The Washington State Youth
Soccer Association Small-Sided Program is a modification of the adult game for
age-appropriate play. These rules
establish team, field, goal and ball sizes for U-7 play, and increases these
each year for U-7 through U-11 players.
This is done for a number of reasons:
· The number of players on the field should be developmentally appropriate for children to experience and develop the motor skills necessary in soccer. These rules allow players to experience appropriate tactical decisions for their age. It also meets the needs of the players’ social development.
·
These rules
create a comfortable environment for the new youth coach. By increasing the number of players
incrementally each year. The new coach
is able to focus on creating developmentally appropriate practice sessions without
the fear and need to focus on teaching specific field positions. With the emphasis on teaching the individual
player, the concern for team results is minimized.
·
By increasing the
number of players on the field and rosters incrementally, it is easier for the
coach to deal with the challenge of new players being added to the team. Often times, the new players added to the
team are playing soccer for the first time.
The use of small-sided games maximizes player contact time with the
ball, which aids in the improvement of these new players and their integration
into the team.
·
The use of
smaller field sizes reduces the strain on field space. Several age groups are able to share the same
space, or, in most cases, more teams can play in the existing field space.
SEASON
Each league administrator will determine the season
and number of games.
INSURANCE
1.
Any injury,
whether in practice, in the game, or in transit, must be reported to the coach
as soon as possible.
2.
All insurance
matters are handled through the Washington State Youth Soccer Association
Office.
o
U-11: The field of play must be
rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater that the length of the
goal line. The maximum length is 80 yards and the minimum length is 50 yards.
The maximum width is 50 yards and the minimum width is 35 yards. Interior
markings shall conform to FIFA
o
U-10: The field of play must be rectangular. The
length of the touchline must be greater that the length of the goal line. The
maximum length is 55 yards and the minimum length is 35 yards. The maximum
width is 35 yards and the minimum width is 30 yards. Interior markings shall
conform to FIFA, except the goal area shall be 6 yards; the penalty area shall
be 14 yards. No penalty mark shall be used. The center circle shall be 10 yards.
o
U-9: The field of play must be rectangular. The
length of the touchline must be greater that the length of the goal line. The maximum
length is 45 yards and the minimum length is 35 yards. The maximum width is 30
yards and the minimum width is 25 yards. Interior markings shall conform to
FIFA, except the goal area shall be 4 yards; the penalty area shall be 10
yards. No penalty mark shall be used. The center circle shall be 10 yards.
o
U-8: The field of play must be rectangular. The
length of the touchline must be greater that the length of the goal line. The
maximum length is 40 yards and the minimum length is 35 yards. The maximum
width is 25 yards and the minimum width is 20 yards. Interior markings shall
conform to FIFA, except the goal area shall be 2 yards; the penalty area shall
be 6 yards. No penalty mark shall be used. The center circle shall be 6 yards.
o
U-7: The field of play must be rectangular. The
length of the touchline must be greater that the length of the goal line. The
maximum length is 35 yards and the minimum length is 30 yards. The maximum
width is 25 yards and the minimum width is 20 yards. Interior markings shall
conform to FIFA, except the goal area shall be 2 yards; the penalty area shall
be 6 yards. No penalty mark shall be used. The center circle shall be 6 yards.
o
U-6 and below: The field of play must be rectangular. The
length of the touchline must be greater that the length of the goal line. The
maximum length is 30 yards and the maximum width is 20 yards. No interior
markings shall be used except center circle, halfway line and corner kick arcs.
The center circle shall be 6 yards.
(b) The following goal and field marking
specifications are applicable to all small-sided competitions administered
within the WSYSA:
|
Age Group |
Max Goal Size |
Min Goal Size |
Recommended Goal Size |
|
U-11 |
8’ x 24’ |
8’ x 24’ |
8’ x 24’ |
|
U-10 |
6’ x 18’ |
6’ x 12’ |
6’ x 18’ |
|
U-9 |
6’ x 18’ |
6’ x 8’ |
6’ x 12’ |
|
U-8 |
6’ x 12’ |
6’ x 6’ |
6’ x 8’ |
|
U-7 |
6’ x 6’ |
cones |
6’ x 6’ |
|
U-6 |
6’ x 6’ |
cones |
6’ x 6’ |
Goals: In case
permanent goals are not available, portable goals are acceptable but must be
staked down to ensure player safety at all
times. For U-7 and below, in the event that there are no permanent or portable
goals, traffic cones may be set up or any other safe object may be used to mark
the goals. In this case the Referee will set
the “imaginary” height of the crossbar.
Field markings: The
outside edge of the field may be indicated by chalked or painted lines not more
than 4” in width. When painted lines are not feasible or permitted other means
may be used.
|
Age Group |
Max Game Duration, WSYSA |
WSC Recommended |
Ball Size |
|
U-11 |
Two 30-minute halves |
2 x 30 mins |
# 4 |
|
U-10 |
Two 28-minute halves ** |
2 x 25 mins |
# 4 |
|
U-9 |
Two 25-minute halves ** |
2 x 22 mins |
# 4 |
|
U-8 |
Two 22-minute halves ** |
2 x 20 mins |
# 3 |
|
U-7 |
Two 18-minute halves ** |
2 x 20 mins |
# 3 |
|
U-6 |
Four 5-minute periods ** |
2 x 20 mins |
# 3 |
** These
are different than Woodland Soccer Club suggestions.
There shall
be a five (5) minute break between halves/periods.
302.3
Number of Players
Teams shall have no more than the following number of
players and roster sizes:
|
Age Group |
# of players on the field |
Roster Size |
|
U-11 |
9 |
14 |
|
U-10 |
6 |
10 |
|
U-9 |
5 |
9 |
|
U-8 |
4 |
8 |
|
U-7 |
3 (no goalkeeper) |
6 |
|
U-6 |
3 (no goalkeeper) |
6 |
302.4
Substitutions
(b) The number of substitutes shall be
unlimited unless a competition superseding the jurisdiction of the WSYSA
determines otherwise. Each player will play a minimum of 50% of the
total playing time. Substitutions will be allowed in order to give an
opportunity for all players to get equal playing time and to balance rather
than to run up the score.
(c)
Players, coaches and spectators not on the field of play must remain two (2)
yards behind the touchline and not within the distance of the goal area for the
particular age from the corner of the field.
302.5
Player’s Equipment
(a) ALL PLAYERS SHALL
WEAR SHINGUARDS. Socks must be worn up and over the shinguards.
(b) All players shall be
in uniform to play. A minimum “official” uniform is the standard league shirt
(with a number). Goalkeepers shall wear shirt colors that distinguish them from
other players.
(c) All players shall
wear footwear. A player may not play in their bare feet.
(d) A player shall not wear
anything that may be dangerous to other players or to themselves.
(e) All or any member(s)
of a team may wear extra protective clothing against the cold, including gloves
without dangerous, protruding or hard objects, provided that:
(1)
The proper team uniform is worn outermost; and
(2)
Any hat should be without peak, bill or dangling or protruding object of any
kind; however, the goalkeeper may wear a soft-billed hat; and
(3)
Referee discretion may be used to determine if an item of protective clothing
is considered to go beyond the purpose of providing a means of retaining body
heat.
(b)
Assistant referees will be used whenever possible to assist the referee. Young
players or willing adults may also be used. Volunteer linesmen may be used at
the discretion of the referee only for the purpose of calling the ball in or
out of play.
302.7
Charging the Goalkeeper
(b) Note:
Also included in “having control of the ball” is, if the goalkeeper holds the
ball on the ground with one or both hands.
302.8
Coaching
(a) The coach or
designated adult (18 years or older, unless approved by the Association) should
attend every practice and every game. All coaches, team managers, and
assistants must fill out the required Washington State Patrol forms and comply
with all Risk Management requirements. There must be an approved adult at all
functions.
(b) The coach is
responsible for his own behavior as well as that of his players and spectators.
Remember this is just for fun.
(c) Every player must
play in each game at least 50% of the playing time unless they are not
able to play due to illness or injury.
(d) All coaches should
attend an appropriate level-coaching clinic prior to the start of the regular
season.
(e)
Coaching from the sidelines is permitted but not recommended. Coaching must be
done in a civil manner and the tone of voice will be informational and
encouraging, not demanding or critical.
(f) At home games, you
are responsible for field preparation (check with your club) and for referees.
Contact the visiting coach at least three (3) days before the scheduled
game to reaffirm the time, directions to the field, and to share team colors
(home team changes jersey color if visiting team is the same color). If the
visiting coach is not contacted he/she should contact the home team coach
(g) It is every coach’s
obligation and duty to attend coaching and referee clinics in order to acquire
information that, in turn, may be passed on to the players. Below are
recommended clinics for the indicated age groups:
|
Age Group |
Coaching Clinic |
Referee Instruction |
|
U-11 |
“E” License |
Level-8 or higer |
|
U-10 |
U-10 Certificate |
Level-9 or Level-8 |
|
U-9 |
U-10 Certificate |
Level-9 or Level-8 |
|
U-8 |
U-8 Certificate |
Level-11 through Level-8 |
|
U-7 |
U-8 Certificate |
Level-11 through Level-8 |
|
U-6 |
U-6 Certificate |
Coaches/parents |
(h) At home games, you are responsible
for field preparation (check with your club) and for referees. Contact
the visiting coach at least three (3) days before the scheduled game to
reaffirm the time, directions to the field, and to share team colors (home team
changes jersey color if visiting team is the same color). If the visiting coach
is not contacted he/she should contact the home team coach.
302.9 The
Rules of Play
(a)
Start of Play
(1) The
ball will be placed at the center of the field by the referee and the game will
start with one player taking a kick into the opponent’s half of the field, after
a given signal by the referee. At the time of the kickoff, every player will be
in his/her half of the field. Every player of the opposing team, to that of the
kicker, shall be:
U-11 and
U-10 ten yards from the center mark
U-9 and
below six yards from the center mark
(2) The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
forward. The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been
touched or played by another player. For any infraction of these laws for U-9
and below, the referee will explain the proper procedure and the kickoff shall
be retaken. Kick-offs for U-10 and above shall be played per FIFA rules.
(3) At
U-7 and below a goal shall not be scored directly from a kickoff without the
ball being touched by at least one other player on either team. At U-8 and
above the limitation shall be per FIFA rules.
(b)
Restart of Play
(1)
After a goal has been scored, the game shall be restarted in like manner by a
player of the team that gave up the goal.
(2)
To start the second half, the game will be restarted with the kickoff by a
player of the opposite team to that of the player who started the game.
(3)
Restarting play after temporary delay: In the case of a temporary
suspension due to an injury or any unusual situation, if one team is clearly in
possession of the ball, the game shall be restarted by an indirect free kick by
the team in possession of the ball at the point where the ball was when play
was suspended. Should there not be clear possession at the time play is suspended
due to an injury or any unusual situation, there will be a drop ball at the
spot where the ball was declared dead. The ball shall be deemed “in play” when
the ball has touched the ground.
(c)
Ball in and Out of Play
(1)
The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or whole
touchline, whether it is on the ground or in the air,
(2)
The ball is out of play, when the referee has stopped the game.
(d)
Method of Scoring
(1)
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has crossed the whole of the goal
line on the ground or in the air.
(2)
In the case the goal marker (cone) is knocked over or moved as a result of a
direct hit by the ball as it crosses the goal line, the goal will not be
allowed. In this case, the ball shall be put into play by either a goal kick or
a corner kick, depending on who touched the ball last. The ball striking the
inside of the goal marker and deflecting into the goal shall constitute a good
goal. As in all judgment calls, the referee’s decision will be final.
(e)
Offside Rule
(1)
The offside rule will not apply to any U-9 and below team,
however, the intent of the rule will be followed. Positioning a player in front
of the opponent’s goal irrespective of the location of the ball on the field is
contrary to the aims of the program. The referee shall take appropriate action
to prevent this kind of play (an indirect kick to the offended team and
instructional statements to the violating players and coach.)
(2) U-10
and above teams will play with the offside rule. The referees will call the
rules and the proper penalties will be assessed.
(f)
Fouls and Misconduct
(1) FREE KICKS: Free
kicks shall be classified under two (2) headings:
“Direct”, from which a goal
can be scored by a direct kick against the offending side and “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.
(2) NO DIRECT KICKS
SHALL BE AWARDED AT U-9 AND BELOW.
ONLY INDIRECT KICKS WILL BE USED.
(3)
Penalty Kicks will be granted ONLY at U-11 and above. They will be taken
at ten (10) yards from the goal.
(4)
A DIRECT KICK shall be awarded for the following nine (9) intentionally
committed offenses:
- Kicking an opponent
- Tripping an opponent
- Jumping at an opponent
- Charging an opponent in a
violent or dangerous manner
- Charging an opponent from
behind
- Striking an opponent
- Holding an opponent
- Pushing an opponent
- Handling the ball, with
the exception of the goalie, in the designated area
(5) An INDIRECT
KICK shall be awarded for the following offenses:
- Dangerous play, (high
kicking)
-
Charging fairly (shoulder to shoulder) when the ball is not within the playing
distance of the players involved
-
Impeding the progress of an opponent
-
Obstructing the goalkeeper (there will be NO INTENTIONAL physical contact with
the goalkeeper in the “penalty area”)
-
Preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
- Lying on the ball and not
allowing others to play it
- Unsporting behavior
(6)
SLIDE TACKLING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AT U-10 AND BELOW! If a slide tackle occurs
at shall be considered dangerous play. The referee will stop play and instruct the
player of his infraction and then award the opposing team an indirect free kick
at the spot of the foul.
(7)
Consistent with the educational intent of the Small Sided Program, the referee
should inform the offending player of the infraction that was committed.
(8)
For all free kicks, the required distance for a defending player will equal
that of the age-appropriate center circle (diameter).
(g)
Throw- ins
(1) When
the whole of the ball passes over the whole touch line, either on the ground or
in the air, it shall be put back into play by a throw-in. The throw shall be
taken from the point where it crossed the line, by a player of the opposing
team.
(2)
The thrower must face the field of play and must keep both feet on the ground
while releasing the ball. He/she shall use both hands on both sides of the ball
to deliver the ball from behind and over his/her head.
(3)
For U-9 and below in the event of any infraction of these laws the throw-in
shall be retaken. Instruction shall be given by the referee. U-10
and above per FIFA.
(4) A goal shall not be
scored directly from the throw-in.
(h)
Goal Kicks
(1) When the whole of the ball passes over the
whole of the goal line, excluding the portion between the goal posts and under
the crossbar (either in the air or on the ground), having last been played by
one of the players on the attacking team, it shall be kicked directly into play
by a goal kick.
(2) A goal kick may be
taken from any point inside the goal area.
(3) Any defending
player, including the goalkeeper, may take the goal kick.
(4)
The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched or
played by another player.
(5) At U-7 and below a
goal shall not be scored directly from a goal kick.
(6) The ball is in
play when it crosses outside the goal area.
(i) Corner Kicks
(1)
When the whole of the ball passes over the whole of the goal line excluding
that portion between the goal posts and under the crossbar, (either in the air
or on the ground), having last been played by one of the defending team, a
player of the attacking team shall have a corner kick.
(2) The
ball shall be placed within a three (3) foot arc from the corner flag
or cone and shall be kicked into play from that position
by an attacking player.
(3) A goal may be
scored directly from a corner kick.
(4) Players from the
opposing team to the kicker shall not approach within
(5)
If the player who takes the kick plays the ball a second time before it has
been touched by another player, the referee shall explain to the kicker the
proper procedure of a corner kick. Then the referee shall award an indirect
kick to the opposite team from a spot where the infringement occurred.
(6) For any other
infringement the kick shall be retaken.
(j)
Miscellaneous Rules
(1)
Unless otherwise modified by these rules, the standard laws of the game will
govern.
(2)
Good judgment, sportsmanship and fair play should govern the decisions and
actions of all coaches, referees and spectators.
(3)
You will not keep record of the score, league standings or have a selection
process for any U-10 and below age groups.