Laws Of The Game

CSA Modified Laws of the Game

Soccer is governed by the LAWS OF THE GAME. These LAWS are maintained by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). FIFA's website can be found at http://www.fifa.com. The LAWS of the game are available there and we have a local link to the PDF file FIFA's LAWS OF THE GAME. FIFA's audience for the LAWS is not the recreational player and the sections that follow represent modifications that CSA implements for its recreation program.

The combination of the FIFA laws and CSA modifications will represent the governance for the recreational game. If conflicting aspects between the two documents arise, CSA's modifications will be followed. If CSA's modifications do not address a particular aspect, then FIFA will be followed.

Please note that the tournament may have additional modifications that will supersede these CSA modifications for regular season games (ie reduced game time, reduced sides, overtime, …)

4v4 games are covered by a separate more simplified set of laws.

Revision History

The information below is a synopsis of the changes and NOT the actual revision due to the brevity of the bulleted items. Please refer to the actual law for the full details and intent.

• 4/2010  Updated field of play sidelines.
  
• 12/2009 Updated for new USYSA age groups and recommendations
  
• 06/2009 updated team sizes for u11 and u13
  
• 03/2009 updated game times and sidelines.
  
• 03/2008 Clarified scoring for Senior Coed
• 01/2008 updated scoring for Senior Coed
• 12/2007 updated u8 ball size; u9 team size; removed soft red;
• 12/2006 updated to reflect new names for age groups
• 10/2006 Substitution rules to follow NFHS to allow more opportunities for players to get into the game. Adopted the 'soft red', also known as 'yellow/red' card policy from NFHS.
• 07/2006 Reduced minimum number of players to play the game. No coaches allowed on both sides of the field
• 05/2005 updated Law 16 to not allow goal kicks to pass mid field in the air
• 04/2005 updated Law 4 in regards to players wearing jewelry
• 03/2005 Senior teams playing 11v11 cannot sub on the fly but follow the standard substitution rules
• 02/2005 Senior Girls will be playing 4v4. Changes throughout to reflect the new format.
• 01/2005 Law 12 allows carding of coaches. Coaches are responsible for the spectators and can receive cards based on their behavior;
  Senior Coed division will play 11v11
• 05/2004 Changed protest fee
• 12/2003 Changed CSA laws to conform to FIFA with CSA modifications

LAW 1 - The Field of Play

• Teams playing short-sided will play on fields that are ~2/3 the regulation size. The penalty mark shall be 2/3 of the distance of the penalty area from the goal. Field dimensions can be found here.
  
• Sidelines:
  • U10 and younger
    • Home team (coaches, players, spectators) will have their choice of side of the pitch before game and will remain on that side during the game. The visitor team will take the other side.
    • Coaching is allowed from your side of the pitch only and is only allowed between the two penalty box lines. This includes parents and spectators as well as coaches. No one is is allowed past the penalty box line or behind the goal lines.
  • U11 and older
    • Both teams will take the same side of the pitch, each on either side of the midfield line.   Home team shall have choice of the left or right half of the team side and remain on that half for the duration of the game.
      
    • Spectators for both teams will take the opposite side of the pitch.
    • The coaching technical area is the team side of the pitch between the penalty box and midfield.  Coaches may not cross the midfield mark into the opposing team's area (even if the opposing coach provides permission).
      
  • All Age Groups
    • Parents and children not playing soccer must stay 9 feet off touchline at all times.
    • Neither team nor affiliate thereof is permitted past the penalty box or behind either goal and must stay at least 1 yard from the touch line at any time during a game.
    • Please note with respect to the Bermuda grass fields:  Calvert County Parks and Recreation does not permit any chairs or other items that may damage the turf to be placed on the field.
      

LAW 2 - The Ball

The following ball sizes are used:

• A. U5 thru U8 - Size 3
• B. U9 thru U12 - Size 4
• C. U13 thru Senior - Size 5

LAW 3 - The Number of Players

• Team Sizes

• A team must have one designated Goal Keeper (except U5,U6 and U7 teams playing 4v4). A full team consists of the following number of players: Minimum is the lowest number of players per team needed to start a game.

• A game will be considered valid if the minimum number of players listed above per team can be fielded.
• Team sizes, age groups (including age ranges) may be changed by the board prior to the start of the season in order to accommodate registration distributions.

• Substitutions are unlimited. CSA will follow the National Federation of High Schools NFHS. Substitutions must be made at midfield, with the consent of the referee, at the following times (Senior Division NOT playing 11v11 may sub on the fly with the official's attention and approval; U5, U6 and U7s substitutions can be made by either team when the ball is out of play):

• Prior to a throw-in in your favor. Also allowed by team without ball as long as the sub is ready if the team with the ball is also substituting.
• Prior to a corner kick in your favor. Also allowed by team without ball as long as the sub is ready if the team with the ball is also substituting.
• Prior to a goal kick by either team.
• After an injury, by either team, when the referee stops play. If the official stops the game for an injury, the injured player must be replaced until the next allowable substitution situation occurs. Subs are one for one.
• After a goal by either team.
• At each quarter and at half time.

• Ejected player

• See Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct.

• Play Even

• Teams may optionally 'play even' in the spirit of the game when the opposing team is short players (to the minimum size) but are not required to do so. An ejected player does not put the 'play even' in effect.

LAW 4 - The Players' Equipment

• Uniforms, provided by CSA, consist of team shirts, shorts, and socks. Only CSA provided uniforms are permitted. If the child requires a new piece of the uniform, please contact CSA to procure a new one. Knee socks are mandatory and must conceal shin guards.
• Shin guards are required in all divisions for practice and games.
• Shoes with soft plastic molded cleats or sneakers may be worn by the players.
• Warm-up or sweat suits to be worn under uniform (optional).
• A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry). Earrings cannot be taped over (see advice from US Youth Soccer to new referees on pre-game responsibilities http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/referees/advicefornewreferees.asp). The only exception will be medical needs jewelry which must be safe and secure.

LAW 5 - The Referee

• Protest of game official's judgments are not allowed. Protest of CSA rules are to be submitted in written format to CSA game official's representative or president with a nonrefundable $100 fee within 72 hours of the game in protest. All of the board will vote on any protest with the President abstaining unless a tie breaker is required. Any board member may also abstain if they are directly involved with the protest or will benefit from the outcome
• The referee can caution any coach or spectator guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct, using foul or abusive language. The head coach is responsible for his fans. Should offending fans or coaches refuse to leave the field, the referee can terminate the game. CSA officials will determine the outcome.
• Coaches may need to obtain Referees attention to the injury. However, the coaches must understand play stops at the referees discretion
• The referee will terminate the game if a team/coach fails to comply with the no animals/pets (except for sight assist guide dogs) at the game field. The outcome of the game will be decided by the CSA board and the game will not be replayed.
• When a referee decides that a child may no longer play due to injury and/or conduct, his decision is final regardless of forfeit

LAW 6 - The Assistant Referees

• Assistant Referees are optional and are typically only assigned to 11v11 games

LAW 7 - The Duration of the Match

Division	Duration
U5	Four 8 minute quarters
U6	Four 8 minute quarters
U7	Four 10 minute quarters
U8	Four 10 minute quarters
U9	Two 25 minute halves
U10	Two 25 minute halves
U12/U11	Two 30 minute halves
U14/U13	Two 30 minute halves
U16/U15	Two 35 minute halves
Seniors U19/U18/U17	Two 40 minute halves

• Please note that in divisions that will be playing quarters, the break between first and second quarter, and between third and fourth quarter are substitution events only. This break time is limited and is not an opportunity for lengthy coaching moments. Coaches that fail to adhere to the time may be cautioned by the official.
• There shall be a half time break of 5 minutes
  
• If the game is tied at the end of regulation play, the game will end in a tie.
• A game is considered complete and will not be replayed if at least 1/2 of the game is played. The score at the time of the game stoppage, even if it is not at the end of a time period will be considered the final score."LAW 8 - The Start and Restart of Play "
• A team defends an end for an entire half.
• A team shall kick off in the first and second quarters. The other team shall kick-off in the third and fourth quarters.

LAW 9 - The Ball In and Out of Play

• No modifications

LAW 10 - The Method of Scoring

• In the Senior Division, if playing 6v6 , a keeper cannot score directly from his hands (drop kick, punt, or throw)
• The center official ruling on who scored is final.

LAW 11 - Offside

• The offside law only applies to U9 thru Senior division.
• For the younger divisions, the Referee may determine unsportsmanlike conduct for excessive camping out or for interfering with the goal keeper

LAW 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

• No slide tackles except for Senior Division. In all other divisions, a slide tackle will be considered a dangerous play and restarted with an indirect free kick.
• An ejected player is sent from the field and may NOT be replaced. The ejected player is NOT permitted to play in the next game.
• Taunting is considered a ‘hard red’.
• Any ejected player whose conduct is violent is obligated to meet with the head of officials before he/she is permitted to participate in any CSA event.
• ANY caution (yellow card) offense will carry a 5 minute cool-off period for the offending player. The removed player can be replaced immediately.
• Senior Division playing a short sided game 6v6: Mid-field rules apply. If keeper drop kicks, punts, or throws the ball towards opposing goal, the ball must come in contact with the ground or another player before it crosses mid-field line. If it doesn’t, an indirect kick is awarded at that point of the mid-field line. A drop kick directly to score is illegal, because the ball came directly from the keeper’s hands
• Cautionable (yellow) and Sending-Off (red) offenses can also be given to official team leaders (coach/assistant coach).
• Spectators may also be sent off. The coach is responsible for the behavior of the team's spectators. A caution is then issued against the coach of the team.
• If the sent off person refuses to leave, the referee will terminate the game and allow the club to decide the outcome.
• Issuance of any Sending-Off offenses must be reported to the referee assignor within 48 hours along with game report.

LAW 13 - Free Kicks

• No modifications

LAW 14 - The Penalty Kick

• No modifications

LAW 15 - The Throw-In

• In the U8 and U9 Division, a second chance throw-in is awarded for an improper throw-in. If the same player continually requires a second chance, the coach will discretely use another player and note a training opportunity for next practice.

LAW 16 - The Goal Kick

• Same as FIFA except for teams playing 4v4. The ball cannot cross the midfield line in the air during a goal kick. Restart is indirect at mid field to the other team.

LAW 17 - The Corner Kick

• No modifications