Spring Youth Soccer League

CONDENSED/MODIFIED LAWS OF THE GAME

(BASED ON FIFA)

LAW I

The Field of Play

The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the Goal line.

U12 and UP

 plays on a field 40-50yds. x 60-70yds.

Penalty Area        18yds.

Goal Area            6yds.

Penalty Spot         12yds.        

Goals                    7’x20’

Center Circle        16yds.

U10 and Under

 plays on a field 30-40yds. x 45-55yds.

Penalty Area        14yds.

Goal Area            5yds.

Penalty Spot         9yds. 

Goals                    6’x14’

Center Circle        16yds.

LAW II

The Ball

U8 plays with a size 3 ball.

U10-U12 plays with a size 4 ball.

U14 and older plays with a size 5 ball.

The ball shall not be changed during the game unless authorized by the referee.

LAW III

Number of Players

All games are played by two teams of 6 players each, one of whom is the goalkeeper.

Any of the players on the field may change places with the goalkeeper during the game, if the ball is out of play and provided that the referee is informed before the change is made.

LAW IV

Player's Equipment

A player shall not wear anything which is dangerous to another player or themselves, such as watches, earrings, necklaces, etc. All players must wear shin guards. A goalkeeper shall wear colors which are distinguishable from the other players and the referee. Sleeves on shirts will be down.

LAW V

The Referee

THE REFEREE IS THE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY WHILE ON THE FIELD OF PLAY (INCLUDING BEFORE AND AFTER THE GAME). He/She shall enforce the laws of the game and decide any disputed point. The judgment decisions of the referee are final. The referee may eject any player, coach or spectator for improper conduct and delay the restart of the game until that time he/she feels the game can resume in an orderly fashion. Coaches are reminded that they are responsible for the actions of their spectators. Harassing of the referees will not be tolerated.

LAW VI

Linesmen

Two linesmen may be appointed, whose duty (subject to the decision of the referee) shall be to indicate when the ball is out of play and which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick, or throw in. The referee may at any time, overrule the linesmen.

LAW VII

Duration of the Game

The games shall consist of periods of play as follows:

Two (2) 20 minute halves with a 10 minute half-time.

LAW VIII

The Start of Play

The game shall be started by a player kicking a stationary ball forward from a designated spot at the center of the field. Every player of the team opposing the kicker shall be at least 8 yards from the ball when it is kicked. The ball cannot be played again by the player who took the kickoff, until it has been touched by another player. The ball is in play after it has been kicked and moved. A goal CANNOT be scored directly from a kick-off.

LAW IX

Ball In and Out of Play

The ball is out of play:

A) When the whole of the ball has crossed the goal line or the touch (side) line.

B) When play has been stopped by the referee.

LAW X

Method of Scoring

A goal is scored when the whole ball has passed over the goal line between the posts and under the crossbars, provided the attacking team has not committed any offense immediately prior to the goal being scored.

LAW XI

Offside

A player is offside if he is in front of the ball at the moment the ball is played unless:

- He is in his own half of the field.

- There are 2 opponents between him and the goal line.

- The ball was last played by an opponent.    .

- He receives the ball directly from a goal kick, corner kick, throw

in, or from a ball dropped by the referee.

- A player may be in the offside position but not called offside, if, in the opinion of the referee, he is not seeking an advantage or is not interfering with play. The player typically will make contact with the ball, but this is not an absolute requirement.

LAW XII

Fouls and Misconduct

There are ten offenses which result in a Direct Free Kick, the following six if, in the opinion of the referee, they are considered to be careless, reckless, or using excessive force:

Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent

Trips or attempts to an opponent

Jumps at an opponent

Charges an opponent

Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent

Pushes an opponent

Or if they commit any of these four fouls:

Charging in a violent or dangerous manner.

     Holds an opponent.

     Spits at an opponent

Deliberately handles the ball, except the goalkeeper in his own penalty area

If a player commits any of these ten offenses above within his own penalty area, the referee will award a penalty kick.

An Indirect Free Kick is a free kick from which no goal may be scored until the ball has been touched by another player. They are awarded for the following offenses by the goalkeeper in his own penalty area:

          Takes more than 6 seconds to release the ball

          Touches the ball a second time after it is released from his possession

          Touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate

          Touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw in by a teammate

          Or any player who

        Plays in a dangerous manner

Impedes the progress of an opponent

Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball with his hands

Commits any other offense, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player

A player may be cautioned (yellow-carded) if he commits any of the seven offences:

          Is guilty of unsporting behavior

          Shows dissent by word or action

          Persistently infringes the Laws of the Game

          Delays the restart of play

Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick

Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission.

Deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission.

A player shall be sent off the field of play (red-carded) if, in the opinion of the referee, he commits any of the following seven offenses

Is guilty of serious foul play

Is guilty of violent conduct

Spits at an opponent or any other person

Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball, except for the goalkeeper in his own penalty area

Denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick

        Uses offensive, insulting, or abusive language, or gestures

        Receives a second caution in the same game

LAW XIII

Free Kick

Free kicks shall be classified under two headings:

Direct (from which a goal can be scored directly) and Indirect (from which a goal cannot be scored without the ball being played or touched by a second player). The ball shall be in play. When a free kick is being taken, all

opposing players shall be at least 8 yards from the ball until it is in play.

LAW XIV

The Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is a direct free kick taken from the penalty mark. The mark is 9 yards on the small fields (U10 and younger), and 12 yards on the larger fields (U12 and up). While it is being taken, all players, with the exception of the kicker and the opposing goalkeeper shall be within the field of play but outside the penalty area. The goalkeeper must stand on the goal line, between the posts (may move along the line but not lunge forward), until the ball is kicked. The kicker must kick the ball forward and shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player. If necessary, the time of play shall be extended at the end of time to allow the kick to be taken.

For any infringement of this law:

1) By the defending team: the kick shall be retaken if a goal has not resulted.

2) By the attacking team. Other than the player taking the kick: if a goal is scored it shall be disallowed and the kick retaken.

3) By the kicker, committed after the ball is in play: the opposing team shall be awarded an indirect free kick from the spot of the infringement.

LAW XV

The Throw In

When the whole of the ball passes over a touch (side) line, a throw-in is awarded to the team not responsible for the ball leaving play. The player taking the throw must have part of each foot within or on the touchline or outside the touch line. The thrower must use both hands and deliver the ball, in one movement from behind and over his head.

LAW XVI

The Goal Kick

When the whole of the ball passes over the goal (end) line, having been last touched by the attacking team, play shall be restarted by a goal kick from a point within the goal area by the defending team. The ball is not in play until it has passed beyond the penalty area. If the ball is played, by a player from either team, before leaving the penalty area, the kick shall be retaken. The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player. A Goal CANNOT be scored from a Goal Kick.

LAW XVII

The Corner Kick

When the whole of the ball passes over the goal (end) line, having last been touched by the defending team, play shall be restarted by a corner kick taken by the attacking team at the corner of the field closest to the point at which the ball crossed the goal line. A goal may be scored directly from the kick. Opposing players shall be at least 8 yards from the ball until it is in play. The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

THE ADVANTAGE RULE

A referee may decide to allow play to continue when a foul has been committed. This is done when the referee feels that the team in possession of the ball, having been fouled, can benefit more from play continuing than in having play stopped for a restart. In this situation the referee would apply the Advantage Rule.

CLUB RULES OF COMPETITION FOR SPRING

Goals Cannot be scored directly from Kickoff

Goalie MUST distribute ball within own half. Ball must be touched by teammate before advanced into opponents half.

On Corner Kicks, Kickoffs, Direct/Indirect Kicks opponents must be 8 Yards away from ball.

On throw-ins Opponents must be 2 Yards away from ball.

Unlimited Substitutions with the consent of the Referee.

Substitutions can be made at any stoppage of play by either team. This reflects a new rule change for this year. It will be enforced beginning in Spring League 2006

Max of 9 Players on the roster for any game.

Players can Play for only one Team

Home Team listed first in schedule.

Home Team Provides Game Ball.

Home Team Selects Side of field for Team and spectators.

Teams must position themselves on opposite sides of field.

Please Read the Following Director of Referees

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