Game Day Rules – Fall 2022

U4/U6 Fall Playing Rules

The Ball

• Size 3

Players

• Maximum Number of Players on the field at one time is four (4) (no goalkeepers)
• Fall 2022 Substitution Rules – Substitutions can be done at any stoppage of play. Player leaving the field must be off the field before the new player enters.
• Playing Time: each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.

Player Equipment

• Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Footwear – tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes
• Shin guards are MANDATORY
• No Jewelry can be worn, including any piercings (new or old). Using band aids or tape to cover piercings is not an acceptable option.  The only exception to the no jewelry rule is a medical alert bracelet, which will need to be covered by tape or a wrist band.
• Any hair pieces must be of a soft material. Any hair product with a metal exterior is not an acceptable option.

Duration of the game

• The game shall be divided into two 15-minute halves.
• There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes.

U8/U10 Fall Playing Rules

The Ball

• Size 4

Players

• Maximum Number of Players on the field at one time is seven (7), including the goalkeeper.
• Fall 2022 Substitutions – Can be done at any stoppage of play with the referee’s approval. Player leaving the field must be off the field before the new player enters.
• Playing Time: each player must play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.

Player Equipment

• Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Footwear – tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes
• Shin guards are MANDATORY
• No Jewelry can be worn, including any piercings (new or old). Using band aids or tape to cover piercings is not an acceptable option. The only exception to the no jewelry rule is a medical alert bracelet, which will need to be covered by tape or a wrist band.
• Any hair pieces must be of a soft material. Any hair product with a metal exterior is not an acceptable option.

The Referee

• Either a 3 Referee, 2 referee or 1 Referee system

Duration of the game

• The game shall be divided into two 20-minute halves.
• There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes.

Offside

• Players CANNOT be penalized for an offside offense between the half-line and the buildout line.
• Players CAN be penalized for an offside offence the build-out line and the goal line.

Goal Kick

• Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: the opposing team must be behind the build-out line while the goal kick is in progress, until the ball is in play (the ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves).

Build-Out Line

• To support the intent of the development rules, coaches and referees should be mindful of any intentional delays cause by opponents not retreating in a timely manner or encroaching over the build-out line prior to the ball being put in play.
• When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing team must move behind the build-out line until the ball is put into play. Once the opponents are behind the build-out line, the goalkeeper has 6 seconds to pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are NOT allowed). After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build-out line and play resumes as normal. However, the goalkeeper can put the ball in play sooner (before the opponents go outside the build-out line), but he or she does so while accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how the play resumes.
• Referees should be flexible with enforcing the 6 second rule and counting the time of possession should only begin when all opponents have moved behind the build-out line.
• If the goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, an indirect kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the punt or drop kick occurs within the goal area, the free kick shall be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.
• Deliberate heading of the ball is not allowed.

U12 Fall Playing Rules

The Ball

• Size 4

Players

• Maximum Number of Players on the field at one time is nine (9), including the goalkeeper.
• Fall 2022 Substitutions – Can be done at any stoppage of play with the referee’s approval. Player leaving the field must be off the field before the new player enters.
• Playing Time: each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.

Player Equipment

• Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Footwear – tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes
• Shin guards are MANDATORY
• No Jewelry can be worn, including any piercings (new or old). Using band aids or tape to cover piercings is not an acceptable option.  The only exception to the no jewelry rule is a medical alert bracelet, which will need to be covered by tape or a wrist band.
• Any hair pieces must be of a soft material. Any hair product with a metal exterior is not an acceptable option.

Assistant Referee

• Two (2) assistant referees (AR) can be used but is not mandatory.
• Parent linesman may help if an AR is/are not available.

Duration of the game

• The game shall be divided into two 25-minute halves.
• There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes.

Offside

• Confirm to FIFA

Free Kicks

• Opponents must be nine (9) yards away from the ball.
• Deliberate heading of the ball is not allowed in the U12 division.

U14 Fall Playing Rules

The Ball

• Size 5

Players

• Maximum Number of Players on the field at one time is nine (9), including the goalkeeper.
• Fall 2022 Substitutions – Can be done at any stoppage of play with the referee’s approval.
• Playing Time: each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.

Player Equipment

• Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Footwear – tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes
• Shin guards are MANDATORY
• No Jewelry can be worn, including any piercings (new or old). Using band aids or tape to cover piercings is not an acceptable option.  The only exception to the no jewelry rule is a medical alert bracelet, which will need to be covered by tape or a wrist band.
• Any hair pieces must be of a soft material. Any hair product with a metal exterior is not an acceptable option.

Assistant Referee

• Two (2) assistant referees can be used but is not mandatory.

Duration of the game

• The game shall be divided into two 35-minute halves.
• There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes.

Offside

• Confirm to FIFA

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