Below are the standard rules for our Fall Recreational League games and should be reviewed by referees, coaches, and players. Although these our standard rules, coaches can work with the referees to make minor tweaks, such as number of players on the field if one team has no subs or game lengths when the playing conditions impact player safety. Both coaches and referees need to agree, however.
U8 (Grades 1-2)
- Games are 7v7 with a goalie. Coaches can decide to play something different at the beginning of the game if needed
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Offsides are not called at this level unless there is a “net hanger”.
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There are no penalty kicks at this level
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Refs use a drop ball in box or direct free kick out of the box
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Players must keep two feet down when throwing in the ball.
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The refs will give the player another chance to get it right (max 3) before switching to the other team.
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Refs will call:
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Handballs
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Out of Bounds
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Corner Kicks
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Goal Kicks
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Intentional Tripping and Pushing
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Slide Tackling
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Playing on the Ground
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Net hangers
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There are four 8-minute quarters with up to a 2 min break between quarters.
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Subs may be made during any break in play/at the whistle.
U10 (Grades 3-4)
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Games are 7v7 with a goalie. Coaches can decide to play something different at the beginning of the game if needed
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Offsides are called at this level. It doesn’t need to be exact or perfect, but call it if is obvious
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There are no penalty kicks at this level
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Refs use a drop ball in box or direct free kick out of the box
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Players must keep two feet down when throwing in the ball.
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The refs will give the player another chance to get it right (max 3) before switching to the other team.
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Refs will call -
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Handballs
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Out of Bounds
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Corner Kicks
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Goal Kicks
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Intentional Tripping and Pushing
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Slide Tackling/Playing on the Ground
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These two tend to happen at this age, so please call it if you see it
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Offsides
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There are two 20-minute halves with a 5-minute break between halves.
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Subs may be made during any break in play/at the whistle
U12 (Grades 5-8)
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Games are either 7v7 or 9v9 with one person as goalie. Coaches should decide at the beginning of the game.
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Offsides are called at this level. It doesn’t need to be exact or perfect, but call it if is obvious
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There are no penalty kicks at this level
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You can give a direct free kick out of the box
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Players must keep two feet down when throwing in the ball.
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The refs will give the player another chance to get it right (max 3) before switching to the other team.
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Refs will call:
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Refs will call -
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Handballs
-
Out of Bounds
-
Corner Kicks
-
Goal Kicks
-
Intentional Tripping and Pushing
-
Slide Tackling/Playing on the Ground
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These two tend to happen at this age, so please call it if you see it
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Offsides
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Game lengths are flexible depending on how many kids the teams have, so check with the coaches to see what they would prefer
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For 7v7, those games are typically four 12-minute quarters with a 2-minute break
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For 9v9, those are typically two 25-minutes halves with a 5-minute break
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Subs may be made during any break in play/at the whistle
Shootout Rules for Playoff Games
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SYS follows standard Penalty Kick Shootout rules (for the most part)
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If the game is tied at the end of regulation, we go straight to a Penalty Kick Shootout...no overtime
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5 kicks for each team
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If the score reaches a point where one team cannot win, then penalty kicks are ended there
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Ex. Team A has gone 5 for 5. Team B missed one kick and are 3 for 4. Team B does not need to take a 5th because they cannot win.
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If it is tied after 5 kicks, each team gets 1 kick until a winner is determined
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No player is allowed to take a 2nd kick until everyone else (including the goalie) on the team has taken 1
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Teams are allowed to switch their goalies before the shootout starts
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This is not typically allowed, but considering this is rec soccer and we don't want kids feeling too anxious or nervous, its ok if coaches need to swap the goalie before the shootout
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Goalies need to stay on the goal line and cannot come off of it until after the ball is kicked. Otherwise, a re-kick is taken
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This should only be called if the goalie comes way off the line. Kids get fidgety and might be an inch or two off the line unintentionally...that is ok.
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For Grade 1/2 coaches, feel free to help the goalie and the kick taker get set-up for each shot. Please stand off to the side when you are done
- For Grade 3/4 and Co-Ed, coaches should stay with their teams