Recreational Soccer Program
This league is recreational with focus on player development. Thus game scores will only show a 5 goal difference in the standings. Goals or a team’s goal difference is not taken into consideration for standings. Texas United FC promotes strong skilled players/teams to our competitive program to keep a recreational play level in the league.
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Rules of Play
ARTICLE I U4 – U11
GENERAL: FIFA rules shall apply except where such rules conflict with these rules and, in these instances,
these rules shall control.
A. Referee
1. All games must be officiated by a club assigned referees.
2. Parents are not allowed to engage in conversation, dispute calls, or verbally abuse the referee.
B. Player Cards
1. All players must have a Club assigned virtual player card with a photo to be eligible to participate in any game.
C. Designated Areas
1. Home team players and spectators from the same team must sit on the same sideline. Opposing team and spectators must sit on the opposite side of the field.
2. Coaches must stay within their bench's half for the entire game. Only 3 max coaches/assistants/managers allowed with the players during games.
3. No parents or coaches may stand behind the goal lines.
D. Noise Makers
1. Any kind of noise makers will not be allowed.
ARTICLE II U4 – U7
A. Players
1. Age Divisions
(a) There shall be a U4 – U7 age division in which the number of players on the field will be 4 in accordance with US Youth Soccer Rules.
(b) Players with their parent's and coach's permission may play in a higher or older
division; however,
(c) No player may play in a younger age division with the exception of girls in the U4-U7 division.
2. Size of Teams - The maximum number of players per team is 8.
3. Number of Players - A team during a game can play with no more than four (4) players on the field at one time. 4v4 format.
4. Forfeits for too few players - Provided that at least three players from each team are
present at game time, there shall be no forfeit. Coaches shall accommodate the
situation to insure all players get as much playing time as possible. If either team has
fewer than three players present, the game shall be abandoned, but no winner shall be
declared nor forfeit awarded.
5. Goalkeeper - There will be no goalkeeper.
6. During regular season play (Fall and Spring) all players shall only play on the team they are
rostered to. The player pass rule does not apply to any team playing TUFC Developmental Soccer Program.
B. Ball - Size #3
C. Goals - 6 feet wide by 4 feet high. Hockey goals or cones spaced 6 feet apart may be used.
D. Field of Play
1. Size - 15 to 20 yards wide by 20 to 30 yards long.
2. Center Circle - 3 yards in radius.
3. Penalty Area - None
4. Goal Area - A half circle with a radius of 3-5 yards in front of each goal
E. Games
1. Length of Games - Four eight (4x8) minute quarters. Two-minute breaks between quarters. Five
minute halftime breaks.
2. Penalties for Fouls
(a) There will be no penalty shots.
(b) All fouls will be penalized with indirect kicks.
(c) From the point of taking an indirect kick or a corner-kick, opponents may not be any
closer than three (3) yards.
3. Offside - There shall be no offside.
4. Coaches on Field - Coaches may not be on the field of play during conduct of games.
5. Throw-ins - If there is an infraction of the FIFA throw-in rule, the player throwing the ball in
shall receive one additional throw-in after a correcting instruction from the referee. If
the player violates the FIFA throw-in rule on his/her second throw-in, the opposing team
shall be awarded the throw-in.
6. No players from either team is allowed to touch the ball while it is in the designated goal
area. If a defensive player touches the ball while it is in the goal area, an indirect free
kick from 5 yards outside of the goal area is awarded to the offensive team. If an
offensive player touches the ball while it is in the goal area, a goal kick is awarded to the
defensive team. If the ball comes to a stop in the goal area, a goal kick is awarded to the
defensive team.
F. Team Size - the maximum number of players per team shall be six (8).
G. Heading – No heading of the ball will be allowed for U4 through U7 players.
1. Practices – No heading during practice sessions allowed for players U4-U7.
2. Games – When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If a player does not deliberately head the ball, then play should continue.
ARTICLE III U8 - U11
GENERAL: FIFA rules shall apply except where such rules conflict with these rules and, in these instances, these rules shall control.
A. Players
1. Age Division
(a) There shall be U7 through U11 divisions.
(b) Players with their parent's and coach's permission may play in an older age division;
however,
(c) No player may play in a younger age division, except for female players as approved by Recreational Director.
(d) A player can only "play up" to a division only a year older. No exceptions.
2. Number of Players
(a) Each U7 through U11 team during a game shall play with no more than six (6). 7v7 format.
players on the field at a time plus a goal keeper. (7v7)
(b) Coaches must play each registered player that is present one-half of the game unless
unable to do so due to the player's illness or injury or for disciplinary reasons. In the
event that a player is present but will not be playing, the coach must inform the referee
and the opposing coach the reason that player will not participate.
3. Forfeits for too few players -- The referee shall abandon a game and record the reason on the
game report if a team has less than the requisite number of players on the field ready to
play within a reasonable time after the game was scheduled to start. The requisite
number of players shall be four (4) plus goal keeper.
4. Goalkeeper - There shall be no charging or intentional or reckless contact with the goalkeeper
whatsoever. Any such conduct shall be considered at least as "dangerous play" and
punished accordingly.
5. During regular season play (Fall and Spring) all players shall only play on the team they are
rostered to. Two players may be used to player pass on a game as long as player is written in on game report after showing club issued player card and is of the team's age.
B. Ball - Size #4
C. Goals - l8.5 ft. wide by 6.5 ft. high or 21 ft. wide by 7 ft. high.
D. Field of Play
1. Size - 30 to 40 yards wide by 40 to 50 yards long.
2. Center Circle - 8 yards in radius.
3. Penalty Area - 14 yards by 35 yards.
4. Goal area - 6 yards by 19 yards.
5. Penalty spot: 9 yards and perpendicular from the midpoint of the goal line.
6. Penalty arc: 8 yard radius from the penalty spot.
E. Games
1. Length of Games - two twenty-five (2x25) minute halves.
2. Offside - The Offside Rule shall apply.
F. Team Size - the maximum number of players per team shall be 12.
G. Heading – No heading of the ball will be allowed for U7 though U11 players.
1. Practices – No heading during practice sessions allowed for players U7 though U11
2. Games – When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If a player does not deliberately head the ball, then play should continue.