GEYA Soccer Laws

• Click here for K and 1st Grade modifications to the Laws.
• Click here for 2nd and 3rd Grade modifications to the Laws.
• Click here for 4th-12th Grade modifications to the Laws.

Click here for a downloadable summary of the rules.

Summary of guidelines for all divisions

Rules for K and 1^st Grades

1. All players must be 5 years old by August 30 of the year they will be playing.
2. Referee: Coaches and assistant coaches can be on the field and will referee the match. Before the game commences, opposing coaches should agree on who manages the game clock and the game whistle.
3. Each player will play equal minutes and will play all positions. Substitutions are allowed during any time of the game.
4. Start of game: The home team shale take the first kickoff. The opposing team will choice direction of play. Alternate kickoffs for remaining quarters and change sides at the half. On the kick-off the opposing team must have all players outside the circle until such time as the ball is kicked forward or downfield. The kicker can not kick the ball a second time. Kickoffs will occur after a goal and be made by scoring team.
5. Offside: No offsides will be called. However, coaches should not allow players to gain advantage by staying in a blatantly offside position. Instruct the player to return to an onside position.
6. Fouls and Misconduct: All fouls will result in an indirect kick. No penalty kicks are to be awarded. For fouls occurring in the penalty area the ball will be placed on the penalty area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.
7. NO SLIDING TACKLES. All sliding tackles will result in the other team being awarded an indirect kick.
8. Throw-Ins: No throw-ins at this level. Play will start with a kick from the point that the ball had left the playing field. The player that kicks the ball can not kick it a second time before another player on the field touches the ball.
9. Free Kick: All free kicks shall be classified as an INDIRECT kick. A goal may not be scored until the ball is touched or played by a second player of either team. No kicks shall be taken by the attacking team within the defending team’s goal box.

Rules for 2nd and 3^rd Grades

1. Referee: Coaches and assistant coaches can be on the field and will referee the match. Before the game commences, opposing coaches should agree on who manages the game clock and the game whistle.
2. Substitutions: Unlimited number, during goal kicks, throw-ins (either side), after goals, or games stoppages for injury.
3. Start of game: The home team shall kick-off. The opposing team shall choose direction of play. Alternate kickoff per quarter and change sides at the half.
4. Fouls and Misconduct: FIFA fouls and misconducts are in effect except that NO PENALTY KICKS WILL BE GIVEN. Offenses occurring in the penalty area that would result in a penalty kick shall result in an indirect kick at the closest point outside the penalty area to where the infringement occurred.
5. NO SLIDING TACKLES. All sliding tackles will result in the other team being awarded a direct kick.
6. Throw-Ins: Players who violate the laws regarding throw-ins will be allowed to retake the throw-in up to 3 times after which the throw-in will be given to the other team.
7. Offside: No offsides will be called. However, coaches should not allow players to gain advantage by staying in a blatantly offside position
8. Free Kick: All free kicks shall be classified as an INDIRECT kick. A goal may not be scored until the ball is touched or played by a second player of either team. The attacking team within the defending team’s goal box shall take no kicks.
9. Penalty Kick: No penalty kicks are to be taken during these games.

Rules for 4th-12th Grades

1. Referee: A referee will be assigned to each match. If no referee shows after 15 minutes of the scheduled game time a volunteer referee from either team will be chosen. Referee may appoint club linesman, linesman ONLY indicate when the ball is out of play. They do not indicate throw-in direction or offsides.
2. Substitutions: Unlimited number, during goal kicks, throw-ins (by team taking throw only), after goals, or games stoppages for injury.
3. NO SLIDING TACKLES. All sliding tackles will result in the other team being awarded a direct kick.