RULES SPECIFICALLY FOR ROSWELL U-8
1. There are no goalies at Under- 8
2. U8s will play four 10 minute quarters.
2. All free kicks are direct. Opposing players should be at least 5 yards away from the ball at the time the free kick is taken.
2. There will be no slide tackling in U-8. This rule needs to be watched closely, we do not want any sliding in this age group because the players do not know the proper technique and it can lead to injury. A penalty for a slide tackle will be a free kick from where the infraction occurred.
3. There will be a 5-yard arc around the goal this year. This area will be treated much like the 3-second lane in basketball. Players will be able to move into and through the zone but will not be allowed to stay in the zone unless they are either playing the ball or marking an opponent. Infringement of this rule will result in a free kick by the opposing team outside the arc. REASON: The goal is to prevent the players from packing around the goal area. This will also make them create space when not in possession of the ball, and marking opponents player-to-player.
4. There will be no offside at Under-8. Restricting the movement in any way at this age deters children from spreading out.
5. Improper throw-ins will not be called the first infraction. The referee will instruct the child to what they were doing improper and allow them a second attempt. If the second throw-in is also improper then the ball will be given to the opposing team for a throw-in.
6. On Goalkicks, all players from the team not in possession of the ball must remain behind the closest 1/4 field line until the ball is played. Players on the team in possession of the ball may stand anywhere on the field they would like, including inside the defensive 1/4 area. As soon as the ball is played, all players may move into any area of the field.
7. When the ball crosses midfield into a teams attacking half, that teams defenders should be encouraged to move out of the defensive 1/4.
RULES SPECIFICALLY FOR ROSWELL U-10 REC
Roswell will be playing a 6 v 6 format. Each half will be 30 minutes, and we will play with goalkeepers.
All free kicks are indirect, except penalty kicks.
Players are not allowed to score directly from their defensive end. If a player does score directly from their defensive end the goal will be disallowed and the opposing team will get a free kick from the mid-field line.
Goal kicks and goalkeeper punts/throws cannot pass midfield without touching a player or the ground. If this occurs, the opposing team will get a free kick from midfield.
Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere inside the goal box.
Referees shall allow players a second chance on throw-ins to help teach them the proper way of throwing the ball in bounds.
There will be no slide tackling in U-10 rec games. This rule needs to be watched closely, we do not want any sliding in this age group because the players do not know the proper technique and it can lead to injury. A penalty for a slide tackle will be an indirect kick from where the infraction occurred.
There will be no offside called in U-10.
There will be free substitutions this year. This means that coaches can sub on their own throw-ins, injuries, goal kicks, and at kick off.
RULES SPECIFIC FOR ROSWELL JR. ACADEMY
Jr. Academy rules are the same as u10 rec rules (see above) with one exception.
Obvious offside infractions should be called by the referee (there are no ARs, so if it is too close to tell from your position on the field, let it go).
RULES SPECIFIC FOR U9 AND U10 ACADEMY
All regular USSF rules should be applied in this league.
The only exception is that we will not be using ARs to make offside calls this year. The referee, therefore, should call obvious offside infractions (if it is too close to tell from your position on the field, let it go).