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Page 1 of 7 WALTON CO. SOCCER RULES (Spring 2018) (Amended February 2018) LAW I – THE FIELD A. Dimensions 1. Under 6 – 20 yds x 30 yds 2. Under 8 – 30 yds x 35 yds 3. Under 10 – 40 yds x 50 yds 4. Under 12 – 55 yds x 70 yds 5. Under 14+ – 65 yds x 100 yds B. Markings 1. Distinctive lines are necessary, touchlines, and end lines. 2. Halfway line needs to be clearly marked across the field. 3. Additional markings: a. Center circle (U6 / U8 – 6 yds; U10 – 8yds; U12+ – 10 yds) b. Additional markings (corner arc, goal area, penalty area, penalty arc, and penalty spot) C. Goals: 1. U6 – 4’ x 6’ 2. U8 – 6’ x 12’ 3. U10 – 6’ x 18’ 4. U12 – 7’ x 21’ 5. U14+ – 8’ x 24’ LAW II – THE BALL A. Sizes 1. U6 / U8 - #3 2. U10 / U12 - #4 3. U14+ – #5 LAW III – THE PLAYERS A. U6 – 4v4, maximum of 7 per team (no goalkeeper) B. U8 – 5v5, maximum of 9 per team (4 outfield players, 1 goalkeeper) C. U10 – 7v7, maximum of 11 per team (6 outfield players, 1 goalkeeper) D. U12 – 9v9, maximum of 14 per team (8 outfield players, 1 goalkeeper) E. U14+ – 11v11, maximum of 18 per team LAW IV – THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT A. Footwear 1. Tennis shoes or soft cleated soccer shoes, no metal or screw in studs (except for Academy/Select and U14+) B. Shin guards 1. MANDATORY, must be completely covered by socks C. Jerseys ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 7 1. Matching color jerseys (except for goalkeeper) with non-duplicating numbers must be worn D. Jewelry 1. NO jewelry is allowed, including but not limited to watches, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, etc. LAW V – THE REFEREE A. Should report to the field in proper attire at least thirty (30) minutes prior to kickoff B. Should have three different colored uniforms (any combination of yellow, red, black, blue, or green; although yellow, red, and black are recommended) C. Mostly black shoes or cleats, with striped referee socks, and solid black pocketed shorts D. Whistle, yellow and red cards, two watches, pens/pencils, pad or loose paper for game notes E. Linesman flags (one set) LAW VI – THE OTHER MATCH OFFICIALS A. Follows all points of LAW V; no linesman in U6 or U8, not necessary for U10 (Offside rule IS in effect), U12+ is necessary LAW VII – THE DURATION OF THE MATCH A. U6 – Four eight minute quarters (4 x 8, sub at quarters) B. U8 – Four twelve (12) minute quarters (4 x 12, sub at quarters) C. U10 – Two twenty-five (25) minute halves (free subs) D. U11/U12 – Two thirty (30) minute halves (free subs) D. U13/U14 – Two thirty-five (35) minute halves (free subs) E. U15/U16 – Two forty (40) minute halves (free subs) F. U17/U18/U19 – Two forty-five (45) minute halves (free subs) LAW VIII – THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY A. Coin toss 1. The winner has the option of which goal to defend 2. The loser has the option to switch sides and will start the match with a kickoff B. The ball can be kicked in any direction C. Opponents must be outside of the center circle, in their own half, until the ball is touched LAW IX – THE BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY A. The ball is ruled out of play and awarded to the opposite team of the last player who was touched by the ball, whether intentional or unintentional B. The entire sphere of the ball must COMPLETELY cross the touchline or goal line to be ruled out of play LAW X – DETERMINING THE OUTCOME OF A MATCH A. The entire ball must completely cross the goal line, under the crossbar, and in between the goal posts ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 3 of 7 LAW XI – OFFSIDE A. U6 / U8 – NO Offside B. U10+ – Offside rule in effect C. There is no Offside rule on the initial play of a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in, or while the offensive player is in their own half D. A player is in an offside position when they are: 1. Behind the 2nd to last defender AND, 2. In front of the ball E. “Offside Position” versus “Offside” 1. A player or players can be in an offside position if: a. They are not interfering with a defending player or opposing goalkeeper b. They are not actively involved in the direction or side of play 2. A player is called Offside when they: a. Receive the ball in an offside position b. Come back from an offside position to an onside position to receive the ball LAW XII – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT A. Fouls 1. Direct Free Kick a. Direct kicks ARE allowed in U6 / U8 2. A Direct Free Kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following ten (10) offences: a. Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent b. Trips or attempts to trip an opponent c. Jumps at an opponent d. Charges an opponent e. Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent f. Pushes an opponent g. Tackles an opponent h. Holds an opponent i. Spits at an opponent j. Handles the ball deliberately or in an “unnatural position” 3. Indirect Free Kick - is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following five offences: a. Plays in a dangerous manner b. Intentionally heading the ball (U11 and under only) explanation: “Playing in a dangerous manner to themselves.” c. Impedes the progress of an opponent d. Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands e. Commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law XII for which play is stopped to caution (yellow card) or send off a player (red card) 4. Indirect Free Kick – is awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper commits any of the following four offences a. Controls the ball with their hands for more than six seconds before releasing it for their possession ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 4 of 7 b. Touches the ball again with their hands after it has been released from their hands and was not touched by another player c. Touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately played to them by a teammate’s feet d. Touches the ball with their hands when received directly from a throw-in by a teammate B. Misconduct 1. A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if they commit any of the following seven offences: a. Unsporting behavior b. Dissent by word or action c. Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game d. Delaying the restart of play e. Fails to respect required distance for restarts (corner kick, free kick, or throw-in) f. Enter or re-enters the field of play without referee’s permission g. Deliberately leaves the field of play without referee’s permission 2. A player is sent off and shown the red card if they commit any of the following seven offences: a. Serious foul play b. Violent conduct c. Spitting at an opponent d. Denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball e. Denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by any action punishable with a free kick or penalty kick, when the attacking player is moving towards goal f. Using offensive, insulting, or abusive language and/or gestures g. Receiving a second caution in the same match LAW XIII – FREE KICKS A. Direct – A goal may be scored without touching another player, the ball must be kicked and clearly move B. Indirect – The ball must be touched by another player in the field before a goal can be scored, the ball must be kicked and clearly move C. Distance – players must stand the appropriate distance from the ball: 1. U6 – 3 yds 2. U8 – 6 yds 3. U10 – 8 yds 4. U12+ – 10 yds LAW XIV – THE PENALTY KICK A. Penalty Spot (from goal line) 1. U6 / U8 – no penalty kicks 2. U10 – 8 yds 3. U12 – 10 yds ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 5 of 7 4. U14+ – 12 yds B. All players (except the shooter and goalkeeper) must stand outside the penalty area and penalty arc C. Any player may not enter the penalty area until the ball has been touched by the shooter D. The goalkeeper must have both feet on the goal line until the ball is touched LAW XV – THE THROW-IN A. At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower: 1. Faces the field of play 2. Has part of each foot on the ground either on the touch line or outside the touchline 3. Uses both hands, and delivers the ball from behind and over their head 4. The thrower cannot bounce the ball off the field, and must release the ball before crossing their ears B. The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player C. All opponents must stand no less than two yds from the point at which the throw-in is taken D. The ball is in play immediately after it enters the field of play LAW XVI – THE GOAL KICK A. Goal kick must be taken from inside the goal area B. Opponents must be outside the penalty area C. Players cannot play the ball until it leaves the penalty area (If the ball fails to leave the penalty area, the kick will be retaken) LAW XVII – THE CORNER KICK A. The ball shall be placed on the corner arc B. Opponents must be the appropriate distance from the ball for the kick to be taken (Refer to Law XIII) LEAGUE RULES FOR WALTON COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION A. General Rules 1. Playing time – All players must play at least HALF of all games they are present for; this does not apply to Academy and Select teams 2. All players must sit a quarter of each game. (U6/U8 – one out of four quarters, U10 – 10 minutes of game clock, U12 – 12 minutes of game clock, U14+ – 15 minutes of game clock) The only exception for another player coming in during their “sit-out” quarter is for an injured player, or when the team has the minimum number of required players to play or only one substitute. 3. All recreational teams will be formed using the Walton Co. Rec. Department draft policies; once a draft is completed, only the Recreation Department will be allowed to make any roster changes 4. Any changes to the game schedule can ONLY be made by the Recreation Department 5. All coaches, players, and parents, and other spectators are to conduct themselves in an appropriate and sportsmanlike manner; the Parks and Recreation Department and/or referee(s) reserve the right to remove a person from the park for any violations of park rules or unacceptable behavior ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 6 of 7 6. Any coach, player, parent, or other spectator removed from a game will serve a minimum one game suspension (excluding the game from which they were removed); further suspension or expulsion may be handed down if violations warrant it 7. The Recreation Department has the FINAL say in all disputes 8. In the event of a cancellation, to avoid forfeiture, the head or assistant coach needs to notify the Walton County Rec Dept. AND the opposing team’s head coach at least two hours before kickoff time; all cancellations will be evaluated by the Walton County Rec Dept. and the decision to reschedule or forfeit the game by the department is FINAL B. Coaches 1. Coaches must stay around their team’s bench at all times (except for U6 coaches); the defined bench area is approximately five yds on either side of the bench, not crossing the halfway line or entering the field of play; ultimately, the coaches’ area is defined by the referee(s) C. U6 Rules 1. Coaches are allowed on the field 2. Coaches will act as referees for matches, including keeping time and calling fouls 3. NO “sweeper,” NO goalkeeper, NO slide tackling 4. All free kicks are direct 5. Players must be in their own half and outside of the center circle on the kickoff of the opposite team D. U8 Rules 1. A different player must play goalkeeper every quarter; however the same player can play goalkeeper for two quarters (Ex. 1st qtr / 3rd qtr, or 2nd qtr / 4th qtr) 2. The 1st and 3rd quarters will start with a kick off 3. All free and goal kicks are direct (except indirect rules for goalkeepers) 4. NO slide tackling, NO heading 5. No penalty kicks will be allowed; all fouls inside the penalty area will be spotted at the top of the penalty area and taken as direct kicks; the opposing team may form a “wall” in goal E. U10 Rules 1. Any player playing goalkeeper must play the same amount of time in the field as in goal; this rule does not apply to Academy or Select teams 2. U10 subs will be free subs 3. NO heading 4. Slide tackling is ALLOWED F. U12+ Rules 1. Any player playing goalkeeper must play the same amount of time in the field as in goal; this rule does not apply to Academy or Select teams 2. U12 subs will be free subs 3. Slide tackling and heading is ALLOWED 4. Per Georgia State Soccer Association (GSSA) rules and FIFA Laws of the Game G. Mercy Rule In accordance with GRPA, the following mercy rules will be in effect: ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 7 of 7 1. If a team is seven or more goals down at the midpoint of the first half, that will be considered the end of the half, and the teams will play a twenty (20) minute second half 2. If a team is seven or more goals behind at halftime, the second half will be restricted to twenty (20) minutes 3. When a team is ten (10) or more goals behind in the second half, the game will be terminated H. Tournament (Overtime, Penalty Kicks) In County tournaments, the following overtime rules and penalty kick procedures will apply: 1. If the game ends in a tie after regulation, there will be two five minute quarters, with a two minute halftime in between the overtime periods. 2. If the game is still tied after regulation, the teams will take turns with kicks from the mark (penalty kicks) 3. The referee(s) will flip a coin to determine which goal/side will be used. The referee(s) will flip a coin a second time. The winner of the toss can decide to kick first, or kick second. The order of kicks will be – A, B, A, B, A, B, A, B, A, B. ONLY players still on the field of play at the end of the second overtime period are eligible for penalty kicks and as goalkeepers. 4. If at the end of the five kick from the mark, the game is still tied, the kicks will result in “sudden victory,” which means each team must match the previous team’s outcome. All other members on the field must take kicks until all 11 players have tried at least once. The process and order will recur if there is still no victor after all 11 kicks. SUMMARY As a member of GSSA, the Walton County Parks and Recreation Department adheres to the rules GSSA set forth. Where applicable our Walton County Parks & Recreation rules take precedence over the GSSA rules. Any rules not found in this document are subjected to GSSA guidelines. CONTACTS Central Walton – Felker Park Office: (770) 266-1603, Fax: (770) 207-0088 Weather Hotline: (770) 267-7525, press when prompted. Website: www.waltoncountyga.gov Joey Logan E-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED] Clay Dobbs E-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED]