Rules of Play
The following guidelines are intended to be user friendly and to promote consistency in the rules used during the game of soccer. We ask coaches to share this information with assistant coaches and parents.
FIELD DIMENSIONS
U5 - U7: The field of play should be rectangular with the length being a maximum or 40 yards and minimum of 30 yards. The width should be a maximum of 30 yards and minimum of 20 yards. The length in all cases shall not exceed the width.
U8: The field of play should be rectangular with the length being 55 yards. The width should be 35 yards. The length in all cases shall not exceed the width.
U9/U10: The field of play should be rectangular with the length being 80 yards. The width should be 50 yards. The length in all cases shall not exceed the width.
U11/Older: The field of play should be rectangular with the length being 100-110 yards. The width should be 60-70 yards. The length in all cases should not exceed the width.
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SIZE OF GOAL
U5: 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide
U6 -U7: 4 feet tall by 6 feet wide
U8: 5 feet tall 10 feet wide
U9-U10: 6 feet tall by 24 feet wide
U11/Older: 8 feet tall by 24 feet wide
SIZE OF BALL
U5 – U8: Size 3
U9 - U12: Size 4 |
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NUMBER OF PLAYERS PER TEAM
U5 – U7: The game is played with 4 players of each team on the field. A maximum of 8 players on a roster. The game is played without a goalkeeper.
U8: The game is played with 6 players on each team (5 field players and goalkeeper). A maximum of 12 players on a roster.
U9/U10: The game is played with 8 players on each team (7 field players and goalkeeper). A maximum of 14 players on a roster.
U11/Older: The game is played with 11 players on each team (10 field players and goalkeeper). A maximum of 18 players on a roster.
All children must get at least 50% playing time. The goal is equal and equitable playing time, ideally one half to three quarters of each game.
SUBSTITUTIONS
For U5 – U7, substitutions are allowed on any stoppage of play. This includes the following:
1. When ball has gone out of play including goal kicks and corner kicks
2. After a goal has been scored.
3. Injury time outs
For U8-U14, substitutions are recommended at the following times:
1. Prior to the throw-in and only for the team who is performing the throw-in.
2. Prior to a goal-kick, by either team
3. After a goal by either team
4. Between periods of play
It is very important to be liberal with substitutions so all players get equal playing time.
PLAYER’S EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORM
Players are required to wear the official Highlands Ranch Soccer Association Uniform. For the safety of all players, names of individuals will not be permitted anywhere on the outside of the uniform.
Description of official uniform: Blue or White jersey with HRSA logo, black shorts, White or black socks, shin guards, and footwear.
The home team wears the blue jersey and the visiting team wears the white jersey.
A player shall not wear anything that is dangerous to another payer.
The following items are NOT permitted:
1. Hair control devices with any hard parts
2. Jewelry of any sort, including earrings of any kind regardless of covering
The following items are CONDITIONALLY permitted:
1. Religious medals or medical tags which are taped to the body
2. Splints, casts, braces or other joint support devices that, on both coaches’ opinion are
not dangerous or are padded with pliable materials to eliminate the dangerous
condition.
FOOTWEAR
Molded soccer cleats (recommended U8-U10) or tennis shoes.
SHINGUARDS ARE MANDATORY and must be made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic, polyurethane or similar substance), and socks must entirely cover the shin guards.
DURATION OF THE GAME
U5 – U6: The game should be divided into two 15 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime.
U7 – U8: The game should be divided into two 20 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime.
U9 - U10: The game should be divided into two 25 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime.
U11-U12: The game should be divided into two 30 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime.
START OF PLAY
U5 – U7: Opponents should be 5 yards from the center mark while kick-off is in process.
U8-U14: Opponents should be outside the center circle while kick-off is in process.
S C O R I N G
No scores shall be kept at the U5 – U6 levels. At U7 – U10 scores will be kept by the coaches and the team record will be reported to HRSA at the end of the season for flighting purposes only. In an effort to promote a positive soccer experience, the HRSA staff flights U7-U10 age groups. Our objective is to place similarly skilled teams in the same divisions. Despite our best intentions, there will be games when two teams are not of equal level and ability.
It is the belief of HRSA that when there is a great disparity in the skill level of two teams during a game, the potential for a positive soccer experience may be diminished. There is also the potential for negative player and parental feelings towards the game, opposing team and opposing coach. In the event that one team is dominating the game, the team which is losing has the option to add one extra player to the playing field. This is to be called the ‘Good Sportsmanship Rule’. The intent of this rule is to create an environment that is both fun and challenging for both teams. Please see the guidelines below for each age group.
U5 & U6: This rule does not apply, as teams are not to keep score. It is recommended that prior to the start of the game, both coaches have a friendly agreement that if one team is struggling, that team may add another player to the field.
U7 - U10: If there is a goal differential of 4 goals, the losing team is allowed to add an additional player prior to the ensuing kick-off. In the event that the goal differential becomes less than four after adding theextra player, that team must pull off the extra player until they are down again by 4 goals.
BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY
The ball is out of play only when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line, whether it is on the ground or in the air. It is in play at all other times from the start of the match to the finish including if it rebounds from a goal post, cross bar or corner flag into the field of play.
KICK IN/ THROW IN
U5 – U7: When the entire ball passes over a touch line, either on the ground or in the air, it shall be kicked in from the point where it crossed the line, in any direction, by a player of the team opposite to that of the play who last touched it. The ball shall be in play immediately when it enters the field of play, but the player taking the kick may not play the ball until it has been touched by another player. A goal shall not be scored direct from a kick-in. There are to be no throw-ins.
U8-U14: A throw-in will be awarded to the opponents of the player who last touches the ball before the entire ball passes over a touch line, either on the ground or in the air. Any player on the team may take the throw-in. The ball may be thrown in any direction from the point where it crossed the line. The player will use both hands with equal force and will throw the ball from behind and over the head ion one movement while keeping both feet on the ground. A part of each foot shall either be on the touch line or in the ground outside of the touch line. The ball is in play when any part of the ball crosses the exterior plane of the touch line. The player taking the throw-in may not play the ball until it has been touched by another player. A goal shall not be scored direct from a throw-in. An improper throw-in shall result in a restart by a throw-in by the opposing team. Please use common sense here. It is appropriate to give the younger players (U8 & U9) a warning and allow another try with verbal help such as “keep your feet down”. After second failed attempt, give the throw-in to the opposing team.
GOAL KICK
U5 – U7: When the entire ball passes over the goal line excluding that portion between the goal posts, either in the air or on the ground, having last been played by one of the attacking team, it shall be kicked direct into play beyond the penalty area from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team. The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player. A goal shall not be scored direct from such a kick. Players of the team opposing that of the player taking the goal kick shall remain 5 yards away until the ball has been kicked out of the penalty area.
U8-U14: A goal kick will be awarded to the defending team when the attacking team last touches the ball and the entire ball passes over the goal line of the defending team, whether on the ground or in the air. To restart with a goal kick, the ball will be placed and kicked from the ground anywhere within the goal area. Any player may take the goal kick. The opposing team will stay outside the penalty area until the ball has crossed the penalty area lines. The team taking the kick may be anywhere in the field including the goal area or penalty area. If the ball does not clear the penalty area or is touched by a player before it clears the penalty area, the kick will be retaken. The player taking the goal kick may not play the ball again until another player from wither team has touched the ball. A goal may be scored from a goal kick.
CORNER KICK
U5 – U7: When the entire ball passes over the goal line, excluding the portion between the goal posts, either in the air or on the ground, having last been played by one of the defending team, a member of the attacking team shall take a corner kick, i.e. the entire ball shall be placed within the quarter circle at the nearest corner flag post, which must not be moved, an it shall be kicked from that position. A goal may be scored direct from such a kick. Players of the team opposing that of the player taking the corner kick shall not approach within 5 yards of the ball until it is in play, i.e. it has traveled the distance of its own circumference, not shall the kicker play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player. If the corner kick does not come onto the field of play, the player will be given one additional opportunity for the corner kick.
U8-U14: A corner kick will be awarded to the attacking team when the defending team last
touches the ball before the entire ball passes over the goal line of the defending team, whether on the ground or in the air, and does not result in a goal. To restart with a corner kick, the ball will be placed on or in the corner arc on the corner of the field nearest where the ball went over the goal line and played from the ground. All defending players will be at least 10 yards from the ball until it has been kicked. An attacking player receiving the ball directly from a corner lick cannot be offside. The player talking the kick may not play the ball again until another player from either team has touched the ball. A goal may be scored from a corner kick.
REFEREES/FOULS
Fouls: No player shall kick, strike, trip, jump or knee another player. Players shall not intentionally touch with the intent to control the ball with their hand or arm. Players may make shoulder to shoulder contact (legal charging) while playing the ball. A player without control of the ball may not keep another player from playing the ball, this is obstruction. No player shall kick above the waist or otherwise play dangerously. In
the event of an infraction, a free kick will be awarded (see section XIV.A.)
Referees: For U5 – U7 there are no referees and no adults allowed within the boundaries of the field. Coaches can help from the sidelines to make out of bounds calls. In the event of a foul, HRSA encourages each coach to call their own team’s fouls. After the foul has been called play will stop and the coach will explain the call to the player and proceed by awarding the opposing team and indirect free kick. Please err on the side of letting the kids play. Do not get caught stopping play too much. The only exception to the rule is for brand new U5 teams. For these teams, coaches will be allowed on the field to help facilitate play.
U8: This age group shall have an Associate Referee from the home team to familiarize the players with the presence of a Referee and the referee whistle.
U9/10 Referee Policy: This age group should have 3 officials on each game. Each team should provide a volunteer linesman for all games (2 total per game), and then Home teams provide the Center Ref. Referee training is available prior to the start of each season for U8-U10.
FREE KICKS
U5 – U8: All Free Kicks shall be “Indirect,” meaning that another player from either team must touch the ball before going in the goal. If the ball is not touched by another player and goes over the goal line, the ball shall be considered out-of –bounds and the opposing team awarded a goal kick. The opposing team must remain 5 yards from the ball until it is in play, the ball moving the circumference. A kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player. Incorrect Free Kicks, Goal Kicks and Corner Kicks: U5 – U7: If a player does a free kick, corner kick or goal kick incorrectly, the coach of that player may tell them the infraction, and allow them one additional opportunity to try again.
U9-U14 - Fouls resulting in a free kick may be awarded. The opposing team must remain 10 yards away from the ball until it is kicked. A kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player. Fouls inside the penalty area result in a direct penalty kick.
OFFSIDES (8v8/11v11 soccer only, U9-older)
A player is in an offiside position if he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than the ball and the socend to last opponent including the goalkeeper.
A player is not in an offside position if:
- he is in his own half of the field of play, or
- he is level with the second to last opponent, or
- he is level with the last two opponents.
The penalty for offsides is an indirect free kick by the opposing team at the spot of the infraction.