Division Game Requirements
ONLY THIS YEAR TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE BALL IN OUR CLUB ONLY ( rep soccer continuous as per usual with throw ins) so JUST IN OUR HOUSE LEAGUE THERE ARE NO THROW INS, JUST KICK INS.
In 2021 our club is using last year’s matrix with a bit of change on timing:
The half time for U12 and younger is now only 10 minutes to avoid close contact and the length of games for full fields in U13-U18 is 30 minutes halves ( we shortened it due to lower number of players).
U5-U8 ( 2×20 min halves but only 10 min break)
U13-U18( 2×30 min halves with only 5 min break)
Other than modifications mentioned below is the rest of what matrix used to be:
Note: Please read carefully also the footnote below the chart below.
| Age Division | Game Duration | Size of Ball | # Players Full Team | Minimum # of Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U4 - U7 | 2 x 20 minutes halves with 20 minutes half time for practice | 3 | 4 Only these divisions do not use Goalkeepers | 3 |
| U8 | 2 x 20 minutes halves with 20 minutes half time for practice | 3 | 5 Including GK | 3 |
| U9 - U10 | 2 x 25 minutes halves with 10 minutes half time | 4 | 7 Including GK | 5 |
| U11 - U12 | 2 x 35 minutes halves with 5 minutes half time | 4 | 9 Including GK | 6 |
| U13 -U18 | 2 x 35 minutes halves with 5 minutes half time | 5 | 11 Including GK | 7 |
Note: Three special rules to be mentioned to allow fair and pleasant games:
RULE 1: In U4-U7 Division games, the Referee MUST enforce equal number of players rule: so if one team has only 3 players but the other team has 4 then as per club’s rules both teams MUST play with equal number of players on the field, so 3 players each. (The team with one extra player will still benefit by having one extra sub player).
RULE 2: In other age groups (U8 –U18) the rule is that teams should not be having more than an extra player then the other team on the field so we can avoid lopsided games. So, let’s say the game is U14 and one team has 11 players but the other one only 7. Then the team with more players can only field 8 players at the time (so one more then the opponent which has 7). Coaches must rotate the extra subs regularly so they can still get playing time.
RULE 3: MANDATORY SHARING PLAYERS RULE for U14/U18 divisions, avoiding forfeited games. Only on these full field divisions in order for us to avoid games being forfeited as of 2016 the club has introduced the MANDATORY SHARING PLAYERS RULE to allow the opponent to have the minimum required number of players which is 7. So, if one U14 or U18 team has only 6 players but the opponent has 9 then the opponent MUST lend the other team a player so they can have the minimum 7 required to play. The games then is sanctioned, the ref stays and final score after the game stands- Please note that this rule is not in place during Playoffs.