Wilmington Youth Soccer Association

In-Town Laws of the Game

(Grade 1)

Unless otherwise specified below, all In-Town matches will abide by FIFA’s “Laws of the Game.”

1.  Field of Play

A.       Dimensions.  The field should be 30 to 35 yards wide and 40 to 50 yards long.  This is the ideal size for 4 v 4 soccer.  Fields should come as close to these dimensions as possible in order to insure that no team gains an advantage due to an oversized or undersized field.

B.       Markings. Typically, a first grade game is played on a half of a regulation 6 v 6 field.  The boundaries of a first grade field are: the end line and midfield line of the 6 v 6 field act as the sidelines of the 4 v 4 field and the sidelines of the 6 v 6 field act as the end lines of the 4 v 4 field.  One 6 v 6 field makes two 4 v 4 fields.

C.       Goal Area.  A goal area is defined  to be the area immediately in front of the net.  First grade games are played without a goalkeeper, as a result, the goal area is not marked.

D.       Penalty Area.    A penalty area is not needed for first grade games.

E.       Goals.  Goals must be placed on the center of each goal line.  Goals should have a minimum size of four (4) feet tall and six (6) feet wide.  All goals must be secured to the ground so as to maintain stability and minimize the risk of falling over.

2.  Ball

A.          Size.  A size four (4) ball will be used for all In-Town matches

B. Replacement.  The ball may not be changed or replaced during the match without the permission of the referee.

3.  Number of Players

A.          Roster.  The number of players on a roster during the season shall be determined by the In-Town Committee, based on the number of registrants within each age group. The preferred minimum number of players on a roster is eight (8).

B.          Players.  A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than four (4) players A match may not start, or continue, if either team consists of fewer than two (2) players who are able to play.

C.          Playing Time.  Each player should play a minimum of 50% (25 minutes) of the total playing time.

D. Substitutions.  All substitutes should enter and leave the field at the halfway line.  Players on the field may be replaced by a substitute under one of the following conditions:

1)       Prior to a kick-in in your team's favor,

2)       Prior to the other  team’s kick-in if they substitute first

3)       Prior to a goal kick by either team

4)  After a goal by either team,

5)  After an injury by either team when the referee stops play (one player only), or

6)  At half-time.

E.       Goalkeepers – First grade games are played without goalkeepers.

4.  Coaches/Supervision

A.    Coaches.  Each team must have a designated head coach and may have up to two (2) assistant coaches.

(One of these may be a team helper).   In the Fall season, one of the coaches is allowed on the field of play with his/her team

B.          Supervision.  For each team, a registered coach or assistant coach must be present during the entire game.  If no such coach is present, or if the coach is ejected or leaves the game for other reasons, the referee may accept another person, but not a player, as the substitute coach.  The game will not be played or continued if the referee, at anytime, decides that no proper supervision is present.  If the referee abandons the game, a forfeit will be assessed at the discretion of the In-Town Committee.

5.  Player's Equipment

A.          Required Equipment.  The required equipment of a player is:

1)  Jersey or shirt

2)  Shorts

3)  Socks

4)  Shin guards

5)  Footwear

B.          Shin guards.  Shin guards are to be made of a suitable material in order to provide a reasonable degree of protection and must be covered entirely by the stockings during the match.

C. Footwear.  The footwear shall be soccer cleats with molded rubber or plastic bottoms (with no front middle cleat) or sneakers. Screw-in cleats are not permitted.

D. Restrictions.  The following articles are not to be worn or allowed during a match:

1)  Jewelry of any type,

2)  Hard casts (even if padded), or

3)  Any other equipment the referee determines is dangerous to another player.

       E.     It is recommended that each player bring a filled water bottle to both practices and games.

6.  Referee

A.          A currently approved referee or referee approved by the Referee Coordinator shall be used for all matches.

B.          Referees shall be assigned by the Referee Coordinator.

C. Referees should state all infractions of the Laws of the Game to the offending player(s) as the progress of the match permits.  Due to the age of the players, such statements are viewed as a method to educate the younger player and should be delivered as such

D. There are no Assistant Referees or Linesmen in In-Town matches.

7.  Duration of the Match

A.          Periods of Play.  The match shall be divided into two (2) equal halves of twenty-five (25) minutes each.

B.          Half-Time.  The half-time interval shall be five (5) minutes.

C.          Allowance for Time Lost.  There will be no extra time added to either half by the referee

8.  Start of Play

A.       Preliminaries. Prior to the beginning of play, the referee shall inspect the field of play to ensure the safety of the players and spectators as well as each player’s equipment to make sure it conforms to the laws of the game. The “Home” team, as designated by the schedule, will kick off to start the match. The “away” team takes the kick-off to start the second half of the match, after the teams have switched the halves of the field they are defending.

B.       Kick-off.  A kick-off is a way of starting (or restarting) play.  All players shall be in their own half of the field.  All players of the opposing team shall be at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play.  With the ball stationary on the center mark, the referee shall give a signal to start play.  The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward.  The kicker shall not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.  A goal may be scored on a kick-off.

9.  Ball In and Out of Play

A.     Out of Play.  The ball is out of play when-.

1)          It has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air, or

2)          Play has been stopped by the referee.

B.    In Play.  The ball in is play at all other times including when:

1)         It rebounds from a goal post, crossbar or corner flag post and remains in the field of play, or

2)         It rebounds off the referee when he/she is on the field of play.

10.  Method of Scoring

A.      Goal Scored.  A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.  A goal may be scored on a kick-off or on a corner kick.

B.      Restart.  After a goal is scored, the game must restart using the kick-off method.  The team who was scored on has the kick-off.

11.  Off-Side

A.  The off-side rule does not apply in In-Town matches.

12.  Fouls and Misconduct

A.      Conformance.  During a match, conformance will be with all FIFA Laws of the Game except as otherwise noted.

B.      The referee will stop play and award a team control of the ball with a “free kick” when fouls occur during the course of play. Although listed here as “direct” and “indirect” kicks for reference purposes, note that in In-Town matches only indirect kicks are awarded.

i) Direct Kick Fouls

-        kicking or attempting to kick

-        tripping

-        jumping at an opponent

-        charging

-        striking an opponent

-        pushing or holding

-        contact made to opponent before contact made with the ball

-        handling the ball (deliberately)

ii) Indirect Kick Fouls

-        dangerous play

-        fair charge when the ball is not within playing distance

-        Obstruction

-        Goalkeeper releases the ball and then touches it again before being touched by another player

-        Wasting time

C. Slide Tackles

Slide tackles are not permitted in any In-Town games. Referees are instructed to immediately blow a whistle if a slide tackle is performed and an indirect free kick will be awarded.

D.       Exceptions.  The following exceptions to the FIFA Laws of the Game will pertain to all In-Town

matches:

1)       There are no penalty kicks;

2)       There are no direct kicks for fouls. Only indirect kicks will be awarded;

3) There is no off-side;

4) Goal kicks and goalkeeper punts must bounce or be played in the kicking team's own half of the field.

13.  Free Kicks

A.    All free kicks will conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game with the exception that an opponent must be

eight (8) yards from the ball before the kick is allowed.

14.  Penalty Kicks

A.    No penalty kicks shall be awarded to or taken by either team. 

15.  Kick-ins

A.  To encourage more touches on the ball during the course of a game first grade players utilize kick-in instead of throw-ins.  .

a)       A kick- in is awarded to the team when the opposing player kicks the ball completely beyond the side touchline.

b)     The player must. pass the ball to a team mate to put the ball back into play

c)      The ball must be stationary on the side touchline before it can be kicked in The opposing player must be at least 2 yards away from the ball during a kick-in. If a ball is kicked but  never enters the field of play, the kick-in is taken over by the same team.

16.  Goal Kick

A.          Awarded.  A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored.

B.          Procedure.  The ball is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team.  Opponents remain outside the goal area until the ball is in play.  The ball is in play when it is kicked beyond the goal area; the ball may not be played or touched until it has exited the goal area.  The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

C.          Infringement/Sanctions.  Goal kicks must bounce or be played in the kicking teams own half of the field by either team or there is a loss of the ball to the opposing team.  An indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team at the halfway line at the point nearest the point of the infraction. 

17.  Corner Kick

A.                All corner kicks will conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game with the exception that an opponent must

            be eight (8) yards from the ball before the kick is allowed. A goal may be scored on a corner kick.

In-Town Recommendations

A.      Opposing coaches/parents and players should shake hands after each game.

B.      All players and coaches are encouraged to shake hands with the referees and thank them.

C.      Coaches/parents, non-playing players, parents and spectators should be located not less than three (3) yards from outside the touch line nor should they be closer than twenty (10) yards to the goal line.  No individual should be allowed to run the length of the field except for the participants of the game. No one is permitted behind the goal to either view the game or instruct the goalkeeper.

D.      Parents should not coach or instruct players during the game.

E.       NO alcoholic beverages shall be consumed or allowed anywhere on or near the field of play.

F.       Smoking of cigarettes, cigars or pipes is NOT permitted anywhere on or near the field of play.

G.      Courtesy and respect should be extended to the referee by all coaches, players, parents and spectators.  Any abuse, verbal or otherwise, of the referee is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.  It is the responsibility of the coaches to control their players, parents and spectators.

Created 03-03-2001

Updated 02-12-02

Updated 08-08-08_JAH