Elementary Division
(5 & 6 year old players)

The information contained here is to provide an explanation of the BSC modifications of FIFA rules for the Elementary Division of our in-house soccer program.

Field Specifics  

Single Field

 No penalty-box, goalie-box, corner-arcs, or corner-flags are utilized.  The goal uprights, crossbar & nets utilized are proportional to the field size.

 Multiple Field Layout

The dimensions of the fields may vary slightly from season to season to accommodate for the number of players on each team.  

Small Sided Game Focus: 

The goal of the small sided soccer game is to  maximize player participation, ball contact and scoring opportunities while promoting good sportsmanship and teamwork. 

We want the players to have fun.  The game is for the players, let them think for themselves.

• No scores or standings are kept.

• Each team consists of two squads, generally 3 or 4 players each.

• Teams shall play with an equal number of players.

• Games shall consist of four (4), eight (8) minute quarters.

• There will be two (2) minute breaks between quarters and a five (5) minute break at half-time.

• Games are considered complete after two quarters have been played.

• Games shall NOT be rescheduled by the coaches.  Rescheduling of games shall be approved by the Director of Fields & Scheduling.

• Each team shall play two (2) simultaneous games (one (1) squad on each) on adjacent fields.

•  Players are not required to stay on the same field for the entire game, but must stay on the field that they started the quarter on.

•  Each team shall furnish one (1) coach to referee the game on one (1) of the fields.

• Coaches shall agree on one (1) timekeeper for both fields.

• Coaches SHALL NOT coach while refereeing  a game.

Game Rules

Definitions: 

• The goal-line(s) is (are) those that define the length of the field.

• The touch-line(s) is (are) those that define the width of the field.

• The center-line is the line in the center of the field.

• The center-circle is the circle intersected by the center-line.

• A goal is scored when the whole of the ball crosses the goal-line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar.

• A goal-kick is when the attacking team kicks the ball past the goal-line at their offensive end.  The ball shall be spotted alongside the goal net, at the touch-line and kicked in by the defensive team.

• A corner-kick is when the defending team kicks the ball past the goal-line near the goal they are defending.  The ball will be placed at the corner of the goal and touch-lines where the ball was kicked out.  The attacking team will take the kick.

• All players should move back approximately 5 feet away from the kicker on a corner-kick or goal-kick.

Game Play:

• A flip of a coin decides which team kicks off.

• The team awarded the ball at the beginning of each half shall take the kick-off for the 1st and 2nd quarters.  The other team will take the kick-off for the 3rd and 4th quarters.

• The game clock does not stop except for serious injuries.

• Teams shall play with an equal number of players.

•  Players should not touch the ball with their hands for any reason during game play.

• Players shall not be instructed to play a particular position (defense vs. offense).  Players should play the entire field.

• There are No goalkeepers.

• There are No "Offside" penalties.

• The ball is "out-of-play" when the whole of the ball is beyond the touch-line or goal-line.

• In the event that play has stopped (for reasons other than already noted) play shall restart with a dropped ball.