SSYSA Adopted Rules for Under 10
US Youth Soccer recommended modifications to the FIFA Laws of the Game.
FIFA Laws of the Game can be found at
www.ussoccer.com/referees.
Law 1 –
The Field of Play
Dimensions: The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touchline
must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Length: minimum 45 yards maximum 60 yards
Width: minimum 35 yards maximum 45 yards
Field Markings: Distinctive lines not more than five (5) inches wide. The field
of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line. The center mark is
indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of eight
(8) yards is marked around it.
The Goal Area: Conform to FIFA.
The Penalty Area: A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows:
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, fourteen (14) yards from
the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a
distance of fourteen (14) yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the
goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty
area. Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made ten (10) yards from the
midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with
a radius of eight (8) yards from each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty
area.
Flag posts: Conform to FIFA.
The Corner Arc: Conform to FIFA.
Goals: Goals must be placed on the center of each goal line. They consist of two
upright posts
equidistant from the corner flag posts and joined at the top by a horizontal
crossbar. The maximum distance between the posts is eighteen (18) feet and the
maximum distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is six (6)
feet.
Safety: Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only
be used if they satisfy this requirement.
Law 2 –
The Ball: Size four (4).
Law 3 –
The Number of Players: A match is played by two teams,
each consisting of not more than six (6) players, plus one goalkeeper.
Substitutions: At start of period, injury, before goal kick, after score, or
before own throw-in.
Playing time: Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.
Teams and matches may NOT be
coed.
Law 4 -
The Players’ Equipment: Conform to FIFA. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based
on weather conditions, but uniforms must still distinguish teams.
Law 5 -
The Referee: Registered referee, especially Grade 9 or parent/coach or assistant
coach. All rule infringements shall be briefly explained to the offending
player.
Law 6 -
The Assistant Referees: Not required. May use club linesmen if desired.
Law 7 -
The Duration of the Match: Conform to FIFA with the exception of the match being
divided into two (2) equal halves of twenty-five (25) minutes each. There shall
be a half-time interval of five (5) minutes.
Law 8 -
The Start and Restart of Play: Conform to FIFA with the exception of the
opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least eight (8) yards from the
ball until it is in play.
Law 9 -
The Ball In and Out of Play: Conform to FIFA.
Law 10 -
The Method of Scoring: Conform to FIFA.
Law 11 -
Offside: Conform to FIFA
(all seasons)
Law 12 -
Fouls and Misconduct: Conform to FIFA.
Law 13 -
Free Kicks: Conform to FIFA with the exception that all opponents are at least
eight (8) yards from the ball.
Law 14 -
The Penalty Kick: Conform to FIFA.
Law 15 -
The Throw-In: Conform to FIFA.
Law 16 -
The Goal Kick: Conform to FIFA.
Law 17 -
The Corner Kick: Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at
least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play.
Fouls and
misconduct are penalized as follows:
Direct Free Kick
A direct free kick is awarded
to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven offenses in
a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive
force:
• kicks or attempts to kick an
opponent
• trips or attempts to trip an
opponent
• jumps at an opponent
• charges an opponent
• strikes or attempts to strike an
opponent
• pushes an opponent
• tackles an opponent
A direct free kick is also
awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following three
offenses:
• holds an opponent
• spits at an opponent
• handles the ball deliberately
(except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
A direct free kick is taken
from the place where the offense occurred
(see Law 13 - Position of Free Kick)
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded if
any of the above ten offenses is committed by a player inside his own penalty
area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.
Indirect Free Kick
An indirect free kick is
awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area,
commits any of the following four offenses:
• controls the ball with his hands for
more than six seconds before releasing it from his possession
• touches the ball again with his
hands after he has released it from his possession and before it has touched
another player
• touches the ball with his hands
after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate
• touches the ball with his hands
after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
An indirect free kick is also
awarded to the opposing team if, in the opinion of the referee, a player:
• plays in a dangerous manner
• impedes the progress of an opponent
• prevents the goalkeeper from
releasing the ball from his hands
• commits any other offense, not
previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or send off
a player
The indirect free kick is taken from the place where the offense occurred
(see Law 13 - Position of Free Kick)