Minor Division
(6.5 and 7 year old players, 6.5 year olds must have already played 2 seasons )

The information contained here is to provide an explanation of the BSC modifications of FIFA rules for the Minor Division of our in-house soccer program.

Field Specifics

The goal uprights, crossbar & nets utilized are proportional to the field size.  The dimensions of the fields may vary slightly from season to season to accommodate for the number of players on each team.  

Reduced Field Size Game Focus: 

By playing soccer on a reduced size field with fewer players, a child is able to discover soccer on his/her own terms.  The players are being introduced to additional soccer concepts.   FIFA Rules are starting to be more rigidly enforced to prepare the player for the Intermediate and Senior Divisions.  We continue to promote good sportsmanship and teamwork. 

We want the players to learn and have fun.

No scores or standings are kept.

1. Games will be played on Field #1.  The field size is reduced to allow players more touches on the ball.
   

2. The coaches of the first games scheduled for that day will check the nets on the goals.
   

3. There will be ONE experienced and one “in-training” referee assigned to each game.  For the most part these will be youth referees so refrain from yelling.
   

4. Coaches and players should be located on the opposite side from the parents. Parents should refrain from coming to the player bench during the game.
   

5. A maximum of 3 parents/coaches should be on the player side at any one time.  No siblings of players should be on the benches of the playing teams.  
   

6. Coaches will agree, before the start of the games, as to the size 
   
   If both teams have 9 players = 7v7 game  
   
   If both teams have 8 players or less = 6v6 game
   
   Scores will not be kept for any games.
   
              ****IMPORTANT****  
   

7. Parents and spectators must sit on the opposite side of the players.  To help the coaches keep order, non-coaching parents and non-playing children should NOT sit with the team.  This will help the coaches keep straight who is in and out of the game.  PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS TO ALL OF YOUR TEAM’S PARENTS AND SPECTATORS BEFORE, AND AT, THE FIRST GAME.

Game Rules

Definitions: 

• The goal-line(s) is (are) those that define the length of the field.

• The touch-line(s) is (are) those that define the width of the field.

• The center-line is the line in the center of the field.

• The center-circle is the circle intersected by the center-line

• A goal is scored when the whole of the ball crosses the goal-line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar.

• A goal-kick is when the attacking team kicks the ball past the goal-line at their offensive end.  The ball shall be spotted in the goal-area and kicked in by the defensive team.

• A corner-kick is when the defending team kicks the ball past the goal-line near the goal they are defending.  The ball will be placed at the corner of the goal and touch-lines where the ball was kicked out.  The attacking team will take the kick.

• All players should move back approximately 5 yards away from the kicker on a corner-kick or out of the penalty-area on a goal-kick.

Game Play:  

1. The games will consist of  4--10 minute quarters.  Substitutions are made at the end of the quarter or at an injury only.  NO free substitutions unless a team has more than 2 players on the bench.  A substitute will be made half way through the first quarter only.  This will result in two players playing 2.5 quarters.  There will be a 2-minute rest period between quarters and a 5-minute rest at the half.  
   

2. There will be GOALIES.  EACH PLAYER MUST PLAY AT LEAST ONE QUARTER OF OFFENSE AND A TOTAL OF THREE QUARTERS.   MIDFIELD IS CONSIDERED AN OFFENSIVE POSITION.
   

3. There should be very few fouls called at this age level.  All fouls will result in an indirect kick.  A goal cannot be scored on an indirect kick unless it is touched by a second player of either team.  All fouls (hand balls, tripping, pushing, etc.....) will be explained by the REFEREE so the player understands what they did wrong.  Do not yell or criticize but calmly explain to the player-- “don’t push”, etc.
   

4. All balls that cross the touchline completely will result in an indirect free kick.
   
   WHEN THE BALL GOES ACROSS THE GOAL LINE & .......
   
   - it was last touched by the defensive team; the offensive team will take the kick from the corner closest to the goal they are shooting at.
   
   - it was last kicked by the offensive team the defensive team will place it ANYWHERE in the goal box.  All players from the non-kicking team should be outside the big box (it is 12 feet out from the goal.  They must kick it out of the big box before it can be touched by another player.
   

5. There are no offsides.
   

6. Home team will take the kickoff during the first half and the other team during the second half. Change direction of team play at the half only.

Remember the goal of these games is fun and fundamentals.