Playing Age: Age 8/9 before August 1

U9 & U10 is the beginning of competitive soccer; all kids play but not all kids get trophies. There are standings and scores are kept. Boys' and girls' programs are separated. Players are drafted to teams based on their ratings and abilities.

Time Commitment:

• Two 60-90 minute practices a week. Time and days are picked by the coach for what works for them, but generally they are M-F starting at 4:00 or 5:30.
• One Game per week on Saturday (in some cases a Sunday game may occur). Games start as early as 8 am and as late as 5 pm and varies each week
• All games will be played in Ladera barring unusual circumstances.

GUIDELINES

• Players = 9 vs. 9 (18 players on the field with goal keepers) with 11 or 12 members per team.
• Ball Size = 4
• Game Time = Two 25 minute halves. Half time break of 5-10 minutes. Substitutions will occur at approximately halfway through the half (11-13 minutes) and at the half time break - clock never stops. Players may get a sip of water at the quarter substitutions but should not leave the field like at the half time break.
• Start/End Time = Games must start and end on time. Arrive early enough to setup your field if required.
• Coaches/Spectators:
  • No coaches or spectators on the field. If an injury occurs, let the referees handle it unless they call out the head coach.
  • Coaches are to remain in the technical area (if it is not painted in, use the center circle as a guide) and all parents and spectators will stay between the top of the two penalty lines. No one is allowed to be behind the goal lines - it is a distraction to the players.
• Referees Game Coverage: Every game must have a referee team (Referee and 2 Assistant Referees) assigned by Thursday at 9:00 pm or the game may be cancelled.
• Referee Points: Each team needs to earn a total of 20 points to qualify for the regional payoffs. Referee points vary based division and assignment, referees can check points on their home page when they log in to MatchTrak.
• Throw-Ins: Players must do throw-ins correctly following FIFA Laws of the Game Law 15, if it is incorrect the ball is turned over to the other team.
• Free Kicks and Penalty Kicks:
  • Free kicks can be Direct (DFK) or Indirect (IFK) following FIFA Laws of the Game Law 13.
  • Penalty kicks will be awarded for fouls committed in the penalty area resulting in a DFK.
• Offside will be enforced following FIFA Laws of the Game Law 11: Any attacker closer to goal then the next to last defender (usually the keeper) or the ball, and becomes actively involved in play as determined by the Assistant Referee, the Referee should blow their whistle and give the defending team an indirect free kick from the point the player became actively involved in the play.
• Build-Out lines: Will be applied to Rec Program Only unless adopted by Section EXTRA. The Build-Out line will be marked on the field by a dash line half way between the top of the penalty area and the mid line. All attacking players will need to retreat behind the Build-Out line on all Goal Kicks and Goalie Punts. They may not pass the Build-Out line until the ball crosses over the penalty area line.
• Goal Kicks: Goal kicks are to be taken from anywhere in the goal area and must travel outside the penalty area before the ball can be touched by either team. If they are touched before they completely cross the line, replay the kick. The team taking the goal kick can have as many of their players in the penalty box as they want when taking a goal kick; they just can’t touch it until it crosses outside of the penalty box.
• Keeper Ball Handling: The keeper can pick the ball up anywhere inside the penalty area. They cannot leave the penalty area and kick the ball. If they leave the area, a handing foul has occurred and a direct free kick (DFK) will be awarded.
• Playing Time: All players must play 3 "Quarters" before anyone play's 4 "Quarters", referees do not enforce this, just report if an issue.
• Emphasis: “Development over Winning” = dribbling, kicking, throw-ins, ball control, passing, top of the thigh ball control, juggling, front block tackling and goal keeping.
• Soccer Objectives: Score, Keep Possession, Advance the Ball. Prevent Scoring, Regain Possession and Delay Opponents.

IMPORTANT: No dogs are allowed out the fields for games or practices - AYSO has permits for the field at these times and dogs are not allowed and must be removed from the area before the game or practice can begin or resume.