6U Guidelines For Spring 2024

The Ball: 
A size 3 ball is used for 6U games.

The Players:

• Numbers: four per team on field (no goalkeepers); six maximum on roster.
• Substitutions: At quarters, at halftime, and for injuries.
• Playing Time: Minimum of two quarters per game; no player should play four quarters until all players on the team have played three quarters.
• Gameplay: Only players are allowed on the field; a single coach from each team may enter to help manage the game.      

Player Equipment: 
Shoes, and shin guards (completely covered by socks) are mandatory at all practices and game activities.  Soccer shoes, tennis shoes, or similar type athletic shoes are recommended.  The type and condition of cleated shoes will be inspected for safety before use - please do not use baseball or football cleats.

Duration of Game:
Four five-minute quarters - running clock at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters (clock does not stop for substitutions).
Half time break of 5 minutes.
Water breaks should occur during substitutions (while the clock is running but play is stopped for both teams) and at halftime.
Please plan to exit the fields quickly after the games are complete so that the next session can get started.

Official:
There is no need for fully qualified referees to manage 6U games.  One or both of the coaches should "officiate."  The games are intended to be an opportunity for our players to experience the fun of playing.  The barest of minimum rules are needed and should be applied with a generous amount of flexibility.  Let the players have the freedom to play with minimum interruption (focus on no-handling the ball, restarts when the ball goes out of bounds or into the goal).

The Start of Play: 
The game should be started with a kick-off in the middle of the field.

The Kick-off: 
The kick off is taken from the center of the field with each team in their own half and the team not kicking off at least outside the center circle.  Do not insist the opponent always be outside the center circle as this is just a guide to give the kicker room to kick the ball without it immediately hitting an opponent.  Remember, let them play and try not to interfere for minor technicalities.

Ball In and Out of Play:
The ball is out of play in all age group games when it completely crosses the touch line (side line) or goal line, either on the ground or in the air.  The coach in the 6U games will determine when one of these restarts in necessary and should then interfere as little as possible in the restart.  It's their game, let them play.  The coach can work on technique later.

Restart After the Ball Crosses the Touchline:
Normally, the restart after the ball goes over the touchline is a throw-in.  For 6U, the restart is a "kick-in" where the player places the ball on the touch line near where it exited the field and restarts play with a kick to a teammate. 

Method of Scoring:
A goal, in all age groups, is awarded when the ball completely crosses the goal line into the goal. Goals should be celebrated enthusiastically by everyone in 6U, but goals are not recorded to determine who wins.  Everyone wins in 6U games.

Fouls:
Deliberate fouls should be rare in 6U games. Kicking, tripping, handling the ball and dangerous play may occur. there should be few, if any, additional reasons to stop play in 6U games. If a player is 'not playing well with others' or if play must be stopped for any reason (injury, substitution, confusion, or to watch a passing train, butterfly or frog), refocus the players and begin again with a free kick or pass in as appropriate.  Award the start to whichever team deserves it, but share the wealth if the ball keeps going out.  Exercise common sense, stand back and let them play.

Misconduct: 
Misconduct should be rare in 6U games. There is no need for the public cautioning and sending off of young players (leave the red and yellow cards at home). Officials should work cooperatively with the coach/team manager when a player may need a 'time out'.

Free Kicks:
Play may have to be stopped occasionally to 'sort things out' in 6U games. A player may pick up the ball and start running with it, or want to keep it away from the other players, or perhaps there is a pile of kids on the ground kicking at both the ball and each other. Stop play (with your whistle), quickly correct the situation and restart with a kick to a deserving player.  All free kicks in 6U are indirect kicks (ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored). Opponents must be at least ten feet from the ball or on the goal line between the goal posts during free kicks. Free kicks awarded to the attacking team inside the defending teams goal area are to be taken from the nearest point on the goal area line parallel to the goal line.

Offside:
No offside in 6U.

Goal Kick:
A goal kick is awarded to the opposing team, in 6U and older, when the attacking team is last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line but without scoring a goal (crosses the goal line but outside the goal posts). The goal kick may be taken from any point near the goal.  The opposing team must be at least ten feet away from the ball when the goal kick is taken in 6U games.

Corner Kick:
A corner kick is awarded to the opposing team, in 6U and older, when the defending team is last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line but not scoring a goal. The opposing team must be at least ten feet from the ball when the corner kick is taken in 6U games.

Hand Ball:
A hand ball infraction occurs when a player handles the ball deliberately. The 'hand' includes the entire arm up to the top of the shoulder. Instinctive, self-protective reactions are not penalized at this young age.  Accidental contact (ball striking hand or arm with no intent by the player) is not an offense and should not be penalized.

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).