House League Rules For Referees
U8 RULES
The Game
- 2 X 20 min halves, 5 minute halftime in between
- A maximum of 5 players (including the goalie) on the field at one time
- If a team cannot field a minimum of 5 players, they shall “forfeit” the game.
Substitutions
Substitutions can be made at ANY stoppage of play with approval from the referee.
Offside
Offside is NOT enforced
Fouls and Stoppages
Penalty Kicks
- Awarded when an infraction is committed by the defending team in its penalty area.
- During the penalty kick, all players shall stand outside the penalty area.
- The ball will be centered 7m in front of the goal line.
- The goalie shall stand on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
- The ball is “live” once kicked, if a goal is scored, the play will restart at half.
Goal Kicks
- The ball shall be placed anywhere in the “mini” box.
- All players should be outside the penalty area (large box) for goal kicks.
- A player cannot touch the ball until it has exited the penalty area (large box).
- There are NO corner kicks
Free Kicks
- Awarded by the referee when an infraction is committed.
- Opposing players shall be a minimum of 5m from the ball.
- All free kicks outside the penalty area are indirect (two touch) in mini soccer.
Kick-Ins
If the ball crosses the touch line, a kick in is awarded to the opposing team. Kick-Ins are treated as an indirect free kick.
Retreat Line
When the goalkeeper has the ball in his/her hands OR at a goal kick, the opposing team members would “retreat” to half. Once all the opposing players have retreated to the line the goalkeeper can successfully throw or pass the ball to one of his/her teammates. The ball is in play once it leaves the penalty area. All opponents must be behind the retreat line and cannot cross the retreat line until the ball:
- Is touched by a player of the team taking the goal kick OR,
- Leaves the field of play OR,
- Goes over the retreat line. (If the goalkeeper chooses to play the ball across the retreat line prior to the opposition crossing the retreat line).
U10 RULES
The Game
- 2 X 25 min halves, 5 minute halftime in between
- A maximum of 7 players (including the goalie) on the field at one time
- If a team cannot field a minimum of 5 players, they shall “forfeit” the game.
Substitutions
Substitutions can be made at ANY stoppage of play with approval from the referee.
Offside
Offside is NOT enforced
Fouls and Stoppages
Penalty Kicks
- Awarded when an infraction is committed by the defending team in its penalty area.
- During the penalty kick, all players shall stand outside the penalty area.
- The ball will be centered 7m in front of the goal line.
- The goalie shall stand on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
- The ball is “live” once kicked, if a goal is scored, the play will restart at half.
Goal Kicks
- The ball shall be placed anywhere in the “mini” box.
- All players should be outside the penalty area (large box) for goal kicks.
- A player cannot touch the ball until it has exited the penalty area (large box)
Free Kicks
- Awarded by the referee when an infraction is committed.
- Opposing players shall be a minimum of 5m from the ball.
- All free kicks outside the penalty area are indirect (two touch) in mini soccer.
Kick-Ins
If the ball crosses the touch line, a kick in is awarded to the opposing team. Kick-Ins are treated as an indirect free kick.
Retreat Line
When the goalkeeper has the ball in his/her hands OR at a goal kick, the opposing team members would “retreat” to half. Once all the opposing players have retreated to the line the goalkeeper can successfully throw or pass the ball to one of his/her teammates. The ball is in play once it leaves the penalty area. All opponents must be behind the retreat line and cannot cross the retreat line until the ball:
- Is touched by a player of the team taking the goal kick OR,
- Leaves the field of play OR,
- Goes over the retreat line. (If the goalkeeper chooses to play the ball across the retreat line prior to the opposition crossing the retreat line).
U12 RULES
The Game
- 2 X 30 min halves, 5 minute halftime in between
- A maximum of 9 players (including the goalie) on the field at one time
- If a team cannot field a minimum of 6 players, they shall “forfeit” the game.
Substitutions
Substitutions can be made on your own goal kick, corner kick or throw-in with approval from the referee.
Piggy-backs are allowed.
Offside
A player is in an offside position if:
He/she is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the 2nd last defender.
A player is not in an offside position (onside) if:
- He/she is in their own half of the field of play
- He/she is level with the second last opponent
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
- A goal kick
- A throw-in
- A corner kick
The restart of an offside is an indirect free kick from where the infraction took place.
Fouls and Stoppages
Penalty Kicks
- Awarded when an infraction is committed by the defending team in its penalty area.
- During the penalty kick, all players shall stand outside the penalty area.
- The ball will be centered 9m in front of the goal line.
- The goalie shall stand on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
- The ball is “live” once kicked, if a goal is scored, the play will restart at half.
Goal Kicks
- The ball shall be placed anywhere in the “mini” box.
- All players should be outside the penalty area (large box) for goal kicks.
- A player cannot touch the ball until it has exited the penalty area (large box)
Free Kicks
- Awarded by the referee when an infraction is committed.
- Opposing players shall be a minimum of 7m from the ball.
- Both direct and indirect (two-touch) free kicks may be given depending on the nature of the foul committed.
Kick-Ins
If the ball crosses the touch line, a kick in is awarded to the opposing team.
Kick-Ins are treated as an indirect free kick.
Retreat Line
When the goalkeeper has the ball in his/her hands OR at a goal kick, the opposing team members would “retreat” to half. Once all the opposing players have retreated to the line the goalkeeper can successfully throw or pass the ball to one of his/her teammates. The ball is in play once it leaves the penalty area. All opponents must be behind the retreat line and cannot cross the retreat line until the ball:
- Is touched by a player of the team taking the goal kick OR,
- Leaves the field of play OR,
- Goes over the retreat line. (If the goalkeeper chooses to play the ball across the retreat line prior to the opposition crossing the retreat line).
U14 – U19 RULES
The Game
- U14: 2 X 40 min halves, 5 minute halftime in between
- U16 and U19: 2 X 45 min halves, 5 minute halftime in between
- A maximum of 11 players (including the goalie) on the field at one time
- If a team cannot field a minimum of 7 players, they shall “forfeit” the game.
Substitutions
Substitutions can be made on your own goal kick, corner kick or throw-in with approval from the referee.
Piggy-backs are allowed.
Offside
A player is in an offside position if:
He/she is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the 2nd last defender.
A player is not in an offside position (onside) if:
- He/she is in their own half of the field of play
- He/she is level with the second last opponent
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
- A goal kick
- A throw-in
- A corner kick
The restart of an offside is an indirect free kick from where the infraction took place.
Fouls and Stoppages
Penalty Kicks
- Awarded when an infraction is committed by the defending team in its penalty area.
- During the penalty kick, all players shall stand outside the penalty area.
- The ball will be centered 12m in front of the goal line.
- The goalie shall stand on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
- The ball is “live” once kicked, if a goal is scored, the play will restart at half.
Goal Kicks
- The ball shall be placed anywhere in or on the edge of the 6 yard box.
- All players should be outside the penalty area (large box) for goal kicks.
- A player cannot touch the ball until it has exited the penalty area (large box)
Free Kicks
- Awarded by the referee when an infraction is committed.
- Opposing players shall be a minimum of 10m from the ball.
- Both direct and indirect (two-touch) free kicks may be given depending on the nature of the foul committed.