Ref Training Overview

This page highlights the rules we apply at each age division, and discusses when we just introduce them as teaching steps or really begin to enforce them. For more details, please see Rules.

To summarize the progression of teaching and enforcing rules:

U10: introduce offside, substitutions, and throw-ins
U12: allow drop-kicks
U15: allow heading

U6

There are no real soccer rules in this division. The whole experience is about introducing the basic game and letting our youngest players have fun.

Specific behaviors:

no heading
no throw-ins – coaches should throw in from out of bounds

U8

Kids are still learning to have fun with the game, and they’re just beginning to learn the rules. Be gentle with rules; teaching is needed much more than enforcement. Many coaches will be new here along with their kids, so you may be teaching coaches and parents as much as players.

Do not fully enforce offenses early in the season. Teach the players what they did wrong so that they can learn from it. On repeated offenses by a given player, begin to enforce a rule. Ensure that coaches understand what’s being enforced as well.

Goalkeepers

No goals may be scored on direct kick from a goalkeeper.

No drop-kicks are allowed by the goalkeeper.

When any of these happen, simply have the goalie kick or throw from the original position again.

Handball

Handball offenses should be enforced with discretion. Players are still learning to suppress the instinct to bring hands up to protect themselves. For details, see “Handling the ball” in section 1 of Law 12.

The penalty for a handball is a direct free kick from the location of the offense.

Heading

Heading is never allowed in this division.

A heading offense results in an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the place of the header. If it happens inside the penalty area, move the ball outside the penalty box first.

Offside

Offside offenses are not enforced.

Substitutions

If a team is large enough, sub entire groups of players at once.

Otherwise, follow normal rules and allow substitutions whenever the ball has gone out of play.

Throw-ins

Throw-ins are not done in U8 at MAYSL.

Players should kick in from the point where the ball went outside the field of play.

Why? See Throw-Ins in U10 for more info.

U10

Build-Out Line and Offside

The red-colored build-out line is only used in U10, and is placed between the midfield line and each penalty box line.

Use the build-out line to keep space between a goalkeeper and the opposing players. Opposing players must be behind the build-out line whenever the goalkeeper has the ball in hand or is taking a goal kick. Goalkeepers are allowed to wait until all opposing players are behind the line.

Teach offsides only when an offside offense is behind the build-out line, but enforce it at your discretion, after players have had part of the season to learn it. Advise the coaches if you’re going to enforce it during a game. Note that it is not an offside offense to receive the ball from a corner kick, goal kick, or throw-in. See our Rules section on offside in 10+ for more info.

Goalkeepers

Goals may be scored on direct kick from a goalkeeper.

No drop-kicks are allowed by the goalkeeper.

If a goalie drop-kicks, simply have them repeat the play with a new kick off the ground or a throw from the original position.

Handball

The penalty for a handball is a direct free kick from the location of the offense.

Heading

Heading is never allowed in this division.

A heading offense results in an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the place of the header. If it happens inside the penalty area, move the ball outside the penalty box first.

Substitutions

Allow subs only when the ball is out of play.

Throw-ins

Enforce proper throw-in technique.

A throw-in offense results in turning the ball over to the opposing team and throwing in from the same position.

U12

Goalkeepers

Goals may be scored on direct kick from a goalkeeper. Players are not offside if they interact with a ball kicked directly from the goalkeeper.

Drop-kicks are allowed by the goalkeeper beginning in U12.

Teach goalies that they cannot use their hands when receiving the ball from their own players, but limit enforcement to avoid creating severe advantages to the opposing team near their target goal.

If a goalkeeper commits a handball offense inside their own penalty box, the penalty is an indirect free kick by the opposing team. Such offenses include:

holding the ball for more than 6 seconds
touching, releasing, then touching the ball again
receiving it directly from a throw-in
receiving it from a deliberate pass by a teammate

See Rules 12.2 – Indirect Free Kick for more info.

Heading

No heading of the ball is allowed. According to CYSA District 7 rules, heading is only allowed beginning in U15.

An offense results in an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the place of the header. If it happens inside the penalty area, move the ball outside the penalty box first.

Offside

Offside can be enforced in full beginning with U12.

Players are not offside if they interact with a ball received directly from a corner kick, a goal kick, or a throw-in.

Offsides lead to an indirect free kick where the offense occurred.

U15+

Heading is allowed.
Strictly enforce all rules, including:
offside
use of hands & arms causes a penalty kick
use of hands by goalkeepers on a touch from their own teammates causes a penalty kick

Direct vs Indirect Kicks

A direct kick is one that can result in an immediate goal.

An indirect kick must be touched by another player after the initial kick.

Common Direct Kick Offenses

The following offenses lead to a direct kick by the opposing team:

handball
holding
careless, reckless, excessive-force contact against an opponent

Common Indirect Kick Offenses

The following lead to an indirect kick by the opposing team:

heading
offside
dangerous play
abusing or offensive language