U6 Rules

Ball: Size three (3)

Number of Players/Players' Equipment
A maximum of four (4) players on the field at a time. Each player should play a minimum of 50% of the game. All players must wear shinguards and the official Skyline uniform (shirt, shorts and socks).

Game Duration
The game shall be divided into four (4) equal, ten (10) minute quarters. There shall a two (2) minute break between quarters one and two, and another between quarters three and four. There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes.

Game Referee
Each game will have only one game referee who shall come from the home team. They are responsible for player safety, enforcement of the game laws and time keeping. Explain the rules to the players when they are enforced. The referee cannot coach his/her team while on the field.

Start of Play
Start each period or after a goal is scored with a kick-off at the center of the midfield line. Opponents must be five (5) yards from the center mark (on their side of the field) while the kick-off is in progress. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off; it must be touched by another player after the initial kick.

Throw/Kick-in
When the ball goes out of play the game is restarted as follows:

Restart with a throw-in when the ball goes out of play over the touch-line (sideline). The team awarded possession shall have a player do a legal throw-in from the spot the ball went out of play. If the player commits a foul on the initial attempt they are allowed a second attempt. The referee shall explain the proper method before the second attempt. If the player fouls on the second attempt, possession is given to the opposing team.

Restart with a goal-kick when the ball goes out of play over the goal-line and was last touched by the attacking team. The ball is placed anywhere in the defenders goal box area (3 yards inside the field of play in front of the goal). Defenders must be at least five (5) yards away when the ball is kicked into play.

Restart with a corner-kick when the ball goes out of play over the goal-line and was last touched by the defending team. The ball is placed on the corner of the field closes to where it went out of play.

Defenders must be at least five (5) yards away when the ball is kicked into play.

*Remember - the kicker cannot touch the ball twice in a row - the ball needs to be touched by another player. Also, a goal cannot be scored directly from a goal-kick or a corner-kick. It must be touched by a player from either team before going into the goal for a goal to be awarded.

Fouls
The referee may award a team an indirect free-kick (ball must be touched by another player before going into the goal) on intentional tripping, pushing and ball handling by an opponent. The ball is placed at the spot of the foul, but no closer than five (5) yards to an opponents goal. Defenders must be at least five (5) yards away when the ball is kicked into play and the kicker may not touch the ball twice in a row.

Substitutions
Any player(s) can be substituted at the start of the period, before a throw-in, goal-kick, or corner-kick by either team. On injury, the injured player may be substituted. No substitutions are allowed before a free-kick. The use of goalkeepers is prohibited in U6 soccer. A player cannot position themselves in front of their goal unless the opponent is directly attacking the goal. All players should move up and down the field according to the movement and position of the ball.

U7 Rules

Ball: Size three (3)

Number of Players/Players' Equipment
A maximum of five (5) players on the field at a time. Each player should play a minimum of 50% of the game. All players must wear shinguards and the official Skyline uniform (shirt, shorts and socks).

Game Duration
The game shall be divided into four (4) equal, twelve (12) minute quarters. There shall a two (2) minute break between quarters one and two, and another between quarters three and four. There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes.

Game Referee
Each game will have only one game referee who shall come from the home team. They are responsible for player safety, enforcement of the game laws and time keeping. Explain the rules to the players when they are enforced. The referee cannot coach his/her team while on the field.

Start of Play
Start each period or after a goal is scored with a kick-off at the center of the midfield line. Opponents must be five (5) yards from the center mark (on their side of the field) while the kick-off is in progress. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off; it must be touched by another player after the initial kick.

Throw/Kick-in
When the ball goes out of play the game is restarted as follows:

Restart with a throw-in when the ball goes out of play over the touch-line (sideline). The team awarded possession shall have a player do a legal throw-in from the spot the ball went out of play. If the player commits a foul on the initial attempt they are allowed a second attempt. The referee shall explain the proper method before the second attempt. If the player fouls on the second attempt, possession is given to the opposing team.

Restart with a goal-kick when the ball goes out of play over the goal-line and was last touched by the attacking team. The ball is placed anywhere in the defenders goal box area (3 yards inside the field of play in front of the goal). Defenders must be at least five (5) yards away when the ball is kicked into play.

Restart with a corner-kick when the ball goes out of play over the goal-line and was last touched by the defending team. The ball is placed on the corner of the field closes to where it went out of play.

Defenders must be at least five (5) yards away when the ball is kicked into play.

*Remember - the kicker cannot touch the ball twice in a row - the ball needs to be touched by another player. Also, a goal cannot be scored directly from a goal-kick or a corner-kick. It must be touched by a player from either team before going into the goal for a goal to be awarded.

Fouls
The referee may award a team an indirect free-kick (ball must be touched by another player before going into the goal) on intentional tripping, pushing and ball handling by an opponent. The ball is placed at the spot of the foul, but no closer than five (5) yards to an opponents goal. Defenders must be at least five (5) yards away when the ball is kicked into play and the kicker may not touch the ball twice in a row.

Substitutions
Any player(s) can be substituted at the start of the period, before a throw-in, goal-kick, or corner-kick by either team. On injury, the injured player may be substituted. No substitutions are allowed before a free-kick. The use of goalkeepers is prohibited in U7 soccer. A player cannot position themselves in front of their goal unless the opponent is directly attacking the goal. All players should move up and down the field according to the movement and position of the ball.

U8 Rules

These are the rules for all games involving U8 Skyline teams. These rules contain a summary of the official FIFA Laws of the Game, as modified by Skyline Soccer. Visit www.fifa.com for complete FIFA Laws of the Game.

Ball: Size three (3)

Number of Players/Players' Equipment
A maximum of six (6) players on the field at a time. Each player should play a minimum of 50% of the game. All players must wear shinguards and the official Skyline uniform (shirt, shorts and socks).

Game Duration
The game shall be divided into two equal 25 minute halves. There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes.

Game Referee
Each game will have only one game referee who shall come from the home team. They are responsible for player safety, enforcement of the game laws and time keeping. Explain the rules to the players when they are enforced. The referee cannot coach his/her team while on the field.

Start of Play
Start each period or after a goal is scored with a kick-off at the center of the midfield line. Opponents must be five (5) yards from the center mark (on their side of the field) while the kick-off is in progress. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off; it must be touched by another player after the initial kick.

Throw/Kick-in
When the ball goes out of play the game is restarted as follows:

Restart with a throw-in when the ball goes out of play over the touch-line (sideline). The team awarded possession shall have a player do a legal throw-in from the spot the ball went out of play. If the player commits a foul on the initial attempt they are allowed a second attempt. The referee shall explain the proper method before the second attempt. If the player fouls on the second attempt, possession is given to the opposing team.

Restart with a goal-kick when the ball goes out of play over the goal-line and was last touched by the attacking team. The ball is placed anywhere in the goal box (small box) and must clear the penalty area (big box) before being touched by a player. Defenders must be outside the penalty area when the ball is kicked.

Restart with a corner-kick when the ball goes out of play over the goal-line and was last touched by the defending team. The ball is placed on the corner of the field closes to where it went out of play.

Defenders must be at least five (5) yards away when the ball is kicked into play.

*Remember - the kicker cannot touch the ball twice in a row - the ball needs to be touched by another player. Also, a goal cannot be scored directly from a goal-kick or a corner-kick. It must be touched by a player from either team before going into the goal for a goal to be awarded.

Fouls
The referee may award a team an indirect free-kick (ball must be touched by another player before going into the goal) on intentional tripping, pushing and ball handling by an opponent. The ball is placed at the spot of the foul, but no closer than five (5) yards to an opponents goal. Defenders must be at least five (5) yards away when the ball is kicked into play and the kicker may not touch the ball twice in a row.

Goalkeepers may only use their hands inside the penalty area.  If a player on the goalkeepers team intentionally passes the ball back to the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper uses his/her hands, an indirect free kick will be awarded from the point of the foul.

Substitutions
Any player(s) can be substituted at the start of the period, before a throw-in, goal-kick, or corner-kick by either team. On injury, the injured player may be substituted. No substitutions are allowed before a free-kick.

U9 and U10 Rules

These are the rules for all games involving U9 and U10 Skyline teams, unless the game is part of an interleague or intermediate CSYSA schedule. These rules contain a summary of the official FIFA Laws of the Game, as modified by Skyline Soccer. Visit www.fifa.com for complete FIFA Laws of the Game.

Law 1: The Field of Play

Skyline games are assigned by the administrator to fields which are an appropriate size for the participating teams. Each field should have visible touchlines (sidelines) and goal lines, a marked goal area and a larger marked penalty area surrounding each goal, one-yard arcs at each corner of the field, a center line dividing the field into two ends, and a center circle in the middle of the field. The penalty mark is ten yards from the goal line directly in front of the center of the goal. Corner flags, if used, should be at least 5 feet high. Nets should be well secured to the goal posts, the cross bar and the ground.

Law 2: The Ball

The ball for these age groups is a FIFA-approved size 4 ball for U9 and U10, which should be firm but not hard, with no panel tears or protruding valve. The game ball is normally provided by the home team, but the referee may select a game ball from the visiting team instead.

Law 3: Number of Players

(a) Each side consists of eight players on the field at any time; one player on each side must be designated as the goalkeeper . A game may not be started if either team consists of fewer than six players, and if that team still has fewer than six players 10 minutes after the scheduled start time, the game shall be forfeited to the other team.

(b) No player, coach or spectator other than the active players may enter the field of play without the permission of the referee.

(c) With the permission of the referee, a team may substitute or re-substitute any number of players at any stoppage in play.

(d) An injured player must sit or lie down if he or she needs attention on the field of play; the referee will stop play at an appropriate time (based on the apparent seriousness of the injury) and signal when the player's coach may enter onto the field. The referee shall stop play at any time to require a substitute for any player who is bleeding from a wound. An injured player for whom play is stopped must be replaced before play is restarted.

(e) Each player present and in uniform at any game must be allowed to play at least half the game, unless injured.

Law 4: Player's Equipment

(a) Each player must wear shinguards covered by socks while participating in play. Footwear must be either athletic shoes or molded-sole soccer cleats. No jewelry, watches, caps or any other extraneous item which may be dangerous (in the opinion of the referee) is permitted.

(b) A player may participate with an arm cast if the referee deems it safe. The cast shall be padded and the referee may require the player to retire from play at any time if the cast proves to be a hazard to any other player, in the opinion of the referee.

Law 5: The Referees

(a) The three-referee system shall be used in all Skyline U9 and U10 games.

(b) The referees may, in their discretion, allow play to continue after a foul if the team against which the offense was committed may benefit from continuation, and may penalize the original offense if the anticipated advantage does not follow.

(c) The decisions of the referees regarding facts connected with play are final, regardless of the age or experience of the referee. A referee may change his or her initial decision on any matter, so long as play has not restarted.

(d) Reasonable coaching and encouragement of players (from the touchlines only, not the goal lines) shall be permitted, but the referees have the authority, in their discretion, to take action against any coach, spectator or participants who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner, including expulsion from the field of play and the surrounding area. If the directions of the referees in this regard are not immediately followed, or if there is outside interference with play of any kind at any time, the referees may suspend or terminate the game, in their discretion, and shall submit a written report of the incident to the Skyline administrator.

Law 6: Assistant Referees

If volunteer linesmen are used, they shall have whatever duties are assigned to them by the center official. The center official is not required to defer to the opinion of volunteer linesmen regarding whether a player should be penalized for being in an offside position.

Law 7: Duration of Game

Games consist of two 25-minute halves with a five-minute halftime. Every effort should be made to stay on schedule. If a game must be shortened by the referee, each half should be equally reduced in time. Referees are authorized to add time for time lost to injury or other cause, in their discretion. Time shall be extended at the end of either half to permit the taking of a penalty kick.

Law 8: Start and Restart of Play

(a) At the beginning of each half and after every goal, play is started with a free kick from the center spot (kick off). Initially, the visiting team calls the flip of a coin, the winning side selects a goal to attack, and the other side kicks off. The teams change ends of the field each half and alternate kick offs.

(b) All players of the defending team must be in their own end of the field and at least eight yards from the ball when it is kicked. A goal may be scored direct from a kick off.

(c) If the kicker plays the ball a second time before it has touched or been played by some other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch. If the ball is kicked backward into the attacker's end of the field from a kick off, however, or if an attacking player crosses the center line before the ball is kicked, the kick shall be retaken.

(d) If the referee stops play for an injury or any reason other than a foul or ball out of play, play is restarted by dropping the ball where it was when play was stopped (unless play was stopped inside a goal area, in which case the ball will be dropped on the nearest point on the front edge of the goal area). A goal may be scored direct from a drop ball.

Law 9: Ball In and Out of Play

(a) The ball is out of play only when the entire ball passes beyond any boundary line. If any part of the ball is not past the line, the ball remains in play.

(b) Lines (such as the front edges of the penalty area and the goal area) are considered to be a part of the area they enclose.

(c) The referee, the goal posts, the cross bar and the corner flags are considered part of the field. Any ball which rebounds from any of these objects and stays in the field is in play.

Law 10: Method of Scoring

When the ball passes entirely over the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross bar, a goal is scored unless the team scoring the goal has committed some infringement of the laws of the game.

Law 11: Offside

(a) A player is in an offside position if he or she is in the opponent's end of the field and is nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent. It is not a foul to be in this position.

(b) A player in an offside position commits a foul if, at the moment that the ball is played by a teammate, he or she is interfering with play or an opponent, or gains an advantage by being in that position. The referee will stop play and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team taken from the player's position at that time.

(c) A player in an offside position is permitted to receive the ball directly from a teammate taking a goal kick, throw-in or corner kick.

Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct

(a) A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the foul if any player (other than the goalkeeper in his or her own penalty area) deliberately handles the ball, or if any player intentionally, carelessly or recklessly (i) attempts to (or does) kick, trip or strike an opponent, (ii) actually pushes, holds or runs into an opponent, (iii) spits at an opponent, or (iv) makes contact with an opponent during a tackle before making contact with the ball. If any of these offenses takes place in the player's penalty area while the ball is in play, the free kick shall be a penalty kick.

(b) An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the foul if, in the opinion of the referee, the player is playing in a dangerous manner, impedes the progress of an opponent or prevents a goalkeeper holding the ball from releasing it into play, or if the goalkeeper wastes time, takes more than six seconds to release the ball into play, picks up the ball a second time after releasing it but before it has been touched by another player, or handles the ball after it has been thrown or kicked to him or her by a teammate.

(c) An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if play is stopped by the referee (i) to caution a player for unsporting behavior, dissent, delaying the taking of a free kick or other restart, entering or leaving the field without the referee's permission, or repeatedly committing fouls, or (ii) to send off a player for serious foul play (such as a tackle from behind which endangers the safety of an opponent), violent conduct, spitting at any person, using foul or abusive language, or denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a foul. A player who receives two cautions in a game is also sent off.

Law 13: Free Kicks

(a) All defending players must be at least eight yards away from the ball when any free kick is taken. The ball must be stationary when the kick is taken, and the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. If the kicker plays the ball a second time before it has touched or been played by some other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch. A free kick taken from inside the penalty area is not in play until it has cleared the penalty area without touching any player other than the kicker.

(b) A free kick awarded for a foul is generally taken from the spot where the foul occurred; however, if the foul occurred within the goal area, the kick is taken from the nearest point on the front edge of the goal area (if awarded to the attacking team) or from anywhere within the goal area (if awarded to the defending team).

(c) All free kicks are either indirect (which means that the ball must touch another player of either side before a goal may be scored) or direct (which means that a goal may be scored by the kicker directly). If the ball enters the goal after an indirect free kick without touching another player, play is restarted by a goal kick taken by the defending team.

Law 14: Penalty Kicks

(a) A penalty kick is a direct free kick awarded to the opposing team because a player commits one of the offenses described in 12(a) above in the player's penalty area while the ball is in play. The ball is placed on the penalty mark, a kicker is identified, the goalkeeper is stationed on the goal line between the goal posts; all other players are outside the penalty area behind and at least eight yards away from the penalty mark, and must remain there until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper may move along the goal line but may not move forward until the ball is kicked. The ball is in play when it is kicked forward.

(b) If the kicker plays the ball twice before it is touched by any other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch. If any other of these rules is violated by the kicking team and the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken. If any of these rules is violated by the defending team and the kick fails to enter the goal, the kick is retaken.

Law 15: Throw-ins

When a member of one team causes the ball to go out of play over the touch line, play is restarted with a throw-in by the opposing team from the point where the ball left the field. The player throwing the ball must be facing the field, throw from behind his or her head, have his or her hands on the sides of the ball and have part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground behind the touch line at the moment the ball is released into play. If the thrower plays the ball a second time before it has touched or been played by some other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch. No goal may be scored direct from a throw-in. The ball is in play as soon as any part of it passes over the outside edge of the touchline. Opponents may be cautioned for unsporting behavior if they impede or distract the thrower.

Law 16: Goal Kicks

(a) When the ball goes out of play over the goal line, possession is awarded to the defending team if a player on the attacking side last touched the ball in play. Play is restarted with a free kick by the defending team from any point within the goal area. All opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball has cleared the penalty area without touching any player other than the kicker.

(b) The ball is not in play until it passes entirely out of the penalty area without touching any player other than the kicker. If the kicker plays the ball a second time after it has passed out of the penalty area but before it has touched or been played by some other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch.

Law 17: Corner Kicks

When the ball goes out of play over the goal line, possession is awarded to the attacking team if a player on the defending side last touched the ball in play. Play is restarted with a direct free kick by the attacking team from the arc at the corner of the field nearest to where the ball went out of play. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. If the kicker plays the ball a second time before it has touched or been played by some other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch.

U11+ Rules

Interleague and intermediate games are played in accordance with the official FIFA Laws of the Game, modified for free substitution and as otherwise required by Colorado Youth Soccer (“CYS”). This is only a simplified version of those rules. The FIFA laws are published annually in booklet form, and it is recommended that any coach playing an interleague or intermediate schedule review the current FIFA booklet at least once prior to each season. The official FIFA rules are also available at www.fifa.com. The CYS modifications are available on the CYS website, coyouthsoccer.org.

Law 1: The Field of Play

Skyline home games are scheduled on fields which are an appropriate size for the participating teams. Each field should have visible touchlines (sidelines) and goal lines five inches wide, a marked goal area and a larger marked penalty area surrounding each goal, one-yard arcs at each corner of the field, a center line dividing the field into two ends, and a center circle (8-yard or 10-yard radius, depending on age level) in the middle of the field. The penalty mark is directly in front of the center of the goal, between the goal area line and the penalty area line. Corner flags, if used, must be at least five feet high. Nets should be well secured to the goal posts, the cross bar and the ground.

Law 2: The Ball

For U11 and U12 games, the ball is a FIFA-approved number 4 size ball. For U13+ games, the ball is a FIFA-approved number 5 size ball. The ball should be firm but not hard, with no panel tears or protruding valve. The game ball is normally provided by the home team, but the referee may select a game ball from the visiting team instead.

Law 3: Number of Players

(a) Each side consists of eleven (or eight for Metro-League games) players on the field at any time; one player on each side must be designated as the goalkeeper . A game may not be started or continued if either side cannot field at least seven (or six in Metro-League) players.

(b) No player, coach or spectator other than the active players may enter the field of play without the permission of the referee.

(c) With the permission of the referee, a team may substitute or re-substitute any number of players at any stoppage in play.

(d) The referee observing an injured player shall stop play at an appropriate time (based on the apparent seriousness of the injury) and signal when the player's coach may enter onto the field. The referee shall stop play at any time to require a substitute for any player who is bleeding from a wound.

Law 4: Player's Equipment

All players on a side (excluding the goalkeeper) must wear official Skyline jerseys. Each player must wear shinguards covered by socks while participating in play. Footwear must be either athletic shoes or molded-sole soccer cleats. No jewelry, watches, caps or any other extraneous item which may be dangerous (in the opinion of the referee) is permitted.

Law 5: The Referee

(a) One center referee shall be appointed to officiate interleague and intermediate games using the three-referee system.

(b) The referees may, in their discretion, allow play to continue after a foul if the team against which the offense was committed may benefit from continuation, and may penalize the original offense if the anticipated advantage does not follow.

(c) The decisions of the referees regarding facts connected with play are final, regardless of the age or experience of the referee. A referee may change his or her initial decision on any matter, so long as play has not restarted.

(d) Reasonable coaching and encouragement of players (from the touchlines only, not the goal lines) shall be permitted, but the referees have the authority, in their discretion, to take action against any coach, spectator or participants who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner, including expulsion from the field of play and the surrounding area. If the directions of the referees in this regard are not immediately followed, or if there is outside interference with play of any kind at any time, the referees may suspend or terminate the game, in their discretion, and shall submit a written report of the incident to the club.

Law 6: Assistant Referees

In the absence of pre-assigned neutral assistant referees, each team shall present one qualified linesperson to the center referee prior to the start of the game, and has the right to insist that its linesperson be used. If these linespersons are used, they shall have whatever duties are assigned to them by the center official. The center official is not required to defer to the opinion of volunteer assistant referees regarding whether a player should be penalized for being in an offside position or other matters.

Law 7: Duration of Game

There are two 30-minute halves in U-11 and U-12 games, two 35-minute halves in U-13 and U-14 games, and two 40-minute halves in U-15 and U-16 games, each with a five-minute halftime interval. Every effort should be made to stay on schedule. If a game must be shortened by the referee, each half should be equally reduced in time. Referees are authorized to add time for time lost to injury or other cause, in their discretion. Time shall be extended at the end of either half to permit the taking of a penalty kick.

Law 8: Start and Restart of Play

(a) At the beginning of each half and after every goal, play is started with a free kick from the center spot (kick off). Initially, the visiting team calls the flip of a coin, the winning side selects a goal to attack, and the other side kicks off. The teams change ends of the field each half and alternate kick offs.

(b) All players of the defending team must be in their own end of the field and at least ten (10) yards from the ball when it is kicked. A goal may be scored direct from a kick off.

(c) If the kicker plays the ball a second time before it has touched or been played by some other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch. If the ball is kicked backward into the attacker's end of the field from a kick off, however, or if an attacking player crosses the center line before the ball is kicked, the kick shall be retaken.

(d) If the referee stops play for an injury or any reason other than a foul or ball out of play, play is restarted by dropping the ball where it was when play was stopped (unless play was stopped inside a goal area, in which case the ball will be dropped on the nearest point on the front edge of the goal area). A goal may be scored direct from a drop ball.

Law 9: Ball In and Out of Play

(a) Except when the center referee stops play for any reason, the ball is out of play only when the entire ball passes beyond any boundary line on the ground or in the air. If any part of the ball is not past the line, the ball remains in play.

(b) Lines (such as the front edges of the penalty area and the goal area) are considered to be a part of the area they enclose.

(c) The referee, the goal posts, the cross bar and the corner flags are considered part of the field. Any ball which rebounds from any of these objects and stays in the field is in play.

Law 10: Method of Scoring

When the ball passes entirely over the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross bar, a goal is scored unless the team scoring the goal has committed some infringement of the laws of the game.

Law 11: Offside

(a) A player is in an offside position if he or she is in the opponent's end of the field and is nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent. It is not a foul to be in this position.

(b) A player in an offside position commits a foul if, at the moment that the ball is played by a teammate, he or she is involved in active play by interfering with play or an opponent or by gaining an advantage by being in that position. The referee will stop play and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team taken from the offside player's position at that time.

(c) A player in an offside position is permitted to receive the ball directly from a teammate taking a goal kick, throw-in or corner kick.

Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct

(a) A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the foul if any player (other than the goalkeeper in his or her own penalty area) deliberately handles the ball, or if any player intentionally, carelessly or recklessly (i) attempts to (or does) kick, trip or strike an opponent, (ii) actually pushes, holds or runs into an opponent, (iii) spits at an opponent, or (iv) makes contact with an opponent during a tackle before making contact with the ball. If any of these offenses takes place in the player's penalty area while the ball is in play, the free kick shall be a penalty kick.

(b) An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the foul if, in the opinion of the referee, the player is playing in a dangerous manner, impedes the progress of an opponent or prevents a goalkeeper holding the ball from releasing it into play, or if the goalkeeper wastes time, takes more than six seconds to release it into play, picks up the ball a second time after releasing it but before it has been touched by another player, or handles the ball after it has been thrown or kicked to him or her by a teammate.

(c) An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if play is stopped by the referee (i) to caution a player for unsporting behavior, dissent, delaying the taking of a free kick or other restart, entering or leaving the field without the referee's permission, or repeatedly committing fouls, or (ii) to send off a player for serious foul play (such as a tackle from behind which endangers the safety of an opponent), violent conduct, spitting at any person, using foul or abusive language, or denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a foul. A player who receives two cautions in a game is also sent off.

(d) No cautions or ejections shall be issued to players except by an independent neutral referee.

Law 13: Free Kicks

(a) All defending players must be at least ten yards (eight yards at younger age levels) away from the ball when any free kick is taken. The ball must be stationary when the kick is taken, and the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. If the kicker plays the ball a second time before it has touched or been played by some other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch. A free kick taken from inside the penalty area is not in play until it has cleared the penalty area without touching any player other than the kicker.

(b) A free kick awarded for a foul is generally taken from the spot where the foul occurred; however, if the foul occurred within the goal area, the kick is taken from the nearest point on the front edge of the goal area (if awarded to the attacking team) or from anywhere within the goal area (if awarded to the defending team).

(c) All free kicks are either indirect (which means that the ball must touch another player of either side before a goal may be scored) or direct (which means that a goal may be scored by the kicker directly). If the ball enters the goal after an indirect free kick without touching another player, play is restarted by a goal kick taken by the defending team.

Law 14: Penalty Kicks

(a) A penalty kick is a direct free kick awarded to the opposing team because a player commits one of the offenses described in 12(a) above in the player's penalty area while the ball is in play. The ball is placed on the penalty mark, a kicker is identified, the goalkeeper is stationed on the goal line between the goal posts; all other players must be outside the penalty area behind and at least ten yards away from the penalty mark, and must remain there until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper may move along the goal line but may not move forward until the ball is kicked. The ball is in play when it is kicked forward.

(b) If a player on the kicking team violates any of these rules and the ball does not enter the goal, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch. If any of these rules is violated by the kicking team and the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken. If any of these rules is violated by the defending team and the kick fails to enter the goal, the kick is retaken. If any of these rules is violated by the defending team and the kick enters the goal, the score counts. If both teams infringe the laws, the kick is retaken.

Law 15: Throw-ins

When a member of one team causes the ball to go out of play over the touch line, play is restarted with a throw-in by the opposing team from the point where the ball left the field. The player throwing the ball must be facing the field, throw from a starting point directly behind his or her head, have his or her hands on the sides of the ball and have part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground behind the touch line at the moment the ball is released into play. If the thrower plays the ball a second time before it has touched or been played by some other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch. No goal may be scored direct from a throw-in. The ball is in play as soon as any part of it passes over the outside edge of the touchline. Opponents may be cautioned for unsporting behavior if they impede or distract the thrower.

Law 16: Goal Kicks

(a) When the ball goes out of play over the goal line, possession is awarded to the defending team if a player on the attacking side last touched the ball in play. Play is restarted with a free kick by the defending team from any point within the goal area. All opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball has cleared the penalty area without touching any player other than the kicker.

(b) The ball is not in play until it passes entirely out of the penalty area without touching any player other than the kicker, and the kick shall be retaken if the ball is touched by a second player before if passes entirely out of the penalty area. If the kicker plays the ball a second time after it has passed out of the penalty area but before it has touched or been played by some other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch.

Law 17: Corner Kicks

When the ball goes out of play over the goal line, possession is awarded to the attacking team if a player on the defending side last touched the ball in play. Play is restarted with a direct free kick by the attacking team from the arc at the corner of the field nearest to where the ball went out of play. Opponents must remain at least 10 yards (or 8 yards) away until the ball is in play. The ball is in play when it has been kicked and moves. If the kicker plays the ball a second time before it has touched or been played by some other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the double touch.

Metro League Rules

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