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U15 and older 7v7 Rules
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Laws Modifications for U15+ 7v7 Play

The IFAB Laws of the Game 2021/22 will be used except as modified below.

Law 1 – The Field of Play

Matches will be played on fields normally designated for 9v9 (U11-U12) play. 7’x21’ goals will be used (same size as for U11-U12 play).

Law 2 – The Ball

No change (a size 5 ball will be used)

Law 3 – The Players

A match is played by two teams, each with a maximum of 7 players; one must be the goalkeeper. A match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than 5 players. The

Game Day Roster may list no more than 16 players and substitutes.

Unlimited substitutions are permitted, with the referee’s permission, at any stoppage, provided the substitutes are at the halfway line prepared to enter. Substituted players MAY reenter as substitutes at any proper substitution opportunity.

Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment

No Change.

Reminder – No jewelry may be worn, even if covered (tape, Band-Aid, etc.)

Law 5 – The Referee

No change.

Note – The center referee will be paid $80, assistant referee(s) will be paid $40 split evenly between the home and away teams.

Law 6 – The Other Match Officials

Unless directed otherwise by the league, no Assistant Referees will be used (i.e. The match will be refereed by one person).

Law 7 – The Duration of the Match

A match will last for two equal halves of 30 minutes, with a 10-minute halftime interval. Reminder – The referee may add additional time to each half in allowance for time lost.

Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play

No change.

Law 9 – The Ball in and out of Play

No change.

Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match

No change.

Note - Unless directed otherwise by the league, a match may end in a draw.

Law 11 – Offside

There is no Offside offense in this division.

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct

No change, and the following additions:

An Indirect Free Kick will be awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the center mark on the halfway line if a goalkeeper:

Punts or drop kicks the ball.

Having controlled the ball with his hands, releases and then kicks the ball from within his own penalty area directly beyond the halfway line (i.e. “on the fly”).

Throws the ball directly beyond the halfway line (to include Goal Clearances – see Law 16).

Law 13 – Free Kicks

Indirect Free Kicks awarded to the attacking team within their opponent’s penalty area will be brought straight back to the edge of the penalty area parallel to the goal line. (This is similar to bringing kicks back inside the goal area of a full-sized field, and is meant to protect player safety)

Note – unlike the U11-U12 matches played on the same sized field, opposing players must respect a 10-yard distance from any free kick.

Law 14 – The Penalty Kick

No change.

Note – regardless of field markings, penalty kicks will be taken from 12 yards from the goal line.

Law 15 – The Throw-in

No change.

Law 16 – The Goal Kick

The Goal Kick will be replaced with a Futsal-style Goal Clearance.

The ball is thrown or released from any point within the penalty area by the goalkeeper of the defending team and is in play when it is thrown or released and clearly moves.

As with goal kicks, opposing players must retreat outside of the penalty area and may not enter until the ball is in play.

The ball may not be thrown directly beyond the halfway line (see Law 12).

A goal may not be scored directly from a goal clearance – if the ball enters the opponent’s goal without being first touched or played by another player, a goal clearance will be awarded.

Law 17 – The Corner Kick

No change.

SJSL Revision Date: 12/13/2023