6U Rules

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6 & Under GENERAL RULES OF PLAY

EXCEPTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO FIFA LAWS

Please refer to https://www.theifab.com/home for Laws of the Game

(IFAB also has an app that can be downloaded to your phone)

 

These Guidelines have been adopted by MVSA from the US Youth Soccer Rules and are subject to change upon League Board Majority vote, any changes made will not be made during the current season of play. Any and all changes will be in compliance with FIFA and US Youth Soccer Rules.

 

Size of Team:  Minimum number of players is 4, Maximum number of players is 8 per team.

 

Number of Players 

  1. Each 6 & Under team during a game shall play no more than four (4) players on the field at a time.

  2. Coaches must play each registered player who is present one half of the game (50%) unless unable to do so due to player’s illness or injury or for disciplinary reasons. In the event that a player is present but will not be playing, the coach must inform the referee and the opposing coach as to the reason that the player will not participate. 

 

Forfeits for too few players: Provided that at least two (2) players from each team are present at game time, 

there shall be no forfeit. Coaches shall accommodate the situation to insure that all players get as much playing 

time as possible. If either team has fewer than two (2) players present, the game shall be abandoned, but no 

winner shall be declared nor forfeit awarded.

 

Goalkeeper: There will be no goalkeeper 

 

Ball: Size #3 

 

Goals: Goals shall be approximately 4 feet tall by 8 feet wide. 

 

Fields: The field shall be rectangular with the length in all cases exceeding the width. 

Size: 60 feet wide by 90 feet long

Center Circle: 3 foot in radius 

Penalty Area: 8 feet wide by 6 feet long

 

Length of Games: The game shall be divided into four 6 minute quarters. There shall be a 2 minute break 

between quarters one and two and another 2 minute break between quarters three and four. There shall be 

a half-time break of 5 minutes between quarters two and three. 

 

Awards. Standings will not be maintained, and no trophies or awards will be given except for participation

       and / or sportsmanship. 

 

Penalties for fouls: 

  1.  There shall be no penalty shots.

  2. All fouls will be penalized with indirect kicks.

  3. From the point of taking an indirect kick or corner kick, opponents shall not be any closer than three (3) yards.

 

***NEW****   The Goal Box

There are no goalkeepers in 6U. The goal box is approximately eight feet wide by six foot long located directly in front of the goal. There is no ball contact allowed within the goal box, however, all players may pass through the goal box as long as they do not touch the ball while in the box. If the ball is touched by either team in the goal box the whistle will be blown and we will restart with a goal kick for the defending team.  It is the responsibility of the referee and the coaches to help teach this concept and keep players out of the goal box. (you may play with a defender, but no goalie)

Offside: There shall be no off-sides. 

Coaches on Field: One Coach is allowed on the field..  (This may be changed at the discretion of the league's pending feedback from coaches.)

 

Throw-ins: The ball will be returned to play by an indirect kick taken from the touchline where the ball exited the field of play.

 

Equipment: please make sure all equipment is away from side sideline,

 

  1. Soccer cleats are required (Football or baseball cleats with the toe cleat are not allowed). Must be field cleats. Indoor or turf style cleats are not admissable.

  2. All players will wear shin guards which are commercially produced and specifically designed to provide protection to the shins. Shin guards must be worn properly: under socks, not on top.

  3. No player will be allowed to play with a hard cast (padded or otherwise), nor will any player be allowed to play with any brace (knee or otherwise) that contains exposed metal or hard plastics, unless it is wrapped with a minimum of ½ inch high-density foam wrapping or the manufacturer’s recommended protective coating.

  4. Players may wear sliding, bike, cyclist or tight fitting pants which do not protrude below the top of the knee and are the same color as the shorts (MUST BE WORN UNDER SHORTS). Spanx, or volleyball type shorts are not permitted without shorts being worn on top of them. This does not prohibit players from wearing loose fitting, long-legged sweat pants or tights when it is cold or goalkeepers from wearing  goalkeeper pants which may be tight and have padding.

  5. Bandannas of any style may not be worn during any game. Players may not wear a bandanna either on their heads, legs or arms. Exceptions may be made at the local level for medical reasons.

  6. All players and coaches must be wearing the league provided jersey shirt. Any team wearing something other than the league provided jersey will automatically forfeit.

 

Referees (Referees will be assigned to 6U games)

The referee’s judgment decisions shall be final in all matters concerning the rules governing the playing of the game, the playability of the field and the appropriateness of the uniforms. At the completion of the match, the referee shall have each coach sign the game report and submit the game report to the tournament representative. 

It shall be the duty of the referee to declare a forfeit in the event that a team has less than the required minimum number of players on the field ready to play within 15 minutes after the game was scheduled to start. If neither team has the required number, it shall be a double forfeit and shall be scored as a loss for both teams. In the event that the referee rules that the field is not playable, or that the uniforms are inappropriate, then he should note these facts on the game report and have each coach sign it.

 

Substitutions: 

Player substitutions can be made at any time during the game. 

 

Kick-offs

  • A player may not score directly from a kick-off

  • If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team

  • Kickoffs can go forward or backwards

 

Headers

  • Deliberate heading will not be allowed

  • If a player deliberately heads the ball, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick 

** All MVSA teams are responsible for keeping the team area clean following the completion of the game, this includes removing all trash, canopies, and chairs. 

 

** Games may be cancelled due to inclement weather, Coaches will be contacted and notification will be posted on the website. Coaches will be required to notify individual teams. Make up games may be scheduled during weekdays to accommodate all teams. 



If you have any questions or concerns in regards to the rules, please submit your question in email to Todd Seay, President - MVSA Board of Directors