Rules of the Game

For the Saint Joseph Youth Soccer Association

Rule I. THE FIELD OF PLAY

THE SIZE OF THE FIELD, GOAL AREA and PENALTY AREA SHALL BE MODIFIED FOR ALL AGE GROUPS

THE 2 YOUNGEST DIVISIONS WILL NOT HAVE A PENALTY AREA. THE GOAL SIZES WILL BE SMALLER.

Rule II. THE BALL   U6 – SIZE 3     U8 and U10and U12 – SIZE 4                  U15 – SIZE 5

Rule III. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Small sided games are in place.

  U6 - 4 V 4                    U8 - 6 V 6                      U10 - 7 V 7                     U12 - 8 v 8                     U15 - 8 v 8 and up

THERE WILL BE UNLIMITED SUBSTITUTION AT THE PROPER TIMES

• Game stoppages – subs should be standing at the halfway line before being recognized
• Subs will be done at the discretion of the referee (teams cannot sub to interrupt offensive runs)
• ON INJURY, IF THE INJURED PLAYER IS REPLACED, THE OPPOSING TEAM MAY SUBSTITUTE IF DESIRED

Sportsmanship:

If one team gains a 5-goal lead, the team down will add one player to the field of play.  If the lead is 6 goals, the team down will add a second player etc.  The maximum number of players on the field will be no more than 4 more players than the other team. Players do not come off the field until the goal differential is 2

Rule IV. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

SHIN GUARDS ARE MANDATORY!! AND SOCKS MUST BE OVER THE SHIN GUARDS. NO JEWELRY OF ANY KIND, (EXCEPTION FOR MEDICAL ALERT BRACLET, OR NECKLACE).

Rule V. DURATION OF THE GAME

  U6 – 4 TEN MINUTE QUARTERS        U8 – 4 12 MINUTE QUARTERS (2 min Quarter breaks)  

  U10 – 2 25 MINUTE Halves                  U12 – 2 30 MINUTE Halves Half times are 5 minutes

  U15 – 2 35 MINUTE Halves                  Rainouts are on Sunday Afternoon if the field schedule permits

Rule VI. OFFSIDES

FOR U6 and U8 age groups THERE ARE NO OFFSIDES, BUT COACHES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CAMP PLAYERS IN FRONT OF THE GOAL

FOR U10/12/15 age groups, OFFSIDES SHALL BE IN EFFECT

Rule VII. FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

Any MAJOR FOUL COMMITTED IN THE PENALTY AREA FOR the U8 and U10 age groups WILL BE WHISTLED, AND AN INDIRECT FREE KICK AWARDED. THERE ARE NO PENALTY KICKS for these age groups

U8 and U10 – No Headers allowed.  Blown dead and reward a free kick to the opposite team

Rule VIII. Field Rules

For safety reasons there will be no climbing on the goals, trees or construction area(s).

Please respect the referees. They will call the game as they see it from their position on the field.  Set an example for the players that what the referee says is final, regardless of what you may or may not have seen from your view point.

Parents must sit on the opposite side of the field from the team players. – based on Covid regulation.

Parents are not allowed on the field during the game regardless of injuries unless the referee states otherwise. Make sure YOUR “cheerleading” is supportive, and not negative in any fashion.

NO SMOKING OR DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON THE FIELDS!!