WILDCAT SOCCER

Soccer League Rules

The goal and objectives of the league are to provide enjoyment and instruction in the game of soccer. Good sportsmanship and fundamentals should be emphasized by all coaches and referees. Winning games should not be the primary focus; instead, we aim to create an atmosphere of positivity, fun, and learning.

Sportsmanship Code of Conduct

The NW Iowa Youth Soccer League (NWIYSL), in coordination with Moville Youth Recreation Association, is committed to promoting good sportsmanship. We expect athletes, coaches, referees, and spectators to act respectfully toward one another. Everyone in attendance should cooperate and display good sportsmanship towards participants, coaches, support staff, and game officials. Please refrain from using profanity or engaging in actions that conflict with good sportsmanship, as these behaviors may result in ejection from NWIYSL events. Thank you for your cooperation in promoting good sportsmanship at all events.

Scheduling

Games will start the weekend after Labor Day.
Games will be played on Sundays on Moville.

Cancellations/Inclement Weather/Make-up Games

In case of inclement weather, the host town will decide on cancellations.
The host town will notify the soccer directors of each participating town.
The host town director will decide if games will be rescheduled or canceled.

Soccer Rules for All Ages

All players must wear shin guards. Players without shin guards will not be allowed to play.
Rock-Paper Scissors will be used by one player from each team and the coaches to determine the home team, which will kick off first, and choose the goal to defend.
The game will start with an indirect kick from the center of the field.
At the beginning of the second half, teams will switch sides and defend the opposite goal.
A goal is scored when the entire ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts, and under the crossbar.
After a goal is scored, the team that was scored against will kick off from the center with an indirect kick.
"Hand ball" will be called if any player, other than the goalie, touches the ball with their hands during play.
Players may play the ball while it is trapped by an opponent, provided there is no foul. If the player is on the ground, a dead ball is called, and the ball is awarded to the opposing team.
Substitution can occur only when the ball is out of bounds and with the referee's approval. Substitutions are not allowed during penalty kicks, corner kicks, or goal kicks.
Players are not allowed to trip, kick, hold, push, or jump at an opponent or use unnecessary roughness.
Slide tackling is not allowed.
To protect young players from concussions, heading the ball is not allowed in practice or games, as recommended by the United States Club Soccer Federation.

Officials

Referees make all decisions during the game.
Referees are the official timekeepers of all games.
Referees ensure all kickoffs, free kicks, and penalty kicks are taken properly.
Preschool/TK and Kindergarten/1st grades require one referee per game.
2nd/3rd grades require two referees per game.
4th/5th/6th grades require two referees per game.
Referees will issue a yellow card for misconduct or unsportsmanlike conduct. The referee will report the offender’s name and the incident to the host town director.
Referees will issue a red card for violent conduct, serious foul play, abusive/offensive/profane language, or a second yellow card in the same match. Offenders must leave the premises for the remainder of the day. The program directors will review the case for further action.

Rules for Specific Age Groups

Preschool/TK and Kindergarten/1st

Games consist of two 15-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime.
A size 3 ball will be used.
Play is 3v3.
There is no goalie. Players must stay outside the designated area in front of the goal unless the ball is inside that area.
The ball will be thrown in by the opposite team that sent it out. Throw-ins must be overhead with both feet on the ground.

2nd/3rd Grade

Games consist of two 20-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime.
A size 4 ball will be used.
Play is 6v6.
Goalkeepers have privileges to move within the penalty box (large box) and:
- Pick up the ball
- Dropkick the ball
- Throw the ball
- Dribble with the ball
Goals can be kicked from anywhere on the field.
For goalkeeper safety, offensive players must yield to the goalkeeper when they come out to play the ball. Failure to yield can result in a dangerous play call (possible foul, yellow or red card).
Throw-ins must be overhead with both feet on the ground.
Corner kicks occur when the ball goes out of bounds by the defensive team past the goal line. Kicks are indirect and made by the offensive team.
Goal kicks occur when the goalie kicks from the goal box (4-yard line) if the ball goes out of bounds by the offensive team past the goal line.

4th/5th/6th Grade

Games consist of two 25-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime.
A size 4 ball will be used.
Play is 8v8.
Goalkeepers have privileges to move within the penalty box (large box) and:
- Pick up the ball
- Dropkick the ball
- Throw the ball
- Dribble with the ball
Goals can be kicked from anywhere on the field.
For goalkeeper safety, offensive players must yield to the goalkeeper when they come out to play the ball.Failure to yield can result in a dangerous play call (possible foul, yellow or red card).
Throw-ins must be overhead with both feet on the ground.
Corner kicks occur when the ball goes out of bounds by the defensive team past the goal line. Kicks are indirect and made by the offensive team.
Goal kicks occur when the goalie kicks from the 4-yard line if the ball goes out of bounds by the offensive team past the goal line.
Being offsides results in an indirect kick from the spot of the infraction.

Terms:

Foul- infraction of the rules that results in a free kick (direct or indirect) being awarded to the opposing team. Fouls can be physical acts against opponents like kicking, tripping, or pushing; or they can involve improper conduct like handball.

Direct Kick- a free kick that can be directly scored (generally awarded by referee for a hand ball or a physical foul like tripping, kicking, or shoving).

Indirect Kick- a free kick that requires another player from either team to touch the ball before it’s scored (generally awarded by the referee for less severe fouls, dangerous play, or goal keeper handling the ball improperly).

Handball- when a player illegally touches the ball using any part of their hand or arm. A handball results in a direct kick at the spot of the foul. If a handball occurs within the penalty box it will result in a penalty kick.

Penalty Kick- awarded when a foul that would normally result in a direct free kick is committed inside the penalty box. The ball is placed on the penalty spot (see diagram). Only the designated kicker and the defending goal keeper are allowed inside the penalty box during the penalty kick. All other players must remain outside the penalty box until the ball is kicked.

Penalty Box- the larger box surrounding the goalie area, also includes the goalbox (see diagram).

Goal Box- the smaller box directly surrounding the goalie area (see diagram).

Offsides- a player is offsides if they are closer to the opponents goal line than both the ball and the last defender (excluding the goalie) at the moment the ball is played to them by a teammate.

Yellow Card- a formal warning issued by the referee to a player for violating the rules or displaying unsportsmanlike conduct. Serves as a caution to alert the player that their actions are not in line with the rules of the game. 2 yellow cards in one game is equal to a Red card.

Red Card- signifies the most severe penalty and results in the player’s immediate rejection from the game. (Violent conduct, serious foul play, offensive/insulting/abusive language). Red Cards may be given to players, coaches, and spectators.

*Any yellow or red card issued will be communicated to host town director*

Soccer Director

Jen Berdahl

THE OFFICIAL HOME OF

THE MYRA WILDCATS