Revised – September 5, 2019

These rules are for clarification or to note exceptions to CIF rules.

CIF rules apply to any situation not included here.

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PLAYING FIELD AND EQUIPMENT

1. The field shall be 70 yards long and 40 yards wide. Minimum size is 60 x 40 yards.

2. The penalty area in front of the goal measures 15 yards x 20 yards wide.

3. A penalty kick line is drawn 12 yards directly in front of the goal.

4. The circle at the center of the field has a 10 yard radius.

5. Elementary divisions (grades 4-6) shall use a size 4 ball. Junior High divisions (grades 7-8) shall use a size 5 ball.

6. Players may wear no equipment except rubber soccer cleats. Shin guards are required.

7. Goals shall be 18’ wide and 8’ high -or- 19’ by 7’.

8. Goals must be properly anchored to the ground such that they are not able to fall over, even with unexpected contact. Goals that are not anchored may not be used for any match. No exceptions! If properly anchored goals with nets are not available, the game will be declared a forfeit.

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PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES

1. Elementary divisions will be either 7 or 9 players per team. Junior high will be either 11 or 9 players per team, depending on division. All Coast divisions will have 9 players. All Mountain divisions will have 7 players.

2. Players may freely substitute in and out of the game when the ball is not in play, regardless of which team has possession.

3. Each player must have jerseys of the same color, shorts/pants of the same color, and matching socks. Jerseys must be tucked in or hemmed above the belt. All uniforms must have numbers, at least 4” high, on both the front and back. Any player not in a full, complete uniform may not play. No exceptions!

4. Jewelry may not be worn. It is not acceptable to place tape over jewelry. Players wearing any jewelry (covered or not) may not participate. No exceptions!

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GOALKEEPER

1. The goalkeeper, while in the penalty area, may play the ball with their hands, unless it was intentionally kicked to them by a teammate. When this happens, the goalkeeper must play the ball as any other player on the field. When the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball they have 6 seconds to put the ball back into play.

2. When the goalkeeper is outside the penalty area, the rules for playing the ball are the same as for all players.

3. Players may not intentionally obstruct the goalkeeper once possession is established.

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SOCCER - TIME AND PROCEDURES

1. All matches will consist of two, 20-minute halves. 5 minutes between halves. Halves end only when neither team has an imminent opportunity to score.

2. A team in possession of the ball is allowed unlimited substitutions during the dead ball.

3. Halves will start with an alternating possession center kick. For example, if Team A begins the game with the center kickoff, Team B will begin the next period with the center kickoff.

4. Each period will begin with a center kickoff. Until the ball is kicked, both teams must be on their half of the field and the defensive team at least 10 yards from the ball. The player taking the kickoff may only kick the ball once, before it is contacted by another player.

5. After each goal the team scored upon will receive the kickoff.

6. Players may go anywhere on the field provided there are at least two opponents between them and the goal (offsides). The offsides rule does not apply when a player is in control of the ball when she is behind or even with the ball or after the ball is passed to the player.

7. When the ball goes out of bounds over the sideline the opposing team will throw the ball in from the spot where it left the field. On a throw-in, the ball must be held with two hands and thrown from behind and over the head. Both feet must remain in contact with the ground until the ball is released.

8. Any time the ball goes out of bounds over the end line and is last touched by an offensive player, the opposing team will receive a goal kick. Any member of the team may kick the ball.

9. Any time the ball goes out of bounds over the end line and is last touched by a defensive player, the opposing team will take a corner kick.

10. All center kicks are considered “direct kicks.” Goals scored from the center kickoff are legal.

11. If any coach, manager, or other non-player in the bench area is ejected, the game is immediately declared a forfeit. If that individual is an adult, they must leave the premises immediately. If the ejected individual is not an adult, they should be moved away from the field, under the supervision of a responsible adult. The game will not continue, even as a practice game. No exceptions!

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VIOLATIONS, FOULS AND PENALTIES

1. A direct free kick (a kick taken from the point of the foul) will be taken for holding, pushing, bumping an opponent from behind, tripping, high kicking, use of hands or arms, kicking an opponent and other major penalties. The ball may go directly into the goal.

2. An indirect free kick (a kick taken from the point of the foul) will be taken for minor violations such as off sides, goalie violations and obstruction. The ball must touch another player before scoring.

3. A penalty kick will be taken for major penalties that occur in the penalty area. The ball will be kicked from the penalty kick line and all other players, except the goalie, must be outside the penalty area.

4. Slide tackling (with or without the ball) is not allowed. Penalty will be the same as if a slide tackle occurred without contact with the ball.

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SOCCER - OVERTIME AND TIE-BREAKERS

See chart below for overtime and PK/Shootout eligibility.