Youth Soccer League Rules Revised 8.13.15 The Parks & Recreation Department reserves the right to modify the below rules as deemed necessary at any time for the betterment of the program. PLAYING RULES: 1. All games will abide by the United States Youth Soccer Association Guidelines, with the Parks & Recreation optioning to add/drop rules where we see needed. The rules as set forth in this outline shall be strictly adhered to and supersede rules from all other sources in the specific areas with which they are concerned. 2. Format of play: 6U (5 & 6 year olds) 5 v 5 w/ Goalie 8U (7 & 8 year olds) 5 v 5 w/ Goalie 10U (9 & 10 year olds) 6 v 6 w/ Goalie 12U (11 & 12 year olds) 8 v 8 w/ Goalie 14U (13 & 14 year olds) 11 v 11 w/ Goalie 3. No player, parent, coach is allowed along the baseline of the field at any time or along the opposite sidelines of their respective team. 4. Each team will have maximum of (2) coaches in the bench area during the course of a game. ALL coaches must submit/pass a criminal background check, concussion course and NAYS course prior to ANY/ALL involvement with team in the role of coach. 5. Kick-Off: (a) Each half begins with a kick-off (b) Teams change ends of field at the half 6. Slide-Tackles : SLIDE TACKLING: NO SLIDE TACKLING IS ALLOWED SLIDE TACKLE PENALTY: Slide tackling will result in a yellow card and indirect free kick. 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 tackle must occur. (Only the Goal Keeper may slide tackle in the penalty area). 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 Harms 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 HARMS WAY. 7. The clock will run continuously each game, stopping only for intermission periods. 8. No OT will be played. 9. No score or standings are kept in the 6U or 8U divisions. The players in these divisions will receive a participation award. 10. MERCY RULE - During a game, any team losing by a margin of 5 goals will be permitted to place one additional player on the field. Should this margin become less, the additional player must come off. 11. Score and standings will be kept in the 10U, 12U and 14U divisions. 1 st & 2 nd place regular season teams & Tourney/ Tourney Runner up will receive medals. 12. Team Formation - The sizes of the teams will be set by the RPRD and selected by drafting for the 10U, 12U & 14U Divisions. During team formation, which will take place at the draft (10U, 12U, 14U), a coach can guarantee
three (3) players, with the remainder of the players being selected via the draft. 6U & 8U teams will be formed by Parks & Recreation Staff. Please refer to Youth Sports League Draft Rules for complete rules. 6U Rules: 1. 5 v 5, with goalie 2. Participation award 3. Field size: 90 x 60 4. Ball size: 3 5. 1 youth official 6. No off-sides. 7. No corner, goal, or penalty kicks. Goalie is only there to prevent scoring 8. Throw-ins will be done by coaches (no player throw ins) 9. Goal size: 4 x 5 10. Corner flags: none 11. Master of ball (MOB): When the ball is scored or goes out of bounds, another ball is immediately played into the field by a THROW-IN. The only dead ball restarts are the kickoffs beginning the game and each quarter. If we stop game for kicks @ this level it will slow the game down and waste time played on the field. MOB will keep good flow to the game. 8U Rules: 1. 5 v 5, with goalie 2. Participation award 3. Field size: 90 x 75 4. Ball size: 4 6. Goal, penalty and corner kicks are in play 7. Throw-ins are done by players 8. Corner flags: yes 9. 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. 10. In order for a goal to count, all players from the scoring team must be making an attempt to be in the mid-field area/attacking half. This is at the discretion of the official. If a team is repeatedly cherry picking (more than once), the official may wave off the goal. 11. 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. 10U Rules: 1. 6 v 6, goalie 2. 1 st and 2 nd, place medals for both regular season & tournament 3. Field size:180 x 125 4. Ball size:4 7. Corner flags are in 8. All other OHSAA laws of the game shall apply 12U Rules: 1. 8 v 8, goalie 2. 1 st and 2 nd place medals for both regular season & tournament 3. Field size:240 x 150
4. Ball size:4 7. All other OHSAA laws of the game shall apply 14U Rules: 1. 11 v 11, goalie 2. 1 st and 2 nd place medals for both regular season & tournament 3. Field size:330 x 195 4. Ball size:5 7. All other OHSAA laws of the game shall apply Length of Matches/ Ratio: 1. An official game shall consist of : 6U: Four (4) eight (8) minute quarters / 5 Minute halftime 8U: Four (4) ten (10) minute quarters / 5 Minute halftime 10U: Two (2) twenty (20) minute halves / 5 Minute halftime 12U: Two (2) twenty-five (25) minute halves / 5 Minute halftime 14U: Two (2) thirty (30) minute halves / 5 Minute halftime 2. The clock will run continuously each game, stopping only for intermission periods or injuries. Teams will be allowed a warm up time prior to start of game, if games are running on time. 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 or daylight is running out. 4. For older divisions (10U, 12U, 14U) that end up combining boys and girls into one division due to enrollment challenges, Recreation Superintendent will communicate male/female ratio that must be met during games. Participation Rule: 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. Non-compliance with the players participation rule could result in forfeiture of the game up to dismissal of coach from the league, etc., as long as the player participation requirement is being met. There will be free substitution at any time during stoppage of play, i.e. corner kicks, throw-ins 1. Each player is required to play a set number of minutes per game: 6U sixteen (16) minutes (50% of the match) 8U twenty (20) minutes (50% of the match) 10U twenty (20) minutes (50% of the match) 12U twenty-five (25) minutes (50% of the match) 14U thirty (30) minutes (50% of the match) 2. Injury Exception: In case of an injury to a player, the coach must notify the official (Documentation must be presented to RPRD staff prior to first game of injured player) that the injury prevents the player from completing the required time allotment. The injury may be questioned by the Recreation Superintendent or his/her designee and the player s parent(s) about the status of returning to the game. This decision does not require the coach s approval. If it is determined that this is a strategy or influence by the coach, the player will not receive credit for participation time and could result in a forfeiture of game. The coach is required to notify the center referee and opposing team coach, by name, of any player that is not playing at least 50% of the game due to discipline or any other issue. *Please note: If teams have players not meeting the practice requirement and/or missing games, they must notify the Recreation Superintendent or his/her designee. If the Recreation Superintendent or his/her designee is not officially
notified, the player will be expected to play as stated above. Player participation issues will be handled on a case by case basis to determine player participation eligibility. EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS: 1. All players on each team must wear the uniforms provided by the Parks and Recreation Department. 2. All footwear is the responsibility of the parents. Shoes with rubber or plastic cleats are recommended, but not required. NO shoes having a toe cleat will be permitted. 3. Shin guards are required for all practices & 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. No hard hair bands, beads etc. may be worn. No wristbands. 6. Headbands must be worn on the on the head above the ears. 7. Referees may ban any equipment that they deem as unsafe or illegal. 8. Game Specifics: Division Age Group Ball Size Play make-up 6U 5 & 6 YEAR OLDS #3 5 v 5 8U 7 & 8 YEAR OLDS #4 5 v 5 10U 9 & 10 YEAR OLDS #4 6 v 6 12U 11 & 12 YEAR OLDS #4 8 v 8 14U 13 & 14 YEAR OLDS #5 11 v 11 Player/Coach/Fan Conduct 1. 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. Player must leave the field of play until the next stoppage of play. (d) Red Card warranted by a player or coach by means of a violation of the laws of the game, misconduct, or multiple infractions. Player/Coach must leave the complex before play will resume. If teams play more than one (1) game per day, the Parks & Recreation Superintendent or his/her designee will decide if player/coach returns for the second game. 2. Any player, coach, parent, or sponsor ejected from any league game must leave the complex and may not return until that person(s) have spoken directly with the Recreation Superintendent. 3. Disciplinary Actions: i. Verbal Warning ii. Written Warning iii. One (1) game suspension iv. Two (2) game suspension v. Removal from the league vi. Forfeit of games vii. Banned from league viii. Banned from all Parks & Recreation Youth Sports Leagues/programs 4. Any player, coach, or sponsor ejected from any league game is subject to a minimum of three (3) league game suspension and/or removal from league. 5. Any player, coach, or sponsor on suspension is not allowed at the soccer field for practices and/or games until suspension is over.
6. Any suspension that occurs will carry over into post-season play 7. Negative behavior & poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated. Those that fail to promote a healthy playing environment for the participants will be asked to leave the fields. ACTIVITY STATUS HOTLINE 614.322.6834