REMEMBER - All Coaches, Referees, and Board Members are volunteers donating of their free time to make this opportunity possible for our players. Region 148 encourages every parent to consider giving some of their time to make the program the best it can be.

TEAM STRUCTURE

Each team must have an adult volunteer present at every team function. Each volunteer must:

• Be registered with AYSO.
• Complete and pass a Sterling Volunteers Background check.
• Complete and pass Live Scan Fingerprinting.
• Complete Safe Haven, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and Concussion Awareness Certification.
• Complete SafeSport certification.
• Complete the 10U Coach's Training (COACHES ONLY).

In addition, each team will be assigned volunteer responsibilities at various times throughout the season. These responsibilities will the length of their team’s game and consist of things such as helping at the team table, monitoring fields to make sure no assistance is needed, or making sure that teams are keeping their sidelines neat and orderly, or help setup fields in the morning, or take them down at the end of the day.

Besides a Coach, each team may also want to have an Assistant Coach, Team Parent, and a trained Regional Referee.

FIELD FORMAT

** First teams of the day on each field are responsible for field set-up (your team should arrive at least 30 minutes early as your field time cannot be extended). Each field has (2) goals with nets, and corner flags. Field lines may need to be sprayed. Additionally, the Kids Zone sign needs to be placed in a visible location.

Last teams of the day on each field are responsible for field takedown and storage (your team should understand that this is an embedded responsibility). All field equipment must be prepared to be return to the storage container, along with the Kids Zone sign. Any trash and/or recycling must be picked up and dealt with appropriately.  

10U DIVISION GUIDELINES

GAME Minutes 50: GAME ON FULL FIELD (7v7, INCLUDING GOALKEEPERS)

The two teams play against each other utilizing the “rules of play” as established by the 10U Guidelines and the game structure below:

GAME STRUCTURE:

Game is (4) 12.5-minute periods with a 1-minute break for water and substitutions after the 1st and 3rd period, and a 5-minute halftime break.

Each half will start with a kickoff from midfield with the teams alternating each half.

No player shall play a (4) quarters until all players have played (3) quarters.

Ball Size is size 4.

Player Equipment: Shoes and shin guards, covered by the socks are mandatory at all practice and game activities. Soccer shoes, tennis shoes, or similar type athletic shoes are recommended. The type and condition of cleated shoes must be inspected for safety before use.

10U Officials: AYSO certified Regional Referees or higher are required for U-10 and older games. The referee should briefly explain any infringements to the player(s) and encourage proper play and sporting behavior. As with all games, every effort should be made to keep the game moving and free from stoppages for doubtful infractions. Let them play and enjoy.

Assistant Referees/Club Linesmen: If available, qualified assistant referees who have completed Assistant Referee Certification may be used to assist the referee. This is an opportunity for new assistant referees to begin getting experience.

If qualified assistant referees are not available, club linesmen (untrained volunteers who may be affiliated with one of the teams/clubs) may be recruited from the spectators to assist the referee with calling the ball in and out of play only. This is an opportunity for parents to get involved.  

10U RULES OF PLAY

The Start of Play: The game should be started with a kick-off in the middle of the field.

The Kick-off: A coin toss is used to determine which team kicks off to start the game and the other team kicks off to start the second half. Opponents must be eight yards from the center mark while kick-off is in progress.

Ball In and Out of Play: The ball is out of play in all age group games when it completely crosses the touch line (sideline) or goal line (endline), either on the ground or in the air.

Method of Scoring: A goal, in all age groups, is awarded when the ball completely crosses the goal line into the goal.

Fouls: For 10U and older games, all fouls identified in Law 12 apply. Refer to the Laws of the Game for more information.

Misconduct: Misconduct should still be relatively rare in 10U games. Coaches at all levels of play have the option of calling players to the touchline to receive words of 'positive instruction' concerning player's behavior.

Free Kicks: Free kicks, in 10U and older games, may be either direct (may score directly), or indirect (must be touched or played by another player before a goal can be scored). Opponents must be at least eight yards from the ball or on the goal line between the goal posts during free kicks.

Penalty Kicks: Penalty kicks may be awarded in 10U and older games. A penalty kick results from a player committing one of the ten direct free kick fouls inside his/her own penalty area. The penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark with all other players outside the penalty area except the opposing teams goalkeeper.

Throw-In: Second chances are not given for improper throw-ins for U10 and older players. An improper throw-in results in a throw-in for the opposing team.

Goal Kick: A goal kick is awarded to the opposing team, in 10U and older, when the attacking team is last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line but without scoring a goal. The goal kick may be taken from any point inside the goal area. The goal kick is retaken if the ball is touched or played by either team before leaving the penalty area.

Goalkeeper Punts: The goalkeeper shall not punt the ball. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the offense if a goalkeeper deliberately punts the ball during a match. An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team's goal area must be taken on the goal area line at the point nearest to where the goalkeeper punted the ball.

Corner Kick: A corner kick is awarded to the opposing team when the defending team is last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line but not scoring a goal. The opposing team must be at least eight yards from the ball when the corner kick is taken in 10U games.

Hand Ball: A hand ball infraction occurs when a player handles the ball deliberately. The 'hand' includes the entire arm up to the top of the shoulder. Instinctive, self-protective reactions are not penalized at this young age. Accidental contact (ball striking hand or arm with no intent by the player) is not an offense and should not be penalized.

No Heading: Consistent with the US Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all division 14U and below in both practices and matches. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a match (taken where the player touched the ball with his/her head).

Offside: The offside law applies in 10U and older games.

Build-Out Line: The build-out line promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting. The build-out lone shall be placed across the field equal distance between the top of the penalty area and the halfway line.

The opposing team must move back behind the build-out line for a goal kick or when the goalkeeper has possession. At any time, the goalkeeper may pass, throw or roll the ball to a teammate who is behind the build-out line.

The goalkeeper or the player taking the goal kick does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build-out line. The play from the goalkeeper or from the goal kick does not need to be played to a teammate outside the build-out line. After the ball is put into play, the opposing team can cross the build-out line and play may resume as normal. The first touch is from the goal kick or the pass from the goalkeeper.

The build-out line shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.

** Games should involve “healthy competition” not “aggressive competition”. The “score” of a game is meaningless. REMEMBER, Development over Winning!