PARK SOUTH FAMILY YMCA SOCCER RULES

I.  PHILOSOPHY OF THE YMCA SOCCER PROGRAM: THE CHILD FIRST, THE SPORTS SECOND

The YMCA is a human care organization based on Christian values which promotes, through its programs, the physical, emotional, spiritual well-being of individual of all religion, race, age and communities.

II. Games will start with the YMCA youth sports pledge and end with a handshake between all players and coaches.

YMCA SPORTS PLEDGE

I PLEDGE TO PLAY THE GAME, THE BEST THAT I CAN, TO BE A TEAM PLAYER, TO RESPECT MY OPPONENTS, THE RULES AND OFFICIALS, AND IMPROVE MYSELF IN MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT.

III. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

A. Shoes must be worn at all times. Sneakers, tennis shoes, or rubber cleats are allowed. Steel cleats are not allowed.

B. Children may wear long pants, athletics shorts, or sweat pants.

C. It is mandatory for all players to wear shin guards to play in a game.

D. For safety reason, NO player names are allowed on jersey or uniforms.

IV. PLAYERS ON FIELD & TEAM:

V. GAME DURATION:

All games will be 4 quarters in length, except 4U which plays 2 halves. 

                     * 4 & under      -           (2) 8 minutes half

                     * 6 & under      -           (4) 8 minutes quarters

                       * 8 & under    -         (4) 10 minutes quarters

                     * 10 & under    -            (4) 12 minutes quarters

                                                                                                                                         
Quarter break will be TWO (2) MINUTES. Half time break will be FIVE (5) MINUTES.

A. The clock will be a running clock and stop only in the event of injury, or at the official’s discretion.

B. The quarters will end after the proper amount of time has expired, with the following exceptions: BALL IS IN PENALTY AREA OR SHOT ON GOAL

C. Two time outs per half will be given to each team.

VI. PARTICIPATION RULES        

A. Every child must play equal amount of playing time per game.

B. A child may not play their entire participation time at goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is a position that is rotated among all players on the team for the entire season.

C. All coaches are encouraged to play each player in every position.

D. Each quarter, you are allowed substitutions with the understanding that no player is denied an equal amount of playing time.

E. No child may play four entire quarters unless all other players play three full quarters.

F. Coaches violating the participation rules will be required to submit in writing after the game.

VII. GAME TIME                 

All teams must be ready to recite the pledge five minutes before game time. All teams are encouraged to be at their game site 20 minutes before kick-off. Game time is forfeit time.

VIII. START OF GAME         

A. Choice of end shall be decided by a coin toss at the center of the field by each team captain. Team winning the toss shall have the option of the end or kick-off.

B. Before the game begins, both teams shall meet at midfield and recite YMCA pledge.

C. The kick-off is performed at midfield by one of the forwards. Defensive team must line up outside the circle.

IX. OFFSIDES

Offside will not be called. Coaches should not instruct their player to play offside. If this occurs in the referee’s judgment, a penalty will be called.

X. OFFICIATING THE GAME     

A soccer official’s duties are to facilitate playing the game by given each team equal opportunities within the limits of the rules of the game. All fouls that are intentional or possibly dangerous to the player or others will be called. Playing fouls that are insignificant to the effect of immediate play will not be called, as they would only serve to slow down or stop game.

XI. PENALTY KICK

If a direct kick foul is committed within the penalty area of a defending team, play will be penalized by a penalty kick. A penalty kick shall be taking from the penalty mark, and all players with the exception of the kicker and the goalkeeper shall be within the field of play but outside the penalty area, at lease ten (10) yards from the penalty mark. The goalkeeper must stand (without moving his feet) on his/her goal line, between the posts, until the ball is kicked. Any attacking player may take the penalty kick and must kick the ball forward and cannot play the ball again until the ball is touched by another player.

XII. CORNER KICK

If the defending team was the last to touch the ball that crossed the goal line, other than a score, the attacking team is awarded a corner kick. The ball is placed on the corner mark nearest where it is crossed. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick. The opposing player must be 8 to 10 yards from the ball.

XIII. COACHES AND TEAM CONDUCT

1. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of the team members, coaches, or spectators, will not be tolerated.

2. Parents shall not address officials (if there are questions or concerns, they should be brought to the attention of the coach and he/she may voice concern to the official).

3. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators.

4. Unsportsmanlike conduct of the coaches/spectators may be grounds for warning and/or ejection from the field/game as administered by the YMCA official. Failure to leave the field may result in forfeiture of the game.

5. Spectators must keep 3 to 5 yards back from sideline.

6. No one is permitted behind the end line (goal line) or on fields during games.

7. If there is a complaint regarding a component of the Park South YMCA soccer program, the complainant shall write a letter to the Regional Sports Director (chrisc@ymcadallas.org).

8. All rules not mentioned will be governed by Field Officials.