Rules
Rules of the game
Simple, age-appropriate rules so every player gets maximum touches, maximum fun, and a safe game. Home team takes the North or West sideline; away team takes South or East.
3v3 · no goalies · size 3 ball · 8-minute quarters · pop-up goals.
Free subs at any stoppage. Play doesn't stop unless it naturally does.
No offside rule.
No heading the ball. No slide tackles.
No corner kicks — any ball over the end line is a goal kick for the defending team, and the other team retreats behind the half line to eliminate “cherry picking.” Throw-ins on the sidelines.
No penalty kicks — coaches place the ball just outside the box and award a free kick.
Coaches time and referee the games — one coach per team on the field at a time — keeping play flowing with minimal stops.
5v5 including goalie · size 3 ball · 10-minute quarters.
May use hands inside the goal box. On goal kicks or when the keeper has the ball, opponents retreat behind the half line until the ball is thrown or kicked.
No offside rule at this age.
Allowed at any stoppage in play.
No heading the ball. No slide tackles. Drop kicks are OK.
Corner kicks and goal kicks are used. No penalty kicks — coaches place the ball just outside the box for a free kick instead.
Taken from anywhere in the goal area. All attackers stay at or behind the half line until the ball is kicked — and until it leaves the goal area. Rekick if it doesn't leave.
Taken from the nearest corner, ball within 3 feet of the corner.
Coaches time and referee the games — one coach per team on the field at a time — keeping play flowing with minimal stoppages.
6v6 including goalie · size 4 ball · 22-minute halves.
Allowed at any stoppage, with the center referee's approval.
A soft offside rule: close calls aren't made, but the referee can call any offside as they see fit.
No heading the ball. No slide tackles. Drop kicks are OK.
Corner kicks and goal kicks are used. No penalty kicks — the referee places the ball just outside the box for a free kick.
All attackers stay at or behind the half line until the ball is kicked — and until it leaves the goal area. Rekick if it doesn't leave.
Awarded when the defending team last touches the ball over their own end line. Taken from the nearest corner, ball within 3 feet of the corner.
When the keeper has the ball or on a goal kick, the other team retreats behind the half line until it is thrown or kicked. The keeper may restart play at any time.
A referee is provided at each game — mainly younger referees gaining experience.
7v7 including goalie · size 4 ball · 22-minute halves.
Allowed at any stoppage, with the center referee's approval.
A soft offside rule: close calls aren't made, but the referee can call any offside as they see fit.
No heading the ball. No slide tackles. Drop kicks are OK.
Corner kicks and goal kicks are used. No penalty kicks — the referee places the ball just outside the box for a free kick.
All attackers stay at or behind the half line until the ball is kicked — and until it leaves the goal area. Rekick if it doesn't leave.
Awarded when the defending team last touches the ball over their own end line. Taken from the nearest corner, ball within 3 feet of the corner.
When the keeper has the ball or on a goal kick, the other team retreats behind the half line (or the build-out line, if one is painted) until it is thrown or kicked. The keeper may restart play at any time.
A referee is provided at each game — mainly younger referees gaining experience.
9v9 including goalie · size 4 ball · 30-minute halves.
Offside rule is in effect.
At any stoppage, with the center referee's approval.
No heading the ball. No slide tackles. Drop kicks are OK.
Corner kicks and goal kicks used — corners from the nearest corner, ball within 3 feet of the corner.
Referees provided at each game — mainly younger referees gaining experience.
11v11 including goalkeeper · size 5 ball · 35-minute halves (U13/14) · 40-minute halves (U15+ co-ed).
Offside rule is in effect.
At any stoppage, with the center referee's approval.
Heading is allowed at this level. No slide tackles. Goalkeeper drop kicks allowed.
Corner kicks and goal kicks used — corners from the nearest corner, ball within 3 feet of the corner.
Referees provided at each game — mainly younger referees gaining experience.
Know the rules. Love the game.
Questions about how games run? The FAQ has you covered.
Read the FAQRegistration Info