Referee Technical Resources

This page is dedicated to being a central resource for information that can be of help to our Referees. We will add to this over time. If you have suggestions for things that would be helpful to have here, please send an email to our Regional Referee Administrator by clicking here..


Online version of the Laws of the Game

Managing the Game Clock

Youth Zero Tolerance Policy

Referee Guideline

Referee Quizlet

General Game Information

Number of Players:

• 14U - 11 versus 11, with minimum of 7 players/team on the field; Players are required to play at least 3 quarters of the game (late arrival must play minimum 3 quarters or the remaining of the game); No restriction on Goalkeeper playing time.

• 12U - 9 versus 9, with minimum of 6 players/team on the field; Players are required to play at least 3 quarters of the game (late arrival must play minimum 3 quarters or the remaining of the game); No restriction on Goalkeeper playing time.

• 10U - 7 versus 7, with minimum of 5 players/team on the field; Players are required to play at least 3 quarters of the game (late arrival must play minimum 3 quarters or the remaining of the game); Maximum 2 quarters of Goalkeeper playing time.

• 8U - 4 versus 4. One sub. No Minimum amount of players, 2 teams of split in half (maximum 5 on each side) playing on 2 side by side fields. No Goalkeeper.

• 7U - 4 versus 4. One sub. No Minimum amount of players, 2 teams of split in half playing on 2 side by side fields. No Goalkeeper.

• 6U - 4 versus 4. One sub. No Minimum amount of players, 2 teams of split in half playing on 2 side by side fields. No Goalkeeper.

Ball Size:

• 14U - Size 5.

• 12U and 10U - Size 4.

• 8U, 7U, and 6U - Size 3.

Goal Size:

• 14U and 12U - Official Size Goals (8 feet high and 8 yards wide).

• 10U, 8U, and 7U - 6 feet high and 6 yards wide.

• 6U - 4 feet high and 6 yards wide.

Duration of the Game:

• 14U - 35 minutes half with 5-10 minutes half-time break; running clock; game can end of draw in pool play; 5 minutes grace period from the scheduled starting time.

• 12U - 30 minutes half with 5-10 minutes half-time break; running clock; game can end of draw in pool play; 5 minutes grace period from the scheduled starting time.

• 10U - 25 minutes half with 5-10 minutes half-time break; running clock; game can end of draw in pool play; 5 minutes grace period from the scheduled starting time.

• 8U and 7U - 10 minutes quarter with 1-2 minutes quarter break and 5-10 minutes half-time break; game can end of draw.

• 6U - 5 minutes quarter with 1-2 minutes quarter break and 5-10 minutes half-time break; game can end of draw.

• Games starting late still need to end 5 minutes before the next game's scheduled starting time; 2 halves shall be shorten equally via referee's instruction.

Laws of the Game:

• 14U, 12U, and 10U - Matches are played with FIFA Laws Of The Game and AYSO National Rules and Regulations

• Deliberately heading the ball in 12U and below is not allowed. Play shall be immediately stopped (no advantage applied). Restart is Indirect Free Kick (IFK) for the opposing team. If the restart is in the GOAL AREA for the attacking team, the ball is placed at the Goal Area Line parallel to the Goal Line (just like all other IFK restart).

• 10U - No punting. Buildout line rules apply.

• 8U - No offside; no goal keeper; all free kicks are Indirect Free Kicks (IFK).

• 7U - No offside; No goalkeeper; all free kicks are Indirect Free Kicks (IFK).

• 6U - No offside; No goalkeeper; no Free Kick.

Referee Duty

• Referees must wear full uniform (jersey, black shorts, and 3-strip socks) and AYSO badge.