AYS Youth Soccer 4 v 4 Rules

ATTLEBORO YOUTH SOCCER

LAWS OF THE GAME FOR IN-TOWN 4 v 4

Rules, 4 v 4	Specifics

Field Size	40yd x 30yd, w/center line
Goal Area	none
Penalty Spot	none
Penalty Area	none
Ball	Size 3, soft
Goal Size	4ft x 6ft
Game Length	50 min: 2 x 25-minute halves
Halftime	5 minutes
Player Playing Time	Substitutions every 5 minutes; anyone waiting must go in, done on the move.
Players In Positions	not applicable
Goalkeeper	none
Contact (ex. tackles)	none allowed: indirect free kick, 5 yds clear
Kick Off	clear 5 yds for kick
Throw In Fouls	call if gross case, keep kids playing, instruct why foul called
Fouls, Misconduct	indurect free kick, always explain call, 5 yds clear
Goal Kick	Referee sets ball 3 strides from end line, kick must go 5 yds
Corner Kick	None-these are to be throw ins ONLY
Offside	none
Kick To Keeper	not applicable
Coaching	Never on field during play, can set team at kick offs, does substitutions

	MERCY RULE: If losing by more than 3, trailing team may use 5th field player.

Restarts	Cause

Kick Off	Start game, second half, after scores
	2 touches, redo as needed, 5 yds clear

Throw In	Out of bounds on sidelines, out of bounds over end line by defense
	2 touches, redo as needed, 5 yds clear

Indirect Free Kick	Fouls, misconduct
	2 touches, redo as needed, 5 yds clear

Goal Kick	Out of bounds by offense over goal line
	2 touches, redo as needed, 5 yds clear

Drop Ball	Circumstances not covered above
	2 touches, redo as needed

1. FIELD OF PLAY

Field size: Length = 40 yards
Width = 30 yards

2. BALL SIZE

Size 3

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Two teams of 4 players.
No player may act as goal keeper.
Any player or number of players can be substituted at the start of the period, after a goal is scored, before kick-ins, goal-kicks, corner kicks or on an injury by either team. No substitutions are allowed before a free-kick. Coaches are encouraged to rotate their players every 2 to 3 minutes.
Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.

4. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

All players must wear shin guards.
No metal cleats may be worn.
Soccer cleats are recommended although sneakers are acceptable to wear.
Socks MUST cover the shin guards completely.

5. REFEREE

Each game will have one on the field.
The referee is provided by the league.
Responsibilities: player safety, enforcement of the game laws and time keeping.
Explain the rules to the players.
Use the whistle as little as possible.

6. LINESMAN

There are no linesman in 4v4.

7. GAME DURATION

2 x 25 minute periods.
At the end of half take a 5 minute break, teams change sides only at half-time.

8. THE START OF PLAY

Start each period or restart the game after a goal is scored with a kickoff at the center of the halfway line. The ball may be passed back.
All players must remain on their own side of the halfway line until the ball is kicked.
All opposing players must be at least 5 yards from the ball prior to the kick.
The player taking the kick may not touch the ball a second time until it has been played by ANY other player. (Double touch - see law 13).

9. BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

When the ball goes out of play, the game is restarted as follows:

The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the entire touchline or goal line, whether on the ground or in the air. The ball is in play at all other times.
Restart with a kick-in if the ball goes out of play over the touchline. The kick-in will be taken by a member of the opposing team that last touched the ball. The ball shall be placed on the touchline or outside the field within a yard from the place where the ball went out.
When play is stopped due to an injury, bad weather or other reason not covered elsewhere in these rules, the game is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.

10. METHOD OF SCORING

A team is awarded a goal each time the whole ball crosses the portion of the goal line under the cross bar and between the posts in the goal that they are attacking. If a defending player unintentionally scores a goal in his own goal, the goal is awarded to the attacking team.

Goals can be scored from anywhere on the attacking half of the field.
Goals can not be scored directly by a team from their half of the field.
Goals can not be scored directly from kick-offs, free kicks, kick-ins, goal kicks or corner kicks. Once the kick is taken, if any player (attacker or defender) touches the ball and the ball goes in the goal, a goal is awarded to the attacking team.
Players may enter the goal box to play the ball.

11. OFF-SIDE

There is NO off-side in 4v4 soccer.

12. FOULS & MISCONDUCT

The referee may award a team a Free Kick for intentional tripping, pushing, hitting, holding or ball handling by an opponent. Free kicks are all indirect (goals cannot be scored directly from a free kick). Referee's should explain all infractions to the offending player.

Whistle only on intentional fouls or to ensure the safety of the players.

13. FREE-KICK

The kick is taken where the foul was committed or 5 yards from the goal line of the defending team, whichever is greater. All opposing players must be situated at least 5 yards away from the ball. The kicker can not touch the ball twice in a row - the ball needs to be touched by another player.
Double Touch - If the player taking the free kick (kick-in, goal kick, corner kick or kick-off) touches the ball twice in a row prior to being played by any other player, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
The team taking the free kick may take a "quick" kick prior to the opponents being 5 yards from the ball. If 5 yards is requested by the kicking team, they must wait until the defensive team is ready before taking the kick.

14. PENALTY KICK

There are no penalty kicks in 4v4 soccer.

15. KICK-IN

When the whole of the ball crosses the touch-line in the air or on the ground, a kick-in will be taken at the point where the ball left the field (within 1 yard either way). Opponents must be positioned at least 5 yards from the ball.

16. GOAL KICK

Restart with a goal kick if the ball goes out of play over the goal line, last touched by a member of the attacking team. The ball is placed anywhere on the goal line or inside the goal area. Opponents must be positioned at least five yards from the ball.

17. CORNER KICKS

Restart with a corner kick if the ball goes out of play over the goal line, last touched by a member of the defending team. The ball is placed on the corner of the field closest to the place where the ball went out or inside the field within a yard from that corner. Opponents must be positioned at least five yards from the ball.

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