 2. At a kick-off, all players shall be in their own half of the field of play. All players opposing the team taking the kick-off shall be not less than 6 meters from the ball until it is kicked off. The game shall be started by the referee giving a signal. The ball shall be kicked in any direction and is then in play. For any infringement off this rule, the kick-off shall be retaken. Should the player taking the kick-off play or touch the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player, a free-kick shall be awarded to the opposing team. 3. After a goal has been scored, the game shall be restarted by a kick-off, to be taken by a player of the team against which the goal was scored. 4. After the first half of play, the team shall change halves and a player of the team opposing which started the game shall take the kick-off. 5. For any stoppage not mentioned elsewhere in these rules, the referee shall restart the game by dropping the ball at the place where it was when play was stopped, the ball shall be in play as it touches the ground. 6. For U8 and U10, if a free kick is awarded to the attacking team within the opponent's penalty area, the ball will be placed on that part of the penalty area line that runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the ball was when play was stopped. Opponents shall be no less than 6 meters from the ball. This becomes a direct kick. 7. A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-off in Squirts, Under 8 and Under 10 divisions. Rule 8 BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY The ball is OUT of play: 1. When the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line, or touch-line, whether on the ground or in the air. 2. When the play has been stopped by the referee. The ball is IN play: 1. When it rebounds into play from a goal-post, a cross-bar, or a corner flag post, or referee and remains in the field of play. Rule 9 - METHOD OF SCORING 1. A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has crossed over the goal-line, between the goal-post and under the cross-bar, provided it has not been thrown, carried, or intentionally propelled by hand or arm, by a player of the attacking team, except by a goalkeeper within his/her penalty-area. 2. During the course of play, should any outside agent prevent the ball from passing into the goal or assist the ball into the goal, play shall be stopped. The referee shall restart the game by dropping the ball. 3. When a U8 or U10 team has a 3 goal difference ie. (4-1) the ahead team will play with one less player, U8 will go from 5 to 4 players, U10 will go from 7 to 6 players. If the ahead team scores again they will take off one mare player. Maximum of 2 players off. If the trailing team scores a goal a player will come back on. 4. When a U12 team is losing by a 3 goal difference, they will add a player. Maximum 1 additional player. This player will be removed if the difference is reduced to 2 goals. Page 3 of 6 Grass Roots U8, U10, U12 Coed 21 April 2018
Rule 10 OFFSIDE 1. There will be no offside in the Under 8 and Under 10 divisions. 2. Under 12 will follow FIFA rules Rule 11 - FOULS & MISCONDUCT A player, who, in the opinion of the referee, intentionally commits any of the following offences, shall be penalized by the awarding of a free-kick to the opposing team: Spits at an opponent Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent Trips or attempts to trip an opponent Jumps at an opponent Charges an opponent Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent Holds an opponent Pushes an opponent Handles the ball deliberately, (except a goalkeeper from within his own penalty area). Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball. If a Yellow card is given a player will leave the field for 5 minutes (cooling off), another can replace that player. Slide tackling is prohibited in U8, U10, U12, U15, and U18. 1st offence is a warning, 2nd offence is a yellow card, 3rd offence is a red card and suspension for the rest of the half period the player was playing in. Should a player commit one of the above offences within his/her own penalty / goal area while the ball is in play, will follow Rule 13 part 2. Rule 12 - FREE KICKS (U8 & U10 all Free Kicks are In-Direct with exception -see Rule 13) 1. For any infringement of the mini-soccer rules when the ball is in play, the referee may award a free-kick to the nonoffending team. 2. The free-kick shall be taken from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the free-kick is awarded to the attacking team within its opponents Goal-area. In this case, the kick shall be taken from that part of the Goal-area line, which is parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the offence was committed. 3. At the taken of a free kick, the ball shall be stationary and all opponents shall not be less than 6 meters from the ball until it has been kicked. 4. The ball shall be in play when it is kicked and moved. 5. A player taking a free-kick within his own penalty-area shall kick the ball into play beyond the penalty-area. The ball shall be in play when it has been kicked and moved and has passed outside the penalty-area. All opponents shall be outside the penalty-area and not less than 6 Meters from the ball until it has been kicked. For any infringement of this rule, the free-kick shall be retaken. 6. A player taking a free-kick shall not play or touch the ball a second time until it has been played or touched by another player. For any infringement of this rule, a free-kick shall be awarded to the opposing team. 7. A goal may not be scored directly from a free kick in Under 8 and Under 10 divisions. 8. Under 12 will follow FIFA rules Page 4 of 6 Grass Roots U8, U10, U12 Coed 21 April 2018
Rule 13 - PENALTY KICKS 1. There will be NO penalty-kicks in Under 8 and Under 10 divisions. 2. Under 12 will follow FIFA rules For U8 and U10, if a free kick is awarded to the attacking team within the opponent's penalty area, the ball will be placed on that part of the penalty area line that runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the ball was when play was stopped. Opponents shall be no less than 6 meters from the ball. This becomes a direct kick. Rule 14: Throw-in s / Kick-in s 1. In the Under 8 and Under 10 division there will be no Throw-in s, only kick ins from the touch line. 2. Players on the opposing team must be 3 meters away from the ball being kick in. 3. No goal can be scored from a kick- in. Rule 15 Retreat Line (Goes vertical in air from the line on the ground) 1. Retreat Line Rules are in effect for U8, U10 and U12. 2. U8 Retreat Line is Half field line 3. U10 & U12 Retreat Line is 1/3 Field (marked on side touch lines) 4. Any goalie possession, either a goal kick or goalie has stopped the ball and now has possession, the opposing team must retreat back to the Retreat line in respective division 5. Once the ball has been played by a second player on that goalie s team or the ball has been played over the Retreat line, it is now considered Live and opposing team can make plays on the ball. 6. Any violation of the Retreat Line Rule, ref will stop play and reset the play with the goalie starting again with the ball. Rule 16- GOAL KICK 1. When the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line, either on the ground or in the air, excluding that portion between the goal-post, having last been played or touched by a member of the attacking team, a goal-kick shall be awarded to the defending team. The ball shall be kicked into play from any point within the Goal area. 2. At the taken of a goal-kick (Under 8), all the opponents shall retreat back to their own half of the field. U10 and U12 need to be at the 1/3 mark line (between half line and opponents goal line) 3. The opposing team must follow Retreat Line Rules 4. The player taken the goal kick must not play or touch the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player. 5. A goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick in the Under 8 and Under 10 and U12 divisions. In U10 and U12 if the ball however, is played directly over the Retreat Line and is played directly into the goal (one touch) it will count as a goal. Page 5 of 6 Grass Roots U8, U10, U12 Coed 21 April 2018
Rule 17 - CORNER KICKS 1. When the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line, either on the ground or in the air, excluding that portion between the goal-post, having last been played or touched by a member of the defending team, a corner-kick shall be awarded to the attacking team. 2. The corner-kick shall be taken from within the corner-arc nearest to where the ball crossed the goal line. All the opponents shall be not less than 6 meters from the ball until it has been kicked. 3. The player taken the corner-kick must not play or touch the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player. 4. A goal may be scored directly from a corner-kick. Recommendations 1. Opposing Parents/Coaches and players shall shake hands after every game. 2. Parents/Coaches, non-playing players, parents and spectators should be located not less than six (6) yards from the outside touch-line or twenty (20) yards from the goal line. 3. Individuals, other than participants, should be discouraged from running up and down the length of the field. 4. Parents/Coaches should not coach or instruct players during game time. 5. No alcoholic beverages to be consumed or allowed near the playing area. 6. Keep the fun element in the game. 7. Parents/Coaches/Players, Referee are not permitted to smoke cigarettes, e-smokes, or vapor devices on Larry Bauer Park property. It is now a Smoke Free Area and violators are subject to fines 8. Parking is only permitted in designated parking lot areas, and not along the grass near the fields. No parking signs are posted and violators are subject to fines. 9. Parents and spectators to sit on the opposite side of the field to players and coaches. No one is to sit or stand behind Penalty Area or Goal Post. Page 6 of 6 Grass Roots U8, U10, U12 Coed 21 April 2018