Kids who play soccer do more than learn rules and skills. They also gain friendships and memories, and learn to function as part of a team. As kids learn to coordinate running with kicking and passing, some rules are made more lenient to encourage their budding skills. Other rules, like the two-touch ban for putting a ball into play, resemble adult play.
U-6 Rules
In the Under-6 league where 4- and 5-year-olds play, the U.S. Soccer Laws of the Game dictate that there are three to four soccer players on the field. There is no goalie at this level. The field is a smaller size--25 to 30 yards. Goals are 2 yards high and 6 yards wide. Teams play for four eight-minute quarters. Every foul means a direct kick. Kids get one redo on improper throw-ins. Substitutions can be done any time play stops, and there is no limit to them, according to John P. McCarthy's "Coaching Youth Soccer."
U-8 Rules
U.S. Soccer Laws recommend four to five players in the U-8 league, but many local recreation departments will allow seven per team on the field, according to McCarthy. Players are on the field for four 12-minute quarters. All fouls are resolved with a direct kick, as in the U-6 age group.
Offsides
In the U-8 leagues and younger, the offsides rule often is suspended. A player is offsides if she is playing offense, is ahead of the ball and there is no defender between her and the goalkeeper. Basically, it means a player cannot be back by the goal waiting for a ball to come to that end of the field if no defender is back by the goal.
Goal and Corner Kicks
Youth soccer does utilize corner and goal kicks. These are done when the ball goes across the end line or end as opposed to a sideline. When the team on offense kicks the ball across the end line, a goal kick restarts play. Goal kicks have to leave the box outside the goalie area called the penalty area before they can be touched. If the ball doesn't go far enough the rules allot for the goal kick to be redone. When the team on defense kicks the ball over the end line, a corner kick is given, advises the Soccer For Parents website.
Two Touch Rule
When a player is putting the ball into play, she cannot touch it twice. That means a player who partially misses or just taps the ball when kicking cannot take a second try at moving the ball. A player who throws the ball in cannot kick it before someone else touches it, either.
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