PEEWEE SOCCER RULES

Except as designated below, CIF rules will apply.

PLAYING PROCEDURES

Sec 1 Team Size / Rosters/ Playing Time

Teams shall consist of nine players. At least six players must be present to start a game. All players present should play in every game.  

Kindergarten games will be 5 v 5 (NO goal keepers and NO ref) on 1/4 size fields using 6' PUG goals or the equivalent. 

Sec 2 Equipment

No metal spikes of any type will be allowed.  Rubber cleated shoes and plastic screw-in cleats are legal.  Any child with a cast is not allowed to play. 

3rd/4th graders will use a size 4 soccer ball, while K/1st/2nd graders will use a size 3 soccer ball.  The goalie must wear a different color jersey.

Sec 3 Game time

The game shall consist of two (20) minute halves, running time.  The clock will only be stopped for serious injuries and official time outs.  

Sec 4 Scoring

A goal is scored when the entire ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar, provided it has not been thrown, carried, or propelled by hand or arm of a member of the attacking team.

Sec 5 Substitution

Open substitutions. Alert the referee when a substitution is requested. Play will be stopped. Goalies may be substituted at any time according to the above restrictions. Any goalie change must be brought to the attention of the officials.

Sec 6 Coin Toss

The winner of the coin toss at the beginning of the game shall choose whether to start on offense or defense, or which goal to defend.

Sec 7 Kickoff

The ball may be kicked forwards OR backwards for the ball to be in play. Initial kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has done so. Defending players must lineup at least ten yards away from the kick off point.

Sec 8 Drop Ball

If the game is temporarily suspended for any reason, the game will be restarted by the referee dropping the ball where it was when play was suspended.  No player may touch the ball until it hits the ground. In the event that play has stopped while the ball is in the penalty area, the ball will be dropped at the nearest point outside the penalty area.

Sec 9 Indirect Kick

Free kick from which a goal can only be scored if the ball is touched by a player other than the kicker, before passing through the goal. Defenders must line up ten yards or more from the ball.

Sec 10 Direct Kick

Free kick which can lead directly to a goal.  Defenders must lineup ten yards or more from the ball.

Sec 11 Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark (12 yards from the goal line). All players except the kicker and goalkeeper must be outside the penalty area and at least ten yards from the ball. On a signal from the referee, the kick must kick the ball (no fakes). The goal keeper must remain stationary on the goal line until the ball is kicked. The kicker may not re-touch the ball until another player has touched it; however, any rebound is a live ball.

Sec 12 Goal Kick Defense 

When a team has a goal kick, ALL defensive players must back up to mid-field. The opposing team can only pressure the ball once the kicking team advances the ball outside the box.  The intention of this rule is to allow the kicking team to advance the ball forward, via a goal kick pass, and a collection and dribble of the ball by the receiving player.

Sec 13 Glued Hand Rule (GIRLS ONLY)

Girls are entitled to cross their arms in front of their chest in a protective manner and will not be called for a hand ball if the ball strikes them. However, this does not entitle the player to direct the ball with her hands or arms. In this instance a hand ball will be called.

Sec 14 Overtime

There will be NO overtime played, the game will result in a tie at the end of regulation.

VIOLATIONS

Sec 1 Offsides

A player is offside if he/she is nearer his/her opponent's goal line than the ball the moment it is played, unless:

1. He/she is in his own moment of the field of play.

2. There are two opponents nearer or equal in distance to their own goal line than he/she.

3. The ball was last touched by an opponent.

4. He received the ball directly from a goal kick, corner kick, a throw-in, or when it was dropped by the referee.

Violation enforcement - indirect free kick

Sec 2 Ball Over Sideline

Violation enforcement: Throw-in. The thrower must face the field of play with both feet on or behind the sideline on the ground. He shall use both hands equally and throw the ball from behind and over his head. No goal can be scored on a direct throw-in. An illegal throw-in results in a throw-in being awarded to the other team.

Sec 3 Ball Over End Line (last touched by an offensive player)

Violation enforcement: Goal kick. Goal kicks can be taken by any player. Ball must clear the penalty area to be in play. Ball cannot be touched by the kicker until having been touched by another player. All players on the opposing team must remain outside the penalty area while the kick is being taken.

Sec 4 Ball Over End Line (last touched by a defender)

Violation enforcement: Corner Kick. Players of defending must be at least ten yards from the kicker. The kicker can’t touch the ball twice in succession.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PENALTIES

Sec 1 Direct Free Kick Fouls:

1. Handling the ball.

2. Holding an opponent.

3. Pushing an opponent.

4. Striking or attempting to strike an opponent.

5. Jumping at an opponent.

6. Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.

7. Tripping an opponent.

8. Charging an opponent violently or dangerously.

Sec 2 Indirect Free Kick Offenses

Any of the following violations will result in an indirect kick being awarded to the opposition:

1. A player playing the ball a second time before it has been played by another player at the kickoff, on a throw-in, on a free kick, on a corner kick, or a goal kick (if the ball has passed outside the penalty area).

2. A goal keeper holding the ball for more than five seconds (after a warning).

3. A substitution made without reporting to the referee.

4. Coaches entering the field of play without the referees permission.  Coaches are not allowed on the field and can’t coach from behind the goal.

5. Dissenting by word or action with a referees decision.

6. Unsportsmanlike behavior.

7. Dangerous play.

8. Offside.

9. Charging illegally (not violent or dangerous).

10. Interfering with the goal keeper in any manner until he releases the ball.

11. Obstruction.

12. Player leaving the field during the progress of the game without the consent of the referee.

13. HEADING THE BALL

1. Consistent with the U.S. Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all division players U-11 (for the purposes of the league it will apply to all kids in both practices and games). 

2. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a game.

a. The indirect free kick is to be taken from the place where the player touched the ball with his/her head.

b. An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s goal area, must be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the player touched the ball with his/her head.

Sec 3 Penalty Kick Offenses

Any violation of section 1 of Fouls and misconduct penalties which occurs in the penalty area will result in a penalty kick.

Sec 4 Warnings and Ejections

Committing any of the following offenses may result in a warning or ejection:

1. Any flagrant foul.

2. Repeated breaking of the rules of the game.

3. Excessive disagreeing with the referee (i.e., abusive language)

Any action to be taken is totally at the discretion of the referee. When cautioning a player, the referee shall note his name and hold up a yellow card. When ejecting a player the referee shall note his name and hold up a red card. Any ejected player may not be substituted for. His team must play short-handed. A red-carded player must sit out the next scheduled game.

Additional General Rules

1. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their schools parents, fans and players.  Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.  A team may be penalized, a player and/or coach thrown out of the game and/or a team will forfeit the game if the referee deems necessary.

2. There are NO forfeits.  If a team is going to be short players, they may borrow a player(s) from the opposing team.

3. Each team should gather in prayer before every match.