MYSA Referees and Coaches:
Rules for the U10 Division:
SUMMARY:
Ball: Size 4
Game Duration: Two 25 minute halves, 5 minute half time break
Number of Players: 6 on field at any one time, including a goalkeeper. Teams can have a maximum of 12 players on the roster.
Goial Size: 6x12 feet preferred (a 6x18 or 7x21 goal may be used, if that is all that is available) Restarts: Throw-ins for sidelines, goalkicks and corner kicks for goal lines. Size 4 balls are used.
Offside: The FIFA offside rule is in effect
Free Kicks: Direct (including PK) and indirect are used, opponents must be 8 yards away Goalkeepers: Contact with the goalkeeper is not allowed - referees are directed to protect the goalie at all times
Shirt Conflicts: Home team is responsible for bringing a change of shirts, in the case of a conflict Other: FIFA rules apply to all other situations - the referee has the final say, however.
REFEREES: We use a standard three-man system on U10 games. In the case of a lack of officials, a two-man system (or even a one-man system with club linesmen) may be used.
PLAYING TIME: In the U10 division, all players should play approximately equally, and all players must play at least half of each game. The only exception is health issues or misbehavior. Missing practice is a not a valid reason for not playing a player, in recreational soccer.
GOALKEEPERS: No player may play for more than half of a game in goal. Any player who plays in goal should also play at least one decent shift in the field. Please note that this is a MYSA rule, and that out-of-town teams may not follow this rule (some do, some don't). Also, contact with goalkeepers is not allowed. The referee should call a foul on any play where the goalkeeper is in danger, in the opinion of the official.
THROW-INS: Throw-ins are called as per FIFA rules. There are no "retakes". A foul throw results in a throw-in for the other team.
SUBSTITUTIONS: All teams may substitute (with the referee's permission) on any goal kick, after a goal, at halftime, after an injury (the injured player, and one player for the other team, if desired), and prior to their own throw-in. If the team in possession of the ball substitutes on a throw-in, then the other team may also substitute. Please note that the referee may also allow substitutions on other restarts, if a team has been trying to substitute for a long period of time but has not had an opportunity to sub. We do not want technicalities denying players the chance to play. For substitutions, all players entering the game should be standing at the center of the field. They should not enter the field until the players leaving the game have come close to leaving the field.
GOALS: In rec soccer, the U10 division is supposed to play with 6x12 goals (WVSA goal size rule).
LOP-SIDED GAMES: We don't want any "blowouts" in our U10 games. If one team is clearly dominating the other, the coaches should get together and do what they can to make the game more even. This could include exchanging players. Just do your best!
Other:
- Development and fun is far more important than winning and losing - there should be no "blowouts" or lop-sided games.