Section 7 Fall Season Guidelines for 7 a-side 

FIELD DIMENSIONS - field size should be a U12 sized field but U10 is acceptable. All field markings (penalty area, corner arcs, goal area, penalty mark, and center circle), would be the same as a standard. Standard regulation goals is the preference. 

DURATION OF GAME – 7 v 7 format, 30 minute halves with a running clock.  Half-time 5 to 10 minutes. 

ROSTER SIZE – Recommended roster size is 10 – 12 players

SEASON DATES
Target Start Date – Aug 27, 2016
Target End Date – Oct 22, 2016

REFEREE ASSIGNMENTS – Everyone will be scheduled to provide referees for their own games.  Home team does the first half, visiting team does the second half.  

COACH CERTIFICATION 
U16-U19 – Advance Coach

SMALL SIDED RULES – All FIFA rules are in place with the following exceptions.
1. Goalkeeper must play the ball within their half of the field on goal keeper possessions, i.e. don’t kick the ball across the center line. 
2. 1 Center Referee, no ARs. 
3. Offside Rule is not in effect.  NOTE:  We would hope that the coaches would enforce fair play on their own but if it is an obvious offside infraction, the referee should call it.  
4. Throw-in from the corner if we’re playing on a U10-U12 field.  If it is a field that is close to regulation size, then play it as a corner kick.
5. Playing time: Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.
6. Teams are allowed free substitutions.  Substitution Procedure:
a. A coach may substitute an unlimited number of players on their possession of a throw in or a goal kick by either team provided that the players are ready to enter the field of play at midfield.
b. A coach may substitute an unlimited number of players after a goal has been scored by either team, between quarters, or during an injury from the player/coaching area.
c. No substitutions on in-direct kicks.
d. A goalkeeper change must be made during a stoppage in play, and the referee must be made aware of the change.
e. Prior to any and all substitutions the referee must be notified. The substitutes must wait for the referee to acknowledge them.

Red cards; First red card a player will be suspended a minimum of the following match, Second red card a player receives will be suspended a minimum of 3 matches, Third red card a player will be suspended for the remainder of the season and possible into the following season(s). Fighting is strictly prohibited. Any player(s) that gets into a fight will be automatically suspended for the rest of the season.

Incidents involving a Coach, Team Supporter, Referee 
• First incident – reported to the region, request region to monitor the next game
• Second incident – meeting between Area Director, Regional Commissioner, and Volunteer (Coach, Team Supporter, Referee)
• Third incident – Suspended for 1 game
• Fourth incident – Suspended for the remainder of the season