Games Played 7v7

Law 1. The Field of Play

• The field's dimensions shall be between 35-45 yds wide and between 55-65 yds long.

• The goal area shall consist of two lines drawn at right angles to the goal line, extending four yards into the field of play. A line parallel with the goal line joins these lines and is four yards from the center of the goal line.

• The penalty area shall be two lines drawn at right angles to the goal line extending 12 yds into the field of play. A line parallel joins these lines with the goal line and 12 yards from the center of the goal line. A penalty mark is made 10 yards from the midpoint between the goalposts within each penalty area. An arc of a circle with a radius of 8 yards from each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.

• The center mark has a circle with a radius of 8 yards enclosing it.

• Goals shall be 6 ft. X 12 ft. However, 6 ft X 18 ft may be used.

• Build-out lines should be equidistant between the penalty area line and the halfway line.

Law 2. The Ball

• The ball shall be a size 4 and provided by the home team.

Law 3. The Players

• Two teams play a match, each having at most seven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper.

• The game may not start or continue if a team has less than five players.

• Substitutions can be made at any stoppage in play and are unlimited.

Law 4. The Players Equipment

• Shall conform to IFAB.

Law 5. The Referee

• MUSC shall provide a licensed referee.

Law 6. The Other Match Officials

• MUSC will attempt to assign Assistant Referees (ARs) to all matches. If they cannot do so, the referee may ask the assistance of the coaches to get a parent to substitute for an AR. These “club ARs” are to assist in calling out-of-bounds calls only.

Law 7. The Duration of the Match

• The game shall consist of two equal halves of 25 minutes each, with a half-time interval of 10 minutes.

• When a winner needs to be determined, overtime is necessary. The overtime shall consist of 2–8-minute periods.

• If there is still no winner after this overtime, follow IFAB’s Penalties procedures.

Law 8. The Start and Restart of Play

• It shall conform to IFAB, except the opponents being 8 yards from the ball until played.

Law 9. The Ball In and Out of Play

• Shall conform to IFAB.

Law 10. Determining the Outcome of a Match

• Shall conform to IFAB, with notes above in Law 7.

Law 11. Offside

• Shall conform to IFAB.

• A player may not be penalized for offside between the halfway and build-out lines.

• A player may be penalized for offside between the build-out and goal lines.

Law 12. Fouls and Misconduct

• Shall conform to IFAB.

• There shall be no deliberate heading. If this occurs, the result is an indirect kick for the opposing team at the spot of the offense.

• There shall be no slide tackling in this age group. If this offense occurs, the result is an indirect kick for the opposing team.

• When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play (from an opponent) or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build-out line.

• Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw, or roll the ball to a teammate (no punting)

• If a goalkeeper punts the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense

• If the punt occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.

Law 13. Free Kicks

• It shall conform to IFAB, except the opponents being 8 yards from the ball until played.

Law 14. The Penalty Kick

• Shall conform to IFAB with the exceptions that the penalty mark is 10 yards and that players other than the kicker and defending goalkeeper are at least 8 yards from the penalty mark.

Law 15. The Throw-In

• Shall conform to IFAB.

Law 16. The Goal Kick

• Shall conform to IFAB.

Law 17. The Corner Kick

• It shall conform to IFAB, except opponents remain 8 yards from the ball until played.