Game Length

1. First through eighth grade games will be 25 minute halves, running time. A five minute break between halves.
2. The referee will shorten the game time if schedule problems are encountered. That may include shortening the break and both halves. The referee will notify the coaches as to how the time will be shortened. No games will be lengthened.
3. Due to our schedule constraints there will be no grace period for the starting of games. Encourage your players to be at the field at least 15 minutes before game time.

1. A team must field the minimum numbers of players from the team roster to play an official game. From season to season different divisions may play on different size fields requiring an adjustment in the number of players. That will be determined by the MUSC Town Committee prior to play commencing that season. The following are guidelines that might be adjusted according to the needs of a particular season's fields and enrollments.

   Division	No. of Players	Minimum	Ball Size
   1st and 2nd Grade	5	3	3
   3rd and 4th Grade	8	7	4
   5th and 6th Grade	11	9	4
   7th - 9th Grade	11	9	5

2. In the event that a team plays with less than a full compliment of players, the opposing team may field an equal number of players plus one with the consent of both coaches. Fair and even play should prevail.
3. As additional players arrive, they may be added to the game at proper times for substitutions. The coach of the team(s) that is(are) inserting latecomers must make sure that the referee and opposing coach know that they are adding players. The opposing coach will then add the appropriate number of players during the same stoppage of play.
4. All players should play a minimum of one half the game, regardless of skill level or attendance record at team practices. If players are recruited to play on a team due to a shortfall at the beginning of the game, those players must be removed when additional players arrive at the game. Coaches will not keep players from another team on the field or use them as substitutes when they have reached the full complement for their age group, or the same number of players as the opposing team for that game.
5. In the event that a team cannot field the minimum number of players the coaches should then divide the players from both teams into two teams so that they can play an informal game. Do not penalize the players who have come expecting to play a game. You may recruit others, but you cannot recruit players who are not MUSC registered, or who are older than the age group of the game. For example. You may recruit a 3rd grader for a 4th-5th grade game, but not a 6th grader.

1. The referee must be notified and give approval prior to any substitution.
2. Substitutions are permitted on throw-ins by the team gaining ball possession. If the team gaining possession makes substitutions before its throw-in, the opposing team may also make substitutions at that time.
3. Substitutions are permitted by either team before most restarts, i.e. goal kicks, penalty kicks, and other direct free kicks and on kick-offs following goals. Substitutions are not allowed on corner kicks.
4. A substitution is permitted when play is stopped for an injury; but that substitution is limited to replacing the injured player only. Play will be stopped when a player is injured regardless of which team has the advantage of the play, at the time of the injury. The referee will put the ball back in play after the injured player has been attended to and substitution has or has not been made.

1. On a goal kick, the ball must clear the Penalty Area before it is played again by anyone from either team. If the ball is played before leaving the Penalty Area, a re-kick will be awarded. If repeated infractions of this rule prevent a prompt resumption of play, an indirect free kick may be awarded at the point of the illegal touch.

   1st - 4th Graders- The ball will be placed on the line at the top of the Penalty Area, so there will be no re-kicks as the ball will be out of the Area as soon as it is kicked.

2. The kicking team may have players other than the kicker inside the Penalty Area during the goal kick, but the opposing team players must be outside of the Penalty Area.
3. Once the ball is placed by the kicking team, it may not be moved to another location.

1. All divisions will take corner kicks from the three-foot arcs at the regular corners.
2. For first and second graders a miss-hit where the ball does not go inbounds will have an opportunity of a re-kick. Failure to put the ball in play on a second attempt will result in a goal kick for the defending team.

1. Coaches must instruct players in appropriate throw-in techniques. Both feet must be on the ground when the ball is released, with the player out of bounds. Opposing players must give the player 2 yards clear space to throw-in the ball.
2. Allowances will be made for instructional purposes during the game as follows:

   1st - 2nd graders: No limit throws. Possession will not pass to the opposing team for incorrect throw-ins.

3rd - 4th graders: 2 throws. Possession will not pass to the opposing team for incorrect throw-ins.

5th - 9th graders: Possession changes for improperly executed throw-ins. No grace period.

Off-Side

1. The key to off-side is the position of the players when the ball is passed forward.
2. A player is in an off-side position when that player receiving the pass is ahead of the ball and there are fewer than 2 defenders (one defender may be the goalie) between the ball and the goal. Off-side position includes the player's head, body, or feet, not their arms.
3. Off-side is called when a player is in an off-side position at the moment the ball is passed forward to the player by a teammate.
4. A player may be in an off-side position when the ball is played forward, and yet not to be called for an off-side infraction if, in the judgment of the referee, the player did not affect the course of the play. Example: Left wing is playing close to the sideline, with only the goalie between him/her and the goal. The center forward captures the ball, takes a long shot and scores directly. Goal is good; no off-sides should be called.
5. There is never an off-side call on a throw-in regardless of the attacking player's positions; nor is off-side called on the initial kick of a corner kick, or whenever the team in possession of the ball is in its own (defensive) half of the field. Also, off-side is not called if a player receives a ball that was last played by an opponent.

   1st and 2nd graders: Off-side will not be called. Referees will caution the players not to hang in the penalty area. Goals resulting from goal hanging will not be allowed. The restart will be a goal kick by the defensive team.

1. The goalie must wear a jersey that contrasts in color from both teams. Pinneys are fine.
2. Once the goalie gains control of the ball all opposing players must allow the goalie to clear the ball.
3. The goalie may take as many steps as desired within the penalty area to clear the ball. If the goalie carries the ball over the line, then the opposing team will gain possession as follows:

   1st and 2nd grade: Indirect free kick from the point where the goalie left the box. A second player from the offensive team must touch the ball before it can be kicked into the goal for a score.
   

   3rd- 9th grade: Direct kick from the point where the goalie left the box carrying the ball. A direct kick is NOT a penalty kick. Players from the defending team may form a wall between the offensive player and the goal to help stop the ball from going into the goal for a score.

4. If the goalie places the ball on the ground, it cannot be picked up again until it has been played by another player. If the goalie does pick it up, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
5. 3rd - 9th grade: The goalie may not play a ball with their hands that was intentionally passed by a teammate with any part of the body except the head. The goalie may receive throw-ins and headers from teammates and play those balls with their hands. Any pass to the goalie may be played with the goalies feet without penalty. The penalty for a pass back to the goalie is an indirect free kick from the place of the touch.

Grades 1-4: When a foul in the penalty box is called on a defending player, a direct free kick will be awarded to the opposing team from outside the penalty box, not from the point of infraction. A foul by the attacking team will result in a free kick for the defending team from the point of the foul.

Grades 5-9: When a foul in the penalty box is called on a defending player, a penalty shot will be awarded to the fouled player. Other infractions will be offensive player of choice. A foul by the attacking team will result in a free kick for the defending team from the point of the foul.

Misconduct - Cautions and Expulsions

1. Montclair United follows FIFA regulations in regard to rule violations that result in direct and indirect free kicks. Referees observe minor discretionary modifications designed to avoid unnecessary interruptions of play that would occur if all insignificant infractions were called. Most of these discretionary calls are in mid field.
2. In cases of extremely dangerous or disruptive misconduct (including verbal or other abusive conduct), the referee will stop play and advise the coaches. This will include intentional fouling, slide tackling, spitting, swearing, abusive language or disrespect.
3. A second incident of any type from that same player during the course of the game will cause that player to be removed from the field for a minimum of 5 minutes. Any further incident will result in expulsion for the balance of the game. Coaches are then expected to talk with the player and his/her parents to explain the problem and seek corrective action before the next game. The referee must report the player's name on their game slip.
4. If a player continues to exhibit improper behavior in other games which has been reported on the game slips of the referee then the Division Commissioner, or other officer of the club will contact the player's parents. If the behavior cannot be corrected then that player will not be permitted to play in any remaining games.
5. If parents or coaches are guilty of improper conduct then the referee will warn the coach(es) during the course of play as they pass by the coach. It is up to the coach to maintain the proper decorum on the sidelines. If a parent(s) does not refrain from improper behavior then it is the responsibility of the coach upon request from the referee to ask the person to leave so that the game can continue under the proper atmosphere.

1. Teams are to shake hands after each game at the mid field line. Coaches are to participate and encourage sportsmanship.
2. Teams and spectators are to be on opposite sidelines whenever field space allows. Both teams should occupy one side of the field, with spectators on the other side.
3. Coaches and referees MUST restrain spectators from standing behind the goals or end lines of the field. No coaching will be permitted from behind the goals.
4. The teams playing the first game at each field are responsible for setting up the goals and checking the field for foreign objects.
5. The teams playing the last game of the day at each field are responsible for taking down the goals and checking the field. Coaches should ask for help from parents.
6. ALL teams should clean up any trash created by refreshments, spectators, etc. Do not leave garbage for teams in the last game to clean up.