Games Played 9v9

Law 1. The Field of Play 

• The field's dimensions shall be between 45-55 yds wide by 70-80 yds long.

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

• The penalty area shall be two lines drawn at right angles to the goal line extending 14 yds into the field of play. A line parallel with the goal line joins these lines and is 18 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 7 ft. X 21 ft. However, 6 ft X 18 ft may be used.

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 nine players, one of whom is the goalkeeper.

• The game may not start or continue if fewer than six players are on a team.

• 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, 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 match will consist of two equal halves of 30 minutes each, with a 10-minute  half-time interval.

• 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 the notes in Law 7 above.

Law 11. Offside

• Shall conform to IFAB.

Law 12. Fouls and Misconduct

• Shall conform to IFAB.

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

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 corner arc until played.