Recreational Program

• There may be no referees at this level.  Coaches referee from the field.
• A size 3 ball will be used.
• The small, movable goals are used at this level on the small (often lined in yellow) fields.
• There are two coaches for each team. Only one coach is allowed on the field from each team. The other coach may assist from the sideline.
• There are no goalies.  Players are not permitted to "guard" the goal.
• Play is conducted with 4 players versus 4 players or 5 players versus 5 players. If there are not enough players to play 4 v 4 or 5 V 5, teams may be adjusted to equal out the number of players.
• All free kicks are indirect kids (another play must touch the ball before it goes into the goal). Opposing team players must be at least 10 feet from the ball to prevent injury
• Goal kicks must be taken from the top of the penalty area. The opposing team has to remain behind the mid-field line until the ball is kicked. A player on the kicking team must touch the ball before the opposing team can chase the ball.  
• Throw-ins are to be retaken if done incorrectly. The player must have two hands on the ball, the ball must go over their head and both feet must remain off the field and on the ground. 
• There are no corner kicks; instead a throw-in is utilized near the corner.
• There is no offside rule in effect. However, the offensive team must not take advantage of this rule alteration by placing a player in its offensive end as a goal hanger.
• No slide tackling is allowed. A player also cannot kick the ball while he or she is lying on the ground. If a player is on the ground with the ball nearby, please try to encourage play to stop until the player is up to avoid injury.
• For safety reasons, no heading of the ball is allowed.  Intentional heading will result in an indirect kick for the other team.
• The game is played with 4 quarters of 10 minutes each. Time continues to run, except for injuries.

• There is 1 referee at this level. 
• A size 3 ball is used.
• Small, movable goals are used at this level on the small (often lined in yellow) fields.
• There are two coaches for each team. Only one coach is allowed on the field from each team. The other coach may assist from the sideline.
• There are no goalies.  Players are not permitted to "guard" the goal.
• Play is conducted with 4 players versus 4 players or 5 players versus 5 players. If there are not enough players to play 4 v 4 or 5 V 5, teams may be adjusted to equal out the number of players.
• All free kicks are indirect kids (another play must touch the ball before it goes into the goal). Opposing team players must be at least 10 feet from the ball to prevent injury
• Goal kicks are taken from the top of the penalty area. The opposing team must remain behind the mid-field line until a member of the kicking team touches it.
• Throw-ins are to be retaken if done incorrectly. The player must have two hands on the ball, the ball must go over their head and both feet must remain off the field and on the ground. 
• Corner kicks may be taken at this level.
• There is no offside rule in effect. However, the offensive team must not take advantage of this rule alteration by placing a player in its offensive end as a goal hanger.
• No slide tackling is allowed. A player also cannot kick the ball while he or she is lying on the ground. If a player is on the ground with the ball nearby, please try to encourage play to stop until the player is up to avoid injury.
• For safety reasons, no heading of the ball is allowed.  Intentional heading will result in an indirect kick for the other team.
• The game is played with 4 quarters of 10 minutes each. Time continues to run, except for injuries.

Be prepared for some changes! At these levels we offer a transition to the soccer game that most are familiar with.  We keep the team size smaller so that each player gets more touches.

• There are 2 referees for each game. Please talk to the refs calmly if you believe that they are allowing dangerous play. If no response and dangerous play continues, please notify the league coordinator or speak with the head ref or a board member. Safety is our first responsibility!
• The playing field is the larger (often lined in white) field, with larger goals that require a goalie.
• A size 4 ball is used.
• Players waiting to sub must wait at the mid-field line for the ref to wave them in when there is a stoppage of play.
• Play is conducted with 7 players versus 7 players. If there are not enough players, or too many subs, to play 7 v 7 comfortably, then adjust the teams to play with equal numbers. Try to work with the other coach to create the optimal game for the players (Even sharing players if the numbers are lopsided).
• Coaches remain on the sideline on their half of the field.
• The team plays with goalies. Goalies can use their hands anywhere inside the large goalie box. If a pass is intentionally made back to the goalie, the goalie may not touch the ball with their hands but can use their feet. If they pick up the ball an indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team.
• Opposing teams cannot make contact with the goalie once he/she has the ball. Refs are instructed to protect the goalie and coaches are asked to tell your players to do the same (or you may have a very hard time finding goalies for your team by mid season!)
• Penalty kicks and corner kicks are in effect, as is the offsides rule. It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure players understand these rules.  Offside is a particularly tricky concept at this age, so coaches are strongly encouraged to devote extra time at the start of the season to teaching players this concept.  Refs are instructed to also reinforce the off sides and other newer rules for the first few games.
• If a throw in is illegal, the throw goes to the opposing team. The player must have two hands on the ball, the ball must go over their head and both feet must remain off the field and on the ground.
• Goal kicks are taken from the small box within the penalty area. The ball must clear the larger goalie box. If not, it should be retaken. The opposing team players must wait at half field for the ball to be touched by the kicking team before they are allowed to chase the ball.
• Punting is not allowed at this level. When the goalie picks up the ball, the opposing team must run to the mid-field line. Then the goalie can pass, throw, or roll the ball to a teammate. The ball must be touched by the goalie’s teammate before the opposing team can chase it.
• No slide tackling is allowed. A player also cannot kick the ball while he or she is lying on the ground. If a player is on the ground with the ball nearby, please try to encourage play to stop until the player is up to avoid injury.
• For safety reasons, no heading of the ball is allowed.  Intentional heading will result in an indirect kick for the other team.
• The game is played with two - twenty five minutes halves. In particularly hot weather, or if there are few subs, coaches and referees may decide to play 4- 12 minute quarters. Time continues to run, except for injuries.

Our older levels of soccer play "real" soccer with some substitution and dangerous play modifications.

• There will be two referees. Please talk to the refs calmly if you believe that they are allowing dangerous play. Remember, they are our local HS players who know the game well, but may not initially love to blow their whistles! If no response and dangerous play continues, please notify the league coordinator or speak with the head ref or a board member. Safety is our first responsibility!
• A size 4 ball will be used.
• Players waiting to sub must wait at the mid-field line for the ref to wave them in when there is a stoppage of play.
• Play is conducted with 9 players versus 9 players (in some years it could be designated as 7v7 or 8v8 depending on team size). If there are not enough players, or too many subs to play 7 v 7 comfortably, then adjust the teams to play with equal numbers. Try to work with the other coach to create the optimal game for the players (Even sharing players if the numbers are lopsided).
• Coaches remain on the sideline on their half of the field.
• Goalies can use their hands anywhere inside the large goalie box. If a pass is intentionally made back to the goalie, the goalie may not touch the ball with their hands but can use their feet. If they pick up the ball an indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team. Goalies can also punt at this level. No build out rules apply for the opposing team.
• Penalty kicks and corner kicks are in effect, as is the offsides rule.  At this level, most players should understand these rules, but it is the coach’s responsibility to make sure all players are familiar with these concepts. 
• For the first 2 weeks of games, if a throw in is illegal the player is allowed 1 additional opportunity to throw it in, but if they throw it in a second time incorrectly the throw in goes to the other team. Referees should make sure they are teaching the players during these first 2 weeks the proper technique for throwing in a ball. By the 3rd week of games, players should not be given a second chance to throw in the balls if their first attempt is incorrect. The player must have two hands on the ball, the ball must go over their head and both feet must remain off the field and on the ground.
• No slide tackling or hard fouls are allowed. If a player continues to create dangerous situations, he/she will be asked to leave the game. Re-entrance into the game is allowed when the coach/ref feels that this player is in control. A player also cannot kick the ball while he or she is lying on the ground. If a player is on the ground with the ball nearby, please try to encourage play to stop until the player is up to avoid injury.
• The game is played with two - thirty minutes halves. In particularly hot weather, or if there are few subs, coaches and referees may decide to play 4- 15 minute quarters. Time continues to run, except for injuries.