Mini-Soccer Rules (U8, U9, U10, U11, and U12)

RULES FOR MINI-SOCCER (U8, U9, U10, U11, and U12) AS PER THE OSA’s LTPD MATRIX

1. Scores and Standings for U8, U9, U10, U11, and U12

(a) There will not be any scores recorded (b) There will be no standings kept.

Registration:

Please register your team a minmum 60 minutes before your first game. Registration will take place at the field.

2. The ball shall be a size 4. Home team is responsible for providing the ball.

3. Number of Players:

1. (a) U8 – 5v5 with a goalkeeper – maximum of 10 dressed players

U9 and U10 – 7v7 with a goalkeeper – maximum of 14 dressed players

U11 and U12 – 9v9 with a goalkeeper – maximum of 16 dressed players

1. (b) Unlimited substitution shall be allowed.

2. (c) Substitution shall be allowed at stoppages, under the control of the referee.

3. (d) Both teams must have at least five (5) players to start the game.

4. (e) The game should not continue if a team has less than five (5) players.

4. Duration of Play (a) U9 through U12 will play 4 games, 25 minutes long (12:30 minute halves) in one day as per OSA LTDP Matrix. a) U9 & U12 Girls will play games on Saturday, June 18th. b) U10 & U11 Girls on Sunday, June 19th. c) U9 & U12 Boys will play Saturday, July 2nd d) U10 & U11 Boys on Sunday, July 3rd.

4. Equipment: (a) Players shall not wear anything that endangers themselves or other players. (b) Basic compulsory equipment shall consist of shorts, socks, shinguards, footwear, and a numbered shirt. (c) Goalkeepers must wear colours that are distinguishable from all outfield players and the referee. (d) A player who is asked to leave the field because of defective or dangerous equipment may not re- enter the field of play until the referee is satisfied that the equipment is permissible.

5. Ball In and Out of Play: (a) Ball is OUT of play:

· when the whole of the ball has crossed the goal line, or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air. · When the play has been stopped by the referee.

(b) Ball is IN play: · when it rebounds into play from a goal-post, a cross-bar, or a corner flag post, or the referee, and remains in the field of play.

6. Method of Scoring: (a) A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has crossed over the goal-line, between the goal-posts and under the cross-bar, provided it has not been thrown, carried, or intentionally propelled by hand or arm, by a player of the attacking team, except by a goalkeeper from within his own penalty area. (b) The referee shall be the sole judge as to whether or not a goal has been scored. (c) During the course of play, should any outside agent prevent the ball from passing into the goal or

assist the ball into the goal, play shall be stopped. The referee shall restart the game by dropping the ball.

7. As per the current OSA rules, the No-offsides rule will be in effect for U8 through U10. Offsides are in effect for U11 and U12.

8. Fouls and Misconducts: A player who, in the opinion of the referee, intentionally commits any of the following offences, shall be penalized by the awarding of a free-kick to the opposing team.

· spits at an opponent · kicks or attempts to trip an opponent · jumps at an opponent · charges an opponent · strikes or attempts to strike an opponent · holds an opponent · pushes an opponent · handles the ball deliberately, (except a goalkeeper from within his own penalty area) · tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball

Should a player commit one of the above offences within his or her own penalty-area, a Penalty kick shall be awarded.

9. Free Kicks: (a) For any infringement of the mini-soccer rules when the ball is in play, the referee may award a free- kick to the non-offending team. The free-kick shall be taken from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the free-kick is awarded to the attacking team within its opponents’ penalty area. In this case, the penalty-kick shall be taken from the penalty area. (b) At the taking of a free-kick, the ball shall be stationary and all opponents shall be not less than six (6) yards from the ball until it has been kicked. The ball shall be in play when it is kicked and moved. (c) A player taking a free-kick within his own penalty-area shall kick the ball into play beyond the penalty area. The ball shall be in play when it has been kicked and moved and has passed outside the penalty-area. All opponents shall be outside the penalty-area and not less than six (6) yards from the ball until it has been kicked. For any infringement of this rule, the free-kick shall be re-taken. (d) A player taking a free-kick shall not play or touch the ball a second time until it has been played or touched by another player. For any infringement of this rule, a free-kick shall be awarded to the opposing team. (e) All free-kicks are indirect unless they are a penalty kick, then they may be put on goal.

10. Penalty Kicks: (a) A penalty-kick shall be taken from the penalty-mark. All players, with the exception of the defending goalkeeper and the player taking the kick, shall be outside the penalty-area but within the field of play, not less than six (6) yards from the ball until it has been kicked. (b) The goalkeeper shall remain on his own goal-line facing the kicker, and between the goal-posts, until the ball has been kicked. (c) The player taking the penalty-kick must kick the ball forward. The ball shall be in play when the ball is kicked and moved forward. The player shall not play or touch the ball a second time until it has been played or touched by another player.

(d) If necessary, the time of play shall be extended to allow a penalty-kick to be taken.

For any infringement of this rule:

(a) by a member of the defending team: the kick shall be re-taken if a goal has not been scored. (b) By a member of the attacking team: if a goal is scored it shall be disallowed and a free-kick awarded to the defending team, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred. (c) By a member of both teams: the kick shall be re-taken whether a goal has been scored or not. (d) If, after the kick has been taken, the ball or the goalkeeper is interfered with by an outside agent, the kick shall be re-taken.

11. Kick-In (U8-10 only, U11-12 are throw-ins as per LTPD). (a) When the whole of the ball has crossed the touch-line, either on the ground or in the air, the ball shall be kicked in from the point where it left the field of play, by a member of the team opposing that of the player who last played or touched it. The kick is an indirect kick and a goal cannot be scored from a kick in. (b) The player taking the kick-in shall face the field of play and kick the ball from on the touchline. The ball will be in play immediately after it enters the field of play. (c) If the player taking the kick-in plays or touches the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player, a kick-in shall be awarded to the opposing team. (d) At the taking of a kick-in all opponents must be at least two (2) yards from the ball. (e) A GOAL MAY NOT BE SCORED DIRECTLY FROM A KICK-IN AS IT IS AN INDIRECT KICK.

12. Goal-Kick: (a) When the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line, either on the ground or in the air, excluding that portion between the goal-posts, having been played or touched by a member of the attacking team, a goalkick shall be awarded to the defending team. The ball shall be kicked into play from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team. (b) At the taking of a goal-kick, all opponents shall be outside the penalty-area until it has been kicked into play. The ball shall be in play when it has traveled directly beyond the penalty-area. (c) If the player taking the goal-kick plays or touches the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player, a free-kick shall be awarded to the opposing team. (d) A GOAL MAY NOT BE SCORED DIRECTLY FROM A GOAL-KICK.

13. Corner Kicks: (a) When the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line, whether on the ground or in the air, excluding that portion between the goal-posts, having last been played or touched by a member of the defending team, a corner kick shall be awarded to the attacking team. (b) The corner kick shall be taken from within the corner-arc nearest to where the ball crossed the goal- line. All opponents shall not be less than six (6) yards from the ball until it has been kicked. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. (c) A GOAL MAY BE SCORED DIRECTLY FROM A CORNER KICK.

14. Retreat Line/Fallback Rule

When the goalkeeper has the ball at a goal kick or after making a save the opposing team members would "retreat" to the predetermined area of the field. The predetermined areas are as follows:  5v5 - Half way line. It is recommended the goalkeeper does not drop kick the ball  7v7 – 1/3rds line.

 9v9 - 1/3rds line.

With the opposition retreating to the correct part of the field the goalkeeper can now successfully throw or pass the ball to a team mate. Once the player receiving the ball from the goalkeeper receives the ball, the ball is in play and the opposition players can pressure and attempt to win the ball. If the goalkeeper chooses not to wait for the opposing players to "retreat" and throws or passes the ball down the field, the ball is instantly in play and does not require a player from the goalkeeper’s team to touch the ball first.

The ball is in play once it leaves the penalty area (7v7/9v9) All opponents must be behind the retreat line and cannot cross the retreat line until the ball:  Is touched by a player of the team taking the goal kick OR,  Leaves the field of play OR,  Goes over the retreat line. (If the goalkeeper chooses to play the ball across the retreat line prior to the opposition crossing the retreat line)"