Freedom Optimist Soccer: Rules
Wednesday, August 17Upper Division Rules
At Freedom Park make sure all players and coaches are on same side of field and all spectators are on other side. Remind coaches if necessary.
In the upper divisions the players should know the rules and use proper technique. Do not allow upper divisions to get away with bad throw-ins, etc. (About throw-ins, a bad one at these fields is a turnover.)
Players: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. However, a match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players. Both teams are required to play at equal strength except for the HS divisions.
Slide tackles are allowed in the High School Divisions only.
Wednesday, August 17
Lower Division Rules
The younger players will look up to you as a referee. Help players learn the game as you referee. If they do a throw-in incorrectly, blow your whistle and tell or show them how to do it and let them do it again. If you call a foul tell them what they did wrong. They are still learning the basics of the game and you can help them.
Players: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of at least five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. If one team has fewer players both teams will play down for an even match.
NO PENALTY KICKS OR DIRECT KICKS
NO SLIDE TACKLES
FOULS AND MISCONDUCT: AN INDIRECT FREE KICK IS AWARDED FOR ALL FOULS.
OFFSIDE: For Boys and Girls 2, 3 & 4, only call offside when the player stays down by the goal and becomes involved in the play. Do not call offside if the player is a couple steps offside. Be aware that at this age sometimes the fullbacks are way back by the goal, so look before you make the call. Reminder: the player must be in an offside position and involved in the play for a foul to occur.
The match is restarted by an indirect free kick, to be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped. If a player intentionally commits any of the major offenses (listed under IV General Overview of the "Law of the Game" Fouls and Misconduct) within the penalty box, an indirect kick is awarded the opposing team. This indirect kick will be taken from the outside corner of the penalty box (closer to the center of the field) near the location of where the foul was committed.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Either team can substitute at any throw-in, goal kick or kick-off, but not on corner kicks or free kicks.
THROW-IN: Do not call repeated infractions for improper throw-ins. Remind the player to keep both feet on the ground and bring both hands over their head. If they do the throw-in improperly, blow the whistle and have them try it again one more time. After that – let them play.
Monday, September 14
Tournament OT Format
Overtime will only be played during the end of season tournaments. If a tournament game ends in a tie the following format will be used:
|
OT PERIOD |
GAME FORMAT |
SUBSTITUTES |
KEEPER |
OFFSIDE |
|
1ST OT |
9 V 9 |
NO |
YES |
NO |
|
2ND OT |
7 V 7 |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
3RD OT |
5 V 5 |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
4TH OT |
5 V 5 |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Coaches will be allowed 3 minutes to select the players to remain on the field, all other players will report to the sidelines.
A coin toss, with the home team calling the flip, will be held. The winner of the toss will determine which goal they want to defend.
EACH 5-MINUTE OVERTIME PERIOD WILL COMMENCE WITH A DROP BALL AT MID FIELD.
All regular FIFA rules will apply with the exception of the following:
1). There will be no goalkeepers allowed after the first round of overtime.
2). Substitutions will only be allowed between overtime periods or in case of an injury. If an injured player comes off then the opposing team will also be allowed to sub one for one.
3). If a penalty kick is awarded during any overtime period, the defending team may place a defender on the goal line in front of the net. This defender may use any part of his body EXCEPT his hands during the penalty kick.
4). There will be NO OFFSIDE called during any overtime period.
5.) Teams will changes sides at the end of every period.
6.). IF NEITHER TEAM HAS SCORED BY THE END OF THE 5-MINUTE PERIOD, TWO (2) PLAYERS FROM EACH TEAM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE FIELD. THIS WILL REPEAT UNTIL ROUND 4 WHEN THE TEAMS WILL REMAIN AT 5 v 5.
The game will end upon the score of a goal by either team - “Golden Goal”
Any red cards given during the overtime will be treated as if issued during a regular game. This means that the team will play down for the remainder of the match.
Monday, September 14
Upper Division Point System
In the standings portion of the Web Site have the following point system:
- 3 points for a win
- 1 point for a tie
- 0 points for a loss
When there is a tie, the tie breakers are:
1st - Head to head win loss record2nd - Goals allowed (lowest allowed wins)
3rd - Coin toss
Friday, June 1
FOS Laws of the Game