Kent Island Youth Soccer League
Age Group 8 - 9, Coed
Rules & Guidelines
No Heading - no heading is allowed in this division. If a player heads the ball, play will be stopped. Any intentional headed ball will result in an indirect kick for the opposing team.
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* All practices and games will be played using a size 4 soccer ball
* Fields A & C are used
* Nine players per side
* Twenty-five minute halves
Build-out Line
Marked by an white line on each side of the field (between the center circle and the penalty box), all attacking players must retreat behind this line for any goal kick or anytime the goalie picks the ball up with their hands. Players can resume their attack when the ball has been touched by another player besides the goalie (or the player taking the goal kick). Goalies are encouraged to roll the ball out to their team players and not punt it. This is designed to encourage passing among team and reduce swift counter attacks from the attacking team. A significant portion of goals are scored in this division by kicks that barely get out of the penalty box, only to be shot directly back in by the attacking team.
Corner Kick
Method of restarting play after the defending team has cleared the ball over the goal line. The ball is placed at the point where the sideline and goal intersect, with the attacking team awarded a free kick that may be shot directly into the goal.
Direct Free Kick
Results when one of soccer's major fouls - kicking, pushing, trapping, holding, striking or jumping at an opponent, charging violently or from the rear, or holding the ball is committed. On a direct kick the ball may be shot into the goal without touching another player.
Indirect Free Kick
A free kick in which the ball must touch at least two players before a goal can be scored (ie. player taking the kick and another player). Awarded on infringements of technical requirements, such as heading the ball (in this division), offsides, touching the ball twice following a restart, etc. A goalie using their hands to pick up a ball passed to them by a teammate is not enforced in this age group (too hard to judge whether it was a pass or a misplay), but would typically be an indirect kick.
Goal Kick
Method of restarting play when the attacking team last touched the ball before it crossed the goal line without entering the goal. The ball is placed six yards from the goal line with the defensive team awarded a free kick.
Offsides
Infraction in which an offensive player does not have at least two defensive players (goalie & one fullback) between himself and the goal line when the ball is played forward by a member of the attacking team. Not called on a corner kick or a throw in.
Penalty Kick
Direct free kick from twelve yards in front of the net involving a one-on-one confrontation between the shooter and the goalkeeper. It results when a team commits one of soccer's "major" fouls within its' own penalty area. Goalie must start with feet on the goal line.
Throw-In
Method of restarting play when the ball crosses the side line. A player tosses the ball by using both hands in an overhand motion while keeping both feet on the ground. Only one throw-in.
General Information
* No Jewelry, must wear shin-guards, soccer cleats (not baseball cleats), must wear team uniform.
* Three referees.
* Referees stop clock for injuries.
* Coach stays on their side of the field only.
* No yelling at referees.
* Nobody behind goal - parents, coach or kids.
* If referee presents a yellow card - the player must be substituted for and leave the field and can come back at the first substitution.
* If referee presents a red card - the player must leave the game.
* There are no "do-overs" for illegal throw-ins or other laws-of-the-game infractions.
Substitutions
a. Only on your throw-in (or if the other team substitutes on their own throw-in)
b. After a goal is scored
c. Injury - the injured player must be substituted and the other team may substitute one for one
d. Goal kick - either team may sub
e. If play is stopped and a coach enters the field to assist an injured player, that player must be be substituted. The exception being that if the injured player is the goalie, if the player feels able to continue they may remain on the field.
f. Yellow card - carded player must have a sub, and the other team may substitute one for one
Most important thing - - HAVE FUN!!!
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Tournament Rules for 8-9 Division
Relative to Tournament Play: It is assumed that all teams will post all eligible players and that all games will be played in the standard 9 v. 9 format. In the event that a team posts with less than nine (9) eligible players at the start of the game, the following rules engage:
Burdened Team = the team with the least number of eligible players present at the start of game.
1.) A team must have at least 7 players to begin to play the game. If, at 15 minutes past the scheduled game time, the burdened team still does not have at least seven (7) eligible players available to start the game, then the burdened team will be forced to forfeit the game and take a loss.
2.) The opposing team does NOT need to play down. If additional players arrive after the start, they may be placed on the field during a traditional subbing opportunity.
3.) If the burdened team starts with seven (7) players and an injury occurs during the game, which results in less than seven (7) players able to continue play, the decision to continue to play is solely at the discretion of the coach of the burdened team. If the burdened team with the injured player opts to stop playing at that time, then that team will forfeit the game and will take a loss regardless of the score at the time of the injury.
*Reminder – Please show respect for the referees! They are kids, making $10 a game, and while we all may have legitimate issues with poor calls or non-calls, we need to remember that this is for fun! All of us are competitive, but we must show restraint in our actions towards the refs during play. Make every effort to address issues with them during half-time or after the game has ended, and be a leader with regards to your player’s and parent’s conduct towards them as well. Good luck in your tournament!!!
The following additional rules are in effect for the tournament: OVERTIME
All games ending in a tie at the end of regulation will be followed by a full 10 minute overtime period (not sudden death). A coin flip will be held to determine initial possession and sides for the teams.
If, at the end of the of the full 10 minute overtime the game is still tied, a second 10 minute overtime period will be held (not sudden death). Initial possession and side will be opposite from the first overtime period. If, at the end of the of the second full 10 minute overtime the game is still tied, a penalty shoot-out will decide the contest.
The goalie for the shootout MUST have played either a full half of regulation, or both 10 minute overtime periods and cannot be changed for the duration of the shoot-out. If the goalie is injured, they can be substituted, but the injured player cannot participate further in the shoot-out as a goalie or a shooter.
All shooters must come from the players on the field and can include the goalie. The first round of the penalty shoot-out will consist of each team choosing 5 shooters and a goalie. The referees will determine which goal will be used for the shoot-out. A coin flip will determine which team will shoot first. Teams then alternate shooters. When one team is assured of winning the shoot-out, the shoot-out is ended (ie. up 3 with the opponent only having 2 shots left, or up 2 with the opponent only having 1 shot left).
If the first round of the shoot-out is completed and it is still a tie game, the shoot-out continues but then becomes sudden death after each round of shooters (one from each team), with the team ahead at the end of a given round being the winner of the game. This continues until a winner has been decided. All 9 players on the field (including goalie) must take a shot in the shoot-out before players can take a 2nd shot. If one team (burdened) has less than 9 players at the end of the 2nd OT, both both teams can utilize a player for the 2nd time after all players from the burdened team on the field at the end of the 2nd OT have shot once.
An example in an 8-9 division tie game with one team having 8 players on the field and the other having 9 players follows. From the players on the field, each team chooses 5 players for the first round. After all 5 shooters for each team have shot, the score is still tied. The 6th players from each team take a shot and the score is still tied. Likewise for the 7th and the 8th players from each team. At that point the teams could use players for the second time. The 9th player (one of the first 8 shooters) from each team takes a shot and the score is no longer tied. The game is over.