HYAA SOCCER

    Rules of Play

    Game Size and Length

    Clinic 7 v 7
    25 minutes of drills + a 15 minute game
    1st & 2nd Grades 8 v 8
    20 minutes of drills + two 10 minute halves
    3rd & 4th Grades 9 v 9
    two 20 minute halves
    5th & 6th Grades 11 v 11*
    two 25 minute halves
    7th,8th, & 9th Grades 11 v 11*
    two 25 minute halves

    *Games can be reduced to 9v9 if and only if the total number of players on one team attending that game is twelve or less.  i.e. if Team A has 13 players and Team B has 10 players, the game must be played 11 (Team A) v 10 (Team B).  All teams that have 13 or more players must field 11, and all teams must have a minimum of 9 players. (Maximum of 2 player differential)  
     

    Definitions & Rule Infractions 

    Free-kicks: (1) Direct (DFK)(from which a goal can be scored direct against the offending side) or (2) Indirect (IFK) (from which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has been played or touched by a player other than the kicker before passing through the goal) 

    When a player is taking a direct or an IFK, all opposing players must be at least ten yards from the ball. 

    Offsides: (1) A player is in an off-side position if he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than the ball.  (2) A player shall be declared off-side if, at the moment the ball touches, by, one of his team, he is seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position. (3) A player shall not be declared off-side by the referee merely because of his being in an off-side position.  (4) if a player is declared off-side, the referee shall award an IFK, which shall be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred. 

    Fouls and Misconduct:  A player who intentionally commits any of the following offenses shall be penalized by the award of a DFK to be taken by the opposing team from the place where the offense occurred.  Should a player of the defending team intentionally commit one of the following offenses within the penalty-area, he shall be penalized by a Penalty Kick (PK) : 
     

    • Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent 
    • Trips an opponent 
    • Charges an opponent in a dangerous manner 
    • Holds an opponent
    • Charges an opponent from behind
    • Pushes an opponent 
    • Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent 
    • Handles the ball (carries, strikes, or propels the ball with his hand or arm) 
    Penalty Kick (PK) : A PK shall be taken from the penalty-mark and, when it is being taken, all players with the exception of the player taking the kick and the opposing goalkeeper, shall be outside the penalty-area and at least 10 yards from the penalty mark.  The opposing goal-keeper must stand (without moving his feet) on his goal-line, between the goal-posts, until the ball is kicked.  The player taking the kick must kick the ball forward (he cannot play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player). 

    Yellow Card : A player or HYAA Coach who persistently infringes the Laws of the game or is guilty of ungentlemanly conduct shall receive a yellow card (Cautionary) from the referee. 

    Red Card: A player or HYAA Coach who: (1) is guilty of a violent act; (2) is guilty of serious foul play; (3) uses foul or abusive language; (4) is guilty of a second cautionable offense after receiving a yellow card – shall receive a Red Card and automatic ejection from the HYAA Game.  An ejection from the HYAA Game will also result in an automatic ONE Game Suspension. 

    Throw-in: When the ball passes over a touch-line (side-line) it shall be thrown in from the point where it crossed the line, in any direction, by a player of the team opposite to that of the player who last touched it.  The thrower must face the field of play and part of each foot shall be either on the touch-line or on the ground outside the touch-line.  The thrower shall use both hands and shall deliver the ball from behind and over his head.  The ball shall be in play immediately but the thrower cannot play the ball until it has been touched or played by another player. If the ball is improperly thrown in, the throw-in shall be taken by the opposing team. 

    Goal-Kick :  When the ball passes over the goal-line having last been played by one of the attacking team, it shall be kicked directly into play beyond the penalty area from any point within the goal-area by a player of the defending team.  The Goal Kick MUST be kicked beyond the penalty area and the kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.  Goal kicks that do not clear the penalty area must be retaken. 

    Corner-Kick:  When the ball passes over the goal line, having last been played by one of the defending team, a member of the attacking team shall take a corner-kick (the ball shall be placed within the quarter circle at the nearest corner-flagpost).  Players of the opposing team must be at least 10 yards away and the kicker may not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player. 

    HYAA Playoffs:  In the 3rd & 4th Grade Leagues and higher, HYAA Soccer will conduct single elimination playoffs on a Saturday, depending on the school calendar. Games will be shorter, with all ties decided by shoot-out.

    Approved by the HYAA Executive Committee, Sept 3, 1997.