In-House Rules

In-House Rules

In-House Rules

Division K 4 – 10 minute periods

Division I 4 – 10 minute periods

Division II 3 – 15 minute periods

Division III 2 – 25 minute periods

General rules which apply to all divisions:

1. Shin guards are required for practice and games. Players will not be allowed to play or practice without shin guards.

2. Soccer shoes are allowed but not required; steel spikes are not allowed

3. Players must wear team shirt or one of the same color in order to play.

4. Slide tackling is not allowed at any level of play.

5. Abuse of the referee in any form and by any person is forbidden. Any dispute should be brought to the attention of the referee coordinator or a board member. (See “No Tolerance Rule”)

6. Shake hands with the referee and the other team at the end of the game.

7. Coaches are responsible for asking any disruptive or abusive parent or fan to cease the behavior or the game will be forfeited. (See “No Tolerance Rule”)

8. Coaches MUST give every player equal playing time during each game.

9. Each player shall have the opportunity to play all positions equally.

10. For the safety of everyone on the field children withcasts may not play until the cast is removed.

11. Off-side will not be called for any Division. It is the coach’s responsibility to make sure their players are not hanging out by the opposing goal (cherry-picking). Any questions about this should be directed to the SPAYSA committee.

12. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: The coach should give a warning to players who are intentionally aggressive (hitting, kicking, tripping, pushing), using foul language, or playing in a manner that could injure others. If the behavior continues, the coach MUST pull that player for the remainder of the game.

Law No. 1 – The Field of Play

The soccer field is rectangular its length shall be 100-120 yards and its width 50-100 yards. Youth fields shall be a minimum of 80 X 40 yards.

Law No. 2 – The Ball

Division K will use a size #3 ball. Divisions 1-3 will use a size #4 ball. The ball should be inflated so the referee cannot press their thumb more the .5 inches into the ball. The ball can’t be changed during the game without the referee’s permission.

Law No. 3 – Players

Division K and 1 will play 4vs4 without goalie. Divisions 2-3 will play 6vs6, which includes the goalie. No roster is necessary for referee inspection. A match is not considered valid if there are fewer than 5 players on a team. Substitutions are at the discretion of the referee. Unlimited subs are allowed after a goal is scored and on either teams goal kick. Division K has unlimited substitutions at any point in the game. Divisions 1-2 may substitute when there is any stoppage in the game. Division 3 will abide by the rules listed below. A team in possession of the ball may substitute at a throw-in. An injured player, which needs to come off the field, can be substituted for. The opposing team may also substitute the same number of players. A player acting in an unsportsmanlike way maybe ejected from the game and can be substituted for.

Law No 4 – Players Equipment

The usual uniform includes a shirt and shin guards. A player shall not wear anything that is dangerous to another player. Soft molded cleats are recommended but are not mandatory. The goalkeeper must wear a black t-shirt. Players shall be asked to remove watches, rings, earrings (all kinds), hard barrettes and any other items the referee deems improper. Shin guards are recommended to completely cover a player’s socks; where the exception is where shin guards are encased in a sock-like structure.

Law No. 5 – The Referee

The referee(s) is (are) in charge of all game activity and is (are) to make sure each team abides by the rules. His/her decisions are final it is the referee’s responsibility to keep time, stop play for injuries or any other reason he/she deems necessary, and to restart it when ready. He/she also may suspend or terminate the game due to inclement weather, spectator interference etc. A referee can change or overturn an initial decision as long as the ball has not been put back in play.

Law No. 6 – Game Duration

Division K 4 – 10 minute periods

Division I 4 – 10 minute periods

Division II 3 – 15 minute periods

Division III 2 – 25 minute periods

Law No. 7 – Start of Play

Home team receives the choice of ends. A kickoff is used to start play at the beginning of the game, after a goal has been scored, or after halftime. A player standing near the center-line kicks the ball forward to a fellow player. After the ball makes one complete revolution the game is officially started. The kicker may not touch the ball until another player has kicked it. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off.

Law No. 8 –Ball in and out of play

After the ball has completely crossed the sideline or goal line it is out of play. Any ball striking a referee, goal post, or corner flag which does not leave the field or play is considered in play.

Law No. 9 – Goal Scoring

A goal is scored when the ball fully crosses the goal line, between the goal posts and under the cross bar. The team scoring the most goals wins.

Law No. 10 – Fouls and Misconduct

A) There are 9 prohibited acts for which a referee can award a direct kick to the opposing team:

a) Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent

b) Tripping an opponent

c) Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner

d) Charge from behind

e) Striking or attempting to strike an opponent

f) Jumping at an opponent

g) Hold an opponent

h) Pushing

i) Intentionally handling the ball (except the goal keeper in the penalty area)

B) AnIndirect kick shall be awarded when these acts occur;

a) Dangerous plays (high kicking)

b) Charging away from the ball

c) Charging the goalkeeper when he/she has their hands on the ball, whether it’s on the ground or not

d) Obstructing on opponent

e) Preventing the goalkeeper from putting the ball back into play

f) Player touches the ball a second time after either a corner kick, kick off, direct kick, indirect kick, or a throw in

g) Unsportsmanlike conduct

h) Intentionally delaying the game

i) Passing the ball by the goalkeeper

Law No. 11 Free Kicks

The two basic kicks awarded by the referee are the following:

a) Direct Free Kick: A goal can be scored directly

b) Indirect Free Kick: The ball must touch another player or opponent before scoring

Law No. 12 Penalty Kicks

Only applicable for Divisions II and III

A penalty kick is awarded after serious rule infraction takes place in the penalty area. It is a direct kick taken at 12 yards (or 1 ½ times the width of the goal) from the goal line. All players except the goalkeeper and the kicker must stay outside of the penalty area. The goalie must stand on the goal line (but may move along the goal line) until the ball is kicked

Law No. 13 Throw-ins

After the ball has completely crossed the sidelines, the team that did not touch the ball last shall be awarded the throw-in

a) Both feet must be out of bounds when the throw is made

b) The ball must be thrown by both hands directly over the head

c) Both Feet must be touching the ground as the throw in is made

d) On incorrect throws the ball is awarded to the opposite team

Division K and I- are awarded a 2nd try after an incorrect throw in.

Division II- only the first game in fall and the first game in spring is the player awarded a 2nd try.

Law No. 14 Goal Kicks

A goal is awarded when the ball (after being kicked by the offense) crosses the goal line but not within the goal scoring area. The ball is usually placed on the corner of the goal area nearest the side where the ball went out of bounds. The ball must travel 10 yds. Before it is regarded in play.

Law No. 15 Corner Kicks

A corner kick is awarded when the ball crosses over the goal line last touched by a defensive player and doesn’t result in a goal. One member of the attacking team takes the kick from the corner nearest where the ball left the field.

a) The opposing team must remain 10 yds. From the ball

b) The kicker can not kick the ball a second time until it is touched by another player

NO TOLERANCE RULE

In an effort to create the most positive sportsman like environment for our youth, Strikers has created the no tolerance rule. If a coach, player, or fan, is harassing a referee, the referee has the right to go to the offending teams coach and ask them to control themselves or their personnel. The referee should never approach offending parent or fan, they shall only communicate with the coach, privately. If it does not resolve the issue, the referee can suspend play and seek help of a Strikers committee member or individual in charge of the field. If no Strikers representative is available the referee has the right to call the game.If a situation occurs that a referee or Strikers member calls a game due to disruptive behavior the Strikers Field Coordinator must be notified and a report of the situation has to be prepared for review by the Strikers committee. Further action may be taken at that time. Coaches, if you feel a referee has not adequately performed their duties please contact a member of the Strikers board.