Player Equipment and Rules
Safety of the players is always of utmost importance. The following is a guide to the rules and player equipment at each age level.
League provides shirt with registration. Players must provide their own shin guards, shorts, and socks. All players are required to wear shin guards at every practice and every game. Socks must completely cover the shin guard. Cleats Recommended (only soccer eligible allowed - no front toe cleat - no spikes) - tennis shoes may be worn. The league DOES NOT provide any trophies. No hats, non-prescription sunglasses,jewelry, watches, or other sharp objects (rings, bracelets, earrings, etc) of any type may be worn. Reasonable accommodations for Medical related items will be made at referee's discretion if determined to be safe. Players may play with a bubble wrapped hard cast with a medical release from doctor. Ball is optional - players are not required to purchase a ball - see size information for each age group below.
Player Equipment Donation/Exchange Program
The Harrisburg Park District Office, during office hours, will accept your gently used soccer equipment (cleats, shin guards, balls, etc.). The items will then be available to players who may be able to use them. It cleans out your closet and maybe helps someone on a tight budget - a win - win.
Goal Keeper Equipment
A Goalkeeper is used in First Grade and higher. The Goal Keeper must wear a different color shirt, jersey or pinnie from either team's colors. This rule is not strictly enforced in our recreational program for practical reasons. However, it is ideal. It is also recommended that Goalkeepers wear Goalkeeper gloves to protect hands and fingers. However, no rule requires it.
Rules
Mercy Rule: For first through eighth grade, the referee will cut time in half if a 7 goal differential happens. If it happens in the first half, the remaining time in the first half is cut in half, the second half will also be cut in half. If it happens in the second half, the remaining time will be cut in half. If ever a 10 goal differential happens, the referee will end the game. Things the winning team can do to help to keep the game from getting out of control: Require players to shoot from outside the penalty area, let other kids play in goal scoring positions that may not normally get to play there, require better players to shoot with their non-dominant foot, pull a player or two off field after consulting the other coach.
In general, we follow FIFA rules with some modifications for youth play.
Referees, coaches, fans, and players are reminded to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful to one another and the game.
Coaches and players will be on one side of the field. Fans will be on the other side of the field.
There is to be no coaching from the fan side of the field or at the end of field near goal area.
A player that is not on your team roster assigned by the league CANNOT play for your team at any time unless both coaches agree to this in advance.
Both teams must play with the same number of field players at all times. The only exception is a team has to play short if a player is ejected (red carded) by the referee from the game. Teams may be asked to play with no substitution players available to play the same number of players as the other team. The final decision on the number of field players rests with the referees.
This is recreational soccer. The emphasis should be on a fun environment to learn and enjoy the game of soccer. All players should play at least 50% of each period. For players interested in a more competitive environment, please see the information in our Travel and SIMSS programs.
Any game ending in a tie - ends in a tie. There will be absolutely NO games "settled" with overtime play and/or penalty kicks.
Slide Tackling (an attempt to tackle the ball away from an opponent while sliding on the ground) is not allowed for any age group during recreational play.
Below is a list of the more common soccer rules. This is not a complete list of rules.
Substitutions
Either team may substitute on a Goal Kick, when a goal is scored, when an injury occurs, and between halves (and quarters).
Before the throw-in, the team awarded the throw-in may substitute. At referee discretion, they may also let the other team make substitutions.
The number of players that may be substituted is unlimited.
Alert the center referee on any Goal Keeper change.
Substitute players should stand at the half line several feet behind the touchline until the referee signals for them to come on.
Special Rules for PreK/K : Coaches may substitute at any stoppage of play
Restarts
Throw-in - when entire ball crosses the Touch Line (sideline).
Goal Kick - when entire ball crosses the Goal Line (end line) last touched by the attacking team. The ball is in play once the kick is taken & no longer is required to leave the penalty area to be in live play. Either the kicking team or the non-kicking team can play the ball legally within the penalty area once it moves. The kicking team may place players within the penalty area prior to the goal kick while the non-kicking team CANNOT have players within the penalty area prior to the goal kick.
Corner Kick - when entire ball crosses the Goal Line (end line) last touched by the defensive team
Kick Off - to start the match and second half (or quarter), and after a goal is scored. The ball may move in any direction on initial kick and the player making the initial touch cannot kick the ball again until another player from either team has touched the ball. This rule will only be striclty enforced for third grade and higher.
Special Rules for PreK/K: A Kick-in may be used rather than a throw-in. Opposing team should be on their half of the field on a Goal Kick by the other team. Opposing team must be approximately five yards from a player taking a Corner Kick or Free Kick.
Offside
Offside will be called for third grade and higher. In the younger age groups, a player may be cautioned by the referee if a player is intentionally "cherry picking" the goal.
It is not an offense to be in an offside position (attacker is beyond the last defensive player not including the Goal Keeper). The offense occurs when a player in the offside position becomes involved in the play, e.g. a pass is made to a player while in an offside position. There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from a goal kick, a corner kick, or a throw-in. The restart for an offside offense is an Indirect Free Kick from the spot of the foul for the defensive team.
Specific Rules For Each Division:
No Heading in Except 6th - 8th Grade
No intentional heading of the ball is allowed until 6th grade. The penalty is an indirect free kick for the other team at the spot of the foul. There is no foul when the ball unintentionally strikes the head.
PreK/K:
There is no goal keeper in PreK/K. Players must stay out of the goal box directly in front of the goal.
Goal Kicks/Free Kicks: Non-possession team must retreat past the half-line on all Goal Kicks & Free Kicks.
Kick-ins rather than throw ins are fine for this age group. Opposition team should be on their defending half at the time of the kick-in or throw-in.
Score is Not Kept
4v4 (or 3 v 3) - each team has four field players - no goal keeper
Recommended Player Formation: Diamond or Triangle
CF (center forward) - remove this player when playing 3v3.
LW (left wing) RW (right wing)
CB (center back)
No Offsides or Penalty Kicks
Ball Size 3
Four 8 Minute Quarters (2 min. between quarters; 5 min halftime)
No Referees - Coaches keep time and facilitate play on the field
First/Second Grade:
Coaches are allowed on the field to provide some player guidance for this age group. Be careful not to over coach. Soccer is a game of learning by mistakes, taking chances, and self-discovery. Additionally, if referees are calling the match, please do not call the game for them. You should not be the one calling which team has the ball on throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, etc. That is the referee's job.
A build-out line will be marked on the field between the top of the penalty area & half-line. Upon either a goal kick or any situation where the goalkeeper obtains clear possession during LIVE play, the non-kicking team must retreat past the build-out line & cannot advance inside the build-out line until the goal kick is made or until the goal keeper releases the ball. Players from the team with possession are not required to retreat past the build-out line and can position & play the ball anywhere on the field. Regardless of the position of the non-possession team players during the retreat, if the goal kick occurs or the goal keeper releases ball before a full retreat past the build-up line occurs, the ball is considered live & play continues. Goal keeper is allowed to "punt" the ball during live play situations.
7v7 - each team has 6 field players plus a goalkeeper
Recommended Formation: 1-2-3-1
CF (center forward)
LW (left wing) RW (right wing)
AM/HM (attacking//holding mid)
LB (left back) RB (right back)
GK (goal keeper)
Ball Size 4
2 25 minute halves (5 minute halftime)
No Offsides or Penalty Kicks. A player/coach may be warned for cherry picking goal.
Referees at this level should be more instructional and less punitive, i.e. show them how to do a proper throw-in and let them try again.
Third/Fourth/Fifth Grade
A build-out line will be marked on the field between the top of the penalty area & half-line. Upon either a goal kick or any situation where the goal keeper obtains clear possession during LIVE play, the non-kicking team must retreat past the build-out line & cannot advance inside the build-out line until the goal kick is made or until the goal keeper releases the ball. Players from the team with possession are not required to retreat past the build-out line and can position & play the ball anywhere on the field. Regardless of the position of the non-possession team players during the retreat, if the goal kick occurs or the goalkeeper releases ball before a full retreat past the build-up line occurs, the ball is considered live & play continues. Goal keeper is allowed to "punt" the ball during live play situations.
7v7 - each team has 6 field players plus a goalkeeper
Recommended Formation: 1-2-3-1
CF (center forward)
LW (left wing) RW (right wing)
AM/HM (attacking/holding mid)
LB (left back) RB (right back)
GK (goal keeper)
Ball Size 4
Offside and Penalty Kicks in Effect
Two 25 Minute Halves (5 minute halftime)
Sixth - Eighth Grade (max age for boys 14; max age for girls 15 as of August 31 - have to meet grade requirement also)
9v9 - each team has 8 field players plus a goal keeper (note: this age group normally plays 11v11. However, we are utilizing smaller team sizes to increase number of teams and number of touches by individual players).
Recommended Formation: 1-3-2-3
CF (center forward)
LW (left wing) RW (right wing)
LM (left mid-fielder) RM (right mid-fielder)
LB (left back) CB (center back) RB (right back)
GK (goalkeeper)
Ball Size 5
Two 30 Minute Halves (5 minute halftime)