ATTLEBORO YOUTH SOCCER RULES

Under 6 - 4v4 Dual Format

Under 7 4v4 Dual Format

Under 8 - 12 - 6v6

Under 13 -16 - 6v6

RULES: Under 6  – 4v4 Dual Field

Field Size:            20 x 30

 Ball Size:            3

 Goal Size:            Pug Net

 # of Players on Field:             4 per team (no player is allowed to “guard” the goal)*

 Duration of Games:            2 15-minute halves, 3-minute half time* (optional 3 periods 12 min. with a one minute break)

 *Number of players and game duration will be determined by the coaches at the start of each game based on attendance and weather conditions.  Referees will consult with the coaches prior to the start of the game.

 Dual Field play gives younger children the opportunity to play small-sided, instructional games which allows for many ball touches per game.

 Start of Play:

• Kick off at center at the start of each half or period and after a goal is scored.
• If play has been stopped to injury, players are asked to take a knee while the player is helped.  The game is restarted with a dropped ball at the location where the ball was located when play stopped.

 Ball in and out of Play:

• The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the entire sideline or end line (the line where the goals are situated), whether in the air or on the ground.
• Players Pass/Dribble in play at whistle
• If the ball goes out over the end line it is placed in the closest corner.

 Substitutions:

• Coaches can sub players at any stoppage of play, regardless of which team has the ball.

 Scoring:

• Official score is not kept
• Goals cannot be scored directly from kick-offs and Pass/Dribble ins but are considered a goal if it goes off a defensive player and the game should be restarted at center.

 Fouls and Misconduct:

·        Fouls include: pushing, tripping, kicking and handballs

·        When a foul occurs, play is stopped and the referee will instruct the player involved of the infraction. 

·        Pass/Dribble in are awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the foul.

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RULES: Under 7 – 4v4 Dual Field

Field Size:            20 x 30

 Ball Size:            3

 Goal Size:            Pug Net

 # of Players on Field:             4 per team (no player is allowed to “guard” the goal)*

 Duration of Games:            2 15-minute halves, 3-minute half time* * (optional 3 periods 12 min. with a one minute break)

 *Number of players and game duration will be determined by the coaches at the start of each game based on attendance and weather conditions.  Referees will consult with the coaches prior to the start of the game.

 Dual Field play gives younger children the opportunity to play small-sided, instructional games which allows for many ball touches per game.

 Start of Play:

• Kick off at center at the start of each half or period and after a goal is scored.
• If play has been stopped to injury, players are asked to take a knee while the player is helped.  The game is restarted with a dropped ball at the location where the ball was located when play stopped.

 Ball in and out of Play:

• The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the entire sideline or end line (the line where the goals are situated), whether in the air or on the ground.
• Players Throw-In play at whistle for balls out on the sidelines.
• If the ball goes out over the end line it is placed in the closest corner.

 Substitutions:

• Coaches can sub players at any stoppage of play, regardless of which team has the ball.

 Scoring:

• Official score is not kept
• Goals cannot be scored directly from kick-offs and throw-ins but are considered a goal if it goes off a defensive player and the game should be restarted at center.

 Fouls and Misconduct:

·        Fouls include: pushing, tripping, kicking and handballs

·        When a foul occurs, play is stopped and the referee will instruct the player involved of the infraction. 

·        Pass/Dribble in are awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the foul.

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RULES: Under 8 thru Under 12, – 6v6 with Goalie

Field Size:             40 x 60

Goal Area:            6 yard center circle, 6 yard goal kick area, 12 yard penalty area

Ball Size:            4

Goal Size:            12 x 6

# of Players on Field:         6 per team:  5 and 1 Goalie

Duration of Games:            50 Minutes – 2 halves with 3 Minutes between halves (optional 4 quarters with 1 minute breaks between quarters)

*Number of players and game duration will be determined by the coaches at the start of each game based on attendance and weather conditions.  Referees will consult with the coaches prior to the start of the game.

Playing Time: Must play at least half the game. No one player shall play the entire game unless every player has played three quarters of the game as well. No one player shall be in goal more than one half. Must play different position each time put in the game.

Positions: Suggested: 2 Forwards 1 Halfback 2 Defenders

No one player should play a position more than twice including goal keeper.

No coaches are allowed on the field. No one should coach the goalie from behind the goal

Start of Play:

• Kick off at center at the start of each half or period and after a goal is scored.
• If play has been stopped to injury, players are asked to take a knee while the player is helped.  The game is restarted with a dropped ball at the location where the ball was located when play stopped.

Ball in and out of Play:

• The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the entire sideline or goal line, whether in the air or on the ground.
• Players throw-in ball into play at whistle for balls out on the sidelines.
• Ball across end lines – corner kicks for offense, and goal kick for defense.

Substitutions:

• Coaches can sub players at any stoppage of play, when their team has control of the ball.

Scoring:

• Official score is kept (for the U12 age groups for middle school programs only)
• Goals cannot be scored directly from Kick-Offs and/or Throw-Ins but are considered a goal if it goes off a defensive player and the game should be restarted at center.

Fouls and Misconduct:

Fouls will result in a Direct or Indirect kick. Players must stand back at least 8 yards.

·        Fouls include: pushing, tripping, kicking and handballs

·        When a foul occurs, play is stopped and the referee will instruct the player involved of the infraction. 

·        Direct kicks are awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the foul.

No slide tackling!

Penalty Kick: Will be taken 8 yards away.

Corner Kicks: Players must be at least eight (8) yards away.

**No Kick-Back to Goalie rule**

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 RULES: Under 13 thru Under 16, – 6v6 with Goalie

Field Size:             40 x 60

Goal Area:            6 yard center circle, 6 yard goal kick area, 12 yard penalty area

Ball Size:            4

Goal Size:            12 x 6

# of Players on Field:          6 per team:  5 and 1 Goalie

Duration of Games:            50 Minutes – 2 halves with 3 Minutes between halves (optional 4 quarters with 1 minute breaks between quarters)

*Number of players and game duration will be determined by the coaches at the start of each game based on attendance and weather conditions.  Referees will consult with the coaches prior to the start of the game.

Playing Time: Must play at least half the game. No one player shall play the entire game unless every player has played three quarters of the game as well. No one player shall be in goal more than one half. Must play different position each time put in the game.

Positions: Suggested: 2 Forwards 1 Halfback 2 Defenders

No one player should play a position more than twice including goal keeper.

No coaches are allowed on the field. No one should coach the goalie from behind the goal

Start of Play:

• Kick off at center at the start of each half or period and after a goal is scored.
• If play has been stopped to injury, players are asked to take a knee while the player is helped.  The game is restarted with a dropped ball at the location where the ball was located when play stopped.

Ball in and out of Play:

• The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the entire sideline or goal line, whether in the air or on the ground.
• Players throw-in  ball into play at whistle for balls out on the sidelines.
• Ball across end lines – corner kicks for offense, and goal kick for defense.

Substitutions:

• Coaches can sub players at any stoppage of play, when their team has control of the ball.

Scoring:

• Official score is kept
• Goals cannot be scored directly from Kick-Offs and/or Throw-Ins but are considered a goal if it goes off a defensive player and the game should be restarted at center.

Fouls and Misconduct:

Fouls will result in a Direct or Indirect kick. Players must stand back at least 8 yards.

·        Fouls include: pushing, tripping, kicking and handballs

·        When a foul occurs, play is stopped and the referee will instruct the player involved of the infraction. 

·        Direct kicks are awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the foul.

No slide tackling!

Penalty Kick: Will be taken 8 yards away.

Corner Kicks: Players must be at least eight (8) yards away.

**No Kick-Back to Goalie rule**

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