Soccer
RULES:
There are seventeen rules or "Laws" in soccer. Most of the rules get modified for youth soccer but can vary from league to league. Here is a quick reference of the modified laws for the Dade County Sports, Inc. soccer league.
Law 1. Field Dimensions.
K – 1st Grade Teams – 6 vs. 6
45 yards long x 30 yards wide
Goal Size: Medium goals
2 - 5th. Grade Teams - 7 vs. 7
60 yards long x 45 yards wide
Goal Size: Medium goals
Law 2. Balls size.
A #3 is used for players K-1st grade
A #4 for players 2-5th. grade
Law 3. Number of players.
K – 1st Grade Teams – 6 vs. 6
# of Players on Field: 6 (no goalie) (14 Maximum Roster)
2 - 5th. Grade Teams - 7 vs. 7
# of Players on Field: 7 (6 + Goalie) (15 Maximum Roster)
Law 4. Player's equipment.
Shin guards with socks that completely cover Shin guards. Soccer shoes - cleats. No jewelry and no baseball cleats because the front cleats stick out.
Law 5. Referees.
The referee's main concern is the safety of the players. The ref enforces all the rules of the game.
Law 6. Assistant referee.
N/A
Law 7. Duration of the game.
K – 1st Grade Teams
4 Quarters / 8 minutes long , 2 Minutes between quarters / 5 minutes half time
2 – 5th Grade Teams
4 Quarters / 10 minutes long , 2 Minutes between quarters / 5 minutes half time
Law 8. Start of play.
The kick off is taken at the center spot and is determined by a coin toss. The ball has to move forward to start the half. Each player must be in his or her half of the field and at least ten yard away from the ball. If a referee has to do a drop ball, the play resumes when the ball hits the ground.
Law 9. Ball in and out of play. The ball is out of play when it COMPLETELY goes over the goal line or touch-line. It doesn't matter whether it's in the air or on the ground.
Law 10. Method of scoring. The ball must COMPLETELY go across the line into the goal.
Law 11. Off sides. N/A
Law 12. Fouls and Misconduct- At the youth level most fouls are due to pushing, holding or tripping and result in a free kick. Other ones to watch out for are handballs and charging. No slide tackling allowed!!
Law 13. Free kicks. There are two types. A direct and indirect. At the youth level most free kicks are classified as indirect. This means a goal may not be scored until the ball has been played or touched by a second player of either team.
Law 14. Penalty Kick- If a play commits a foul in their own penalty area a Penalty kick will be awarded. The kick is taken twelve yards out from the goal. I highly recommend that penalty kicks not be called in the micro soccer leagues.
Law 15. Throw in. The thing to teach your players is both feet have to be on the ground, must have two hands on the ball, and the throw must come from behind the players head. The penalty for a bad throw in is that the opposing team get the ball. Some leagues don't enforce this rules or give the player two chances.
Law 16. Goal Kick. A goal kick is granted when the attacking team kicks the ball over the goal line. The kicker may not touch the ball again until it has left the penalty area and has been touched my another player on either team.
Law 17. Corner Kick. A corner kick is awarded when the defending team kicks the ball over their own goal line. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
