5th/6th Grade

• Depending coaching availability, games will be 9v9 (8 plus goalkeeper).

• Size 4 ball.

• One referee will officiate the game, coaches will remain on sidelines.

• Playing time is 2 twenty minute halves.

• Substitutions can be made at any stoppage.

• Goalkeepers are 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.

• Offside - A player is in an offside position if they are on the opponents' half of the field, they do not have the ball, and fewer than two opponents are between them and the goal 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 an attitude of teaching.