Waikato Juniors Condensed Rules Of The Game

2014 v1

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE TEAM COACHES GET TOGETHER BEFORE THEIR GAME AND DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING: 

• Number of players.
• Who is to referee which half or if there is a substitute refereeing for the coach.
• Which RULES directly apply in relationship to their grade.
• That both parties understand the “rolling substitute” rule.
• Possible lending of players.
• Any other rules or suggestions which may assist the players to have an enjoyable game.

 REFEREE: 

• “Junior Match Official” or “Senior Referees” appointed by the home team are permitted and can take the place of coach substitutes.
• Where no Official Referee has been appointed, then coaches or their substitute will referee half of each game.
• The appointed Referee has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game.

 

	5TH and 6TH	7TH	8TH	9TH	10TH	11TH	OPEN
Playing Times	Junior Framework	15 Mins / Way 5 Min Break	20 Mins / Way 5 Min Break	25 Mins / Way 5 Min Break	25 Mins / Way 5 Min Break	30 Mins / Way 5 Min Break	30 Mins / Way 5 Min Break
Ball	Size 3	Size 3	Size 3	Size 4	Size 4	Size 4	Size 4
Squad Size	8	5 – 8	5 – 8	7 – 10	7 – 10	9 – 12	9-12
No of Players	8	5 Players No Goalie 3 Subs	5 Players No Goalie 3 Subs	7 Players Incl. Goalie 3 Subs	7 Players Incl. Goalie 3 Subs	9 Players Incl. Goalie 3 Subs	9 Players Incl. Goalie 3 Subs
Field Size	Junior Framework	30m Length 20m Width Centre Circle 3m Radius	30m Length 20m Width Centre Circle 3m Radius	60m Length 40m Width Centre Circle 5m Radius	60m Length 40m Width Centre Circle 5m Radius	75m Length 50m Width Centre Circle 7.5m Radius	75m Length 50m Width Centre Circle 7.5m Radius
Goal Size	Junior Framework	1m High 2m Wide	1m High 2m Wide	1.75-2m High 3-3.5m Wide	1.75-2m High 3-3.5m Wide	2.1m High 5.5m Wide	2.1m High 5.5m Wide
Goal Box	Junior Framework	4m Wide 3m Out	4m Wide 3m Out	18m Wide 9m Out	18m Wide 9m Out	18.3m Wide 5.5m Out	18.3m Wide 5.5m Out
Penalty Area	Junior Framework	None	None	18m Wide 9m Out	18m Wide 9m Out	32m Wide 14m Out	32m Wide 14m Out

Goal Box / Penalty Area

  7^th & 8^th Grade only:

Disc markers can mark the area indicated, players are allowed to enter the Goal Box / Penalty Area.

 9^th – 10^th Grades:

Generally the single area marked acts as both the goal box and penalty area.

(Note: a line 9m out across the field may be used if a goal / penalty box cannot be marked)

EQUIPMENT: 

• Appropriate Shirt, Shorts and Socks are required.
• Goal Keepers to wear colours which distinguish them from the other players.
• Soccer Boots and Shin Pads are compulsory. Note –  Shin Pads must be worn under socks
• Wearing a mouthguard is optional. 

TEAM GUIDELINES & SUPPORT:

 7^th Grade only 

• Both coaches can be on the field at the same time encouraging the players but only one will be the referee.

8^th – Open Grades: 

• Spectators or officials standing anywhere along the goal line or directly beside, behind or between the goalposts is not permitted. 

START OF PLAY: 

• Kick-off decided by the toss of a coin.
• Team winning the toss decides which goal they will attack in the first half.
• Team losing the toss takes the kick off to start the game.
• The opposing players must be outside of the centre circle, or at least 3m if no centre circle (7^th & 8^th Grade).
• After half time the teams change ends and the kick-off is taken by the team that did not start the game. 

A GOAL IS SCORED or BALL IS OUT OF PLAY: 

When the ball has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line on the ground or in the air. 

ROLLING SUBSTITUTES: 

Only three designated substitutes are allowed. 

• Substitutions can only occur during a stoppage in play with prior approval from the referee.
• Substitutions may only enter the field of play at the half-way line.
• Substitutions may go on and off as the coach requires. 

OFF SIDE: 

7^th – 8^th Grades: 

No Off Side.  Blatant offside is not allowed and should be discouraged. 

9^th – Open Grades: 

In regards to the 9^th Grade and the introduction of the offside rule.

We would expect that a certain degree of leniency be given by game officials as the players adapt to this rule. 

A player is in an offside position if they are nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent. (Generally the goalie and one opposition player).

(Note: In line with the opponents is NOT offside). 

    A player shall only be penalized for being in an offside position if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of their team, they are, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by: 

• Gaining advantage by being in that position.
• Interfering with play.
• Interfering with an opponent. 

A player shall not be declared offside by: 

• Merely being in an offside position.
• If they receive the ball, direct from a goal kick, a corner kick or a throw in.
• They are in their own half of the field of play.
• They are LEVEL with the second last opponent or the last two opponents. 

FREE KICKS: 

7^th – 10^th Grades: 

All free kicks are direct and the opposition must be at least 5m away. 

11^th – Open Grades: 

Free kick is classified under two headings: 

• Direct: From which a goal can be scored.
• Indirect: from which a goal cannot be scored unless another player has touched the ball.

Both Direct and Indirect free kicks are taken from where the offence occurred. 

A Direct free kick is awarded for the following offences, if they are committed intentionally: 

• Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.
• Trips or attempts to trip an opponent.
• Jumps at an opponent.
• Charges an opponent.
• Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.
• Pushes an opponent.
• When tackling an opponent makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball.
• Holds an opponent.
• Spits at an opponent.
• Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).

If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal is awarded. 

Penalty Kick 

• A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above 10 offences are committed by a player inside his own penalty area.
• Only the Goalkeeper and the player taking the kick are allowed in the penalty area.
• All other players must remain outside the penalty area, but still on the field of play until the ball has been kicked.
• The kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

An Indirect free kick is awarded for the following offences: 

• Offside.
• Plays in a dangerous manner.
• Obstructs the progress of an opponent.

11^th – Open Grades:

•  If the Goalkeeper (inside his own penalty area) touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate.  

9^th – 10^th Grades:

The Goalkeeper can handle the ball at any time within his Goal Box / Penalty Area without infringing the rules 

When indirect a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal. 

DROPPED BALL: 

A dropped ball is a way of restarting the game after a temporary stoppage which may be necessary.

The referee drops the ball at the place where play stopped; the ball must touch the ground first before being kicked. 

KICK IN: (No Throw In) 

7^th  and 8^th Grade only 

A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick in. The opposition must be at least 5m away from the kick in. 

THROW IN: 

When throwing the ball in the player must: 

• Face the field of play.
• Keep both feet on the ground either on or outside the line.
• Use both hands.
• Deliver the ball from behind and over the head.
• The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
• If the throw is not properly taken, the opposition shall take the throw.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw in.
• A receiving player cannot be offside from a throw in. 

9^th – 10^th Grades: 

Although players should always attempt to keep both feet on the ground and throw correctly, a degree of leniency should be allowed for a genuine effort. 

11^th – Open Grades: 

The standard rules listed above strictly apply. 

GOAL KEEPER IN GENERAL PLAY 

9th – Open Grades: 

• Goal keepers can pick up the ball at any stage within their Goal Box / Penalty area during play.
• Once the Keeper has possession any further challenge by the opposition should be promptly controlled by the referee.
• The ball can be punted or thrown.

       9th – 10^th Grades: 

• Once the keeper has possession the opposition must give the keeper at least 5m space to put the ball back into play.

GOAL KICK: 

If an attacking player plays the ball over the opponent’s goal line, a defending player takes a goal kick. 

9^th – 10^th Grades: 

• Goal kicks are placed and taken from the outside edge of the goal box / penalty area.
• The opposition must retreat to their own half of the field, until after the goal kick has been taken.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a goal kick. 

11^th – Open Grades: 

• Must be placed and taken within the goal box.
• The ball must be kicked beyond the penalty area to be in play otherwise the kick is to be retaken.
• All players of the opposing team shall remain outside the penalty area.
• A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick.
• A player cannot be offside from a goal kick. 

CORNER KICK: 

7^th – Open Grades: 

• A corner kick is awarded when the defending team plays the ball over their own goal line.
• The kick is taken from the corner nearest where the ball went out.
• The ball must be place wholly within the quarter circle.
• A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
• The corner flag is not moved while the kick is taken.
• A player may not be offside at a corner kick.
• Opposition must be at least 5m away for 7^th – 8^th Grades.
• Opposition must be at least 9m away for 9^th – Open Grades. 

SENDING OFF: 

7^th – 9^th Grades: 

• No sending off, a verbal warning should be sufficient.

10^th – Open Grades: 

We do not expect any sending offs at these levels, but we expect a firm control will be taken with the following offences which under FIFA rules would result in a sending off: 

• Violent Conduct.
• Serious Foul Play.
• Foul and Abusive Language.
• Persisting in misconduct after having received cautions.

Any written report of the incident must be sent via your Club Secretary (within 5 days) to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation. 

Time Out:

A 10 minute (cool down period) for offending players is an option which could be implemented by responsible officials.

Any player removed for “time out” can be replaced by another player until their return into the game.

 Please remember:

The safety and enjoyment of the game by the players is paramount.

All supporters and team officials should encourage the players and respect the referee’s decisions.