U6 Through U12 Rules
Dangerous Play
A call of dangerous play is made when any player is put into a situation where the act of conducting play is considered by the referee to place any player in a position to cause injury to themselves or any other players.
Ball In and Ball Out of Play
The ball is not considered out of play until it has gone completely over the marked boundary of the pitch. A player may be outside the marked pitch and play the ball as long as the ball remains within the marked boundary of the pitch.
Handling
The call of “HANDLING” occurs when, in the opinion of the referee, they view any play, including the keeper in certain instances, to have deliberately handled, carried, struck, or propelled the ball with their hand or arm. The referee may also look to see if, in their opinion, the hand went to the ball or the ball went to the hand, or if an advantage was gained, before making the call.
Mercy Rule
The Columbus East Soccer Association encourages all players and COACHES to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times. If a team is trailing by 4 goals or more at any time during the match, they may play with 1 additional player until the deficit has been reduced to 2 goals, at which time they must remove the extra player. If the deficit increases to 8 goals or more, the trailing team may play with a maximum of 2 players until the deficit has been reduced to 6 goals and then the trailing team must remove 1 of the extra players.
General Coaching Rules
Coaches are not allowed on the field unless requested by the referee to attend to an injured player or the referee in his/her opinion requires the coach to assist with the behavior of one of the players. ***In the Under 6 Division, for the first couple of weeks, coaches are allowed to step on the field to help players navigate which way to go :)
Coaches must offer only positive reinforcement.
Coaches may not question refereeing decisions. Please contact Dave Hepler after a match if there is an issue or a concern regarding a referee.
Under 6
Main Rules:
No heading.
No throw in players will pass the ball in.
Goal kicks will be taken from a marked spot 2.5 yards from the goal. During a goal kick the opposing/defensive team must go behind the midway line. When the ball is put in play, the opposing/defensive team may cross over the midway line and defend.
Length of Match: 32 minutes (4 x 8 minute Quarters)
Game Play: 3v3 (with no Goalie)
Coaching & Player Guidelines:
At this age players do not need to have positions. All players should attack and defend. All players should take the ball to goal when they have possession and all players should pressure the ball when they are defending. While coaches should always be encouraging and looking for ways to help their players learn and understand the game, U6 coaches should never advise their players to pass or shoot during play - the player should learn to make their own decisions. Coaches should only advise their players to defend or dribble to goal.
**We ask coaches to separate the fields based on ability into an “A”, “B”, and “C” field. This is to allow for all players to get touches on the ball and hopefully enjoy the game.
Under 7
Main Rules:
No heading.
Throw-ins: Players must keep both feet on the ground behind the touch-line. Players must use both hands to deliver the ball from behind and over their head.
Goal kicks will be taken from the top of the offensive team’s goal box. During a goal kick the opposing/defensive team must go behind the midway line. When the ball is put in play, the opposing/defensive team may cross over the midway line and defend.
Length of Match: 32 Minutes (4 x 8 minute Quarters)
Game Play: 4v4 (3v3 + Goalies)
Coaching & Player Guidelines:
Field players should attack and defend. Field players should take the ball to goal when they have possession, and if they pass to an open player, be praised by their coach. While coaches should always be encouraging and looking for ways to support their players from the sideline, it’s equally important to refrain from advising their players to pass or shoot during play - the player should learn to make the decision on their own. (Coaching and/or encouraging players after a play, rather than before or during a play, helps to ensure players learn from experience).
Field players should pressure the ball when they are defending. Focus on spatial awareness and not necessarily positions.
The goalie can use his or her hands, and when they have possession, they should be advised to roll the ball out with their hands, or pass the ball with their feet to a teammate nearby.
Goalies should never punt.
**We ask coaches to separate the fields based on ability into an “A” and “B” field. This is to allow for all players to get touches on the ball and hopefully enjoy the game.
Under 8
Main Rules:
No punting.
No heading.
Throw-ins: Players must keep both feet on the ground behind the touch-line. Players must use both hands to deliver the ball from behind and over their head.
Goal kicks will be taken from the top of the offensive team’s goal box. During a goal kick the opposing/defensive team must go behind the midway line. When the ball is put in play, the opposing/defensive team may cross over the midway line and defend.
Length of Match: 40 Minutes (4 x 10 minute Quarters)
Game Play: 5v5 (4v4 + Goalies)
Coaching & Player Guidelines:
Field players should attack and defend. Field players should take the ball to goal when they have possession, and if they pass to an open player, be praised by their coach. While coaches should always be encouraging and looking for ways to support their players from the sideline, coaches should refrain from advising their players to pass or shoot during play (don’t give orders) - the player should learn to make the decision on their own. (Coaching and/or encouraging players after a play, rather than before or during a play, helps to ensure players can learn from experience).
Goalies should never punt.
**We ask coaches to separate the fields based on ability into an “A” and “B” field. This is to allow for all players to get touches on the ball and hopefully enjoy the game.
Under 10
Main Rules:
No punting.
No heading.
Throw-ins: Players must keep both feet on the ground behind the touch-line. Players must use both hands to deliver the ball from behind and over their head.
Build-out Lines
These are only used in our U10 matches. The Build-out-Lines are located equidistant between the Halfway line and the Penalty Area line.
**The opposing team must move and remain outside the Build-out Area on all goal kicks and whenever the goalkeeper gains possession of the ball with their hands during play. The opposing team must remain outside the Build-out Area until the ball is put back in play and his or her teammate makes the first touch.
*See picture below showing the U10 field of play with dimensions and location of build-out lines/areas
Length of Match: 50 minutes (2 x 25 minute halves)
Game Play: 7v7 (6v6+Goalies)
Field Size (yds) - 40x60
Goal Size (ft) - 6x18
Under 12
Play shall be conducted as 9 vs 9 including a keeper and using a size #4 ball.
Substitutions may be made at the midline ONLY by either team and with the consent of the referee:
After a goal by either team
Before any goal kick
Before a throw-in in your team’s favor or if both teams are at the midline
At the beginning of any period of play
After any injury, by either team, when the referee stops play
After a caution, the cautioned player may be substituted, if so, then the other team may also sub a player
3. A match shall consist of 2/30 minutes periods with a half time period of no less than 5 minutes and no longer than 8 minutes.
4. The execution of a slide tackle is STRONGLY discouraged. Slide tackles will be viewed critically and improperly executed slide tackles will be penalized.
5. Score is kept by the referee and the winning coach is responsible for reporting the score to the commissioner by the end of the day or entering it directly into the website.
6. Coaches, parents and supporters ARE NOT permitted on the pitch during play.
7. Parents and supporters are REQUIRED to remain on the opposite side of the pitch.
8. There is a tournament for this age group for the fall and spring seasons.
Offside:
An offside position is gained when a player, while in the opponent’s half of the pitch, is ahead of the ball and closer to the opponents goal than two defenders, one of which may be the keeper. The call of “OFFSIDE”"; will only be made if the player is in the area of active play or is involved in the play.
Advantage:
Advantage is called when the team that was fouled remains in control of the ball and on the attack, thus allowing any offensive opportunity gained to continue rather than penalize said team for the action of the opponent.