Youth Recreational League Rules
Coed U5-U8
Coaches/Spectators:
No more than 2 non-playing personnel are allowed on the team bench. Coaches must be
registered with the Athletico Center or scheduled as a substitute coach for that day. Siblings and
family members are not permitted on the field but are welcome to use the bleachers and tables
surrounding the field as a viewing area.
Spectators
Spectators are not allowed on the field at any time. Food and drink (besides water) are also not
allowed on the field.
Age Group Determination:
Age group break-downs will be based on the AYSO age group chart available online.
Game Length:
40 minute running clock
Rules of Play
Rule 1
Number of Players
4 v 4 (Field Size 30 x 15)
Maximum roster of 8 players
If a team is short players and the opposing team has a surplus, it is asked that the opposing team
sends extra players over to even out numbers.
Substitutions:
Substitutions may occur on the fly.
Injured Player:
Under no circumstances can a player be allowed to continue to play while he/she has an open
wound and blood is evident.
Rule 2
Player Equipment
 Jerseys: First team listed on schedule wears white, second team listed wears blue
 Shin Guards: Must be covered by socks
 Shorts or pants: cannot contain zippers/hard metal
 Shoes: flats or cleats are allowed. No wet shoes/snow boots on turf
Dangerous Equipment:
 Jewelry may not be worn.
 Absolutely no hard casts of any type are allowed. Any soft cast must be approved by the
referee.
 No cleats with metal studs are allowed.
 Reading/prescription glasses (with the exception of sports glasses)
 Any equipment or item/s perceived to be dangerous by the referee
Rule 3
Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play when the whole ball passes over the perimeter lines, when it hits the ceiling,
or when a goal is scored. The ball is in play at all other times, including when it rebounds from the
coach, goal post, or inflatable field sides.
Out of Bounds
Perimeter Side-Line: If the ball flies over the inflatable dividers, a kick-in is awarded to the
opponents of the person who last touched the ball and the point the ball went out of bounds.
Corner Kick: A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either
on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team.
Goal kick: When the ball crosses over the goal line between corner markings after being touched
by a member of the offensive team, play shall be restarted with a goal kick. The goalkeeper has 5
seconds to restart play. A goal may be scored directly form a goal kick.
Rule 4
Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the whole ball passes completely over the goal line, within framework of the
goal, providing no infraction has been committed by the attacking team.
Rule 5
Fouls and Misconduct
Direct Free Kick
All kicks are direct free kicks with no exceptions. Opposing teams must yield 5 feet. Teams have 5
seconds to get the ball in play after the referee prompts for the kick.
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven
offences in a manner considered by the coaches to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
• Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
• Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
• Jumps at an opponent
• Charges an opponent
• Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
• Pushes an opponent
• Tackles an opponent
A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the
following three offences:
• Holds an opponent
• Spits at an opponent
• Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
Procedure
A direct free kick is taken from the place where the offence occurred
Ball Enters the Goal
• If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal is awarded
• If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the
opposing team
Rule 5
Off-sides
There are no off-sides. Cherry-picking is discouraged.
Rule 6
Goalkeepers
There will be no goalkeepers in the U5-U8 division. Having a defender hover closely to the front of
the goal is discouraged.