The following rules govern all NECONN Soccer Club league play. These are the rules agreed upon by our participating clubs and apply to all age groups. Coaches, players, and parents are expected to be familiar with them.
Referees enforce these rules. Their decisions are final and must be accepted without dissent. NECONN does not tolerate referee abuse.
📋 Roster Reminder: Each coach will be required to provide a copy of a printed roster with player and adult names listed for the referee's records to keep.
👟 Player Equipment Requirements
- Shin guards are mandatory — players without shin guards will not be permitted to play
- No metal cleats — rubber or molded cleats only
- No jewelry of any kind — earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings must be removed before play
- Proper uniform required — numbered jersey, shorts, socks pulled over shin guards
- Goalkeepers must wear a color that distinguishes them from both teams and the referee
👨👩👧 Spectators & Sidelines
Sideline Assignments
Teams and their spectators occupy opposite sides of the field. Home team takes one sideline, visiting team takes the other. Spectators must remain on their designated sideline for the entire match.
Scores & Standings
NECONN does not track scores or standings in recreational league play. All age groups play for development — results are not officially recorded.
⚽ Rules of Play — Spring 2026
| U8 | U10 | U12 | U15 | U19 |
|---|
| Ball Size | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Game Length | 2 × 20 min | 2 × 30 min | 2 × 35 min | 2 × 40 min | 2 × 45 min |
| Halftime | 5 min | 5 min | 5 min | 10 min | 10 min |
| Players | 6 v 6 | 7 v 7 | 9 v 9 | 11 v 11 | 11 v 11 |
| Penalty Kicks | NO | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Direct Kicks | NO | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Off Side | NO | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Goalie Punt | NO | NO | yes | yes | yes |
| Goalie Release (8 sec)NEW | NO | NO | NO | yes | yes |
| Goal Size | 7 × 12 | 7 × 12 | 6 × 18 | 8 × 24 | 8 × 24 |
| Heading Allowed | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Slide Tackling | no | no | no | no | no |
| Throwins | yes rethrow | no rethrow | no rethrow | no rethrow | no rethrow |
| Earrings / Jewelry | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Necklaces | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Field Size | Move goals to top of goal box | as marked | as marked | as marked | as marked |
⚠️ Special Rules & Mercy Rule
5-Goal Difference Rule
At a 5-goal difference, one field player is pulled from the leading team.
Mercy Rule — 8+ Goal Difference
If the goal difference continues to increase to 8+, the coach has the ability to terminate the match if they feel the players would not benefit from continued play.
Score Management Suggestions:
- Bring the ball back over midfield and reload three times before going to goal
- Put stronger players on defense
- No player goes directly to goal
- Multiple players must touch the ball before a score
- Limit the number of touches a player has to two
⛈️ Lightning & Weather Protocol
30-30 Rule — Mandatory Suspension of Play
If lightning is seen and thunder is heard within 30 seconds, play is immediately suspended. All players, coaches, and spectators must seek shelter. Play may not resume until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or thunder.
The referee makes the call — not coaches, not parents.
Weather cancellations are communicated through your club coordinator. Questions? Contact [email protected].
🥅 Goal Kick & Goalie Release Notes
U8 — Goal Kicks
On a goal kick, opponents must be behind the midfield OR breakout line when the goal kick is taken. This does not apply to goalkeeper possession after a save.
U10 — Goal Kicks & Build Out Line
See the Build Out Line section below for full clarification on U10 goal kick rules.
U15 / U19 — Goalie Release NEW
Games have been adjusted this year for a 8-second countdown after the goalie has had the ball in their possession for 3 seconds. Infraction results in a Corner Kick for the opposing team.
The build out line is used at U10 to promote safer, more developmentally appropriate play. It runs across the width of the field between the penalty area and midfield.
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Goal Kicks
- All opponents must move behind the build out line when a goal kick is taken.
- Once the ball is kicked, opponents may advance past the build out line.
- If the goalkeeper kicks the ball before opponents have retreated, the kick should be retaken.
- The ball does not need to cross the build out line — it is in play once kicked.
Goalkeeper in Possession
- When the goalkeeper has the ball in their hands, all opponents must retreat behind the build out line.
- The goalkeeper must wait for opponents to retreat before distributing.
- Once the ball is distributed (thrown, rolled, or dropped), opponents may advance.
- This applies to saves and any situation where the goalkeeper picks up the ball — not after a goal kick is taken.
Referee Notes
The build out line promotes fair play — referees should remind players before penalizing. If opponents repeatedly fail to retreat, the referee may delay the restart until the field is set properly.
📖 General Rules of the Game
For players, coaches, and parents new to soccer, here is a basic overview of how the game is played:
Objective
Score more goals than the opposing team. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar.
Offside Rule
A player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is played to them. Not enforced at U8.
Fouls & Free Kicks
Tripping, pushing, and handball (outside the penalty area) are fouls. Free kicks can be direct (goal scored directly) or indirect (another player must touch first). Opposing players must be 10 yards from the ball. Direct kicks not enforced at U8.
Cards
Yellow card = warning. Red card = ejection from the match. Coaches and spectators can also be removed for misconduct.
Substitutions
Substitutions may be made at the stoppage of play by the discretion of the referee from the midfield mark.
💡 Fair Play & Sportsmanship
Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to respect the rules and the officials. Referee decisions are final. NECONN does not tolerate referee abuse. Positive conduct makes the game better for everyone.
For questions about scheduling, game assignments, league policies, or to report a referee incident, contact us directly: