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AYSO Region 0144 - South Irvine, California

Winter Season Guidelines

AYSO Region 144 Winter Season modifications to Laws of the Game (as modified for AYSO)

LAW I – THE FIELD

Dimensions

  • The field of play shall be rectangular. The dimensions shall be thirty (30) to fifty (50) yards long and fifteen (15) to thirty (30) yards wide.
  • Recommended (not required) field sizes by Division (actual field sizes used may vary based on field allocations from the city):
    • 6U: fifteen (15) by thirty (30) yards;
    • 8U [modified for Winter 2018-2019 only] and 10U: twenty-five (25) by forty (40) yards; and,
    • 12U and 14U: thirty (30) by fifty (50) yards.

Markings

  • Distinct and defined lines are required for goal lines, touch lines, and halfway line.
  • Although other field markings are possible, they are not required.
    • Center circle: six (6) yard radius;
    • Corner arcs: two (2) feet radius;
    • Goal area: a rectangular area centered on the goal line which is two (2) yards high and two (2) yards wider than the goals. Thus, if the goals are two (2) yards wide, then the goal area is four (4) yards wide. If the goals are four (4) yards wide, then the goal area is six (6) yards wide.

Goals

Goals should be approximately four (4) feet high and six (6) feet wide. Variations are allowed as long as the goals are no larger than six (6) feet high and twelve (12) feet wide (and used on the largest fields). If goals are not available, then use flags (at least five (5) feet high) or cones placed 6-feet apart.

LAW II – THE BALL

  • Size three (3) for 6U and 8U;
  • Size four (4) for 10U and 12U; and,
  • Size five (5) for 14U.

LAW III – NUMBER OF PLAYERS

  • For 6U: A maximum of four (4) players and no goal keeper. And, a minimum of three (3) players. A maximum of six (6) players on the roster for each team.
  • For 8U [modified for the 2018-2019 Winter season only. Same as 6U otherwise.]: division(s):
    • A maximum of five (5) players and no goal keeper. And, a minimum of three (3) players.
    • A maximum of eight (8) players on the roster for each team.
  • For the 10U, 12U and 14U divisions:
    • A maximum of five (5) players and no goal keeper. And, a minimum of three (3) players.
    • A maximum of eight (8) players on the roster for each team.
  • Substitutions:
    • Substituting an injured player is highly recommended.
    • Substitutions are allowed at each break between quarters (as defined in LAW VII below).
    • Substitutions are highly recommended if a player commits what an offence resulting in – or considered to be – a Cautionable offence.
    • Substitutions are not allowed if a player is sent off (or commits an offence considered to be a Send-off offence). The team shall play the remainder of the match short a player. If the team drops below the three (3) player minimum as a result of a player sent off, then the match shall be terminated by the referee. The league administrator will determine the game result.
  • Each player is entitled to playing at least half of the game. All players must play three-quarters of the game before one player can play the entire game.
  • Late arriving players:
    • A player who shows arrives during the first quarter is entitled to play half of the game.
    • A player arriving during the second or later quarter is entitled to play only one-quarter of the games

LAW IV – PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

Player’s equipment must conform to the Laws of the Game as modified for AYSO (available on this website).

Coaches are responsible for checking/verifying:

  • Each player has all of the proper equipment including shin guards completely under socks.
  • No player is wearing earrings, bracelets/wrist bands, hard metal or plastic hair pieces, or hard splints or casts.
  • Soft soccer shoes and tennis shoes are allowed. Baseball and football (with a toe cleat) are not permitted.

LAW V – REFEREE

A registered volunteer with a referee certification is recommended; yet, not required.

A registered volunteer with Safe Haven certification and concussion training is required in all divisions and shall be designated the “official” for the match. This may be a coach, team manager, or any other person currently registered as a volunteer for the current Membership Year with Safe Haven certification and Concussion training.

All Laws of the Game violations shall be briefly explained by the match official to the offending player and the coach if appropriate.

Do not use a two (2) referee or official system – only one referee or official is required for each match. And, assistant referees are not required.

LAW VII – DURATION OF GAME

The game shall be divided into four (4) equal twelve (12) minute quarters.

There shall be a two (2) minute break between the first and second quarters and another two (2) minute break between the third and fourth quarters.

There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes between the second and third quarters.

LAW VIII – THE START OF PLAY

Conform to the Laws of the Game as modified for AYSO except opponents must be six (6) yards from the center mark for kick-offs.

LAW IX – BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

Conform to the Laws of the Game as modified for AYSO.

LAW X – METHOD OF SCORING

Conform to the Laws of the Game as modified for AYSO except:

  • A player may not score a goal directly from a goal kick.
  • A goal is valid if the ball hits a defender within the goal area and meets all other requirements for a goal being scored. The intent of this exception is to prevent defenders from standing in the goal area to prevent a goal from being scored. Otherwise, all players are free to move into and out of this zone.
  • If flags are used to define the goal, then a valid goal is scored if the ball is between the flags and determined to be under the height of the top of the flags. If cones are used to define the goal, then a valid goal is scored if the ball is between the cones and an less than an estimated four (4) feet high. In the spirit of the game, consider anything a reasonable person would consider a goal to be a valid goal.

LAW XI – OFFSIDE

There will be no offside.

LAW XII– FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

Conform to the Laws of the Game as modified for AYSO except:

  • All fouls will result in an INDIRECT FREE KICK with the opponents automatically giving the attacking team six (6) yards from the ball.
  • The referee or official must explain ALL offences to the offending player. And, may, at their discretion explain the offence to the designated coach.

LAW XIII – FREE KICKS

Conform to the Laws of the Game as modified for AYSO except:

  • All free kicks are INDIRECT FREE KICKS. A goal is not valid unless the ball has been played or touched by a second player of either team.
  • No free kicks shall be taken by the attacking team within 6 yards of the defending team’s goal. If a foul is committed closer, move the ball directly away from the goal until it is the requisite six (6) yards from the defending team’s goal before taking the kick.

LAW XIV – PENALTY KICKS

All free kicks are INDIRECT FREE KICKS. No penalty kicks.

LAW XV – THROW-IN

Conform to the Laws of the Game as modified for AYSO except:

  • A kick-in to replace the is permitted in the 6U and 8U divisions.
  • The referee or official is encouraged to award a retake of improperly taken throw-ins (after an explanation of why the improperly taken throw-in is considered incorrect).

LAW XVI – GOAL KICKS

Conform to the Laws of the Game as modified for AYSO except:

  • Goal kicks are taken from anywhere on the goal line.
  • Opponents must be a minimum of six (6) yards away from the ball.

LAW XVII – CORNER KICKS

Conform to the Laws of the Game as modified for AYSO except:

  • Opponents must be a minimum of six (6) yards away from the ball.

Other Considerations, Guidelines, Policies, and Protocols

  • Opposing coaches and players shall shake hands after each game.
  • Score reporting is not required since there are no standings, playoffs, or other reasons for recording scores (other than blowouts of five (5) or more goals which will be reported by the official or referee on the match to the league administrator).

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AYSO Region 144 - South Irvine, California

PO Box 14726 
Irvine, California 92623

Email Us: [email protected]
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