Lassen Youth Soccer U6 Soccer Rules

U6 Soccer Rules

The game of soccer is fun. The main goals of the Lassen Youth Soccer Association are to make soccer an enjoyable experience for all those associated with the game and also to make it an educational experience. The following paragraphs contain a few basic rules to help the parent, spectator, and player, enjoy the game. Soccer for the Under Five (U5) players is different than for older players. Special emphasis is put on teaching the game, maximum player involvement, foot skill development, and avoiding penalties.

Law 1 - The Field of Play:
1. Length: 30 yards
2. Width: 20 yards
3. Pop-up Goals: Home team is responsible for setting up the pop-up goals. 4. Build out line should be 8 yards from the end line.

Law 2 - The Ball: 
Size three (3).

Law 3 - The Number of Players: 
Four (4) players on the field for each team. There are NO goalkeepers.
1. Substitutions: At any stoppage of play and unlimited.
2. Playing time: Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.
3. Teams and games may be coed.

Law 4 - The Players Equipment: 
Conform to FIFA. Shin guards must be worn (no exceptions). No jewelry of any kind is permitted (including earrings of any kind). Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather conditions, but uniforms must still distinguish teams. The uniform consists of a shirt (jersey), shorts, and socks.

Law 5 - The Referee: 
An OFFICIAL (Coach or Game Manager or Coordinator or Parent or Grade 9 referee) may be used. One (1) Live-Scanned (approved) "OFFICIAL" from each team may be present on the field of play simultaneously for officiating/coaching purposes.

Law 6 - The Assistant Referees: None. See Law 5.

Law 7 - The Duration of the Match: 
The match shall be divided into four (4) equal, eight (8) minute quarters. There shall be a two (2) minute break between quarters one and two and another two (2) minute break between quarters three and four. There shall be a halftime interval of five (5) minutes.

Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play:
1. A coin is tossed and the team that wins the toss decides which goal it will attack. The other team will take the kick-off.
2. Goals cannot be scored directly from a kick-off.
3. Opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least four (4) yards from the ball until it is in play. That means the defending team must stand behind the half circle line at the kick-off.

Law 9 - The Ball In and Out of Play: Conform to FIFA.
1. Ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch-line (side-line) whether on the ground or in the air or when play has been stopped by the referee/coach.
2. Ball is in play at all other times, including when it rebounds off a goalpost, crossbar or corner flag-post and remains in the field of play.

Law 10 - The Method of Scoring: Conform to FIFA.
The goal can only be scored in the attacking half of the field. It is considered a goal once the ball has completely crossed the goal line between the goal posts/markers.

Law 11 - Offside: None.

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct: 
Conform to FIFA with the exception that all fouls shall result in a direct free kick. The referee/coach/parent must explain ALL infringements to the offending player. No cards shown for misconduct. Penalties include: abusive language, dangerous play, and intentionally touching the ball with the hands, tripping, pushing, charging, among others. For these violations, the referee will penalize the violator with a direct free kick for his opponent.

Law 13 - Free Kicks:
 Conform to FIFA with the exceptions that all free kicks are direct and opponents are at least four (4) yards from the ball until it is in play.

Law 14 - The Penalty Kick: None.

Law 15 - The Kick-In (instead of a Throw-In): 
A kick-in is considered a direct free kick with the opponents four (4) yards from the ball until it is in play. A kick-in is awarded to the opposing team when the ball has been kicked/played completely over the touch-line (side-line).

Law 16 - The Goal Kick:
Is a direct free kick awarded to the defending team when the attacking team kicks the ball across the defending team's goal line. The goal kick should be taken within 2-3 yards of the goal line anywhere across the width of the goal at the nearest point from where the ball was retrieved. Opposing players must be behind the build out line until the ball is in play.

Law 17 - The Corner Kick: 
Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least four (4) yards from the ball until it is in play. A corner kick is awarded when the defending team touches the ball last before it crosses the defending team's end-line (goal-line) on the outside of the goal posts. A corner kick is taken only by the attacking team from one of the two corners on the defending team's side of the field.

Spectators: Spectators, including the parents, coaches, and substitute players, are to stay at least 6-10 feet from the sideline (touch-line). No spectators are allowed near the end-line (goal-line). No one is to enter the field of play without permission from the referee/coach. Players are not to leave or enter the field without the permission of the referee/coach.

Under-six soccer competition is mainly for the enjoyment of the players and the spectators. For this reason, the referee (coach) will try to explain the rules and procedures to the players, rather than penalize them.
There are no standings in under-six competition. It is a no-lose game where enjoyment and sportsmanship are emphasized, instead of just obtaining points.