DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Number of Players

The 4-5 age group will begin with a maximum of 4 players per team , and a minimum of 3 players. They will play 4 eight minute quarters. 

The 6-9 age group will begin with a maximum of 7 players per team, 6 on the field and one player in goal. A minimum of 5 players must be available to begin the game. They will play 25 minute halves. This also applies to U10 teams in the spring. 

The 10-11 age group will begin with a maximum of 9 players per team (7 players per team in the spring) in the fall season, 8 on the field and one player in goal. A minimum of 6 players must be available to begin the game. They will play 30 minute halves. 

The 12-15 age group will begin with a maximum of 11 players per team, 10 on the field and one player in goal. A minimum of 8 players must be available to begin the game. They will play 35 minute halves. 

Games will begin with the same number of players from each team on the field. Coaches and Head Referee must conference prior to the start of the game to determine amount of players per team (ie. if a team only has 5 players, you must play 5v5, unless both teams agree to have one substitute). Should a team not be able to field the least amount of players, that team forfeit’s the game.

Ball Size

All balls must have an approximate psi (pound / square inch) of 9.0.

Ages 4-5: Size 3, 10-11 oz., 23”-24” circumference
Ages 6-9: Size 4, 12-14 oz., 25”-26” circumference

Ages 10-11: Size 4, 12-14 oz., 25”-26” circumference
Ages 12 -15: Size 5, 14-15 oz., 27"-28" circumference

Substitutions

Coaches may make substitutions on either team’s throw in and during any stoppage of play.

Coaches may not send a substitute on to the field until the referee motions for the substitute to enter the game. The coach must make the referee aware that a player wishes to make the substitution prior to the current play. Substitution without the referee’s knowledge is a caution-able offense. All substitutions will occur from the middle of the field. 

Players

Players are only allowed to play on one team within EPLW (Development Program). They are not allowed to play on multiple teams during the same season. All players participating in the league must be fully registered. Travel and Guest players are not allowed to play on a team, unless approved by the board. Any and all decisions made by the board or Development Director to allow are final.

Goalie Possession

The goalkeeper is said to have possession of the ball when in control of the ball. Should any player from the opposing team charge or touch the goalkeeper, a foul will be called and a direct kick awarded to the goalkeeper’s team. The referee is making a subjective call and the severity of the contact could warrant a warning and a card during the same play.

1st Offense: Warning

2nd Offense: Yellow Card

3rd Offense: Red Card

Four Goal Lead

Should a team be dominant enough to obtain a four goal lead at any time during a game, the leading team coach will be expected to re-position a more dominant player from the offensive zone to the defensive zone. Please consider giving all your players the opportunity to play offense and defense during the game.

Seven Goal Lead

Should a team be dominant enough to obtain a seven goal lead at any time during a game, the leading team coach will be expected to remove a player from the game and play with a player down. 

The Referee

The referee is in charge of all game activity and will assure each team abides by the Laws of the Game. They will to stop, suspend, or terminate a match as appropriate. Their decisions are final. It is the referee’s responsibility to keep the game clock, and enforce proper game conduct by players, substitutes, and team officials. They can send off players or others who commit an act of misconduct. Their authority extends from the time they arrive in the area of the field to the time they leave the area. Cards can be shown to players, coaches, parents, and substitutes during the match. Other cautions and send offs can be done without showing a card, but count the same as if a card had been shown. 

Ages 4-5 and 6-7 years old will have a coach from each team on the field and assist the referee during a game while helping to coach their team as well as assist the other team players. 

Heading the ball

No heading is allowed during games for ages 4 to 10 years old. In the event a player deliberately heads the ball on the field, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick at the spot of the foul or a drop ball will be awarded by the referee. *If the header occurs in the goal box area, the ball will be placed outside the box.

No Slide Tackles

Slide Tackles are not allowed at any time. The result will be a direct kick if outside the penalty area, and a penalty kick inside the area. The ball is to be placed at the point of the infraction and to be put in play by any player on the affected team. Slide tackles do apply to goalkeepers. Inside the box the goalkeeper is not allowed to slide cleat first into a player that has control of the ball (at the referee discretion). Outside the penalty area the goalkeeper is not allowed to slide tackle, same as a regular player, with the same penalties applying. The referee is making a subjective call and the severity of the contact could warrant a warning and a card during the same play.

1st Offense: Warning

2nd Offense: Yellow Card

3rd Offense: Red Card

Build Out Line (7v7 Only)

The build out line promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting for 7v7 Division teams. When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play. Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed) After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal. The opposing team must also move behind the build out line during a goal kick until the ball is put into play.

The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line. Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build out line and goal line.

Ideally, the goalkeeper will wait to put the ball into play once all opponents are past the build out line. However, the goalkeeper can put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how play resumes.

To support the intent of the development rule, coaches and referees should be mindful of any intentional delays being caused by opponents not retreating in a timely manner or encroaching over the build out line prior to the ball being put into play. Coaches are responsible for addressing these types of issues with their players. Referees can manage the situation with misconduct if deemed appropriate. Referees should be flexible when enforcing the 6 second rule and counting the time of possession should only begin when all opponents have moved behind the build out line.

•Diagram contains recommended field markings and dimensions
•Build out lines should be equidistant between the penalty area line and halfway line

Hydration Breaks

Coaches and Referees prior to, or during the game, can decide if a hydration break is needed. This does not have to be a mutual agreement. If a referee or any one coach wants to halt play for a hydration break is permitted. The referee will  halt play during a stoppage and assign both teams a hydration break.

Time duration of halves may be reduced only by common consent of the referees and both head coaches. This options should only be used in cases of inclement weather arising during the play of the game.

Injuries

When an injury occurs that the referee determines to be serious, play will be stopped. The clock will not be stopped for an injury on the field unless, in the opinion of the referees, it would be harmful to the injured player to remove him/her from the field prior to medical personnel arriving upon the scene. Coaches are only permitted to enter the field to attend an injured player with permission from the referee. The injured player must then be removed from the field of play until the next official stoppage of play.

Should an injury occur where blood is present the following steps will be taken:
--The player must be removed from the playing field (if possible). The bleeding must be stopped and the open wound covered. If there is an excessive amount of blood on the uniform it must be replaced with another shirt/short before the player may be allowed back on the field.

 **Proper procedures should be followed in the care of blood (immediately wash hands, use rubber gloves).

Start of Play

The referee has the choice to pick the team that will kick-off or use a coin, called by the visiting team will give the winner of the flip the choice of which goal to defend. The other team will take the kick-off to start the match.

Each team must stay in its own half of the field and the defending players must be at least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked. The ball does not need to roll forward from the kickoff before being touched by any other player, it can be kicked backwards from the center line at the kick-off. The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.

After a goal is scored, the team scored upon will kick off from their side of the field. At half time, the teams will change ends of the field and the opposite team will kickoff for the second half. A goal can be scored directly from a kick-off. 

In and Out of Play

After the whole ball completely crosses the touch line or goal line, either on the ground or in the air, it is out of play. Any ball striking the referee, goal post, or corner post and remaining on the field is in play. The line itself is in bounds, and the ball is out of play (or a goal is scored) only when all of the ball is completely past the outer edge of the line. If any part of the ball is still touching any part of the line (extended from the ground up into the sky), it is still in play. The ball is out of play when the game has been stopped by the referee.

Method of Scoring

A goal is scored when the entire ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the cross bar. A goal is not scored if the referees’ whistle sounds (for any reason such as a foul by the offensive team, end of the time period, etc.). Before the ball goes wholly across the goal line, regardless of whether the ball is on the ground or in the air headed in that direction. The ball is dead as soon as the whistle blows.

Spectator and Coaches Area

All spectators are to be positioned on the opposite side of the field as their team. No spectators or coaches may position themselves at the goal line. Spectators may position themselves no closer than 6 feet from the sideline as coaches, players and officials need to utilize this space. Coaches are permitted to position themselves on the other side of the opponents half line, but no more than 10 yards pass, only for teaching and motivating purposes. Please understand that some younger teams may require a higher level of coaching and positioning of players that constitutes a coach accessing the other half of the field. Coaches are not to be on the field during a game unless they are motioned by the referee to enter the field or during an emergency situation.

Offside

A player is not offside unless they are passed the ball or are contributing to the advantage of a teammate. It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent (counting the keeper, if he is one of the two defenders closest to the goal line). A player is not offside when in his own half of the field of play. The referee is to call an offside infraction only if, in his judgment, the player in an offside position  when the ball is played or touched by a teammate, interferes with play, interferes with another player, or gains an advantage by being in that position. There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from a goal kick, a throw in, or a corner kick. When offside is called, the defending team is awarded an indirect free kick from where the infringement occurred.

Fouls and Misconduct

Direct free kicks are awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or by using excessive force, kicks or attempts to kick, trips or attempts to trip, jumps at, charges, strikes or attempts to strike, or pushes an opponent.

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offenses: tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball, holds an opponent, spits at an opponent, or handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).

A direct free kick is taken from where the offense occurred. A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offenses is committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.

Indirect free kicks are awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following five offenses: takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession, touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player, touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate, touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw in taken by a teammate, or wastes time.

An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee: plays in a dangerous manner, impedes the progress of an opponent, prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands, or commits any other offense, not previously mentioned, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player. The indirect free kick is taken from where the offense occurred.

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offenses: is guilty of unsporting behavior, shows dissent by word or action, persistently infringes the Laws of the Game, delays the restart of play, fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick, deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission, enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission.

A cautioned player shall leave the field and may be replaced. Should the team with the cautioned player elect to play shorthanded, the cautioned player may not re-enter nor be replaced until the next legal substitution opportunity. An indirect free kick shall be awarded to the non offending team from the spot of the ball, unless the game had been stopped for some other reason calling for a different restart.

A player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offenses: is guilty of serious foul play, is guilty of violent conduct, spits at an opponent or any other person, denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area), denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick, uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures, or receives a second caution in the same match.

A penalty kick is awarded if, while the ball is in play the goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, strikes or attempts to strike an opponent by throwing the ball at him.

A player who commits a caution-able or sending off offense, either on or off the field of play, whether directed towards an opponent, a teammate, the referee, an assistant referee or any other person, is disciplined according to the nature of the offense committed.

The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of his hand or arms. Possession of the ball includes the goalkeeper deliberately parrying the ball, but does not include the circumstances where, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds accidentally from the goalkeeper, for example after he has made a save. The goalkeeper is considered to be guilty of time-wasting if he holds the ball in his hands or arms for more than 6 seconds.

Subject to the terms of this Law, a player may pass the ball to his own goalkeeper using his chest or knee, etc. if, however, in the opinion of the referee, a player uses a deliberate trick while the ball is in play in order to circumvent the Law, the player is guilty of unsporting behavior. He is cautioned, shown the yellow card and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred. 

A player using a deliberate trick to circumvent the Law while taking a free kick, is cautioned for unsporting behavior and shown the yellow card. The free kick is retaken.

A tackle from behind which endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

Upon receiving a red card the player will be ejected from the game by the referee and will be required to sit quietly on the sideline with their team for the remainder of that game, and is required to sit out the next game. The player must attend the next game in uniform. The player may not be wandering around the grounds during that game. Should the player fail to attend the next team game, the suspension will extend to the next game the player attends.

Replacement of an ejected player is not permitted for the duration of the current game. That team will complete the game one player short.

Free Kicks

For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player. If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal is awarded. If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team. 

The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play. A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal. If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into he opponent’s goal a goal kick is awarded. If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.

Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team: A free kick awarded in the goal area is taken from any point inside that area and all opponents are at least 9.15m (10 yds.) from the ball and will remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play. The ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area. 

Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is a direct free kick taken at the penalty mark. All players except the player taking the kick and the goalkeeper must be behind the ball and stay outside the penalty area and at least 10 yards from the ball (hence the arc at the edge of the penalty area). The goalkeeper may move laterally. 

Throw In

When the ball has wholly crossed the touch line (sideline), it is put back into play by a throw in from the spot where it left the field and by a player from the opposite team that last touched it. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw in. A player cannot be called offside if they receive the ball directly from a throw in.

The ball must be thrown from behind the head, directly over the head using both hands, and in one continuous motion. The ball should have little or no spin or rotation when thrown with equal pressure from both hands. Both feet shall remain on the ground, on or behind the touchline.  If the throw in is not completed successfully, the ball is then turned over to the opposing team for a throw-in.

Players will be given a second chance at a throw in, if necessary.

Goal Kicks

When the ball has wholly crossed the goal line after being last touched by a player from the attacking team, it is put back into play by a kick from the goal area by the defending team. The ball can be kicked from anywhere in the goal area. All attacking team players must be outside the penalty area when the ball is kicked and must remain outside the penalty area until the ball has wholly passed out of the penalty area. The ball cannot be touched by any player from either team until it has wholly passed out of the penalty area. A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team if the ball is not kicked directly into play beyond the penalty area then the kick is retaken. The kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

Corner Kicks

A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored. The ball is placed inside the corner arc at the nearest corner flag post, the corner flag post is not moved and opponents remain at least 9/15m (10 yds.) from the ball until it is in play. The ball is kicked by a player of the attacking team and is in play when it is kicked and moves. The kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player. A player cannot be called offside on a corner kick if he receives the ball directly.

Behavior - Adults/Players

There is Zero Tolerance for Foul Language and Aggressive non-accidental Physical Contact. First offense, you will be ejected from the game. The altercation and it's severity will be reviewed by the board, officiating crew and witnesses and further disciplinary action could occur.

Loud, boisterous and obnoxious behavior will not be tolerated. EPSC referees have the right to dismiss adults who are deemed unruly. Coaches shall control their fans, and are responsible for their fans behavior. If the head coach has been warned, and has been removed from the game, the assistant coach will take over his responsibilities. Continued obnoxious behavior will warrant the suspension or termination of the game.

Developmental Director and/or Board Members shall be notified as soon as safely possible.

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING POLICY

When thunder is imminently heard, or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen within the vicinity of the fields, suspend play IMMEDIATELY and take shelter. The best shelter, at Adams-Ricci, is your vehicle, then the bathrooms.

Thirty-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30-thirty minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.

Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-thirty minute count, reset the clock and another 30-thirty minute count should begin.