Rules of Play
Game Format
- U7 teams play 5v5: 4 field players + 1 goalkeeper
- U8 teams play 7v7: 6 field players + 1 goalkeeper
Game Length
- Two (2) 20-min. halves; running clock
- 5-min. half-time
- Home team takes kick-off to begin the first half
- Away team takes kick-off to begin the second half
- Teams swap sides of the field at half-time
Substitutions
Substitutions for either team may be made with the referee’s acknowledgment during any of the following stoppages:
- Kick-off after a goal is scored
- Ball goes out of bounds into or over the netting over the sideline or endline
- Ball goes out of bounds, hitting the ceiling
- Fouls
- Half-time
Because the ball may remain in play for extended periods, coaches may notify the referee that they wish to make a substitution during the next goalkeeper possession.
- When the goalkeeper gains clear possession of the ball from a save, the referee will instruct the goalkeeper to hold the ball to freeze play.
- Once the substitution is complete, the goalkeeper will restart play with a normal distribution.
- This is not considered a goal kick or any other dead ball restart.
Goalkeeper Distribution
Goalkeepers cannot punt or drop kick the ball. They may distribute a saved ball via a throw, pass, or roll on the ground after opponents retreat behind the build-out line. If a goalkeeper chooses to distribute the ball prior to opponents retreating behind the build-outline, there is no infraction and the play is live.
Offside
- 5v5 games – No offside for 5v5 games
- 7v7 games – Buildout poles serve as offside for 7v7 games
Heading
Heading the ball is not permitted – intentional or not. An indirect free kick will be awarded at the location of the header.
Restarts/Out-of-bounds
All restarts are indirect except for penalty kicks.
- Kick-off – Play is started via a kick-off at the start of each half.
- Start play with a kick-off at the center of the midfield line at the start of each half.
- Kick-offs are indirect.
- Opponents must remain in their own half behind the light green midfield stripe until the ball is in play.
- Kick-off – Play is restarted via a kick-off after a goal is scored
- Start play with a kick-off at the center of the midfield line at the start of each half.
- Kick-offs are indirect.
- Opponents must remain in their own half behind the light green midfield stripe until the ball is in play .
- Kick-in – Play is restarted via a kick-in when the ball is kicked over the sideline into the netting. The opposing team is awarded a kick-in where the ball went out of play.
- Before the kick-in, the ball must come to a complete stop (dead ball). The player taking the kick-in must place either a hand or foot on top of the ball before putting it into play.
- Kick-ins are indirect.
- Opponents must be 3 yards away from the ball.
- Goal Kick – Play is restarted via a goal kick when the ball goes out of bounds into the netting over the endline, having last touched a player of the attacking team.
- Goal kicks may be taken from any point of the goal box.
- Goal kicks are indirect.
- Opponents must be behind the build-out line during a goal kick.
- Corner Kick – Play is restarted via a corner kick when the ball goes out of bounds into the netting over the endline, having last touched a player of the defending team.
- Corner kicks may be taken from the general vicinity of the corner; there is not a marked corner kick arc.
- Corner kicks are indirect.
- Opponents must be 3 yards away from the ball.
- Midfield Restart – Play is restarted via a midfield restart when the ball its the ceiling.
- Midfield restarts may be taken from any point along the midfield line.
- Midfield restarts are indirect.
- Opponents must be 3 yards away from the ball.
Fouls & Misconduct
- Fouls – Tripping, pushing, charging, jersey-pulling, and other careless or reckless physical contact are prohibited. The referee will award the appropriate restart and may issue a yellow or red card depending on the severity of the offense.
- Boarding – Pushing, charging, or forceful contact that causes an opponent to be directed into the boards/walls is strictly prohibited. Violations will result in an immediate yellow card, and may be upgraded to a red card at the referee’s discretion depending on the severity of the action.
- Ball Clearance Over Netting – Any player who kicks the ball over the perimeter netting will receive a yellow card. Due to facility limitations, the netting does not extend to the ceiling, and players are expected to keep the ball in play. Repeated or excessive violations may result in further disciplinary action at the referee’s discretion.
- Handball – An indirect free kick will be awarded in the event of a hand ball.
- Penalty Kick – A penalty kick will be awarded for fouls committed inside the goal box.
- 5v5 matches – Penalty kicks are direct kicks taken from 6 yards from the goal line in the center of the field.
- 7v7 matches – Penalty kicks are direct kicks taken from 8 from the goal line in the center of the field
Equipment & Field Specifications
Player Equipment
All players are required to wear shin guards and soccer cleats (firm ground or indoor turf plastic, molded cleats; no metal studs). No jewelry of any kind will be allowed during play.
Jersey Colors
Home team wears dark-colored jerseys. Away team wears light-colored jerseys. Players should bring both jerseys to games just in case! Pinnies will be provided by the league in case of color conflict.
Ball Size
A size 4 soccer ball will be used for all games. Soccer balls will be provided by the league.
Field Dimensions
- 5v5 Fields
- Walled, indoor field: 90 ft x 45 ft
- Use yellow/white poles as build-out lines
- 7v7 Fields
- Walled, indoor field: 145 ft x 90 ft
- Use yellow/white poles as build-out lines
