N.A.S.A. New Rules Summary-Under 6 Division
Law 1 - The Field of Play. The field of play is 25 yards wide by 30 yards long. The center circle is 5 yards in diameter with a 9-inch center mark. The goal area is the radius of a 5-yard circle centered with the two goals for each goal line. The goal is located inside the arc in the center of the by-line.
Law 2 - The Ball Size. Size 3 ball-preferably hand stitched with a soft outer casing.
Law 3 - Number of Players. Four to five players will be assigned to a team roster. Each team will have 2 players on the field at a time. There is not a goalkeeper. All players must be encouraged to actively participate in the game, avoiding goal line defending, encourage the players to get the ball as soon as possible.. Substitutions are made during a stoppage of play; including line changes, fouls, injuries or as necessary at the discretion of the referee.
Law 4 - Players’ Equipment. All players must wear the Club uniform to participate. Other Articles of clothing may be worn underneath the club uniform in adverse weather; it is suggested that the articles be of the same color and like material as the uniform. All players must have their shirts tucked in. The team listed first on the weekly schedule will wear red and be considered the home team. All players must wear shin guards, which must be covered by the sock. Soccer turf or molded cleats are recommended but not required for this age. They should be comfortable and not dangerous to any of the players. Shoes with metal or front toe cleats ate examples of illegal footwear.
Law 5 – Referees. There will be one center referee or the coaches will be referees to control the game and facilitate players on each team to get involved with the play. They will encourage good decision-making on the part of the players to help develop the skills of soccer.
Law 6 - Assistant Referees. There will not be any Assistant Referees at this age level.
Law 7 - Duration of the Game. The duration of the game is 32 minutes divided into two halves. The referee will call for line-up changes after every 4 minutes. The line-up change should occur at a natural stopping point in the game and not necessarily at the exact 4-minute mark. However, halftime and end of game should occur at the 16 and 32-minute times respectively. Halftime will last for 2 minutes.
Law 8 - The Start of Play. ALL RESTARTS ARE INDIRECT. Before the start of play the players will choose which team is to kick-off by a coin toss. The referee will signal the start of play once every player is in their own half, with the opposing players outside of the center circle away from the ball. A player from the side winning the kick-off may touch the ball forward and may not touch the ball again until after any other player has touched the ball. The game clock will start once the ball has been touched without being touched a second time by the kicker. The above game start will be used after a goal is scored or to restart the game after half time. All other restarts of the game
N.A.S.A. New Rules Summary-Under 6 Division (Continued)
are taken as an indirect free kick or at the discretion of the referee by a drop ball. An indirect free kick is one not touched by the kicker again until after another player touches the ball, which may not be kicked directly into the goal by the first kicker.
Law 9 - Ball in and out of Play. The ball is out of play when the entire ball crosses over the goal or sideline; or when the referee signals to stop play.
Law 10 - Method of Scoring. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses over the goal line within the area bounded by the goal posts and cross bar; as long the ball was not directed or propelled by the use of a players arm or hand. The number of goals scored by a team will not be recorded nor should they be used as a measure of success alone.
Law 11 - Off-side. Off-side rule does not apply.
Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct. The referee will not allow players to play in a careless or reckless manner, which is defined by but not limited to the following:
kicking or attempting to kick another player,
tripping another player;
jumping at another player;
charging another player;
pushing a player;
slide tackling another player,
holding another player;
handling the ball by arm or hand gaining an advantage over another player (including the goalie outside the arc);
or playing in a manner considered by the referee to be unfair or dangerous.
NOTE
Additionally the referee may request an immediate substitution of the player committing any of the above offenses if deemed necessary for fair play to continue. Any substituted player by the referee may re-enter the game during the next line change.
Law 13 - Free Kick. Free kicks shall be indirect from which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has been played or touched by a player other than the kicker before passing through the goal. The referee will direct the placement of the ball where the infraction occurred. The ball must not be moving prior to the kick. The opponents must be at least 3 yards away from the ball and must not move forward until the ball is played. Should the kicker play the ball twice the referee must stop play and require a restart for instructional purposes or thereafter award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.
Law 14 - Penalty-kicks. Penalty kicks do not apply.
Law 15 - Throw-in. There are no throw-ins at U-6 level instead a kick in is to be used to place the ball back into play once the entire ball passes over the sideline, either on the ground or in the air. The opposing player from the last player to touch the ball over the
N.A.S.A. New Rules Summary-Under 6 Division (Continued)
sideline shall kick the ball in from the Sideline at the point of exit from the field of play. The kicker must face the field of play and have each foot either on the sideline or behind
it while releasing the ball. The kick in may not go directly into the goal, nor can the ball be played twice by the kicker until touched by another player
Law 16 - Goal Kick. A Goal kick is awarded when the attacking team plays the ball past the defensive goal line out of play and not into the goal. The defending player must place
the ball within the goal arc and play an indirect kick. Opposing players must be at least 3 yards away from the arc.
Law 17 - Corner-kick. A Corner kick is awarded when the defensive team plays the ball past the defensive goal line out of play and not into the goal. The attacking player must place the ball on the corner nearest to the side where the ball exited from the field of play and take an indirect kick. Opposing players must be at least 3 yards from the ball.
The intent of the arc is to force the players to play the ball early. The players should also learn the ball control skills necessary to stop, change pace or direction of the ball. Control of the ball is essential to the player’s development. In addition the referees are to act more as a facilitator and be instructional to help all players develop their foot skills and understanding of the game.