TCSA League U-6 Rules 

LAW I THE FIELD OF PLAY: 
Dimensions: 

• The field of play shall be rectangular, its length being not more than 30 yards nor less than 20 yards and its width not more than 25 yards nor less than 15 yards.  The length in all cases shall exceed the width. 

Markings:

• Distinctive lines not more than five (5) inches wide. 

• A halfway line shall be marked out across the field. 

• A center circle with four (4) yard radius. 

• Four corner arcs with a Two (2) foot radius. 

• Goal area - six (6) yards in length and three (3) yards to the field of play joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. 

• Penalty area – ten (10) yards in length and five (5) yards into the field of play, joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. 

• The goal and penalty area may be modified portioned to goal and field size.
  
  Goals:
  

Maximum: six (6) feet high and ten (10) feet wide. 

Minimum: size of Hockey goals.

TCSA recommendations 

Teams should be on one side and spectators should be on the other side of the field.  Opposing coaches and players should shake hands after each game. Parents, non-playing players, and spectators should be located not less than five (5) feet outside touchline nor should be closer than ten (10) yards to the goal line.  No individual should be allowed to run the length of the field except participants of the game.  Spectators should not instruct the players during the game time.  No alcoholic beverages should be consumed or allowed near the playing area.  Tobacco products should not be used at or around playing areas. Sportsman like conduct expected from players, teams and fans. 

LAW II THE BALL:  

• Size three (3). 

LAW III THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  

• Maximum number of players on the field at any one time is six (6) and the minimum number of players is five (5) one of whom must be a goalkeeper.  T.C.S.A states that all players take turns playing various positions.  

• Playing time: Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.  T.C.S.A wants coaches to do a game line up to ensure all players present get equal play time. 

• Substitutions:  

1) If a player is injured and cannot play. 

2) When the next quarter starts. 

3) At any stoppage and unlimited 

• Teams and games may be co –ed. 

• Maximum number of players on the roster should not exceed: Fourteen (14). 

LAW IV PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT: 

Conform to FIFA with the following additions: 

• Footwear: Tennis shoes or soft cleated soccer shoes.  Baseball shoes are acceptable if they do not have toe spike.  

• Shin-guards: Mandatory and socks must cover entire shin guard. 

• Jewelry:  No jewelry is to be worn during play.  This includes but is not limited to earrings, bracelets, necklaces, watches, etc.  Earrings shall not be permitted to be worn under any circumstances, even if covered by tape. Bracelets of any material are prohibited. This includes rubber, string, or any other type of material. Hair accessories may be worn only as necessary provided they are deemed to be safe by the referee. 

• Not allowed to wear anything that can be used to injure another player.  If a player has a cast, it needs to be a soft cast or suitably padded to play. 

• Goalkeepers on both teams must wear shirts differing from either team’s colors.   

LAW V REFEREE: 

Two (2) coaches, one from each team will referee the game.   

• All rule infractions shall be briefly explained to the offending player. 

• Usually, at the u6 level, one  (1) coach from each team is on one 1/2 the field, these coaches should control the game and enforce the Laws of the Game 

LAW VI THE ASSISTANT REFEREE: 

The assistant referee is not used at this level. 

LAW VII DURATION OF THE GAME: 

• The game shall be divided into four (4) equal eight (8) minute quarters. 

• There shall be a two (2) minute break between quarter one (1) and quarter (2), and another two minute break between quarters three (3) and four (4). 

• There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes between quarters two (2) and three (3). 

LAW VIII THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY: 

• The visiting team will kick-off the first and third quarter and the home team will kick-off  the second and fourth quarter. 

1. Kick-offs are taken: 

• At the start of the match. 

• After a goal has been scored. 

• At the start of new period of play (beginning of second half). 

• At the start of an Overtime period. 

• A goal can be scored directly from a kick-off. 

• Opponents must be outside the center circle while kick-off is in progress. 

• Ball should move forward on a kick-off. 

• If the kicker touches the ball before it touches another player, the coaches shall reset the ball explain the infraction and give the kicker a second try.  After the second try if the infraction occurs, the opposing team shall take the kick off. 

LAW IX BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY: 

The ball is out of play when: 

• It has completely crossed the goal line or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air. 

• The game has been stopped by the referee. 

Fouls 

• 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 

• tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball 

• holds an opponent 

• spits at an opponent 

• Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area). 

• takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession 

• touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player 

• touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate 

• Touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate. 

• All fouls will result in an Indirect Free Kick with opponents four (4) yards away.  An indirect free is taken from where the offence occurred. 

• The Referee must explain ALL infractions to the offending player. 

• Caution or ejections issued to players only by an independent neutral Referee. 
  
  

LAW XIII FREE KICKS 

Ball Enters the Goal 
a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal. 

• If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents' goal, a goal kick is awarded. 

• If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team. 

Position of the Free Kick 

Free Kick inside the Penalty Area 

Indirect free kick to the defending team: 

• All opponents are at least Four (4) yards from the ball. 

• All opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play. 

• The ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area. 

• A free kick awarded in the goal area is taken from any point inside that area. 

 Indirect free kick to the attacking team: 

• All opponents are at least four (4) yards from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts. 

• The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. 

• An indirect free kick awarded inside the goal area is taken from that part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. 

Free Kick outside the Penalty Area 

• All opponents are at least four (4) yards from the ball until it is in play. 

• The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. 

• The free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred. 

A throw-in is a method of restarting play. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.  

A throw-in is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the touchline, either on the ground or in the air; from the point where it crossed the touch line; to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball. The ball is in play immediately after it enters the field of play. 

Procedure  

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:  

• faces the field of play;  

• has part of each foot either on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline  

• uses both hands  

• Delivers the ball from behind and over his head. 

• The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. 

• All opponents must stand no less than two (2) yards from the point at which the throw-in is taken. 

• The whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10. 

Procedure 

• The ball is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team.  

• Opponents must be four (4) yards away from the ball. 

• The kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.  

• The ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area. 

If the ball is not kicked directly into play beyond the penalty area: the kick is retaken. 

• 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, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10.  

Procedure 

• The ball is placed inside the corner arc at the nearest corner flag post. 

• The corner flag post is not moved.(not used at this level) 

• Opponents remain at least four (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. 

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:  an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.