12U Guidelines

The Field: 
The Field Size for 12U games is 70-80 yards long and 44-55 yards wide.

The Markings:
The Center Circle Radius is 8 yards, the Goal Area is 5 yards x 16 yards, Penalty Area is 14 yards x 36 yards, and Goal Line to Penalty is 10 yards. 

The Goals: 
Goal Size is 6.5 feet high x 18.5 feet wide. (Max size - 7 feet high x 21 feet wide).

The Ball: 
A size 4 ball is used for U-12 games.

The Players:

• Numbers: Nine per team on field; one of which is a goalkeeper. 12 maximum on roster.
• Substitutions: Between periods, at halftime and for injuries.
• Playing Time: Minimum of two periods per game.
• Teams: Separate girls and boys teams should be promoted at all levels of play.

Player Equipment: 
Shoes and shinguards, covered by the socks are mandatory at all practice and game activities. Soft-cleated soccer shoes or tennis shoes.

Duration of Game:
Four 15-minute periods. Halftime break of 5 - 10 minutes. No other changes from play as specified in FIFA Laws of the Game Printed for the American Youth Soccer Organization.

Referee:
The referee must be a certified regional referee or above.

No Heading:
Consistent with the US Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all divisions 12U and below in both practices and matches. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a match (taken where the player touched the ball with his/her head).