These are the soccer rules for Harper County Soccer 2008. They are to be used in conjunction with the Official FIFA Soccer rules. If a rule is not clear please check our FAQ's section, if the answer is not there please email lukeis@gmail.com with your question.

 

Note about ages: The age divisions are split based on the players age as of September 1, 2007. A player is allowed to play up (in an older division) if it's agreed upon by the parent, coach, and local director.

 

Laws of the Game

 

Law 1: Field Size
Law 2: Ball Size
Law 3: Number of Players

Law 4: Players Equipment
Law 5: Referee
Law 6: Line Judges
Law 7: Game Duration

Law 8: Start of Play
Law 9: Ball In and Out of Play
Law 10: Scoring
Law 11: Offsides
Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct
Law 13: Free Kicks
Law 14: Penalty Kicks
Law 15: Throw-In
Law 16: Goal Kick
Law 17: Corner Kick

Law 1: Field Size [back to top]

• U6 25x15 yards with goals 6' wide by 4' high
• U8 50x25 yards with goals 10' wide by 5' high
• U10 70x40 yards with goals 12; wide by 6' high
• U12 70x40 yards with goals 12; wide by 6' high
• U15 70x40 yards with goals 12; wide by 6' high

Law 2: Ball Size [back to top]

• U6 size 3
• U8 size 4
• U10 size 4
• U12 size 4
• U15 size 5

Law 3. Number of players [back to top]

• U6 – Each team will have 4 players and there is no goalkeeper
• U8 – Each team will have 5 players including a goalkeeper
• U10 – Each team will have 7 players including a goalkeeper
• U12 – Each team will have 7 players including a goalkeeper
• U15 – Each team will have 6 players including a goalkeeper

Law 4. Players Equipment [back to top]

• All players are required to where shin guards at all times while on the field of play. No jewelry, baseball or football cleats (unless front spike is removed) may be worn.
• Socks need to completely cover the shin guard, the socks go on the outside of the shin-guards.

Law 5. Referee [back to top]

• The referee's number one priority is to ensure the safety of all players.
• The referee will also make sure that all rules are enforced to the best of his/her ability.
• The referee has the ability to eject any player, coach, or observer if the situation deems it necessary.

Law 6. Assistant Referee's/Line Judges [back to top]

For U10 games and up each team is to provide one line judge who's main responsibility will be to assist the referee in calling when a ball completely crosses over a boundary line and which team touched the ball last before the ball crossed over the boundary line.

In the event that a team does not provide a line judge all questionable calls (when the referee is not sure who last touched the ball) will be given to the team who did provide a line judge.

Law 7. Game Duration [back to top]

• U6 – The game will consist of 2 halves each consisting of 10 minutes.
• U8 – The game will consist of 2 halves each consisting of 20 minutes.
• U10 – The game will consist of 2 halves each consisting of 25 minutes.
• U12 – The game will consist of 2 halves each consisting of 25 minutes.
• U15 – The game will consist of 2 halves each consisting of 30 minutes.  

Law 8. Start of play [back to top]

The game starts with the ball at the center mark, each player on his/her teams half of the field.

All defensive players must be the marked distance away from the ball (usually 10 yards but varies depending on age and field size).

The offense is to move the ball forward, the player who starts the ball forward touches the ball only once and cannot touch the ball again until it's been touched by either a teammate or the defense.

If the referee is dropping the ball play resumes when the ball touches the ground.

Law 9. Ball in and out of play [back to top]

The ball is out of play when all parts of the ball (not just the part touching the ground) completely cross a boundary line either on the ground or in the air.

Law 10. Scoring [back to top]

All parts of the ball must completely cross the goal line in between the goal posts and below the crossbar.

Law 11. Off Sides* [back to top]

• A player is off sides if he/she meets all of the following conditions
• He/She is in front of the ball closer to the opponent's goal.
• There are not at least two defenders downfield between him/her and the goal when the ball is played to him/her.
• There is a clear advantage to being in the off side position.

*Although only U12 and up officially play by this rule a referee in a lower level may begin to use this rule if he/she determines that a team is taking advantage of this rule not being enforced. (The referee should warn both teams before placing this rule into affect).

Law 12. Fouls and Misconduct [back to top]
*Soccer is a contact sport, minor contact is always allowed and expected, it only becomes a foul when the contact becomes careless, reckless, or excessive. A yellow card is given to a player when the player either purposely commits a foul or when a foul is excessive or dangerous. If a second yellow card is given or if in the opinion of the referee the first offense was severe enough a red card is given and that player is immediately ejected from the game and is ineligible to play in the next game.

Fouls resulting in a direct free kick

• Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
• If the player is kicking at the ball it is not a foul unless the kick was careless, reckless, or with excessive force.
• Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force.
• Charging an opponent (elbows cannot come out when upper level contact is made) carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force.
• Pushing an opponent.
• Blatant holding or pulling of any part of an opponent's person or uniform.
• Making contact with the opponent before touching the ball when trying to gain possession of the ball.
• Spitting at an opponent (this is grounds for a red card 1 which is immediate ejection from the game.)
• Deliberately contacting the ball with the hands or arms(the goalie is excluded from this rule while inside his/her own penalty area or when the arms and hands are flat against the body.) This includes using the hands to protect any part of the body.

Fouls resulting in an indirect free kick

• Dangerous plays, if in the opinion of the referee a player makes a play that is dangerous either to him/herself or an opponent.
• Impeding the progress of an opponent
• Some fouls which don't warrant a yellow card such as accidental or unintentional tripping.

Law 13. Free Kicks [back to top]

Direct - A direct free kick means that a goal may be scored on the first kick.

• In U10 and below it is acceptable for an injured player to lay down and the referee to stop play. However when play is restarted the other team will get the ball and get a direct kick. In U12 and above play continues until a regular stoppage of play.

Indirect - An indirect free kick means that the ball must be touched by multiple players before a goal can be scored.

See Law 12 to see which fouls are direct and indirect.

Law 14. Penalty Kicks [back to top]

Any foul that results in a direct free kick committed by a player on the defensive team in their own penalty box will result in a penalty kick.

Law 15. Throw-In [back to top]

When a player throws the ball in to start play the following conditions must be met.

Players can line up offsides.

• Player must be facing the field.
• At least one part of both feet either on or behind the touch line.
• Both hands on the ball until thrown
• The ball must be thrown from behind and over the head of the player throwing the ball.

The thrower cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

Law 16. Goal Kick [back to top]

A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the ball crosses over the goal line (any part of the line on the end with the goal) having last been touched by a player on the offensive team and does not score a goal in accordance to Law 10.

The goal kick may be taken from anywhere within the goal area.

Law 17. Corner Kick [back to top]

A corner kick is awarded to the offensive team when the ball crosses over the goal line having last been touched by a player on the defensive team and does not score a goal in accordance to Law 10.