Rules of Play

U6/U7 In-House Rules for Woodland Soccer Club

For U6 & U7, we follow the Seattle Youth Soccer Association’s (SYSA) recommended small-side soccer rules. These can be found here. Note that coaches are free to adjust rules, with their opposing team’s assent, as they see fit to aid in the development of their players and to ensure they are creating a fun, positive soccer environment. Frequent modifications include: Placing the ball on the line for a player to pass in-bounds in lieu of throw-ins; modifications to the game length (SYSA recommends 2 x18 min. halves for U6; some coaches employ 4 x 8 min quarters with short breaks for water between the quarters and a longer water/snack break at the half); and allowing coaches to be on the field at all times to help direct the players.

U8/U9 Interleague Rules for Ballard, Queen Anne and Woodland Soccer Clubs

Our Fall League uses a unique set of rules and guidelines that are a combination of official SYSA, USSF, US Youth Soccer, and Washington Youth Soccer guidelines. We also have to consider the requirements dictated by field and goal logistics on Seattle playfields. The goals of Fall League Soccer should be paramount no matter what the rules are for any age group: 

“Create a fun, realistic soccer experience that allows for lots of touches on the ball and the freedom to play creatively” 

Similar to the U5-U7 age groups of our in-house leagues, the U8/U9 Fall League is played on smaller-sized fields with fewer players on the field. Our 3-Club Interleague tries to conform to the USSF and SYSA small-sided rules and guidelines whenever possible, and to the standard FIFA Laws Of The Game (LOTG). The chart available here summarizes the exceptions to the FIFA LOTG and to any small sided guidelines used by our neighborhood clubs during the fall season. 

If a rule is not listed here as an exception, coaches should assume that accepted FIFA Laws of the Game apply.

Build-Out Line (BOL)

The Build-Out Line is a concept employed in youth ages to help teams get the ball back into play from deep in their own ends. The BOL requires the opposing team to retreat either to the half (U6/7) or a mark halfway between the penalty area and the half (U9-11) until the ball is put back into play on a goal kick or when a goalie is in possession.

BOL and Offsides: In age groups with offsides, the BOL helps to introduce the concept and prevent “cherry-picking”. Rather than a traditional offsides call based on the proximity of defenders, a player cannot be offsides if he is not past the BOL, even in the absence of opposing players.

Lopsided Games

The West-End Mod League (U8/U9) sets a “Mercy Rule” at a five-goal differential. This is different than the SYSA’s recommended 3-goal differential. At five goals’ difference, the losing team has the right to add another player to the field until the margin falls below five. No permission is needed, though letting the other coach and the referee know is highly advised.

For lopsided games, coaches are encouraged to consider adjustments to these rules to help level competition. For example:  

  • At U9, a coach may have their team use the midfield line as a build-out line 

  • At U8 or U9, a coach may direct their team (and ask the referee to enforce) to remain behind the build-out line until the opposing team touches the ball instead of when the ball is put in play. 

  • A coach may ask a referee to not allow re-trys for throw-ins or corner kicks

  • A coach whose team is routinely defeating opponents in lopsided games may invite the opponent to use an extra player before the margin reaches 5 goals.

U10+ Citywide Rules

The rules for U10 and above are set by SYSA for citywide competition. They can be found here. Note that rules for the spring play are different than fall rules.