We play small sided games with mixed teams of both girls and boys, with 4 to 6 players per team on the field at one time (we play without goalies). The teams will have up to 10 players and will play one game per week and might also schedule one practice per week.
Our playing fields are smaller (28 yards by 32 yards) and allow the kids to run the distance much easier, than playing on a much larger field. The LOWER teams use a size 3 soccer ball and the UPPER teams use a size 4. The standard ball is inflated with a lot of air and is quite hard, similar to a basketball. Being hit in the face can be damaging and rather painful. This is a recreation club, so some of the air has been let out (on purpose), so the balls are a bit softer. The goal here is to have fun, with minimal injuries.
The rules we play by are modified for our club. Here are some of the rules. Each team plays 4 verses 4. We do not use goalies. Here is a special rule to help challenge the better players and teams [if a team is down by two goals, they may add a fifth player, if down by three goals, they may add a sixth]. Substitutions can be made ‘on the fly’ and do not need to wait for the ball to cross a goal line or touch line or the game is stopped by the referee. A player enters at the midfield half-way line. We usually play four periods of 10 minutes for the Lower teams, and 12 ½ minutes for the Upper teams. We do not play the offside rule (the other team may leave players near an opponents goal). Our field is short, so a goal can not be scored from the kick off or from a goal kick. For a copy of all of the modified rules, Modified Rules of Soccer-RJSC_2019
QUESTIONS:
Can the other team place a player inside the goal area? Yes, either team may have players inside the goal area. We do not play the ‘offside’ rule.
If a team has an additional player (5 vs 4), when do they return to 4 vs 4? Let’s say the score is 2-4 and the loosing team has just scored a goal (3-4). After one additional minute, they return to 4 vs 4. This allows the team that is behind, one additional minute to tie the score.