MYSA Referees and Coaches:
Rules for U12 Division:
SUMMARY:
Game Duration: Two 30 minute halves, 5-10 minute break for halftime
Number of Players: 8 on field at any one time, including a goalkeeper. Teams can have a maximum of 14 players on the roster.
Goal Size: 7x21 preferred (a full-sized goal may be used, if that is all that is available) Size 4 Balls are used.
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 U12 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 U12 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: At the U12 level, a player may play the whole game in goal. However, we discourage this and suggest that teams switch goalies at the half.
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. 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.
Basically, U12 is the level where we start playing almost fully by regular FIFA rules.
Other:
- Development and fun is far more important than winning and losing - there should be no "blowouts" or lop-sided games