Youth League Rule Additions

Note: these rules supplement the normal Arena indoor soccer rules, and override them when there is a conflict.  The youth leagues are on tight timelines in order to meet scheduling demands and maximize playing time.  Please take note of these rules:

• Teams will have very little, if any, time to warm-up on the field.  Warm-ups and stretching should take place outside the playing area.  Players and coaches should enter the fields ready to play.
• When the game ends, teams should shake hands and exit the field quickly.  Team meetings are to occur elsewhere in the Arena.
• All games will be 48 minutes in length.  Halves will be 24 minutes. 
• At the top of the hour, the clock will be set to 27 minutes.  The game should start at the 24 minute mark.
• At half-time, the same process will occur.
• The clock runs continuously.  It will not stop.  It will not be delayed if teams are not ready to start.

U5/U6

• Teams play 3v3 on half the field.  No goalies.
• There is no out of bounds, unless the ball goes outside the netting.  The play is continuous.
• We're not concerned with teaching players about in-bounds plays.  We want the kids to learn the skills of the game and they do that best through play.  They can learn rules without any difficulty as they get older.
• Continuous play is more fun, requires less coach intervention, and gives players more exercise.
• Each team can have 1 coach on the field.  Coaches can pick up the ball to stop play so they can make substitutions.
• There are no referees
• If a team gets a 3 goal lead, the opposing team can add a player.  If the leading team continues to score, more players may be added to balance the game.  Adding players is not mandatory.  It is the coach's discretion.
• Our intention is to keep games competitive.  We don't want to see teams getting blown out.  That is not good for morale.  At the same time, we don't want to ask the winning team to change their play.  They deserve the right to continue playing hard. 
• Each player should play a minimum of half the game.  This doesn't have to be precise to the minute, but should be roughly half the game. 

U8 - U12

• Teams play 6v6 with goalies.
• Normal indoor soccer out of bounds rules apply
• Referees will be used.  They will be instructed to help players as well as officiate the match.
• Coaches may be on the field for the first game.  After that, they must be on the sidelines unless called onto the field by the referee.
If a team gets a 3 goal lead, the opposing team can add a player.  If the leading team continues to score, more players may be added to balance the game.  Adding players is not mandatory.  It is the coach's discretion.
• Our intention is to keep games competitive.  We don't want to see teams getting blown out.  That is not good for morale.  At the same time, we don't want to ask the winning team to change their play.  They deserve the right to continue playing hard. 
Each player should play a minimum of half the game.  This doesn't have to be precise to the minute, but should be roughly half the game.