Recreation Spring Soccer Rules & Guidelines

* FIFA rules apply if not modified within * The following rules have been designed to ensure fair play for all participants. Each coach is expected to understand these rules prior to their team’s participation in the Spring Soccer. Any questions concerning these rules should be directed to Spring Soccer Committee.

Kick Off: May be taken in any direction. You cannot score directly from a kick off (ball must be 100% over the mid-line to be considered on the offensive half of the field). The kick off is and indirect kick.

Throw-Ins: FIFA rules apply. A goal cannot be scored from a throw-in. illegal throw-ins will result in a change of possession. U6 players are allowed a 2^nd chance for any illegal throw-in.

Direct & Indirect Kicks: All dead-ball kicks (kick-ins, kick-offs, free kicks) are INDIRECT with the exception of penalty kicks. Indirect kicks must only change position before the ball will be considered in play. If a free kick is awarded within five yards of the opposing goal box the ball with be moved back to five yards from the box. It is the referee discretion where the ball will be placed.

Goal Kicks: May be taken from any point of the end line. This is an indirect kick.

Penalty Kicks: Shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by an infraction. Penalty kicks are DIRECT kicks taken from the center of the mid-line with all players (on both teams) behind the mid-line. Penalty kicks are dead ball infractions. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick.

Goal Scoring: A goal may only be scored from a touch (offensive or defensive) within the team’s offensive half on the field. The ball must be completely on the offensive half of the field, and cannot be touching the mid-line (Example: kick-off). If a player in their defensive half kicks the ball across the midline and the ball hits another player (offensive or defensive) and the ball goes in the goal, a goal will be awarded. If a ball is kicked from the defensive half and is not touched before the ball rests in the goal, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team. A goal cannot be scored from an indirect kick, such as a kick-in from out-of-bounds.

Extra Player Rule: If a team is leading a game by 3 or more goals the opposing coach is able to bring another player on the field to help. When the trailing team gets back to a 2 point deficit, the teams are brought back to even player numbers.

Five Yard Rule: In all dead-ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defensive player’s goal is closer than five yards, the ball shall be played five yards from the goal box in line with the direction of play prior to the penalty.

Substitution: Substitutions may be made during dead-ball situations, regardless of possession. Teams must gain the referees attention and players must enter and exit at mid-field.

Substitutions should not be made on the fly!

Goal Keepers: There are no Goalkeepers in 4v4 Soccer.

Off-sides: No Off-sides in 4v4 Soccer!

No Slide Tackling: If a player is sliding for the ball, contact with any player(s) from the other team is NOT ALLOWED. If a player slides and contact is initiated, a free kick shall be awarded. This does not prevent players from sliding to stop/intercept a ball where contact is not initiated during the slide. Example: a player may slide to save a ball from going out-of-bounds.

Hand Ball Clarification: Deliberate handling of the ball that denies a team of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity will result in a penalty kick (at the discretion of the referee.)

Field Dimensions: The playing field is 35 yards long by 25 yards wide. The goals are approximately Three feet high and five feet wide.

The Goal Area: There are no goalkeepers in 4v4. There is no ball contact allowed within the goal area, however, all players may pass through the goal area as long as they do not touch the ball while in the area *. If the ball comes to a rest in or on the goal area line, a goal kick is awarded regardless of who touched the ball last. Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the area is considered in the goal area and an extension of such. If a defensive player touches the ball after it has entered the plane, a goal will be awarded to the offensive team. If an offensive player touches the ball after it has entered the plane, a goal kick will be awarded to the defensive team.

* This rule doesn’t apply to the U6 division. Players CAN play the ball while in the goal area.

Player Equipment, Protective Casts & Jewelry: All players must wear shin guards, or will not be allowed to play. Soccer cleats are not mandatory, but recommended. All players must wear same color jerseys/shirts during play. In playoffs, the higher seed will have the option. Players wearing protective casts must receive approval by the Spring soccer Committee, and will be required to check in prior to each game with the on-field referee to be permitted to play. If the referee on the field of play deems a player’s protective cast is unsafe in any way, the player will not be allowed to play. No jewelry will be allowed, including earrings of any type, rope necklaces and bracelets. The only exception will be players wearing medical bracelets.

Referees: Referees are paid $10 a game for U8 & U10. There is no Refs for U6. Each team’s head coach is responsible to ref half of the game if a neutral person isn’t available.Abuse of the Refs will not be tolerated. If a Referees is a no show, each team’s head coach is responsible to ref half of the game.

Code of Conduct for Coaches, Parents, Players: Spring Soccer Committee reserves the rights to dismiss (without refund) any coach, parent, or player that exhibits improper behavior.

Weather Related Issues: Spring soccer committee reserves the right to modify, reschedule, or cancel games due to inclement weather.

Questions or Problems: Please email the spring soccer committee atInfo@gcunited.com

2 min break between quarters.

* FIFA rules apply if not modified within * The following rules have been designed to ensure fair play for all participants. Each coach is expected to understand these rules prior to their team’s participation in the Spring Soccer. Any questions concerning these rules should be directed to Spring Soccer Committee.

Kick Off: May be taken in any direction. You cannot score directly from a kick off (ball must be 100% over the mid-line to be considered on the offensive half of the field). The kick off is and indirect kick.

Kick-Ins: The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline instead of thrown in. The ball is considered in play when the ball is touched and changes position. This is an indirect kick, and a goal cannot be scored from this kick.

Direct & Indirect Kicks: All dead-ball kicks (kick-ins, kick-offs, free kicks) are INDIRECT with the exception of penalty kicks. Indirect kicks must only change position before the ball will be considered in play. If a free kick is awarded within five yards of the opposing goal box the ball with be moved back to five yards from the box. It is the referee discretion where the ball will be placed.

Goal Kicks: May be taken from any point of the end line. This is an indirect kick.

Penalty Kicks: Shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by an infraction. Penalty kicks are DIRECT kicks taken from the center of the mid-line with all players (on both teams) behind the mid-line. Penalty kicks are dead ball infractions. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick.

Goal Scoring: A goal may only be scored from a touch (offensive or defensive) within the team’s offensive half on the field. The ball must be completely on the offensive half of the field, and cannot be touching the mid-line (Example: kick-off). If a player in their defensive half kicks the ball across the midline and the ball hits another player (offensive or defensive) and the ball goes in the goal, a goal will be awarded. If a ball is kicked from the defensive half and is not touched before the ball rests in the goal, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team. A goal cannot be scored from an indirect kick, such as a kick-in from out-of-bounds.

Five Yard Rule: In all dead-ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defensive player’s goal is closer than five yards, the ball shall be played five yards from the goal box in line with the direction of play prior to the penalty.

Substitution: Substitutions may be made during dead-ball situations, regardless of possession. Teams must gain the referees attention and players must enter and exit at mid-field.

Substitutions should not be made on the fly!

Goal Keepers: There are no Goalkeepers in 3v3 Soccer.

Off-sides: No Off-sides in 3v3 Soccer!

No Slide Tackling: If a player is sliding for the ball, contact with any player(s) from the other team is NOT ALLOWED. If a player slides and contact is initiated, a free kick shall be awarded. This does not prevent players from sliding to stop/intercept a ball where contact is not initiated during the slide. Example: a player may slide to save a ball from going out-of-bounds.

Hand Ball Clarification: Deliberate handling of the ball that denies a team of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity will result in a penalty kick (at the discretion of the referee.)

Field Dimensions: The playing field is 40 yards long by 30 yards wide. The goals are approximately Three feet high and five feet wide.

The Goal Area: There are no goalkeepers in 3v3. There is no ball contact allowed within the goal area, however, all players may pass through the goal area as long as they do not touch the ball while in the area *. If the ball comes to a rest in or on the goal area line, a goal kick is awarded regardless of who touched the ball last. Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the area is considered in the goal area and an extension of such. If a defensive player touches the ball after it has entered the plane, a goal will be awarded to the offensive team. If an offensive player touches the ball after it has entered the plane, a goal kick will be awarded to the defensive team.

Player Equipment, Protective Casts & Jewelry: All players must wear shin guards, or will not be allowed to play. Soccer cleats are not mandatory, but recommended. All players must wear same color jerseys/shirts during play. In playoffs, the higher seed will have the option. Players wearing protective casts must receive approval by the Spring soccer Committee, and will be required to check in prior to each game with the on-field referee to be permitted to play. If the referee on the field of play deems a player’s protective cast is unsafe in any way, the player will not be allowed to play. No jewelry will be allowed, including earrings of any type, rope necklaces and bracelets. The only exception will be players wearing medical bracelets.

Referees: Referees are paid $10 a game for U8 – Senior Division. Abuse of the Refs will not be tolerated. If a Referees is a no show, each team’s head coach is responsible to ref half of the game.

Code of Conduct for Coaches, Parents, Players: Spring Soccer Committee reserves the rights to dismiss (without refund) any coach, parent, or player that exhibits improper behavior.

Weather Related Issues: Spring soccer committee reserves the right to modify, reschedule, or cancel games due to inclement weather. The ref has the right to shorten the games length if weather conditions are unsafe.

Questions or Problems: Please email the spring soccer committee atInfo@gcunited.com

2 min break between quarters.