Del-Ko Brydge Soccer Association Rules & Policies
GAME TIME & DURATION:
Mini-Tyke (U6): At your scheduled time each coach is to practice with their team on their half of the field for 25 minutes, followed by a 10 minute break, after which they will play a 25 minute non-stop game. There is no half-time break in Mini-Tyke games.
Tykes (U8) & Squirts (U10): Games begin at the posted time. A 15 minute grace period will be allowed if a team has less than 5 players dressed at start time. The game shall be divided into two 25 minute halves with a 5 minute break at half-time. Tied final scores will count during the regular season. Overtime and shoot-outs will be allowed during playoffs only.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS:
Mini-Tyke (U6): Each team will field 7 players, including the goalkeeper.
Tyke (U8): Each U8 Boys team will field 6 players, including the goalkeeper.
Each U8 Girls team will field 7 players, including the goalkeeper.
Squirt (U10): Each U10 Boys team will field 7 including the goalkeeper.
Each U10 Girls team will field 7 including the goalkeeper.
A team may play with a minimum of 5 players. Teams unable to field at least 5 players shall forfeit the game. A scrimmage may be played, with the agreement of both coaches, in the event of a forfeit.
LINESPERSON:
Each team must supply a linesperson who meets with the approval of the referee. The linesperson is to assist the referee, ONLY at the request of the referee. The linesperson may not stop play or interfere with the authority of the referee.
The linesperson must be an adult or a responsible child – 9 years old minimum. The linesperson will follow the action of the ball along the touch lines remaining approximately 2 feet behind the touch lines at all time.
Linesman are supplied for the U12 age group and up.
BALL:
- The home team is responsible for the game ball.
- Mini-Tyke, Tyke and Squirt divisions all use a size 4 ball.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
May be made at the stoppage of play for goals, goal kicks, injury, a throw-in, and half-time. Please make responsible and not tactical changes. The referees may add time if any teams use changes as a tactical delay of the game.
Equal playing time will be given to all players based on the assumption that the attitudes, behaviour and discipline of the players are relatively equal. Players who do not attend practices should not expect to see as much game time as those who attend regularly. Player substitutions should be based on player interest, attendance and behaviour at practices and games.
NO OFFSIDE RULE
NO ROUGH PLAY ALLOWED:
This includes charging, tripping, holding, high kicks, pushing, side tackling and kicking the ball out from under the goalie's hands.
FREE KICKS:
Will be allowed for any infraction of the above and for a handball. Free kicks are taken at the spot where the offence occurred unless committed by a defensive player in his or her own goal area. A foul committed by a defensive player in his or her own goal area will result in a penalty shot, see below. All free kicks are DIRECT, meaning a goal can be scored directly from a shot on the net. The defensive team must stand a minimum of 5 meters from the spot where the free kick is being taken and they cannot move towards the ball until it is played.
Another player must touch the ball after a free kick before the player that took the free kick can touch it. Should the same player touch the ball again without anybody else touching the ball, a free kick will be awarded to the opponents.
KICK INS:
When the whole ball has crossed the touch-line, either on the ground or in the air, the ball shall be a kick in, from the point where it left the field of play, by a player of the opposing team who last touched the ball. The ball is in play as soon as it enters the field of play. Throw ins start at the U10 age level.
A goal may not be scored directly from a kick in.
BALL IN PLAY:
The ball remains in play at all times unless it leaves the field or the referee stops the game. A shot taken on the goalkeeper is live until the keeper has hold of it or smothers it with his/her body. The keeper may not be interfered with. In the interests of safety, IT IS AN OFFENCE FOR A PLAYER TO KICK THE BALL OUT FROM UNDER THE KEEPER'S HAND (if a player tries a free kick will be awarded to the opposing team). The keeper will bring the ball back into play immediately by either throwing it or kicking it in any manner. Any player may enter the goal area to play the ball and a goal can be scored from inside the goal area. If the goalkeeper picks up the ball inside the field of play, than puts it down and releases it, it is LIVE and can be played by any player (a goal kick is only awarded when the ball is out of play, having crossed over the goal-line).
HANDBALL:
The goalkeeper is the only player on the field that may use his/her hands and this is only permitted when he/she is inside the marked goal area. A handball is defined as a deliberate movement of the hand and arm intended to redirect the ball (as distinct from the ball hitting hand without the player making an involuntary movement towards it). The referee is trained to distinguish between the two, and even then, may elect to play the Advantage Rule (that is: when the ball is deflected to the advantage of the opposing team, play is waived on).
PENALTY SHOTS:
Will be awarded when a defensive player commits any infraction inside his/her own goal area. The opposition takes the penalty shot from the spot marked on the field 6 meters from the goal line. The ball is to be placed on the penalty spot and is taken by any player on the playing field chosen by the Coach whose team was awarded the shot. The player will shoot the ball from the penalty spot on the opposing goalkeeper with all the players away from and behind the ball until it is kicked. If a goal is scored, the game is restarted with a centre kick-off. If the shot does not score, but the ball stays in the field of play, it remains LIVE and is in PLAY.
GOAL KICKS:
Are awarded when the offensive team kicks the ball out of play past either side of, or over, the defensive team's net (over the goal line). The ball is than placed on the edge of the defensive team's area and is kicked back into play by any player on the defensive team. The opponents shall stand at the halfway line with the referee's discretion (U6, U8 and U10).
GOALS FROM INSIDE THE GOAL AREA:
A goal scored from within the goal area will count.
KICK OFF RULE:
After a kick off, the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player. If this occurs, an indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team at the place the infringement occurred.
CORNERKICKS:
Are awarded when the defensive team is the last to touch the ball before it went out of play over the goal-line. The ball is than placed in the corner of the field nearest to where it went out and intersected the sideline. An attacking player kicking it then brings the ball back into play. After a corner kick, the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player. If this occurs, an indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team at the place the infringement occurred.
GOAL LINE:
All Divisions: No coaches, parents, siblings etc. are permitted to be on the goal line or near the nets to assist in the direct coaching or intimidation of players.
EQUIPMENT RULE:
The basic compulsory equipment of a player shall be a shirt, shorts, socks, shin guards and footwear. The goalkeeper shall wear colours different from other players and the referees. No jewelry, watches or other equipment that can hurt any players including the player him/herself are allowed on any player.
CONDUCT:
Coaches play a critical role in creating the climate for player achievement and their enjoyment of the game. Coaches are, therefore, expected to conduct themselves accordingly.
Conduct having the effect of intimidating the referees or players will not be tolerated. Of course, Coaches must adhere to this personally, but as well, they are expected to explain these requirements to team supporters and to promptly suppress any violations during the game.
COACHING ON THE FIELD:
Mini-Tykes: a single coach is allowed on the field but may not interfere with the referee or the ball.
Tykes & Squirts: coaches are NOT allowed on the field during play.
Neither team is to place a parent or coach behind the Goal, this applies at all levels. Referees are to monitor the situation.
REFEREE DECISIONS ARE FINAL:
Referees participate in the Referee Training and are typically also registered club members playing in older age groups. They will occasionally be imperfect but are always doing their best. Players, parents and coaches must respect the decision of all referees. There will be zero tolerance for referee abuse. In any event, decision protests will not be entertained.
Suggestions/complaints can be directed to the convener for your division. Convener information is available on our web-site.
GAME SCORES:
Mini-Tyke and Tyke: No scores or standings are kept
Squirt Division: Games scores are to be reported to the convenor by each coach within 48 hours of completion of the game
REFEREE NO-SHOW:
In the event of a referee no-show, the game may continue if a replacement can be found, only at the mutual consent of both coaches.
PRACTICES:
Tyke & Squirt Division: all coaches are required to organize, at minimum, a 1 hour practice time on a day other than game day.
Mini-Tyke Division: will practice prior to each game.
WEATHER:
Games will be played in the rain and will only be cancelled in the event of lightning. Games lost to weather may not be rescheduled. Prior to game time it is the convener's decision to cancel a game. If there is any question regarding game cancellations at the field, it will be at the referee's discretion (in the absence of a referee, only at the mutual consent of both coaches).
Please remember the 30/30 rule. If the referee notes lightning followed up to 30 seconds later by thunder, the game will be stopped for 30 minutes. If the storm is still underway still after 30 minutes, the ref can call the game.
Players who have signed up to play competitively are not allowed in the house league in the same season.