Lamar Youth Soccer League

Local Rules & Regulations

RULES: The official rulebook is "FIFA Rules of the Game," as revised, superseded only by the following rules indicated below.

DIVISIONS:

Divisions

Game Duration

Ball Size

 K - Kindergarten

4 – 10 minute quarters

3

I – Grades 1 & 2

4 – 10 minute quarters

3

2 – Grades 3 & 4

4 – 12 minute quarters

4

3 – Grades 5, 6, 7, & 8

2 – 25 minute halves

5

Breaks between quarters: 3 minutes
Breaks between halves: 5 minutes

PLAYERS:
Divisions     K & 1     5-6 players
Divisions     2 & 3     8-9 players

Each team shall play with the same number of players on the field.

TIE SCORES: Games tied at the end of regulation shall remain tie. No overtimes.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Substitutions shall be allowed at the following times:

  1. Prior to a "throw in" in your favor.
  2. Prior to a "goal kick" by either team.
  3. After a goal by either team.
  4. After an injury, when the referee stops play.
  5. At the quarters and a half-time.

Unlimited substitutions are allowed for (1) & (2), but only after obtaining permission from the referee. Unlimited substitutions are permitted for (3) & (5) without obtaining permission from the referee. Substitutions for (4) shall be allowed but only after the referee has stopped play and checked the seriousness of the injury. The referee must be informed prior to any goal keeper changes.

COACHES/ASSISTANTS: They must remain with their substitutes, off the touchlines, in their end of the field. All divisions shall use the side opposite the fans.

HANDBALL BY GIRLS: Girl players shall not be called for a handball if their arms are crossed, protecting their chest area.

POSTPONEMENTS: Games which must be canceled due to weather will be posted on the Parks & Recreation answering machine at 682-5851 no sooner than 8:00 AM on gameday. In general, cold weather and rain will not cause postponement.

LINESMEN: They function under the jurisdiction of the referee and are to remain neutral with NO coaching during the game.

CONDUCT: Proper demeanor by the players and all coaches is at all times a higher priority than the correctness of a referee’s decision. If coaches have a question concerning a referee’s call, the coach shall not talk to the referee about his/her concern until time is stopped at the quarter or half-time.

PLAYER’S TIME: Each player shall play at least HALF of the game.

SPORTSMANSHIP: Coaches should emphasize god sportsmanship before, during, and after the game and practices.

Rule Explanations

LAW IX Ball in and out of play

The ball is out of play:

  1. When it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch-line, whether on the ground or in the air.
  2. When the referee has stopped the game.

The ball is in play at all other times from the start of the match to the finish including:

  1. If it rebounds from a goal post, cross-bar or corner-flag post into the field of play.
  2. If it rebounds off either the referee or linesman when they are in the field of play.
  3. In the event of a supposed infringement of the Laws, until a decision is given.

LAW XI Off-sides

A player s in an off-side position if he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than the ball unless:

  1. He is not nearer to his opponent’ goal line than at least two of his opponents, or
  2. He is in his own half of the field of play.

A player shall only be declared off-sides and penalized for being in an off-side position, if, at the moment the ball touches, or is played by, one of his team, he 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.

A player shall not be declared off-sides by the referee

  1. Merely because of his being in an off-sides position, or
  2. If he receives the ball direct from a goal-kick, or a corner-kick, or a throw-in.

If a player is declared off-sides, the referee shall award an indirect free-kick, which shall be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the offense is committed by a player in his opponents’ goal area, in which case the free-kick shall be taken from a point anywhere within that half of the goal-area in which the offense occurred.

LAW XII Fouls and Misconduct

A player who intentionally commits any of the following offenses shall be penalized by the award of a direct free-kick to be taken by the opposing team from the place where the offense occurred, unless the offense is committed by a player in his opponent’s goal-area. In this case, the free-kick shall be taken from a point anywhere within that half of the goal area in which the offense occurred.

  1. Kicks of attempts to kick an opponent.
  2. Trips an opponent, i.e., throwing or attempting to throw him by the use of the legs or by stooping in front of or behind him.
  3. Jumps at an opponent.
  4. Charges an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
  5. Charges an opponent from behind unless the latter is obstructing.
  6. Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent, or spits at him.
  7. Holds an opponent.
  8. Pushes an opponent.
  9. Handles the ball, i.e., carries, strikes or propels the ball with his hand or arm. (This does not apply to the goalkeeper within his own penalty area.)

Should a player of the defending team intentionally commit one of the above nine offenses within his own penalty area, he shall be penalized by a penalty-kick. A penalty-kick can be awarded irrespective of the position of the ball, if in play, at the time an offense within the penalty area is committed.

A player committing any of the five following offenses shall be penalized by the award of an indirect free-kick to be taken by the opposing side from the place where the infringement occurred.

  1. Playing in a manner considered by the referee to be dangerous.
  2. Charging fairly, i.e., with the shoulder, when the ball is not within playing distance of the players concerns and they are definitely not trying to play it.
  3. When not playing the ball, intentionally obstructing an opponent, i.e. running between the opponent and the ball, or interposing the body to form an obstacle to an opponent.
  4. Charging the goalkeeper, except when he:
bulletIs holding the ball.
bulletIs obstructing an opponent.
bulletHas passed outside his goal-area.

    5.   When playing as a goalkeeper and within his own penalty-area:

bulletHe takes more then 4 steps.
bulletIndulges in tactics which in the opinion of the referee, are designed to merely hold up the game or waste time.

A player shall be cautioned if:

  1. He enters or re-enters the field without the referee’s consent.
  2. He persistently infringes the Laws of the Game.
  3. He shows, by word or action, dissent from any decision given by the referee.
  4. He is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct.

For any of these three offenses, in addition to the caution, an indirect free-kick shall be awarded to the opposing team.

A player shall be sent off the field of play, if, in the opinion of the referee, he:

  1. Is guilty of violent conduct or serious foul play.
  2. Uses foul or abusive language.
  3. Persists in misconduct after having received a caution.

If a player is sent off the opposing team shall be awarded an indirect free-kick from the place of the infringement.

LAW XIII Free Kick

When a player is taking a direct or an indirect free-kick inside his own penalty-area, all of the opposing players shall be at least ten yards from the ball and shall remain outside the penalty-area until the ball has been kicked out of the area.

When a player is taking a direct or an indirect free-kick outside his own penalty-area, all opposing players shall be at least ten yards from the ball, until it is in play. The ball shall be in play when it has traveled the distance of its own circumference.