Field Size: 35 yards long by 25 yards wide. Coaches help set up the field for the first game of the night, and coaches help put away goals after the last game.
Penalty Area: The penalty area for this age group extends five yards onto the filed and approximately 4 yards from each goal post. It is up to the discretion of the official where the penalty area extends and a warning should be given to a keeper before a handball is called. There are no penalty kicks.
Goal Size: Approximately 5 feet high by 10 feet wide. Differing size goals are acceptable at this age group.
Parents/Coaches: Coaches are to take one side of the field with the team. Parents are to take the opposite side of the field. No coaches are allowed on the filed during play. One coach may be behind the goal in order to help the keeper in only the FALL season. The coach must stay behind the goal so as to not interfere with play and may only coach the keeper. No direction to the field players.
Ball Size: #3
Field Players: 4
Goalkeeper: Yes (1)-May not play in goal for more than one quarter. Must be encouraged to move forward and at times use his/her feet. Keep them connected to the game at all times. Players that have played in goal must also receive considerable playing time on the field. Keepers may use their hands only in the penalty area.
Runaway Games: It is not good for any player at this age group to be involved in a blowout. It is not good for the players of the team with more goals and it is not good for the team that is behind. CFU requests that once a team is winning by four goals either one of the following options be employed or some other means of keeping the game in hand used. 1) Mixing the teams to make them even. 2) Letting the weaker team play with an extra player. Not 2-3 extra players. 3) The stronger team playing with 1 player less. If a team is winning by 6 goals then the teams must be mixed. All of these should be done discreetly so that it is not a big deal. If this is not being done please see a field marshal.
Playing Time: All players must play approximately the same amount of time in each game. This does not mean some players play a half each while others play the majority of the game.
Time: Four periods each lasting 10 minutes. A 2-minute break between periods and a 5-minute break for half time. The total length of the game is 40 minutes.
Kickoff: Home team kicks of the first half and teams rotate kickoffs in every period. Kickoffs will occur from the center of the filed. Opponents will be on their side of the field and 3 yards form the ball. Teams will only switch ends of the field after half time.
Offside: None
Penalties: All penalties are restarted with an indirect free kick. That means another player must touch the ball before it goes into the goal. The major penalties are intentional handball, tripping, pushing, and dangerous play. All fouls within 5 yards of the goal are to be moved 5 yards from the goal line. To place the ball use an imaginary arc 5 yards from the goal and place the ball on the arc at a spot in line with the goal and the foul. All opponents must remain three yards from the ball until it is kicked.
Referee: Yes. We often use young referees to work these games. No negative comments, yelling, or harassing of these young people will be tolerated. If you have issues with an official please find a field marshal.
Out of Play: (The ball must be completely over the line to be considered out of play!)
- If a ball goes over the sideline (touchline) the ball will be thrown in by the team which did not last touch it on the field at the spot the ball went out of bounds. If the throw is illegal, the player will be given a second chance. A legal throw requires that the thrower have both feet on the ground, the ball in both hands, the throw begin behind the head, in one motion pass over the head, and be released by both hands at the same time. Referees are instructed to be lenient at this age group.
- If the ball goes over the end line and is last touched by the defensive team, it is a corner kick. This will be restarted by the attacking team getting a free kick from the corner of the field closest to where the ball went out of play. Defenders must be three yards from the ball until it is played.
- If the ball goes over the end line and is last touched by the attacking team, it is a goal kick. A free kick will be given to the defending team from anywhere within the imaginary goal/penalty area. All defenders must be out of the area and the ball cannot be played by another player until it has left the penalty area.
Planted Players: No player may be given a place to stand, guard, wait, or watch over. All players must be given the freedom to move in relation to the ball. Players should be looking to support the ball where the game demands not where the have been told to play. We are not looking for kids who go on the field and get caught standing. We are looking for players who have been told to stay in one place on the field and have no freedom to move appropriately. These are players that have lost complete connectivity or do not have the ability to support their team through the direction of the coach. If you have a question or issue with this please see a field marshal.
Coaching Credentials: Only registered coaches may be on the player’s side during the game unless it is an emergency and needed by the coach to watch the bench. Please let the field marshal know before the game begins if someone is not registered and will be on the players side of the field.