SOCCER RULES Revised 3/2024

SOCCER HONOR CODE

Thank you for being a part of the Club Sport Kids family. By participating in the league all players and parents are agreeing to respect all players, coaches, and staff at all times. Below is a copy of our Club Sport Kids honor code.

1. I will remember that youth sports are played for fun!
2. I will be a role model for my team demonstrating how to treat other players, parents, officials and coaches with respect at all times.
3. I will demonstrate good sportsmanship regardless of the score by acting in a positive manner towards all players, officials, parents and coaches.
4. I will show respect to all referees and officials and never act in a manner that would be disrespectful toward them.
5. I will be an encouragement to all players on all teams regardless of the score.
6. I will place my child’s emotional and physical well being ahead of my own personal desire to win.
7. I will not use drugs, tobacco or alcohol at any event and will remind other parents not to do so.
8. I will encourage my child to shake hands/high five with the other team at the conclusion of all games.
9. I will refrain from swearing or confrontational actions while attending any league event.
10. I accept that violation of any of these points could result in the removal of the parent and/or child from the league.

SOCCER LEAGUE COMMUNICATION

We have staff on hand at all leagues. Should you have an issue during a game that is not being addressed in the manner you like, please seek the help of our staff in red shirts near the command center. If you have reason to voice concern, please help us by following these procedures:

• Players should communicate with coaches & parents.
• Parents with coaches & field coordinators.
• Coaches with referees, field coordinators & office staff.
• If at any time you feel that greater action is needed please contact Club Sport Kids at info@clubsportkids.com or 877-820-2582 ext 3.

Soccer is the most popular game on the planet! It is one of the easiest for young children to learn, and promotes fitness and exercise as players are constantly running and moving. Below are the general rules of soccer. The table shows the variations for the rules for the different age groups offered. Age groups vary from season depending on registrations.

Coaches:

The team's coach represents a positive role model, teacher, and mediator for the team. For the 3-12 year olds, the coach may be on the field to help direct the children and guide them. Coaches should try to remain on the sidelines for the 12-17 year olds. Good coaching information for Club Sport Kids can be found on our Soccer Coaches Page.

Player Participation:

All coaches and parents are encouraged to maintain that all players share equal playing time. The purpose of the league is for fun and exercise, not winning. Substitutions can be made at any time.

Sportsmanship:

All coaches, parents, representatives, etc. share in the responsibility for the success of our league, and for maintaining our reputation as a home of good sportsmanship, character, and class.

NO PLAYER, COACH, PARENT, OR SPECTATOR MAY HARASS OR VERBALLY DISAGREE WITH A REFEREE.

Any coaches, parents, or players displaying unsportsmanlike conduct may be asked to leave the playing area for the duration of the game.

Coaches will be aware of the score at all times, even though it's not officially kept, and will actively refrain from running it up. Scores of 9-1 and 11-2 don't make our league stronger, instead they have the opposite effect. Coaches are expected to reposition stronger/advanced players when up by five goals or more.

Goal Keepers:

For Club Sport Kids younger leagues (played on the small goals), dedicated goalies are not allowed. This allows all players a chance to score. For the larger fields & goals goalies can be used - using their hands only in the goal box. For 6-11 year old ages, the opposing team should not PRESS the goalie when they have the ball. The goalie should be allowed to distribute the ball or make goal kicks/punts with a 10 yard buffer.

Fouls and Misconduct:

Since no referees are used, no fouls are called in the 3-5 age groups; but any player playing too aggressively or hitting/pushing/kicking other players should be pulled for a "breather" by the coach and/or parent. For older age groups, it is important that all coaches and players learn the rules of the game and associated tactics. We encourage you to work with your child on this outside of practice and games. Learning the rules will also help parents enjoy the games even more! Soccer, like all games, has a number of rules and buzzwords. Here are a few key terms to understand (they may or may not be called precisely as worded to ensure smooth play and encourage learning the game):

Throw-in - When the whole ball passes over a sideline, either on the ground or in the air, it shall be thrown in from the point where it crossed the line, in any direction, by a player of the team opposite to that of the player who last touched it. The thrower, at the moment of delivering the ball, must be facing the field of play, touching the ground with both feet (neither of which are in the field of play), and delivering the ball from behind and over the head using both hands. Throw-ins are not suggested for 3-5 year old divisions.

Offsides - Offsides can be taught in the upper age groups but is not called or enforced by the referees. Since it can be a hard concept to grasp, calling it every time would take away from the flow and enjoyment of the game, but teaching it may prepare players if they plan on moving on to more competitive leagues or clubs.

Free Kicks - Free kicks and penalties can be difficult to understand. It is essential that all players understand the referee's signal on free kicks. An indirect free kick is signaled by a raised hand, which remains raised until the kick is taken. Players can score directly from a corner kick, a penalty kick, a kick-off, or a direct free kick.

Handball - Handball is called in the instance of deliberate handling of the ball (carrying, propelling, or striking the ball) with the hands or arms.

Ball In and Out of Play - The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal-line or side-line, either on the ground or in the air, or when play has been stopped by the referee. When cones are used as lines, this is obviously an approximate call. The ball is in play at all times, except as listed above, including if it rebounds off of a goalpost, corner flag, referee, or coach, on all throw-ins, goal kicks, corner kicks, or free kicks, when the action is taken.

Goal Kick - When the whole ball passes over the goal line (not in the goal), either in the air or on the ground, having last been touched by a  member of the attacking team, it shall be kicked into play by the defending team inside the goal area.

Corner Kick - When the whole ball passes over the goal line (not in the goal), either in the air or on the ground, having last been touched by a member of the defending team, it shall be kicked into play by the attacking team in the corner nearest to where the ball left the field of play. All defending players must be at least 5 yards away from the ball. There are no corner kicks at U5.

Second Touch - A player putting the ball into play cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched or played by another player - including the GOALIE; violation will result in a free kick for the opposing team.

If you would like more information on the soccer laws, visit www.fifa.com, where all 17 laws are described in detail.

Headers - US Youth Soccer recommends young players not to intentionally head the ball. Therefore in Club Sport Kids leagues heading is only allowed in the 12 years and up divisions. Infractions will result in free kick for the opposing team.