10U Rules

Subscribe to our Newsletter

u10 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 South Texas Youth Soccer Association and are subject to change upon League Board majority vote.  Any changes made, will not affect the current season of play. Any and all changes will be in compliance with FIFA and US Youth Soccer Rules

 

Age Group 

  1. A player with his/her parent’s and coach’s permission, and in compliance with the local association playing rules, may play in an older age group; however, 

  2. Except as provided herein, no player may play in a younger age group than the age group for which he/she is eligible. 

 

Number of Players 

  1. Each 10 & Under team during a game shall play no more than 7 players on the field at a time.

  2. Coaches must play each registered player that is present one-half (50%) of the game 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 player will not participate. 

 

Forfeits for too few players: The referee shall declare a forfeit if a team has fewer than the requisite number of players on the field ready to play within a reasonable time after the game was scheduled to start. The requisite number of players shall be five 5 players for u10.

 

Goalkeeper: 

  1. All goalkeepers must wear a different colored jersey or colored penny to identify them as the keeper. 

  2. There shall be no charging or intentional or reckless contact with the goalkeeper in any manner whatsoever. Any such conduct shall be considered at least as “dangerous play” and disciplined accordingly.

 

Ball: #4 

 

Goals: 18.5 feet wide by 6.5 feet high 

 

Fields:  u10 Size: 135 feet wide by 195 feet long.

 

Length of Games: two twenty 20 minute halves with a five 5 minute half time. 

 

Build-Out Line: The “build-out line” will serve as the offside line.  Also, once the goalie has possession of the ball, the opposing team must retreat behind the build-out line.  The goalie may either roll/throw the ball (goal cannot be scored off a goalie’s direct throw), punt, or dribble the ball out. Once the goalie initiates his play, the defending team can then cross the build-out line and make a play on the ball.

 

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.

 

For every kick-off:

  1. all players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field of play

  2. the opponents of the team taking the kick-off must be at least 10 yds from the ball until it is in play

  3. the ball must be stationary on the center mark

  4. the referee gives a signal

  5. the ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves in any direction

  6. a goal may NOT be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents

 

Infringements on kick-offs: If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball before it has touched another player an indirect free kick, or for deliberate handball a direct free kick is awarded.  In the event of any other infringement of the kick-off procedure the kick-off is retaken.

Heading: Heading in games will NOT be allowed for eihter u10 per MVSA & US Youth Soccer Guidelines

*Slide Tackles Are Not Allowed In MVSA Rec League Play - 1st offense = warning, 2nd offense = yellow card*

Referees 

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. 

 

A game card will be completed by the referee for all play within MVSA. This card will, at a minimum, contain the following: (MVSA referees will submit all game cards to the appointed board official to record)

** association, age group, division, game location, date, game time 

** team names and final score 

** cautions (yellow cards) or ejections (red cards) issued, by team with player / name 

** any protest noted and brief basis for those protests 

** Prior to each MVSA match, each team shall present to the referee for player 

   verification and to ensure all metal has been removed, shin guards are worn properly 

    (under socks, not on top) and that appropriate cleats are being worn by all players. If a 

   game ball is not available, the referee will examine 2 player balls to ensure they can 

  be used as a game ball. 

 

** 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. 

 

** Championship points: Win =3pts, tie = 1pt, Loss = 0pts

 

** 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 to Todd Seay, President - MVSA Board of Directors