Rules | Pre-K | Kindergarten | 1st & 2nd Grade | 3rd & 4th Grade | 5th-8th Grade |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Numbers on the field | 4 vs 4 | 4 vs 4 | 5 vs 5 | 7 vs 7 | 9 vs 9 |
Field Size | Half field | Half field | Full field with subs | Full field with subs | Full field with subs |
Uniforms | Pinnies optional for 1 team | Pinnies optional for 1 team | Pinnies optional for 1 team | Pinnies optional for 1 team | Pinnies optional for 1 team |
Dribble-In | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Pass-In | No | No | No | No | No |
Goal Keeper | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Punting | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Throw-Ins | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Goal Kicks | No - Coach throws ball in play | No - Coach throws ball in play | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Defending team backs up to build out line on goal kicks | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Corner Kicks | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Offsides | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Heading | No | No | No | No | No |
Subs | On the fly | On the fly | On any stoppage | On any stoppage | On any stoppage |
Halves | 20 minutes | 22 minutes | 22 minutes | 22 minutes | 25 minutes |
Water break | As needed | As needed | As needed | 3 minute half-time | 3 minute half-time |
Team warm-up | 5 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 13 minutes | 7 minutes |
Referees | Coaches manage the game | Coaches manage the game | Coaches manage the game | Yes | Yes |
Game Guide | Explanation |
---|---|
No hands | All age groups - if the ball hits you anywhere from the tips of your fingers to your shoulder you will be called for a hand ball. |
Kick-Off | All age groups - begin every game with a kick-off from the center mark. After a goal is scored the team who was scored on continues the game with a kick-off. |
Fouls | All age groups - you will be called for a foul if you kick, trip, jump at, charge, strike, push, hold, pull, tackle from behind, tackle late, spit, foul language and anything else that looks like a foul. |
Dribble-In | Pre-K & Kindergarten - dribble the ball in bounds when the ball is kicked out of bounds over the sideline. |
Throw-In | 1st-8th grade - throw the ball in when the ball goes out of bounds over the sideline. Both feet on the ground and the ball has to go all the way behind your head before you throw it in play. |
Corner Kick | 1st -8th grade - a corner kick is taken when the defending team kicks the ball out of bounds over the end line. The game results in a corner kick for the attacking team. |
Goal Kick | 1st -8th grade - a goal kick is taken when the attacking team kicks the ball out of bounds over the end line. The game restarts with a goal kick (encourage goal keeper to take goal kicks). |
Offsides | 3rd-8th grade - you cannot be offsides on a corner kick, goal kick, or throw in. You are offsides when you are behind the defensive line without the ball. |
Free Kicks | 3rd-8th grade - the referees will indicate if the free kick is a direct or indirect free kick |
Penalty Kick | 3rd-8th grade - if the defending team fouls a player inside the box and the referee calls a foul the ball will be placed at the penalty mark for a free shot on goal against the goal keeper. |
Our goal is to provide an enjoyable experience to all soccer players. Coaches, if you see that your team is more dominant and scores a disproportionate number of goals, you are advised to employ some of the following best practices to avoid lopsided games. The list is non-exhaustive by all means. Those measures will in turn challenge your players and allow the opposing team players to continue to be involved in the game. No one benefits when games end is a blow-out. It is at the coaches’ discretion to ensure fair play and good sportsmanship.
Focus on maintaining ball possession. This practice will help all players develop their foot skills with the ball.
Make short passes. No long balls.
Require a number of passes once the ball comes across midfield.
Require the players to complete 5 or more successful passes before the team attempts a goal.
Every player must touch the ball before the team attempts to score a goal.
Players can only shoot with weaker foot.
Only score from outside the goal area, a.k.a. the six-yard box.
Every player starts in a different position every week.
Modify team formation during the game, put high scorers in goal and defense.
Corrective measures
When a team goes up by 3 goals, the losing team can add one player to the field immediately and play up one player until the goal margin becomes less than 3. At such a time, the losing team should remove their additional player.