Youth Soccer Rules of the Game

Luckily for youth soccer players the sport's international governing body, FIFA, recognizes that kids are students of the game and not world class players. While the laws of FIFA set the rules of the game, the organization allows for modifications for players under 16 years of age. Youth soccer clubs throughout the country have their own rules regarding a player's age, game length, field size and substitutions.

  1. Age

    • Soccer clubs place children on teams according to their ages. The age of the child by August 1 is the recommended method of determining soccer age by US Youth Soccer. Some clubs use July 31. For example, if a child is seven years old on July 31 he will be placed on a U-8 (Under 8) team. Proof of age such as a birth certificate or alien registration card is necessary.

    Time

    • An internationally sanctioned game consists of two 45-minute halves. Only those in age groups U-17 and above play for this duration. The younger the age group, the shorter the game. For instance, youths starting out in soccer at age group U-6 play four six minute quarters while older U-13's play two 35-minute halves.

    Field

    • A soccer field is rectangular in shape. An official adult field is between 70 by 100 yards and 80 by 120 yards, according to FIFA. Younger children lack the stamina to play on such large areas. The younger the age group, the smaller the field. A U-6 team plays on a field size 15 by 30 yards, while a U-13 team plays on a 50 by 100 yard field, according to the Soccer Institute.

    Substitution

    • Youth soccer rules allow a coach to substitute players throughout the game at appropriate times. Children can be "subbed" in and out of the game as often as the coach determines. This is modified from FIFA's rule that states that only three substitutions per team per game are allowed. In a professional game, once a player leaves a game, he cannot return.