Depending on the age, field size, and level of competition, the rules for youth soccer can vary. It is important to understand what children can and can't do at each stage to keep them safe and competitive.
Recreation rules are dependent upon the age group. Specific rules are listed below.
Numbers on the field by age group and heading policies are governed by the US Youth Soccer Rules of the Game.
Rev. 7/3/26
There are no assigned referees for this age group. Coaches should be on the field to facilitate and manage the game.
Each half begins, and play restarts after every goal, with a kick from the center of the halfway line.
When the ball completely crosses any boundary line, possession is awarded to the team that did not touch it last.
Sideline
Goal line (last touched by attacking team)
Goal line (last touched by defending team)
On all starts and restarts:
If play is stopped for a non-foul (such as an injury):
The ball must touch another player from either team before entering the goal.
All fouls result in an Indirect Free Kick.
Examples include:
Handling means deliberately picking up, holding, stopping, or propelling the ball with the hands or arms. Not every ball that contacts a player’s hand or arm is considered handling.
Dangerous play also results in an indirect free kick, including:
Free kick procedures:
When a goal kick is taken:
The offside rule is not enforced for this age group.
There is no goaltending rule as long as players do not use their hands.
Camping a player directly in front of the goal is strongly discouraged. Copper Mountain Rec Soccer encourages coaches to have defensive players actively participate throughout the field.
If a team falls behind:
Additional players must leave the field once their team is no longer trailing by the required margin (4, 6, 8 goals, etc.).
Rev. 7/3/26
There are no assigned referees for this age. Coaches should remain on the sideline to facilitate and maintain the game.
Each half is started, as well as restarts after a goal is scored, by kicking the ball placed in the center of the field on the half line.
When the ball goes wholly across any boundary, whether on the ground or in the air, the ball is awarded to the team opposite of the player who last touched the ball and is kicked in.
Sideline
Goal line (last touched by attacking team)
Goal line (last touched by defending team)
For all starts and restarts:
When play is stopped for a non-foul (e.g. injury):
Goals can be scored from anywhere on the field, but the entire ball must pass below the crossbar and between the goal posts for a goal.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off, free kick or kick-in from the boundary line.
All infringements result in Indirect Free Kicks awarded to the opposing team.
The following are punished by the awarding of a free kick:
Handling the ball means that a player picks-up, holds, stops or propels the ball with their hands or arms (not necessarily any time it hits a player’s hand/arm).
Dangerous play such as:
will result in a free kick.
The kick is awarded to the opposing team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 3 yards away from the ball when a free kick is taken.
For all free kicks:
When a goal kick is being taken, the opposing team must retreat to the midfield line. As soon as the ball is kicked, the opposing team may pressure the ball.
The offside rule is not enforced at this age.
There is no rule on goaltending as long as the player doesn’t use their hands.
Camping a player in front of the goal is strongly discouraged. Copper Mountain Rec Soccer strongly recommends that the coaches get the defensive-minded players to come out and play.
Substitutions are unlimited and can be accomplished on the fly as well as when the ball is out of play.
The player being substituted for must come off the field before the substitute may enter the field.
There is no stoppage time for substitutions. Play is continuous.
If a team is behind by 4 goals, a coach can add one additional field player. An additional player can be added for every 2 goals above 4 (i.e., at 6, 8, etc.). If the trailing team does not have additional players, then the leading team should consider taking a player off the field.
Additional player(s) need to come off the field if their team scores and is no longer down by 4 (or 6, 8, etc.) goals.
Rev. 7/3/26
Each half is started, as well as restarts after a goal is scored, by kicking the ball placed in the center of the field within the center circle.
When the ball goes wholly across any boundary, whether on the ground or in the air, the ball is awarded to the team opposite of the player who last touched the ball.
Sideline
Goal line (last touched by attacking team)
Goal line (last touched by defending team)
For all starts and restarts:
When play is stopped by the referee for a non-foul (e.g. injury):
Goals can be scored from anywhere on the field, but the entire ball must pass below the crossbar and between the goal posts for a goal.
A goal can be scored directly from the kickoff and other direct kicks (e.g. corner kicks, direct free kicks).
A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick or throw-in.
The following are punished by the awarding of a direct free kick:
Handling the ball means that the ball hits the player’s hand or arm when their hand or arm makes their body unnaturally bigger (not necessarily any time it hits a player’s hand/arm).
The kick is awarded to the opposite team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 8 yards away from the ball when a direct free kick is taken.
If a wall of 3 or more defenders is formed, the attacking players are not allowed to be within 1 yard of the wall.
If a direct free kick foul occurs inside the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded, and the ball is placed 10 yards from the goal line.
All players except the goalkeeper and the player taking the penalty kick must be outside the penalty area and the penalty arc.
The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
The ball is in play when it has been kicked and moves forward.
The kicker cannot touch the ball again until it has touched another player on the field from either team.
Indirect free kicks are awarded for:
The kick is awarded to the opposite team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 8 yards away from the ball when a free kick is taken.
The ball is in play when it has been kicked and moves in any direction.
When a goal kick is being taken, the opposing team must retreat to the build out line. As soon as the ball leaves the penalty area, the opposing team may cross the build out line and pressure the ball. If the opposing team leaves the build out line before the ball leaves the penalty area, then the kick is retaken.
When a goalkeeper gains possession of the ball, the opposing team must retreat to the build out line. As soon as the ball leaves the goalkeeper’s hands, the opposing team may pressure the ball. There are no drop kicks. The goalkeeper must distribute the ball with their hands by rolling the ball or placing it on the ground and kicking it.
On fields where build out lines are not present, the midfield line is used as the build out line.
A player is in an offside position if they are nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent (goalkeeper is usually the last opponent).
A player is not in an offside position in the following instances:
A player judged to be in an offside position by the referee is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his teammates, they are involved in active play by doing any of the following:
Offside calls are based on the opinion of the referee.
A goalkeeper may handle the ball only inside their own penalty area.
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside their own penalty area commits any of the following offenses:
The goalkeeper is considered to be in possession of the ball when their hands are touching the ball. Kicking or attempting to kick a ball when it is in the possession of a goalkeeper is considered dangerous play and is penalized with an indirect free kick.
Substitutions are unlimited and can be accomplished on the fly as well as when the ball is out of play.
The player being substituted for must come off the field before the substitute may enter the field.
There is no stoppage time for substitutions. Play is continuous.
Goalkeeper possession: When a goalkeeper is in clear control of the ball with their hands for more than eight seconds, a corner kick is awarded to the other team. The referee determines when the goalkeeper has control and when eight seconds have elapsed.
Delays during throw-in: If a player is taking too long to throw the ball in, the referee can award the throw-in to the other team.
Delays during goal kicks: If a player is taking too long to take a goal kick, the referee can award a corner kick to the other team.
If a team is behind by 4 goals, a coach can add one additional field player. An additional player can be added for every 2 goals above 4 (i.e., at 6, 8, etc.). If the trailing team does not have additional players, then the leading team should consider taking a player off the field.
Additional player(s) need to come off the field if their team scores and is no longer down by 4 (or 6, 8, etc.) goals.
Rev. 7/3/26
Each half is started, as well as restarts after a goal is scored, by kicking the ball placed in the center of the field within the center circle.
When the ball goes wholly across any boundary, whether on the ground or in the air, the ball is awarded to the team opposite of the player who last touched the ball.
Sideline
Goal line (last touched by attacking team)
Goal line (last touched by defending team)
For all starts and restarts:
When play is stopped by the referee for a non-foul (e.g. injury):
Goals can be scored from anywhere on the field, but the entire ball must pass below the crossbar and between the goal posts for a goal.
A goal can be scored directly from the kickoff and other direct kicks (e.g. corner kicks, direct free kicks).
A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick or throw-in. The ball must touch another player on the field of either team before going into the goal to count.
The following are punished by the awarding of a direct free kick: tripping, pushing, punching, handling the ball, holding or kicking an opponent. Handling the ball means that the ball hits the player’s hand or arm when their hand or arm makes their body unnaturally bigger (not necessarily any time it hits a player’s hand/arm).
The kick is awarded to the opposite team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 8 yards away from the ball when a direct free kick is taken.
If a wall of 3 or more defenders is formed, the attacking players are not allowed to be within 1 yard of the wall.
If a direct free kick foul occurs inside the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded, and the ball is placed 10 yards from the goal line.
All players except the goalkeeper and the player taking the penalty kick must be outside the penalty area and the penalty arc.
The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
The ball is in play when it has been kicked and moves forward.
The kicker cannot touch the ball again until it has touched another player on the field from either team.
Indirect free kicks are awarded for playing in a dangerous manner (e.g. slide tackling), heading the ball (not allowed), preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands, impeding the progress of an opponent (obstruction), or commits any other offense for which play is stopped.
The kick is awarded to the opposite team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 8 yards away from the ball when a free kick is taken.
The ball is in play when it has been kicked and moves in any direction.
A player is in an offside position if they are nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent (goalkeeper is usually the last opponent).
A player is not in an offside position in the following instances:
A player judged to be in an offside position by the referee is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his/her teammates, they are involved in active play by doing any of the following:
Offside calls are based on the opinion of the referee.
A goalkeeper may handle the ball only inside their own penalty area.
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside their own penalty area commits any of the following offenses:
The goalkeeper is considered to be in possession of the ball when their hands are touching the ball. Kicking or attempting to kick a ball when it is in the possession of a goalkeeper is considered dangerous play and is penalized with an indirect free kick.
Substitutions are unlimited and can be accomplished on the fly as well as when the ball is out of play.
The player being substituted for must come off the field before the substitute may enter the field.
There is no stoppage time for substitutions. Play is continuous.
Goalkeeper possession: When a goalkeeper is in clear control of the ball with their hands for more than eight seconds, a corner kick is awarded to the other team. The referee determines when the goalkeeper has control and when eight seconds has elapsed.
Delays during throw-in: If a player is taking too long to throw the ball in, the referee can award the throw-in to the other team.
Delays during goal kicks: If a player is taking too long to take a goal kick, the referee can award a corner kick to the other team.
If a team is behind by 4 goals, a coach can add one additional field player. An additional player can be added for every 2 goals above 4 (i.e., at 6, 8, etc.). If the trailing team does not have additional players, then the leading team should consider taking a player off the field.
Additional player(s) need to come off the field if their team scores and is no longer down by 4 (or 6, 8, etc.) goals.
Rev. 7/3/26
Each half is started, as well as restarts after a goal is scored, by kicking the ball placed in the center of the field within the center circle.
When the ball goes wholly across any boundary, whether on the ground or in the air, the ball is awarded to the team opposite of the player who last touched the ball.
Sideline
Goal line by the attacking team
Goal line by the defending team
For all starts and restarts:
When play is stopped by the referee for a non-foul (e.g. injury):
Goals can be scored from anywhere on the field, but the entire ball must pass below the crossbar and between the goal posts for a goal.
A goal can be scored directly from the kickoff and other direct kicks (e.g. corner kicks, direct free kicks).
A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick or throw-in. The ball must touch another player on the field of either team before going into the goal to count.
The following are punished by the awarding of a direct free kick: tripping, pushing, punching, handling the ball, holding or kicking an opponent. Handling the ball means that the ball hits the player’s hand or arm when their hand or arm makes their body unnaturally bigger (not necessarily any time it hits a player’s hand/arm).
The kick is awarded to the opposite team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 10 yards away from the ball when a direct free kick is taken.
If a wall of 3 or more defenders is formed, the attacking players are not allowed within 1 yard of the wall.
If a direct free kick foul occurs inside the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded, and the ball is placed 12 yards from the goal line.
All players except the goalkeeper and the player taking the penalty kick must be outside the penalty area and the penalty arc.
The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
The ball is in play when it has been kicked and moves forward.
The kicker cannot touch the ball again until it has touched another player on the field from either team.
Indirect free kicks are awarded for playing in a dangerous manner (e.g. slide tackling), preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands, impeding the progress of an opponent (obstruction), or commits any other offense for which play is stopped.
The kick is awarded to the opposite team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 10 yards away from the ball when a free kick is taken.
The ball is in play when it has been kicked and moves in any direction.
A player is in an offside position if they are nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent (goalkeeper is usually the last opponent).
A player is not in an offside position in the following instances:
A player judged to be in an offside position by the referee is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his teammates, they are involved in active play by doing any of the following:
Calls are based on the opinion of the referee.
A goalkeeper may handle the ball only inside their own penalty area.
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside their own penalty area commits any of the following offenses:
The goalkeeper is in possession of the ball when their hands are touching the ball. Kicking or attempting to kick a ball when it is in the possession of a goalkeeper is considered dangerous play and is penalized with an indirect free kick.
Substitutions are unlimited and can be accomplished on the fly as well as when the ball is out of play.
The player being substituted for must come off the field before the substitute may enter the field.
There is no stoppage time for substitutions. Play is continuous.
Goalkeeper possession: When a goalkeeper is in clear control of the ball with their hands for more than eight seconds, a corner kick is awarded to the other team. The referee determines when the goalkeeper has control and when eight seconds has elapsed.
Delays during throw-in: If a player is taking too long to throw the ball in, the referee can award the throw-in to the other team.
Delays during goal kicks: If a player is taking too long to take a goal kick, the referee can award a corner kick to the other team.
If a team is behind by 4 goals, a coach can add one additional field player. An additional player can be added for every two goals above 4 (i.e., at 6, 8, etc.). If the trailing team does not have additional players, then the leading team should consider taking a player off the field.
Additional player(s) need to come off the field if their team scores and is no longer down by 4 (or 6, 8, etc.) goals.
Rev. 7/11/26
Games are self-officiated by players and coaches. If both coaches agree to it, a parent or spectator may also officiate. To ensure a positive environment, all participants must accept calls made by players, coaches, or guest referees as final. Do not dispute these decisions.
Each half is started, as well as restarts after a goal is scored, by kicking the ball placed in the center of the field within the center circle.
When the ball goes wholly across any boundary, whether on the ground or in the air, the ball is awarded to the team opposite of the player who last touched the ball.
Sideline
Goal line by the attacking team
Goal line by the defending team
For all starts and restarts:
When play is stopped for a non-foul (e.g. injury):
Goals can be scored from anywhere on the field, but the entire ball must pass below the crossbar and between the goal posts for a goal.
A goal can be scored directly from the kickoff and other direct kicks (e.g. corner kicks, direct free kicks).
A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick or throw-in. The ball must touch another player on the field of either team before going into the goal to count.
The following are punished by the awarding of a direct free kick: tripping, pushing, punching, handling the ball, holding or kicking an opponent. Handling the ball means that the ball hits the player’s hand or arm when their hand or arm makes their body unnaturally bigger (not necessarily any time it hits a player’s hand/arm).
The kick is awarded to the opposite team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 8 yards away from the ball when a direct free kick is taken.
If a wall of 3 or more defenders is formed, the attacking players are not allowed within 1 yard of the wall.
If a direct free kick foul occurs inside the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded, and the ball is placed 10 yards from the goal line.
All players except the goalkeeper and the player taking the penalty kick must be outside the penalty area and the penalty arc.
The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
The ball is in play when it has been kicked and moves forward.
The kicker cannot touch the ball again until it has touched another player on the field from either team.
Indirect free kicks are awarded for playing in a dangerous manner (e.g. slide tackling), preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands, impeding the progress of an opponent (obstruction), or commits any other offense for which play is stopped.
The kick is awarded to the opposite team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 8 yards away from the ball when a free kick is taken.
The ball is in play when it has been kicked and moves in any direction.
A player is in an offside position if they are nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent (goalkeeper is usually the last opponent).
A player is not in an offside position in the following instances:
A player judged to be in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his teammates, they are involved in active play by doing any of the following:
Calls are made at the discretion of the players and coaches. Close calls should not be made. Gaining an advantage by being offside by more than a step or two should result in an indirect free kick to the opposing team.
A goalkeeper may handle the ball only inside their own penalty area.
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside their own penalty area commits any of the following offenses:
The goalkeeper is in possession of the ball when their hands are touching the ball. Kicking or attempting to kick a ball when it is in the possession of a goalkeeper is considered dangerous play and is penalized with an indirect free kick.
Goalkeeper throws, drop kicks or punts are allowed as long as the ball makes contact with a player or the ground prior to crossing the midfield line. If the ball crosses the midfield line without touching the ground or a player, then an indirect free kick is awarded to the other team on the midfield line near where the ball crossed it.
Substitutions are unlimited and can be accomplished on the fly as well as when the ball is out of play.
The player being substituted for must come off the field before the substitute may enter the field.
There is no stoppage time for substitutions. Play is continuous.
For all of the scenarios below, the coach making the call must visibly count down the last five seconds with a raised hand.
Goalkeeper possession: When a goalkeeper is in clear control of the ball with their hands for more than eight seconds, a corner kick is awarded to the other team.
Delays during throw-in: If a player is deliberately taking too long to throw the ball in, a throw-in is awarded to the other team.
Delays during goal kicks: If a player is deliberately taking too long to take a goal kick, a corner kick is awarded to the other team.
If a team is behind by 4 goals, a coach can add one additional field player. An additional player can be added for every two goals above 4 (i.e., at 6, 8, etc.). If the trailing team does not have additional players, then the leading team should consider taking a player off the field.
Additional player(s) need to come off the field if their team scores and is no longer down by 4 (or 6, 8, etc.) goals.
