YMCA of Central Kentucky

YMCA OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY

SOCCER RULES FOR 4 - 5

SPORTSMANSHIP

Abusive language or actions by a coach, player, or spectator will not be tolerated. Respect is expected by all parties to teammates, coaches, opposing team, referees and spectators. The guilty party will have to leave the area of play. Referees may suspend play until the person leaves.

EQUIPMENT

Each player receives a YMCA jersey. It should be worn at all games.
Shin guards are required for the protection of the player
Rubber cleat SOCCER shoes are recommended but not required. (“Soccer” shoes don’t have a cleat in the toe area of the shoe- another safety concept)

GAME DURATION

Four (8) eight minute quarters with the clock continuing unless there is prolonged injury time. (This is the discretion of the referee.)

NUMBER OF PLAYERS

5 v. 5
NO goalkeeper
In order for this particular age group to learn by experience, there will be only 5 players from each team on the field at one time. Also, there will be no goalie. This concept allows the younger player to be more involved in the game, have more “touches” on the ball, and also teaches more of a team approach to the game.
Each player must play at least half of the game
(1) coachis allowed on the field of play in order to help facilitate play

START OF MATCH

Referee will do a coin toss to determine which will attack in the first half of the match. The other team takes the kick-off to start the second half of the match.
In the second half of the match, the team changes sides/ends and attach the opposite goal.

KICK-OFF

A kickoff is a way of starting or restarting play: at the start of the match, after a goal has been scored, at the start of the second half.
A goal may not be scored directly from the kick-off. All kicks are indirect.
After a team scores a goal, the kick-off is taken by the other team
All players must be in their own half of the field of play
The referee must give a signal before team can attack
The ball must move forward on first kick
The kicker must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball again before it has touched another player, an indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team to be taken from the position of the ball when the infringement occurred.

PENALTY KICK

OFF-SIDE

THROW-IN

A throw-in is a method of restarting play when the whole of the ball crosses the side line, either on the ground or in the air.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in
The throw-in is taken from the point where is has left the field of play
At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower must face the field of play and hold the ball with both hands
The thrower must have each foot on the ground outside the side line and both feet must remain on the ground until ball has left the throwers hands
Ball must be delivered from behind and over the throwers head

After delivering the ball, the thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player

GOAL KICKS

A goal kick is a method of restarting play when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having touched a player of the attacking team and a goal is not scored.
A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team
Opponents must remain outside the penalty box until the ball is in play
The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player
If the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from where the infringement occurred
The ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area
If the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area, the kick is retaken

CORNER KICKS

A corner kick is a method of restarting play when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team and a goal is not scored.
A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team
The ball must be placed inside the corner arc nearest to the point where the ball crossed the goal line
The corner flag post must not be moved
Opponents must remain at least 10 yards from the corner until the ball is in play
The kicker must not touch the ball again until it touches another player
If the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from where the infringement occurred

DIRECT KICK

There are NO direct kicks in the Y league with the exception of penalty kicks (fouls that occur inside the penalty box).

INDIRECT KICK

An indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force and is taken where the offense occurred:
Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
Trips of attempts to trip an opponent
Jumps at an opponent
Charges at an opponent
Strikes or attempts to strike at an opponent
Pushes an opponent
Tackles and opponent
Holds an opponent
Spits at an opponent
Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
Plays in a dangerous matter
Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
Commits any other offense, not previously mentioned for which play is stopped to caution or send off a player (discretion of referee)

GOAL SCORED

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goal post and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement has been committed prior to the scoring of the ball

OTHER RULES

Spectators must not be on the same side of the field as the 2 teams
2 coaches ONLY are allowed at the team benches. No one is allowed to sit behind the goal lines
All remaining rules will be according to KHSAA