Soccer rules

 
 

Laws of the Game

The Mount-Baker Lakewood Soccer club, as a member of the Seattle Youth Soccer Association, uses the same rules as soccer teams and leagues around the world. Those rules are set and maintained by the International Football Association Board, which updates them annually. New rules normally go into effect July 1 of each year.

 

Modified rules for U7-U12

To promote enjoyment of the game and facilitate learning the basics of the sport, SYSA and its member clubs use modified rules for its younger players as recommended by US Soccer. The changes to the rules affect ball size, field and goal size, the number of players, the offside rule, and the build-out line, and prohibit heading for players U11 and below.

 
 

Soccer rules

 
 

Laws of the Game

The Mount-Baker Lakewood Soccer club, as a member of the Seattle Youth Soccer Association, uses the same rules as soccer teams and leagues around the world. Those rules are set and maintained by the International Football Association Board, which updates them annually. New rules normally go into effect July 1 of each year.

 

Modified rules for U7-U12

To promote enjoyment of the game and facilitate learning the basics of the sport, SYSA and its member clubs use modified rules for its younger players as recommended by US Soccer. The changes to the rules affect ball size, field and goal size, the number of players, the offside rule, and the build-out line, and prohibit heading for players U11 and below.

 
 

FIFA Law Modified Age group U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13-19
Players on field 4 v 4 5 v 5 7 v 7 9 v 9 11 v 11
Law #1 The Field of Play Field size (yards) 25-35 L, 15-25 W 35-45 L, 25-35 W 55-65 L, 35-45 W 70-80 L, 45-55 W 100-115 L, 70-80 W
Maximum goal size (feet) 4 x 6 6 x 8 6 x 18 8 x 24
Build-out line On goal-kicks or when the GK has the ball in hand, defenders must retreat behind build-out line set half-way between midfield and penalty area No build-out line
Law #2 The Ball Ball Size 3 4 5
Law #3 The Players Roster size (max) 8 9 12 14 18-22
Min # players for a game 3 4 5 6 7
Goalkeeper No Yes
Goalkeeper punt? N/A Goalkeeper cannot punt Goalkeeper punt OK
Law #7 The Duration of the Match Game time (# periods x minutes 2 x 20 2 x 25 2 x 30 2 x 35-45
Law #8 The Start and Restart of Play Score directly from a kickoff? No goal from kickoff Goal can be scored from kickoff
Law #11 Offside Offside enforced? Not enforced Enforced from build-out line Enforced from midfield
Law #12 Fouls and Misconduct Heading Heading NOT allowed, play restarted with indirect free kick. Heading is allowed
Cautions and sendoffs Cards are not issued Referee will show cards as needed
Slide tackling Slide tackles are NOT allowed Slide tackles are permitted
Law #13 Free Kicks Direct kicks No free kicks are awarded Free kicks are awarded for offenses outside the violator's penalty area
Law #14 The Penalty Kick Penalty kicks No penalties are awarded Penalties are awarded for offenses inside the violator's penalty area
Law #15 The Throw-In Retries permitted? Retries are allowed after a foul throw No retries are permitted
Law #16 The Goal Kick Scoring directly from goal kick A goal may NOT be scored directly from a goal kick A goal may be scored from a goal kick
Law #17 The Corner Kick Retries permitted Corner kicks may be retried when a kick directly leaves the field of play without touching another player Corner kicks may not be retaken except as determined by the referee