Hendricks Community Soccer
Game Rules & Expectations by Age Division
Hendricks Community Soccer is committed to creating a positive, developmental, and age-appropriate environment for every player. Please review the rules and expectations for each division below.
U4 Division
Game Format
Four quarters, 8 minutes each
Quarters should be broken into 4-minute segments
Teams switch sides at halftime
Clock Management
Home coach manages the clock and referees Quarters 1 and 3
Away coach manages the clock and referees Quarters 2 and 4
Clock runs continuously
Coaches must track time to keep games on schedule
Players
Field Rules
Out of Bounds
The ball is out only if it completely crosses the line
If any part of the ball is touching the line, it is still in play
Play restarts with a kick-in from where the ball left the field
Opponents must give at least 5 feet of space
On defensive restarts from the goal line, the attacking team must retreat to midfield until the ball is played
Substitutions
Coaching on the Field
One coach per team may be on the field to guide players
Only league-approved coaches may be on the field
Parents are not permitted on the field
No whistles permitted
Skill Focus
U5 Division
Game Format
Players
Rules
Same basic rules as U4
Kick-ins are used for restarts
Opponents must give 5 feet of space
Attacking team retreats to midfield on defensive restarts
Development Focus
Encourage spacing rather than bunching
Reinforce dribbling, passing, and ball control
Continue learning Attack vs. Defend positions
U6 Division
Game Format
Four quarters, 8 minutes each
Coaches track time for their own games
Teams switch sides at halftime
Players
Basic Rules
No hands
No heading
No sliding
Restarts Introduced
Throw-ins replace kick-ins
Goal kicks are awarded when the offense kicks the ball over the end line
Corner kicks are awarded when the defense kicks the ball over the end line
Throw-In Technique
Both feet must stay on the ground
Ball must be thrown with both hands
Ball must go behind the head before release
If incorrect, the player retries
If repeated errors occur, another player may take the throw
Restart Spacing
Defending players must give 5 feet of space on throw-ins, corner kicks, and goal kicks
On goal kicks, the opposing team must retreat to midfield until the ball is played
Positioning
Encourage one player to the ball
Other players should spread out into support positions
Continue introducing offensive and defensive roles
Substitutions
Allowed when the ball goes out of bounds
Allowed at quarter breaks
Recommended approximately every 4 minutes
Skill Focus
U7 & U8 Divisions
Equipment
Game Format
Players
Field Rules
No hands, except goalkeeper inside the penalty area
No heading
No sliding
Throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks are used
Throw-Ins
Both feet must remain on the ground until the ball is released
Ball must be thrown with both hands
Ball must go completely behind the head before being thrown forward
If the throw-in is incorrect, the player should redo the throw-in to learn proper technique
Goal Kicks
Awarded when the offensive team kicks the ball over the end line
The attacking team must retreat behind the midfield line
Opponents may not pressure the ball until it is played
Corner Kicks
Goalkeeper Rules
Goalkeepers may use their hands only inside the penalty area
Goalkeepers have 6 seconds to release the ball
Goalkeepers may roll, throw, or drop kick the ball
Punting is not allowed
If a punt occurs, play should stop and the ball is returned to the goalkeeper to restart by rolling or throwing
When the goalkeeper has the ball in their hands, the opposing team must retreat behind the midfield line until the ball is released
Instructional Offsides
Instructional offsides are introduced at this level
Players should not remain in an offside position near the goal
Goals may not be scored from an offside position
Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions when play stops, including:
Goal kicks
After a goal
Before throw-ins
Injury stoppages
Except at halftime, substitutions must be made with the referee’s permission
Players entering and leaving the field should do so at the halfway line
More substitution etiquette:
http://www.hendrickssoccer.net/Default.aspx?tabid=844086
Player Positions
Forwards
Midfielders
Defenders
Goalkeeper
Skill Focus
Development Emphasis
Coaching Conduct
Coaches may not enter the field during the game without referee permission
No yelling at referees
No contentious conversation between opposing coaches
Coaches should maintain positive sideline behavior
U10 Division
Equipment
Game Format
Players
Field Rules
No hands, except goalkeeper inside the penalty area
No heading
No sliding
Throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks are used
Direct kicks and indirect kicks are used
Offsides are used
Penalty kicks are used
Restarts
Throw-ins
Goal kicks
Corner kicks
Direct kicks
Indirect kicks
Penalty Kicks
Offsides
For the first two games in U10, offsides calls result in a drop-ball restart
After the first two games, offsides calls result in an indirect free kick
Goalkeeper Rules
Goalkeepers may use their hands only inside the penalty area
Goalkeepers have 6 seconds to release the ball
Goalkeepers may throw or drop kick the ball
Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions when play stops, including:
Goal kicks
After a goal
Before throw-ins
Injury stoppages
Except at halftime, substitutions must be made with the referee’s permission
Players entering and leaving the field should do so at the halfway line
More substitution etiquette:
http://www.hendrickssoccer.net/Default.aspx?tabid=844086
Player Positions
Forwards
Midfielders
Defenders
Goalkeeper
Skill Focus
Shooting the ball at a target
Kicking with laces
Passing with inside and outside of the foot
Foot skills
Passing to a target
Dribbling with both feet
Passing while in motion
Dribbling in motion and around players
Trapping the ball
Using knees and chest to trap the ball
Development Focus
Coaching Conduct
U12 Division
Equipment
Game Format
Players
Field Rules
No hands, except goalkeeper inside the penalty area
Throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks are used
Direct kicks and indirect kicks are used
Offsides are used
Penalty kicks are used
No heading in games
Players may head in practices only
No sliding
Goalkeeper Rules
Goalkeepers may use their hands only inside the penalty area
Goalkeepers have 6 seconds to release the ball
Goalkeepers may throw or drop kick the ball
Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions when play stops, including:
Goal kicks
After a goal
Before throw-ins
Injury stoppages
Except at halftime, substitutions must be made with the referee’s permission
Players entering and leaving the field should do so at the halfway line
More substitution etiquette:
http://www.hendrickssoccer.net/Default.aspx?tabid=844086
Player Positions
Forwards
Midfielders
Defenders
Goalkeeper
Skill Focus
Shooting the ball at a target
Kicking with laces
Passing with inside and outside of the foot
Foot skills
Passing to a target
Dribbling with both feet
Passing while in motion
Dribbling around players
Trapping the ball
Using knees and chest to trap the ball
Give-and-go passing
Development Focus
Coaching Conduct
U15 Division
Equipment
Game Format
Players
Field Rules
No hands, except goalkeeper inside the penalty area
Throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks are used
Direct kicks and indirect kicks are used
Offsides are used
Penalty kicks are used
Heading is allowed
No sliding
Goalkeeper Rules
Goalkeepers may use their hands only inside the penalty area
Goalkeepers have 6 seconds to release the ball
Goalkeepers may throw or drop kick the ball
Goalkeepers may punch the ball away when defending the goal
Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions when play stops, including:
Goal kicks
After a goal
Before throw-ins
Injury stoppages
Except at halftime, substitutions must be made with the referee’s permission
Players entering and leaving the field should do so at the halfway line
More substitution etiquette:
http://www.hendrickssoccer.net/Default.aspx?tabid=844086
Player Positions
Forwards
Midfielders
Defenders
Goalkeeper
Skill Focus
Shooting the ball at a target
Kicking with laces
Passing with inside and outside of the foot
Foot skills
Passing to a target
Dribbling with both feet
Passing while in motion
Dribbling around players
Trapping the ball
Using knees and chest to trap the ball
Give-and-go passing
Development Focus
Coaching Conduct
Additional League Information
For current league format guidelines, visit:
http://www.hendrickssoccer.net/Default.aspx?tabid=844091
For more substitution etiquette information, visit:
http://www.hendrickssoccer.net/Default.aspx?tabid=844086