I. RULES OF PLAY

A. Number of players: The maximum number of players on the field for one team at any one time is six (6). One of the players must be designated as a goalie by wearing a shirt of a different color than the rest of the team. The Goalkeeper may only use their hands in the designated goal box, but may come out of the goal box area and play like a field player and use only their feet. Upon returning to the goal box they may use their hands once again. A team may start with four (4) players without forfeiting the contest.

B. The duration of game: The game will consist of six(6) seven-minute periods with two-minute breaks between periods. There will also be a five-minute half time break between the third and fourth periods.

C. Field size: The field will be rectangular, its length 60 yards by a width of 40.

D. Goals: Flags will be used to mark the goals, and will be 12 feet apart.

( a.) No height restriction on shots going between flags. ( b.) Flags should be no deeper than 6 inches in ground. ( c.) If the flag comes out of ground:

1. By contact of the ball - play is dead, no goal and re-start with goal kick.

2. Flag knocked out by a player or on its’ own - Play is dead, put the flag back in ground, and re-start with a drop ball where the ball was at the time of the stoppage (Ball cannot be dropped within 10 yards of the goal).

E. Ball size: The game ball used shall be a No. 4 sized ball.

F. Offsides: There will be no offsides.

G. Throw-ins: Conform to FIFA rule except that a second throw-in will be allowed if the player makes an improper throw-in (i.e. lifts one foot, etc). If the second attempt is improper, the opposing team will receive the ball for the throw-in play.

H. Corner kicks: Conform to FIFA rule except that opponents must be six (6) yards off the ball.

I. Goal kicks: Conform to FIFA rules except that opponents must be six (6) yards off the ball.

J. Free kicks: Conform to FIFA rule except all kicks shall be INDIRECT. A goal may not be scored until the ball has been played or touched by a second player of either team. No kicks shall be taken by the attacking team within the defending team's approximate goal box. Opponents must be six (6) yards off the ball.

K. Penalty kicks: No penalty kicks are to be taken. Use indirect kick as above.

II. SUBSTITUTION RULES

A. Player substitution: Substitutions must be made at the start of each period, except in the final period where free substitution will be allowed on any stoppage of play if the players have met all of their minimum playing requirements. Any player not in the game at the end of one period must go into the game at the beginning of the next period. Exception: If a team has 11 or more players, all five players must leave the game at the end of each period and a new set of five players inserted with no player sitting out more than two consecutive periods.

B. Playing time: Each player MUST play at least half of the game. (1) If a player is unable to complete the required playing time due to illness or injury, another player may substitute. (2) If the original player can return to the game, he/she must re-enter the game at the start of another period and play the required time as possible.

C. Maximizing playing opportunity: Player participation should be maximized. It is the major goal of KIDSPORTS that playing time is maximized for ALL players, not just the very skilled. To assist this goal, coaches can exercise free substitution in the final period if all of his/her players have met their minimum playing requirements so as to give more players an opportunity to play extra minutes.

D. Penalty: The first and primary remedy for any violation of substitution rules shall be to correct the violation. This should include putting the player who belongs in the game into the game at that point. For repeat or flagrant violations of the substitution rules, the official has the discretion to award the following penalty: One goal will be awarded to the non-violating team (per violation) in addition to possession of the ball. KIDSPORTS takes substitution seriously, coaches may be subject to probation or suspension. All substitution violations must be acknowledged and substantiated before the conclusion of the game.

*** No points for an illegal substitution will be awarded after the game has officially ended. 

E. Line up cards: KIDSPORTS line-up cards will be provided to all coaches. A completed line-up card must be presented to the referee before game time. The line-up card must include all of those eligible for this particular game.

NOTE: An eligible player is one who has registered with KIDSPORTS, has no delinquent payment of fees, and has a KIDSPORTS approved uniform.

III. PLAYERS' EQUIPMENT

A. Footwear: Shall conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Footwear shall include tennis shoes or soft cleated soccer shoes.

B. Shin Guards: All players shall play with shin-guards and they must be covered by at least one layer of a sock.

C. Jewelry: There shall be NO jewelry worn by any participants. Children should refrain from having their ears pierced during the season.

D. Uniform: All players must wear their official KIDSPORTS team shirt issued for that season.

E. Casts: Casts may be worn if they are safely padded, the player has a licensed physician’s approval to play with a cast, and it’s not dangerous to him/herself or anyone else.

IV. REFEREES

A. Referees: Games will be refereed by trained KIDSPORTS Officials. As a general rule, our officials in the younger grades are just getting started and need your support and cooperation. If you have a complaint or notice an obvious deficiency in the official knowledge or understanding of the rules of soccer please notify your KIDSPORTS Sports Manager. Please don’t repeatedly confront the official.

B. Lines person: Each team should provide one lines person to assist the center official in calling the ball out of bounds.

C. No-Show: If a game is set to begin play and the referee is not in attendance, the head coaches shall mutually agree on volunteer referee(s) and play the game. If no agreement to play can be reached, the coaches may request KIDSPORTS reschedule the game. However, the coaches must understand that a reschedule will be impossible in most cases.

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