LAW I – THE FIELD OF PLAY

 

FIFA:         The field of play must be rectangular.

                        The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.

Length: minimum = 100yds, maximum = 130 yds

Width:  minimum = 50 yds, maximum = 100 yds

 

SSI:                Field size can be modified according to age group and available space.

 

 

LAW II – THE BALL

 

FIFA:         Must be spherical, made of leather or other suitable material, and of a circumference of not more than 28 inches and not less than 27 inches. Must weigh no more than 16 oz., nor less than 14 oz and be of a pressure ranging from 8.5 lbs/sq in to 15.6 lbs/sq in at sea level.

                        The ball may not be changed during the match without the authority of the referee.

 

SSI:              U8 - U12                     Use a # 4  ball.

U13 and older              Use a # 5  ball.

 

Home team supplies the game ball.

 

 

LAW III – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

 

FIFA:         Maximum number of players on the field is 11.

Minimum number of players required for a match is 7.

Up to a maximum of 3 substitutes may be used.

When a player is substituted for, he becomes ineligible to reenter the match.

 

SSI:               Maximum number of players for a match: Roster must be turned in;

U12 and older              11 v. 11

U11                               9 v. 9

U10                               7 v. 7

U9                                 7 v. 7

U8                                 7 v. 7

 

If a team is short of players, teams must play match (that is, both teams must field the same number of players).

The only exception is when a player is red-carded and his team has no substitutes.

 

Substitutions may be made on any dead ball by either team, with the referee's permission.  Substitution will be unlimited with referees permission.

If a substitution is being made due to injury, both teams may substitute other players, with the referee’s permission.

 

 

 

 

LAW IV – THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT

 

FIFA:         A jersey or shirt must be worn.

Shorts – If thermals are worn, they must be the same color as the shorts.

Shin-guards    Must be covered entirely by stockings.

Are made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic, etc.).

Must provide a reasonable degree of protection.

Goalkeepers –  Must wear colors which distinguish him from the other players,

the referee and the assistant referee.

 

SSI:            As per FIFA, modified as follows.

These SSI rules must be strictly adhered to due to insurance requirements.

 No exceptions.

        • Players may not wear anything that, in the opinion of the referee, may cause injury to themselves or to other players.
        • All players must wear shin guards that are fully covered by socks.
        • Players may not wear jewelry. Players may not wear hard clips in their hair. Earrings covered by tape are not acceptable.
        • No player may play while wearing any type of cast, even if covered.
        • Appropriate footwear must be worn. Soccer shoes, while recommended, are optional. Goalie helmets are optional.
        • SSI recommends that uniform shirts be numbered, for player identification.

 

 

 

 

 

LAW V – THE REFEREE

 

FIFA:         Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the “Laws of the Game.”

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.

The referee may change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided he has not restarted play.

 

SSI:             As per FIFA, modified as follows.

        • The home team supplies the referee (SSI recommends two referees, if possible).
        • If there is only one referee, each team must supply a linesman.
        • Referees should be at least three years older than the oldest player.
        • SSI has a zero tolerance policy for any type of dissent or abuse (physical or verbal) toward a referee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAW VI – THE ASSISTANT REFEREES

 

FIFA:         Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate:

·        when the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play

·        which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw–in

·        when a player may be penalized for being in an offside position

·        when a substitution is requested

·        when misconduct or any other incident has occurred out of the view of the referee

 

SSI:             As per FIFA, modified as follows.

·        If there is only one referee, each team must supply a linesman, who indicates only that the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play.

·        A linesman is not to indicate which side is entitled to a throw-in unless requested by the referee.

 

 

LAW VII – THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

 

 

FIFA:         The match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes, unless mutually agreed between the

referee and the two participating teams. Any agreement to alter the periods of play

must be made before the start of play and must comply with competition rules.

The half-time interval must not exceed 15 minutes.

Allowance is made in either period for all time lost through:

·        Substitutions

·        Assessment of injury to players

·        Removal of injured players from field of play

·        Wasting time

·        Any other cause

 

 

 

SSI:            The match shall last two equal periods as follows:

 

U-18 to U-23               2 x 45 minute halves optional   ( 2 man systems)

U-15 to U-18               2 x 35 minute halves   ( 2 man systems)

U-13 to U-14               2 x 35 minute halves

U-11 to U-12               2 x 30 minute halves

U-8   to U-10               2 x 25 minute halves

 

The half-time interval shall not exceed five minutes.

All games must start and end on time or the game will be shortened to two equal halves.

Game clocks will not stop for any reason.

Use common sense when playing with no substitutes on very hot days.

 

 

 

 

 

LAW VIII – THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY

 

FIFA:         A coin is tossed and the team that wins the toss decides which goal it will attack in the first half of play.

The other team takes the kick-off to start the match.

The team that wins the toss takes the kick-off to start the second half.

In the second half of the match, the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals.

 

Kick-off

A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play:

·        At the start of the match

·        After a goal has been scored

·        At the start of the second half of the match

·        At the start of each period of extra time, where applicable

A goal may be scored directly from a kick-off.

A player may not play the ball before a second player has touched it on a kick-off.

 

Dropped ball

A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage in play – such

as for an injury or issuance of a warning to a player by the referee.

 

SSI:            As per FIFA, modified as follows.

There are no extra periods of play.

 If a match ends in a tie, that is how it will stand.

 

 

 

 

 

LAW IX – THE BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

 

FIFA:         The ball is out of play when:

·        It has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air

·        Play has been stopped by the referee

 

The ball is in play at all other times, including when:

·        It rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar or corner flag and remains in the field of play

·        It rebounds from either the referee or an assistant referee when they are on the field of play

 

 

 

 

SSI:            As per FIFA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAW X – THE METHOD OF SCORING

 

FIFA:            A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the “Laws of the Game” has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.

The team scoring the greater number of goals during the match is the winner. If both teams score an equal number of goals, or if no goals are scored, the match is drawn.

 

SSI:            As per FIFA, modified as follows.

 

 

After the fouth goal  the referee should inform that team about the score only.

 

SSI  vigorously  enforces a  five-goal differential.   Please cooperate.

Violations will be reported to both clubs’ Interleague Coordinators and the SSI Coordinator.

Suspensions may result.

 

 

LAW XI – OFFSIDE

 

FIFA:         Offside position

It is not an offence to be in the offside position.

A player is in the offside position if he is nearer to his opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second last defender.

 

            A player is not in an offside position if:

·        He is in his own half of the field of play

·        He is level with the second last opponent

·        He is level with the last two opponents

 

Offense

A player in an offside position is penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:

·        Interfering with play

·        Interfering with an opponent

·        Gaining an advantage by being in that position

 

No offense

There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from:

·        A goal kick

·        A throw-in

·        A corner kick

 

Infringements/Sanctions

 

For any offside offence, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infraction occurred.

 

 

 

SSI:             As per FIFA :/   For U8 and Older

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAW XII – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

 

FIFA:         Fouls and misconduct are penalized as follows:

 

Direct free kick

 

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

·        Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent

·        Trips or attempts to trip an opponent

·        Jumps at an opponent

·        Charges an opponent

·        Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent

·        Pushes an opponent

·         

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offences:

·        Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball.

·        Holds an opponent

·        Spits at an opponent

·        Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)

A direct free kick is taken from where the offence occurred.

 

Penalty kick

A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offences is committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball provided it is in play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indirect free kick

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee, commits any of the following three offences:

·        Plays in a dangerous manner

·        Impedes the progress of an opponent

·        Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands

 

An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following five offences:

·        Takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands, before releasing it from his possession

·        Touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player

·        Touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate

·        Touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate

·         Wastes time

The indirect free kick is taken from where the offence occurred.

 

Cautionable Offenses

 

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if commits any of the following seven offenses:

·        Is guilty of unsporting behavior

·        Shows dissent by word or action

·        Persistently infringes the “Laws of the Game”

·        Delays the restart of play

·        Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick

·        Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission

·        Deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission

 

Sending-off Offenses

A player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offenses:

·        Is guilty of serious foul play

·        Is guilty of violent conduct

·        Spits at an opponent or any other person

·        Denies an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)

·        Denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick

·        Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language

·        Receives a second caution in the same match

 

 

 

 

SSI:            As per FIFA, with the following  modifications:. MUST BE REPORTED

 

Cards:

·        A player or coach shown a red card receives an automatic  minimum two game suspension (to be served the next two games). Must leave the fields.

·        A player shown a yellow card must leave the field of play for a minimum of five minutes. Cool down time.

·        Coach shown a Yellow card for any referee dissention by the staff or parents will sever a minimum of one game suspension.

        • A substitution may be made for a carded player, whether a red or yellow card was received.
        • The referee must file a report regarding a red card with the home club’s Director of Referees, who will inform SSI.

·        The team playing the red-carded player’s team next must be called and told about this player by both teams.

Fighting

·        Fighting by players will result in an automatic suspension from the league.

·        Fighting by adults will result in an automatic suspension for the whole team.

Slide Tackles/ or any Sliding

·        Sliding for the ball is NOT permissible and should be considered a dangerous play. Yellow card.

·        The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to slide and only when making a save on a ball shot on goal.  Players must play the ball - not the player.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAW XIII – FREE KICKS

 

FIFA:         Types of free kicks

·        Free kicks can be either direct or indirect.

·        For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

 

The Direct Free Kick

·        If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal is awarded.

·        If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.

 

 

 

The Indirect Free Kick

 

·        The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.

·        A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal.

·        If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal kick is awarded.

·        If an indirect free kick is kicked into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded the opposing team.

 

Free kick inside the penalty area

 

Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:

·        All opponents are at least 10 yds from the ball

·        All opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play

·        The ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area

·        A free kick awarded in the goal area is taken from any point inside that area

 

Indirect free kick to the attacking team:

·        All opponents are at least 10 yds from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts

·        The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves

·        An indirect free kick awarded inside the goal area is taken from the part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point to where the infringement occurred

 

Free kick outside the penalty area

·        All opponents are at least 10 yds from the ball until it is in play

·        The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves

·        The free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred

 

 

Infringements/Sanctions

·        If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer than the required distance, the kick is re-taken.

·        If, when the kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, the ball is not kicked directly into play, the kick is re-taken.

 

Free kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper

·        If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it touches another player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from where the infringement occurred.

·        If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player, a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from where the infringement occurred.

 

 

Free kick taken by the goalkeeper

 

·        If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from where the infringement occurred.