YOUTH SOCCER RULES
AGE DIVISIONS
The SCPRD offers the following levels of play based on age:
(1) Under 7 Co-Ed for boys and girls ages 5 and 6
(2) Under 10 Boys for boys ages 7-9
(3) Under 10 Girls for girls ages 7-9
(4) Under 12 Co-Ed for boys and girls ages 10 and 11
(5) Under 16 Co-Ed for boys and girls ages 12-15
A player may play in an age division higher than their own, provided there is only a one year age gap between their playing age and the minimum age of the league in which they desire to play. EXAMPLE: a nine year old could play up in the U12 league because there is a one year gap between their age (nine) and the minimum age of the league (ten). An eight year old could NOT play up.
The only players allowed to play below their age division are those with physical or mental disabilities that are documented and approved by the SCPRD.
All leagues will be classified as Division I for GRPA purposes. This means that all players must be residents and/or full time students in Sumter County and must have played in the local league.
GOVERNING RULES
All levels of youth soccer will be governed by the current rules and regulation and by-laws of the Georgia high School Association with the exceptions found in the GRPA Athletic manual and this local rule book.
LENGTH OF GAMES
A regulation game in the U7 division shall be two halves of 15 minutes each.
A regulation game in the U10 division shall be two equal halves of 20 minutes.
A regulation game in the U12 division shall be two equal halves of 30 minutes.
A regulation game in the U16 division shall be two equal halves of 40 minutes.
In all age divisions, for local play only, at the midway point of each half, the referee will stop the game (and the clock) and ask each coach for subs. Each player is required to play one half of each half.
FIELD SIZE / NUMBER OF PLAYERS / GOAL SIZE
The field size for U7 division will be 40 yards long by 20 yards wide. Each team in this division will field six players on the field at a time. Each team shall have one goalkeeper, two defenders and three forwards. The goal size will be 12 feet wide x six feet in height.
The field size for U10 division will be 60 yards long by 40 yards wide. Each team in this division will field eight players on the field at a time. Each team will have a goalkeeper, two defenders, two midfielders and three forwards. The goal size will be 21 feet wide x seven feet in height.
The field size for U12 division shall be 80 yards long by 40 yards wide. Each team in this division will field eight players on the field at a time. Each team will have a goalkeeper, two defenders, two midfielders and three forwards. The goal size will be 21 feet wide x seven feet in height.
The field size for U16 shall be 120 yards long by 50 yards wide. Each team will field 11 players on the field at a time. The goal size will be 24 feet wide x eight feet in height.
Coaches may design specific alignments and are not mandated to play their players in the above mentioned positions. The above mentioned positions are for informational purposes only.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
A team may have fewer than the required number of players and be able to begin the game (i.e. = U7 may begin with five, U10/U12 may begin with seven, U16 may begin with ten). If at any time, a team falls below the required number of players to begin the game, the game is considered a forfeit.
A sub who desires to enter the game must report to the center flag and be called by the referee. In the U7 division, subs may be called on any dead ball. In all other leagues, both teams may substitute; between periods, on a goal kick, during an injury or after a yellow card.
A team, having gained possession of the ball for a throw in or a corner kick may sub at those times. The team causing the ball to go out of bounds may NOT make subs at that time.
When a team subs repeatedly to consume the clock, the official may stop the clock and notify the coach that additional stalling will result in a red card.
There are two color cards that the referee will carry for disciplinary reasons. A YELLOW CARD indicates a formal caution. There are seven reasons for a Yellow Card: unsportsmanlike behavior, dissent by words or action, persistent breaking of the rules, intentional delay of the game, a defender failing to stay the proper distance away from a kicker on a corner kick, goal kick or a throw in, entering or re-entering the field without the referees permission, or leaving the field without the refs permission. RED CARDS are given for a serious violation. The player/coach receiving a Red Card must be sent off the field and may not be replaced. Red card offenses are: the use of excessive force or brutality, violent conduct, spitting at another player or referee, a deliberate touching of the ball with the hand to prevent a goal, fouling an opponent to prevent a goal (i.e., holding the jersey, grabbing the arm, etc.), using offensive, insulting or abusive language, receiving a second Yellow Card in the same game.
When play has been stopped by the referee, a player may change places with the goalkeeper. Any time the goalkeeper is changed, the referee is to be notified.
In the U7 division, all penalties outside the penalty box will be indirect kicks.
On a throw in, the player throwing the ball in must have both feet touching the ground when the ball is released. The ball must be held with both hands and be directly over the top of the head upon release.
EQUIPMENT
A uniform in youth soccer on the local level consists of matching jerseys. Each team will be given jerseys, shorts and socks.
Shin guards are required at all age divisions. A player, not wearing shin guards, is ineligible for play.
The ball size for each age division is:
Under 7 - Size 3
Under 10 - Size 4
Under 12 - Size 4
Under 16 - Size 5
No steel spikes are allowed. Players must wear rubber molded cleats or sneakers.
The jersey of the goalkeeper must be distinctively different in style and color.
OFFICIALS
The Under 7 Division shall use one official that controls all play on the field.
The Under 10, Under 12 and Under 16 Divisions shall use a minimum of two officials and, when possible, will employ three officials.
TOURNAMENT TEAMS
The SCPRD is no longer responsible for forming and funding all-star teams.
Any league coach or official that desires to form a post season tournament team may do so by submitting a roster to the SCPRD. All players on the roster must be residents and/or full time students in Sumter County, have played in our local league and meet GRPA eligibility requirements.
The roster must be submitted prior to the District entry meeting, along with a deposit check in the amount of the District entry fee. Once the team has played in the District tournament, the entry fee check will be returned.
The SCPRD will pay all entry fees into GRPA events only. This is the only financial obligation of the department.
We encourage all teams to use the department's colors for post season play. Those colors are Carolina blue, navy blue and white.
