USSF SMALL-SIDED GAME FORMATS
Effective: Fall 2017
8 and Under - Modified Laws
Law 1 : Field of Play
Field Dimensions:
Length- minimum 30 yards, maximum 35 yards
Width- minimum 20 yards, maximum 25 yards
Goal Size: Height 4 ft, Width 9 ft
Goal Area: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line four (4) yards from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of five (5) yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line.
Penalty Area: NONE
Corner Arc and Flags:
Corner arcs are not required.
Corner flags or cones (discs) can be used.
Midfield Line: Required.
Center Circle: 5-yard Radius.
Law 2: Ball
Size: 3
Law 3: Number of Players
Four field players, no goal keepers
Maximum Roster size: 8 players.
Law 4: Players Equipment
Conform to FIFA Laws of the Game.
Law 5: Referee
One USSF certified referee will be required to officiated an 8 and Under game.
Law 6: The Other Game Official
None needed.
Law 7: Duration of the Game
4 – 10 minute Quarters.
5-minute break between each quarter.
LAW 8: The START and RESTART of PLAY
KICK-OFF: From the center circle, at the beginning of the game and at the start of each quarter. The opposing team must be outside the center circle before the Kick-Off. The ball must be touched in order for the ball to be in play and allow the opposing team to challenge for the ball.
RESTART after a GOAL: From the center circle.
LAW 9: BALL IN and OUT of PLAY
Conform to FIFA Laws of the Game.
LAW 10: METHOD of Scoring
Conform to FIFA Laws of the Game, with the folloiwng exception: No Scores will be kept.
LAW 11: OFFSIDES
There will be NO offsides.
LAW 12: FOULS & MISCONDUCTS
Conform with FIFA rules with the following modifications…….
All fouls will be INDIRECT FREE KICKS, with the opponent 5 yards away.
Any foul inside the goal area will result in an INDIRECT FREE KICK taken 5 yards outside the goal area.
The referee shall explain all infractions to the offending players.
No heading will be allowed. Any infraction of this rule will result in an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul. If the foul occurs in the goal area, the indirect free kick will be taken outside the goal area nearest to where the foul occurred.
LAW 13: FREE KICKS
All FREE KICKS will be INDIRECT, and the opponent must be 5 yards away from the ball.
LAW 14: PENALTY KICK (Kicks from the Mark)
There are NO penalty kicks (Kicks form the Mark).
LAW 15: THROW-IN
Conform to FIFA rules with the following modification……
If the player does not execute the throw-in properly, the player will be allowed a second opportunity.
The referee shall assist the player on how to perform the throw-in correctly.
LAW 16: GOAL KICK
Prior to taking of a goal kick, the ball can be placed anywhere in the goal area.
The opposing team must retrieve to midfield and enter the opponent’s half when the ball is kicked into play.
If the ball does not leave the goal area on the kick, the goal kick must be re-taken.
LAW 17: CORNER KICK
Conform to FIFA rules with the following modification…..
ALL corner kicks are INDIRECT and the opponent must be 5 yards away from the ball prior to the kick being taken.
9/10 and Under - Modified Laws
Law 1 : Field of Play
Field Dimensions:
Length- minimum 60 yards, maximum 65 yards
Width- minimum 40 yards, maximum 45 yards
Goal Size: Height 6 ft, Width 18 ft
Goal Area: Length 8 yards, width (depth) 4 yards
Penalty Area: Length 24 yards, width (depth) 12 yards
Penalty Mark: 10 yards
Corner Arc and Flags:
Corner arcs are 1 yard radius.
Corner flags are to be used.
Midfield Line: Required.
Center Circle: 8-yard Radius.
Build Out Line: Equidistant between the top of the penalty area and the halfway line.
Law 2: Ball
Size: 4
Law 3: Number of Players
Six field players and one goal keeper.
Maximum Roster size: 14 players.
Law 4: Players Equipment
Conform to FIFA Laws of the Game.
Law 5: Referee
One USSF certified referee will be required.
Law 6: The Other Game Official
Two USSF certified assistant referees will be required.
Law 7: Duration of the Game
2- 25 minute halves.
5-minute break at half time.
Laws 8-9,11, 13-17: CONFORM to the FIFA Laws of the Game
LAW 10: METHOD of Scoring
Conform to FIFA Laws of the Game, with the folloiwng exception: No Scores will be kept.
LAW 12: FOULS & MISCONDUCTS
No heading will be allowed. Any infraction of this rule will result in an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul. If the foul occurs in the goal area, the indirect free kick will be taken outside the goal area nearest to where the foul occurred.
BUILD OUT LINE Rules
When the goal keeper has position of the ball in his or her hands or a goal kick is being taken, the opposing team must move behind the build out line.
Goal keeper cannot punt or drop kick the ball.
An infraction will result in an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul.
If the infraction occurs in the goal area, the indirect free kick will be taken outside the goal area nearest to where the foul occurred.
A goal kick or a distribution of the ball by the goal keeper, may be taken while the team is retreating.
The opposing team may cross the build out line on a goal kick when the ball is touched by a teammate, after clearing the penalty area. If the ball does not clear the penalty area before the teammate touches the ball, a re-kick of the goal kick will occur.
When the goal keeper distributes the ball, and then it is touched by a team mate, the opposing team may cross the build out line.
If the goal keeper places the ball on the field and kicks or dribbles it, the opposing team may cross the build out line when the ball is placed on the field.
11/12 and Under - Modified Laws
Law 1 : Field of Play
Field Dimensions:
Length- minimum 75 yards, maximum 80 yards
Width- minimum 50 yards, maximum 55 yards
Goal Size: Height 7 ft, Width 21 ft
Goal Area: Length 16 yards, width (depth) 5 yards
Penalty Area: Length 36 yards, width (depth) 14 yards
Penalty Mark: 10 yards
Corner Arc and Flags:
Corner arcs are 1 yard radius.
Corner flags are to be used.
Midfield Line: Required.
Center Circle: 8-yard Radius.
Law 2: Ball
Size: 4
Law 3: Number of Players
Eight field players and one goal keeper.
Maximum Roster size: 16 players.
Law 4: Players Equipment
Conform to FIFA Laws of the Game.
Law 5: Referee
One USSF certified referee will be required.
Law 6: The Other Game Official
Two USSF certified assistant referees will be required.
Law 7: Duration of the Game
2- 30 minute halves.
5-minute break at half time.
Laws 8-11, 13-17: CONFORM to the FIFA Laws of the Game
LAW 12: FOULS & MISCONDUCTS
No heading will be allowed in the 11 and Under age group. Any infraction of this rule will result in an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul. If the foul occurs in the goal area, the indirect free kick will be taken outside the goal area nearest to where the foul occurred