SOCCER RULES The YMCA mission is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The YMCA will use rules outlined by (FIFA) and can be modified by the YMCA. The following is a general outline of those rules. Both teams must recite the YMCA Player s Pledge and Parents Pledge before the game begins. All teams must wear YMCA issued shirts. Rules are subject to change with at least a weeks notice. OBJECT OF THE GAME: The object of the game is to move the ball toward the opponent s goal and kick it through that goal. START OF THE GAME: Each player must have on the appropriate uniform such as jersey, shorts, and socks. Also every player must have on shin guards placed underneath the socks; cleats are not mandatory to play soccer. The choice of ends and the kick-off shall be decided by the toss of a coin. The team winning the toss shall have the choice of either end of the field or the kick-off. No coaches or parents are to be permitted behind the goals during the game. Also no parents are to be permitted to sit on the player s side of the field. GENERAL RULES: The kick-off is performed at the mid-field line by one of the offensive players. The ball must move from the center field circle in a forward direction before it is in play. The defensive team must line up ten (10) yards away from the ball (outside the circle) and cannot touch the ball until it is in play. Both teams must be in their respective halves of the field at the kick off. The player kicking off cannot touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player. SCORING: A ball that is kicked between, but not over the goal posts at the opponent s goal line is scored as one (1) point. The ball must be completely over the entire goal line to be considered a goal. Note: the ball does not have to touch the net to be considered a goal. PLAYER PRIVILEGES: Forwards, halfbacks, and the fullbacks may play the ball with their feet, head, knees, chest, body, or shoulders. They may not touch the ball with upper arms, forearms, or hands.
The goalie may catch the ball with his hands and throw the ball as long as he remains in the penalty area. He must put the ball in play and may carry the ball no more than five seconds (5) in preparation to throw or kick the ball into play. If the goalie is going to kick the ball after a goal kick has been determined then no other player can be inside the penalty box. But if one the forwards, halfbacks, and fullbacks kicks the ball then the goalie has the right to be inside the penalty box. Heading: Hitting the ball with the forehead in an effort to control it will be allowed in the U12, U15, and U18 age divisions. In the other soccer age group s heading will not be allowed. The 1 st ball will be a drop ball; the 2 nd ball will be an indirect kick for the opposing team. Slide Tackling: Not allowed. FOULS AND THEIR PENALTIES: Yellow card and Red card issuing will be in effect for every game for the 12U, 15U, and 18U Leagues. Direct Free Kick A direct free kick is awarded to the team fouled by a member of the opposing team after certain fouls, listed below, occur outside the penalty area by either team. A direct free kick is awarded to the opponent s at the spot of the foul. The ball is placed on the ground and may be kicked in any direction. The defending team may block the ball but must be standing at least ten (10) yards from the ball when it is kicked. A direct free kick can score a goal if it passes through the goal. It does not need to touch another player to be a good goal. Fouls with a penalty of a Direct Free Kick and Penalty Kick: 1. Handling the ball (except for the goalie). Cannot touch with upper arm, forearm, or hand. 2. Carrying or handling the ball outside the penalty area (goalie). 3. Goalie intentionally throwing or striking an opponent with the ball Fouls that may warrant an ejection from a game. 1. Tripping or pushing an opponent. 2. Intentionally charging an opponent dangerously or violently. 3. Intentionally holding an opponent. 4. Intentionally using the knee on an opponent. 5. Goalie intentionally throwing or striking an opponent with the ball. 6. Unsportsmanlike conduct. 7. Slide tackling. Indirect Free Kick an indirect free kick is awarded to the team fouled by a member of the opposing team after certain fouls listed below. The indirect free kick cannot score a goal until another player other than the kicker has touched the ball. Whether the foul occurred inside or outside the penalty area, the indirect free kick is awarded to the opponents at the point of the foul.
The fouls warranting an Indirect Free Kick are: 1. If the goalie carries the ball more than five seconds (5). 2. Charging the goalie or any player when he does not have the ball. 3. Playing or attempting to play a ball held by the goalie, or interfering with the goalie as he attempts to clear the ball. 4. If the kicker or thrower plays the ball before a second player touches it on a throw-in, free kick, corner kick, or penalty kick. 5. If the ball is not kicked forward on a penalty kick. 6. If a player stands closer than ten (10) yards at the time of an indirect or direct free kick. 7. Obstruction other than holding. 8. Intentional pass back to goalie. Goalie may not use hands if the ball is passed back from his own team. 9. Illegal Headers. Offsides- It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if: He or she is nearer to his opponents goal than both the ball and second last opponent An offsides call will result in an indirect kick for the defending team. A player is not in an offside position if: Player is in his own half of the field of play or Player is level with the second last opponent or Player is level with the last two opponents. The 4U- 8U will not have off sides. PENALTY KICK A. Any infringement of the rules which ordinarily requires the awarding of direct free kick shall be punished by a penalty kick if the foul is committed by a defending player within the penalty area. The foul must be deliberate. A penalty kick should never be made by a defensive player. When awarded, the penalty kick will be taken from the penalty spot. All players with the exception of the players taking the kick and defending goalkeeper must be outside the penalty area and in the field of play. The ball must be kicked forward. If a foul is committed by the attacking team inside the opposing team s penalty area, the defending team will be awarded a direct free kick from the point of the foul. B. Cautions: A player may be cautioned and shown the yellow card if, in the opinion of the referee, a player has acted carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force, or playing in a dangerous manner. Not all fouls warrant a caution. A player may be cautioned and shown the red card(sent off the field) if, in the opinion of the referee, a player continues to infringe on the laws of the game, is receiving their second caution, or are acting in a careless, reckless, or inappropriate way, and may be using excessive force, or playing in a dangerous manner. 1. Parents, Coaches, and Spectators may also be cautioned and sent off the field. In this case the person ejected must leave the premises in order for the game play to resume.
Referees: The referee shall be the sole judge on the field of play. The referee has the power to ask coaches, parents, players, and spectators to leave the field of play or the facilities in order to maintain a good atmosphere, and control of the game. If a coach, player, or spectator, is ejected from a game that person(s) is automatically ejected from the next game, and will be reviewed by the Sports Director and Executive Director. Should another incident occur within this of time period the coach, spectator, or player may be ejected from the league permanently. The referee has the power to stop, suspend or terminate the game by reason of the elements of interference. Alcoholic beverages and Tobacco products are not allowed at any youth soccer games and/or practices. Field Care all teams are expected to clean up after themselves. Your team must keep your field s area picked up. Players Wearing Cast: In order to protect the safety of all players in the soccer program, any participant wearing a cast or metal brace will prohibit them from participating in YMCA games or practices. Exceptions will be granted with approval from the Executive Director and documented approval from a Doctor. GAME LENGTH: The goal of the YMCA is that all children have equal playing time. All players must play a minimum of 50% of the game. If the player is sick or injured, the referee must be notified before the start of the game. If the player ends up being sick or injured he can be substituted out at the time the player got sick or injured. 4U 6U (4) 8 MINUTE QUARTERS Substitutions by quarter 7U 9U (4) 10 MINUTE QUARTERS Substitutions by quarter 10U 11U (2) 20 minute halves 12U 14U (2) 25 minute halves
15U 17U (2) 30 minute halves 18U and up (2) 35 minute halves Substitutions: In the 10U and up leagues you may sub a player in on these situations. On a throw in if your team is subbing the other team may sub as well On a goal kick After someone scores a goal At half time. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION: 4U-6U Ball size: 3 8-10 Players Maximum 4 Players on the field (No goal keepers in these age divisions. One coach is allowed on the field from each team during each quarter. No player is allowed in the no-defender zone marked in front of the goal area.) 7U 9U Ball Size: 4 10-12 Players Maximum 6 Players on the Field 10U-11U Ball Size: 4 12-14 Players Maximum 8 Players on the Field (In the U7 division 1 coach from each team will be allowed on the field for the first three(3) games of the season) 12U 18U Ball Size: 5 12-14 Players Maximum 11 Players on the Field 8 Players on the Field Summer and Winter leagues will be played as follows 4U-6U : 4v4 no goalies 7U and Up : 6v6
For 8U-17U coaches must remain on the team sideline. Only two coaches will be allowed per sideline. All spectators must be on the opposite side of the field sitting across from your team bench. No one is allowed to sit or stand behind the goal line.