“D1” Division 1st grade Playing Rules

If on game day you are low on players:

Borrowing Rec Players for a game:  You may only ask players from the previous game, on that day, on that field, same gender and same age group. 

Player Rules for D1 - 1st Grade

No Goal Keepers, 5 v 5

Coaches should NOT attempt to negotiate last minute rule changes with an opposing coach before the start of LMVSC recreational games.  Take your Coach’s Manual to the games for ready reference in order to prevent conflicts.

Law 1

The Field of Play

Size:  The field of play shall be rectangular, its length being not more than 30 yards nor less than 20 yards and its width not more than 20 yards nor less than 15 yards.  The length in all cases shall exceed the width.  D1 Division fields, where possible, will be 25 yards by 35 yards.

Markings:

       1.  Distinctive lines of not more than 5 inches wide shall mark the field.

       2.  A halfway line shall be marked across the center of the field.

       3.  The center of the field will be marked with a circle with a radius of 4 yards.

       4. There is no penalty area.

       5.  An arc with a radius of 5 yards shall be marked off from the center of the goal.  The purpose of this arc to designate the area where Defensive players may not stand.  This is to prevent a team from designating players to specifically defend the goal, which effectively circumvents the purpose of not having a goalkeeper in the “D1” Division.  Defensive players may run across this area in an attempt to get to the ball or to compete for the ball.  The concept here is to not allow players to “camp out” in front of the goal.

Goal:  Portable practice goals provided by LMVSC are to be used where possible. The goals MUST be anchored to the ground.  If a net(s)/goal is missing, cones may be substituted for the goal and the referee/coach is the sole judge as to whether or not a goal has been scored.

Corner Markers:  Cones shall mark the corner.

Law 2 

The Ball

The ball shall be a size 3 made of approved materials.

Law 3

Player’s Equipment

Each player shall be issued a uniform consisting of a jersey, shorts and socks.  Shoes may be either tennis shoes or soccer shoes with soft cleats.  Shin-guards are mandatory and are not provided by the league for the player.  It is the player’s responsibility to bring the shin-guards.  In the event two teams have the same color uniforms, the team listed first on the schedule shall be responsible for wearing a shirt (practice jersey/"penny"), which distinguishes them from their opponents.  No jewelry is allowed except medical alert jewelry that must be either taped to the wrist or, if a necklace, must be under the jersey and cannot bounce out during play.

Law 4

The Number of Players/Substitutes

1. The maximum and minimum number of players on the field for a team is five (5) for D1 Division.  In this division, there is no goalkeeper nor shall a player be designated to stand in front of the goal to function as a goalkeeper.  [A player positioned as a goalkeeper defeats the purpose of the division, which is to get each player as much time as possible with their foot on the ball.]

2. The maximum number of players on a roster should not exceed ten (10).

3. Substitutions are permitted in the following circumstances:

1. In the case of an injury.  If the injured player is substituted, the opposing team may also substitute, one for one.
2. The mechanics of substitution are basically on they fly.

4. Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.

Law 5

Referee

The game will be officiated by Coaches or a team parent.  Each team alternates providing referees by quarters.  The officials from the two teams shall alternate quarters. Only one Referee is permitted on the field at a time to avoid confusion.  Where possible, the Referee is encouraged to explain calls to the players of both teams when a call is made while at the same time trying to avoid delays in the game.  In the case of restarting playing, the Referee is encouraged to explain mistakes to the player putting the ball into play.

Law 6

Assistant Referee (Linesmen)

Linesmen are to be parents. Each team provides one linesman for its side of the field.  There shall never be throw ins.  All “pass ins” are free “pass ins” to the team that has gained possession.  A “pass-in” is a pass in the soccer context, meaning that the ball is kicked with the foot.  A “free” pass-in means free of interference by the opposing team.

Law 7 

Duration of the Game

The game clock is to run continuously except for half time and quarter breaks. The duration of the game shall not exceed fifty-four minutes, four 10-minute quarters. The break for the quarters shall not exceed 3 minutes and the half time interval shall not exceed 8 minutes. If weather conditions warrant, additional breaks may be taken, particularly if a team has no substitutes. The maximum total time for a game including the breaks is 60 minutes.

Law 8

Start of Play

The game shall be started with a place kick taken from the center mark.   Opponents of the kicking team must be outside the center circle.  The team taking the place kick to start the game shall be decided by a toss of a coin with the visiting team calling the coin in the air.  For a place kick to be properly taken, the ball must be stationary on the center spot before it is kicked.  The kick shall not be taken until the Referee signals.  The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.  A kick-off (place kick) shall be the method of restarting play at the beginning of each quarter and after a goal is scored.

Law 9

Ball In and Out of Play

The ball is in play on a kick when it is kicked and moves.  The ball is in play from a “pass-in” when it breaks the plane of the outer edge of the touchline and has left the foot of the kicker.  The ball is in play on a drop ball when it hits the ground.  If the drop ball hits the ground and then goes out of bounds before being touched by a player, it shall be dropped again.  If a player touches the ball before it hits the ground, it must be dropped again.

Law 10

Method of Scoring

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes over the goal line and into the LMVSC portable goal provided it has not been propelled by the hands or arms of a member of the attacking team.  The defending team can score upon themselves provided that the ball does not enter the goal directly as a result of the defending team taking a free kick.  A pass-in cannot score goals.   A team cannot score from a kick off (place kick).  A team cannot score from a kick-off, or pass-in.  After a goal is scored, D-1 teams restart with a “Kick Off”.

Law 11

Offside

Offside is not called in this division.  Coaches are expected to not allow their players to “camp out” in front of the opponent’s goal.

Law 12

Fouls and Misconduct

Players at this age generally do not intend to commit fouls.  The purpose of calling these fouls is to teach the players acceptable standards and therefore, fouls must be called so that the players will learn.  Care must be taken to call only those fouls that serve as training points and are obviously intentional.  Players at this age are excited about the game and do not intend to commit fouls. Please be sure to review the developmental stages of player in D1.

1.   All fouls shall result in an indirect free kick with the all opponents at least 3 yards away.

2.  Fouls shall only be called for the following actions:

1. Kicking - intentional, not simply a miss when attempting to kick the ball.
2. Tripping - intentional with no attempt to play the ball.
3. Charging - running into an opponent intentionally without attempting to play the ball.
4. Jumping at - intentionally jumping at an opponent without attempting to play the ball.
5. Holding an opponent with the hands or arms.
6. Hitting or spitting at an opponent
7. Pushing an opponent to prevent them from playing the ball.
8. Handling the ball, intentionally.

3.  The coach/referee must explain all infractions to the offending players.

4.  There are no cautions or ejections.

Law 13

Free Kicks

All free kicks shall be INDIRECT.  A goal may not be scored until the ball has been touched or played by another player of either team.  Free kicks shall be taken from the point of the infraction.  The ball shall be stationary when kicked and shall be in play when it is kicked and moves.

Law 14

Penalty Kick

No penalty kicks are to be taken in this game.

Law 15

Pass-Ins NOT Throw-Ins

Kick off at the start of each quarter, will remain a “kick off”.  When the ball leaves the field over the touchline (sideline) either in the air or on the ground a “Pass-In” is the method of restart.  A “Pass-In” is a pass in the soccer context, meaning that the ball is kicked with the foot.  Pass-Ins are performed from the Touchline (Sideline).   “Pass-ins” should also take the place of any balls that have been kicked out of bounds.  All “Pass-ins” are free “Pass-Ins” to the team that has gained possession meaning that they are to be free of interference by the opposing team.

For D1 Division, the restarts for the ball crossing the touchline or the goal line are Pass-Ins by a player of the team gaining possession of the ball.

1)        The ball should never be “Passed in”, near a defending team’s goal area.

2)        After a team has scored, play will be restarted with a Kick-Off.

3)        “Pass ins” should take the place of goal kicks and corner kicks. NOT AT THE START OF EACH GAME OR THE RESTART OF EACH QUARTER.

“Pass-ins” should also take the place of any balls that have been kicked out of bounds.  All “Pass-ins” are free “pass-ins” to the team that has gained possession meaning that they are to be free of interference by the opposing team.

A team cannot score from a kick-off, kick in, or pass in.

Law 16

Goal Kick

Restart is by a “pass-in”.  There shall be no goal kicks.

Law 17

Corner Kick

Restart is by a “pass-in”.  There shall be no corner kicks.