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The rules of the game are governed by FIFA rules, except where noted below for the Modified soccer formats (U-7 to U-11). Rules that are unmodified are those concerning the Start of Play, Out of Bounds, Fouls and Misconduct. The purpose of the Modified soccer format is to allow players to play the game in a format that will maximize player enjoyment of the game while teaching them the skills that they will need as they grow older. These rules are standard for play in all modified formats:
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Complete Association (HSA) Rules HSA has approved small sided rules (U-7 to U-11) for its clubs. A copy of the whole rule set can be found on the HSA site HERE. Individual rules are linked below with each age group. Please print off the rules for the age(s) that apply to you. |
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For the WSYSA version of the mod rules and other coaching material, please visit the WSYSA site here: www.wsysa.com/Administration/FormsPublications/tabid/103/grm2id/149/Default.aspx
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Here are some of the most commonly asked questions for each age group:
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U-7
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U-8
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U-9
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U-10
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U-11
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Roster
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6
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8
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9
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10
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14
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Players on Field
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3
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4
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5
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6
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9
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Goalie
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N
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Y
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Y
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Y
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Y
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Ball Size
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3
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3
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4
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4
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4
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Length of Halves (min)
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20
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25
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25
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25
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30
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Slide tackling
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N
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N
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N
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N
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Y
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Direct Kicks
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N
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N
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N
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Y
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Y
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Penalty Kicks
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N
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N
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N
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N
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Y
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Offside
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N
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N
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N
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Y
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Y
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Sendoffs
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N
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N
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N
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Y
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Y
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Goalie allowed to kick ball
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N
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Y
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Y
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Y
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Y
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Re-try Throw-ins
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Y
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Y
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Y
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N
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N
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Re-try Corner Kicks
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Y
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N
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N
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N
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N
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Re-try Kick-offs
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Y
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Y
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Y
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N
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N
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Score Directly from Kick-off/Goal Kick
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N
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Y
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Y
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Y
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Y
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Scores Recorded/Standings Published
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N
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N
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N
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N
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Y
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Referees Provided
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N
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Opt
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Y
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Y
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Y
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A/Rs Used
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N
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N
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N
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N
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Opt
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Spring Season Rule Changes, 2010 (Updated 3-31-2010)
- Coed U-7 to U-10: follow rules listed above.
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U-11 and U-12
teams: will compete with 6 players per side. The length of each half will be 30 minutes.
No penalty kicks, and scores and standings will not be kept. - New - Spring 2009. 3-goal Courtesy Rule. If a team is down 3 goals, they may add a player.
Quick Guide for Full-Sided (11v11) Teams (U-12 and above)
- U-12 - Ball size #4, 30 minute halves (10 minute halftime), 11v11 (18 player max)
- U-13 - Ball size #5, 35 minute halves (10 minute halftime), 11v11 (18 player max)
- U-14 - Ball size #5, 35 minute halves (10 minute halftime), 11v11 (18 player max)
- U-15 - Ball size #5, 40 minute halves (15 minute halftime), 11v11 (18 player max)
- U-16 - Ball size #5, 40 minute halves (15 minute halftime), 11v11 (18 player max)
- U-17 - Ball size #5, 45 minute halves (15 minute halftime), 11v11 (18 player max)
- U-18 - Ball size #5, 45 minute halves (15 minute halftime), 11v11 (18 player max)
- U-19 - Ball size #5, 45 minute halves (15 minute halftime), 11v11 (18 player max)
Click Here to visit FIFA.com for official rules and regulations governing full-sided play.
Handball Myth: With the exception of the goalkeeper inside the penalty area, any contact between the ball and
a player's hand/arm is a hand-ball foul. Fact: The foul is called handling the ball and requires intentional contact. During youth soccer games
there are many instances of accidental contact between hand and ball which do not constitute a foul.
Offside Myth: It is illegal for a player to be standing in an offside
position. Fact: An offside violation only
occurs if, at the moment the ball is played by a team mate, a player is in an offside position and, in the opinion of the referee, the player participates in the play, interferes with play, or
otherwise gains an advantage from his/her position. Offside position is a matter of fact. Offside is a judgment made by the referee.
Throw-in
Myth: On a throw-in, the thrower's feet must be
behind the touchline (out-of-bounds). Fact: A throw-in may be legal as long as some portion of each of the thrower's feet is either behind or on the touchline. This means the thrower's heels may be
on the touchline with his/her toes on the field.
Applying Advantage Myth: If a referee sees a player commit a foul, he must stop
play and award the appropriate free kick. Fact: Under the Laws of the Game, the referee may decide to refrain from penalizing in a situation where stopping play would give an advantage to the offending
team. This is referred to as applying advantage, and once the referee decides to allow play to continue, he/she may not go back and award the foul if the play does not develop. (He/She may,
however, subsequently issue a misconduct at the next stoppage of play.)
Scoring a Goal Myth: If the ball is on the goal line, or any part of the pall is over the goal line, a goal has been scored. Fact: The entire ball must be completely across the entire width of the goal line for a goal to be scored. If any portion of the ball remains over any portion of the goal line, a goal has not been scored and the ball is still in play. Similarly, the ball is still in play if any portion of it remains over any portion of the touchline (side-line).
