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 kicks,which means that another player must touch the ball before it goes in the goal. ***Please do not line your players up close to the kicker to block the kick in such a manner that may cause 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. If the ball is kicked in the air beyond mid-field, the kick must be retaken.
• 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 kicks,which means that another player must touch the ball before it goes in the goal. ***Please do not line your players up close to the kicker to block the kick in such a manner that may cause 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. If the ball is kicked in the air beyond mid-field, the kick must be retaken.
• 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.
• 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 must be taken from the small box within the penalty area. The ball must clear the goalie box before either team is allowed to touch the ball. If the ball does not clear the box, the goal kick is retaken.
• Punting is not allowed at the 3/4 level.  On goal kicks, the opposing players must move  to the half field line when the goalkeeper has the ball during play or a goal kick until the ball is in play.  Once the team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball.  After the ball is put into play by the keeper, the opposing team can cross the half field line and resume play.
• 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.
• 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. 
• 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.
• 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.