Updates to the Laws of the Game

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Drop ball - any time play is stopped for an injury (or any reason other than a foul),play is always restarted with a drop ball.  The drop ball is ALWAYS UNCONTESTED) and is dropped tot he team who last touched the ball, whether intentional or accidental.   
 

Ball in or out of bounds or considered a goal - The ball is out of play when it has WHOLLY passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air. 

Throw ins - when taking a throw in, the player throwing the ball must have both feet either on or behind the line.  It is NOT an infringement of the rules if a player is stepping on the line.  It becomes an infringement ONLY if a player throwing the ball has one or both of their feet entirely on the field of play and not touching the line.

Offside -  The offside rule is the most debated soccer principle (no matter where the game is played), even though what is known as Law 11 isn't terribly difficult to grasp.  

There is new guidance (fall 2023) coming with some changes to a player's positioning when determining if a player is off-side.  Always remember that a player in an off-side position is not always off-side!

U7 GUIDELINES

The emphasis for this age group is to promote the game and good habits. Keep players spread out as much as possible and encourage all players to play offense and defense. Do not allow players to sit back in the defensive half only to block the goal or wait for the other team to come towards them.  This is counterproductive to how we want them to play the game. We want players to score goals in order to experience success.  For safety reasons, heading is not taught, practiced, nor encouraged in this age group.

• Ball – Size 3
• Players – 4v4, no goalkeeper
• Shin guards are required
• Substitutions are unlimited and can happen at any time
• Four (10) minute quarters, with a 5 minute half time                   
• Unlimited substitutions at any stoppage of play
• Kick offs, free kicks, throw ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play
• Goal kicks and corner kicks should be taken in the general vicinity of the respective goal or corner
• If used, free kicks are indirect
• Opponents should be 10 feet away from the ball on all restarts
• No Penalty Kicks
• No Offside

• Since there is no referee, coaches are expected to manage the game environment using these standards of play and their best judgement
• Together, coaches and parents are expected to create and promote a fun and safe environment for the players

U9 GUIDELINES

Many of the same principles from U7 are continued in this age.  The U9 age group brings a more structured approach with emphasis on kicking, or striking, the ball properly, passing to teammates, understanding positions, and working together as a team.  Players should not be locked into playing one position.  Players should be moved around in order to develop an understanding of the responsibilities of offense and defense, to include the goalkeeper position.  For safety reasons, heading is not taught, practiced, nor encouraged in this age group.

• Ball - size   4
• Players - 7v7, this includes a goalkeeper
• Shin guards are required
• Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage 
• Two (25) minutes halves, with a 5 minute half time
• Kick offs, free kicks, throw ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play
• If a foul is committed in the penalty area, the ball will be placed at the top of the penalty area, straight out from where the foul was committed, and it shall be an indirect kick
• All restarts requiring a kick are indirect (can not go directly into the goal, must touch another player from either team before entering the goal in order to be a good goal)
• Should an indirect free kick go directly into the goal from a restart/kick, the restart is a goal kick for the defending team
• Opponents should be 10 feet away from the ball on all restarts
• No Penalty Kicks
• No offside, but offenders are to be instructed by the coaches to be in an onside position. We ask that you teach and instruct players in regards to the offside rule at practice so they gain an understanding of it
• Coaches are not permitted on the field during the game and must stay within coaching box; they are responsible for fan conduct; must be registered with Risk Management
• No jewelry is allowed to be worn unless for medical purposes
• If a player heads the ball in a game, whether deliberately or accidentally, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
• If a header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred

• Ball – Size 4
• Players – 7v7, including goalkeeper
• Shin guards are required
• Substitutions are allowed on either team's goal kicks, after a goal is score, on your own throw in, or opponents throw in if opponent is also substituting 
• Two (25) minute halves, 5 minute half-time interval
• All kicks are indirect.  If a foul is committed in the penalty area, the ball will be placed at the top of the penalty area, straight out from where the foul was committed, and it shall be an indirect kick 
• All restarts requiring a kick are indirect (can not go directly into the goal, must touch another player from either team before entering the goal in order to be a good goal)
• Should an indirect free kick go directly into the goal from a restart/kick, the restart is a goal kick for the defending team
• Opponents should be 10 feet away from the ball on all restarts
• No penalty kicks
• No offsides, but offenders are to be instructed by the coaches to be in an onside position. We ask that you teach and instruct players in regards to the offside rule at practice so they gain an understanding of it
• Coaches are not permitted on the field during the game and must stay within coaching box; they are responsible for fan conduct; must be registered with Risk Management
• No jewelry is allowed to be worn unless for medical purposes
   

U13/15 are governed by the Laws of the Game at top of the page.  Offside is enforced and licensed referees are assigned to the games.