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PLAYING RULES 

ARTICLE I - FIELD OF PLAY
Unless specified below, the rules of FIFA, USSF, USYSA and NTSSA shall govern Association play and field of play. Due to certain conditions such as weather, availability of lighting, scheduling or any other reason the below recommended field sizes may be different than those actually used.
General Field Size Recommendation:
Age Group Maximum Field Size Goal Size
U4-U6 30 x 50 yards 5 ft. x 10 ft.
U7-U8 40 x 60 yards 6 ft. x 12 ft.
U9-U10 50 x 80 yards 7 ft. x 7 yds.
U11-U12 60 x 100 yards 8 ft. x 8 yds.
U14&up
60 x 100 yards 8 ft. x 8 yds.
 
Fields shall be generally marked as indicated below:
1.     Under 6 markings:
Halfway line.
Center circle with 5-yard radius.
Corner arcs, 2-foot radius.
Goal area 3 yards from goal line and 3 yards either side of goal posts
2.     Under 8 markings:
Halfway line.
Center circle with 6-yard radius.
Corner arcs, 2-foot radius.
Goal area 6 yards from goal line and 6 yards wither side of goal posts
3.     Under 10 markings:
Halfway line.
Center circle with 8-yard radius.
Corner arcs, 1-yard radius.
Goal area 6 yards from goal line and 6 yards either side of goal posts.
Penalty area 14 yards from goal line and 14 yards either side of goal posts.
Penalty mark 10 yards from goal line and penalty arcs with 8-yard radius.
4.     Under 12 markings:
Halfway line
Center circle with 10-yard radius
Corner arcs, 1 yard radius
Goal area 6 yards from goal line and 6 yards either side of goal posts.
Penalty area 16 yards from goal line and 14 yards wither side of goal posts
Penalty mark 12 yards from goal line and penalty arc with 10-yard radius
Under 14 and above:
FIFA regulation markings

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ARTICLE II - DURATION OF GAME
 
Age Time Period Half Time Ball Size
U4, U5 & U6 4 - 10 Minutes 5 Minutes (2 Minutes between quarters) 3
U7 & U8 4 - 12 Minutes 5 Minutes (2 Minutes between quarters) 3
U9 & U10  2 - 25 Minutes  5 Minutes  4
U11 & U12  2 - 30 Minutes  10 Minutes  4
U13 & U14  2 - 35 Minutes  10 Minutes  5
U15 & U16  2 - 40 Minutes  10 Minutes  5
U17, U18 & U19
Adults  2 - 45 Minutes  10 Minutes  5

 

ARTICLE III - START OF PLAY
At the beginning of the game, choice of ends shall be decided by the toss of the coin. The team winning the toss shall have the option of which end of the field to defend, loser of the coin toss will kick off first.
After the referee signals for the beginning of the game, a player on the kicking side shall kick the ball, which is stationary at the center of the field.
Every player on the opposing team shall stay outside the center circle (10 yard circle) until the ball has moved forward.
The kicker must not touch the ball again until someone else has played it.
The game starts with the kickoff, not the referee's whistle.
After a goal has been scored, the game shall be restarted in the manner as above by a player from the team losing the goal.
When restarting after half time, ends shall be changed and a player of the opposite team shall take the kickoff to that of the player who started the game.
In all divisions the coach must coach from one side of the playing field within ten yards either side of the halfway line.
The home team has their choice of which side they want and all players, parents and spectators of both teams must keep to their respective sides.
Coaches and parents are requested to assist the referee and linesmen in keeping the touchline clear by five feet.

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ARTICLE IV - BALL IN OR OUT OF PLAY
The ball is out of play when:
It has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline, whether on the ground on in the air.
When the game has been stopped by the referee.
The ball is in play at all other times including:
If it rebounds from a goalpost, cross bar or corner flag into the field of play.
If it rebounds off a referee when he is in the field of play.
In the event of a supposed infringement of the rules until a referee's decision is given.

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ARTICLE V - SUBSTITUTIONS
After having the referee's permission, there will be unlimited substitutions in the following situations:
On a throw-in in your favor
On a goal kick
Half Time
Injury
After a goal
2, 3, and 5 - Both teams may substitute.
The referee must be notified of a goalkeeper change.

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ARTICLE VI - FOULS AND MISCONDUCTS
A player who intentionally commits any of the following nine offenses shall be penalized by the awarding of a free kick to be taken by the opposing side, at the place where the offense occurred:
Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.
Trips an opponent.
Jumps at an opponent.
Charges an opponent from behind unless the latter is obstructing.
Charges an opponent in a violent and dangerous manner.
Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.
Pushes an opponent.
Holds an opponent.
Handles the ball, i.e. carries, strikes or propels the ball with his hands or arms. This does not apply to the goalkeeper within his own penalty area. At the taking of a free kick, all opposing players should be ten yards away from the ball.
Should a player of the defending team intentionally commit one of the above (1-9) offenses within the penalty area, a penalty kick shall be awarded to the other team. A penalty kick can be awarded irrespective of the position of the ball, if in play at the time an offense within the penalty area is committed.
In all divisions, when playing as a goalkeeper and within his own penalty area, from the moment that the ball comes under his control, the goalkeeper must not take more than four steps with releasing the ball into play. Having released the ball, if the goalkeeper touches the ball again before it has been touched or played by another player, he shall be penalized by the awarding of an indirect free kick to be taken by the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred unless the offense is committed in the goal area in which case the free kick shall be taken from a point anywhere within that half of the goal area in which the offense occurred.
A player or coach shall be sent off the field of play:
If he is guilty of violent conduct or a serious foul play.
Uses foul or abusive language.
Persists in misconduct after having received a caution.
The referee may call a foul whenever a coach or player enters the playing field without the referee's authorization.

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ARTICLE VII - PENALTY KICK
A penalty kick shall be taken from the penalty mark and, when it is being taken, all players with the exception of the player kicking the ball and the opposing goalkeeper shall be within the field of play but not outside the penalty area and at least ten yards from the penalty mark.
The opposing goalkeeper must stand (without moving his feet) on his own goal line between the goalposts until the ball is kicked.
The player taking the kick must kick the ball forward He shall not touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.
The ball shall be in play directly when it is kicked, i.e. moved forward and a goal may be scored directly from such a kick.
If a ball touches the goalkeeper before passing between the posts when a penalty kick is taken at or after the expiration of half or full time, it does not nullify a goal.

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ARTICLE VIII - OFF-SIDE
The off-side law shall apply to all games in Under 10 and above Age Groups. A player is off-side if he is nearer to the opponent's goal-line than the ball at the moment the ball is played unless:
He is in his own half of the field.
There are two of his opponents nearer to their goal-line than he is, one of which may be the goalkeeper. Even is on-side.
He received the ball direct from a goal kick, corner kick or throw-in or when the referee dropped it.
A player in an off-side position shall not be penalized unless in the opinion of the referee he is interfering with the play or with an opponent or is seeking to gain an advantage.

ARTICLE IX - FREE KICK
There are two types of free kicks.
A Direct Kick - from which a goal can be scored directly.
An Indirect Kick - from which a goal cannot be scored until another player touches the ball. The referee should indicate an indirect free kick by raising one arm above his head until the ball has been touched by the second person.
 

ARTICLE X - THROW-IN
When the ball completely crosses the touch line, it shall be thrown in from the point it crossed the line by a player of the team opposite to that of the player who last touched it. The ball must come behind and over the head with both the player's feet on the touch-line or on the ground behind the touch-line. In an improper throw-in, the ball is awarded to the other team except Under 6 and Under 8 age groups as provided in Articles XVIII and XIX.

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ARTICLE XI - GOAL KICK
A goal kick is awarded the defending team when the ball passes over the goal-line, outside the goal post, if last touched by an attacking player. The kick shall be taken from anywhere within the goal area. The ball must exit the penalty area before it can be played and all attacking players must stay outside the penalty area while the kick is being taken. A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick.

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ARTICLE XII - CORNER KICK
A corner kick is awarded the attacking team when the ball passes over the goal-line, outside the goal post, if last touched by a defending player.
The ball is placed within the corner arc.
The corner flags must remain in place.
A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.

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ARTICLE XIII - DROP BALL
A referee shall restart the game by dropping the ball at the place where it was when play was sped for any cause not previously mentioned.

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ARTICLE XIV - SCORING
A goal is scored when the ball has completely crossed the lines between the goal posts.
Division standings shall be kept for the Under 10 and higher Age groups only and shall be based solely on the number of points each team accumulates during the soccer season excluding championship games.
Points to determine division standing shall be computed as follows except when the organizing body for out-of-town leagues involving HUSA team stipulates otherwise.
WIN –  3 points
TIE – 1 points
LOSS - 0 points
WIN BY FORFEIT -  3 points

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ARTICLE XV - Tournament of Champions Eligibility Determiner
Each age bracket U9 and above is eligible for the Tournament of Champions (TOC) held annually in December and hosted by North Texas Soccer Association.
The team in the highest division with the highest possible points is the first considered eligible (ex: Div. A U10 max points.)
First challenge games are between divisions within age group, (ex: Div B U10 challenged by Div C U10), your team can ONLY challenge if, as a lower division team your points are the same or above the higher division.
After each “Champion” of each age group is determined, the lower age group can challenge the older age group (ex: U9 winner can challenge the U10, this winner advances to TOC).
A winner is sent from each age group of U10/U12/U14/U16 etc.
 
ARTICLE XVI - PLAYING RULE CHANGES
The playing rules can be amended by a simple majority of those voting delegates present at the AGM or at a Special Meeting call by the president providing notice has been given of the change at the previous board meeting.
Any change of the rules shall become effective immediately.
Any rule changes mandated by NTSSA will automatically become effective immediately without voting from the delegates.

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ARTICLE XVII – UNDER 4 & 5 SPECIAL PROVISIONS
This Association feels that to help promote soccer within HUSA area, play should be provided for the Under 4 & 5 age group. The Association feels that due to the age of this group, very definite and separate playing rules should be established to remove all the pressure of the competition and emphasize recreational fun and generate interest in the game of soccer. To help promote this philosophy, the following special rules will apply only to the Under 4 & 5 age group.
U4 rosters should normally not exceed eight members maximum and four shall play.
U5 rosters should normally not exceed ten members maximum and four shall play.
Substitutions shall be made at the quarter breaks or by either team at stage of play for an injury, or by Article V. of the playing rules.
Referees can be referees, linesmen, parents, or coaches.  All infractions of the rules shall be explained to players.
Offside – There shall be no offside but if a player positions himself on the offensive end of the field in an obvious attempt to gain an advantage, a foul of ungentlemanly conduct will be called.
Fouls and Misconduct – All fouls will result in an indirect free kick.
Penalty Kicks – No penalty kicks are to be taken.
One coach per team for U4 and U5 will be allowed on the playing field during games.
Throw-ins will conform to FIFA, but a second throw-in will be allowed if the player commits a foul on the initial attempt.
Goal Kicks – Goal kicks may be taken at any point within the goal area and opposing players must be five yards from the ball.
All other rules of FIFA and the Association shall govern play.
No scores or standings shall be kept in this Age Group.
No players shall touch ball in “No Play Zone”.
Slide tackling is prohibited.

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ARTICLE XVIII - UNDER 6 SPECIAL PROVISIONS
This Association feels that to help promote soccer within HUSA area, play should be provided for the Under 6 age group. The Association feels that due to the age of this group, very definite and separate playing rules should be established to remove all the pressure of the competition and emphasize recreational fun and generate interest in the game of soccer. To help promote this philosophy, the following special rules will apply only to the Under 6 age group.
Rosters should normally not exceed ten members maximum and four shall play.
Substitutions shall be made at the quarter breaks or by either team at stage of play for an injury, or by Article V. of the playing rules.
Referees can be referees, linesmen, parents, or coaches.  All infractions of the rules shall be explained to players.
Offside – There shall be no offside but if a player positions himself on the offensive end of the field in an obvious attempt to gain an advantage, a foul of ungentlemanly conduct will be called.
Fouls and Misconduct – All fouls will result in an indirect free kick.
Penalty Kicks – No penalty kicks are to be taken.
Coach will be on sidelines for U6 and up.
Throw-ins will conform to FIFA, but a second throw-in will be allowed if the player commits a foul on the initial attempt.
Goal Kicks – Goal kicks may be taken at any point within the goal area and opposing players must be five yards from the ball.
All other rules of FIFA and the Association shall govern play.
No scores or standings shall be kept in this Age Group.
No players shall touch ball in “No Play Zone”.
Slide tackling is prohibited.

 

ARTICLE XIX - Under 8 Special Provisions
This Association feels that to help promote soccer within HUSA area, play should be provided for the Under 8 age group. The Association feels that due to the age of this group, very definite and separate playing rules should be established to remove all the pressure of the competition and emphasize recreational fun and generate interest in the game of soccer. To help promote this philosophy, the following special rules will apply only to the Under 8 age group.
Rosters should normally not exceed twelve members maximum and seven shall play, one of which shall be a goalkeeper. A goalkeeper shall be limited to two quarters per game in goal. 
Substitutions shall be made according to Article V. of the playing rules.
Offside – There shall be no offside but if a player positions himself on the offensive end of the field in an obvious attempt to gain an advantage, a foul of ungentlemanly conduct will be called.
Fouls and Misconduct – All fouls will result in an indirect free kick. The referee shall explain all infractions to the players.
Penalty Kicks – No penalty kicks are to be taken.
Throw-ins will conform to FIFA, but a second throw-in will be allowed if the player commits a foul on the initial attempt.
Goal Kicks – Goal kicks may be taken from any point inside the goal box.  Defending players must be six yards from the ball.
All other rules of FIFA and the Association shall govern play.
No scores or standings shall be kept in this Age Group.
Slide tackling is prohibited.

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ARTICLE XX - Under 10 Special Provisions
Rosters should normally not exceed fourteen members maximum and nine shall play, one of which shall be a goalkeeper.
All other rules of FIFA and the Association shall govern play.