Chapter 3.14

FIFA Laws of the Game Modified

The Rules of Play for Youth Competition of NFWASA shall be the FIFA Laws of the Game modified only as to the following:

1.      Size of fields                                  For various age groups / Law I

2.      Size of ball                                    For various age groups / Law II

3.      Number of Players                        Varies from Law III (and substitution)

4.      Assistant referee                            Allowing for Junior Linesmen / Law VI

5.      Duration of Game                          For various age groups / Law VII

6.      Charging of Goalkeeper                 Law XII

3.14.1.       Law I - Field of Play

3.14.1.       Law I - Field of Play

Realizing that we must generally accept and play upon fields furnished by the various municipal parks departments, the following are recommended minimum field and goal sizes:

Age Groups             Field Width            Field Length             Goal Size (h x w)

Under 16-19            Min. 70 yds.           Min. 120 yds.          8 ft. x 8 yds. 
Under 11-14            Min. 60 yds.           Min. 100 yds.          8 ft. x 8 yds. 
Under 9/10              Min. 40 yds.           Min 70 yds.             7 ft. x 7 yds.

Under 8                   Min 30 yds.            Min 50 yds.              6 ft. x 12 ft. 
Under 7                   Min. 20 yds.           Min 30 yds.             6 ft. x 12 ft. 
Under 5/6                Min. 15 yds.           Min 20 yds.             4 ft. x 6 ft..  

3.14.2.       Law II - The Ball     

Age Groups                                              Ball Size     

Under 13 – 19                                          Size # 5 
Under 9 – 12                                            Size # 4 
Under 5 – 8                                              Size # 3

3.14.3.       Law III - Number of Players and Substitution.

1.       The Under 5, 6, 7/ 8, 9, and 10 age divisions shall play under the additional Developmental Player Program Modified Rules for Under 5, 6, 7/8, 9 and 10 Chapters 3.15 through 3.19.

2. Youth teams Under 12 through Under 16 shall be allowed a maximum of eighteen (18) players on its roster. Under 17 through Under 19 youth teams are allowed a maximum of twenty-two (22) players on its roster.

3.      The following shall constitute the minimum number of players required to field a team for games, the maximum players per team on the field during a game and the maximum roster size for teams:                       

Minimum to play       Maximum on field           Maximum Roster

U5/6                      2                                        3                                              6

U7                         3                                        4                                              8

U8                         4                                        5 (including a goalkeeper)     10

U9                         5                                        7 (including a goalkeeper)     12

U10                       6                                         8 (including a goalkeeper)    14

U11 to U16           8                                        11 (including goalkeeper)      18

U17 to U19           8                                        11 (including goalkeeper)      22

4.      Substitution Rule – Youth

a.       At a throw-in, by team in possession only;

b.      Either team, at a goal-kick;

c.       Either team, after a goal is scored;

d.      Either team at an injury, when the referee stops the play;

e.       At half-time;

f.        When a caution (yellow card) is given, that player may be substituted for.

g.       NTSSA allows for the use of the “Quarter Substitution System” for those Youth in the Under 8 and younger age groups only. *** (This may not apply in interstate games).

5.      Each recreational player, when present at a game, shall be required to play the minimum of 50% of the time, unless the player’s time has been reduced for medical or disciplinary reasons, in which case the coach must notify the player, and the opposing coach prior to the beginning of the game that the minimum time has been reduced.

3.14.4.       Law IV - Player’s Equipment

Each player shall have a number on the back of his/her jersey not less than 4 inches high. Shinguards, meeting the standards set fourth in the FIFA Laws of the Game or subsequent memoranda, shall be mandatory.

3.14.5.       Law V - Referee

*** No Changes

3.14.6.       Law VI - Assistant Referee

Specifically trained and certified “Junior Assistant Referee” may be used by NFWASA or, if necessary, in State tournaments in place of the neutral referee/assistant referee. Their infraction calling authority is limited to ball in and out of play, direction of throw in, goal kick, and off side.

3.14.7.       Law VII - Duration of Game

Age Groups                   Length of Period                 Length of Half Time    
Under 19                       2 at 45 minutes                          10 minutes 
Under 16/15                  2 at 40 minutes                           5 minutes 
Under 14/13                  2 at 35 minutes                           5 minutes 
Under 12/11                  2 at 30 minutes                           5 minutes 
Under 10/9                    2 at 25 minutes                           5 minutes 
Under 8/7                      As Modified Rules Specify 
Under 6/5                      As Modified Rules Specify

3.14.8.       Law VIII - Start of Play *** No Changes

3.14.9.       Law IX - Ball in and out of Play *** No Changes

3.14.10.   Law X - Method of Scoring *** No Changes

3.14.11.   Law XI - Off Side *** No Changes

3.14.12.   Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct

1.       Charging the goalkeeper in possession of the ball is NOT ALLOWED in any youth play in NFWASA or NTSSA. Possession is defined as: “One or two    hands on the ball, holding it, bouncing it, tossing it up and then catching it, or patting it along the ground.”

2.       It is not intentional “hand-ball” offense for any player to attempt to protect the vital areas of his or her body (chest, crotch, face) by placing hands or arms across them to protect them from being struck at close range by the ball. The match referee shall be the sole judge of whether the hands or arms were used to deliberately propel the ball.

3.       Coaches and assistant coaches are subject to the same game disciplinary procedures by the referee as are the players, i.e., cautions and/or ejection’s.

3.14.13.   Law XIII - Free Kick *** No Change

3.14.14.   Law XIV - Penalty Kick *** No Change

3.14.15.   Law XV - Throw-In *** No Change

3.14.16.   Law XVI - Goal Kick *** No Change

3.14.17.   Law XVII - Corner Kick *** No Change

Excerpt below from Chapter 3 Rules and Regulations concerning Game Postponement, Suspension or Abandonment:  

3.20        GAME POSTPONEMENT, SUSPENSION, OR ABANDONMENT  

3.20.1.          Incomplete game because of misconduct:

 
If a game is not completed because of misconduct clearly traceable to one or the other contending teams, its management, or its followers as determined by the respective authority, the respective authority shall decide as to the disposition of the game.  

3.20.2.          A referee or NFWASA board member has the final authority to postpone, suspend, or abandon a game due to foul weather or other circumstances he/she judges to be unsatisfactory.  If both are present, the board member’s decision takes precedence.  

3.20.3.          Weather guidelines are as follows:  

1.      Under 9 and older leagues shall play in any weather that does not constitute a hazard to health. Under 8 and younger leagues shall play in dry weather when the temperature is above 40 degrees F., and wet weather ONLY when the temperature is above 50 degrees F and at the discretion of the referee to determine if the conditions are hazardous and in accordance with 3.20.2.  

2.      Lightning shall always be considered hazardous.  

3.      Teams must report to the field ready to play regardless of the weather, unless the respective member association of where the game is being played has notified the coach prior to game time or has made a determination for the game and communicated such on the member association information line.  

4.      If a game is abandoned due to weather after the second half has begun, it shall be considered a complete game.  

3.20.2.          Referee Absence  

1.      The absence of a referee to officiate a game for U8 and younger leagues shall not be considered grounds for game postponement or rescheduling.  It is the responsibility of the coaches for the respective teams to share in the officiating responsibilities or to identify a mutually agreed upon individual to officiate the game.  

2.      In the event there is an absence of a referee(s) to officiate a game for U9 and older leagues, it is at the discretion of the present referee(s) to determine the actions required to proceed with the game in accordance with bylaw 3.12.