1. Duration of matches:

Matches shall be of two equal halves, not to exceed the following maximum durations:

 Half-time periods shall be a minimum of five and a maximum of ten minutes as designated by the referee.

2. Size of Ball:

3. Team size

4. Heading the Ball

1.Consistent with the US Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all division players 11U and below (12U and below for programs without single age divisions) in both practices and matches.

Heading for players in 14U is limited to a maximum of thirty (30) minutes per week with no more than 15-20 headers per player. There is no restriction on heading in matches.

2. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player age 10 or younger, deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a match.
a. The indirect free kick is to be taken from the place where the player touched the ball with his/her head.

b. An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s goal area, must be taken on the goal area line at the point nearest to where the player touched the ball with his/her head.

5. Throw-Ins

1. For 6U to 8U, the throw-in is replaced with the pass-in. Opposing players must be at least two yards from the ball until it is kicked.

2. Training of throw-in technique may begin at 9U and up.

Procedure for throw in:
-Face the field of play
-Keep part of each foot either on the line or on the ground outside of the line
-Hold the ball with both hands
-Deliver the ball from behind and over the head with both hands
-Deliver the ball from the point where it left play.

All opponents must stand no less than 2 yards from the point where the throw in is being taken. The player throwing in the ball must not touch the ball again before it is touched by another player.

6. Goalkeeper Punts

1. For 10U players, the goalkeeper shall not punt the ball.

2. An indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the offense if a goalkeeper for 10U deliberately punts the ball during a match.

3. An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s goal area must be taken on the goal area line at the point nearest to where the goalkeeper punted the ball.

7. Offside

A player is considered to be in the offside position if he/she is nearer to his/her opponents' goal line than both the ball and the last opponent (not including the goalkeeper)
1. It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position.
2. A player is not offside on his own half of the field, or if he is level with the last opponent (not including the goalkeeper)
3. A player in the offside position is only penalized if at the moment the ball is touched/played by his/her team he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in play by: interfering with play, interfering with opponent, or gains an advantage by being in that position (receiving the ball).
4. A player cannot be offside during a goal kick, throw-in, or corner kick.

8. Direct Vs. Indirect Free Kick

On a direct kick, you can score by kicking the ball into the goal. On an indirect kick the ball must be touched by another player (other than the player taking the kick) before a goal can be scored. For both kicks the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken. The person kicking the ball must not touch the ball again before it has touched another player. Players must be at least 10 yards back from the ball on any free kick.

9. Direct Free Kick

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses when considered to be careless, reckless, or excessive:
-Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
-trips or attempts to trip an opponent
-jumps at/on an opponent
-charges an opponent
-strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
-pushes an opponent
-tackles an opponent
-holds an opponent
-spits at/on an opponent
-handles the ball deliberately

** A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above offenses is committed by a player inside the penalty area.

10. Indirect Kick

An indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team when a player commits any of the following offenses:
-plays in a dangerous manner
-impedes the progress of an opponent
-prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball

An indirect kick may also be awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper, inside the penalty area, commits the following offenses:
-handles the ball with their hands for more than 6 seconds
-touches the ball again with his hands after he has released it from possession and before another player has touched it
-touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately passed to him by a teammate
-touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in by a teammate.

11. Goal Kick vs Corner Kick

-A goal kick is awarded when the ball passes over the end line (in the air or on the ground) having last touched a player on the attacking team.
The ball is then kicked from anywhere inside the goal area or on the goal box line. Opponents must remain outside the goal box area until the ball is played. The ball must come outside the goal area before it may be touched by another player. The kicker must not touch the ball again before it is touched by another player.

-A corner kick is awarded when the ball passes over the end line (in the air or on the ground) having last touched a player of the defending team. The ball is placed inside the corner arc nearest to the point where the ball crossed the end line. The corner flag post must not be moved. Opponents must remain at least 10 yards form the corner arc until the ball is played. The ball must be kicked by a player of the attacking team. The ball is in play when it is either kicked or moved and the player must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.

You may click on any of the following links to be directed to more in depth rules and regulations:

FIFA Laws of the Game

AYSO National Rules and Regulations

AYSO Soccer Governing Rules Page