Pre-Game
Teams and coaches from both teams meet at midfield for the Uniform and Equipment Check, a Rules Review, and The Coin Toss.
Uniform and Equipment Check
- Each player must have a numbered jersey.
- Players must wear shin guards.
- Socks must be worn up and over the shin guards.
- No metal cleats.
- No jewelry.
- No hats. Winter caps are allowed.
Rules Review
- State the game duration and halftime duration.
- Review offsides.
The Coin Toss
- The Away Team Captain chooses heads or tails.
- The winner of the coin toss chooses offense or defense.
- The loser of the coin toss chooses direction.
Grade Specifications
| Grade | Field Players | Min Field Players | Max Roster | Ball Size | Goal Size | Game Half Length | Halftime | Offsides | Field Length | Field Width | Center Circle | Goal Area | Penalty Area | Penalty Spot | Penalty Box Arc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-S | 5 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 4x6 | 20 | 2 | No | 30 | 20 | 4 | 6x8 | - | - | - |
| Pre-K | 5 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 4x6 | 20 | 2 | No | 35 | 25 | 4 | 6x10 | 10x12 | 8 | - |
| K | 5 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 4x6 | 20 | 2 | No | 35 | 25 | 4 | 6x10 | 10x12 | 8 | - |
| 1st | 5 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 6.5x12 | 25 | 2 | No | 50 | 35 | 6 | 6x12 | 12x18 | 10 | 6 |
| 2nd | 5 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 6.5x12 | 25 | 2 | No | 50 | 35 | 6 | 6x12 | 12x18 | 10 | 6 |
| 3rd | 7 | 5 | 12 | 4 | 6.5x18.5 | 25 | 2 | Yes | 60 | 40 | 8 | 6x14 | 14x24 | 10 | 8 |
| 4th | 7 | 5 | 12 | 4 | 6.5x18.5 | 25 | 2 | Yes | 60 | 40 | 8 | 6x14 | 14x24 | 10 | 8 |
| 5th | 9 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 7x21 | 30 | 2 | Yes | 75 | 50 | 8 | 6x16 | 16x36 | 10 | 8 |
| 6th | 9 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 7x21 | 30 | 2 | Yes | 75 | 50 | 8 | 6x16 | 16x36 | 10 | 8 |
| 7th | 11 | 7 | 18 | 5 | 8x24 | 35 | 2 | Yes | 100 | 67 | 10 | 6x20 | 18x44 | 12 | 10 |
| 8th | 11 | 7 | 18 | 5 | 8x24 | 35 | 2 | Yes | 100 | 67 | 10 | 6x20 | 18x44 | 12 | 10 |
| 9th | 11 | 7 | 18 | 5 | 8x24 | 35 | 2 | Yes | 100 | 67 | 10 | 6x20 | 18x44 | 12 | 10 |
| 10th | 11 | 7 | 18 | 5 | 8x24 | 35 | 2 | Yes | 100 | 67 | 10 | 6x20 | 18x44 | 12 | 10 |
| 11th | 11 | 7 | 18 | 5 | 8x24 | 40 | 2 | Yes | 100 | 67 | 10 | 6x20 | 18x44 | 12 | 10 |
| 12th | 11 | 7 | 18 | 5 | 8x24 | 40 | 2 | Yes | 100 | 67 | 10 | 6x20 | 18x44 | 12 | 10 |
Field of Play
The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the goal line. Interior markings include a halfway line, a center circle, a goal area, a penalty area, a penalty mark, penalty arc, and corner arcs.
Goals will be placed on the center of each goal line.
Teams, Parents and spectators will be on opposite sidelines from each other. Players, coaches and spectators should not be along the penalty area touchlines or behind the goal line.
The Ball
An age appropriate sized soccer ball will be used for all practices and games.
The Players
The game is played by two teams and each team has a goalkeeper.
Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, during any stoppage of play or for an injury.
Players not on the field of play must remain one yard behind the touchline and not along the goal area or behind the goal line.
Each player shall receive 50% of the total playing time, unless they are not able to play due to illness or injury. The coach is responsible for enforcing this rule.
Player Equipment
A uniform consists of a jersey with a number, black shorts, and black socks.
Shin guards are mandatory for practices and games. Socks must be worn up and over the shin guards.
A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player. This includes any kind of jewelry, with exception of a medical alert bracelet.
Players may wear extra protective clothing against the cold, including gloves without dangerous, protruding or hard objects provided that: (1) The proper team uniform is worn outermost; and (2) Any hat should be without peak, bill or dangling or protruding object of any kind; and (3) Referee discretion may be used to determine if an item of protective clothing is considered to go beyond the purpose of providing a means of retaining body heat.
Coaches
- Coaches must adhere to the Coaches Code of Conduct.
- Coaches are responsible for their own behavior as well as that of their players, parents, and fans.
- No more than 2 coaches are permitted on the sideline in the Team Area.
- Coaches must remain in their Team Area and are not allowed on the field of play during the game, unless permission is given by the referee.
- In Kindergarten and younger leagues, one Coach for each team is permitted on the field to help their players.
- Coaching from the sidelines is permitted but not recommended.
- Coaching must be done in a civil manner and the tone of voice will be informational and encouraging, not demanding or critical.
- The coach or designated adult should attend every practice and every game.
- All coaches, team managers, and assistants must comply with all Risk Management requirements.
The Referee
In the event that a referee is not present, both coaches will mutually agree upon a referee. If the coaches cannot agree, a parent or coach from the home team will referee the first half and a parent or coach from the away team will referee the second half. The parent or coach must refrain from coaching while refereeing.
The referee will have the responsibility of ensuring that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee who is satisfied that the bleeding has stopped.