NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Click Here for Number of players for Current Season (In the printed version –go to
website)
Will vary according to number of players registered. The goal of the club
is to provide a place to play soccer to all children who would like to do so.
Therefore teams will be formed each season based on the registration. The Town
Vice-president and the Town Registrar will determine the number of teams and
the number of players on the field at the beginning of each season. Division
Directors will be informed and they will inform coaches.
A match shall be played by two teams, each consisting
of the number of players indicated above.
One player from each team shall be designated as the
goalkeeper. Except in Div. 7 and Pre-K where there will be no goal keepers.
In any Division, when the required number of players
are not present, the coaches should agree on an equal number of players to
place on the field. This is a recreational league where the purpose is to
provide a place to play and not to take an unfair advantage because players are
missing.
Any player may change places with the goalkeeper
provided that the referee is so informed before the change is made and provided
that the change is made during a stoppage of play, with advantage to the
changing team, except in the case of injury.
There is no rule covering the positioning of players
with the exception that only one player may be designated as the goal keeper.
PLAYERS EQUIPMENT
A player may not wear anything that, in the opinion
of the referee, is considered to be dangerous.
The goalkeeper is required to wear colors that
clearly distinguish him from the other players and the referee.
Players on the same team are required to wear the
same colored shirts as distributed by the league.
All players are required to wear shin guards.
Soccer cleats are recommended but optional
THE BALL
The ball shall be spherical; the outer casing shall
be made of leather or other approved materials. The size of the ball to be used
for each of the various levels is shown below;
(Sizes apply to both Girls and Boys Divisions)
Division: 3 size
5
Divisions: 4, 5
& 6 Size
4
Divisions:” 7 & Pre-K Size
3
It is the responsibility of the referee to select a
game ball, from either of the teams, prior to the start of the game.
The ball shall not be changed during the game unless
authorized by the referee.
START OF
PLAY
At the beginning of the game, the referee shall meet with the designated
captain(s) of each team at the center of the field. Opposing captain(s) shall
shake hands.
The referee shall toss a coin, and the team winning
the toss shall have the option of kicking off or choosing a goal to defend. The
team losing the toss shall have the remaining choice.
Goals defended shall be switched at half-time.
Kickoffs shall be alternated at quarters. When a goal is scored during a
quarter, the kickoff shall be taken by the conceding team.
METHOD OF SCORING
A goal is scored when the entire ball passes over the
entire goal line, whether in the air or on the ground, between the goal posts
and below the crossbar. The goal is scored provided that it has not been
thrown, carried or intentionally propelled into the goal by the hand or arm of
a player of the attacking team except for a goalkeeper who is within his own
penalty area.
DURATION OF GAME
The Duration of games is provided below for each of
the various levels. In all cases, there are two minute break intervals
between quarters and a five minute break interval at the half.
Divisions: 3, 4 & 5 4 quarters @ 15 minutes each
Divisions: 6 4 quarters @ 12 minutes each
Division 7 4 quarters @ 6 minutes each
All players must play a minimum of 75% of all games.
KICKOFFS
Kickoffs will be taken from the center of the field at the
beginning of the game and at the start of each half or quarter and after a goal
has been scored.
All players must be on their own half of the field at
the time the kickoff is taken.
All players on the team not taking the kickoff must be
at least ten yards away from the ball until it is kicked.
The kickoff must be directed forward and may not be
replayed by the kicker until it has been touched by another player on either
team. Should the ball be so replayed by the kicker, an indirect free kick will
be awarded to the opposing team. The ball is in play
when it is kicked and moves forward. A goal may not be scored directly from a kickoff. (Fifa says it can be)
THROW IN
When the entire ball passes over a touch line
(sideline) whether in the air or on the ground, it shall be thrown in at the
point it left the field. The thrower shall be a player of the team opposite to
that of the player who last touched the ball.
The thrower, at the moment of throwing the ball, must
be facing the field of play. Both feet must remain on the ground, either on or
behind the touch line. The ball must be thrown from behind and directly over
the head and is in play upon entering the field. The ball may not be replayed
by the thrower until it has been touched by another player on either team.
Should the ball be so replayed by the thrower, an indirect free kick will be
awarded to the opposing team.
Should the ball be thrown improperly, a throw in will
be awarded to the opposing team. In Division 6B the referee will stop play and
the referee or coach will instruct the player on the correct procedure. The
player will be allowed to retake the throw in.
A goal may not be scored directly from a throw in.
If, when the ball is being thrown in , players on the
opposing team in any way attempt to impede or distract the thrower, it shall
constitute ungentlemanly conduct. The offender shall be cautioned and a yellow
card may be awarded should such conduct continue.
GOAL KICK
When the entire ball passes over the goal line, whether
in the air or on the ground, and is last touched by a member of the attacking
team, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team.
The ball is placed down within the goal area nearest
to where the ball crossed the goal line and is kicked into play by any member
of the defending team.
The following rules apply during the taking of a goal
kick:
1.
The goalkeeper
may not receive the ball into his hands directly from a goal kick in order that
he kick it into play.
2.
The ball must be
kicked completely out of the penalty area to be in play.
3.
All players on
the team not taking the goal kick must remain outside the penalty area while
the goal kick is being taken.
4.
The kicker may
not replay the ball until it has been touched by another player on either team.
5.
A goal may not
be scored directly from a goal kick.
CORNER KICK
When the entire ball passes over the goal line,
whether in the air or on the ground and is last touched by a member of the
defending team, a corner kick is awarded to the attacking team.
The ball is placed down in the corner of the field,
nearest to the point where the ball crossed the goal line and is kicked into
play by any member of the attacking team. In Division 6, the corner kick is taken from the corner
of the penalty area.
The following rules apply during the taking of a
corner kick;
1.
All players on
the team not taking the corner kick must remain at least ten yards away from
the ball until it is played.
2.
The kicker may
not replay the ball until it has been touched by another player on either team.
3.
The corner poles
(or cones if used) may not be moved during the taking of a corner kick.
4.
A goal may be
scored directly from a corner kick.
FREE KICKS
Free kicks are awarded to a team when a rule
infringement is called by the referee on the opposing team within the field of
play.
Free kicks are classified under two headings:
A. DIRECT- From which a goal may be scored
directly against the offending team.
B. INDIRECT - From which a goal may not be
scored unless it is first played or touched by a member of either team after it
has been played by the kicker.
The following rules apply during the taking of either
a direct or indirect free kick:
1.
The ball must be
stationary at the instant that it is kicked.
2.
All players on
the team not taking the kick must remain at least ten yards from the ball until
it is played (unless they are standing on their own goal line between the goal
posts.
3.
The kicker may
not replay the ball until it has been played by another player on either team.
Should the kicker so replay the ball, an indirect free kick will be awarded to
the opposing team
4.
When a player is
taking a free kick from within his own penalty area, all players on the
opposing team must remain outside the penalty area until the kick is taken and
the ball must be kicked completely out of the penalty area to be in play.
5.
The goalkeeper
may not receive the ball into his hands directly from a free kick by his team
in their own penalty area in order that he may kick it into play.
FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
(A) Direct free kicks are awarded to a team when a
player of the opposing team intentionally (in the opinion of the referee)
commits any of the following offenses:
(1)
Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.
(2)
Trips an opponent.
(3)
Jumps at an opponent.
(4)
Charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
(5)
Charges an opponent from behind unless the opponent is obstructing him.
(6)
Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent or spits at an opponent.
(7)
Holds an opponent.
(8)
Pushes an opponent.
(9) Handles
the ball or carries, strikes or propels the ball by the use of the hand or arm
(this does not apply to the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).
The direct free kick is taken from the point where
the offense occurs, unless the offense is committed by a player of the
defending team within his own penalty area, in which case a penalty kick is
awarded to the attacking team.
(B) Indirect free kicks are awarded to a team when a
player of the opposing team commits any of the following offenses:
1.
Playing in any
manner considered to be dangerous by the referee (e.g., attempting to kick the
ball when it is being held by the goalkeeper, slide tackling in any Div.)
2.
Charging an
opponent fairly, such as with the shoulder, at a time when the ball is not
within playing distance of the players concerned.
3.
Obstructing an
opponent so as to form an obstacle to the opponent (e.g., running between an
opponent trying to play the ball for the purposes of preventing him from doing
so).
4.
Charging the
goalkeeper.
5.
When a goalkeeper
takes more than 4-6
seconds to put the ball back into play after having taken control of the
ball with his hands. In Division 6 the referee shall stop play and instruct the
player on the correct procedure. The play will be redone.
6.
When a
goalkeeper indulges in any tactics, which in the opinion of the referee, are
designed to delay the game and so give advantage to his team (e.g., holding the
ball for an unreasonable period of time after a save before playing the ball,
particularly when his team is winning).
The indirect free kick is taken from the point where
the offense occurs.
(C) Yellow cards (cautions ) may be awarded by the referee for any of
the following offenses:
1.
Entering or
leaving the field of play without the permission of the referee unless in the
act of playing the ball.
2.
Persistent
infringement of the rules.
3.
Showing by words
or actions of any kind, dissent from any decision made by the referee.
4.
Ungentlemanly
conduct in the opinion of the referee.
In addition to the awarding of a yellow card, an
indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the point at which
the yellow card was awarded. Any player receiving a yellow card may continue to
play after the yellow card has been awarded.
(D) Red cards (ejections) may be awarded by the
referee for any of the following offenses:
1.
Being guilty ,
in the opinion of the referee, of violent conduct or serious foul play.
2.
Use of foul or
abusive language.
3.
Continued
misconduct after having been awarded a yellow card.
In addition to the awarding of the red card, an
indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the point at which
the red card was awarded. Any player receiving a red card is ejected from the
game, and his team must play shorthanded from that point on. However, if the
red card is awarded prior to the start of play, the player receiving the card
may not play in the game, but his team is not required to play shorthanded.
PENALTY KICKS
A penalty kick will be awarded to the attacking team
when the defending team commits a foul (e.g., intentional handball, intentional
trip or push) within the penalty area. The penalty kick is taken from the
penalty mark (12 yards directly in front of the goal.) Conditions that apply
during the taking of a penalty kick:
1.
All players on
both teams except the player taking the penalty kick and the opposing
goalkeeper must remain on the field of play, but outside the penalty area and
at least ten yards from the penalty mark.
2.
The kicker must
play the ball forward and may not replay the ball until it has been touched by
another player on either team.
3.
The goalkeeper
must stand on the goal line , between the goal posts, without moving his feet
until the ball has been played.
4.
Time must be
extended at the end of a quarter, half or the game, to allow the proper taking
of a penalty kick.
If an infringement is committed by the defending team
during the taking of a penalty kick (e.g., goalkeeper not having his feet on
the line at the time the kick is taken or a defending player entering the
penalty area before the kick is taken) the referee will allow the kick to be
taken. If a goal is scored, it will be disallowed and the penalty kick will be
retaken.
If an infringement is committed by the player taking
the penalty kick (e.g., playing the ball a second time before it has been
played by another player) the referee shall award an indirect free kick to the
defending team at the spot of the infringement.
OFF SIDE
A player is in an off-side position if he is nearer
to his opponents' goal line than the ball unless;
1.
He is in his own
half of the field, or
A player shall not be declared off-side for merely
being in an off-side position: however, a player shall be declared off-side and
penalized for being in an off-side position if, at the moment the ball touches
or is played by a member of his team the player in the off-side position is, in
the opinion of the referee:
1.
Interfering with
play or with an opponent, or
2.
Seeking to gain
an advantage by being in that position.
3.
A player shall
not be declared off-side by the referee for:
4.
Merely being in
an off-side position, or
5.
If he receives
the ball directly from a goal kick, a corner kick, a throw in or a drop ball.
If a player is declared off-side, the referee shall
award an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the spot of the
infringement.
A player who is in an off-side position cannot put
himself on-side once the ball has been played to him.
Offside will
not be called until Division 6A. We need to clarify – I think refs
should call blatant off-sides in all Div. 6
REFEREES
A referee or referees shall be appointed to officiate
each game. Decisions and judgments made by the referee(s) concerning the
playing of the game are final.
Referees are responsible for the following:
1.
Inspecting the
field and goals prior to the start of the game.
2.
Introducing
themselves to both coaches.
3.
Inspecting all
players on both teams prior to the start of the game to assure that no player
is wearing anything that, in the opinion of the referee, is considered
dangerous. This inspection will assure that all players are wearing shin guards
as required.
4.
Selecting a game
ball from one of the teams.
5.
Calling for
captains from each team to meet at the center of the field for the coin toss.
6.
Assuring that
each team has the same number of players on the field for the respective age
group or if playing uneven sides, that the number of players are within the
rules.
7.
Assuring that
the goalkeeper on each side is clearly distinguishable from all other players
on the field.
8.
Signal
goalkeepers that the game or quarter, is about to start.
9.
Maintain clock
and running time.
10. Select linesmen if none are assigned. Referees may
overrule the call of a linesman.
11. Enforce the rules of soccer.
12. Do not penalize a non-offending team--allow them the
advantage if they have the ball.
13. Keeping a record of the game and the field on which
it was played.
14. Stopping the game when an infringement occurs (except
as noted in item #12 above).
15. Terminating a game when weather, spectators or other
causes so require. A referee may terminate a game for weather only after the
game has started. Cancellation of a game prior to starting is the
responsibility of the respective League Director.
16. Being in control from the time he enters the field until
the time that he leaves.
17. Allowing no other persons on the field except players
and linesmen without permission.
18. Stopping the clock only for injuries, lost ball,
cautions, ejections or extraordinary delays (e.g., time wasting tactics).
19. Resuming play as soon as possible after a play
stoppage.
20. Allowing substitutions on a dead ball (throw-ins,
corner kicks, kickoffs.) The clock is not stopped during substitutions and
substitutions may only be made by the team that did not cause the dead ball.
However, either team may substitute on a kickoff or on a goal kick.
Substitutions are not allowed on a foul or infraction.
21. Assuring that the teams change sides of the field for
each half.
22. Extending time at the end of a quarter, half or the
end of the game to allow the taking of a penalty kick.
23. Sending off the field any player that the referee
feels is guilty of a red card offense.
24. Leaving the field only after the game ball has been
returned to the appropriate coach and team handshakes have been completed.
25. Reporting to the Director of Referees any problems
encountered during the game. This includes, but is not limited to:
a.
Advising if a
field was not properly lined.
b.
Advising if a
field had any inherent problems affecting safety.
c.
The names of any
players or coaches who received red cards during the game and the reasons.
d.
Advising if
there was missing equipment such as nets, corner poles, etc.