WRYA SOCCER

Rules of Play and Conduct

Revised: Fall 2006

  1. PARTICIPATION

    2. We are a recreation league. Each player on a team shall play a minimum of ½ of each match, unless suspended, sick/injured, or disqualified. Players with a medical condition (ie. hard cast) which could endanger others may be disqualified at the discretion of the referee.

    Participation in the matches should be restricted to players having duly registered with the league. Players should only play for the teams to which they have been assigned. If during the course of a season an imbalance in the number of players assigned to the teams in a division becomes apparent, the league may reassign players to different teams.

  2. MATCH CANCELLATIONS/FORFEIT

    3. WRYA, by action of it’s commissioner, may cancel the matches scheduled for a particular day because of inclement weather (downpour, thunder and/or lightening) or unsafe playing conditions. When possible, such decisions will be made the match AM as early as possible. Contact the weather hotline (804) 523-1314 for game status.

    Occasionally, threatening weather or unsafe playing conditions may develop after the teams arrive or after a match has already begun. In these situations, the referee shall assume responsibility for determining whether a match will be played. In making his determination, the referee shall take into consideration:

    1. Coaches opinions
    2. Conditions of the playing field
    3. The forecast for the day

    The referee may suspend a match for a period of time or cancel the match. The referee should not suspend a match for a period of time that significantly encroaches upon the time for another match. The referee may shorten the playing time of a match.

    Rescheduling of cancelled matches shall be at the discretion of the coaches involved. Coaches should check with Soccer Commissioner on field and referee availability.

    Forfeits- A team may play with 1 less player than the required number. If a team has more than 1 short, that team must forfeit to the opposing team.

  3. CONDUCT

    1. Coaches

      2. Coaches are volunteers providing a service to the children in the league. They should be treated with respect by players and parents. Coaches should report to the Commissioner any player or parent whose presence or behavior is disruptive to the practices or matches.

      Coaches should set a positive example of behavior for the players and parents associated with their teams. They should conduct themselves with dignity and treat the referees respectfully, displaying good sportsmanship at all times.

      Coaches may address the referee only:

      1. prior to the start of the match
      2. to make a substitution
      3. to report an injured player
      4. if addressed by the referee
      5. if the coach wishes to have the referee clarify a ruling. Clarification is not dispute!!

      Coaches are responsible for maintaining discipline for their players and respective parents on both sidelines.

      Coaching should be done from the sideline. No one shall be located beyond the goal line at either end of the field.

      At no time after the start of play is the coach permitted on the field of play unless invited by the referee.

      The home team coach must:

      1. Agree to change shirts (use pennies) if a color conflict occurs.
      2. Provide a suitable game ball

       

    2. Referees

      3. Referees are recruited among the ranks of parents, volunteers, and older players. Referees should be treated with respect due them as persons providing a service to the league and its participants. Verbal criticism or abuse of referees at any time by players, coaches, parents or other spectators will not be tolerated. Referees may issue caution (yellow) cards or ejection(red) cards to abusive individuals at a match.

      The opinion of the referee shall be considered the final judgement regarding any matters in the match. When the coaches mutually agree upon a matter (weather interruptions, unsafe playing conditions, or deviations from the normal playing time or number of players in a match), the referee will generally support that decision.

      In the event that the assigned referee does not appear at a match, the home team will appoint a referee with the agreement of the opposing coach.

      When a single referee is assigned to a match, the referee may appoint linemen from among the spectators present. Such linemen shall determine possession when the ball crosses the goal line or touch line, but they shall not have the responsibility of determining offside or other fouls.

      The referee keeps the official time and score.

    3. Spectators

      4. Any WRYA spectator determined by conduct and affirmed by the Board, engaged in creating a disturbance at any WRYA function will be banned from all WRYA activities for a designated period of time determined by the Board. Creating a disturbance may be:

      1. Referee abuse-physical or verbal
      2. Player abuse-physical or verbal
      3. Addressing any referee in a negative or abusive manner
      4. Addressing any player in a negative or abusive manner
      5. Addressing any coach in a negative or abusive manner
      6. Addressing any parent in a negative or abusive manner
      7. Engaging in fighting at practice or game

      Spectators are expected to behave in a manner that is respectful to the coaches, players, referees, and each other.

      Failure to abide by the decisions of the WRYA Board may result in the removal of the abusive spectator’s child from the program and forfeiture of all fees with possible criminal prosecution and civil action of the abusive spectator. All complaints will be taken by the Soccer Commissioner and presented to the WRYA Board for immediate investigation.

  4. INJURY

    5. Player safety is of paramount consideration in a match. In recreational league play, the referee will totally disregard any advantage and immediately suspend play upon discovery of a player injury. Coaches and spectators may bring to the attention of the referee the injury on the field out of the referee’s view.

    When play is suspended for an injury, all players should remain at their location on the field and assume a kneeling or sitting position. The referee should examine the injured player and summon the coach or parents to the field if appropriate.

    Substitution for injured players is permitted. The opposing coach is afforded the privilege of the substitution for an equal number of players.

    Play should resume with a drop ball at the spot where the ball was when the injury was discovered, with possession of the ball by a goal keeper if a goal keeper had possession at the stoppage, or with an appropriate throw-in or free kick if the ball is out of play or if a foul is called.

    1. PLAYER EQUIPMENT
      1. Shin guards must be worn at all games and practices.
      2. Shin guards must be covered entirely by socks at all times. Shoes must be soccer cleats (molded cleats only). No metal, no removable cleats or spikes of any kind are permitted.
      3. No jewelry of any kind is allowed. Medical alert jewelry must be taped securely to the player. Pierced earrings must be removed. Taping over earrings is not acceptable.
      4. No wire rimmed glasses unless completely covered by approved sports goggles: plastic frames acceptable-a strap should be worn to secure glasses.
      5. No hard casts are allowed; covering casts with foam or other substances is not allowed.
      6. Players may wear sweat pants in lieu of shorts when cold weather dictates. Jerseys should be tucked into shorts/pants.
      7. Players may wish to consider mouth pieces as part of their safety equipment. These are especially important for goal keepers and for players with braces.
      8. Goalkeeper must wear different color jersey from all other players.

     

  5. RECREATIONAL RULES

    6. Summary of the Laws of the Game for WRYA Recreation League

    Note: In all cases where no specific reference is made concerning any aspect of the Laws of the Game herein: current FIFA laws and rulings will apply together with current modifications of those laws set out by the United States Youth Soccer Association.

    LAW 1 THE FIELD

    U6

    20 X 30

    U8

    25 X 40

    U10

    40 X 60

    U12

    50 X 70

    The area behind the goal box should be free of spectators, players, parents, and coaches.

    U6 - U12: Players and coaches from both teams will occupy the same side of the playing field. Parent and spectators will occupy the opposite side of the playing field.

    LAW ll THE BALL

    U6

    SIZE 3

    U8

    SIZE 3

    U10-U12

    SIZE 4

    U13-U17

    SIZE 5

    LAW lll NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON FIELD

    DIV.

    MAX # PLAYERS

    MIN # PLAYERS

    U6

    3 no goalkeeper

    3 no goalkeeper

    U8

    4 no goalkeeper

    4 no goalkeeper

    U10

    6

    6

    U12-U17

    11

    7

    U6 - U12 Unlimited substitutions any time at the discretion of the referee.

    LAW lV EQUIPMENT

    See previous section.

    LAW V THE REFEREE

    See previous section.

    LAW Vl THE ASSISTANT REFEREE

    1. U6-U8: No assistant referee
    2. U10-U17: 1-2 assistant referees (linemen)

    LAW Vll DURATION OF THE GAME

    DIVISION

    GAME LENGTH

    U6

    4 (8) minute qtrs.

    U8

    4 (12) minute qtrs.

    U10

    2 (25) minute halves

    U12

    2 (30) minute halves

    U14

    2 (35) minute halves

    U16-U17

    2 (40) minute halves

    Breaks

    1. U6 - Two minute quarter break; five minute half time.
    2. U8 - Two minute quarter break; five minute half time.
    3. U10 - U12 - Five minute half time.

    LAW Vlll STARTING PLAY

    YARDS OFF THE CENTER MARK

    U6

    3 YARDS

    U8

    5 YARDS

    U10

    8 YARDS

    U11-U17

    10 YARDS

    1. Kickoff
    2. Drop ball

    LAW lX BALL OUT OF PLAY

    1. When ball has wholly crossed touch line
    2. When ball has wholly crossed goal line
    3. When ball has been stopped by the referee

    LAW X METHOD OF SCORING

    1. A goal is scored when the whole of ball passes over the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar provided no infringement of the game has occurred.
    2. The team with the greatest number of goals at the end of the match is declared the winner.
    3. Matches ending in a tie will be complete and end tied

    LAW Xl OFFSIDE

    No offside for U6-U10.

    A player is in the offside position if he is:

    1. Nearer to his opponents’ goal line than the ball.
    2. In his opponents half of the field, and
    3. Nearer the goal line than at least two of his opponents

    It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position.

    A player shall only be penalized for being in an offside position if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:

    1. Interfering with play, or
    2. Interfering with an opponent, or
    3. Gaining an advantage by being in that position

    A player receiving the ball from a teammate directly from a throw-in, goal kick, or corner kick shall not be judged offside.

    When offside occurs, the referee awards an indirect kick to the other team at the point where the infraction occurred.

    LAW Xll FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

    A direct free kick shall be awarded to the team opposing a player who intentionally:

    1. Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
    2. Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
    3. Jumps at an opponent
    4. Charges an opponent
    5. Strikes of attempts to strike an opponent
    6. Spits at an opponent
    7. Holds an opponent
    8. Pushes an opponent
    9. Handles the ball deliberately with hand or arm except for a goalkeeper in his own penalty area
    10. When tackling an opponent, makes contact with the opponent before contact is made with the ball

    A penalty kick shall be awarded for any of the above fouls committed by the defending team in its own penalty area.

    An indirect free kick shall be awarded to the team opposing a player who:

    1. Plays in a dangerous play (i.e. slide tackle in U8 & U10)
    2. Charges fairly away from the ball
    3. Intentionally obstructs an opponent
    4. Interferes with a goalkeeper clearly in possession of the ball
    5. As a goalkeeper, takes more than 6 seconds before releasing the ball into play or intentionally delays the game
    6. Goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands after a teammate deliberately kicks it back to him

    A player shall be cautioned (yellow card) if he:

    1. Guilty of unsporting behavior
    2. Enters or leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission
    3. Persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
    4. Shows dissent by word or action
    5. Delays the restart of play
    6. Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick

    A player shall be sent off (red card) if he:

    1. Is guilty of violent conduct
    2. Is guilty of serious foul play
    3. Uses offensive, insulting, or abusive language
    4. Spits at an opponent or any other person
    5. Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (with the exception of the goalkeeper in his own penalty area)
    6. Denies the obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
    7. Receives a second caution (yellow card) in the same game

    Players sent off may not be replaced. Players or coaches sent off may not attend the next game played. Games cancelled due to weather or postponed for any other reason are not considered played for this purpose. A player or coach who has been sent off will be allowed to participate in all practices proceeding the game.

    LAW Xlll FREE KICK

    YIELD DISTANCE FREE KICKS

    U6

    3 YARDS

    U8

    5 YARDS

    U10

    8 YARDS

    U11-U17

    10 YARDS

    Direct

    1. Ball must move to be in play
    2. A goal may be scored directly

    Indirect

    1. Ball must move to be in play
    2. A goal may be scored only if the ball has touched another player before it crosses the goal line

    For U6-U8, treat all fouls as indirect kicks. There are no penalty kicks in U6-U8.

    LAW XlV PENALTY KICK

    1. From within penalty area, 2/3 of the distance from the goal line to penalty area line, centered; this is generally 12 yards from the goal line
    2. Only goalkeeper and kicker may be in the penalty area
    3. Goalkeeper’s feet must touch goal line and he may move laterally but not forward
    4. Only the keeper can be less than 12 yards from the goal line

    LAW XV THROW-INS

    U6 - U10 - 2 attempts - possession change

    U12 - 1 attempt - possession change

    LAW XVl GOAL KICK

    1. When offensive team propels ball over goal line outside the goal
    2. Ball is placed anywhere within the goal area and kicked into play
    3. Ball must clear penalty area to be in play
    4. Opposing team may not have a player in the penalty area at the time of the goal kick

    LAW XVll CORNER KICK

    1. When defensive team propels ball over goal line outside the goal
    2. Ball is placed in and kicked from the arc at the corner of the field on the same side as it was played out of bounds
    3. All opponents must be 5 yards(U8), 8 yards (U10) and 10 yards (U11-U17) away from the ball.
    4. A goal may be scored directly

    US YOUTH SOCCER RECOMMENDATIONS