South Mississippi Soccer Club
U5 & U6 Rules
see MYSA Small-Sided Games (SSG) Guidelines for 2007-2008
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25 yards long x 20 yards wide.
The goals will be 4 feet high by 6 feet wide (4ft x 6ft). There will be a goal at each end of the field.
Ball Size
Each team shall consist of no more than six (6) total players. Boys and Girls will play together on the same team although teams may be formed which have only boys or girls. All teams, regardless of gender, will play against each other during the season.
Play on the field will be three on three (3v3).
Goalkeepers will not be used.
Each player is required to play 50% (half) of each game they attend.
Substitutions will be made at the Quarter and Halftime breaks. Substitutions for injured players or players with "boo-boos" will be allowed.
Team Formation
Teams will be formed in single year age groups and placed in one of the three geographic sub-pools. Requests by parents for players to be placed together will be honored as much as possible up to six per team.
Games will consist of four quarters. Each quarter will last eight (8) minutes. The first and second quarter will be separated by a two (2) minute break. Half time will be five (5) minutes and start at the end of the second quarter. The third and forth quarters also be separated by a two minute break. Total playing time is forty-one (41) minutes. Coaches will keep the time on the field.
The season length will vary year-to-year. A typical season will start with practice starting in October and finishing in March. The number of games will be between 12 and 15. Outside factors such as Hurricanes may alter the season schedule drastically.
Uniforms will be supplied by SMSC at the beginning of the season. Coaches will receive them to distribute to the team. Players are required to wear the supplied jersey to games. Exceptions will be made to the use of the shorts during cold/inclement weather. Dress your child for the expected conditions and pull the jersey over the top of what they are wearing to play the game(s). All players are required to shin guards under their socks.
Referees & Coaching
Coaches will be allowed on the field during the games and allowed to direct their players as needed. The use of whistles is encouraged to get the childrens attention when play needs to be stopped. Coaches will act as referees at each game. Each team will be allowed only a Coach and 1 Assistant Coach. Parents are asked to sit on the opposite side of the field from the coaches but in U5 and U6 this is not a requirement.
Game play will start with one team "kicking off" from the center line. Who will kick-off is determined by the coaches. All balls that are kicked off the field will be kicked back into play at the point the ball left the field. Kick-ins are direct kicks. Opponents must stand 4 yards away from any kick-in. After a goal is scored, play will restart at the center line.
The offside rule will not be applied.
All fouls will be assessed with an indirect free kick. Both coaches should call fouls and explain the infraction to the child right after play is stopped for the foul. No cards will be shown or given for misconduct.
All Free Kicks (from fouls) are indirect, with opponents standing no closer than four (4) yards.
Kick ins (substituted for Throw-ins)
All balls that are kicked off the field will be kicked back into play at the point the ball left the field. Kick-ins are direct kicks. Opponents must stand 4 yards away from any kick-in.
Goal kicks will be taken 2-3 yards from the goal line anywhere across the width of the field at the nearest point the ball was retrieved. Opponents can stand no closer than four (4) yards.
Corner kicks are taken when the defensive team kicks the ball over the end-line on the side closest to the point where the ball went out. Opponents can stand no closer than four (4) yards.
Refer to SMSCs weather policy.
Protests of game scores will not be allowed. SMSC does want to know if any player on either team did not play 50% of the game when the player was physically able to play and wanted to play.