| Cabot Soccer Association General Laws |
Important Note: If there is contradiction among the CSA general laws, the CSA age-specific laws, or the official FIFA laws, the age-specific laws have primary authority in their specified league (if applicable). If not mentioned in the CSA age-specific laws, the CSA general laws apply. If not mentioned in either the CSA age-specific laws or the CSA general laws, the official FIFA laws apply. U12 The Ball (Law 2): Size four The Number of Players (Law 3): Maximum number of players per team allowed on field at any one time is eight Substitutions: Substitutions are allowed: Prior to a throw-in of your possession Prior to a goal kick of either team?s possession After a goal After an injury At half-time Referee must be made aware of substitution before it takes place (except for a half-time sub) Players to be substituted must be at the halfway line and the players they are substituting must exit the field at the halfway line (except for a half-time sub) Players to be substituted must wait for the referee to signal them onto the field or for the players they are substituting to exit field before entering the field (except for a half-time sub) The Players Equipment (Law 4): All players must wear shin guards and socks that completely cover the shin guards Players footwear may be cleats or tennis shoes Jewelry of any kind (watches, earrings, etc.) or any other metallic accessories will absolutely not be allowed The Referee (Law 5): The center referee has absolute authority in connection with his or her duty to enforce the laws of the game The Duration of the Match (Law 7): The game shall be divided into two equal halves of thirty minutes each There shall be a maximum of ten minutes for the half-time between halves The Start and Restart of Play (Law 8): All players on their own half of the field until kick has been taken The ball must be kicked and it must move forward A goal may be scored directly from a kick-off Offside (Law 11): A player is in an offside position if he or she is nearer to his opponents goal line than both the ball and the second to last defender It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team (not himself), he or she is involved in active play by: Interfering with play Interfering with an opponent Gaining an advantage by being in that position There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in For anyoffside offense, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick Fouls and Misconduct (Law 12): A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses: Tackling an opponent, making contact with the opponent before the ball Holds an opponent (including shirt, arm, etc.) or stretching arms out to prevent the opponent from moving around Handles the ball deliberately. Contact with the hand, arm, or outer shoulder is not an offense in itself. It is completely at the referees discression to decide whether the contact was deliberate. A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the ollowing offenses considered by the referee to be careless, reckless, or usingexcessiveforce: Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent Trips or attempts to trip an opponent Pushes an opponent An indirect free kick may be awarded to the opposing team if, in the opinion of the referee, a player plays in a manner that is dangerous to someone, was committed with an opponent nearby, and the player?s action created a disadvantage to that opponent (caused the opponent to cease active play). Free Kicks (Law 13): For an indirect free kick, a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal If a direct free kick is kicked directly into opponents goal, a goal is awarded If a direct free kick is kicked directly into team?s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team For all indirect free kicks, the referee should signal with a vertical arm The Penalty Kick (Law 14): A penalty kick occurs when a player commits a foul in the penalty area which would result in a direct free kick had the player not been within the penalty area The ball must move forward A goal can be scored directly from a penalty kick The Throw-In (Law 15): A throw-in is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the touch line (on ground or in air) At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower: Has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line Uses both hands Delivers the ball from behind and over his head A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in The Goal Kick (Law 16): A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line (on ground or in air) Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball completely exits the penalty area If an opponent enters the penalty area or touches the ball before it completely exits the penalty area, the kick is retaken The ball is kicked from anywhere within the goal area (including the line defining the goal area) by a player of the defending team A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team The Corner Kick (Law 17): A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line (on ground or in air) A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team General Law of Encroachment (Applies to Law 8, 13, 14, & 17): At the start and restart of play (kick-offs), free kicks, penalty kicks, and corner kicks, opponents must be ten yards away from the ball |
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