AGE/DIVISION SPECIFIC GAME RULES

5U/6U Division Rules

In this division we do not keep score or standings in either the Fall or Spring season. We will play 4x4 (5U / 6U boys) and 5x5 (6U girls) on the field with no goalkeeper. Practice is for the 30-minute period before start of game and should be both instructional and fun.

• The game will be made up of two 10-minute halves with a running clock. Substitutions will occur half way through each ten minute half. Halftime will be five minutes. All players need to have EQUAL PLAY. That means that a player cannot sit out for half of the game again until ALL players have sat out half a game. Please track this rotation.
• No goalkeepers will be used, and coaches are to encourage the players to move away from standing in front of the goal.
• A restart for a ball going over the touch line (sideline) is a kick-in. A restart for a ball over the goal line is a goal kick, no matter which team kicked it out. We do not use corner kicks at this age.
• No goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.
• All free kicks will be indirect.
• There is no heading of the ball.
• No player can be off-side in 6U, but try not to encourage “cherry picking”.
• No penalty kicks will be awarded.
• If a foul occurs, opponents must be at least three yards from the ball for the free kick.
• The games will be played with no parents behind the goal.
• When a team is short-handed, the other team is encouraged to “loan players” in order to maximize playing time and provide an equal advantage.
• Practice must take place 30 minutes prior to “game.” It is not acceptable or allowed to forego practice.
• NO PRACTICE is allowed other than before each game.
• All spectators must sit on the same side of the field.
• Coaches may also referee their games.

7U Division Rules

In this age group we do not keep score or standings in either Fall or Spring season. We will play 5x5 (boys) and 5x5 (girls) on the field with no goalkeeper. Positive teaching and encouragement are extremely important in this division. Players at this age are beginning to understand the game and negative demands by parents or coaches will tend to discourage the players from wanting to continue playing.

• No goalkeepers will be used, and coaches are to encourage the players to move away from standing in front of the goal.
• There is a build-out line. During goal kicks and any restarts within the penalty area, opposing players must move beyond the build out line.
• A restart for a ball going over the touch line (sideline) is a kick-in.
• A restart for a ball over the goal line is a goal kick, no matter which team kicked it out. We do not use corner kicks at this age.
• There is no heading of the ball.
• Games will be played as two 20-minute halves. Approximately halfway through each half (the quarter break) the referee will stop play to allow substitutions.
• When a team is short-handed, the other team is encouraged to “loan players” in order to maximize everyone’s playing time.
• Offside will not be called unless in the judgment of the referee the offside was a deliberate attempt to take advantage (commonly called “cherry picking”).
• No goal may be scored directly from a kick-off.
• All free kicks will be “Indirect.”
• NO penalty kicks will be awarded.
• If a foul occurs, opponents must be at least three yards from the ball for the free kick.
• If a foul occurs in penalty area and the free kick is awarded to the defenders (the attacking team committed the foul), the indirect free kick will be taken from where the foul occurred.
• If a foul occurs in the penalty area and the free kick is awarded to the attackers (the defending team committed the foul), the indirect free kick will be taken from outside the penalty area nearest to the spot of the foul.
• Referee or a board member must approve a child who does not want to play the third quarter of his/her three quarters by discussing with the child and parents.
• Practice is one day a week for one hour.
• Coaches may also referee their games.

8U Division Rules

In this age group we do not keep score or standings in either Fall or Spring season. Positive teaching and encouragement are extremely important in this division. Players at this age are beginning to understand the game and negative demands by parents or coaches will tend to discourage the players from wanting to continue playing soccer.

• Games will be 6 v 6 (6 players on the field from each team).
• Goalkeepers will be used as one of the 6. Rotate the goal keepers such that every player has a chance to play goalkeeper. Dress goalkeepers in distinctive
• jerseys.
• Games will be played as two 20-minute halves. Approximately halfway through each half (the quarter break) the referee will stop play to allow substitutions.
• There is a build-out line. When the goalkeeper gains possession of the ball, the opponents are expected to retreat to the build-out line.
• When a team is short-handed, the other team is encouraged to “loan players” in order to maximize everyone’s playing time.
• Offside will not be called unless in the judgment of the referee the offside was a deliberate attempt to take advantage (commonly called “cherry picking”).
• Throw-ins should be awarded twice if the first attempt is improper.
• No goal may be scored directly from a kick-off.
• All free kicks will be “Indirect”. This includes corner kicks and goal kicks.
• If a foul occurs, opponents must be at least five yards from the ball for the free kick.
• NO penalty kicks will be awarded. If a foul occurs in penalty area and the free kick is awarded to the defenders (the attacking team committed the foul), the indirect free kick will be taken from where the foul occurred.
• If a foul occurs in the penalty area and the free kick is awarded to the attackers (the defending team committed the foul), the indirect free kick will be taken from outside the penalty area nearest to the spot of the foul.
• There is no heading and no punting.
•  There is no slide tackling.
•  A referee or a board member must approve a child who does not want to play a third quarter of his/her three quarters by discussing with the child and parents.
• Practice is one day a week for one hour.
• Coaches may also referee their games.