RULES BY DIVISION

Sportsmanship
Good sportsmanship occurs when teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials treat each other with respect.

Kids learn the basics of sportsmanship from the adults in their lives, especially their parents and their coaches.

Kids who see adults behaving in a sportsmanlike way gradually come to understand that the real winners in sports are those who know how to persevere and to behave with dignity - whether they win or lose a game.

Opposing players and coaches referees should respectfully shake hands/high five after each game, including the referees at the Seniors level. Our referees are being asked to uphold the standards of the game and to be professional, and we should show our appreciation to them, as well.


Running up the Score

Coaches should not encourage their teams to run up the score. It's not always possible to make perfectly balanced teams within the Rec League, but the kids need to learn Sportsmanship and the Coaches should encourage this.

In the event of a high scoring blowout type game, Coaches can make minimum pass rules, play a man down or move kids around.

We as a Club are here to promote a fun sport environment, the rules and skills of the game, and sometimes some life lessons here and there.


Restarts
-After a goal, the game is restarted with a kickoff at mid-field.
-The ball must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored.
-The player taking a kick cannot touch the ball again until another player has played it.
-Opponents should be 10 feet away from the ball on all restarts.


Pre-K
-Stretching 5 minutes
-Obstacle Course (rectangular setup):  10 minutes
-Practice exercises/games: 25 - 30 minutes
-Scrimmage (inter-team) with mini goals: 15 - 20 minutes
-Out of Bounds - always have a spare ball and roll it in to keep the game moving... "New Ball!"

-Water breaks to end activities and setup new, also as-needed during scrimmage
- If a game/exercise isn't working, call a water break and move to the next one
-Have the kids help clean up each activity by making it a fun game... who can pick up the most colored cones? etc.


Kindergarten
-4v4, No goalie
-30 minute game following a 30 minute practice
-"Home Team" kicks off first half, "Away Team" kicks off second half
-No score-keeping
-No Referees
-Coaches are on-field game managers
-Out of Bounds - always have a spare ball and roll it in to keep the game moving... "New Ball!"
- Coaches discretion to trial out throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks, however, this shouldn't create a long game stoppage
-Fouls at this age are almost always unintentional and should almost never be called unless serious
-Play stops for substitutes (unlimited) - can use whistle to resume play once everyone is ready
-No Offsides
-Deliberate heading is not allowed


Juniors
-5v5, No goalie
-25 minute halves, 10 minute half-time
-"Home Team" kicks off first half, "Away Team" kicks off second half
-No score-keeping
-No Referees
-Coaches are on-field game managers/referees
-Fouls at this age are almost always unintentional and should almost never be called unless serious
-Play stops for substitutes (unlimited) - can use whistle to resume play once everyone is ready
-Throw Ins, Corner Kicks, and Goal Kicks are used to restart play
-No Offsides
-Deliberate heading is not allowed


Seniors
-7v7, one of which is the goalie
-25 minute halves, 10 minute half-time
-"Home Team" kicks off first half, "Away Team" kicks off second half
-Score-keeping
-Referees - should be keeping time for each half
-Fouls will be called by the Referees
-Substitutions are unlimited at game stoppages and with the permission of the referee
-The player to be substituted (outgoing player) must have left the field of play before the substitute (incoming player) may enter the field of play
-Throw Ins, Corner Kicks, and Goal Kicks are used to restart play
-At the Rec Seniors level, proper throw-in technique is encouraged. If a player does not do a throw-in properly (picking up their foot, not an overhead throw, etc) they should have 1-2 opportunities to fix their throw. The referees can even explain what they did wrong and help correct their technique. If by the 3rd throw it's not done properly, the throw-in should go to the opposing team.
-Offsides will be called as a penalty and we should coach on it
-Switch sides at halftime
-Deliberate heading is not allowed