Youth Soccer Grades 3-8

The Teams: 3rd and 4th grade teams play 7v7, and 5th through 8th grade teams play 9v9 

Officials: The Referees are in complete charge of the soccer game. The safety of the players is their main concern. They are responsible for keeping the time, enforcing the Laws of Soccer, stopping, and restarting the game for penalties or injuries, cautioning or banishing offenders (including coaches or spectators) and ending the game if necessary.

All decisions by the Referees are final!! 

Game Venues: Big Sky Park, Bend FC Soccer Complex, and others

Practices:

• Pre K - No Weekly Practices (PreK will be schedule for 1 hour time slots on Saturdays or Sundays. 20-30 minutes of practice followed by 30 minutes of playing.)
• 1st and 2nd- 1 x weekly during season
• 3rd through 8th- 2 x weekly during season (When Possible)

The Rules: 

FIFA Laws of the Game apply except as specifically modified. 

For All Age Levels

LAW 3 THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS  

• Substitution may occur at any stoppage of play and unlimited, with referee permission. Substitutes should enter at the midline on the team side and be ready before the stoppage. The referee may allow bench substitutes at the referees discretion.

 LAW 4 THE PLAYERS EQUIPMENT (with recreational league modifications)

• All Players should line up for equip inspection.
• Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather conditions, but uniforms must distinguish teams. 
• No hard casts. (players wearing any cast should contact the league coordinator before games and get approval and appropriate directions)

4.2 SAFETY
The referee must inspect the players and their equipment to ensure that there is nothing dangerous to any player. Players may not wear anything that the referee considers dangerous to themselves or to their teammates or opponents. The referee may delegate all or part of this responsibility to one or both of the assistant referees.

4.3 JEWELRY
All items of jewelry are normally considered dangerous; however, referees should consider carefully any item of clothing or jewelry that is clearly religious or medical in nature and permit it to be worn if it is not dangerous and not likely to provide the player with an unfair advantage.

Players may not tape, cover up, or otherwise hide prohibited items. The player must still be prevented from participating in the match if the prohibited item continues to be worn.

The willful refusal by a player to remove illegal equipment (including items of jewelry), having been previously warned that such equipment cannot be worn on the field yet continuing to do so, is considered unsporting behavior.

• Jewelry shall not be worn by players during warm-ups and/or competition. Medical-alert medals are not considered jewelry and shall be taped to the body and the alert may be visible. Small religious adorments are not considered jewelry and shall be worn under the uniform and taped to the body.

****SHIN GUARDS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL AGES AND MUST BE WORN UNDER THE SOCKS****

LAW 5 THE REFEREE  

• The referee and/or referee mentor, Bend FC staff is empowered to cause the removal of any coach, player,  spectator who is disruptive or who has displayed behavior contrary to the spirit of the game and/or the rules of play. 
• Coaches are responsible for spectator behavior; meaning; officials should and will ask coaches to deal with spectators who are causing a disturbance. If the disturbance persists, the referee may cancel the game.
• Whenever possible, the center referee should briefly explain an infraction to the offending player  before allowing the restart of play. 

 *** LEAGUE RULE: ANY COACH, PLAYER, OR SPECTATOR WHO DISPLAYS UNSPORTING CONDUCT WILL BE REMOVED FORM THE COMPLEX AND WILL HAVE TO MEET WITH BEND FC ADMIN. ANY COACH WHO DISPLAYS CONDUCT WORTHY OF AN EJECTION WILL HAVE TO MEET WITH CLUB ADMIN BEFORE BEING ALLOWED BACK ON THE FIELD INCLUDING PRACTICE. Coaches and referees are a team. Act like a team. Support each other. Work hard to give each other grace. Any bad behavior should be reported.

LAW 8 THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY 

• The ‘Away’ team will have the initial kick-off; therefore coin toss meeting is optional.
• No player captains shall be required for any teams during any matches. 

LAW 12 FOULS & MISCONDUCT 

• No Heading below Grade 7-8 (U13-14) 
• A player may not use his/her head to play the ball. 
• The infraction consists in intentionally playing the ball with the head. If the referee determines  that the ball struck a player in the head when the player is not trying to play the ball, the referee may allow play to continue. 
• The penalty for playing the ball using the head is an indirect free kick at the spot of the infraction. 
• If the infraction is committed within the goal area, the indirect free kick will be taken from the  goal area line parallel to the end line at the nearest point to where the infraction occurred. 

Concussions 

A) A player who demonstrates signs of concussion as a result of an observed or suspected blow to the head or body must leave the field and may not return to play in that match. Referees will include in their match report information about any player required to leave the field because of a suspected concussion. 

B) Referees will include in their match/game report information about any player (i.e., player #,  name and team name) required to leave the field because of a suspected concussion or serious  injury. This is listed in the web site game report as: Serious injuries observed during the game? 

LAW 1 THE FIELD OF PLAY  

Build Out Line Rule (and Goalkeeper Possession) 

1. The Build Out Line (BOL) is the halfway line
2. When the goalkeeper takes possession of the ball in their hands, the opposing team must retreat behind the build out line and remain there until the goalkeeper releases the ball. The goalkeeper may throw the ball, roll the ball or place the ball on the  ground so it can be kicked by themselves or a teammate (no punting or drop kicks).  The ball is considered to be released when the ball leaves the goalkeeper’s hand on the throw or after the ball is kicked once placed on the ground.
3. The goalkeeper may choose to put the ball in play at any time and does so by accepting the position of the opponents. 

LAW 2 THE BALL  

See chart

LAW 3 THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS  

• A match is played between teams, each consisting of not more than seven (7) or nine (9) players, depending on the age, one of whom is the designated goalkeeper 
• A match may not start or continue if either team consists of fewer than five (5) or seven (7) players, respectively.

 LAW 7 THE DURATION OF THE MATCH 

The game shall be divided into two (2) equal halves. See chart

Half-time break of five (5) minutes. 

LAW 11 OFFSIDE 

• It is acceptable at the small-sided U10 level to let an offside infraction of a small distance take place without a stoppage in play to encourage the continuity of play and spirit of game. 
• Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the Build Out  Line. 

LAW 12 FOULS & MISCONDUCTS 

Goalkeeper Possession and BOL Infractions 

1. A goalkeeper who has taken possession of the ball in his/her hands may not release the ball by punting or drop kicking the ball. The goalkeeper may throw the ball, roll the  ball or place the ball on the ground so it can be kicked by themselves or a teammate.  The ball is considered to be released when the ball leaves the goalkeeper’s hand on  the throw or roll; or the goalkeeper places the ball on the on the ground for themselves or teammate.
2. Encroachment: If an opponent deliberately crosses back over the Build Out Line  (BOL) before the ball is legally released and then gets involved with play, moves to 

FIFA Laws of the Game apply except as specifically modified. 

Possibly to gain possession of the ball or interfere with play, the referee may stop play  and award the goalkeeper's team an indirect free kick (IFK) on the BOL where the  player crossed over. Alternatively, the referee may stop play, explain the violation to  the player(s) and award the goalkeeper possession in the Goal area (Basically, repeat  the play). 

1. If a goalkeeper or their teammate punts or drop kicks the ball, this is an infraction and  the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick from the spot of the offense.  Alternatively, the referee may stop play, explain the violation to the player(s) and  award the goalkeeper possession in the Goal area (Basically, repeat the play).
2. If the infraction occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on  the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred. 

LAW 13 FREE KICKS 

Opponents must make an immediate effort to be at least eight (8) yards away from the kick.

LAW 14 THE PENALTY KICK 

The Penalty Mark may be located 8 yards from the goal line. 

LAW THE 16 GOAL KICK 

BOL: The opposing team must retreat behind the Build Out Line, and remain there until the ball is in play. The ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves; it does not have to leave the penalty area. 

If the defending player is nearer to the opponent’s goal than the Build Out Line when the goal  kick is taken, the goal kick may be retaken. 

LAW 17 THE CORNER KICK 

No defending player may be within eight (8) yards of the ball. 

UNIFORMS- Players must purchase and wear Bend FC COSL Uniform kits. Home team wears dark colored kits and Away team wears light colored kits.

***Goalkeepers: 2nd grade through 4th grade games have build out lines (halfway lines). Defensive players must retreat to build out line (BOL) EVERY time the goalkeeper has the ball. Defensive players may cross the BOL once the goalkeeper has played the ball in. Goalkeepers may set the ball on the ground and kick it in or they may throw it in. NO PUNTING UNTIL 9v9.

Central Oregon Soccer League 

2nd Grade Boys and Girls Rules Explained- 5v5 with Goalkeepers

FIFA RULES OF PLAY ARE FOLLOWED WITH THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS
1. Team Composition:
Each team will consist of 5 players on the field, with one designated goalkeeper and four field players. Teams must declare their goalkeeper and field players before the start of the game. Teams may substitute on any stoppage of play.
2. Field Size:
The 2nd-grade fields will be larger than those used in 1st grade and Pre K matches. When the ball goes out of play on a sideline, players must adhere to FIFA rules for throw-ins.
3. Goal Kicks and Corner Kicks:
When the ball crosses the end plane:
For a corner kick, following FIFA rules.
For a goal kick, the attacking team (team with the ball) may position their players anywhere on the field. The defending team (team without the ball) must position their players behind the Build Out Line (BOL) or halfway line. Once the goalkeeper releases the ball, defending players may cross the BOL line and engage in play.
4. Goalkeeper Possession:
After a goalkeeper collects the ball with their hands during play:
The defending team (team without possession) must retreat to the halfway line or BOL.
Defending players may cross the BOL line once the goalkeeper releases the ball, either from a throw or a placed ball on the ground a kick in. NO PUNTING OR DROP KICKING.
5. Goalkeeper Actions:
Goalkeepers are permitted to place the ball on the ground and kick it, or throw the ball after they have collected it with their hands during play. Defending players may NOT cross the center line until the ball is kicked or thrown.
6. Heading:
Heading the ball is not allowed in 2nd grade matches for safety reasons. Therefor, Goal keepers are NOT allowed to punt or drop kick the ball once the collect it.
7. Officials/Referees:
Coaches will officiate games, with the league assigning referees when available.

These rule explanations are designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable playing experience for all participants in the Central Oregon Soccer League 2nd Grade Boys and Girls division.

PreK through 1st Grade Modifications:

FIFA RULES OF PLAY ARE FOLLOWED WITH THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS

Field: The field dimensions shall be 30 yards by 50 yards with a halfway line and a center circle measuring 5 yards in radius. Goals should measure between 4 to 6 feet. The goal area extends 3 yards from each post and is 3 yards deep, while the penalty area is 12 yards by 35 yards. 

The ball size used will be 3. Players must always wear proper gear during practices and games, including cleats, shin guards, and soccer socks covering the shin guards entirely. No jewelry of any kind is allowed, including earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, and hard plastic or metal hair accessories such as bows, clips, or headbands are prohibited.

Number of Players: The format is 4v4 with no goalkeeper. A minimum of 2 players must be on the field at all times. Each player must be allowed to play a minimum of 50% of each game, with exceptions for injury, illness, unwillingness to play, or disciplinary reasons. Substitutions can be made at any stoppage.

Games Durations: Games consist of two 15-minute halves with a 2-minute break between the 1st and 2nd half. Coaches will oversee each match, explaining all infringements briefly to the players. Teams will be scheduled for 1 hour. 20-30 minutes of practicing before the play the opponent for 30 minutes- Total 30 min practice, 15min play, 2 min half, 15 min play.

Start of Play: Home team kicks off to start the match and visiting team kicks off at the start of halftime. The ball must move slightly forward or backwards and touches by another player before it can be dribbled. Opponents must maintain a distance of 5 yards from the center mark.

Scoring: No official score will be recorded, and there is no offside rule, although the coaches may discourage "goal-hanging."

Fouls and Misconducts: Fouls and misconducts conform to FIFA rules, with the exception that the referee will explain all infractions to the offending player. All free kicks are direct, and opponents must remain 5 yards away from the ball. There are no penalty kicks.

Ball In and Out of Play: The ball must be completely over the line to be considered out. Throw-ins are taken by the opposing team at the point on the touchline where the ball went out of bounds, with one re-throw per team after instruction by the official. Goal kicks are taken by the defending team from any point on the goal line, with opponents required to be at the halfway or build out line. If the defending team touches the ball last before it crosses the goal line, the attacking team puts it into play with a direct corner kick, with opponents again required to be 5 yards away.

Coaches quick notes........RECOMMENDED GAME FORMATIONS

4v4 and 5v5- At 4v4 we want to teach shapes instead of position. Coach a diamond shape. The top of the diamond would be the typical forward, the sides would be the right and left midfielder, and the bottom of the diamond would be the typical defender. After a goal is scored, at the start of the game or halftime, encourage players to get back into their diamond shape. With 5v5 it’s a diamond plus a goalkeeper (2^nd grade only). Another great option is the square or box shape. 2-2. Two defenders and two attackers.

7v7- At 7v7 we encourage teaching a diamond shape with two in the middle. At this age you can now start calling the positions by name as well. Other recommended formations: Two triangle or a 2-1-2-1 plus a goalkeeper. Or 2 defenders, 3 midfielders, 1 forward (2-3-1). 3 defenders, 2 midfielders, 1 forward (3-2-1). We do not recommend a 2-2-2 as players typically have no width. 

9v9- At 9v9 we encourage two stacked diamonds such as a 3-1-3-1. Other recommended formations: 3 defenders, 3 midfielders, 2 forward (3-3-2).

As always, we support whatever you want to do and these are just suggestions.