Number of Players: The maximum number of players on the field per team shall not exceed seven (7) including the goalkeeper. Matches may be played with a minimum of 5 players so long as each team has an equal number of players on the field. If a team cannot field 5 players it shall forfeit the match. The maximum roster size shall be 12 with a recommended size of 10.
Match Length: Matches will consist of two 25 minute halves with a 5 minute half time. No time-outs are allowed. Referees may add time to the match for injuries, substitutions, and time wasting, however the clock will continue to run.
Referees: Three referees (a head referee and two line judges) shall be scheduled for each match. Games may be played with only one referee if necessary. Any referee substitutions (Parent, coach from a team not playing) may only be done with the approval of both coaches.
Spectators: All spectators must sit on the opposite side of the field from the teams. Spectators must sit behind the dashed parent boundary line. Parents/Coaches may not stand anywhere along the end of the field.
Offsides: Normal FIFA Offsides Laws shall apply.
Slidetackles: Slidetackles are NOT allowed under any circumstances and will result in a direct kick for the opposite team. Repeated slidetackling is grounds for a yellow or red card. Sliding to make contact with the ball is only permitted if no players are in the vicinity of the sliding player and ball (i.e. sliding saves). Sliding in the vicinity of other players will be considered a dangerous play and will result in a minimum of loss of possession. This does not apply to keepers sliding to make a clean save.
Start of Play: Field sides shall be chosen by coin toss with the visiting team calling the toss. The team which wins the coin toss shall choose which goal to attack in the first half. The team losing the coin toss shall kick-off to start the game. Match play begins from the midfield hash mark and opposing players must remain outside the center field circle until the ball is kicked. Teams switch sides of the field for the second half with the team that won the coin toss kicking off.
Stoppage of Play:
- Play shall stop when the whole of the ball has crosses the touchline, goal line or has been whistled dead by the referee.
- A ball is considered out of bounds when the ENTIRE ball has crossed the boundary plane.
- Opposing players must remain 6 yards or more away from all free and corner kicks until the ball is put into play.
- Opposing players must remain behind midfield until the ball is kicked for a goal kick. If a player encroaches before the goal kick, the kick is retaken. If the player encroaches again, the kicking team receives an indirect kick at midfield.
- Players who fall on the ball are creating a dangerous situation of play. If a player falls on the ball during play, play is stopped and the OPPOSING team is given an indirect kick.
- Keepers may handle the ball anywhere inside the PENALTY box.
- When the ball is put back into play via a goal kick, punt, or keeper throw, the ball must hit the ground or be touched by another player before crossing midfield. Otherwise, the opposing team will be given an indirect kick at midfield.
- Per US Youth Soccer guidelines, intentional heading of the ball is not allowed. Any intentional heading results in a stoppage of play with an indirect kick awarded to the OPPOSING team.
Substitution: Substitutions may be made by the team gaining possession during stoppages of play. A team that lost possession may only substitute if the other team also substitutes. Either team may initiate substitutions during goal kicks, in cases of injury, prior to the kickoff after a goal, or after halftime. Only players standing in the substitution box at the time the referee calls for substitutes will be allowed to substitute (except in the case of substitutions for an injured player). Players not in the box at that time must wait until the next substitution opportunity.
Overtime/Ties: Matches tied at the end of regulation shall remain tied with each team being awarded one standings point. Tournament matches tied after regulation shall be decided by kicks from the mark. Each team will be allowed 5 shots from the penalty kick hash mark with each shot taken by a different player. Only the players on the field at the end of regulation may participate in the shoot out. If the match is still tied after the first 5 kicks, the match will be decided by sudden death kicks form the mark. Each team is allowed one kick from a player that has not shot before, with the match ending when one team has more points than the other at the end of each single kick sudden death round. Once all players on the field have kicked, teams may allow eligible players to kick a second time in the same order they kicked earlier. Per FIFA, when a team finishes the match with a greater number of players than their opponents, they shall reduce their numbers to equate with that of their opponents and inform the referee of the name and number of each player excluded. The team captain has this responsibility.