BC Soccer Small Sided Rules: Field of Play

• BC Soccer's Small Sided Rules regulate and cover the basic rules of play for Small-Sided Games, while IFAB's Laws of the Game regulate 11 aside games.
• The rules support player, team, and referee development and are inspired by IFAB's Laws of the Game, adapted for Small Sided Game age groups of U13 and below. The integrity of the Rules, and the referees who apply them, must always be protected and respected

The Field of Play

• The field must have a wholly natural, artificial, or combination of artificial and natural (hybrid system) playing surface.
• Acceptable playing surfaces include grass, turf, and gravel.
• The field must be rectangular and marked with distinctive lines, and/or cones, with lines or markers belonging to the areas they bound.
• Cones must not be rigid or pose a danger to players.
• The longer lines are called touch lines, and the shorter lines are called goal lines.
• A halfway line divides the field into two halves, joining the midpoints of the touchlines, with the centre mark at the halfway line's midpoint.
• A circle with a radius of 7 metres for U7-U10 Games and 9 metres for U10-U13 Games is marked around the centre mark.

Retreat Lines and Corner Areas

• The retreat line is marked by a line across the field and/or cones placed 1 meter outside the touch line. For U6 and under the retreat line is N/A, but for U7 through U13 it is 2/3 line (1/3 of Field)
• The corner area is defined by a quarter circle with a radius of 1 m (1 yd) from each corner flag post drawn inside the field of play.
• Corner flags, if used, must be a minimum of 1.5 m (5ft) high and are not mandatory.

Goal and Penalty Areas

• The goal area is the same as the penalty area.
• The penalty area is composed of two lines drawn at right angles to the goal line, 5 meters (or 6 yards) from the inside of each goal post that extend into the field of play and are joined by a line parallel with the goal line.
• The penalty mark is only needed for U11-U13 age groups and is 9 m from the goal line; cones must not be used to indicate the penalty mark.

Goals

• Goals must be placed on the centre of the goal line and consist of two upright posts joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar, with each post the same distance from each side.
• Nets may be attached to the goals if they are properly supported and do not interfere with the goalkeeper.

Safety

• Both portable goals and goals must be firmly secured to the ground.

The Ball

• Ball sizes for specific age groups are in the Appendix B table.
• Balls must not be torn, water-logged, or in a condition that could endanger players.
• If the ball becomes defective(deflated, torn, water-logged or bursts) during gameplay, play is stopped until a replacement is found, and is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the original ball became defective or to the goalkeeper if it happens inside the penalty area.

Players and Substitutions

• The number of players for each age group is in the Appendix A and B tables; variations in the number of players are also listed.
• An asterisk denotes game formats that do not require goalkeepers.
• Unlimited substitutions are allowed, but only at the Referee’s discretion of the Referee and after the Referee has been advised.
• After the referee has given permission, the player being replaced must leave before the substitute may enter.

Changing Goalkeepers

• Any player can change places with the goalkeeper if the referee is informed before the change and the change is made during a stoppage in play.
• Without the referee's permission, the referee allows play to continue and cautions both players when the ball is next out of play but not if the change occurred during half-time, including half-time of extra time, or the period between the end of the match and the start of extra time and/or kicks from the penalty mark.
• Other offences result in a caution for the players and an indirect free kick from the ball's position when play was stopped.

Players Sent Off

• A player who is sent off after the kick-off cannot be replaced
• A substitute who is sent off before or after the kick-off may not be replaced.

Extra Persons on the Field

• Coaches and other listed officials (excluding players/substitutes) are team officials; anyone not named is an outside agent.
• If a team official/player enters the field, the referee stops play if there is interference, removes the person when play stops, and takes disciplinary action.
• Depending on if a team official, a substitute, a substituted or sent-off player or outside agent caused the interference, the play restarts with a direct free kick or penalty kick, or a dropped ball, respectively.
• If interference doesn't prevent a defending player from playing a ball going into the goal, the goal is awarded unless the interference was by the attacking team.

Player Outside the Field

• A player who, without the referee's permission, re-enters the field receives a caution.
• Play restarts with a direct free kick from the interference position or an indirect free kick from where the ball was stopped if there was no interference.
• Crossing a boundary line as part of a play does not constitute an offence.

Goal scored with an extra person on the field of play

• Before play restarts, if there was an extra person on the field when the goal was scored, the referee disallows the goal if that person was a player, substitute, substituted player, sent-off player, or team official of the scoring team, and restarts play with a direct free kick or an outside agent and restarts play with a dropped ball.

Player's Equipment

• Players are not allowed to wear anything that endangers themselves or other players. Basic compulsory equipment consists of a sleeved jersey/shirt, shorts, socks, appropriate footwear that is suitable to the field conditions and player safety, and shin guards that must be completely covered by the socks, made of rubber, plastic or a similar suitable material and that must provide a reasonable degree of protection.
• The two teams must wear colors that distinguish them from each other and the referee. Each goalkeeper must also wear colors that distinguish them from all outfield players and the referee.
• Non-uniform clothing that does not pose a danger (pants, gloves, toques), are allowed based on weather conditions, but jerseys/pinnies must still distinguish teams.
• Players must leave the field if their equipment is defective until the referee deems their equipment as safe; entering w/o permission results in a caution and in play being stopped, an indirect free kick is awarded from the position of the ball unless there was interference, in which case a direct free kick or penalty kick is issued.
• Jewelry is not permitted(religious items & medic alert bracelets are permitted if safe); non-dangerous protective equipment are permitted such as headgear etc.

The Referee

• The referee must enforce the Small Sided Rules to ensure player safety, team officials must conduct themselves responsibly, and all decisions by the referee are final and must be respected.
• The referee enforces rules, keeps time, records the game, reports misconduct, stops play for injuries (ensuring bleeding players leave), allows advantage, controls field entry/exit, signals starts/restarts, suspends/abandons for offences, and decides equipment safety.
• Punishes serious offences, takes disciplinary action from pre-match until after the game, addresses team officials' misconduct with warnings or cards. Action is taken against team officials who fail to act in a responsible manner and warns or shows a yellow card for a caution or a red card for a sending-off from the field of play and its immediate surrounds, including the technical area; if the offender cannot be identified, the senior coach present in the technical area will receive the sanction.
• Outside interference includes stopping or suspending the game for inadequate floodlights or objects thrown by spectators.

Referee's Equipment and Attire

• A referee's basic equipment consists of a shirt, shorts, socks, whistle, watch, red and yellow cards, notebook/pencil, and coin.
• Referees should also wear a Small sided referee badge on the left side of the chest.

Other Match Officials

• Assistant Referees are not required, but can be used to indicate when the ball leaves the field, to penalize offside players, to request substitutions, and to monitor. substitution procedures.
• Volunteer Assistant Referees (parents or spectators) can determine when the ball leaves the field but cannot indicate offside decisions.
• Refs. have the authority to change the Volunteer Assistant Referees in their discretion.

Duration of Game and Time Allowance

• A game includes two equal halves and a half-time break, with the duration conforming to Appendix B times.
• Time allowance is made by the referee in each half for all playing time lost via substitutions, injuries, wasting time, disciplinary sanctions, medical stoppages, and delays to restarts.

Penalties

• If a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken, the half is extended until completed.

Start and Restart of Play

• A kick-off starts or restarts the game at the start, after a goal, or at the second half's start.
• For U11-U13 games only, a goal may be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off.

Kick-Off Procedure

• The kick-off is decided by a coin toss; the winner chooses to kick-off or which goal to attack, and the other team selects the remaining option.
• All players must be in their half except the kicker who may stand in the other half to take the kick-off, and all opponents must be at least 5 metres (U7-U10) or 9 metres U11-U13
• The ball must be stationary on the centre mark and requires a whistle before the kicker kicks it and clearly moves before it is in play.

Kick-Off Infractions

• If a player touches the ball a second time before another player does, a retake is allowed for U7-U10.
• For U11-U13, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team while with hands, a direct free kick awarded to the opposing team.
• Any other kick-off procedure offence leads to a retake.

Dropped Ball

• A dropped ball restarts play when the referee temporarily stops play for reasons not in the Rules—such as injuries or outside interference.
• The referee drops the ball where play stopped, unless inside the penalty area, where it's dropped for the goalkeeper. All players must stay 4 metres away, and the ball must touch the ground before play restarts. A goal cannot be scored directly from a Drop Ball

Ball In/Out of Play

• The ball is out of play when it fully crosses the goal/touchline or when the referee stops play.
• It remains in play if it rebounds from goalposts, the crossbar, or a corner flag post and if it hits the referee without them stopping the game.

Determining the Outcome of a Match

• A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, and when no offence has been committed by the team scoring.
• A goal kick is awarded if the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponents' goal.
• A goal is scored when, in the referee's opinion, the whole of the ball crosses over the goal line between or above cones, below 2 meters when goalposts are unavailable.
• Play is restarted with a dropped ball if a referee signals a goal before the ball has fully crossed the goal line.

Offside

• A player is in an offside position if any part of their head, body, or feet is in the attacking third of the opponent's and closer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.
• Hands and arms are not considered.
• A player is not in an offside position if level with the second-last or last two opponents.
• Penalties are only issued if a player in an offside position becomes involved in active play by interfering with play/an opponent, and through gaining an advantage.

No Offence

• There is no offside offence when recieving the ball directly from a goal kick, throw-in, corner kick, kick off, and/or penalty kick.
• There is no offside for U7-U10.

Fouls and Misconduct

• A foul is an unfair act violating the game's rules that interferes with play, and is punished by giving a free kick (indirect or direct) or a penalty kick if the foul if in the penalty area
• Misconduct includes any conduct warranting disciplinary action (caution/dismissal) by the referee. Misconduct can occur anytime & both players/substitutes can be sanctioned.
• Result in either receiving a yellow card for a caution or being dismissed/sent off from the field via red card.

U7 - U10 Free Kicks

• Awarded an indirect free kick if, in the opinion of ref, the player plays dangerous or impedes another, uses offensive language and/or dissent, or prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands.
• If the goalkeeper, inside of their own penalty area, handles the ball after a teammate deliberately kicks it at them and/or touches the ball with their hands after it has been directly kicked in.

Cautions and Sending Off - U7 to U10

• No cards shown to players, but coaches should recognize serious foul play to substitute off an offending player.
• Team officials guilty of misconduct may be shown a yellow(caution) or red(Sending-off) card.

Direct Free Kick Offences

• Free kicks are awarded if a player commits any of the following careless, reckless, or excessive tactics: charges, jumps at, kicks or attempts to kick, pushes, strikes or attempts to strike, tackles or challenges, or trips or attempts to trip an opponent.
• A direct free kick is also awarded if a player deliberately touches the ball, holds an opponent, impedes an opponent using contact, bites or spits at someone, or throws an object at a player, an opponent, and/or a referee.

Free Kicks and Penalties

• If any of the direct free kick offences occur inside the penalty area, a penalty free kick can be awarded.
• An indirect free kick is awarded if a playing is being dangerous (with no contact), impedes the progress of an opponent(without contact), uses offensive, insulting, or abusive language & dissent, or preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball.
• Challenges the goalkeeper for the ball when the goalkeeper is in control of the ball including when the ball is between the hand and any surface or is touching the ball with the hands

Goal Keepers

• An indirect free kick is awarded to their team if they were to grab the ball again after it was deliberately kicked to them and/or touches it with their hand(s) after they had thrown it in.

Cautions and Sending off - U11/U13

• Misconduct is used by yellow(caution) and red(sending off) cards A player is cautioned if the following occur: delaying the restart of play, dissent by word or action, entering or re-entering/deliberately leaving the field of play w/o the referee's permission, failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted, persistent offences, unsporting behavior

Sending-Off Offences - U11 - U13

• Sending-off offences include (but are not limited to): delaying the restart of play by the opposing team e.g. holding onto the ball, kicking the ball away, obstructing the movement of a player and or deliberately leaving the technical area
• Entering the video operation room or interfering with an opposing player or match official
• Physical/agressive behaviour towards another party/ recieving a second caution in the same match and or using violent conduct

Free kick - U7/10 and U11/13

• U7-U10 All free kicks are taken as indirect free kicks If the player touches the ball for a second time before it touches another player: retake will be premitted
• U11/U13 Free kicks are taken as direct or indirect.

Direct and Indirect Free Kicks

• Direct Free Kicks If a direct free kick is kicked into the defendant's goal: the opposite team is awarded a goal.
• Indirect Free Kicks If an indirect free kick is kicked into team ''A''s goal: no goal occurs but instead a kick is in order from where offender occurred.
• Free kicks cannot be shot closer than 5m to the foal line.

Penalty kicks

• A penalty kick is given to the attacking team when the defending team fouls in their own penalty area.
• U7-U10: there are no penalty kicks given. U11-U13: penalty kicks are in effect for these age groups.
• The ball is placed on the mark and must be properly confirmed. Until the ball is struck, the goalkeeper must have one foot minimum on the plane of the line to follow through.
• After having there positions taken, the whistle sound and then the kicker make contact and kick the ball forward.
• U7-U10 : this age groups ball replaces an actual throw in. a kick in replaces the throw in at this age groups. The ball shall be kicked in from the point where it left the field. A is awarded to the opposing team, if a player makes contact with the ball before said party does it will be an award to the opposing team

Throw in U11-13

• You must face the field of play. Throw the ball using both hands, delivering the ball from behind and over head. Then the player on team ''B'' is tasked with throwing the ball in with two hands, while following all of what stated prior. If that is not follow or performed, in this manner: it will result in a do over. If the same occur over with this new attempt: a throw-in will be awarded to the oppisote team. The goal is for the opponent team to not be withnin 2 meters of you.

Goal Kicks

• In order for a goal kick to happen, it must follow this order: The ball leaves both the field goal's line (and or air) and touched by the attacking team. If those have not happened a team will not score goal You must kick the ball from the defender goal point.
• All oppositions much be on the other team's side or re-try must be done-Encroachment. If they proceed in acting against this rule: a second attempt at the kicks will be in place
• You can scored a goal directly from the kick. But if the ball fails enter the opponents' or own side a it results kick will be award to them. U7 to 10 - You can scored a goal directly from the kick. But if the ball enters opponents/ or own side it has a new kick given ot them

Corner Kicks

• A kick is to be rewarded when it crosses in the air across the field and touches member of the opposite team
• In a seven to ten age groups, a goal cannot be scored from the initial kicks

-For an age group greater than ten: a new will rewarded and have to follow procedure and guideline:

• There could not be less than 7 Meters between members for U7 to U10
• Less cannot than group between U11 to U13 If kick has already has been put in set, there is a process to repeat The indirect ree kicks is also need to be placed if it done more than once or touched players member and you must be cautious in this field