The Field
The field size is 55-36 yards long, 35-45 yards wide
The Markings
Halfway Line - width of field, marked equidistant between goal lines
Center Circle - 8-yd. radius
Goal Area - 4 x 8 yards
Penalty Area - 12 x 24 yards
Penalty Mark - 10-yds. from goal line
Penalty Arc - extends 8-yd. radius from penalty mark
The Goals
6 to 7 feet high and 12 to 18 feet wide; must be securely anchored before beginning play.
The Ball
Size 3 ball
The Players
Number - Seven (7) per team on field, one of which is goalkeeper (minimum of five (5) players to continue) Substitutions - Unlimited both teams between periods, on goal kicks, after a goal, extended time-out (e.g. injury, cautions, send-offs) Unlimited only for team taking throw-in
Playing Time - Minimum of half of the game.
Player Equipment
Shirts, shorts, shin guards, socks, shoes; No jewelry and nothing dangerous.
Socks to cover shin guards; Same color shirts (except goalkeeper).
Duration of Game
Two 20-minute halves or four 10-minute periods; halftime interval 5-minutes, 1-minute between other periods.
Referees
As per SAY Area directives; top priority is player safety
Every effort should be made to keep the game moving and safe;
Ball Out of Play
Ball is out of play when it completely leaves the field-of-play over the touchline or goal line, either on the ground or in the air;
Ball is also considered to be out of play whenever the referee blows the whistle and the game is stopped;
Restarts
Player may not touch the ball again at the taking of a free kick, goal kick, corner kick, kick-off or throw-in until it has touched another player (restart is IFK to opponents).
Kick-Off
All players on both teams must be on own half of field; Opponents must also be outside the center circle;
Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves in any direction; Kicker may stand in opponent's half of field
Dropped Ball
Restart when referee stops games as for an injury, outside interference, weather or accidental whistle.
If ball is in clear control of one of the teams at the stoppage by referee, play is restarted with an IFK;
Unlimited number of players may take part in the dropped ball; ball is in play when it makes contact with the ground
Requires touch by two different players for a goal to be awarded
Free Kicks
All free kicks restarts to be indirect free kicks (IFK) - two touches required for a goal to be allowed;
Opponents must be at least 8-yds. from the ball or on goal line between the goal posts;
Ball in play when kicked and clearly moves.
Penalty Kicks
No penalty kicks in Passers (8-U)
Misconduct
Misconduct is rare for Passers (10-U) games; no need to publicly caution or send-off players.
Corner Kicks
Restart when ball ball goes over goal line (end line) last touched by a defending player;
Opponents must remain 8-yds. from the corner area
Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves; goal may be scored directly from a corner kick
Offside
No offside in Passers (8-U)
Throw-Ins
Restart when ball ball goes over the touchline (side line); Throw-in taken by opponent of player who last touched the ball;
Thrower's feet must be on or outside the touchline; Throw-in taken with both hands from behind and over the head;
Ball is in play when any portion of the ball breaks the outside plane of the touchline into the field-of-play after having been thrown;
When an improper throw-in is taken, the referee should stop play, explain the proper procedure and allow throw-in to be retaken;
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
Goal Kicks
Restart when ball ball goes over goal line (end line) last touched by an attacking team player;
Ball is in play when it is kicked and leaves the penalty area into the field-of-play;
If any player on either team touches the ball before it leaves the penalty area, the goal kick is retaken;
Goal may be scored directly from a goal kick.
Corner Kicks
Restart when ball ball goes over goal line (end line) last touched by a defending player;
Opponents must remain 8-yds. from the corner area Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves; goal may be scored directly from a corner kick
Scoring
When the whole of the ball completely crosses the goal line between the posts and under the cross-bar.
Fouls
In accordance with criteria defined in Law XII.
Offense involving contact committed on the field-of-play and while the ball is in play;
Non-contact fouls and technical offenses.
Handball
An offense when a player deliberately plays the ball with their hand or arm;
Accidental contact, i.e. ball striking hand or arm with no intent by player, is not an offense and should not be penalized;
Instinctive, self-protective reactions are not to be penalized.
Build-Out Area
Opponents must move outside Build-Out Area on all free kick and goal kick restarts;
Opponents must move outside Build-Out Area whenever the goalkeeper gains possession of the ball;
Opposing players must remain outside Build-Out Area until ball is back in play as per SAY Playing Rule VIII;
Goalkeepers may not punt or drop-kick the ball