GENERAL UNDERSTANDINGS

1. Teams may be co-ed (except for “all girls teams).
2. Children’s safety is first.
3. We are an instructional league. Let’s keep it that way.
4. Personal egos have no place here!! Let the kids play and have fun.
5. The 6 to 10 years mentioned in the rules depend on field size and age group.
6. All coaches and assistants must have Act 33/34 or disclosure forms upon registration.



GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

1. No records or final scores will be kept.
2. Each player on the team shall have equal playing time.
3. If the teams have the same colors the visiting team will wear an alternate shirt.
4. The length of games can be altered due to weather or number of players available.
5. If a team is short a player the opposing team must offer them a player to use-or play with the same number of players available.
6. Parents, spectators, non-playing players and coaches should be at least one to five yards from the touch line.
7. NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO STAND BEHIND THE GOALS.
8. Parents should not coach or instruct players during the game.
9. THERE WILL BE NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PERMITTED ON THE GROUNDS.
10. Teams shall shake hands after the game.
11. In U6 and U8, all players will share positions on the field.
12. During practice time a team can only scrimmage a team of the same age group.
13. A team with 5 remaining players or less can only combine with another team if the registrar is notified before the next scheduled game. They must then submit 4 new rosters and a fee of $5.00 per roster change.
14. If any player, coach, or spectator strikes the official of a game, that person will be expelled for a period of one year from the club.





WASHINGTON COUNTY SOCCER “IN-HOUSE” PLAYING RULES

1. FIELD OF PLAY LENGTH WIDTH

U6         30 x 20 yds-Length-Width
U8         40 x 30 yds-Length-Width
U10       60 x 45 yds-Length-Width
U12       80 x 60 yds (minimum)-Length-Width
Note: These are only recommended sizes. We play on what each community can fit on their respective fields.

2. GOAL SIZES

U6 – U8 – U10     up to approx. 6 ft. x 18 ft.
U12 – U14           approx. 7 ft. x 24 ft.

3. MARKING OF FIELDS Make sure the following are marked:

Goal lines
Touch lines (side lines)
Center circle (approx 6 yd radius)
Goal boxes (try to give goalie more room to play ball)
Penalty mark
Corner kick mark (ARC)

4. BALL

U6 size 3
U8 - U10 – U12 size 4
U13 & UP size 5

NOTE: Use whatever size community has if you must.

5. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

U6 - 4 vs 4 with no goalkeeper

U8 - 5 vs 5 with a goalkeeper

U10 - 7 vs 7 with a goalkeeper

U12 & up atleast 7 vs 7 & up.
 

SUBSTITUTIONS

U6 unlimited – anytime
U8 – U10 ANY throw-in, goal kick, injury & after a goal is scored.
U12 – U14 YOUR throw-in, goal kick, injury and after a goal is scored.

For any player being removed from the game, all age groups.

ALL SUBSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE MADE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

NO SUBSTITUTIONS WHEN/ON:

Corner kicks
Penalty kicks
Direct or indirect kicks

NOTE: Unless injury occurs.


6. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

1. Shin guards are MANDATORY.
2. Nothing is to be worn that is dangerous to another player.
3. Teams should not wear conflicting colors. Visitors must wear different color.
4. Shoes must be worn. No boots or spikes with metal showing.

7. REFEREE

U6 – U8 12 years or above noncertified must have adult supervision (18 years of older)
12 years or above certified no supervision.

U10 – U12 must be 14 years old

Home teams will provide referees for games.
Rule infractions will be explained briefly to offending players.

ALL DECISIONS ARE FINAL!!!

NOTE: Adult on field means standing at midfield, not a coach on the sidelines coaching his or her team. Referee is considered part of the playing field.

8. DURATION OF GAME

All games will be two twenty-five minutes halves.
Half time will be five minutes.

9. START OF GAME

The game will start with a coin toss.

*Ball is placed in center field and must be kicked forward at least 27” before another player can kick it. If this is not done, retake the kick. If player taking kick touches it a second time before it is kicked by another player an indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team.
*Kick off is an indirect kick and a goal cannot be scored directly from the kick unless it touches another player first.
*If kick off goes directly into the goal from kick-off with nobody touching it you will restart the game with a goal kick.
*All players must be in their own half of the field and the defending team must be 6-10 yards away from the ball.

10. BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

The ball is in play until it has wholly crossed over the goal line or touch line whether in the air or on the ground.

When the referee blows the whistle all play must stop.
PLEASE TEACH THE PLAYERS THIS.

11. METHOD OF SCORING

A goal is scored when the ball passes into the goal whether in the air or on the ground or off another player.



You can score on:
Corner kick
Penalty kick
Drop ball
Direct kick

You cannot score directly on:
In-direct kick
Kick off
Goal kick
Throw in

12. FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

Direct kick fouls
a. kicking an opponent
b. intentionally tripping another player
c. jumping at or into a player
d. charging an opponent in a violent manner of charging from behind
e. striking the opponent
f. spitting at an opponent
g. holding
h. pushing
i. intentionally handling the ball

Note: Anyone that strikes or attempts to strike another player whether the player is a teammate or an opponent, or spits on said player, or swears on the field shall be removed for the duration of the game.

INDIRECT KICKS

a. dangerous play
b. player touching ball a second time on kick off, throw in, corner kick, direct or indirect kick, goal kick
c. running into goalie while he is possession of the ball
d. obstructing a player so he can’t play the ball

*Direct kick means you can score directly.
*Indirect kick means you can score only if another player touches the ball.
**All kicks in the U6 age group only will be in direct.
***All opposing players must be 6-10 yds away from the kick.





13. PENALTY KICKS

Any direct kick foul occurring in the goal or penalty area by the defending team will result in a penalty kick for the attacking team.

Goalie shall stand with both fee on the goal line in the middle of the goal and not move their feet until the ball is kicked.

Person taking kick will take it at the penalty mark (6-12 yds) depending on age group and field size. Referee will blow whistle for this kick.

All players must be at the top and outside of the goal area before the ball is kicked.

Once the ball travels forward 27”, it is playable to anyone.

Make sure all players are outside the goal and penalty area before kick is taken.

14. THROW-IN

When the ball passes wholly across the touch line in the air or ground a throw-in shall be awarded to the opposing team of the player that last touched the ball at the point where the ball went out.

Person taking the throw-in must, at the moment of delivery:

a. Face the field of play
b. Use both hands and deliver the ball from behind and over the head
c. Feet must be on the ground outside the touchline or on the touchline

U6 unlimited tries
U8-U10 two tries
U12-U14 no retakes

(The only time a retake is given is when a ball doesn’t enter the field of play).

15. GOAL KICK

When attacking team kicks the ball wholly over the goal line (except when goal is scored) the defending team is awarded a goal kick.

Ball can be placed anywhere in the goal area.

Kicker is allowed one touch on the ball – second touch an indirect for the other team.

Ball must leave goal box – if not – retake.

16. CORNER KICKS

When defending team kicks the ball wholly over the goal line (except when a goal is scored) the attacking team is awarded a corner kick.
Ball is placed anywhere in the arc.

*All opposing players 6-10 yds away depending on age group and field size.
*Kicker one touch on the ball – second touch indirect kick for opposing team.


17. GOALIE

U6 – U8 – U10 can roll, throw, kick, punt or drop kick the ball out.
U12 – U14 can roll or throw the ball out. NO DROP KICKS, NO KICKS ALLOWED.

*After goalie has possession of the ball with his hands, he must clear the ball by throwing it or rolling it only.
Goalie may roll ball to fullback to put back in play.

GOALIE MAY NOT KICK THE BALL IN U12 – U14 AFTER HE/SHE HAS POSSESSION! WITH HIS/HER HANDS!

“Four Step Rule” The goalie has four steps from the time he gets possession of the ball to distribute it. If more steps are taken, an indirect kick is awarded to the other team from the penalty kick mark.

****The “Four Step Rule” does not apply to the U6 age group.
Should be taught to the U8 age group.
Enforced in the U10 age group and up.

18. DROP BALL

1. When ball goes out being last touched by both teams simultaneously.
2. When play is stopped by referee for injury. (except when injury is due to foul committed).
3. Anytime a game is stopped for any reason not covered in the rules.

Referee shall take on player from each team and have them face away from the goal they are defending. Standing between them he shall then drop the ball from his hand waist high. Ball is in play the moment it hits the ground.


19. INJURIES

PLAY WILL STOP ON ALL INJURIES.

***COACHES***PLEASE TRY TO TEACH YOUR PLAYERS TO GET DOWN ON ONE KNEE SO THAT THE REFEREE WILL KNOW THAT AN INJURY HAS OCCURRED

20. PLEASE NOTE: In the in-house program publications will not be permitted for team standings. A $200.00 fine will be sanctioned to the associations.

21. OBSCENE GESTURES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!!!!!!!!

22. ALL COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN RESPECTIVE PARENTS!!!!!!!