ReCREATIONAL --> rules --> U6

Altus Soccer Club U-6 Small-Sided Rules
(US Youth Soccer – Laws of the games)

LAW 1 - The Field of Play - 25 Yards long by 20 Yards wide.


LAW 2 - The Ball - Size 3.


LAW 3 - Number of players - A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than three players on the field. There are NO goalkeepers. Substitutions: At any stoppage and unlimited. See Guideline 18.
Playing time: Each player on the team SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.


LAW 4 - Players equipment - Shin guards MUST be worn, and COVERED, during ALL practices and games.  Tennis shoes or cleats (no toe cleats).  Appropriate pants (according to weather) with no pockets.  Team jersey must be showing at all times, jackets sweatshirts etc. will be worn under jersey.  No jewelry.


LAW 5 - The Referee - An OFFICIAL (Referee or Coach) may be used. All infringements shall be briefly explained to the offending player.  Only one Official on the field at a time (rotate each quarter if coaches are the officials).


LAW 6 - Assistant referees - None


LAW 7 - The Duration of the Match - The match shall be divided into 4 equal, 8-minute quarters. There shall be a 2-minute break between quarters one and two and another 2-minute break between quarters three and four. There shall be a half-time interval of 5 minutes.


LAW 8 - The Start and Restart of Play - A coin is tossed and the team, which wins the toss, decides which goal it will attack in the first half of the match.  The other team takes the kick-off to start the match.  The teams switch halves at halftime.  Each team alternates taking the kick-off at the beginning of each quarter.  A goal may be scored directly from the kickoff.  After a team scores a goal, the other team takes the kick-off.  A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play:
• At the start of the match

• After a goal has been scored
• At the start of each quarter of play

Procedure:
• All players are in their own half of the field
• The opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 4 yards from the ball until it is in play
• The ball is stationary on the center mark             • The official gives a signal
• The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward
• The kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player


LAW 9 - Ball In and Out of Play - The ball is out of play when:
• It has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air
• Play has been stopped by the referee
The ball is in play at all other times, including when:
• It rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar or corner flagpost and remains in the field of play
• It rebounds from the official when they are on the field of play


LAW 10 - Method of Scoring - A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar.


LAW 11 - Offside - None.


LAW 12 - Fouls and Misconduct - The following fouls and misconduct are penalized:
• A slide tackle is performed                                            • Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
• Trips or attempts to trip an opponent                              • Jumps at an opponent
• Charges an opponent                                                     • Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
• Pushes an opponent                                                       • Holds an opponent
• Spits at an opponent                                                      • Handles the ball deliberately


All fouls shall result in a direct free kick.
The official must briefly explain all infringements to the offending player.  There will be no cards shown for misconduct.

LAW 13 - Free Kicks - All free kicks are direct and opponents are at least 4 yards from the ball until it is in play. The ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player. If the free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal a goal is awarded. If a free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.


LAW 14 - Penalty Kick - None.


LAW 15 - The Kick In - A kick-in is considered as a direct free kick with the opponents 4 yards from the ball until it is in play (this takes the place of a throw in).


LAW 16 - The Goal Kick - The goal kick should be taken within 2-3 yards of the goal line anywhere across the width of the field of play at the nearest point from where the ball was retrieved. Opposing players must be 4 yards away from the ball until it is in play.


LAW 17 - Corner Kick - A corner kick is a method of restarting play. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team. A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air.
Procedure:
• The ball is placed inside the corner arc nearest to the corner
• Opponents remain at least 4 yards from the ball until it is in play
• The ball is kicked by a player of the attacking team
• The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
• The kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player

Guidelines for U-6 Coaches

  1. Coach packet MUST be with team at ALL practices and games.  It contains Medical Release forms!!!
  2. Coaches will split the team to play a match on two adjacent fields at the same time.  This is called the dual method of play.  Coaches and substitutes will be located between the fields.
  3. The visiting team will change fields with the same players on the team at half time (see dual field diagram).
  4. Do not leave children alone after practice or games.  Make sure there are two adults present.
  5. Let parents know what times practices end for those who drop off kids.
  6. Practice time, days and place are up to coaches.  
    1. May use fields as long as there are no games going on.
    2. If more than one team shows up to practice on the same field, share the field.
    • Keep children from hanging on nets and goals.  This is very dangerous and could result in serious or fatal injuries.
    • Coaches use good judgment.  You are the example to the kids on how they should conduct themselves.  Show good sportsmanship.
    • Issues during the game should be brought up after the game ends, not during the game.
    • U-6 teams will only have 1 official (coach or referee) on the field at a time.  If coaches are used, one coach will ref the first half and the other team take over the second half, may go by quarters.
    • If a game needs to be cancelled you must first get approval by a board member.
    • All rescheduled games will be scheduled by the Registrar (April Cole) only.
    • Smoking is NOT permitted on OR near the playing fields.
    • NO animals are permitted on OR near the playing fields.
    • Please DISPOSE of trash properly and keep fields clean.  Set a good example for our kids. Both teams are responsible for picking up trash on and around the field.  Whoever is responsible for snacks should bring an extra bag for the trash.
    • If there are questions throughout the season, parents should talk with their child’s coach first.
    • Shin guards MUST be worn, and COVERED, during ALL practices and games.  Tennis shoes or cleats (no toe cleats).  Appropriate pants (according to weather) with no pockets.  Team jersey must be showing at all times, jackets sweatshirts etc. will be worn under jersey.  No jewelry.
    • If a team does not have enough players then you can (1) play down (2v2 etc) or (2) on one field.  You can not use players from other teams and you must match players ( 2v2, 3v3 etc).