Amherstburg Minor Soccer Association
The Rules of Mini-Soccer
Rule 1: The Ball
1. The ball shall be spherical and shall be constructed of which is not dangerous to the player.
2. Ball size for under 5 years olds: Size 3 (Squirts U5)
3. Ball size for 6 to 10 years olds: Size 4 (Mites U7 &Tykes U9)
Rule 2: Number of Players
1. The game shall be played by to teams, each consisting of 6 (maximum of 7) players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper.
2. Unlimited substitution shall be allowed at any stoppage in the game.
3. Each Player SHALL play a minimum 50% of the total playing time.
4. In each Age Group, all Teams and games may be co-ed.
Rule 3: Equipment
1. Equipment shall consist of shorts, socks, footwear and a numbered shirt. Goalkeepers must wear colour, which are distinguishable from those of other players and those of the referee. Goalkeepers may wear gloves, tracksuit-type pants and cap to keep sun out of eyes.
2. All players are to wear shin guards.
Rule 4: Duration of the Game
1. The game shall be divided into two equal halves or four equal quarters. Mites (Under 7) shall have four quarters of 10 minuets each quarter. A two minuets break at the 1st and 3rd quarter, and a 5 minuets between for haft time. Total time for Mites 47 minuets. Tykes (under 9) shall have four quarters of 12 minuets each quarter. A two minuets break at the 1st and 3rd quarter, and a 5 minuets between for haft time. Total time for Tykes 55 minuets.
Rule 5: Start of Play
1. At the beginning of the game, choice of halves and kick-off shall be decided by the toss of a coin. The team that wins the toss shall have the choice of which half to play in, the loosing team gets to kick-off.
2. At a kick-off, all players shall be in their own half of the field of play. All players opposing the team taking the kick-off shall be not less than 6 meters from the ball until it is kicked off. The game shall be started by the referee giving a signal. The ball shall be kicked forward into the opponent's half of the field and is then in play. For any infringement off this rule, the kick-off shall be retaken.
3. After a goal has been scored, the game shall be restarted by a kick-off, to be taken by a player of the team against which the goal was scored.
4. After the first half of play, the team shall change halves and a player of the team opposing that started the game shall take the kick-off.
5. For any stoppage not mentioned elsewhere in these rules, the referee shall restart the game by dropping the ball at the place where it was when play was stopped, unless the free-kick is awarded to the attacking team within the opponent's penalty-area. In which case the ball will dropped on that part of the penalty-area line that runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the ball was when play was stopped. The ball shall be in play as it touches the ground.
6. A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-off in Squirts, Mites and Tykes divisions.
Rule 6: Ball in and out of play
1. The ball is out of play
· When the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line, whether on the ground or in the air.
· When the game has been stopped by the referee.
2. The ball is in play at all other times.
Rule 7: Method of Scoring
1. A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has crossed over the goal-line, between the goal-post and under the cross-bar, provided it has not been thrown, carried, or intentionally propelled by hand or arm, by a player of the attacking team, except by a goalkeeper within his/her penalty-area.
Rule 8: Free-kick
1. For any infringement of the Rules of the Game when the ball is in play, the referee may award a free-kick to the team opposing that offending player. The free-kick shall be taken from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the free-kick is awarded to the attacking team within the opponent's penalty-area. In this case, the kick shall be taken from that part of the penalty-area line, which is parallel to the goal-line, at the point nearest to where the offence was committed.
2. At the taken of a free-kick, the ball shall be stationary and all opponents shall not be less than 5 Yards from the ball until it has been kicked.
3. A player taken a free-kick within his/her penalty-area shall kick the ball into play beyond the penalty area. The ball is in play when it travelled passed outside the penalty-area. All opponents shall be outside the penalty-area and not less than 5 yards from the ball until it has been kicked. For any infringement of this rule, the free-kick shall be retaken.
4. A player taken a free-kick shall not touch the ball a second time until it has been played or touch by another player.
5. A goal may not be scored directly form a free-kick in Mites and Tykes divisions.
Rule 9: Penalty-Kick
1. No penalty-kicks in Mites and Tykes divisions.
Rule 10: Fouls and Misconduct
1. A player who, in the opinion of the referee, intentionally commits any of the following offences shall be penalised by the a warding of a free-kick to the opposing team:
· Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
· Trips an opponent
· Jumps at an opponent
· Charges an opponent
· Strikes, attempts to strike, or spits at an opponent
· Holds an opponent
· Pushes an opponent
· Handles the ball, i.e. strikes, carries or propels the ball with hand or arm, excepting a goalkeeper within his/her own penalty-area.
Should a player commit one of the above offences within his/her own penalty-area while the ball is in play, will follow Rule 8 part 3.
Rule 11: Throw-in
1. When the whole of the ball has crossed the touch-line, either on the ground or in the air, the ball shall be thrown in, from the point where it left the field of play, by a member of the team opposing that of the player who last played or touched it.
2. The player taken the throw-in shall face the field of play and part of both feet shall be on the ground, and on or behind the touch-line. The thrower shall use both hands to deliver the ball from behind and over his /her head. The ball shall be in play immediately after it enters the field of play.
3. The player taken the throw-in must not touch the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player.
Rule 12: Goal-Kick
1. When the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line, either on the ground or in the air, excluding that portion between the goal-post, having last been played or touched by a member of the attacking team, a goal-kick shall be awarded to the defending team. The ball shall be kicked into play from any point within the Goal area.
2. At the taken of a goal-kick, all the opponents shall be out side the penalty-area and not less than 5 yards from the ball until it has been kicked into play. The ball shall be in play when it left the penalty-area.
3. The player taken the goal-kick must not play or touch the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player.
4. A goal may not be scored directly from a goal-kick in the Mites and Tykes divisions.
Rule 13: Corner-Kick
1. When the whole of the ball has crossed the goal-line, either on the ground or in the air, excluding that portion between the goal-post, having last been played or touched by a member of the defending team, a corner-kick shall be awarded to the attacking team.
2. The corner-kick shall be taken from within the corner-arc nearest to where the ball crossed the goal-line. All the opponents shall be not less than 5 yards from the ball until it has been kicked.
3. The player taken the corner-kick must not play or touch the ball a second time before it has been played or touched by another player.
4. A goal may be scored directly from a corner-kick.
Rule 14: Offside
1. Under 9 and younger Age Classifications. There shall be no offside rule.
Recommendations
1. Opposing Parents/Coaches and players shall shake hands after every game.
2. Parents/Coaches, non-playing players, parents and spectators should be located not less than six (6) yards from the outside touch-line or twenty (20) yards from the goal line.
3. Individuals, other than participants, should be discouraged from running up and down the length of the field.
4. Parents/Coaches should not coach or instruct players during game time.
5. No alcoholic beverages to be consumed or allowed near the playing area.
6. Keep the fun element in the game.
7. Parents/Coaches, Referee should be discouraged from smoking around the players. If the need is that great please, go of to side out of site of the young players to smoke.
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