Many of you may be familiar with the FIFA Laws of the Game for Soccer. The College Station Soccer Club follows a modified set of rules based on those laws. We wanted you to be aware of some of the differences so you know what to expect on Saturday. In addition, there is usually some confusion when it comes to Law 11 (Offside). Click HERE for a simple to understand YouTube explanation.
Law 1-The Field of Play- All of our divisions have smaller dimensions than those described in Law 1. For the most part the markings will be the same.
Law 2- The ball- We use three different size balls in our league. U5 through U8 use a size 3 ball. U10 and U12 both use a size 4 ball. U14 and U18 use the size ball described in Law 2 (size 5)
Law 3- The Number of Players- U5 and U6 play with 3 players from each team on the field at a time (no goalie). U7 plays 4v4 (5v5 is allowed if one or both teams have 9 or 10 players present)(no goalie). U8 plays 5v5 and there is a goalie. U10 and U12 play 8v8 including a goalie. U14 plays 7v7. U18 plays 6v6, but if both coaches agree they can play 7v7.
Law 4- The Player's Equipment- With the exception of having a couple teams that have similar colors this law is followed closely by the club. ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR SHIN GUARDS COVERED BY SOCKS AT ALL PRACTICES AND GAMES.
Law 5 & 6- The Referee(The Assistant Referees)- In U5 and U6 games the coaches act as the referees for the game. U7 and U8 will have a referee, but no assistant referees. If a referee is not available for the game then one of the coaches or a parent can act as referee. U10 and U12 games will have a referee and whenever possible two assistant referees. When BVSRA is short on referees there may be one or no assistant referee for a game. U14 and U18 will have a referee, but no assistant referees. There is no offside rule in these divisions and very little to no contact is allowed so the referee is able to manage the games without assistants.
Law 7- The Duration of the Match- U5 and U6 play four 8 minute quarters with a 2 minute break in between quarters along with a 5 minute half time. U7 and U8 play four 10 minute quarters with 2 minute breaks in between quarters along with a 5 minute half time. U10 and U12 play two 25 minute halves with a 10 minute half time. U14 and U18 play two 30 minute halves with a 10 minute half time. No regular season game will have extra time added to decide a winner. If there is no winner at the end of regulation the game will end in a tie.
Law 8- The Start and Restart of the Game- All of our age divisions will start each half or quarter with a kickoff. In addition, a kickoff will restart play after each goal scored. Drop balls will also occur in the manner described in the law.
Law 9- The Ball In and Out of Play- This law is followed as written.
Law 10- The Method of Scoring- This law is followed as written.
Law 11- Offside Position- U10 and U12 follow the offside law, but there is no offside in U5-U8 nor U14-U18.
Law 12- Fouls and Misconduct- Please see the individual age group rules.
Law 13- Free Kicks- The law is followed as written
Law 14- Penalty Kick- U5-U8 do not have penalty kicks, U10 and U12 have modified rules because of the modified field size. U14 and U18 players taking a penalty kick are not allowed to run up to the ball. They must plant their non kicking foot and keep it stationary when taking the kick.
Law 15- Throw In- U5 and U6 will use the throw in any time the ball fully crosses over the touch line or goal line. The throw is to be taken from the spot the ball exited the field. U7 uses a throw in if the ball crosses over the touch line. In addition they will use a throw in in place of a corner kick. U8 through U18 follow the law as written.
Law 16- The Goal Kick- U5 and U6 do not use the goal kick. A throw in is awarded instead. U7 through U18 follow the law as written.
Law 17- The Corner Kick- U5 and U6 take use a throw in from the goal line in place of a corner kick. U7 uses a throw in from the touch line (near corner) instead of a corner kick. U8 through U18 follow the law as written.
Law 1-The Field of Play- All of our divisions have smaller dimensions than those described in Law 1. For the most part the markings will be the same.
Law 2- The ball- We use three different size balls in our league. U5 through U8 use a size 3 ball. U10 and U12 both use a size 4 ball. U14 and U18 use the size ball described in Law 2 (size 5)
Law 3- The Number of Players- U5 and U6 play with 3 players from each team on the field at a time (no goalie). U7 plays 4v4 (5v5 is allowed if one or both teams have 9 or 10 players present)(no goalie). U8 plays 5v5 and there is a goalie. U10 and U12 play 8v8 including a goalie. U14 plays 7v7. U18 plays 6v6, but if both coaches agree they can play 7v7.
Law 4- The Player's Equipment- With the exception of having a couple teams that have similar colors this law is followed closely by the club. ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR SHIN GUARDS COVERED BY SOCKS AT ALL PRACTICES AND GAMES.
Law 5 & 6- The Referee(The Assistant Referees)- In U5 and U6 games the coaches act as the referees for the game. U7 and U8 will have a referee, but no assistant referees. If a referee is not available for the game then one of the coaches or a parent can act as referee. U10 and U12 games will have a referee and whenever possible two assistant referees. When BVSRA is short on referees there may be one or no assistant referee for a game. U14 and U18 will have a referee, but no assistant referees. There is no offside rule in these divisions and very little to no contact is allowed so the referee is able to manage the games without assistants.
Law 7- The Duration of the Match- U5 and U6 play four 8 minute quarters with a 2 minute break in between quarters along with a 5 minute half time. U7 and U8 play four 10 minute quarters with 2 minute breaks in between quarters along with a 5 minute half time. U10 and U12 play two 25 minute halves with a 10 minute half time. U14 and U18 play two 30 minute halves with a 10 minute half time. No regular season game will have extra time added to decide a winner. If there is no winner at the end of regulation the game will end in a tie.
Law 8- The Start and Restart of the Game- All of our age divisions will start each half or quarter with a kickoff. In addition, a kickoff will restart play after each goal scored. Drop balls will also occur in the manner described in the law.
Law 9- The Ball In and Out of Play- This law is followed as written.
Law 10- The Method of Scoring- This law is followed as written.
Law 11- Offside Position- U10 and U12 follow the offside law, but there is no offside in U5-U8 nor U14-U18.
Law 12- Fouls and Misconduct- Please see the individual age group rules.
Law 13- Free Kicks- The law is followed as written
Law 14- Penalty Kick- U5-U8 do not have penalty kicks, U10 and U12 have modified rules because of the modified field size. U14 and U18 players taking a penalty kick are not allowed to run up to the ball. They must plant their non kicking foot and keep it stationary when taking the kick.
Law 15- Throw In- U5 and U6 will use the throw in any time the ball fully crosses over the touch line or goal line. The throw is to be taken from the spot the ball exited the field. U7 uses a throw in if the ball crosses over the touch line. In addition they will use a throw in in place of a corner kick. U8 through U18 follow the law as written.
Law 16- The Goal Kick- U5 and U6 do not use the goal kick. A throw in is awarded instead. U7 through U18 follow the law as written.
Law 17- The Corner Kick- U5 and U6 take use a throw in from the goal line in place of a corner kick. U7 uses a throw in from the touch line (near corner) instead of a corner kick. U8 through U18 follow the law as written.
