4v4 Rules of the Game

Player registration: All players must be present for check-in. A minimum of 45 minutes before kick off at the check-in table at Covenant Park.  All players need to carry a Us youth soccer, us club, ID card (or a copy) or passport (or a copy).  All rosters are final after the start of the first game.  No team is allowed to have more than 8 players.  A minimum of 4 players per team.

Field dimensions: 132 feet x 66 feet (44 yard x 22 yards)

No offsides!

No scoring from own half!

No goalkeepers!

No heading for the 2015 divisions and below

Goal box:

• The goal box, ten feet wide by eight feet long, is directly in front of the goal. The goals are four feet high by six feet wide.
• There is only one player from each team allowed in the goal boxes.  If a team has more than one of their players in the goal box, and this effects the play:  a free kick (two offense players in the opponents box) or penalty is awarded ( two defenders in the goal box and it effects the play). So for example: two defenders are in the goal box, and one of them stops the ball inside of the goal box: a penalty is awarded to the other team.  A team takes a shot on goal, but two offense players are in the goal box: a free kick is awarded to the defending team. 
• So one player of each team is allowed in the goal box 

Substitution: On the fly.  A free kick will be awarded if a team has an advantage of having to many players on the field due to the flying substitute

Five yard rule: Defending players must keep 5 yards distance from the ball on all kick-ins, kick offs, free kicks and goal kicks.

Kick & dribble-ins (self pass): Instead of throw-ins, players are allowed to (self) pass / dribble the ball in.  After one touch a player would be allowed to score from the dribble in!

Corner kicks and free kicks: Are allowed to be dribbled in (self pass). Same as from the sidelines, the ball needs to come to a complete stop, before the dribble in.  Players can score from a free kick or corner kick from a self pass!

Indirect kicks:  All free kicks, kick-ins and kick offs are indirect. So they either have to pass to themselves OR a teammate.  Penalty kicks (no self pass) and corners are direct.

Goal kicks:  Taken from any point from the end line,  self pass / dribble in is ALLOWED. 

Kick off:
Indirect,  Can be taken in any direction. Has to be pass (not a self pass/ a dribble in)

Penalty kicks:
It is a direct kick taken from the center of the midfield line with all players behind the mid­field line and the player taking the kick. This is a ‘dead­ ball’ kick. No self pass allowed. 

Game duration:
Two 10 minutes halves.  Two minute half time.  

5th player rule: 

Anytime you are down by 5 goals in a game, you are allowed to add a 5th player. If the score is back at a 4 goal difference, the 5th player is no longer allowed. 

Points and Tie-brakers:
3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. A forfeited game is scored as a 5-0 win for the team present.

In pool play, tie in points between two or more teams will be broken by :

1. head to head results between the tied teams
2. goal difference in head to head games
3. goal difference in pool play games
4. goals scored
5. penalties

Games during the playoffs rounds that are tied after regular time shall proceed to a 4 minute golden goal overtime period (winning goal).  If the score is still tied, the winner will be decided with 3 penalties per team. If still tied, series of 1 penalty per team to decide the winner. 

Equipment:
All players must wear shinguards. U8-U12 use a size 4 ball and U13 and up size 5.

All teams must have all their players wear a same colored shirt during play. We expect each team to bring two different colored shirts.

2025 Age groups:
U8: Players born in 2018 or later
U9: Players born in 2017 or later
U10: Players born in 2016 or later
U11: Players born in 2015 or later
U12: Players born in 2014 or later
U13: Players born in 2013 or later
U14: Players born in 2012 or later
U15: Players born in 2011 or later

U16: Players born in 2010 or later