General rules:

· Rules of Play – All regular season Recreational Games will be played in accordance with current FIFA “Laws of the Game” unless modified herein. 

- Ohio Soccer Association rules of competition will apply to all matches unless otherwise noted.

-Any rule clarifications will be made and decided by the HOSA Recreational Program Director or Assigned Field Marshall (if the Rec Director is not present during a disagreement). These decisions are final and not subject to protest. 

- The HOSA Recreational Tournament will operate under a specific set of rules that will be provided to all Participants/Coaches before competition.

-HOSA Recreational Soccer Program is geared towards young players and the enjoyment of the game. This program is for the kids, not for the adults. This program includes a soccer season with non-competitive games which are used for development and learning. The season is ended with a semi-competitive tournament (ONLY to give players and parents a sample of competitive (travel) soccer. Equal playing time still applies in the tournament). Season game results DO NOT determine tournament seeding.

· No yelling at referees, coaches, parents, or players. We want to keep a positive learning atmosphere for the players. Do not ruin that. 

· Spectators (anyone who is not registered as a coach or player) need to sit on the opposite side of the field from the coaches and players during games. NO SPECTATORS should be sitting on the goallines, unless there is no space left on the sidelines. Any spectators sitting behind the goal line MUST move back at least 15 feet. Spectators MUST ALSO avoid sitting too close to the corners. Sitting too close to the corners will inhibit the players’ experience with corner kicks. 

· ANY adult that prevents players from enjoying the recreational experience (such as screaming obscenities, becoming too aggressive or negative, yelling at kids or referees) will be met with consequences including but not limited to: expulsion from the game, expulsion from the complex, or banishment from the HOSA rec program entirely. 

· ALL fouls and misconduct will be called by referees and made at the referee's discretion. The referee’s decision on the field will be final and is not subject to protest. 

· Absolutely no jewelry may be worn by players during practice or games.  No exception is made for new piercings.

 

Age Group Specific rules:

5/6U

· Games consist of four, 8-minute quarters.

· 4 players on field per team. A-size fields.

· Players should have equal (or close to equal) playing time during every game – sub as much as you feel necessary (to keep it simple, sub every quarter)

· When the ball leaves the field on the sidelines, the player uses a throw-in to bring the ball back in. 

· Players have unlimited redos on throw-ins.

· When the ball leaves the field over the goal line, a corner or goal kick will take place

§ For goal kicks, have two or three players of the kicking team near the kicker. Have the opposing team stand in the middle circle on the field. Once the ball is kicked, the players in the circle can go and try to get the ball.

§ This will allow the kicking team to work on passing to teammates and prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball and scoring immediately. 

· For corners, make sure the opposing team (the team not taking the kick) players are positioned in front of the goal they are defending. 

· Players can redo goal kicks and corner kicks. 

· NO GOALKEEPERS

· NO HEADING

· NO OFFSIDE

7U

· Games consist of four, 10-minute quarters. 

· 5 players on field per team. B-size fields.

· Players should have equal (or close to equal) playing time during every game. 

· When the ball leaves the field on the sidelines, the player uses a throw-in to bring the ball back in. 

· Players have unlimited redos on throw-ins.

· When the ball leaves the field over the goal line, a corner or goal kick will take place

· For goal kicks, have two or three players of the kicking team near the kicker. Have the opposing team stand in the middle circle on the field. Once the ball is kicked, the players in the circle can go and try to get the ball.

§ This will allow the kicking team to work on passing to teammates and prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball and scoring immediately. 

· For corners, make sure the opposing team (the team not taking the kick) players are positioned near the front of the goal they are defending.

· Players can redo goal kicks and corner kicks. 

· NO GOALKEEPERS

· NO HEADING

· NO OFFSIDE

8/9U

· Games consist of 2, 25-minute, halves.

· Subbing is allowed anytime during a natural stoppage (or after a goal being scored), and at the referee’s discretion. 

· 7 players on field per team (including goalie). C-size fields

· 1st year playing with goalies and referees. 

· Players should have equal (or close to equal) playing time during every game. 

· Players should play different positions each game.

· Coaches are allowed on the field during games for the first two weeks of the season. However, coaches may only spend 1 minute doing minor alterations so that the game does not run over time. This must be done during a natural stoppage (goal kicks, corners, and kickoffs ONLY)

· NO PUNTING by the goalkeeper. 

· Players are not allowed to intentionally head the ball.

· Players get 1 redo on an illegal throw-in. After that, the throw goes to the other team if the player does a second illegal throw-in. (illegal just means that the player uses improper throw-in technique. Player should keep feet on the ground and the ball is thrown with two hands. The ball should be thrown over the head, side-throws are not allowed)

· The buildout line will be enforced for all games played on the 7v7/C-size fields. 

· The buildout line is the dotted line that is located between the top of the penalty box and half field.

· Whenever the goalie has possession of the ball (either the ball is in the goalie’s hands OR there is a goal kick), the opposing team MUST retreat behind the buildout line. That team cannot encroach until the second player touches the ball. 

§ FOR EXAMPLE: Team A shot on goal and the keeper for Team B saved it.  Team A must back up behind the buildout line immediately. Team B keeper tosses the ball to a defender. Once the ball touches the defender, Team A can now go for the ball again. 

· IF the ball is in the keeper’s hands, the keeper is allowed to play the ball out to a defender before the opposing team retreats behind the buildout line, however, if the goalkeeper decides to play early, then the opposing team can encroach over the buildout line without penalty. 

-If the Keeper drops the ball at their own feet, once the ball is touched on the ground, the opposing team can encroach over the buildout line without penalty. 

-The referee will raise their arm above their shoulder/head while the build out line is being enforced. Once the ball is released, the referee will drop their arm upon the ball being touched by a second player, or the referee counting to 5. Once the referee’s arm drops below their shoulder, the opposing team may encroach. 

· Offside can only be called in the final 4th of the field (between the buildout line and the goal line). 

10/11U

· Games consist of two, 25 minute halves. 

· 7 players on field per team (including goalie). C-size fields

· Subbing is allowed anytime during a natural stoppage (or after a goal being scored), and at the referee’s discretion. 

· Players should have equal (or close to equal) playing time during every game. 

· Players should play different positions each game.

· Players are not allowed to intentionally head the ball.

· Goalkeepers are NOT allowed to punt. 

· Players get 1 redo on an illegal throw-in. After that, the throw goes to the other team if the player does a second illegal throw-in. (illegal just means that the player uses improper throw-in technique. Player should keep feet on the ground and the ball is thrown with two hands. The ball should be thrown over the head, side-throws are not allowed)

· The buildout line will be enforced for all games played on the 7v7/C-size fields.

· The buildout line is the dotted line that is located between the top of the penalty box and half field.

· Whenever the goalie has possession of the ball (either the ball is in the goalie’s hands OR there is a goal kick), the opposing team MUST retreat behind the buildout line. That team cannot encroach until the second player touches the ball. 

§ FOR EXAMPLE: Team A shot on goal and the keeper for Team B saved it.  Team A must back up behind the buildout line immediately. Team B keeper tosses the ball to a defender. Once the ball touches the defender, Team A can now go for the ball again. 

· If the ball is in the keeper’s hands, the keeper is allowed to play the ball out to a defender before the opposing team retreats behind the buildout line, however, if the goalkeeper decides to play early, then the opposing team can encroach over the buildout line without penalty. 

-If the Keeper drops the ball at their own feet, once the ball is touched on the ground, the opposing team can encroach over the buildout line without penalty. 

-The referee will raise their arm above their shoulder/head while the build out line is being enforced. Once the ball is released, the referee will drop their arm upon the ball being touched by a second player, or the referee counting to 5. Once the referee’s arm drops below their shoulder, the opposing team may encroach. 

· Offside can only be called in the final 4th of the field (between the buildout line and the goal line). 

12/13U

· Games consist of two, 30-minute halves.

· 9 players on field per team (including goalie). D-size fields

· Subbing is allowed anytime during a natural stoppage (or after a goal being scored), and at the referee’s discretion. 

· Players should have equal (or close to equal) playing time during every game. 

· Players should play different positions each game.

· Goalkeepers are allowed to punt

· Players are allowed to head the ball.

· Offside is called as normal (beyond half field)

- Illegal throws will result in a throw for the opposing team