Union County Youth Soccer Association
LEAGUE RULES - revised 2012
-for U11 through U19 ( for U7, see “Microsoccer Rules” (separate)for U9, see “U9 Rules”(following) and “Rules Regarding Play” and other general rules.
RULES OF THE GAME are the F.I.F.A. (international) laws of
the game- available online, with the following local modifications:
U 9 RULES
Game Length – 10 minute quarters
Game times – 6:00PM, Monday
through Thursday
Ball Size – #3
Team Size – 6 v 6 for scheduled
recreational games (change from 2006)
Substitutions – at quarter breaks
only or for injuries
Bunching – If the referee sees the
players “bunching up” during a game (creating cramped play and a hazardous
situation), the referee will stop play and re-start with a drop ball between
two opposing players (with all remaining players spread out away from the spot
of the drop ball).
FOR U9 GAMES ONLY, THE REFEREES WILL DO THE FOLLOWING, AS NECESSARY:
-direct goalies in possession of the ball to carry it “to the 18”
-direct corner kicks (“leave the cone on the corner, place the ball 1 yard away”)
-direct goal kicks (from the 6, must leave the box, any defender may take)
-direct throw-ins (ball behind head, both feet not completely inside the line,both feet touch the ground)
GENERAL RULES
BALL SIZE: U11: #4
ball; U13 and up: #5 ball
TEAM SIZE: Minimum of 6v6, maximum of 9v9. Coaches must
agree on the starting team size before the game starts (6,7,8, or 9 per side). Both teams must start with the same number of players. Team size may be changed later if needed. Less than six
players present at game time constitutes a forfeit, but not a cancellation of play! ( Choose up sides and scrimmage- we have already reserved the field and a ref)
PLAYING TIME:Coaches are encouraged to play every team
member at least half of each game they attend.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Please limit subs to own throw-ins or goal kicks. Both sides may sub on kick offs. Coaches are encouraged to rotate players through different positions as the
season progresses.
GAME TIMES: U11 game start at 6:00PM, Monday through
Thursday U13, U15, and U19 games start at 7:00PM Monday –Thursday
GAME LENGTH: U11s play 12 minute quarters
(try to finish by 7:00PM) U13s, U15s, and U19 play 40 minute halves (try to finish by 8:30)
NUMBER OF GAMES: Every team will be scheduled for twelve
games in the recreational (summer) season. U7, U9, U11, and U13s play two games per week for six weeks – one home and one away. An “away” game might be on a team’s home field if two teams have the same home field. U15 and U19 teams play three games per week for four weeks. The total number of team events (games
plus practices) should not exceed four per week, even the pre-season practices.
EQUIPMENT:Appropriate Shoes (no toe cleats, baseball cleats,
or metal cleats) Shin Guards – required
Team Shirt – required (except the goalie’s shirt must be different from teammates’ shirts)
Game Balls – provided by the home team
Jewelry – should be removed (safety hazard)
Casts, limb braces and bandages – must be inspected by the ref
RULES REGARDING PLAY (all ages)
REC LEAGUE VS. SELECT PLAY: Summer recreational soccer is
neither select soccer nor school varsity soccer. A wide variety of experience and ability are found on each team. So, SLIDE TACKLES ARE NOT PERMITTED. Also, other aggressive play may be judged by the referee to be inappropriate. Don’t worry. This still leaves room for plenty of good, hard play on the field.
CHARGING THE GOALKEEPER: No player may make physical contact with the goalkeeper, or attempt to play the ball when the keeper has possession, or control of the ball, or has it trapped in any way, within the penalty area.
GOALKEEPER RULES: Keepers have six seconds to put the
ball into play (no limit on steps). Keepers receiving a foot pass or throw-in for a teammate may not use hands on the ball. Penalty for any of the above: indirect free kick.
CONTACT BETWEEN PLAYERS: Fair charges are allowed. Sudden, aggressive bumping is not. No pushing. No grabbing.
HAND BALL: Not penalized unless the ref judges it to
be intentional.
FREE KICKS: (Awarded by the referee)
INDIRECT FREE KICK: for lesser (usually non-contact) fouls
DIRECT FREE KICK: for greater (usually contact) fouls
The direct free kick can score a goal directly (without touching anyone). The indirect free kick must touch someone else (on either team) before entering the goal in order to score. A penalty kick is direct kick. Penalty kicks will be very rare in U9 games.
OFFSIDES: This rule is intended to eliminiate unfair
advantage. A player behind the ball or with two opponents between him/her and the goal is not offsides. Mainly, the idea is to keep players form “camping out” in front of the goal.
THROW-INS: Taken with both feet touching (or outside ) the
“Touch Line”, and with both hands. Refs might allow repeat attempts for U9s in the first half.
LEAGUE PHILOSOPHY: “It is the objective of UCYSA to create
fun for children and youth by promoting sportsmanship and a sense of fair play within the framework of a team
sport and develop an interest in and a working knowledge of soccer.” (UCYSA By-Laws) Please keep in mind that this is a recreational league. Blowouts are to be limited as creatively as possible. Every individual player is to be encouraged. When one team gets a large lead of five goals, some action should be taken by the coach and the ref, for instance rotating front players to the
back line or having a “designated scorer”.
PARENTS & SPECTATORS: Please note that no one is
to stand behind the goal lines during the game. Please allow a three foot “cushion” outside the field lines for the line judges to run (and as a safety zone). Also try to set a good example for the young players.
COACHES: Take all your players’ registration forms to every
practice and game, since they include signed permission for transportation in case of emergency. Players must be registered to play or practice, so that they will be protected by Oregon Youth Soccer secondary insurance. Coaches are encouraged to bring a first aid kit and ball pump to games and practices. As courtesy to the opposing coach, please keep your players and their parents on
the opposite side of the field from the other team. Some problems cannot be handled at the field. Please note them on game reports and contact the head coach or head ref as necessary.
REFEREES: Make rulings as needed during the game. Teach the rules. Withhold minor penalties if stoppage creates unfair advantage (“ the Advantage Rule”). Warn players for misconduct and report it on game reports. Stop games for injuries. Suspend
games for lightening (restarts possible after a time)
LINE JUDGES: Two volunteers are needed for each game to
signal when the ball crosses any outside boundary of the field, and inform the ref of substitutions. Sometimes the referee may overrule a line judges’ call.
GAME CANCELLATION: The most common reasons for canceling
games are lightening and extreme heat or smoky air. Soccer is played in the rain. Just come prepared. If a game must be cancelled, please notify the head coach and the head ref in advance.