Junior and Senior Clinic Game Rules
Apply the normal rules of soccer with some restraint so the children can play and have a good time. Blow the
whistle immediately when safety is involved, especially if a child is on the ground where they might be
kicked. Children who push, trip or elbow should be warned. Coaches should instruct their players that no hitting,
intentional kicking, tripping or pushing from behind will be tolerated. Repeated offenses should result in dismissal
from the game.
Interpret rules loosely unless one team is doing something that gives them an unfair advantage.
Exceptions to normal rules and special circumstances are listed below:
1. Two coaches from each team are allowed on the field, one up front and one in back. Coaches should stay out of
the penalty box and not impede the other team. One coach from each team will make calls with a whistle, but all
coaches should be prepared to yell “STOP” when a child is in danger.
Note: whistle should only be blown to start the game (at the beginning and after a goal) and stop the game (foul or
end of quarter or half). Whistle should not be blown for throw ins, goalie kicks, corners. Coaches should point to the
place where the kick or throw should occur. Try not to teach the players to always wait for a whistle to blow.
2. Throw ins: Senior Clinic: if the player lifts the back foot, require the player to do it cover (unless the other team
has gained advantage). Junior Clinic--allow almost any throw in to proceed.
3. Minor off side infractions: Don’t call. If the defensive team has all its fullbacks up at midfield, the offensive
team should not leave a player at the opposing goal for an offside pass and breakaway. Call offside if one team is
continually sending a player in offside around the goal. Stop the game and explain that this is not allowed in
soccer. Coaches should not coach their teams to be offside. Junior Clinic offsides : each team must keep two (out
of six) players on each half of the field. The goal is to keep the players spread out and not play magnet ball.
4. No sliding tackles permitted. Again, if a child is down near the ball where they might be kicked, stop play.
5. Individual substitutions may be made at any time. Player leaving the field should be off the field before
replacing player enters the pitch. Substitute multiple players only on a dead ball. Yell SUB! to keep play stopped
for multiple substitutions.
6. Time: Use a running clock. Ten (10) minute quarters. Five (5) minute halftime and two (2) minutes between
quarters. Game should begin on the hour and end by ten (10) minutes before the next hour if there is another game
scheduled. Coaches may agree to twelve (12) minute quarters if there is no game following.
7. Goal kicks are taken as a free kick from the edge of the penalty area.
8. There is no step limit on the goalie. If the goalie crosses the goalie box line, ignore a minor infraction (i.e. one
(1) to two (2) steps over). For a major infraction, require them to make the throw or kick over.
9. Field size: The ideal field size for the Senior Clinic (6/7) would be about 60x40 yards, a goalie box of 10x20
yards, center circle with a radius of 8 yards and the goals 18 wide feet and ~6 feet high. The ideal field size for the
Junior Clinic (5/6) would be about 35x20 yards, a goalie box of 6x12 yards, center circle with a radius of 5 yards
and the goals 12 feet wide and ~6 feet high. Corner markings will be an arc of 1 yd radius.
10. Fielded team size: six vs. six for Junior Clinic (no goalies) and seven vs. seven for Senior Clinic (including
goalie).
11. Ball size: Junior Clinic: Number three (3). Senior Clinic: Number (4)
12. Bad weather: Play in a light rain if the field is not too wet or muddy. Games will be postponed in case of heavy
rain, lightning or muddy fields. On a rainy morning, the coach of the home team will check the field, make the
decision and call the opposing coach at least one and a half (1.5) hours before game time. The opposing coaches
may schedule makeup games. The home team coach will clear field times with his Clinic Commissioner.
13. Over age player at any clinic level: Before the game each coach should identify any player who is over age,
eight (8) before January 1 for Senior Clinic and seven (7) before January 1 for Junior Clinic (5/6). After seeing the
over age child play, the opposing coach may ask that the over age player be benched if they are too advanced for the
level.
14. Avoid running up the score on the other team. If one team is more that 4 goals ahead, that team should remove 1
player for each additional goal difference: e.g. if the score is 6-0, the leading team should play with 2 less players
than the other team.
15. Notify your Clinic Commissioner about any problems with other coaches or players so the problems may be
addressed and corrected.
16. No Jewelry (i.e. earrings, watches, metals hair bands, etc.)
17. Shin guards required. Socks should cover plastic portions of shin guards. Mouth guard suggested. Mouth
guards are mandatory if the child has any orthodontic work.
18. If any team does not have enough players, “borrowing” of players from the other team is acceptable if both
coaches agree.
20. No spectators allowed on the end line, they may only be on the side line.