3rd/4th Grade

• Depending coaching availability, games will be 7v7 (6 plus goalkeeper)

• Size 4 ball.

• One or two referees will officiate the game, coaches should remain mostly on the sidelines.

• Playing time is two 20-minute halves with a running clock (only stop the clock for goals, injuries, or other lengthy delays).

• Substitutions can be made at any stoppage.

• Goalkeepers are not allowed to drop-kick or punt the ball.

• Throw-ins are used when the ball crosses the sidelines.

• Acceptable throw-ins are with both feet touching the ground, two hands on the ball, and the ball thrown directly overhead.  A warning, explanation, and re-try will be given for a bad throw.  After two bad throws, the throw-in is awarded to the opposing team.

• Goal kicks will be awarded to the defending team when the offense is the last to touch the ball before it crosses the endline.

• Corner kicks will be awarded to the offensive team when the defense is the last to touch the ball before it crosses the endline.

• Handballs are called if intentional.  Unintentional handballs will be up to the discretion of the referee.

• Passes made to goalkeeper by teammates may not be touched with hands, but can be played by feet/body.

• Heading is not allowed at this age and a free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if it's intentional.  This is in line with US Youth Soccer and other soccer organizations.  Headers will be called at referee's discretion, similar to handbells.

• Slide tackles are illegal

• Kick-offs take place at the beginning of each half and after each goal.

• Teams switch ends at half-time.

• The build-out line is used to encourage the development of play from the backfield.  It is used for 3 situations.  This video explains it well.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY408eOnAW4

  1. Goalkeeper possession - when the goalkeeper gets possession of the ball, the offense must move behind the build-out line.  The goalie may throw, roll, or kick (no drop-kick) the ball to any teammate on either side of the line.  As soon as the ball is released, the offense may move forward.  If an offensive player moves forward early and interferes with play, an indirect free kick is awarded to the defensive team, placed on the build-out line.

  2. Goal kicks - when a goal kick is called, offensive players must also move behind the build-out line.    They may move back over the build-out line once the ball is kicked.  The goal kick may be taken early, but if the ball goes to the opponent, play continues.

  3. Offside - Players can only be in an offside position only if they are closer to the opponents' goal line than the build-out line.  See the section on offside rule for more details.

• A goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line.  Coaches may keep score.

At this age, players are more capable of understanding rules and so referees (and coaches) should enforce them with a teaching attitude.