U16

SEMINOLE YOUTH SOCCER

RULES for U16 Age Group

Game Times/Length: This Division is designed for boys and girls ages 15 to 16 years old or younger on September 1, 2023. Games will be played on Saturdays at 3:00 pm. Games will be played in 20-minute quarters. There will be a five-minute break between quarters. Teams will rotate every two quarters in a round-robin format. We will use a running clock, so the clock should not stop during the game. Games will be stopped when they reach the time for the next set of games to start.

Number of Players:  There will be up to 14 players assigned to each team, unless the coach asks for an additional player. Eight players will be on the field at one time (7 field players and 1 goalkeeper).

League Rules of Play:

  1. All players will receive an equal amount of playing time, regardless of the player’s ability to make it to practice.
  2. Games will be played using a size 5 ball.
  3. One coach/referee from each team is required on the field during play. If the league supplies a volunteer referee, each team is required to supply a coach/volunteer to help monitor the offsides calls. The other coach or coaches are responsible for making sure that all players play an equal amount of time. No coaches or parents will be allowed behind the goals.
  4. The first team listed on the schedule will be the visiting team and will start with the ball in the first half. Teams will switch sides at halftime, and the home team will kick off the second half. The ball can travel any direction at the kick off.
  5. No tripping, hitting, pushing, or kicking allowed, and absolutely NO SLIDE TACKLING is allowed.
  6. No intentional touching of the ball with the hands (from the shoulder to the finger tips) is allowed, unless the player is the goalkeeper and is inside the penalty box.
  7. Offside: The offside rule will be enforced in this age group. The rule states that when a pass is made to player two from player one, player two may not be in an offside position. An offside position occurs when player two is on his/her opponent’s end of the field and there are not two defending players between or even with him/her and the goal. When an offside occurs, the defending team is awarded a free kick from the spot of the offside.</ li>
  8. Balls out of play:
    1. The ball must completely cross the line to be out of play.
    2. Ball out of play on the touchline (sideline) will be put into play with a throw-in (two hands over the head) by the team that did not touch the ball last.
    3. Ball out of play on the end-line will be put into play, by the team that did not touch it last, with:
      1. a goal kick by the defending team.
      2. a corner kick by the attacking team.
  10. Free Kicks: When a team commits one of the infractions above, the other team will be allowed a free kick from the spot of the foul. Direct kick fouls inside the penalty box will result in a penalty kick (7 yards from the goal) for the team that was fouled. The goalkeeper must remain on the goal-line (he/she may move side to side) until the ball is kicked. The player taking the penalty kick and the goalkeeper are the only ones allowed in the penalty area. Once the kick is taken any other player may enter into the penalty box. The ball must be touched by another player before the player that took the penalty kick is allowed to touch the ball a second time.
  11. If the ball is played (intentionally) with the feet or from a throw-in by your team to your own goalkeeper, the goalkeeper is not allowed to use his/her hands. He/she may use his/her feet as a regular field player. If the goalkeeper uses his/her hands in this situation, an indirect free kick will be awarded the attacking team from the spot of the foul. This means that two players must touch the ball before it enters the goal, for the goal to count.
  12. Goalkeepers are allowed to use their hands inside the penalty box. He/she must wear a jersey or vest that is a different color from both teams. Once the goalkeeper has possession of the ball he/she may move around freely to distribute the ball with a throw or a kick. If the goalkeepers steps outside of the box while holding the ball, a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team from that spot. The defending team is allowed to set up a wall 7 yards from the ball to help defend against the kick.
  13. Goals are scored when the ball crosses the goal line between the post and under the crossbar completely.
  14. Substitutions:
    1. Substitutions can be made during any dead ball situation (free kick, throw-ins, goal kicks, etc.).
    2. Substitutions must be made from the sideline, at the center of the field.
  16. All spectators are to be at least one yard from the side of the field. Absolutely no spectators are allowed behind the end-line (goal) during the match.
  17. Players must wear their Seminole Youth Soccer uniforms at all games. This includes matching black socks and shorts.
  18. Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn at all practices and games. Socks must be worn over the shin guard. Soccer shoes are strongly recommended, but not required.
  19. Absolutely no jewelry or baseball caps are allowed to be worn during practices or games. A goalie may wear a soft hat to keep the sun out of his/her eyes.
  20. Practices are optional and do not determine playing time on Saturdays, see Rule 1.
  21. Everyone is required to have lots of fun.