LAW II – THE BALL: Size three (3)

A. Maximum number of players on the field at any one time: Three (3)

B. Maximum number of players on the roster should not exceed: six (6)

D. Playing Time: Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.

 LAW IV – PLAYERS EQUIPMENT: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions:

A. Footwear: Tennis shoe or soft-cleated soccer shoe.

C. All rule infractions shall be briefly explained to the offendingplayer.

LAW VI – LINESMAN: Use program linesmen.

A. The game shall be divided into four (4) equal eight (8) minute quarters.

B. There shall be a two (2) minute break between quarter one (1) and quarter two (2), and another two minute break between quarters three (3) and four (4).

C. There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes between quarters two (2) and three (3).

LAW VIII – START OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA with the following exception:

A. Opponents must be three (3) yards from the center mark while kick-offs are in progress.

LAW IX – BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA.

LAW X – METHOD OF SCORING: Conform to FIFA.

LAW XI – OFF SIDES: There shall be no offsides.

A. All fouls shall result in an indirect free kick with the opponents three (3) yards away.

B. The Coach/Parent must explain ALL infractions to the offending player.

LAW XIII – FREE KICKS: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions:

A. Shall be classified under one heading INDIRECT.

B. A goal may not be scored until the ball has been played or touched by a second player of either team.

LAW XIV – PENALTY KICK: No penalty kicks are to be taken during these games.

LAW XV – THROW-IN: Conform to FIFA with the following exception:

A. A second throw-in must be allowed if the player commits a foul on the initial attempt. The parent/Coach/Referee shall explain the proper method before allowing the player to re-throw.

LAW XVI – GOAL KICK: Conform to FIFA with the following exception:

A. Opponents must be three (3) yards away from the ball.

A. NO CORNER KICKS. Throw-in will be taken in place of corner kick.

USSSA Youth Soccer Recommendations

* Opposing parent/coaches and players should shake hands after each game.

* Do not record final score or league standings.

* Parent/Coaches are on the field acting as referees.

* Participation awards for all, not just the best teams.

a. Head coach will develop assistant coaches

b. Weekly timetable of instruction.

c. Program coordinator will set head coaches instructions.

a. Scheduling of games and practices.

b. Set up fields.

c. New small goals (PVC)

d. Track and document program.

e. Parent education.

These are some of the advantages created for a child when the number of players, size of ball, goal and field are reduced.

Number of Players 3v3

a. More time with the coach.

a. Less heavy.

a. More restricted space, thus more efficient use of space.

b. Games can be played simultaneously across a full size field.

d. Take less time to achieve goal or advance to goal.

a. More equal opportunity for both teams to score.

LAW II – THE BALL: Size three (3)

A. Maximum number of players on the field at any one time: Four (4). No goalkeeper.

B. Maximum number of players on the roster should not exceed: ten (10).

D. Playing Time: Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.

LAW IV – PLAYERS EQUIPMENT: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions:

A. Footwear: Tennis shoe or soft-cleated soccer shoe.

C. All rule infractions shall be briefly explained to the offending player.

LAW VI – LINESMAN: Use program linesmen.

A. The game shall be divided into four (4) equal twelve (12) minute quarters.

B. There shall be a two (2) minute break between quarter one (1) and quarter two (2), and another two minute break between quarters three (3) and four (4).

C. There shall be a half-time break of five (5) minutes between quarters two (2) and three (3).

LAW VIII – START OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA with the following exception:

A. Opponents must be six (6) yards from the center mark while kick-offs are in progress.

LAW IX – BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA.

LAW X – METHOD OF SCORING: Conform to FIFA.

LAW XI – OFF SIDES: There shall be no offsides.

A. All fouls shall result in an indirect free kick with the opponents six (6) yards away.

B. The Coach/Parent must explain ALL infractions to the offending player.

LAW XIII – FREE KICKS: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions:

A. Shall be classified under one heading INDIRECT.

B. A goal may not be scored until the ball has been played or touched by a second player of either team.

C. No kicks shall be taken by the attacking team within the defending Team’s goal box.

LAW XIV – PENALTY KICK: No penalty kicks are to be taken during these games.

LAW XV – THROW-IN: Conform to FIFA with the following exception:

A. A second throw-in must be allowed if the player commits a foul on the initial attempt. The parent/Coach/Referee shall explain the proper method before allowing the player to re-throw.

LAW XVI – GOAL KICK: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions:

A. Goal kick may be taken within two (2) or three (3) yards of the goal.

B. Opponents must be six (6) yards away from the ball.

A. Opponents must be six (6) yards away from the ball.

LAW VI – LINESMAN: Use program linesmen.

LAW VII – DURATION OF THE GAME:

LAW VIII – START OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA with the following exception:

LAW IX – BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA.

LAW XV – THROW-IN: Conform to FIFA.

LAW XVI – GOAL KICK: Conform to FIFA.

USSSA Youth Soccer Recommendations

USSSA Youth Soccer recommendation:

LAW II – THE BALL: Size four (4)

LAW III – NUMBER OF PLAYERS:

LAW VI – LINESMAN: Use program linesmen.

LAW VII – DURATION OF THE GAME:

LAW VIII – START OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA with the following exception:

LAW IX – BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA.

LAW XV – THROW-IN: Conform to FIFA.

LAW XVI – GOAL KICK: Conform to FIFA.

USSSA Youth Soccer Recommendations

USSSA Youth Soccer recommendation:

LAW II – THE BALL: Size five (5)

LAW III – NUMBER OF PLAYERS:

LAW VI – LINESMAN: Use program linesmen.

LAW VII – DURATION OF THE GAME:

LAW VIII – START OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA with the following exception:

LAW IX – BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA.

1. Opponents must be eight (8) yards away before kick is allowed.

LAW XV – THROW-IN: Conform to FIFA.

LAW XVI – GOAL KICK: Conform to FIFA.

USSSA Youth Soccer Recommendations

"USSSA Soccer" shall be a sports division of The United States Specialty Sports Association. USSSA is a Member of the United States Soccer Federation and shall be governed by the United States Soccer Federation By-Laws and the Constitution of the United States Specialty Sports Association, By-Laws of USSSA Soccer, the USSSA Soccer Handbook, Directives and Policies as issued from the Association’s National Headquarters.

Sec. 1. This Association shall be for youth and amateur players to compete as a team under an adopted set of administrative rules and playing guidelines.

Sec. 2 . The purposes of USSSA Soccer are:

The "Laws of the Game" as authorized by FIFA apply to soccer games.

The season and fiscal year of USSSA Soccer begins on August 1 of one calendar year and ends on July 31 of the following calendar year.

The following definitions apply to these By-laws:

1. "Athlete" has the meaning given the term under the Amateur Sports Act, with respect to an individual playing soccer.
2. "Association" means the United States Specialty Sports Association.
3. "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors established under the Association By-laws.
4. "Organization" means an organization of one or more soccer teams usually playing within a geographic area.
5. "FIFA" means the Federation Internationale de Football Association of which USSF is the national association member for the United States.
6. "USSF" means the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States in which USSSA is a Member.
7. "League" means an organization that conducts competition among soccer teams.
8. "Regional Director" means the Regional Administrator for USSSA Soccer. There are four Regions within the United States.
9. "State Director" means the State Administrator for USSSA Soccer for an individual state. The State Director reports to the Regional Director that oversees their state.
10. "Amateur Player" means an individual who has reached 20 years of age prior to August 1 immediately before the start of any seasonal year.
11. "Youth Player" means an individual who has not reached 19 years of age prior to August 1 immediately before the start of any seasonal year. A player who reaches 19 years of age during a seasonal year is allowed to complete that seasonal year. A player who reaches 19 years of age during August of one seasonal year shall be allowed to complete all of the next seasonal year.

The Membership of USSSA Soccer is open to all sports organizations and all soccer organizations, players, coaches, managers, administrators and officials who form soccer teams.

Section 1. A team(s) desiring to become a Member of USSSA Soccer must submit a USSSA Soccer Team Registration form. The Team applicant must specify the Division of play they are registering under and the Age and Gender Group they are applying for. The Team applicant shall include a Team Roster or write the players name, address and date of birth on the Registration form. If an organization is applying, each team in that organization must complete a USSSA Soccer Team Registration form with the appropriate information.

Section 2. Each USSSA Soccer Team Registration form shall be referred to the USSSA National Soccer Chairman and/or appropriate USSSA Soccer State Director or Regional Director for processing and approval. On approval, a USSSA Soccer Team Identification Number will be assigned to ALL teams.

Section 3. No team shall be allowed to compete in USSSA sanctioned leagues or tournaments without paying their National Team Registration fees to the Association.

Section 4. Each USSSA Soccer Team must comply with the By-laws, policies, and requirements of the Association, to the extent applicable to their Membership classification.

Section 5. All organizations and/or leagues have exclusive jurisdiction over its own youth and amateur soccer programs and activities. However, any such organization conducting Tournaments under USSSA Soccer must comply with all USSSA Tournament rules, policies and requirements and must first obtain a Tournament sanction from the Association.

Section 6. A youth soccer team must be composed of not more than eighteen eligible players. An amateur soccer team must be composed of not more than twenty-two eligible players.

Section 7. The cut-off date for adding players to a team roster shall be in accordance with rules set forth in these By-laws.

Section 8. All teams that wish to compete in out-of-state tournaments sanctioned by USSSA must obtain an official USSSA Soccer team registration form and USSSA Team Identification Number. The appropriate State Soccer Director, Regional Soccer Director or National Soccer Chairman must approve the team registration form and USSSA Identification Number. The form and ID number must be shown to the Tournament Director before a team competes in the out-of-state tournament. The registration form and ID number will be good for the entire current season as long as the team is in good standing with USSSA.

The team registration form will consist of three copies:

Original (white copy), which is retained by the Team coach/manager. This copy should be presented to the Tournament Director. Duplicate (yellow copy) to be forwarded to the USSSA National Chairman of Soccer. And duplicate (blue copy) to be retained by the originator. State, Regional or National Directors who issue

Team ID numbers shall be responsible for collection and payment of Team Registration fees. The registration of teams is the responsibility of the state or region in which the team first participates.

A Tournament Director shall not accept an out-of-state team without a team registration number, unless:

1. They contact the team’s State or Regional Director to establish proper team classification.
2. Collects the proper team registration fee if the team cannot show proof of prior registration. A team registration form should then be filled out complete.
3. Issues a proper team ID number showing the proper team classification.
4. Submits the proper paperwork and fees to the Association’s National Chairman with copies of the paperwork sent to the team’s State Director and/or Regional Director.

Tournament Directors in violation of this rule shall be subject to sanction by the Association and the Tournament, which violated this rule, may not be considered sanctioned by the Association and the awarding of any advancement berth may not be honored.

Section 9. A State Director and/or Regional Director has the authority to re-classify any team during the current season except when a team has been reclassified by the Constitution or By-laws.

Section 10. Male team rosters shall include only male players and female team rosters shall include only female players.

Section 1. A player is eligible to compete in the USSSA program as long as they abide by the USSSA Constitution, By-laws, and Playing Rules, when listed as a member of an eligible team.

Section 2. A player shall not compete in any sanctioned tournament of the Association with more than one team during the same tournament.

Section 3. A Tournament Director may not manage, coach, participate as a player, or referee in any Tournament in which they serve as a Tournament director.

Section 4. When a team qualifies for a USSSA State, National or World Cup Tournament, the team roster will be frozen whether a team accepts the berth or not. The team roster becomes frozen immediately at the qualifying event. Players will be bound to this qualified team up to and including the team’s respective USSSA State, National, or World Cup Tournament. A team may decline a USSSA National or World Cup berth that is passed down. The team manager/coach shall be allowed to add only three (3) players to the qualified team’s roster. The three added players might be added as late as three (3) days prior to the start of the USSSA State, National, or World Cup Tournament. No player may be added to a roster within three days of any championship tournament. Such additional players can only be added to rosters that have openings to allow for such add-ons. A team manager/coach may release up to three players from their team’s qualified frozen roster. A team manager/coach cannot replace a released player with an add-on.

All roster additions must be approved by the State, Regional or National Director. The respective National Chairman of Soccer and/or the appropriate Assistant Executive Director must approve any exceptions to Article VII, Section 4 above.

Section 5. Any player who either plays or is under contract to play professional soccer will not be allowed to participate in the USSSA program as a player.

Section 6. A player who is in violation of the Association’s Constitution, By-laws, and/or official playing rules and regulations shall be considered an ineligible player.

Section 7. Anytime during a Tournament or after, if the Tournament Director discovers an ineligible player, the Director has the authority to apply penalties as described in the USSSA Constitution, By-laws and Handbook.

The National Chairman of USSSA Soccer is the overall administrator for the USSSA Soccer program and oversees the USSSA National Soccer Committee which is comprised of the following:

1. National Soccer Chairman
2. National Director of Coaching
3. National Referee Director
4. National Tournament Director
5. International Director of Soccer
6. Region I, II, III, and IV Directors
7. Assigned Board of Directors of the

Regional Soccer Directors manage the geographic states assigned to their Region. All State Soccer Directors report to their appropriate Regional Soccer Director.

National Coaching Director of Soccer manages the National Camps, Clinics and Team development programs hosted throughout the country. The National Coaching Director of Soccer reports to the National Chairman of USSSA Soccer.

National Referee Director of Soccer manages and serves as National assigner for all Referees participating in USSSA Soccer Programs and/or Tournaments. The National Referee Director of Soccer reports to the National Chairman of USSSA Soccer.

National Tournament Director of Soccer manages and oversees all USSSA Soccer Tournaments held throughout the country. The National Tournament Director of Soccer reports to the National Chairman of USSSA Soccer.

International Director of Soccer manages the International Soccer programs as well as International Soccer Tournaments throughout the country. The International Director of Soccer reports to the National Chairman of USSSA Soccer.

State Directors of Soccer manage and oversees all USSSA Soccer teams and programs within a specific state. State Directors of Soccer report to the Regional Director of Soccer that manages their geographic state.

Section 1. The National Chairman of Soccer shall appoint, subject to approval of the Board of Directors the members of the following standing committees:

1. Budget Committee
2. Coaching Committee
3. Database Marketing Committee
4. International Competition Committee
5. National Competition Committee
6. National Player Development Committee
7. Research Committee
8. Referee Committee
9. Rules Committee
10. Special Events Committee

Section 1. All teams competing in USSSA Tournament programs must abide by the USSSA Constitution, By-laws, Playing Rules, and USSSA Official Tournament Rules and Guidelines approved by the Association.

Section 2. All USSSA Youth Soccer Programs may use the USSSA Soccer Playing Rules as their format to establish their specific soccer program within their organization.

Section 3. FIFA laws of the Game apply to all competition matches.

Section 4. When the uniforms of two competing teams are similar, as determined by the referee, the home team shall change its uniform. Each player on a team must wear a number different from the numbers of the other players on the same team.

Section 5. The Referee will keep the official time of the match. The home team of the match shall provide the ball for the match.

Section 6. The Association will assign all match officials, and determine the amount of compensation for them, for all matches.

Section 7. In addition to red and yellow cards the referee may issue to players and substitutes at a match, the referee may also eject and caution coaches and other team officials related to the play of a match. Each card, ejection, and caution of players, substitutes, coaches, and other team officials shall be written up in the referee’s game report. Each ejection and caution to a coach or other team officials shall be deemed to be a red card or yellow card, respectively, for purposes of this policy.

Section 8. If any individual is issued a red card, including a red card as the result of being issued two yellow cards in the same match, the individual shall be suspended for at least one competition match and each multiple of three yellow cards in competition in one year (excluding two yellow cards received in the same match resulting in a red card), the individual shall be suspended for at least one match. A suspension shall be served by the individual at the next match or matches of the team of the individual. If the individual has no remaining matches during the year, the suspension shall be served at the following year’s competition’s matches first played.

Section 9. Protests and general discipline shall follow the Official USSSA Tournament Rules and Guidelines for Soccer.

Section 10. There shall be the following competitive Divisions for all classes and age groups:

1. Gold Division
2. Silver Division
3. Bronze Division

Section 1. The State and/or Regional Director shall conduct all Tournaments within their defined State or Region or ensure that proper administration is being effected at all times.

Section 2. No team will be allowed to compete in any State, National or World Tournament unless they are registered with the Association.

Section 3. Amounts to be charged as entry fees for Open Tournaments shall be left up to the discretion of the respective State or Regional Director.

Section 4. All State champions shall automatically qualify themselves for next year’s State Tournament provided they register with the Association.

Section 5. No tournament shall be considered as sanctioned by the Association if all applicable fees and registrations are not promptly paid to the Association.

Section 6. Only USSSA approved Soccer balls can be used in State, National and World Tournaments.

Section 7. The USSSA National Soccer Committee shall decide each year what Tournaments are to be classified as State, National, or World Cup Tournaments. This committee shall approve all dates for such tournaments to be held.

Section 8. All playing fields used in State, National and World Cup Tournaments must meet the specifications as outlined in the Official USSSA Soccer Rule Book.

Approval of soccer balls to be used in the USSSA programs must be made by executing an Official Licensing and royalty Agreement, prepared by the Association’s General Counsel, and signed by the Association’s Executive Director.

Section 10. State, National, and World Cup Tournament play shall be under the jurisdiction of the USSSA National Soccer Chairman. A Tournament Director shall supervise the events and be responsible for insuring that the tournament is run according to all rules, procedures, and terms of any written contract and to insure that the event is run according to all rules and regulations of the Association. The Tournament Director shall report directly to the USSSA National Soccer Chairman and/or Assistant Executive Director.

Section 11. Amounts to be charged as team entry fees for National or World Cup Tournaments will be decided upon by Association’s Board of Directors.

Section 12. Applicable State and/or Regional Directors must approve all entry forms and team rosters of teams entering National or World Cup Tournaments. Each entry form is only complete when the entry fee is attached.

Section 13. Players, coaches and managers participating in USSSA National and World Cup Tournaments cannot be charged any additional fees to gain admission to said playing site. Coaches and managers are limited to three (3) passes. Players, coaches and managers participating in selected National Cup Tournaments may be charged admission fees with the joint permission of the respective National Chairman of Soccer and Assistant Executive Director.

Section 1. The National Director of Coaching shall be responsible for ensuring schools, camps and clinics are provided to meet the needs of players and teams by offering State, Regional, National and International camps, each of which offers players and teams in each eligible age group to participate. Camps will be designed to provide high-level training and competition for participating individuals or groups. Camps will offer quality instruction from national and international coaching pools. Main priorities will be to develop players and to give players the opportunity to train and play with the best players in one’s age group.

Section 2. Player and Team camp fees will vary and will be set by the National Director of Coaching with the approval of the National Soccer Committee and the Board of Directors of the Association.

Section 1. The National Referee Director of USSSA Soccer shall serve as the Chairman of the Playing Rules Committee for Soccer and the Playing Rules interpreter of the USSSA Soccer program.

Section 2. The Official USSSA Playing Rules Committee for Soccer shall consist of the National Referee Director, Regional Referee Directors, a recording secretary and the National Chairman of Soccer.

Each member of the Soccer Playing Rules Committee shall be reimbursed for the cost of his or her round trip travel fare from his or her home to the site of the Annual Soccer National Meeting. Each Playing Rules Committee member shall also be reimbursed for his or her lodging expenses during the dates of the National Meeting. Such reimbursement does not include any meal expenses.

Section 4. The "FIFA" Rule Book shall be used in all games played under the jurisdiction and administration of the Association. Referees will be United States Soccer Federation (USSF) approved Referees.

Section 5. Any specific ground rules believed necessary shall be prepared in written form and made available to all participants, i.e., referees, teams, scorekeepers, sports writers, announcers and other persons who are a part of the tournament management. These adopted rules will be considered in the same manner as the Rule Book rules.

Section 6. Protests will be accepted and decided only in the manner described in the appropriate section of playing rules.

Section 7. USSSA Soccer adopts a Code of Ethics for Referees:

1. maintain the utmost respect for the game of soccer.
2. Conduct themselves honorably at all times and maintain the dignity of the position.
3. Honor all assignments or any other contractual obligation.
4. Attend training meetings and clinics so as to know the Laws of the Game, their proper interpretation and their application.
5. Always strive to achieve maximum teamwork with fellow officials.
6. Be loyal to fellow officials and never knowingly promote criticism of them.
7. Keep in good physical condition.
8. Control players effectively by being courteous and considerate without sacrificing fairness.
9. Assist fellow officials to better themselves and their work.
10. Statements should only be made to clarify an interpretation of the Laws of the Game.
11. Will not discriminate against nor take undue advantage of any individual group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
12. Consider it a privilege to be a part of the United States Specialty Sports Association and USSF and your actions will reflect credit upon that organization and its affiliates.

Section 1. The National Director of Coaching shall be responsible for ensuring schools; camps and clinics are provided to meet the needs of coaches within all Regions of the country by the joint appointment of a single Regional Director of Coaching. Should any Region have both a male and female Directors of Coaching, they shall work together.

The Regional Directors of Coaching shall be a National License Coach upon appointment by the National Director of Coaching. The Regional Directors of Coaching are responsible for disseminating the most current coaching methods and techniques to State Directors. The Regional Directors will be responsible for assisting states in the development and implementation of state level license courses and for providing various levels of licensing courses upon request to areas whose coaching needs have not otherwise been met by national schools or other affiliate USSF members.

Section 2. All Soccer Coaches are encouraged to obtain an approved Coaching License.

Section 2. Each team shall pay to the Association annual fees recommended by the USSSA National Soccer Committee and approved by the Board of Directors of the Association. These fees are annual membership fees on a Team basis only. There will be no individual player registration or membership fee.

Section 3. The Board of Directors shall establish deadlines for the payment of fees.

Section 4. Tournament Sanction fees, Tournament Bid fees and Tournament Entry fees will be set by the USSSA National Soccer Committee for all USSSA National and World Cup Tournaments. The Associations Board of Directors will approve all such fees. An annual Tournament Sanction fee will be set by the USSSA National Soccer Committee for all Tournament play and shall be approved by the Associations Board of Directors.

Section 1. A member of the USSSA National Soccer Committee may nominate an individual to be a Life Member of the Association. The nomination must be submitted in writing to the Executive Director at least 120 days before the National Convention at which the nomination is to be considered. The Nomination shall be included in the meeting notice sent out by the Executive Director and must be approved by a majority of the USSSA National Soccer Committee and the Associations Board of Directors.

Section 2. A Life Member only has voting rights as provided at National Conventions and has no other voting or representational rights related to the activities and programs of the Association.

Team insurance for both Youth and Amateur teams are available. Only USSSA registered soccer teams may purchase this insurance. USSSA insurance covers the play and practice of soccer participants. Coverage begins the day after postmark on the envelope containing your application and check. Accident Medical coverage is secondary to any other collectible insurance; primary if no other insurance is in force. There are no cancellation refunds.

Tournament insurance is available for all USSS sanctioned tournaments. Tournament insurance covers: players, coaches, team sponsors, team auxiliaries, tournament volunteers, and tournament sponsors. Liability coverage is also provided for the field/facility owner(s), if requested.

Contact our National Headquarters office for insurance details and rates.