Laws of the Game— Modified
5th– 6th Grade:
IFAB Laws of the Game will apply unless otherwise noted.
Law 1—The Field of Play
Dimensions: 5th-6th will play on a field that is approx. 240ft. long by 150ft wide. Goals will be 18 ft. or 24 ft. wide depending on the venue.
Click Here for field layout setup for 5th-6th grade games on artificial turf fields.
- The top of the goal box will be 5 yards from goal line, sides will be marked by temporary lines or cones. Goal kicks will be taken from there.
- The top of the penalty box will be 15 yards from goal line, width will be 5 yards in from the sideline. The box will be marked by temp lines OR cones.
**Referees will be lenient with any violations as an actual box is not marked.
Law 2—The Ball
A size 4 ball will be used for 5th/6th
Law 3—Number of Players
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than nine (9) players one of whom is the designated goalkeeper. A match may not start or continue if either team consists of fewer than 7 players.
Substitutions: At any stoppage of play and unlimited.
*A player who is suspected to have a head injury leaves the field of play for additional evaluation, a substitution can be made in that moment.
Playing time: To develop players, KIDSPORTS requires each player plays a minimum of 50% of the total playing time, which is controlled by the coach.
The maximum team roster size is seventeen (17).
Law 4—The Players Equipment
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game.
Non-uniform clothing, matching the uniform color, is allowed based on weather conditions. Uniforms must distinguish teams.
Home team should be prepared to change jerseys or use colored pennies in the case of opposing team having similar color jerseys.
Goalies must wear a different color jersey than all other players on the field
Shin guards are MANDATORY for both practices and games, and must be covered entirely by socks.
Safety
A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry; with the exception of a medical alert bracelet).
Law 5—The Referee
Qualified referees will be provided for all scheduled games.
The referee will make a game report summarizing the scores, discipline matters, and other pertinent information.
Referee’s judgment decisions during a game are final (not appealable). KIDSPORTS will hear and act on protests/appeals, but no game result will ever be overturned unless an ineligible player was used
Law 6 – The Other Match Officials
If the official referee does not show for a game, the two opposing coaches may agree to play the game with a mutually approved alternate referee.
The teams should immediately call KIDSPORTS and we will likely be able to get a referee out to the game to take over for the volunteer referee who started the game.
If the game is played with an agreed upon alternative referee, the game result will count as official. If the two coaches cannot agree on an alternative referee, the game may be rescheduled by KIDSPORTS, if possible.
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game with the exception of the match being divided into two (2) equal halves of thirty (30) minutes. There shall be a half-time interval of five (5) minutes. No added time at the end of either half.
Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game, with the exception that the defending team is at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play
Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game.
Law 10 – The Method of Scoring
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game
Law 11 – Offside
With only one head official for each game, off sides will only be called when it is an blatant or obvious flagrant violation.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game, except:
Deliberate heading of the ball is not allowed. If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.
Coaches are responsible for their conduct and the conduct of their players, assistants, and parents/fans.
Slide Tackles are NOT permitted.
The referee can caution, card or eject a coach for violations of the official FIFA rules AND for violations of the KIDSPORTS code of conduct
Additional league sanctions for misconduct:
· Referees will make a report of a cautioned player/coach. There will be immediate substitution of a player receiving a yellow card.
· Yellow cards will accumulate during a season, and a player/coach receiving a total of three yellow cards will serve a one game suspension.
· Red cards will result in an automatic one game suspension (including red cards received as a result of 2 yellow cards in a game).
· Fighting may result in a four game suspension. There may be a four game suspension for the coach of a player red carded for fighting.
· Referees may choose to not show a card to a coach, but rather clearly inform him/her verbally what action is being taken.
Law 13 – Free Kicks
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game with the exception that all opponents are at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game, with the exception that on some fields the penalty mark is ten (10) yards from the goal line when there are 18ft. goals. On fields with 24ft. goals, the penalty mark is 12 yards from the goal line.
Law 15 – The Throw-In
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game.
Law 16 – The Goal Kick
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game.
Law 17 – The Corner Kick
Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game with the exception that opponents remain at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play.