Field and Game Structure

Age Players Goalie Ball Field size

5 & 6 5 vs 5 No 3 25x30 yds

7 & 8 6 vs 6 Yes 4 25x30 yds

9 & Up 8 vs 8 Yes 4 60 x 30 yds

The Field of Play

· The field of play shall be rectangular; the length in all cases shall exceed the width.

· Recommendation: smaller fields should fit within existing full-size fields. If no existing field, follow “quick reference guide.”

· The field of play is bounded by touch lines (side lines) and goal lines (end lines). These boundaries should be marked with 12” tall cones or flags.

· A center mark is placed in the middle of the field at the halfway mark to show kickoff location. This can be marked with disc style cones (the referee may place ball in middle of field when there is no center mark).

The Ball

The size of the ball must be age appropriate.

· Size 3 for N Zone Jr

· Size 3 for Ages 5-6

Size 4 for Ages 7 & Up

Number of Players

Division (6U), (7U)

Teams play 5 vs 5 with no goalie.
There can be stoppage of play for throw-ins
Coaches may be on field with players
Players cannot stand in the box during a goal attempt or corner kick
Field Dimension: 25 yds wide, 30 yds long

Division (8U), (9U), (10U)

Teams play 6 vs 6 with a goalie. Goalie is permitted to use his/her hands
There can be stoppage of play for throw-ins
Coaches must stay on sidelines
No person or persons should be standing next to or behind the goal
Players can be in the box during goal attempt or corner kick
Field Dimension 30 yds wide, 50 yards long

Division (11U), (12U), (13U), (14U)

Teams play 6 vs 6 with a goalie. Goalie is permitted to use his/her hands.
No stoppage of play for throw-ins. Continuous play applies.
Coaches must stay on sidelines
No person or person should be standing next to or behind the goal
Players can be in the box during goal attempt or corner kick
Field Dimension: 30 yds wide, 65 yds long

Teams may substitute players on any stoppage of play with the referee’s approval.

Players' Equipment

Parents supply shorts, shin guards and cleated (non-metal) soccer shoes. Shin guards are mandatory for all age groups.

Game Duration, Overtime

· Games will be played in two 20-minute halves.

· 5-minute halftime

· Ties are permitted during the regular season.

· For playoffs and Championship overtime will consist of a shootout. 5 kicks per team (alternating with 5 different players). Additional kicks taken, one at a time. (any player may be selected by coach for additional kicks)

The Start of Play

· The winner of a coin toss at the beginning of the match will elect either to kick or to select which goal to defend during the first half. Teams will switch sides of the field at half time.

· Play is restarted at the beginning of each half -- and following a goal -- by means of a kick off taken at midfield. All players must be on their own half of the field. All kick offs shall be indirect kicks, meaning that a goal cannot be scored unless the ball is touched by another player of either team before it goes in the goal. If the ball enters the non-kicking team's goal before being touched by another player, a goal kick is awarded to the non-kicking team.

· If an infringement occurs during a kick off, retake the kick and coach the players on the correct procedure.

· The referee shall award ball possession and a free kick to restart play after a temporary stoppage for any reason not otherwise mentioned in these rules.

Ball In and Out of Play

The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line (end line) or touch line (side line) on the ground or in the air; or when play has been stopped by the referee. The ball is in play at all other times, including when it rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar, corner flag post, coach or referee and remains in the field of play.

Offsides

Offsides penalties will not be called. However, the "cherry picking" rule may be enforce to eliminate offensive players from being positioned near their offensive goal while the ball is on the other half of the field. (Coaches should not teach this strategy.)

Fouls and Misconduct-- Fouls and misconducts shall be awarded a free kick. The following are infractions that will result in a free kick for the opposing team.

· Grabbing and holding another player's shirt.

· Intentional tripping, pushing or shoving.

· All rule infractions should be explained to the offending player.

· Any handball. ("handball" occurs when a player intentionally makes contact with the ball using any part of the hand or arm from the top of the shoulder to the tips of the fingers). Unintentional contact with the hand or arm (i.e., "ball to hand") is not a foul.

· Any tackling

Free-Kicks

All free kicks shall be indirect kicks, meaning that a goal cannot be scored unless the ball is touched by another player of either team before it goes into the goal. If the ball enters the non-kicking team's goal before being touched by another player, a goal kick is awarded to the non-kicking team. If the ball enters the kicking team's goal before it is touched by another player, a corner kick is awarded to the non-kicking team.

Free kicks are awarded to the non-offending team at the spot of an infraction.

If the defending team commits an infraction inside their own goal area, the free kick is taken from the nearest point parallel to the goal line and outside the goal area. If the attacking team commits an infraction inside the goal area of the defending team, the free kick is taken from any point within the goal area.

The non-kicking team must yield no less than 5 yards from the kicker.

The ball is in play when it is touched by the attacking team.

Penalty Kick

Penalty kicks are not taken in our games. Penalty kicks (shootout) happen only if the score is tied in Playoff or Championship game

Throw-in

· A throw-in is the method of restarting play and is awarded when the whole of the ball goes out of bounds or crosses the touch line (side line) in the air or on the ground.

· Throw-ins on smaller fields shall be taken from a point on the sideline near where the ball went out of bounds, but no closer to the goal.

· Throw-ins must be over the head with both feet on the ground.

The ball is in play immediately as it enters the field of play.

· A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw in.

· If an infringement occurs on a throw-in, coach the players on the proper technique and retake the throw-in.

Goal-Kick

· A goal kick is the method of restarting play and is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, crosses the goal line on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored.

Procedure:

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

o Opposing players must remain outside of the goal area until the ball is kicked.

o The ball is in play when it is played outside of the goal area.

Corner-Kick

· A corner kick is the method of restarting play and is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, crosses the goal line on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored.

Procedure:

o The ball is placed within 2 feet of the closest corner cone.

o The cone cannot be moved for the kick.

o Opposing players must remain no less than 5 yards away from the ball until it is kicked.

o The ball is kicked by a member of the attacking team.

o The ball is in play when it is touched by an attacking player.

N Zone Sports of All American offers youth sports leagues and programs for boys and girls in Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Raeford, Hope Mills, Spring Lake, Lillington, and Cameron in North Carolina.

(910) 900-2001

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Youth sports in Fayetteville, NC