Rules for 2nd/3rd Grade

Fields are 30-40 yards wide and 50-60 yards long. Ideal field size for U8 (2nd grade) is 30 yards wide by 50 yards long. Ideal field size for U9 (3rd grade) is 35 yards wide by 55 yards long.

Penalty area line marked touchline to touchline 10 yards from the goal line.

No marked goal area.

Goals for U8 are 5 feet high by 10 feet wide. Goals for U9 are 6.5 feet high by 12 feet wide.

U8 (2nd grade) players use a size 3 ball.

U9 (3rd grade) players use a size 4 ball.

No fewer than six and no more than seven players are needed to start a game.  Substitutions may be made on either team’s throw-ins or goal kicks and at the start of a new quarter or half.

All players shall play an equal amount of time. Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time. No one player shall play the entire game unless all the other players have had a minimum of 75% playing time.

Footwear: Sneakers or soft-cleated soccer shoes.

Shin Guards are mandatory. No child will be allowed to play in a game without shin guards.

Players must wear their team color jersey with socks that cover their shin guards.

The goalkeeper must have a different color shirt or pinnie than the field players.

One referee, assigned by HYS, who will have a Grade 9 certification.

All law infractions shall be briefly explained to the offending players.

Referee’s decisions on points of fact connected with the game shall be final.

None.

The game shall be divided into four twelve minute quarters. Coaches may agree to play shorter quarters.

There will be a two-minute break between each quarter and a five-minute break at half time.

Opponents must be eight yards from the center mark while kick-off is in progress.

There is no rule modification made for InTown games.

There is no rule modification made for InTown games.

There will be no offside.

No cautions (yellow cards) or ejections (red cards).

All fouls result in an indirect free kick. Opponents must be eight yards from the ball when it is kicked.

All free kicks are indirect. The opponents must be eight yards from the ball when it is first kicked.

No free kicks shall be taken by the attacking team within the defending team’s penalty area. The ball will be placed on the penalty line at the point closest to the point of infraction.

No penalty kicks are to be taken during these games. See Laws 12 and 13.

A second throw-in may be allowed if the player throws the ball improperly on the initial attempt. The referee will explain the proper method before allowing the player to re-throw.

A goal kick may be taken from any point inside the penalty area.

All opponents must be behind the center mid-field line.  Once the ball is kicked the opponents may cross the centerline.

The ball must fully cross the penalty area line before anyone can touch it. If the ball is touched before it crosses the line, the ball shall be re-kicked.

Opponents must be eight yards away from the ball when it is kicked.

The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player touches it.

On a goalkeeper save followed by a throw or punt, the ball must touch the ground or any player before it crosses the halfway line.

The 6-second rule is not enforced.