The following guidelines and rules of fair play have been approved by all Area K regions and are to be followed by all AYSO teams:
- Coaches must be registered as new or returning volunteers for the current season and certified to coach
- Call your opposing coach a couple of days ahead of game to confirm time and location
- Coaches and players should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to start of game
- Coaches should check player forms for allergies/medical conditions
- Coaches and players SHOULD be on opposite side of field to parents
- Thunder and/or sight of lightning requires game immediately stop until 30 minutes after last sound of thunder or sight of lightning
- Each player is guaranteed half a game (unless they refuse to play)
- Center kick starts and restarts after a goal is scored require the ball to be played forward from one teammate to another before it is played to other teammates
- Coaches can only sub when the referee, or U6 coach-ref, stops play for sub break, which shall occur as close to the midway point of each half and ball exiting play
- Restarts after sub breaks shall begin from where the ball exited play
- No free substitutions other than sub breaks
- Substitutions for injured players during the game is permitted
- In the spirit of Good Sportsmanship, share players if the opposing team has too few to play
- Deliberate handball is not permitted
- Respect the required distance on all goal kicks and free kicks. A goal kick is merely another free kick
Additional 6U Considerations:
- There may be times where kids simply refuse to continue playing and exit the field. Let common sense prevail for those kids
- Try and put the stronger players against each other on one field so that the quieter ones can try to learn the game faster on the second U6 field. Unlike the guidelines above this is merely a suggestion.
Additional 8U+ Considerations:
- Sliding tackles – while there is no rule against it it can be considered dangerous play. The referee has the right to decide if a sliding tackle is dangerous play
- Substitution breaks are to swap players in and out with a quick restart, not breaks for team talks
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6U
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8U | 10U |
12U
| 15U |
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Referee(s) Required?
(AYSO uses diagonal system of officiating)
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NO, coaches run games
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YES, MUST have center referee. Assistant referees optional but encouraged (coaches should not ref unless certified)
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YES, MUST have center referee. Assistant referees optional but strongly encouraged
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YES, MUST have center referee and two assistant referees
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YES, MUSThave center referee and two assistant referees
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Game Length (mins)
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40
(Two 20 min halves w/stoppage for subs at midpoint of each half)
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40
(Two 20 min halves w/stoppage for subs at midpoint of each half)
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50
(Two 25 min halves w/stoppage for subs at midpoint of each half)
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60
(Two 30 min halves w/stoppage for subs at midpoint of each half)
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70
(Two 35 min halves w/stoppage for subs at midpoint of each half)
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Game Format
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3v3
(two concurrent fields of 3v3 with one coach from each team on each field)
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5v5
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7v7
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9v9
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11v11
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Goalkeeper
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NO
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NO
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YES
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YES
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YES
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Offside Enforced?
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NO
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NO
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YES
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YES
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YES
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Direct Free
Kicks?
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YES
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YES
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YES
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YES
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YES
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Indirect Free Kicks?
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NO
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NO
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YES
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YES
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YES
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Goal Kicks
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YES, taken from goal line where ball exited field of play
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YES, taken from anywhere inside the 6 yard box
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YES, taken from anywhere inside the 6 yard box
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YES, taken from anywhere inside the 6 yard box
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YES, taken from anywhere inside the 6 yard box
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Corner Kicks
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YES, taken from corner on side nearest where ball exited field of play
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YES, taken from corner on side nearest where ball exited field of play
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YES, taken from corner on side nearest where ball exited field of play
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YES, taken from corner on side nearest where ball exited field of play
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YES, taken from corner on side nearest where ball exited field of play
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Throw-Ins
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Unlimited attempts if initial attempt is a foul throw (within reason)
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Three attempts if initial attempt is a foul throw
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No extra attempt, ball turned over to other team
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No extra attempt, ball turned over to other team
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No extra attempt, ball turned over to other team
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Ball Size
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3
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3
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4
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4
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5
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