U7/8 In-house rules

Game:
- Start as scheduled
- If one team is dominating the game, both coaches should agree to add a player to even out play.
- There is no winning or losing team since no score is kept.
- No Win / Loss records.
- Every team is a winner if the kids have fun and learn!


Running Up the Score
- In the event that one team is five goals ahead of another team, the losing team will be allowed to add additional player. The player will remain on the field until there is a two point differential. 
- - Coaches please let the referee know the reason for the player add and removal. 
- Positive sportsmanship can be created by avoiding score differences of 10-0 through various coaching strategies.  Coaches with a dominant team should encourage players to pass more frequently, rotate positions, and identify new players to score. 
- This will be handled by the coaches directly and the referee shall have no involvement.


Fields:
- Available for warm-up and final words of encouragement 10 minutes before your game.


Law 7 Duration of Game:
- Running clock
- Two (2) equal halves of twenty-five (25) minutes each.
- Five (5) minute break at half time.

Law 2 The Ball:
- Soccer ball size #3


Law 3 Number of Players:
- 6 vs. 6, Five on field plus one goalie.
- minimum players to start game is four (4)
- Teams not required to play even sided.


Law 3 Substitutions:
- Both teams may sub between periods
- Either team may substitute on following only
- - goal kicks, after a goal, throw-ins and extended timeout(injury, cautions, send-offs)

- No substitution on
- - corner kicks, direct kicks, indirect kicks or penalty kicks unless it's considered an extended timeout(injury, cautions, send-offs).




Law 3 Playing Time:
- Each player is scheduled for a minimum of half of the game.


Law 4 Player Required Equipment:
- Shin guards. Socks must cover shin guards, no exceptions.
- Soccer shoes or gym shoes only. No football or baseball cleats allowed.
- No Jewelry must be removed, including earrings, no exceptions.

Law 5 Referees:
- One referee assigned to the game.
- Coaches check in with the referee 2 minutes before game time for the coin toss.
- If a referee can't show a parent or a coach can referee the game.

Law 8 Start and restart of play:
- Player may not touch the ball again when taking following kicks until it has touched another player.
- - free kick, goal kick, corner kick, kick-off or throw-in
- Results: indirect free kick to opponent.
- Opponents of the team taking the kick shall be at least five (5) yards from the ball.
- Goalkeepers
- - may punt and drop kick the ball.
- - When a goalkeeper gains possession of the ball with their hands during a play
- - - The opposing team must move pass the halfway line.


Law 8 Kick-Offs:
- All the players of each team, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their team’s half of
the field.
- The kicker (and only the kicker) may be entirely in the opponents’ half of the field at the taking of the kick.
- On game starts defensive players must stand outside of the circle.
- Teammates of the player taking the kick has no restrictions as to where they may be. They are allowed to be within the circle on their side of the field.
- Ball in play when kicked and clearly moves in any direction.



Law 8 Drop ball:
- Restart when referee stops a game for an injury, outside interference, weather or accidental whistle.
- only one player may take part in the dropped ball; all other players to be at least (4) yards
- Ball is in play when it makes contact with the ground.
- To award a goal the ball has to be touched by more than one player.


Law 9 Ball out play:
- When the ball completely leaves the field of play over the touchline(sideline) or goal line on the ground or in the air. 
- - Also whenever the whistle is blown by referee.
- Results: in a throw-in for the opposite team.


Law 11 Offside:
- No offside
- Cherry picking is to be managed by the coaches. The referee shall have no involvement.


Law 12 Fouls and Misconducts:
- No pushing
- No hooking or holding
- No slide tackling
- - If contact is made yellow or red card may be issued based on referee opinion.
- Results: In a indirect free kick. The offense should be explained to the player.

Law 12 Heading:
- Prohibited at this age.
- Results: Indirect free kick for opposing ream at spot of the infraction.


Law 12 Handball:
- Deliberate plays with either hands or arms.
- Results: in a indirect free kick for the other team.

Law 13 Free Kick:
- Opponents are at least five (5) yards from the ball. All free kicks are to be indirect free kick.
- The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. Free kicks on the defender's half of the field, the opponent must remain on their half of the field until the ball is in play.
- two touches required for a goal to be allowed.
- Ball in play when kicked and clearly moves.


Law 14 Penalty Kick:
- No P/K
- Award indirect free kick.
- Ball is not in play until it crosses the penalty area lines


Law 15 Throw-in:
- When an improper throw-in is taken, referee should stop play, explain the proper procedure and allow throw-in to be retaken (only once).
- A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in


Law 16 Goal Kick:
- When the ball goes out of the field of play over the goal line last touched by the attacking team.
- Results: in a goal kick by the other team.
- Defensive players must stand at or behind midfield on all goal kicks.
- If the opponent encroach before the ball clears the penalty area, the goal kick is retaken.
- Goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team.


Law 17 Corner Kick:
- When the ball goes out of the field of play over the goal line last touched by the defensive team.
- Results: In a corner kick for the attacking team to the closet corner that the ball went out of field of play.
- Opponents must stay (5) yards from the ball until it is in play,