Differences by Division - 2009 (Last updated 6/18/09 @ 7:00 PM)
The following table highlights the key differences between the divisions. Law interpretation is generally more lax in the younger (learning) divisions. As players progress they are expected to understand the laws and enforcement becomes more stringent.
| Division |
U6 |
U8 |
U10 |
U12 |
U14 |
U16 |
U19 |
| Age (as of July 31) |
5 |
6 & 7 |
8 & 9 |
10 & 11 |
12 & 13 |
14 & 15 |
16, 17 & 18 |
| Players |
| Number of players on field |
4 |
7 |
9 |
11 |
| Minimum number of players |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
| Substitution |
No player will sit out 2 quarters until all players have sat out 1 quarter |
Players must play two quarters (if a player arrives during the 2nd or 3rd quarter they are only required to play 1 quarter) |
| Goalkeeper changes |
N/A (no keepers) |
Different player every quarter |
No player will be a goalkeeper for more than half the match |
None required |
| Game |
| Half |
15 min. |
20 min. |
25 min. |
30 min. |
35 min. |
40 min. |
45 min. |
| Ball size |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| Field |
Small sided |
Regulation (Law I) |
| Spectators |
N/A |
Spectators on one side of the field, coaches & players on the other |
| Home Team |
N/A |
The home team is the one listed first on the schedule and will occupy the left side (when facing the field) technical area. |
| Coaches |
N/A |
Only the coach (with age appropriate certification) and one assistant may be in the technical area.
A coach (or assistant) with age appropriate certification must be present.
Technical staff must have IDs |
| Referees |
Coaches act as referees |
Two referees |
Diagonal system of control (referee and two assistant referees) |
| Fouls & Misconduct |
| Free kicks |
DFK only (no PK or IFK) |
Laws XIII & XIV |
| Distance |
5 yards |
6 yards |
8 yards |
10 yards (Laws XIII) |
| Offside |
Don't even think about it |
None, but discourage players from goal tending |
Law XI |
| Misconduct |
Verbal only - work with coaches |
No formal Caution/Send-off but offending players may be warned/removed |
Law XII |
| Throw ins |
Don't even worry about it |
Allow a retake but keep the game flowing |
Law XV (do not penalize for trifling infractions) |
| Dangerous play |
| Slide tackling |
Not allowed |
Law XII |
| Heading the ball |
Not recommended (coaches should not teach) but not a foul |
Allowed |
| Sportmanship |
| Playing down |
Teams must play down |
Coache's discretion, but not mandatory |
| Playing down level |
4 |
5 |
7 |
N/A |
| Running up the score |
N/A |
When there is a > 4 goal differential, coaches should take some sort of action to mitigate the situation
The referee takes no action except to note the circumstances in the match report. |
Please note that some of these differences are specific to Region 1, Redwood City, and may differ from AYSO National Rules & Regs or small-sided game guidelines (e.g. substitutions in the younger divisions and playing down).
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