Outdoor Soccer Rules

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. FIFA Laws of the game

2. Ottawa TFC Rules Summary Matrix

3. U5-U7 Rules and setup

4. U8 Rules and Setup

5. U9-U10 Rules and Setup

6. U11-U12 Rules and Setup

7. U13-Adult Rules and Setup

8. Adult Co-ed Rules

1. FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME:

The laws of the game are provided by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association). They are described in the booklet Laws of the Game which will be handed out to all new Ontario Soccer Entry Level course attendants, or mailed to all existing District Referees who register on time.

These laws are the rules of all matches unless otherwise stated.

For a pdf version of these laws please click here:

FIFA - Laws of the game

2. Ottawa TFC RULES SUMMARY MATRIX :

Age Group	U4	U5-U6	U7-U8	U9-U10	U11-U12	U13-U18
Playing Format	None (1v1)	3v3 or 4v4	4v4 or 5v5 (GK incl.)	7v7	9v9	11v11
Substitutions	N/A	unlimited - on the fly	unlimited - on the fly	Unlimited - during any stoppage with referees permission	Unlimited - during any stoppage with referees permission	Unlimited - any goal, any Goal Kick, teams own Corner Kick, teams own Throw-in, or an injured player (only the injured player). Opponent may piggy back on any subs made by opposing team.
Game Duration	N/A	2 x 15 mins	2 x 15 mins	2 x 25 mins	2 x 30 mins	U13-U15 - 2 x 40 mins U16+ - 2 x 45 mins
Practice Duration	30-40 mins	45 mins	45-60 mins	60-75 mins	60-75 mins	60-90 mins
Throw-ins	N/A	pass/dribble in	pass/dribble in	pass/dribble in	throw-ins	throw-ins
Retreat Line	N/A	half-way	half-way	1/3rd way	1/3rd way	no
Offsides	N/A	no	no	no	yes	yes
Free Kicks	N/A	yes - pass/dribble in	yes - pass/dribble in	yes - 6 yards of space given	yes - 8 yards of space given	yes - 10 yards of space given.
Ball Size	size 1 or 3	size 3	size 3	size 4	size 4	size 5
Field width	20-30m	20-30m	25-30m	30-36m	42-55m	full field
Field length	25-36m	25-36m	30-36m	40-55m	60-75m	full field
Goal Size	pugg nets	pugg nets	5v5 bow nets (5x8)	6x16 (7v7)	6x18 (9v9)	full sized
Game Roster sizes	N/A	N/A	N/A	9-12 max	12-16 max	14-18 max
Coach:Player Ratio	1:1 parent child	1:6	1:8	1:14	1:16	1:20
Field Setup	cones	coned - club setup	coned - club setup	7v7 fields (city)	9v9 fields (city)	11v11 fields (city)

3. U5-U7 DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RULES AND FORMAT:

U5-U7 games will be playing with a size 3 soccer ball.
Pugg nets will be used.
Games will be led by the team coaches who will have their "Game-Leader" certification, as delivered by Ontario Soccer.
Minimum 3 and maximum 4 players will play at U5-U7. No goalkeepers.
Each game will be 15 minutes long. Teams will play two of these games each week, with a skills or movement activity in between each game.
When the ball goes out, a new ball will be either rolled in directly or given to the closest player who can dribble or pass the ball in.
Playing time: Each player should play equal playing time unless requested by the player or his/her parent.
For a detailed write up of the game - station - game - station format used by Ottawa TFC for all U5-U7 programs, please review the following document

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4. U8 DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RULES:

U8 games will be played with a size 3 ball. Make sure the ball is the correct size and properly inflated.
5x8 Bownets will be used.
Games will be led by the team coaches who will have their "Game-Leader" certification, as delivered by Ontario Soccer. The coaches game leaders should not walk on the field unless it is required to assist an injured player.
Minimum of 4 players and maximum of 5 players (including the goalkeeper).
Each game will be 15 minutes long. Teams will play two of these games each week, with a skills or movement activity in between each game.
Only registered players are allowed to play in their proper age group only.
Playing Time: Each player should get equal playing time unless requested by the player or his/her parent.
Player Equipment: All players must wear shin pads. Soccer cleats are permitted for players. Full uniforms must be worn with shirts tucked in.
Retreat line: Any time the keeper has the ball, the opposing team must retreat to the half way line. The ball is in play once the keeper's team mate touches the ball, or the ball crosses the retreat line.
Substitutions can be made on the fly.
If the ball goes out of bounds, it will go to the opposing team. Balls will be "kicked-in", and may be dribbled in or passed in.
For a detailed write up of the "player development" station format used by Ottawa TFC for all U5-U8 programs, please review the following document

U8 Field Distribution:

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5. U9-U10 DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RULES:

U9-U10 teams use a size 4 ball.
Minimum of 5 players, maximum of 7 (including the goalkeeper). From July 1 to the end of the season, if the teams have an unequal number of players, the team with the most players shall play with a one player advantage until both teams are at full size.
Only registered players are allowed to play in their proper age group only.
Game times - 2 X 25 minute half with a 5 minute break at half-time.
Referees can increase break times or add breaks if the weather or special circumstances warrant.
Playing Time: Each player should be guaranteed equal playing time unless requested by the player or his/her parent.
Player Equipment: All players must wear shin pads. Soccer cleats are permitted for players. Full uniforms must be worn with shirts tucked in. Absolutely No jewellery of any type, watches, hats (except Keeper-must be soft rimmed), head bands, sweat bands, arm elastics or any dangerous items may be worn during the game. (EXCEPTIONS-Medic Alert Bracelet only)
There is no offside rule in this division.
Substitutions are allowed at any stoppage in play with the Referee's permission.
No coaches are allowed on the field of play. No parents or Coaching Staff is allowed behind the goal line.
When the ball passes over the touch line (side line) it shall be a "KICK-IN or DRIBBLE-in" back into play from where it went out. The ball must be completely stopped on the line at the point where it went out, at which point the attacking player may either kick or dribble the ball into play. Opponents should be 6 yards from the ball until it is in play.
Retreat line: the retreat line is set at 1/3rd of the field. Any time the keeper has the ball, the opposing team must retreat to the 1/3rd retreat line. The ball is in play once the keeper's team mate touches the ball, or the ball crosses the retreat line.
Free Kicks: Opponents must be 6 yards from the ball until it is in play and all Free Kicks are direct.
Goalkeepers: Goalkeepers may put the ball into play from within the goal area by place kicking, drop kicking or throwing the ball. The 6 second rule is in force. The goalkeeper cannot handle the ball outside the goal area. Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere inside the goal area.
The Goalkeeper must wear a jersey of a different colour than that of the two teams and Referee. Soccer Cleats are recommended but cleats for other sports (baseball) cannot be worn.
Game Cancellations: Games will be cancelled for the following reasons: Severe weather conditions (i.e. lightning, extreme heat, etc.) You may be contacted by the Referee Assignor or the Head Referee by 5 pm on game day if the weather is a safety concern. If you have not been contacted, the game will proceed. If a team does not show up, then that team will be deemed to have forfeited the game. If severe weather occurs during the game, Referees have the discretion to delay a game up to 30 minutes to see if the weather will clear. If it does not, the Referee will stop the game and report the stoppage to the Head Referee. Game Abandonment If the Referee feels that he/she has lost control of the game (i.e. Coaches refusing to listen to the Referee, players fighting, spectator's criticism, etc.) and cannot return the game to friendly play, then the Referee shall inform the coaches that the game is being abandoned. The Referee shall report the incidents leading to the abandonment to the Head Referee. If a game is abandoned by the Referee for reasons of weather, visibility, or field conditions before the completion of 1/2 of the normal playing time for that division, it shall be considered incomplete. Games abandoned in the final half of normal playing time will be considered complete.
Only a Coach is allowed to discuss matters with the Referee. These discussions may occur at half time or after the game. No one will be allowed to delay the game or enter the field of play to protest or contest a call.

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6. U11-U12 DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RULES:

U11-U12 teams use a size 4 ball.
Minimum of 5 players, maximum of 7 (including the goalkeeper). From July 1 to the end of the season, if the teams have an unequal number of players, the team with the most players shall play with a one player advantage until both teams are at full size.
Only registered players are allowed to play in their proper age group only.
Game times - 2 X 25 minute half with a 5 minute break at half-time.
Referees can increase break times or add breaks if the weather or special circumstances warrant.
Playing Time: Each player should be guaranteed equal playing time unless requested by the player or his/her parent.
Player Equipment: All players must wear shin pads. Soccer cleats are permitted for players. Full uniforms must be worn with shirts tucked in. Absolutely No jewellery of any type, watches, hats (except Keeper-must be soft rimmed), head bands, sweat bands, arm elastics or any dangerous items may be worn during the game. (EXCEPTIONS-Medic Alert Bracelet only)
There is no offside rule in this division.
Substitutions are allowed at any stoppage in play with the Referee's permission.
No coaches are allowed on the field of play. No parents or Coaching Staff is allowed behind the goal line.
When the ball passes over the touch line (side line) it shall be a "KICK-IN" back into play from where it went out. The ball must be completely stopped on the line at the point where it went out, at which point the attacking player may either kick or dribble the ball into play. Opponents should be 6 yards from the ball until it is in play.
Retreat line: the retreat line is set at 1/3rd of the field. Any time the keeper has the ball, the opposing team must retreat to the 1/3rd retreat line. The ball is in play once the keeper's team mate touches the ball, or the ball crosses the retreat line.
Free Kicks: Opponents must be 6 yards from the ball until it is in play and all Free Kicks are direct.
Goalkeepers: Goalkeepers may put the ball into play from within the goal area by place kicking, drop kicking or throwing the ball. The 6 second rule is in force. The goalkeeper cannot handle the ball outside the goal area. Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere inside the goal area.
The Goalkeeper must wear a jersey of a different colour than that of the two teams and Referee. Soccer Cleats are recommended but cleats for other sports (baseball) cannot be worn.
Game Cancellations: Games will be cancelled for the following reasons: Severe weather conditions (i.e. lightning, extreme heat, etc.) You may be contacted by the Referee Assignor or the Head Referee by 5 pm on game day if the weather is a safety concern. If you have not been contacted, the game will proceed. If a team does not show up, then that team will be deemed to have forfeited the game. If severe weather occurs during the game, Referees have the discretion to delay a game up to 30 minutes to see if the weather will clear. If it does not, the Referee will stop the game and report the stoppage to the Head Referee. Game Abandonment If the Referee feels that he/she has lost control of the game (i.e. Coaches refusing to listen to the Referee, players fighting, spectator's criticism, etc.) and cannot return the game to friendly play, then the Referee shall inform the coaches that the game is being abandoned. The Referee shall report the incidents leading to the abandonment to the Head Referee. If a game is abandoned by the Referee for reasons of weather, visibility, or field conditions before the completion of 1/2 of the normal playing time for that division, it shall be considered incomplete. Games abandoned in the final half of normal playing time will be considered complete.
Only a Coach is allowed to discuss matters with the Referee. These discussions may occur at half time or after the game. No one will be allowed to delay the game or enter the field of play to protest or contest a call.

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7. U13-U18 YOUTH RECREATIONAL LEAGUE RULES:

U-13 to U-18 uses a size 5 ball.
Minimum of 7 players, maximum of 11 (including the goalkeeper). If either team has 12 players or less at the start of the game, the game format will be changed to 9v9.
From July 1 to the end of the season, if the teams have an unequal number of players, the team with the most players shall play with a one player advantage until both teams are at full size.
Only registered players are allowed to play, in their proper age group only.
Game Time: U-15s play 2 X 40 minutes halves with a 5 minute half-time. U-16 & up 2 X 45 minutes halves with a 5 minute half-time.
Referees can reduce the game time by 15 minutes if the weather or special circumstances warrant.
Playing Time: Each player should be guaranteed equal playing time unless requested by the player or his/her parent.
Player Equipment: All players must wear shin pads. Soccer cleats are permitted. Full uniforms must be worn with shirts tucked in. Absolutely No jewellery of any type, watches, hats (except Keeper-must be soft rimmed), head bands, sweat bands, arm elastics or any dangerous items may be worn during the game. (EXCEPTIONS-Medic Alert Bracelet only)
The Goalkeeper must wear a jersey of a different colour than that of the two teams and Referee. Soccer Cleats are recommended but cleats for other sports (baseball) cannot be worn.
The offside rule is in full effect.
Substitutions: U13-U18 - Sub on any goal, any Goal Kick, their own Corner Kick, their own Throw-in, or the injured player only. ( If a team chooses to sub when allowed, then the other team can sub also.)
All other Laws of the Game shall be enforced.
Game Cancellations: Games will be cancelled for the following reasons: Severe weather conditions (i.e. lightning, extreme heat, etc.) You may be contacted by the Referee Assignor or the Head Referee by 5 pm on game day if the weather is a safety concern. If you have not been contacted, the game will proceed. If a team does not show up, then that team will be deemed to have forfeited the game. If severe weather occurs during the game, Referees have the discretion to delay a game up to 15 minutes to see if the weather will clear. If it does not, the Referee will stop the game and report the stoppage to the Head Referee. The Referee does not determine the winner nor do they determine if a match is to be rescheduled. Game Abandonment: If the Referee feels that he/she has lost control of the game (i.e. Coaches refusing to listen to the Referee, players fighting, spectator's criticism, etc.) and cannot return the game to friendly play, then the Referee shall inform the coaches that the game is being abandoned. The Referee shall report the incidents leading to the abandonment to the Head Referee. If a game is abandoned by the Referee for reasons of weather, visibility, or field conditions before the completion of 1/2 of the normal playing time for that division, it shall be considered incomplete. Games abandoned in the final half of normal playing time will be considered complete.
Only a Coach is allowed to discuss matters with the Referee. These discussions may occur at half time or after the game. No one will be allowed to delay the game or enter the field of play to protest or contest a call.
A player shown a yellow card during a Ottawa TFC Development League game at the Senior Youth level (U13-18) will sit out the game for a two (2) minute “cool down” period. At the end of which time the referee will signal the player to come back onto the field of play. No stop of play is required and will be done “on the fly”. During this time the team will be playing one player short until the time has elapsed or the other team has scored. If more than one player from a team is involved only the one with the shortest time left is allowed back on. A player shown a second card will be subjected to the same requirements. Because this would be the second offence for this player, he or she would be shown a red card (dismissal) and would be required to leave the field. After two (2) minutes the player can be replaced. A team whose player is shown a dismissal card for any other reason would be required to play short a player.

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8. ADULT CO-ED SOCCER:

The CO-ED soccer game is the Small Sided game (7v7 rules) similar to the indoor game.
Minimum 2 men and 2 women on the field at all times.

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