LAWS of the Game
LAw 4 Equipment
Equipment= LAW 4
Safety
A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry).
Basic Equipment
The basic compulsory equipment of a player is:
a jersey or shirt
shorts – if thermal undershorts are worn, they are of the same main color as the shorts
stockings
shinguards
footwear
Shinguards
are covered entirely by the stockings are made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic, or similar substances)
provide a reasonable degree of protection
Goalkeepers
each goalkeeper wears colors which distinguish him from the other players, the referee and the assistant referees
FIELD=
Dimensions:
The field of play shall be rectangular, its length being not more than
80 yards nor less than 70 yards and its width nor more than 50 yards
nor less than 40 yards. The length in all cases shall exceed the width.
Markings:
Distinctive markings not more than 5 inches wide.
A halfway line shall be marked out across the field.
A center circle with an 8 yard radius
Four corner arcs with a 2 foot radius
Goal area; 6 yards from each goal post and 6 yards into the field of
play, joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal.
Goals:
7 feet high and 21 feet wide
NUMBER OF PLAYERS =
Maximum number of players on the field at anyone time 8 (U-10) 9 (U12)
Maximum number of players on the roster should not exceed 14.
Substitutions:
Prior to a throw-in in your favor
Prior to a goal kick by either team
After a goal by either team
After an injury by either team, when the referee stops the play
At half-time
SUBSTITUTIONS =
HCYSA Substitutions
Recreational Play - since participation is the priority, HCYSA requires that all players have a minimum of 50% playing time for each game. Since no player wants to play only half the game, coaches must maximize playing time for each player. After all, if your "weakest" player only plays half a game throughout the season and your "strongest" plays every minute of every game - how will that "weak" player develop?
HCYSA uses quarters instead of halves in U-6 and U-8 to ensure that each player gets a fair amount of playing time. For example, no chlild may play their third quarter UNLESS every player has played two quarters. No child may play their fourth quarter UNLESS every player has played three.
Why Substitute?
INJURY - Obviously, if a player is injured he may need to be replaced
TACTICAL - Up by a goal late in the match, coaches may elect to replace a forward with an extra defender or defensive midfielder. If losing, the coach may replace a defender with a player who has better attacking skills.
BEHAVIORAL - A player after receiving a caution (yellow card) will often be substituted to avoid possibility of receiving another card and subsequently missing a game due to suspension.
FATIGUE - Out of gas? Heat a problem? Team needs "fresh" legs?
PARTICIPATION - In HCYSA recreational play because of the spirit of kids soccer requires it.
Substitution Procedure:
The referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made.
A substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and/or after
receiving a signal from the referee.
A substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match
A substitute is completed when a substitute enters the field of play
Changing the Goalkeeper:
Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper provided that:
the referee is informed before the change is made
the change is made during a stoppage in the match
LAW 5 – The Referee
The Authority of the Referee
Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed.
Powers and Duties
The Referee:
enforces the Laws of the Game
controls the match in co-operation with the assistant referees and, where applicable, with the fourth official
ensures that any ball used meets the requirements of Law 2
ensures that the players’ equipment meets the requirements of Law 4
acts as timekeeper and keeps a record of the match
stops, suspends or terminates the match, at his discretion, for any infringements of the Laws
stops, suspends or terminates the match because of outside interference of any kind
stops the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play. An injured player may only return to the field of play after the match has restarted
allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured
ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee, who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped
allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalises the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time
punishes the more serious offence when a player commits more than one offence at the same time
takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offences.
He is not obliged to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play
takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may at his discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds
acts on the advice of assistant referees regarding incidents which he has not seen
ensures that no unauthorised persons enter the field of play
restarts the match after it has been stopped
provides the appropriate authorities with a match report which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents which occurred before, during or after the match
Decisions of the Referee
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.
The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he has not restarted play
LAW 6 – The Assistant Referees
Duties
Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate:
when the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play
which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in
when a player may be penalised for being in an offside position
when a substitution is requested
when misconduct or any other incident has occurred out of the view of the referee
when offences have been committed whenever the assistants are closer to the action than the referee (this includes, in particular circumstances, offences committed in the penalty area)
whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper has moved forward before the ball has been kicked and if the ball has crossed the line
Assistance
The assistant referees also assist the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game. In particular, they may enter the field of play to help control distance. In the event of undue interference or improper conduct, the referee will relieve an assistant referee of his duties and make a report to the appropriate authorities.
LAW 8 – The Start and Restart of Play
Preliminaries
A coin is tossed and the team which wins the toss decides which goal it will attack in the first half of the match.
The other team takes the kick-off to start the match.
The team which wins the toss takes the kickoff to start the second half of the match.
In the second half of the match the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals.
Kick-off
A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play:
at the start of the match
after a goal has been scored
at the start of the second half of the match
at the start of each period of extra time,
where applicable
A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.
Procedure
all players are in their own half of the field
the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) (8 yds) from the ball until it is in play
the ball is stationary on the centre mark
the referee gives a signal
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward
the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player
After a team scores a goal, the kick-off is taken by the other team.
Infringements/Sanctions
If the kicker touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
For any other infringement of the kick-off procedure:
the kick-off is retaken
Dropped Ball
A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage which becomes necessary, while the ball is in play, for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game.
Procedure
The referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped.
Play restarts when the ball touches the ground.
Infringements/Sanctions
The ball is dropped again:
if it is touched by a player before it makes contact with the ground
if the ball leaves the field of play after it makes contact with the ground, without a player touching it
Special Circumstances
A free kick awarded to the defending team inside its own goal area is taken from any point within the goal area.
An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team in its opponents’ goal area is taken from the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.
A dropped ball to restart the match after play has been temporarily stopped inside the goal area takes place on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.
LAW 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play
Ball Out of Play
The ball is out of play when:
it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air
play has been stopped by the referee
Ball In Play
The ball is in play at all other times, including when:
it rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar or corner flagpost and remains in the field of play
it rebounds from either the referee or an assistant referee when they are on the field of play
LAW 10 – The Method of Scoring
Goal Scored
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.
LAW 11 – Offside
Offside Position
It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position.
A player is in an offside position if:
he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent
A player is not in an offside position if:
he is in his own half of the field of play or he is level with the second last opponent or he is level with the last two opponents
Offence
A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:
interfering with play or interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage by being in that position
No Offence
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
a goal kick or a throw-in or a corner kick
Infringements/Sanctions
For any offside offence, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.
LAW 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
Fouls and misconduct are penalised as follows:
Direct Free Kick
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences 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
A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offences:
tackles an opponent to gain possession of the
ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball
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 where the offence occurred.
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offences 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 offences:
takes more than six seconds while controlling
the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession
touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other 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 a player, in the opinion of the referee:
plays in a dangerous manner
impedes the progress of an opponent
prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player
The indirect free kick is taken from where the offence occurr
LAW 13 – Free Kicks
Types of Free Kicks
Free kicks are either direct or indirect.
For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.
The Direct Free Kick
if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal is awarded
if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team
The Indirect Free Kick
Signal
The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.
Ball Enters the Goal
A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal.
if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded
if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team
Position of Free Kick
Free Kick Inside the Penalty Area
Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:
all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds)(8 yds) from the ball
all opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
the ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area
a free kick awarded in the goal area is taken from any point inside that area
Indirect free kick to the attacking team:
all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds)(8 yds) from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
an indirect free kick awarded inside the goal area is taken from that part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred
Free Kick Outside the Penalty Area
all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds)(8 yds) from the ball until it is in play
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
the free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred
Infringements/Sanctions
If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance:
the kick is retaken
If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, the ball is not kicked directly into play:
the kick is retaken
Free kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area
Free kick taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
LAW 14 – The Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded against a team which commits one of the ten offences for which a direct free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play.
A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.
Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half or at the end of periods of extra time.
Position of the Ball and the Players
The ball:
is placed on the penalty mark
The player taking the penalty kick:
is properly identified
The defending goalkeeper:
remains on his goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked
The players other than the kicker are located:
inside the field of play
outside the penalty area behind the penalty mark at least 9.15 m (10 yds)(8 yds) from the penalty mark
The Referee
does not signal for a penalty kick to be taken until the players have taken up position in accordance with the Law
decides when a penalty kick has been completed
Procedure
the player taking the penalty kicks the ball forward
he does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward
When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at half-time or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, before passing between the goalposts and under the crossbar:
the ball touches either or both of the goalposts and/or the crossbar, and/or the goalkeeper
Infringements/Sanctions
If the referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and, before the ball is in play, one of the following situations occurs:
The player taking the penalty kick infringes the Laws of the Game:
the referee allows the kick to proceed
if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken
if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is not retaken
The goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game:
the referee allows the kick to proceed
if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded
if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken
A team-mate of the player taking the kick enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.15 m (10 yds)(8 yds) of the penalty mark:
the referee allows the kick to proceed
if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken
if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is not retaken
if the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goal post and is touched by this player, the referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect free kick to the defending team
A team-mate of the goalkeeper enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.15 m (10 yds)(8 yds) of the penalty mark:
the referee allows the kick to proceed
if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded
if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken
A player of both the defending team and the attacking team infringe the Laws of the Game:
the kick is retaken
If, after the penalty kick has been taken:
The kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
The kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
The ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward:
the kick is retaken
The ball rebounds into the field of play from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goalposts, and is then touched by an outside agent:
the referee stops play
play is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where it touched the outside agent.
LAW 15 – The Throw-In
A throw-in is a method of restarting play.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
A throw-in is awarded:
when the whole of the ball passes over the touch line, either on the ground or in the air from the point where it crossed the touch line to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball
Procedure
At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:
faces the field of play
has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line
uses both hands
delivers the ball from behind and over his head
The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
The ball is in play immediately it enters the field of play.
Infringements/Sanctions
Throw-in taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the thrower touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the thrower deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the thrower’s penalty area
Throw-in taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower:
he is cautioned for unsporting behaviour and shown the yellow card
For any other infringement of this Law:
the throw-in is taken by a player of the opposing team.
LAW 16 – The Goal Kick
A goal kick is a method of restarting play.
A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team.
A goal kick is awarded when:
the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10
Procedure
the ball is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team
opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
the kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
the ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area
Infringements/Sanctions
If the ball is not kicked directly into play beyond the penalty area:
the kick is retaken
Goal kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area
Goal kick taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
For any other infringement of this Law:
the kick is retaken.
LAW 17 – The Corner Kick
A corner kick is a method of restarting play.
A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team.
A corner kick is awarded when:
the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10
Procedure
the ball is placed inside the corner arc at the nearest corner flagpost
the corner flagpost is not moved
opponents remain at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play
the ball is kicked by a player of the attacking team
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
the kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
Infringements/Sanctions
Corner kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area
Corner kick taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
For any other infringement:
the kick is retaken