Antelope AYSO

Laws of the Game

for the Under 6, Under 8, and Under 10 divisions

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T hese Laws of the Game are adapted for Region 884 Antelope AYSO. They are written based on the FIFA Laws of the Game

along with Region 884 and Area 2D modifications and suggestions. The intent is to give you the essential Laws which are appropriate to the U6, U8 and U10 divisions. The official Laws of the Game, as published by FIFA and AYSO, provide guidance for each game from the youngest of players to the highest level of professional play. However, special considerations should be given to our young players. These laws are written to help both new Referee, Coaches, and Parents understand how to officiate these younger players. However, to fully understand this beautiful game, you should also reference our other publications:

• FIFA Laws of the Game published by AYSO • AYSO National Rules and Regulations • Guidance for Referees and Coaches • AYSO Short-Sided Games Guide for Referees

The back page of this publication lists the locations to find these resources. Also on the back page is some important information for how to get scheduled for your games and some contact information if you have any questions. Welcome to the fun and rewarding world of youth soccer referee.

Play On!

Jay BallingerJay BallingerJay BallingerJay Ballinger Jay Ballinger Referee Administrator Antelope AYSO

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Law 1: Field of Play Antelope AYSO follows the AYSO Recommendations for Short-Sided Games. Our U6, U8, and U10 divisions play on smaller fields with smaller goals. The U6 and U8 divisions will typically not have goal areas painted on the fields but should still be recognizable as a properly formatted pitch. The lines are part of the field. The ball must completely cross the line before it is out of play. The goals are small and lightweight, however do not let children play on them or set them up or take them down. Make sure the goals are staked in the ground and nets are securely fastened. Corner flags are part of the field and cannot be moved by a player while taking a corner kick. The technical area, where the coaches stand, is one yard back from the touchline and is the size of the center circle. Spectators should not sit in the technical area and should be at least two yards back from the touchline. The referee assigned to the game determines field playability subject to final authority of the Safety Director, Field Marshall (senior referee at site), or Regional Commissioner.

Law 2: The Ball The home team provides the game ball.

Ball Size U6 size 3 U8 size 3 U10 size 4

Pressure can be checked by pressing both thumbs in on one panel and pushing. If the ball depresses in about 1/4 inch it is fine. Panels on the ball should not be loose or cut. Spin the ball in the air, if the ball wobbles it is lopsided, please ask for another ball. The referee is the only authority on choosing the proper game ball.

Antelope AYSO Laws of the Game

For the Under 6, Under 8, and Under 10 divisions

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Law 3: Number of Players

Number of players on the field U6 3 v 3 or 4 v 4 U8 5 v 5 or 6 v 6 U10 7 v 7 including goal keeper Goalkeepers are not introduced until the U10 division.

Depending on the number of players on each U6 team, the coaches may agree upon a 3 v 3 or 4 v 4 arrangement. Likewise, U8 teams may play 5 v 5 or 6 v 6 depending upon team size. The U6 and U8 divisions do not play with goal keepers, but sometimes coaches will appoint a defender or two to stay near the goal. In reality the coaches are instructed to have defenders move up and down the field as play moves away and moves towards their goal. Encourage this movement by the players and gently remind the coaches who may have forgotten. Defenders should be no more than a third of the field away from play. The idea is to generate more touches on the ball and to not create surrogate goal keepers. Players may be borrowed from other teams provided that the player’s Medical Release form is immediately available. Borrowing of players should be used only in extreme cases where the game would be canceled, or be severely unfair, if the teams were not balanced. Substitutions can only occur midway through the first half, half time, midway through the second half, or during any injury stoppage.

Law 4: Players Equipment Players must wear their jersey, shorts, socks (covering their shin guards), shin guards and shoes. Cleats cannot have protruding toe cleats nor may the cleats extend beyond the edge of the shoe. The cleats should also be free of any dangerous cracks or splits. No jewelry may be worn at any time. Earrings must be removed and cannot be covered by tape, band-aids, or anything else. Medical alert bracelets may be taped down or worn under a sweatband. The player’s hair must be free of metal clips, pins, or hard plastic beads or clips. Soft, stretchable elastic may be worn to control the player’s hair. Prescription glasses may be worn. Undershirts and undershorts may be worn as long as they are not loose to where it can be a tripping danger to herself or the other players. Any religious or secular items of clothing or jewelry must be reviewed by the Regional Commissioner prior to any game or practice.

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Law 5: Referee The referee is the sole authority on the field. However, remember that this game is for the kids and the coaches are volunteers just like yourself. You may respond to questions by the coach, but do not let them monopolize your attention. You can discuss technical matters during the substitution breaks or at half time. Make your calls with conviction, and do not dwell on your mistakes. Learn something new each game, and please ask other referees for their advice at the appropriate time. It is your responsibility to complete the game cards given to you by the coaches. The final score is not as important as accurately tracking the players. If you notice a player who has not played at least half of the game, please point this out to the coach. You cannot make the coach play any given player, but you can describe the situation on the game card. If any serious situation occurs during your game, bring it to the immediate attention of the Field Marshall, the Coach Administrator, the Referee Administrator, or the Regional Commissioner.

Law 6: Assistant Referees Certified referees serving as Assistant Referees should be relied upon to help determine the ball in or out of play, throw ins, goal kicks, corner kicks, offside, and fouls occurring near them. Please be familiar with all proper flag signals which help referee and assistant referee communication on the field. Uncertified parents serving as Club Linesmen should only be asked to determine the ball in or out of play. Have them simply raise the flag when the ball crosses completely over the touchline or goal line. All other decisions are yours to make.

Law 7: Duration of the Game

Length of the Game U6 Teams have one (1) hour for their practice and game: 30 minutes of practice 20 minute game two 10-minute halves and a 5-minute half time U8 40 minute game two 20-minute halves and a 5-minute half time U10 50 minute game two 25-minute halves and a 5-minute half time

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Remember to call for substitutions at a normal stoppage of play about midway through each half. Also, please start your game on time and do not stop your watch or needlessly delay the game. We have a busy schedule each Saturday morning and we strive to start each game on time.

Law 8: Start and Restart of Play Before the game conduct a coin toss. Choose a ‘visiting’ player to call the toss. The winner of the toss chooses their initial direction, the loser of the toss gets to kick off. The teams will switch sides at half time.

Kick Off Each team must be on their own half of the field. The defending players must be outside the center circle. The ball must be kicked in some forward direction. The player taking the Kick Off may not touch the ball again until another player touches it. Kick offs are used at the start of each half, and after a goal is scored. The team scored upon is awarded the Kick Off.

Dropped Ball If you stop the match for an injury, or you mistakenly blew your whistle, or for anything externally interfering with the game, you restart with a dropped ball. The ball cannot be played until it has touched the ground.

Law 9: Ball In and Out of Play The ball is out of play when it has completely crossed over the touchline or the goal line while on the ground or in the air. If any part of the ball is on or above the line, the ball is still in play.

Law 10: Method of Scoring A goal is scored when the ball has completely crossed the goal line within the structure of the goal. If any part of the ball is above or touching the line, it is not a goal. Teams may score goals against themselves.

Law 11: Offside

U6 and U8 Offside is not enforced in U6 nor U8 games unless it is very obvious. Offside would only be called in very obvious 'cherry picking' situations such as a player standing at other end of field waiting for ball to come to him to kick in the goal. If the player is 'cherry picking', once the ball is kicked to him

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the player is offside. Offside is an advanced topic for this age group. Be very lenient, but if you must call it, explain to the player that they should be playing with the rest of their team rather than merely waiting by their opponent’s goal.

U10 A player is Offside if she is in the attacking half of the field, and she is ahead of the ball, and she is ahead of the second-to-last defender when the ball is kicked to her by a teammate. The decision is made where she was when the ball was kicked to her and not where she ultimately got the ball. Ahead of the ball is defined as being closer to the opponent’s goal than the ball.

Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct Fouls include unfair actions against an opponent such as: Tripping, Pushing, Hitting, Holding, and Handling the Ball Deliberately; and technical infractions such as Offside, and Dangerous Play. Handling the Ball Deliberately is more than just the hand touching the ball. It must have been a deliberate, even if reactionary, reach to play the ball. Dangerous Play includes raising the foot too high to kick the ball which causes a dangerous situation for an opponent. After blowing your whistle for any of the above fouls or infractions, the restart is a Direct Free Kick for the team fouled against. In the U10 division, the infractions of Offside and Dangerous Play are restarted with an Indirect Free Kick. Misconduct includes the negative actions of players and coaches such as: using foul language, unsporting behavior, consistently committing fouls, etc. We do not show yellow or red cards to children in our U6, U8, or U10 divisions - which is the normal reaction to a misconduct, nor do we show cards to coaches or spectators. But you still must handle these situations when children or adults are involved in misconduct. If you have to stop play for a player misconduct restart with a Direct Free Kick for team that was not involved in the misconduct from place where misconduct happened, or if both teams were involved or spectators and coaches were involved, then perform a Dropped Ball from where it was when you stopped play.

Law 13: Free Kicks Depending on the reason for stopping the game - such as a foul or an infraction, the restart is either a Direct Free Kick or an Indirect Free Kick.

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Direct Free Kicks Are the result of a foul. Direct Free Kicks are so named because a goal my be scored if the ball is kicked directly into the goal.

Indirect Free Kicks Are the result of an infraction. Indirect Free Kicks are so named because a goal cannot be scored directly from the kick. The ball must touch at least one other player before entering the goal to be counted as a goal. During these free kicks, all opponents must be at least a few yards from the player taking the free kick. The distance is relative to the age group. Generally it is five to seven yards, or about the same size as the center circle on your field. If an opponent is too close to the kick, try moving him back with your voice. If that does not work, or if safety is a concern, then tell the player taking the kick to wait until you signal with your whistle and then move the defenders back to the required distance. The player taking the free kick may not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player. The defending team is allowed to make a wall of their players. If the kick is nearer to the goal than the required minimum distance, the defending team is still allowed to make a wall directly in front of their goal.

Law 14: Penalty Kicks Penalty Kicks are not used in the U6 and U8 divisions. Penalty Kicks are awarded for fouls committed by the defense within their own penalty area which would normally have resulted in a Direct Free Kick. The ball is placed at the penalty mark and the keeper must have her feet on the goal line within the goal. All other players must be outside of the penalty area and behind the ball. On the referee's signal, the ball may be kicked towards the goal. Rebounds and deflections are playable, but the kicker may not kick the ball again until it has touched at least one other player. A penalty kick kicked directly over the goal line and not into the goal results in a goal kick.

Law 15: Throw In A throw-in is awarded to the team that did not kick the ball over the touchline. The ball must be thrown with both hands from behind the head and in the direction they are facing towards the field. Both feet must be on the ground and either on or behind the touchline. If the

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player does not perform the throw-in correctly, show them how to do it or let the coach come help. The player taking the throw in cannot play the ball again until another player touches it.

Law 16: Goal Kicks

U6 Instead of Goal Kicks, U6 teams will take throw-ins from the goal line. These Goal Kick Throw-Ins are awarded to the defending team when the attacking team kicks the ball past the goal line and not into the goal. The opposing team must be outside penalty area. The Goal Kick Throw-In should have the same mechanics as a regular throw-in except for it being performed on the goal line.

U8 and U10 Goal Kicks are awarded to the defenders when the attackers kicked the ball over the goal line and not into the goal. The ball is placed anywhere within the goal area. The opposing team must be outside the penalty area. The ball must be kicked directly out of the penalty area. If the ball is touched before leaving the penalty area, or if the ball never makes it out of the penalty area, have the team perform the kick again. The player taking the Goal Kick may not play the ball again until another player touches it.

Law 17: Corner Kicks

U6 Instead of Corner Kicks, U6 teams will take throw-ins from the corner arc. These Corner Kick Throw-Ins are awarded to the attacking team when the defending team kicks the ball over their own goal line and not into the goal. The defending team must give the same distance as required for a free kick. The Corner Kick Throw-In should have the same mechanics as a regular throw-in except for it being performed at the corner. The player taking the Corner Kick Throw-In may not play the ball again until another player touches it.

U8 and U10 Corner Kicks are awarded to the attackers when defenders kicked the ball over their own goal line and not into the goal. The ball is placed within the corner arc. Players are not allowed to move the corner flag. The defending team must give the same distance as required for a free kick. The player taking the Corner Kick may not play the ball again until it is touched by another player.

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Law 18: Common Sense Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as Law 18, but there should be. For anything not covered in the above Laws of the Game, please use your good common sense in making decisions. After all, this is your children playing a fun game. Apply the laws equally and fairly even if you have a child playing on one of the teams. Your main job is to make the game safe, fair, and fun. It is okay to be instructive about the rules, but let the coaches do the coaching. Do not let the adults spoil the game. And remember to have a good time, you have the best seat in the house!

Online Resources Antelope AYSO website http://www.antelopeayso.org

Antelope AYSO Referee information http://www.antelopeayso.org/referee

Antelope AYSO Referee scheduler program http://www.antelopeayso.org/referee

Antelope AYSO Referee Administrator Jay Ballinger referee@antelopeayso.org

Antelope AYSO Assistant Referee Administrator Dane Westvik dane@shadowcrestcircle.com

Our website includes many contact names, email addresses, and other good information. If you have a question, just refer to the website. The answer is probably there somewhere. If you still have questions, contact the Referee Administrator or the Assistant Referee Administrator.

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Resources AYSO Edition of the FIFA Laws of the Game http://www.aysohelp.org/referee/Governing_Rules/FIFA_Laws_AYSO_2007.pdf

AYSO National Rules and Regulations http://www.aysohelp.org/referee/Governing_Rules/R&R2006-07.pdf

AYSO Guidance for Referees and Coaches http://www.aysohelp.org/referee/Governing_Rules/Guidance.pdf

AYSO Short-Sided Games Guide for Referees http://www.aysohelp.org/referee/Governing_Rules/short_sided.pdf

Referee Scheduling

It is essential that each team provides more than one referee appropriate for their age group. Antelope AYSO is an all volunteer organization. Everyone you see directly related to the kids playing soccer on Saturday mornings is a volunteer and is not paid or compensated for their time and talents. Without our volunteers, we would not have a soccer program.

U6 and U8 You are the assigned Team Referee for your team. You are expected to attend every one of your child’s games. There should be two referees at each of your games, one from each team. The home team is expected to officiate the game, but come prepared with your equipment just in case the other referee is not there. No one will contact you to schedule these games, simply come prepared every game.

U10 You are the assigned Team Referee for your team. You are expected to attend and officiate every one of your child’s games. We need three referees for U10 matches—the Referee and two Assistant Referees. There should be at least four referees attending these games automatically—you, your other team referee, and the referees from the other team. If less than three referees arrive, enlist the help of a parent volunteer and refer to Law 6 for help with the ball in and out of play. Also, please consider helping the other games. Arrive early and officiate the game before your child’s. Or stay after and officiate the next game as well. Ask the referee from the other teams to help your team. It takes teamwork among the referees to adequately cover all of the games. You need to schedule yourself for your games ahead of time so that we know that they are covered. Please visit our referee scheduler program at www.antelopeayso.org/referee. You will find further instructions there.

everybody plays

balanced teams

positive coaching

open registration

good sportsmanship

Published in 2008 for use by U6, U8, and U10 referees in Antelope AYSO Region 2-D-884