Small Sided Game Rules

Why Small-Sided Games?

The below explanation comes straight from US Youth Soccer:

1. Because we want our young soccer players to touch the soccer ball more often and become more skillful with it! (Individual technical development)

2. Because we want our young soccer players to make more, less-complicated decisions during the game! (Tactical development)

3. Because we want our young soccer players to be more physically efficient in the field space they are playing in! (Reduced field size)

4. Because we want our young soccer players to have more individual teaching time with the coach! Less players on the field and less players on the team will guarantee this! (Need to feel worthy and need to feel important)

5. Because we want our young soccer players to have more, involved playing time in the game! (More opportunity to solve problems that only the game presents)

6. Because we want our young soccer players to have more opportunity to play on both sides of the ball! (More exposure to attacking and defending situations)

7. Because we want our young soccer players to have more opportunities to score goals! (Pure excitement)

These are the reasons why we adults must foster "Small-Sided Games" in our youth soccer programs. The "Small-Sided" environment is a developmentally appropriate environment for our young soccer players. It's a FUN environment that focuses on the young soccer player.

4v4 Standards of Play

GAMES

•Kick offs, free kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play

• All free kicks are indirect

• Kick-ins are utilized for U4-U7 play. Throw-ins for U8.

• Goal kicks should be taken anywhere within or on the goal box area.

• Opponents should be 10 feet away from the ball on all restarts

• No penalty kicks

• No offside

• Registered and certified referees are not needed at this level

• Since there is no referee, coaches are expected to manage the game environment from the touchline using these standards of play and their best judgement. (MSA Coaches manage games at the U4 and U5 Level; Certified Referee's manage games at U6-U8)

• Together, coaches and parents are expected to create and promote a fun and safe environment for the players

The Build Out Line

What is the Build Out Line

First, It's important to know that the build out line ONLY APPLIES TO U9 & U10 teams and play 7v7.

The Build out line is used to promote playing the ball in an unpressured setting. The bottom line is that when the goal keeper has the ball, the opposing team needs to move behind the build-out line, NOT pressure the goal keeper. After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal.

The Specific Rules

Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed).
Once the ball has left the Goal Keepers possession, it is in play and the opposing team may cross the build-out line. Ideally, the goalkeeper will wait to put the ball into play once all opponents are past the build out line. However, the goalkeeper can put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how play resumes.
If a Goal Keeper punts the ball, the defending team is awarded an indirect free kick from the spot of the offense. Teach your Goal Keeper NO PUNTING.
If the defending team passes the build out line before the ball has left the Goal Keepers possession, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick from the point of the infraction (at the build-out line).
Players can only be penalized for an offside offense if they are between the build out line and the goal line. There is no offsides between the build out line and the halfway line.