I. RULES OF PLAY

A. Number of players: The maximum number of players on the field at any one time is eight (8). A team may start with or play down to 6 players without forfeiting the game.

B. Duration of the game: The game will consist of four (4) 15 minute periods, with two-minute breaks between the first and second periods and the third and fourth periods. There will also be a five-minute half-time break.

C. Field size: The field will be rectangular, its length 80 yards by a width of 50 yards .

D. Goal size: Goals shall be 18 feet wide.

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

F. Offsides: Conforms to FIFA Rules. A summary description follows.

A player is considered to be in an offside position when they are closer to their opponent’s goal than at least two of their opponents unless the ball is in front of them or they are on their half of the field. One opponent is usually the goalkeeper so, practically speaking, a player is in the offside position when they are behind the last defender. There is no penalty or foul for merely being in an offsides position.

A player will be declared offsides and penalized for being in an offsides position at the moment a ball is kicked by a teammate, and they receive the kicked ball or their position gains advantage for their team. A player not in an offsides position at the time the ball is kicked may run past one or both of the last two defenders to receive or touch the ball legally.

A complete and technical definition of offsides can be found in either a FIFA Laws of the Game or a High School Soccer Rule Book.

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 eight (8) yards off the ball.

I. Goal kicks: Conform to FIFA.

J. Free kicks: Conform to FIFA except the Penalty line shall be marked at 10 yards in front of each goal.

K. Penalty kicks: Conform to FIFA except the Penalty line shall be marked at 10 yards in front of each goal.

II. SUBSTITUTION RULES

A. Player substitution: Substitution Rules (4 th Grade Only):  At a dead ball near the middle of each period, the referee will give the teams the opportunity to substitute.  Teams MAY substitute at this time.  If the team does substitute at mid-period, the coach must make sure that each player plays at least ½ of the game and that no player sits for more than one full quarter. Exception: If a team has 17 or more players, all eight players must leave the game at the end of each period and a new set of eight 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 Program Director.

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 should agree on volunteer referee(s) and start the game. The teams should immediately call the emergency phone line 954-4588 and KIDSPORTS will most likely be able to get a referee out to the game in a reasonable period of time to take over for the volunteer referee(s). The coaches must understand that a reschedule will be impossible in most cases.

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