STRIKERS RULES OF THE GAME
TEAM INFORMATION:
9 players (including goalie)
Ball Size - 4
Field Size - 9v9
Ages - 11 and 12
Playtime - 2 Halves at 30 minutes each. 5 minutes halftime. Teams will change sides after halftime.
REFEREES:
1 Certified Referee and 2 ARs (Assistant Referee) are required at this age group.
RULES OF THE GAME:
✔ Kick-off: Kicker may stand on the opponent's side of the field. Everyone else must be on their own half of the field, and opponents must be outside the circle on their side.
✔ Corner Kicks: When the ball goes over the goal line when last touched by the defending player. Kick is taken from the corner; players must be 10 feet away.
✔ Goal kicks: When the ball goes over the goal line when last touched by an offensive player. Kick is taken anywhere in proximity to the goal/inside on the 6. Opponents may not enter the 18-yard box until the ball is moving forward. If a player enters before, an IFK is awarded at that spot.
✔ Throw-Ins: Throw-in taken by the opponent of the player who last touched the ball. Both feet remain on the ground and the ball clearly is thrown from overhead with both hands. If thrown incorrectly ref stops play and awards throw-in to opponents.
✔ Fouls: Offense committed by any player in the field of play against any teammate, coach, or official. Contact fouls result in a DFK. Non-contact fouls and technical infractions will result in IFK.
✔ Handballs: When a player deliberately plays the ball with their hand (hand meaning anything below the elbow). Accidental contact should not be penalized.
✔ Restarts: A player may not touch the ball again at the taking of a free kick, goal kick, corner kick, kick off, or throw in until it has touched another player.
✔ Penalty Kicks: Results when a DFK penalty is committed inside players own penalty area. All players, except kicker and goalie, must remain outside the box and arch until the ball is clearly moving in a forward direction.
✔ Substitutions: Both teams may sub between periods, on goal kicks, after a goal, extended time out (e.g., injury, cautions, send-offs) NO substitutions on corner kicks. Unlimited for teams taking the throw-in, opponents may substitute (unlimited) if the team taking the throw in substitutes.
✔ Slide Tackle: Players are allowed to slide tackle if done properly.
✔ Headball: Players are allowed to head the ball.
✔ Off-sides: Players can only be in offside position in the opponent's side. (i.e., between the midline and the goal line), Offside offense occurs when a player in offside position becomes actively involved by interfering with play or an opponent. Result is an IFK at the location the player was offside.
✔ Pass Back to Goalkeeper: Defending team passing ball back to goalkeeper. The goalkeeper cannot pick up the ball; IFK is awarded at the spot of foul.
✔ Misconduct: Cautions (yellow card), Send offs (red card), Should be administered as conditions dictate to continue play.
ADDITIONAL GAME CONDUCTS:
● Accidental contact is not an offense and should not be penalized.
NOTES:
● IFK – Indirect Free Kick
● DFK – Direct Free Kick