Greetings Referees and Coaches,There were a few questions I had from coaches and parents and I thought this might be a good time to give an update and some reminders regarding certain Laws of the Game.
Law 4 (The Players Equipment)
Team members must wear shinguards that provide a reasonable degree of protection,
and that are completely covered by their socks, to participate in any practice or match. All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, fitbits, etc.) are forbidden and must be removed. Using tape or band-aids to cover jewelry is not permitted. This is not a requirement, but eyeglasses should have bands that hold them around a player's neck should they get bumped.
Law 7 (Duration of the Match)
U8 should be playing two 20 minute halves
U10 should be playing two 25 minute halves
U12 should be playing two 30 minute halves
U14 should be playing two 35 minute halves
U19 should be playing two 45 minute halves
AYSO Interpretation of Law 7: With the exception of U19, ALL age divisions should be following the monitored substitution rules. This means that approximately halfway through the first and second halves there will be a substitution break (quarter break).
In a U10 game the half is 25 minutes, the referee will start looking for a stoppage of play somewhere between 12 and 13 minutes of each half. So if the ball goes across the touch line and a throw-in is the restart at 12 minutes and 10 seconds, the quarter break should be called. When play is restarted with a throw-in. The remaining time (in this case 12 minutes and 50 seconds will be the duration of the remaining period. The half ends at EXACTLY 25 minutes. The referee does NOT wait for a stoppage to end a half.
Another example:
In a U14 game, The referee sets their watch for 35 minutes and begin the second half. They start to look for a stoppage of play at about the 17 minute mark but the ball stays in play. The referee call an offside infraction at 20 minutes and 20 seconds. They then call for quarter break before the defending team can take the indirect free kick. The remaining time (14 minutes and 40 seconds) is the length of the final period. When the clock reaches 35 minutes for the half, the referee should blow the whistle and play stops. Yes, this means that the 3rd quarter was over 20 minutes and the final quarter was less than 15. Sometimes it just works out like that. No time should be added because the fourth quarter doesn't "seem long enough".
I myself just recently officiated a game where a U19 team was attacking and the clock hit 45 minutes. While I was blowing my whistle to end the game the attacker shot the ball and scored. The goal was not allowed. For halftime and the end of the game, you do not extend play because a team might be attempting to make a play.
Law 8 (The Start and Restart of Play)
On the opening kickoff and the kickoff after any goal is scored the ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. The ball does NOT need to move forward.
Law 11 (Offside)
ALL coaches and referees should watch the following 6-minute video to refresh their understanding of offside:
US Soccer Referee Resource Video - Offsides and/or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9BgcolsU6sLaw 16 (The Goal Kick)When a goal kick is taken the ball must be stationary and kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team. The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. All opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
The ball does not have to leave the penalty area to be in play.