SASC Recreational Soccer
Modified Playing Rules Summary

SASC follows the US Soccer Guidelines regarding player development. Details of this can be found here

Note that age-appropriate adjustments are occasionally made to accomodate the number of players and teams registered in a particular age division.

Rules of Fair Play and Sportsmanship

In addition to the modifications to FIFA rules listed below, SASC has the following requirements on the recreational game.

Every player must play at least half of each game he/she attends.
The Coach should strive to make each child a "starter" for at least 50% of the games in a season.
The Coach should strive to put each player in a position to score (i.e. forward or attacking mid-fielder) at least 50% of the time over the length of the season. Players should NOT be limited to, or pigeonholed into positions, even though they themselves may have their initial preferences. Players should be challenged to experience the "total" game of soccer.
Every player who wants to must have the opportunity to play as goal keeper at least half a game during the season.
Coaches are expected to make adjustments when their team is leading by 3 goals. Information is provided at Coach Training and during the season to assist with this.

In addition - opposing coaches, parents and players should congratulate each other after the game and a "Thank you" offered to the referees.

Age Group	Referees	Goalkeepers
6U	1x Parent referee (*)	no
7U	1x Parent referee (*)	no
8U	1x Club referee (Center only)	yes
10U	1x Club referee (Center only)
12U+	3x Club referees (Center + 2 Assistant Referees)

(*) 6U/7U Parent referees are provided on-field training by SASC before the season starts.

Age Group	Format	Ball Size	Goal Size	Field Size (yards)	Duration
6U	3 v 3	size #3	Pugg Goals	30 x 20	4 x 10 mins
7U	4 v 4	size #3	4' x 9'	36 x 25	2 x 20 mins
8U	5 v 5	size #3	6'6" x 12'	50 x 35	2 x 20 mins
10U	7 v 7	size #4	6'6" x 18'	60 x 40	2 x 25 mins
12U	9 v 9	size #4	6'6" x 18'	80 x 50	2 x 30 mins
14U	11 v 11	size #5	8' x 24'	100-115 x 60-75	2 x 35 mins
16U+	11 v 11	size #5	8' x 24'	110-120 x 70-75	2 x 40 mins

Age Group	Restarts	Free Kicks	Offside called?
6U	No throw-ins. Kick-in taken wherever ball goes out except between edge of goal area and goal. In this case, kick-in is taken from edge of goal area on end line.	Indirect free kicks only. Must be 6-yds back.	No (Although there is no off-side rule at this ages, coaches should discourage their own players from waiting near their opponent's goal)
7U	Kick-ins (no throw-ins) Goal-kicks and corner-kicks	Indirect free kicks only Must be 7-yds back.
8U	FIFA One retry on throw-ins. Goal-kicks are taken at the top of the penalty area.	Indirect free kicks only Must be 8-yds back. Backpass to GK is OK
10U	FIFA No retry on throw-ins. Build-out line (see below)	FIFA (Direct, Indirect and PKs) Must be 10-yds back. 1 warning for backpass to GK	Yes (using build-out line). Only to be called if obvious to center referee.
12U+	FIFA	FIFA (Direct, Indirect and PKs)	FIFA

Build-out line:

The edge of the center circle will be build out line if no other line is visible
Furthest build-out line is new offside line (only called if obvious)
Opponents must retreat behind build out line whenever GK has possession
GK is not allowed to punt or drop-kick the ball - must pass, throw, or roll the ball into play

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Substitutions (8U+):

Can be made by either team at any stoppage with the permission of the referee - players must be ready at the half-line.

Player Safety

Slide Tackles

No slide tackling is permitted in SASC Rec soccer up to and including the 10U age group.
In 12U+, only 'clean' slide tackling is allowed. Any attempt to slide tackle with cleats up, or using both feet, or from behind will result in a yellow card. Any hard or dangerous contact with an opponent is a red card.

Heading

No (deliberate) heading is allowed by players in any age group up to and including the 12U age group