Law 1 – The Field of Play

Dimensions: The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the goal line.

Length: minimum 60 yards maximum 80 yards

Width: minimum 45 yards maximum 55 yards

Field Markings: Distinctive lines not more than (5) inches wide. The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line. The center mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of eight (8) yards is marked around it.

The Penalty Area: A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, fourteen (14) yards from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of fourteen (14) yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made ten (10) yards from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of eight (8) yards from each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.

Goals: Conform to FIFA with exception that the maximum distance between the posts is twenty-one (21) feet and the maximum distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is seven (7) feet.

Law 2 – The Ball: Size four (4).

Law 3 – The Number of Players: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eight players, one of whom is the goalkeeper.

Substitutions: At start of period, injury, before goal kick, after score, or before own throw-in.

Law 4 – The Players Equipment: Soccer cleats (NO TOE CLEATS), Shin guards must be worn at all times. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather conditions, but uniforms must still distinguish teams.

Law 5 – The Referee: Registered referee.

Law 6 The Assistant Referee: Use U.S.S.F. registered referees or club linesmen.

Law 7 The Duration of the Match: Conform to FIFA with the exception of the match being divided into two (2) halves of twenty-five (25) minutes each. There shall be a half-time interval of five (5) minutes.

Law 8 The Start and Restart of Play: Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play.

Law 9 The Ball In and Out of Play: Conform to FIFA. 

Law 10 The Method of Scoring: Conform to FIFA.

Law 11 Offside: Conform to FIFA.

Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct: Conform to FIFA.

Law 13 Free Kicks: Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents are at least eight (8) yards from the ball.

Law 14 The Penalty Kick: Conform to FIFA with the exceptions that the penalty mark is at ten yards and that players other than the kicker and defending goalkeeper are at least eight (8) yards from the penalty mark.

Law 15 The Throw-In: Conform to FIFA. 

Law 16 The Goal Kick: Conform to FIFA.

Law 17 The Corner Kick: Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least eight (8) yards away from the ball until it is in play.

ADDENDUM

MODIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GAME FOR U12

Law 1 The Field of Play dimensions are smaller to

accommodate the eight-versus-eight game and are appropriate for the movement capabilities of ten- and eleven-year-old children. These adjusted dimensions provide more practical space allowing players to be successful.

Field Markings: per FIFA with the exception of the smaller center circle.

Goals: the goal, 7 x 21 feet.

Law 2 The Ball: must be a size four. The smaller ball is

lighter and more easily kicked, received, headed, dribbled, caught, thrown and passed.

Law 3 The Number of Players: The eight-a-side game includes the

goalkeeper. The smaller number of field players will provide the opportunity for the children to further develop their physical and technical abilities. These are valuable traits for all soccer players to develop. With fewer players on the field each child has an increased number of contacts with the ball and has more actual playing time. Additionally the players will be required to make more decisions and experience repeating game situations frequently. The work rate and involvement of players will be more consistent. While learning both offense and defense, players will become well rounded and will understand more readily the roles and importance of teammates. The smaller field dimensions and number of players on the field of play will require more concentration on transition, which a vitally important tactical concept for the players to learn.

Law 6 The Assistant Referees: per FIFA. Use registered

referees or club linesmen.

Law 7 The Duration of the Match: per FIFA with the exception of the

halves being 30 minutes each.

Law 8 The Start and Restart of Play: per FIFA. The distance the

defending players must be away from the ball until it is kicked is the same as the radius of the center circle.

Law 10 Goal Scored: shall conform to FIFA and the sections

concerning Winning Team and Competition Rules shall conform to US Youth Soccer guidelines.

Law 13 Free Kicks: per FIFA. The distance the defending players

must be away from the ball until it is kicked is the same as the radius of the center circle.

Law 14 Conform to FIFA with the exceptions that the penalty mark is

ten yards from the center of the goal line and that players other than the kicker and defending goalkeeper are at least eight yards from the penalty mark. The distance of eight yards conforms to the radius of the center circle. The distance of ten yards from the center of the goalmouth for the penalty mark fits within the reduced dimensions of the penalty area and is a reasonable distance for the kick.

Law 17 The Corner Kick: per FIFA. The distance the defending

players must be away from the ball until it is kicked is the same as the radius of the center circle.