SASC Recreational Soccer
Modified Playing Rules Summary

This table shows the US Soccer Game Format being played by each birth-year group.

Birthyear	Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 US Soccer Game Format
2020 (*)	U6
2019
2018	U7 (boys only)
2017	U8
2016	U10
2015
2014	U12
2013
2012	U14
2011
2010	U16+
2009 or earlier

(*) Players must be born by July 31st, 2020 for the U6 Age Group.

In accordance to US Youth Soccer recommendations, SASC will implement the following changes for our U6 program starting in the Fall 2024 season:

• Two Pugg goals for each team at each end of the field
  These are positioned touching the edge of, but outside the painted goal box
• If the attacking team kicks the ball over the goal line, then a 'goal-kick' is taken from the edge of the goal box, with the opposing team asked to retreat to the center circle
• If the defending teams kicks the ball over the goal line, then a 'corner kick' is taken from the taken from closest corner or the center of the goal-line (if the ball goes out between the goals)

The number of referees and their origin depends on the age group involved.

Game Format	Referees
U6	1x Parent referee (*)
U7	1x Parent referee, but if possible we will provide a Club referee
U8-U10	1x Club referee (Center only)
U12	3x Club referees (Center + 2 Assistant Referees)
U14+

The details shown below are subject to change depending on the number of available players and coaches. Adjustments might be made in order to maximize enjoyment of the players.

Game Format	#Players (max)	Goal Keeper	Ball Size	Goal Size	Approx. Field Size (yards)	Game Duration
U6	3 v 3	No	size #3	Pugg Goals	30 x 20	4 x 10 mins (*)
U7B U8	5 v 5	Yes + protected 'no-go' goal area (**)		5' x 10'	44 x 30	2 x 20 mins
U10	7 v 7	Yes	size #4	6'6" x 18'	60 x 40	2 x 25 mins
U12	9 v 9			6'6" x 18'	80 x 50	2 x 30 mins
U14+	11 v 11		size #5	8' x 24'	110 x 70	2 x 35 mins (U14) 2 x 40 mins (U16)

(*) U6 coaches are expected to adjust the length of the periods to make sure the game ends early enough to let the next scheduled game start on time.
(**) U7/8 introduces a 'no-go' goal area. If a player from either team, other than the GK, plays the ball in that goal area, the resulting restart is a goal-kick. Further information here.

Game Format	Restarts	Free Kicks	Offside called?
U6	Kick-ins (no throw-ins) Goal-kicks Corner-kicks	Indirect free kicks only	No (Although there is no off-side rule at these ages, coaches should discourage their own players from waiting near their opponent's goal)
U7B & U8	FIFA Throw-ins (One retry). Goal Kicks taken from the top of the penalty area Build-out line (see below)	Indirect free kicks only. Must be 8-yds back. Backpass to GK is OK
U10	FIFA No retry on throw-ins. Build-out line (see below)	FIFA (Direct, Indirect and PKs) Must be 10-yds back	Yes (using build-out line). Only to be called if obvious to center referee.
U12+	FIFA	FIFA (Direct, Indirect and PKs)	FIFA

Build-out line:

• U7 & U8: The half-line will be treated as the build out line
• U10: The build-out line will be painted between the center circle and penalty area.
  (The edge of the center circle will be considered the build out line if no other line is visible)
• Furthest build-out line is new offside line (only called if obvious)
• Opponents must retreat behind build-out line for Goal-Kicks or whenever GK has possession
• GK is not allowed to punt or drop-kick the ball - must pass, throw, or roll the ball into play

(US Soccer video explaining build out line here)

Substitutions (U7+):

Can be made by either team at any stoppage with the permission of the referee - players must be ready at the half-line.