Youth Soccer

Pataskala Spring 2023 Season Division Rules

Equipment and Uniforms
● All players for each team should wear the uniforms purchased from the Parks and Recreation Department. The Home Team will wear Green shirts and the Away Team will wear White shirts.
● All players must wear shin guards for games. Shin guards should be worn under the sock (if not, please remind the coach so it can be corrected for the next game). If the shin guard is over the sock it is okay to let the kids play.
● Shoes with rubber or plastic cleats are recommended, but not required. Shoes with Toe Cleats, while not recommended, can be worn during a game as long as the referee deems the Toe Cleat to be safe.
● No jewelry may be worn at any time during the game, unless medical alerts, which shall be taped down. The player must remove the jewelry, or they will be unable to participate in the game. Tape and/or band-aids over earrings for pierced-ear are not permitted under any
circumstances.
● Players that are wearing a cast. The players cast must be wrapped in 1⁄2 closed-cell/slow recovery foam over the cast or something the referee deems safe. If a player's cast is not covered properly, he/she can not participate in the game. The required foam can be purchased at a pharmacy. There is also tape and wrap located onsite for parents' use but the foam is required to be brought by the parent.
● Referees may not allow any equipment that they deem as unsafe or illegal.
 

Rules Regarding Heading the Ball

Pursuant to US Soccer Federal guidelines and the Ohio South Soccer Association ByLaws, Pataskala Soccer League, enforces the following rules regarding heading the ball:
● No intentional headers will be allowed in U10 and lower age division games
● No coach in a U10 or lower age division shall be permitted to instruct players how to
perform a header
● U12/MSSA/HSSA teams are allowed no more than 30 minutes per week to instruct on
how to head the ball

U4 Division
● 4v4 or 5v5
● 2– 10-minute Halves for the first 2 games then extend game to 3—10 minutes Halves
● Ball Size: 3
● No Goalies: No standing in front of the goal - players should be encouraged to move up and down the field staying in the play
● Head Balls – AKA "Headers" are not permitted in this division
● No Offsides
● No slide tackling allowed
● We will not enforce handball rules in this division. At this age kids are afraid of getting hit and use their hands to protect themselves.If a player picks up the ball, a coach will restart the game with a free kick for the other team. Example, a green player picks up the ball while in play, the coach will blow the whistle, and have the nearest white player take the kick quickly to get the ball back in play.
● If ball goes out over the touch line, restart with Throw-In (Kick-In is okay) ( For a throw- if done incorrectly have the player take one additional try (if still done incorrectly, encourage them to continue to practice and let the game play on), remember this is still a teaching league so it is okay to give them reminders on proper technique)
● When the ball goes out over the end line (behind the goal), the restart will be a goal kick for the defending team, no corner kicks in the U4 division.
● There are No referees assigned to these games. Coaches are responsible for organizing the teams, running the games and keeping track of time.
● The purpose of this division is to introduce the game to our youngest players. There should be as few stoppages in play as possible. We want these players to be touching and chasing the ball as much as possible.
 

U5 Division
● 4 v 4 or 5v5
● 4 – 10-minute quarters
● Ball Size: 3
● No Goalies: No standing in front of the goal - players should be encouraged to move up and down the field staying in the play
● Head Balls – AKA "Headers" are not permitted in this division
● No Offsides
● No slide tackling allowed
● We will not enforce handball rules in this division. At this age kids are afraid of getting hit and use their hands to protect themselves.If a player picks up the ball, a coach will restart the game with a free kick for the other team. Example, a green player picks up the ball while in play, the coach will blow the whistle, and have the nearest white player take the kick quickly to get the ball back in play.
● If ball goes out over the touch line, restart with Throw-In (Kick-In is okay)( For a throw- if done incorrectly have the player take one additional try (if still done incorrectly, encourage them to continue to practice and let the game play on), remember this is still a teaching league so it is okay to give them reminders on proper technique)
● When the ball goes out over the end line (behind the goal), the restart will be a goal kick for the defending team, no corner kicks in the U5 division.

● There are No referees assigned to these games. Coaches are responsible for organizing the teams, running the games and keeping track of time.
● The purpose of this division is to introduce the game to our youngest players. There should be as few stoppages in play as possible. We want these players to be touching and chasing the ball as much as possible.

U6 Division
● 4v4 or 5 v 5
● 4 – 10-12 minute quarters or 2 - 20 minute halves.
o Coaches should talk prior to the game on how they want to play
● Ball Size: 3
● No Goalies: No standing in front of the goal - players should be encouraged to move up the field.
● Head Balls – AKA "Headers" are not permitted in this division
● No Offsides
● No slide tackling allowed
● We will not enforce handball rules in this division. At this age kids are afraid of getting hit and use their hands to protect themselves.If a player picks up the ball, a coach will restart the game with a free kick for the other team. Example, a green player picks up the ball while in play, the coach will blow the whistle, and have the nearest white player take the kick quickly to get the ball back in play.
● If ball goes out over the touch line, restart with Throw-In (Kick-In is okay) (For a throw- if done incorrectly have the player take one additional try (if still done incorrectly, encourage them to continue to practice and let the game play on), remember this is still a teaching league so it is okay to give them reminders on proper technique)
● If the ball goes out over the end line, restart with a goal kick for the defending team, or a corner kick for the attacking team.
● There are No referees assigned to these games. Coaches are responsible for organizing the teams, running the games and keeping track of time.

U7 Division
● 4 v 4/ 5 v 5 (introduce goalie position - Goalies will only be used on the bigger field)
● 2 – 25 – minute halves
● Ball Size: 3
● No Goalies: 1st half of the season. Will play 1-3 games on bigger field (Field size 75 x 100 on 6x12 goals)
● Head Balls – AKA "Headers" are not permitted in this division
● No Offsides
● Substitutions may be made anytime the ball has gone out of play or the game has stopped (examples include: before the start of the 2nd half, prior to taking a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in). Any team may sub when the ball has gone out of play.
● No slide tackling allowed. If a player commits a slide tackle, the restart will be a indirect free kick for the opposing team
● If ball goes out over the touch line, restart with Throw-In (Kick-In is okay) (For a throw- if done incorrectly have the player take one additional try (if still done incorrectly, encourage them to continue to practice and let the game play on), remember this is still a teaching league so it is okay to give them reminders on proper technique)
● If the ball goes out over the end line, restart with a goal kick for the defending team, or a corner kick for the attacking team.
● There are No referees assigned to these games. Coaches are responsible for organizing the teams, running the games and keeping track of time.
 

U8 Division
● 6 v 6 (includes a goalie)
● 2 – 25-minute halves
● Ball Size: 3 or 4
● Final scores are to be reported to the league by the Home Team Coach
● Substitutions may be made at the mid-line ONLY. The ball must have gone out of play and the players must be at the Center Flag before the substitutions will be allowed.
o Both teams may substitute an unlimited number of players on a goal kick, after a goal
has been scored, at the start of the second half, or when a player from either team has
been injured.
o The team in possession of the ball may substitute an unlimited number of players on a
throw-in or on a corner kick.
o The team not in possession of the ball may substitute an unlimited number of players on a throw-in or on a corner kick if the team in possession of the ball is also substituting.
● Mercy Rule – During a game, any team losing by a margin of 5 goals will be permitted to place one additional player on the field. Should this margin become less, the additional player must come off the field.
● Head Balls – AKA "Headers" are not permitted in this division
● Offsides will be enforced
● Handballs must be fully deliberate to be called
● No slide tackling allowed. If a player commits a slide tackle, the restart will be a indirect free kick for the opposing team
● If ball goes out over the touch line, restart with Throw-In (early in the season let the player take a retry if done incorrectly, remember this is still a teaching league so it is okay to give them reminders on proper technique)
● If ball goes out over the end line, restart with a goal kick for the defending team, or a corner kick for the attacking team
 

U10 Division
● 8 v 8 and 9 v 9 (includes goalies)
● 2 - 25-minute halves
● Ball Size: 4
● Final scores are to be reported to the league by the Home Team Coach
● Substitutions may be made at the mid-line ONLY. The ball must have gone out of play and the
players must be at the Center Flag before the substitutions will be allowed.
o Both teams may substitute an unlimited number of players on a goal kick, after a goal
has been scored, at the start of the second half, or when a player from either team has
been injured.
o The team in possession of the ball may substitute an unlimited number of players on a
throw-in or on a corner kick.

o The team not in possession of the ball may substitute an unlimited number of players on a throw-in or on a corner kick if the team in possession of the ball is also substituting.
● Mercy Rule – During a game, any team losing by a margin of 5 goals will be permitted to place one additional player on the field. Should this margin become less, the additional player must come off the field.
● Head Balls – AKA "Headers" are not permitted in this division
● Offsides will be enforced
● Sliding allowed, to save a ball from going over either the touch line or end line or in instances that no other player is around. Slide tackling is STRONGLY discouraged in this division. Slide tackles will be viewed critically and improperly executed slide tackles will be penalized.
● If ball goes out over the touch line, restart with Throw-In (if done incorrectly, the ball will be turned over to the other team)
● If ball goes out over the end line, restart with a goal kick for the defending team, or a corner kick for the attacking team
 

U12 Division
● 8 v 8 or 9 v 9 or 11 v 11 Playing games on fields (includes goalies)
● 2 30-minute halves
● Ball Size: 4/5
● Final Scores are to be reported to the league by the Home Team Coach
● Substitutions may be made at the mid-line ONLY. The ball must have gone out of play and the players must be at the Center Flag before the substitutions will be allowed.
o Both teams may substitute an unlimited number of players on a goal kick, after a goal
has been scored, at the start of the second half, or when a player from either team has
been injured.
o The team in possession of the ball may substitute an unlimited number of players on a
throw-in or on a corner kick.
o The team not in possession of the ball may substitute an unlimited number of players on a throw-in or on a corner kick if the team in possession of the ball is also substituting.
● Mercy Rule – During a game, any team losing by a margin of 5 goals will be permitted to place one additional player on the field. Should this margin become less, the additional player must come off the field.
● Head Balls – AKA "Headers" are permitted in this division
● Offsides will be enforced
● Sliding allowed, to save a ball from going over either the touch line or end line or in instances that no other player is around. Slide tackling is STRONGLY discouraged in this division. Slide tackles will be viewed critically and improperly executed slide tackles will be penalized.
● If ball goes out over the touch line, restart with Throw-In (if done incorrectly, the ball will be turned over to the other team)
● If ball goes out over the end line, restart with a goal kick for the defending team, or a corner kick for the attacking team