Community Soccer Club

Game Guidelines

Revised April 2008

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Scoring Policy

In an attempt to insure the enjoyment of the game by all players and fans, while not unduly reducing playing time for the players, the following policy will apply to help control excessive goal differentials between teams:

"In the event one team achieves a 4 goal advantage over its opponent, the coach of the team with the goal advantage shall remove one player from the field and the coach of the team with the goal disadvantage shall add one player to the field. Likewise, if the goal differential reaches 5 goals, the same action shall be taken. If the goal differential continues to increase, the process of removing a player by the team with the advantage and adding a player by the team with a disadvantage shall continue. Should the goal differential be reduced, players shall be added/removed in reverse manner until the teams are back evenly matched.

It is expected that if the disadvantaged team has no additional players to add that the team with the goal advantage shall loan players as needed, until the goal differential is reduced.

Coaches are expected to cooperate with the spirit of this rule by adjusting positioning and skill levels of the players on the field to maintain, to the extent practical, parity between teams.

The referee shall maintain a record of the game score and shall rule on any disputes as to the correct game score.

This policy shall not apply to the Kindergarten league."

Kindergarten: Teams play 5 v 5 with no goalkeeper. One coach from each team is allowed on the field to help the players with their positions and to give instructions on technique. A second coach may be positioned off the field behind the goal if desired. Coaches are not permitted to interfere with play or to enter the penalty area at either end. A size 3 ball is used. Play is four (4) eight minute periods with two minute breaks at quarters and a five minute break at half time. Change of kick-off and direction occurs at half time. Players get two chances on throw-ins, and referees and coaches are urged to instruct them on proper technique. Offside is not to be called. Defending players cannot enter the circular area in front of the goal unless the ball is in the area. Referees are to be especially vigilant for any hard body contact or kicking of opponents, even if not intentional. Don't forget this is not a high school game. Game report forms are not required for kindergarten.
Grades 1 & 2: Rules are the same as above except as follows. Teams play 8 v 8 including the goalkeeper. A size 4 ball is used and play is four (4) ten minute periods. No coaches are permitted behind the goals. Corner kicks are taken from the normal position at the corner arc. Offside should only be called if it's blatant, and then only after a warning. Referees are to advise the players verbally so they begin to understand this law. Again, referees are to call all hard body contact and kicking, even if not intentional. Game report forms, available for download here or in hard copy in the Diamond Community Center, are required.
Grades 3 & 4: Rules are the same as above except as follows. Teams play 8 v 8 including the goalkeeper. Coaching is allowed from the touch line at mid field only. A size 4 ball is used. Play is four (4) thirteen minute periods. Corner kicks are taken from the normal position at the corner arc. All laws, including throw-ins and offside, are enforced; however, referees may still use discretion in allowing second chances on illegally-executed throw-ins. Referees are encouraged to state what the infraction was so the players know what they did and what the corresponding punishment was.
Grades 5 & 6: Rules are the same as above except as follows. Teams play 9 v 9 including the goalkeeper. A size 4 ball is used. Play is two (2) thirty minute periods. Corner kicks are taken from the normal position at the corner arc. All laws, including throw-ins and offside, are enforced.

Grades 7 & 8: Rules are the same as above except as follows. Teams play 11 v 11 including the goalkeeper. Play is two (2) forty minute periods. Corner kicks are taken from the normal position at the corner arc. Control of the game is more formal at this age level. The players should know the laws and explanations should not be necessary. However, the team captain may ask a question during a stoppage of play and, provided the question is asked politely and sincerely, referees are requested to answer honestly.

High School Division: Rules are the same as above.

Girls Division: Rules and procedures are the same as the Grade 5 & 6 Division, except a size 5 ball is used and length of play is two (2) thirty minute periods. Teams play 11 v 11 including the goalkeeper.

Game Report Forms:

Coaches! Game Report forms are available in MS Word Ž (.doc) and Adobe Acrobat Ž (.pdf) format. You'll need Microsoft Word 97 or later for the Word version. The current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader available for free download at www.adobe.com will allow you to open and print the pdf version.

Click on the link below to download the required form. Please print out the form, fill in the names of all players on the roster, and provide a copy to the referee at check-in before each game.

Game report forms are NOT required for Kindergarten games.

Adobe Acrobat

MS Word