Lakeland Recreational Soccer Rules of the Game

Summary of Age Groups

4/5/6U Coed

• 3v3 or 4v4 (No Goalies)
• Size 3 Ball
• Four 8-minute quarters with 3-minute breaks.
• No referee. Coaches manage the game and a parent keeps time

8U Coed & Single Gender

• 4v4 (No Goalies)
• Size 3 Ball
• Four 10-minute quarters with 3-minute breaks
• Official Referee. The referee manages the game and keeps time.

10U & 12U Boys & Girls

• 7v7 Gender Specific (6 Field Players plus a Goalkeeper)
• Size 4 Ball
• 25-minute halves with a 5 minute half time
• Official Referee. The referee manages the game and keeps time.

14U Boys & Girls

• 7v7 Gender Specific (6 Field Players plus a Goalkeeper)
• Size 5 Ball
• 25-minute halves with a 5 minute half time
• Official Referee. The referee manages the game and keeps time.

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4/5/6U Coed Program

The Lakeland 5/6U program introduces the game of soccer to young children, their parents, and coaches. Lakeland provides soccer instruction in a family-oriented atmosphere with a strong emphasis on participation and fun. 5/6U players may also have access to specialized skills clinics with US Soccer licensed coaches throughout the season

RULES OF THE GAME

• There will be four 8-minute quarters with a continuous running clock and breaks of 3 minutes.
• Substitutions should take place approximately every 4 minutes or as needed. Substitutions are allowed at any time of the game.
• No Offsides
• No Slide Tackling
• No Goalkeepers
• No Referee
• Coaches Manage the Game. Both coaches should be on the field directing and refereeing.
• Designate one volunteer parent “timekeeper” to keep time for each of the games.
• Teams DO NOT switch sides at halftime.
• Anytime the ball goes out of bounds, the ball will be placed at the spot it went out of bounds. The new team in possession can either kick or dribble the ball back in to restart play. No throw-ins. The opposing team must be at least 10 feet from the ball before it is played.
• Free kicks are awarded for any intentional foul or obvious handball. The ball is placed at the spot of the foul. The opposing team must be at least 10 feet from the ball before it is played. Free kicks can be kicked or dribbled to restart.
• All Free Kicks are direct. This means players can score directly from a restart.
• Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere on the goal line. They can restart with a dribble or a pass.

• No corner kicks. If the ball goes over the goal line, not in the goal, play restarts with a goal kick for the team defending the goal on that end.

• No scores or standings are kept.
• Teams switch sides at half.

All players should take an active part in gameplay. Each player will be allowed a minimum of 50% playing time each game. Substitutions can be made at any time during the game. One coach from each team will be allowed on the field working together to help the kids and manage the game.  

START OF PLAY

Play starts from the center mark of the field. Every player must be in his/her own half of the field and the opposing team must be at least 10 feet from the ball before it is played. The ball is “in play” when it has been touched. It can be kicked or dribbled to begin play. After a goal has been scored, the game is re-started by a player from the non-scoring team in the same way as above. Any infringement of kick-off rules will result in a re-play of the kick-off and an explanation to the offending player. 

BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

The ball is out of play: When the entire ball has crossed the line, whether on the ground or in the air.

METHODS OF SCORING

A goal is scored: When the entire ball crosses the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar.

OFFSIDE

There will be no offside calls during the game.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

At this age group, these include Intentional use of the hands to gain an advantage – whether handling the ball or shoving another player out of the way. Intentional tripping: Remember that unintentional tripping may occur when young children play a game using their feet to control the ball. Coaches will help teach the kids safe play and good sportsmanship. If a player continues to intentionally push, shove, trip, or foul other players, the coach will remove them from the game and ask the parent to talk with them.  

FREE KICKS

All kicks (kick-offs, goal kicks, restarts) are Direct, meaning a goal can be scored directly from the kick. The opposing team must be at least 10 feet from the ball before it is played.

PENALTY KICKS

No penalty kicks at this age.

CORNER KICKS

Corner kicks. If the ball is last touched by the defending team and goes over the goal line, NOT IN THE GOAL, play restarts with a corner kick for the opposing team attacking the goal.

GOAL KICKS

When the attacking team plays the ball over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, the defending team is awarded a goal kick. Goal kicks can be taken anywhere along the goal line. The opposing team must be at least 10 feet from the ball before it is played.

ZERO TOLERANCE

TSA/Lakeland Soccer maintains zero tolerance with regard to any negative behavior or speech toward any player, parent, field official, or coach. This will be enforced and may result in the removal of the offending parties from the field or suspension of the game. 

Questions and additional clarification for game rules may be sought from the coach, or the director, following the completion of the game. The small-sided soccer concept of 4v4 is designed with the players in mind. Kids should be able to have fun, in a safe and positive environment. The focus is not on game results but on game experience. For this reason, scores and league standings are not kept. Parents, fans, players, coaches, and referees are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times.

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8U Coed, Boys, & Girls Program

The Lakeland 8U program can be coed or gender specific and continues to develop all players’ love for the game in a positive and productive environment. The goal at this age is to continue to provide soccer instruction in a family-oriented atmosphere with a strong emphasis on participation and fun. Players will continue playing in the 4v4 format to maximize touches on the ball and create more engagement in the game. This format allows players to develop quicker and have more fun. 8U players may also have access to specialized skills clinics with US Soccer licensed coaches throughout the season.

RULES OF THE GAME

• There will be four 10-minute quarters with a continuous running clock and breaks of 3 minutes.
• Substitutions should take place approximately every 5 minutes or as needed. Substitutions are allowed at any stoppage of play no matter who has the ball.
• No Offsides
• No Slide Tackling
• No Goalkeepers
• Official Referee. The referee will officiate the game according to FIFA Laws of the game. There may be some exceptions to the laws based on Lakeland league rules.
• Anytime the ball goes out of bounds, the ball will be placed at the spot it went out of bounds. The new team in possession can either kick or dribble the ball back in to restart play. No throw-ins. The opposing team must be at least 10 feet from the ball before it is played.
• Free kicks are awarded for any intentional foul or obvious handball. The ball is placed at the spot of the foul. The opposing team must be at least 10 feet from the ball before it is played. Free kicks can be kicked or dribbled to restart.
• All Free Kicks are direct. This means players can score directly from a restart.
• Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere on the goal line. They can restart with a dribble or a pass.
• Corner kicks must be taken from the corner of the field of the side the ball went out of bounds. They can restart with a dribble or a pass.
• No scores or standings are kept.
• Teams switch sides at half.

All players should take an active part in gameplay. Each player will be allowed a minimum of 50% playing time each game. Substitutions can be made at any stoppage time during the game.  

START OF PLAY

Play starts from the center mark of the field. Every player must be in his/her own half of the field and the opposing team must be at least 10 feet from the ball before it is played. The ball is “in play” when it has been touched. It can be kicked or dribbled to begin play. After a goal has been scored, the game is re-started by a player from the non-scoring team in the same way as above. Any infringement of kick-off rules will result in a re-play of the kick-off and an explanation to the offending player. 

BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

The ball is out of play: When the entire ball has crossed the line, whether on the ground or in the air.

METHODS OF SCORING

A goal is scored: When the entire ball crosses the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar.

OFFSIDE

There will be no offside calls during the game.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

At this age group, these include Intentional use of the hands to gain an advantage – whether handling the ball or shoving another player out of the way. Intentional tripping: Remember that unintentional tripping may occur when young children play a game using their feet to control the ball. Coaches will help teach the kids safe play and good sportsmanship. If a player continues to intentionally push, shove, trip, or foul other players, the coach will remove them from the game and ask the parent to talk with them. 

FREE KICKS

All kicks (kick-offs, goal kicks, restarts) are Direct, meaning a goal can be scored directly from the kick. The opposing team must be at least 10 feet from the ball before it is played.

CORNER KICKS

Corner kicks. If the ball is last touched by the defending team and goes over the goal line, NOT IN THE GOAL, play restarts with a corner kick for the opposing team attacking the goal.

PENALTY KICKS

No penalty kicks at this age.

GOAL KICKS

When the attacking team plays the ball over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, the defending team is awarded a goal kick. Goal kicks can be taken anywhere along the goal line. The opposing team must be at least 10 feet from the ball before it is played.

ZERO TOLERANCE

TSA/Lakeland Soccer maintains zero tolerance with regard to any negative behavior or speech toward any player, parent, field official, or coach. This will be enforced and may result in the removal of the offending parties from the field or suspension of the game. 

Questions and additional clarification for game rules may be sought from the coach, or the director, following the completion of the game. The small-sided soccer concept of 4v4 is designed with the players in mind. Kids should be able to have fun, in a safe and positive environment. The focus is not on game results but on game experience. For this reason, scores and league standings are not kept. Parents, fans, players, coaches, and referees are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times.

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10U, 12U, 14U Boys & Girls Program

The Lakeland 10U-14U programs are gender specific. Players at this age are introduced to a 7v7 playing format including goalkeepers, a larger field, and official referees. The goal at this age is to still provide a safe and positive environment for all players to continue to develop their love for the game. 10U, 12U, and 14U players may also have access to specialized skills clinics with US Soccer licensed coaches throughout the season.

RULES OF THE GAME

• There will be two 25-minute halves with a continuous running clock and a 5-minute halftime break.
• Substitutions should take place approximately every 10-12 minutes or as needed. Substitutions are allowed at any stoppage of play no matter who has the ball.
• Offsides. Offsides may be called if obvious.
• Official Referee. The referee will officiate the game according to FIFA Laws of the game. There may be some exceptions to the laws based on Lakeland league rules.
• Throw-ins. Throw-ins will be taken to restart the game when the ball goes out over a sideline.
• Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere inside the goal box.
• Corner kicks must be taken from the corner of the field of the side the ball went out of bounds. 
• No build-out line.
• No scores or standings are kept.
• Teams switch sides at half.

All players should take an active part in gameplay. Each player will be allowed a minimum of 50% playing time each game. Substitutions can be made at any stoppage time during the game. One coach from each team will be allowed on the field working together to help the kids and manage the game. 

START OF PLAY

Play starts from the center mark of the field. Every player must be in his/her own half of the field and the opposing team must be outside the center circle before it is played. The ball is “in play” when it has been touched. Kickoffs can not start with a dribble. The kicker cannot touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player. After a goal has been scored, the game is re-started by a player from the non-scoring team in the same way as above. Any infringement of kick-off rules will result in a re-play of the kick-off and an explanation to the offending player. 

BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

The ball is out of play: When the entire ball has crossed the line, whether on the ground or in the air.

THROW-INS

A throw-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball passes over the sideline, on the ground, or in the air. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in:

• If the ball enters the opponent’s goal – a goal kick is awarded
• If the ball enters the thrower’s goal – a corner kick is awarded

Procedure

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower must:

• stand facing the field of play
• Have part of each foot on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline
• Throw the ball with both hands from behind and over the head from the point where it left the field of play

METHODS OF SCORING

A goal is scored: When the entire ball crosses the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar.

OFFSIDE

Offsides will be called when obvious. At this age, there is only 1 referee, and we do not use assistant referees to help with offside calls. 

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

The referee will call fouls and may ask for help to manage misconduct. Coaches should teach the kids safe play and good sportsmanship during these games. If a player continues to intentionally push, shove, trip, or foul other players, that player may be removed from the game, with the possibility of not returning. 

FREE KICKS

All kicks (kick-offs, goal kicks, corner kicks, restarts) are Direct, meaning a goal can be scored directly from the kick. The opposing team must be at least 12 feet from the ball before it is played.

PENALTY KICKS

Penalty kicks. Penalty kicks may be awarded if there is a foul or handball in the penalty box. All penalty kicks are taken from the spot, 8 yards from the goal line. The kicker cannot touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player. The goalkeeper can move back and forth across the goal line before the ball is kicked, but can not have 2 feet forward across the line before the ball is played.

GOAL KICK

When the attacking team plays the ball over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, the defending team is awarded a goal kick. Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere inside the goal box. The opposing team must be at least 10 yards from the ball before it is played.

ZERO TOLERANCE

TSA/Lakeland Soccer maintains zero tolerance with regard to any negative behavior or speech toward any player, parent, field official, or coach. This will be enforced and may result in the removal of the offending parties from the field or suspension of the game. 

Questions and additional clarification for game rules may be sought from the coach, or the director, following the completion of the game. The focus at these age groups continues to be on developing a love for the game and not results. For this reason, scores and league standings are not kept. Parents, fans, players, coaches, and referees are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times.