All Ages Rules

YMCA Youth Sports Philosophy

Provide youth an opportunity to participate in an environment that fosters fair play, sportsmanship, teamwork, and development of new skills, fun, and the concept that everyone wins.

Substitutions/ Playing Time

All players must play at least half of the game; two full quarters. No player can play two quarters before all play at least one. No player is allowed to play three quarters before all have played three quarters.

Each game 4 quarters. 5 min half- time and 1 minute break in-between quarter 1 and quarter 3.

Rule Sheet

3 Yr old games

The 3 year olds do not practice during the week. They will have a 20 minute practice before the game starting at the time given on the schedule. You will then play your game directly after the 20 min practice. That means if you are scheduled for the 2:00pm game, you practice from 2:00 – 2:20pm, and then play the game directly following the practice.

3 year olds will also be officiated by the coaches. You will need to bring a whistle, but a stop watch will be provided. You will be calling out of bounds, any tripping or pushing fouls, or handballs. Blow the whistle, stop the play and educate the child on what they did wrong. On fouls the ball will be given back to the team who had it last.

Officiating

Teams in age divisions 4/5, 6/7 will have one official and 8-10 will have two per game. The official’s decisions are final. They will stop play on fouls, injuries, severe weather conditions, instructional time, or anything else that could hinder the safety of the players. Any player who deliberately pushes down or trips another player will be asked to sit down for the remainder of the quarter. If that player pushes or trips a player on purpose again they will have to sit out for the rest of the game.
Ages 6/7, 8-10 fouls will be called then the ball with be awarded to the opposing team. Indirect kicks and direct kicks will be awarded when fouls have occurred. Direct kicks occur when the player kicks the ball directly towards the goal. On Indirect kicks the player must pass or kick the ball to another player. 4/5, fouls will be called; players will be educated on call, then the ball will be given back to the same team. (Fouls are, but not limited to; touching the ball with hands, pushing a player, running into them if you do not have the ball, or tripping.)
At no point may someone cheery pick and wait for the ball to score. You will be forced to move up by the official if this is occurring. 8-10 yr olds will be the only age group that offside will be called as a penalty.

Out of bounds:

3 yr olds. 4/5, 6/7, 8-10 play will be stopped, and opposing team will be awarded the ball.

Playing the Ball:

Play will begin with a free kick. The opposing players must stand outside of the circle as the kick is taking place. The ball must go forward on a free kick. The player who has kicked the ball cannot touch it again until the ball has been touched by another player. Once a team has scored then the opposing team will begin play with a free kick.
Teams in age divisions 6/7 and 8-10 will use goalies. Age divisions 3 and 4/5 will play without goalies. The goalie is the only player who is allowed to play the ball with his/ her hands or arms. This can only be done within his/her own goal area and penalty area. No one can interfere with the goalie when the keeper has full possession of the ball. All players must clear both the goal and penalty area when the keeper is throwing or kicking the ball out of their area. The goalie cannot pick up the ball outside of both the goal and penalty area.
All other players may use any other part of their body to stop, control, pass, and move or score the ball. Use of the head, chest, legs, and feet are legal.
Unintentional handling of the ball, where the ball plays the hand rather than the hand playing the ball, is not penalized. A handball is called when a player intentionally touches the ball with their hands or arms for various reasons. Handballs made in the penalty box will result in a penalty kick in age division 8-10.

The ball is out of play when it crosses the touchlines and goal lines.

When the ball goes out of bounds the player will lift the ball over his/her head and throws the ball to a teammate from behind the line.
A corner kick is when the ball goes out between the goal post and the corner. This kick is done by a player of the opposite team whose players last touched the ball.
A goal kick is when the ball goes out between the goal post and the corner. The kick is only done by the goalie.
At no time may a player slid into a kid to take the ball away from him. This is dangerous and can cause serious injury. You can be subjected to leave the game.

Team Conduct

Any player or coach who is guilty of misconduct or unsportsmanlike behavior will be cautioned and if he/she persists, they will be disqualified from further competition. The player will be consented by the program director and sports coordinator before they are allowed to participate for the remainder of the sports league season. Violent conduct will result in immediate disqualification. Any ejection is enforced by a one game suspension.
Parents are also expected to conduct themselves as positive role models at all times. If the official hears a parent using profanity during a game then the official will grant the parent a verbal warning. If the parent continues to use profanity and verbal abuse during the game then the parent will be dismissed from the field. The Program Director will be notified of the situation and take immediate action.

Safety Comes First

All players must wear shin guards. They have to be covered by socks at all times. Players are not allowed to wear necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and watches. Participants are allowed to play with a cast (with the written permission of a physician), however the cast may not be used in any threatening way or negatively affect the safety any participant (including oneself).

Practices and games

Every effort will be made to hold practices. Weather postings will be made on the Sports Weatherline at 513-852-9011. Decisions regarding the weather will be made at least an hour before practices and games. On days of ominous weather, please check the Sports Weatherline before your travels. I will have