U.S. YOUTH SOCCER
8V8 OFFICIAL LAWS
WITH CSYSA MODIFICATIONS
UNDER 9/10

LAW I - THE FIELD

A. Dimensions:

The field of play shall be rectangular, its length being not more than 80 yards nor less than 70 yards

and its width not more than 50 yards nor less than 40 yards. The length in all cases shall exceed the

width.

B. Markings:

C. Goals: Seven (7) feet high and twenty-one (21) feet wide.

LAW II - THE BALL:

Size four (4)

A. The ball should be spherical.

B. The outer casing should be leather or an approved synthetic.

C. No dangerous materials should be used in the construction of the ball.

LAW III - NUMBER OF PLAYERS:

A. Maximum number of players on the field at any one time is eight (8), one of whom may be goalkeeper.

B. Maximum number of players on the roster should not exceed fourteen (14).

C. Substitutions:

D. Playing Time: Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.

E. Teams and games may be coed.

LAW IV - PLAYERS EQUIPMENT:

The basic equipment of a player consists of the following:

A. A jersey or shirt (same color for all players on a team except goalkeeper).

B. Shorts – Jerseys/Shirts must be tucked into shorts.

C. Stockings – must completely cover the shinguards, should be same color for all of team.

D. Shinguards – MANDATORY for protective reasons.

E. Footwear – tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes.

LAW V - REFEREE:

A. A referee shall be appointed to officiate each game.

B. The referee is in charge of all game activity.

C. The referee may not be shown any visible or verbal dissent during or after the game.

D. The referee is empowered to cause the removal of any coach, player, spectator who is disruptive or who

has displayed behavior contrary to the spirit of the game and/or the rules of play.

E. All rule infractions shall be briefly explained to the offending player.

LAW VI - LINESMAN:

A. Each team shall provide one qualified linesperson who shall present themselves to the referee prior to

the start of the game.

B. The linesperson will help the referee decide among other things, ball in and out of play, offside, and

goal scoring.

C. The linesperson must remember that his/her opinion may or may not be accepted by the center referee.

LAW VII - DURATION OF THE GAME:

A. The game shall be divided into two (2) equal halves of twenty-five (25) minutes each.

B. Half-time break of five (5) minutes.

LAW VIII - START OF PLAY:

A. At the start of the game, choice of field ends and kick-off is determined by the flip of a coin.

B. Opponent must be ten (10) yards from the center mark while ball is kicked.

C. The ball may not be touched again by the same player until it has been touched by another player of

either team.

D. The ball may not travel backward on the first touch.

LAW IX - BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY:

The ball is out of play during the following circumstances:

A. When it has completely crossed a boundary line (on the ground or in the air).

B. When the game has been halted by an official.

LAW X - METHOD OF SCORING:

A. A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line.

B. The ball must cross the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar.

LAW XI – OFFSIDE:

A. A player is considered offside if he is nearer to the opponent’s goal line than the ball at the time the ball

is kicked except in the following cases:

1. The player is in his own half of the field.

2. The player is not nearer to his opponent’s goal line than at least two of his opponents.

B. A player is only penalized for being offside if the ball is played or touched by one of his team and he is

involved in active play in one of the following ways:

1. Interfering with play.

2. Interfering with an opponent.

3. Gaining an advantage by being in an offside position.

LAW XII - FOULS AND MISCONDUCT:

A. Opponents must be ten (10) yards away before kick is allowed.

B. The referee/parent/coach should explain infraction to the offending player before restarting play.

C. Any player who commits one of the following offences shall be penalized by the opposing team being

awarded a direct free-kick.

1. Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.

2. Trips or attempts to trip an opponent.

0. 3. Jumps at an opponent.

playing the ball or attempting to play the ball).

5. Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.

6. Pushes an opponent.

7. Tackles an opponent, but touches opponent before the ball.

8. Holds an opponent.

9. Spits at an opponent.

10. Handles the ball deliberately. (It is not considered a "hand ball" when the ball hits the players

D. Indirect free kicks are awarded if the following should occur:

1. Dangerous play

2. Charging shoulder to shoulder while away from the ball.

3. Charging the goalkeeper when not in possession of the ball.

4. The goalkeeper takes more than four (4) steps or delays the game.

E. No cautions or ejections shall be issued to players except by an independent neutral Referee.

F. The goalkeeper may handle the ball while inside the penalty area unless the ball is passed back to the

goalkeeper by a teammate (pass must be intentional and played with the feet). The goalkeeper

may not handle the ball a second time after gaining control until the ball has been touched by another

player. The goalkeeper may take a maximum of four (4) steps, inside the penalty area, before

releasing the ball into play.

LAW XIII - FREE KICKS:

Free kicks are one of two types:

A. Direct kick – A kick awarded after a serious foul in which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has

been played or touched by a player other than the kicker before passing through the goal.

B. Indirect free kick – A kick awarded after a foul where the ball must be touched by another player from

either team before going into the goal.

C. For both types of kicks, opponents must be ten (10) yards away before kick is allowed.

LAW XIV - PENALTY KICKS:

A. A penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark.

B. It is awarded when any of the fouls that result in a direct kick occur inside the penalty area.

C. Only the goalkeeper and the kicker are allowed inside the penalty area.

D. Opponents must be ten (10) yards away before kick is allowed.

E. The goalkeeper must stay on the goal line until the ball is kicked.

F. The kicker can not touch the ball twice until it has been touched by another player.

LAW XV - THROW-IN:

A. A throw-in is awarded to the defending team when the attacking team causes the ball to leave the field

of play by crossing completely over the sideline.

B. The player making the throw-in must have both hands on the ball and has both feet on the ground at

the time of the throw.

C. The ball must be thrown from a starting point directly behind the head.

D. When a ball passes over a touchline, it will be thrown in from the point where it crossed the line.

LAW XVI - GOAL KICK:

A. A goal kick is taken by a member of the defending team when the ball crosses the goal line outside of

the goal when the ball is last touched by a member of the attacking team.

B. The kick is taken from any point within the goal area (6 yard box).

C. The ball must leave the penalty area before it can be played/touched by a player of either team.

LAW XVII - CORNER KICK:

A. The attacking team is awarded a corner kick when the ball passes completely over the goal line outside

of the goal area after last being played by a member of the defending team.

B. The kick is taken from within the corner arc on the side of the field that the ball left the field of play.

C. No defending player may be within ten (10) yards of the ball.

Additional US Youth Soccer Recommendations

• Opposing parents/coaches should shake hands after each game.
• Participation awards for ALL – No trophies or awards just for best team.
• Parent/coaches, non-playing players and spectators should be there to enjoy and encourage the activity of the youngsters.
• No alcoholic beverages will be consumed or allowed near the playing field