The "Laws of the Game" of soccer are simple and few in number.  They are designed to be both flexible and not to always be enforced in the interest of fairness.  

 

Before we talk of the rules of soccer here is a quick review of the hierarchy of governing bodies in soccer.

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is the international governing body of soccer.  Their home site is FIFA.com. They layout the rules of soccer, provide guidence to the national leagues and international tournaments.

USSF (US Soccer Federation) governs soccer in the US.  Among other things they are responsible for referee certification.  

A branch of USSF governing youth soccer and their state affiliates

Colorado Youth Soccer is the governing body of youth soccer in Colorado for its member clubs

Boulder Nova, a member of CO Youth Soccer.  We govern the rules of our in-house leagues.

The rules that apply to a soccer game depend on the FIFA laws of the game as amended by the governing body.  What this means is that a Nova 3rd grade team playing In-House will use Nova amended rules.  But if they play in the 3rd Grade Cross District League, they will use CYS amended rules.

In NOVA, we start off with simple rules for Kindergarten to 2nd grade so kids and volunteer referees don't have to worry too much about the rules and to get on with playing.  Starting in 3rd grade Nova provides referees, however teams still need to have someone who can referee should a referee not be available.

Before we jump into the thick of the LOTG, there are a number of "Tricky Laws" that all parents/players/coaches/referees should know because they get them wrong all the time.

TRICKY LAWS!

 

CYS LOTG For teams 3rd grade and up, Nova essentially uses the CYS ammendments:

FIFA LOTGThe international FIFA rules that each organization ammends.

 

The best way to understand the Laws of the Game is to take a referee certification course.  You can also read the laws on your own to understand.  

 

Some basic points that come up all the time:

1. The team listed first is the HOME TEAM

2. Spectators on one side of the field, Teams and coaches on the other side.

3. No one behind the goal areas or within 5 feet of the touchline.

4. Each team provides the referee with a ball and the referee chooses the best one.

5. Not permitted Jewelry of any sort, including earrings covered or not!

6. The home team should wear the dark jersey, and the away team the light jersey.

7. At the start of each half, jerseys will be tucked in.

8. Jerseys should be of similar color.

 

Kindergarten

• There is a six yard goalkeeper's zone across the width of the field.
• Defensive player closest to the goal can use his/her hands, No Permanent Goalkeepers Please!
• Goals can be scored from anywhere.
• When the ball goes out of bounds, the game is restarted as follows:
• Over the side lines: Kick-in or throw in, players choice 
• Over the end-lines: Goal Kick or if last touched by a defender, a corner kick.
• Start the game with a kick-off. After a goal restart with a kick-off.
• After a foul, an indirect free kick is taken from the spot of the foul.
• No Slide Tackling
• No Offsides

 

 

First & Second Grade

• When the ball goes out of bounds, the game is restarted as follows:
• Over the side lines: Throw-in.
• Over the end-lines: Goal Kick or if last touched by a defender,  otherwise a corner kick (Defenders need to be 10 yards away).

 

 

THIRD GRADE

• Recommended field size is 45 X 70 yards (1/2 a full-size field) , ball size is #4 and goal size is 6 X 18.
• There is a reduced size penalty box. Set cones on the sidelines (10 yards) if missing.
• AFTER A FOUL, A DIRECT OR INDIRECT KICK IS AWARDED PER FIFA RULES.
• OFFSIDE RULE is in EFFECT
• NO SLIDE TACKLING!  Referees, consider this dangerous play (indirect kick)

 

FOURTH GRADE & Older

• CYS rules govern all games!
• SLIDE TACKLING PERMITTED if done with-in the rules.