Fall Soccer Game and Rule Related FAQs

The league will provide your child with a uniform which will consist of a uniform shirt, shorts and matching socks that we require the players wear at each game. You will need to purchase shin guards, which must be worn under the soccer socks for each game, and are mandatory. Your child should have a water bottle for games to keep them hydrated. Your child can play in sneakers, but if you wish to purchase soccer shoes/cleats you need to make sure you purchase soccer shoes that do not have a cleat located in the front toe area (no football shoes).

Players cannot wear any non-medically necessary accessories during a game, including but not limited to earrings, bracelets, necklaces, watches, wrist worn devices, air-pods, etc. This is a safety issue to prevent serious accidents from hooking or tangling.

If a device is medically or religiously necessary, inform your coach so they can inform the referee(s) before the game during the equipment check. These accessories must still be securely taped flat to the person.

• Medical alert bracelet must be taped flat to the wrist.
• Religious accessories tape securely to the both and worn underneath the jersey.
• Glasses must be secured to prevent falling off.

This rules applies to any and all earrings. Even studs must be removed. Covering or taping stud earrings is no longer permitted.

One recommendation is to use medical tape, which can easily be removed after the game or practice, to completely cover the accessory and keep it flat to the skin with no exposed edges. A sweat band on the wrist is not acceptable. nor is just tucking under the shirt without it being securely taped.

This does not apply to hats or gloves as they are not considered dangerous, unless they have dangling components that cannot be secured. Then they must be removed.

This is not an arbitrary or local rule. It is standardized and part of the Laws of Soccer. For more information, check out https://www.theifab.com/laws/latest/the-players-equipment/, or search for “Soccer Law Changes 2026 to Accessories”.

As per U.S. SOCCER’S PLAYER SAFETY CAMPAIGN: CONCUSSION INITIATIVES & HEADING FOR YOUTH PLAYERS and US YOUTH SOCCER POLICY ON PLAYERS AND PLAYING RULES, players 10 and under shall not engage in heading, either in practice or in games.

Therefore, during a game with divisions that include 10-year old players or younger, if heading of the ball was deliberate or intentional, the proper restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

If playing by the head is deemed unintentional or a “grazing” (at the discretion of the referee), the game may be allowed to continued without stoppage.

The referee also has the discretion to stop play to check on any player inadvertently struck in the head by the ball. The proper restart for this stoppage is an uncontested dropped ball given to the team last in possession.

Following Small-Sided Games Player Development Initiatives (PDIs) Guideliness, Goalkeepers in small-sided games are not permitted to punt or dropkick the ball. This rule is used in games played at Eldersburg Elementary.

If the goalkeeper punts or dropkicks the ball, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team, outside of the penalty box, beyond the penalty box line that’s parallel to the goal line and closest to where the offense took place.

This is part of small-sided build-out Player Development Initiatives from FIBA and U.S. Soccer meant to encourage build out play and prevent unnecessary heading. Goalkeepers should be taught to throw/sling/roll out the ball, or drop it to their feet to play out.

More build-out rules will be implemented in the coming seasons.

Substitutions are at the referee’s direction and discretion. Coaches do not just call for substitutions to occur. A referee will signal when substitutions can occur. For example, a referee may not allow substitutions during the final minutes of a game.

Coaches should have the players coming onto the field at the half-way line of the pitch, so the referee can identify that players wish to be substituted on. Coaches should not yell across the field to referees (referees may allow the game to continue for flow or other reasons). And coaches should not just instruct the players to substitute at a stoppage without the permission of the referee.

Substitutions can occur on kick-offs (either team), goal kicks (either team), throw-ins (either team), or corner kicks (either team). No substitutions on free kicks or drop balls.

During games, both teams will setup on the same side of the field, with each taking one-half of the sideline and remaining on their half.

Teams should setup at least 8′ from the midfield line to give space for substitutions, at least 5′ back from the touchline to give space for throw-ins, and all players and coaches should not be closer to the goal line than the top of the penalty box.

Spectators will setup on the side opposite the teams. Most fields will have a line 5′ back from the touchline to remain behind to give space for throw-ins.

No spectator or coach may be near the corner kick area, nor spectate or coach from behind the goal line. Anyone found in those areas will be asked to move.

During games, only three (3) coaches may on the coach’s sideline with the team.

This can be any combination of the Head Coach and Assistant Coaches, but only up to three (3) coaches total. The Head Coach (or coach taking the place of the Head Coach for that game) will decide on which three coaches will be on the sideline. And those coaches will remain the three gameday coaches for the entire game.

Additional assigned coaches to the team must remain on the spectator’s sideline for the duration of the game, and cannot attempt to coach from the spectator’s side.

Coaches who attempt to circumvent these rules and coach from the spectator’s sideline will be first asked to stop, and then asked to leave the sideline if they continue.

Coaches are not allowed on the field. This means they should not be standing, or taking a step onto the field of play during game time. They may come on while the clock is running only for injuries.

An injured player does not have to leave the field unless bleeding or if a coach goes onto the field. If a substitute replaces an injured player the other team may also substitute a single player (i.e., one-for-one).

Divisions Playing at EES:
If one team has just enough players, both teams will play one less field player (e.g. 6v6 with a sub instead of 7v7). If one team doesn’t have enough players to play one less field player, coaches should combine teams to play a scrimmage (e.g. a Boys 3-4 team only has 7 and can’t play 8v8).
Divisions Playing 9v9 at Freedom Park:
If one team has just 8 or 9 players, both teams will play 8v8. If one team has less than 8 players, a forfeit is called and coaches should combine teams to play a scrimmage. If both teams have less than 8 players, a double forfeit is called and coaches should combine teams to play a scrimmage.
Divisions Playing 11v11 (except High School) at Freedom Park:
If one team has just 11 players, both teams will play 10v10. If one team has just 9 or 10 players the other team can still play at 10 players. If one team has 8 or less players, a forfeit is called and coaches should combine teams to play a scrimmage. If both teams have 8 or less players, a double forfeit is called and coaches should combine teams to play a scrimmage.
High School Division:
If one team has just 11 players, both teams will play 10v10. If one team has 8, 9, or 10 players the other team can still play at 10 players. If one team has less than 8 players, a forfeit is called and coaches should combine teams to play a scrimmage. If both teams have less than 8 players, a double forfeit is called and coaches should combine teams to play a scrimmage.

Periods of play:
FOS matches last for the following durations:

• PreK/K – four equal quarters of 10 minutes
• 1st Grade through 6th Grade – two equal halves of 24 minutes
• 7th/8th Grade – two equal halves of 30 minutes
• High School – two equal halves of 35 minutes

Match durations may not be extended nor changed, even by “agreement” of both coaches, nor will extra time be added, but may be reduced in the following conditions:

• Field and/or schedule availability, where a referee will inform the coaches that either one or more halves or quarters will be reduced to fit a match into a scheduled window.
• Field and/or schedule availability for make-up games, where both coaches and the referee must all agree that the total time will be reduced.
• Extreme weather conditions where the league stops play.
• Any other cause or emergency situation causing significant delay to a restart.

Intervals:
FOS matches will have half-time intervals of no longer than 5 minutes. Game matches of quarter durations will have intervals no longer than 2 minutes at other quarterly stoppages. Intervals should not be extended, and may be altered only with the referee’s permission.

Hydration breaks will be permitted during matches with half-game durations only, around the halfway point through each half, when the Heat Index is 85° or above at any point during gametime, and mandatory when the heat index is 90° or above at any point during gametime.

Hydration breaks can last no longer than 90 seconds, and will be called for by, and at the discretion of, the referee at a natural stoppage point during the half (i.e. when the ball is out of play).

The referee or FOS, can, at any time, implement a discretionary hydration break in cases where player safety is determined to be at risk.

NOTE: The clock does not stop during a hydration break.

Younger Divisions
Cards are not issued to players, but coaches will be requested to substitute players out to address instances. Players can be subbed back in on next substitution, after the Coach has addressed the situation.

5-6 Division
Yellow and Red cards will be issued as appropriate, but with restraint.
• Yellow cards will be issued to Players for blatant fouls. When a Player is issued a Yellow card, the Player must be substituted out immediately to address. The Player can be subbed back in on next substitution, after the Coach has addressed the situation.
• Red cards should only be issued in extreme, blatant foul circumstances.

Older Divisions
Yellow and Red cards will be issued whenever a referee deems necessary and appropriate.

Card Issuance
•When a Player is issued a Yellow card, the Player must be substituted out immediately to address. The player can be subbed back in during the next substitution, after a minimum of 5 minutes, and after the Coach has addressed the situation.
• A Player receiving Two (2) Yellow cards within the same match results in a Red Card.
• A straight Red card is issued for intentional handballs to prevent a goal.
• A straight Red card is issued for a rough tackle, where the referee believes the tackle to be violent, reckless, or uses excessive force, endangering the safety of an opponent.

Card Actions
Players:
• A player receiving a Yellow card in two consecutive games also receives a One (1) game suspension, to be served during the next game(s) the team or player plays, regardless of the type of game. If a player receives a Red card during the second of the two games, the rules governing a Red card will take over.
• When a Player is issued a Red card, the Player must leave the field area immediately. Players issued a Red card also receives a minimum One (1) game suspension, to be served during the next game(s) the team or player plays, regardless of the type of game.
• A Player issued a straight Red card for violent conduct towards another Player, Referee, Coach or Spectator, also receives a minimum Three (3) game suspension, to be served during the next game(s) the team or player plays, regardless of the type of game.

Coaches or Spectators:
• When a Coach or Spectator is issued a Red card, or ejected from the game or sideline by a referee or FOS Board Member, the person must leave the field area immediately.
• Coaches issued a Red card also receive a Two (2) week suspension. The suspension is not just for games, but from all activities (practices, games, watching the game, etc.) as they are not allowed on the fields at all.
• Spectators ejected during a game may receive bans from the league based on the severity of the actions. Any bans are not just for games, but from all league activities (practices, games, watching the game, etc.) during the banned period.
Yellow and red cards will carry over into the playoffs. They no longer reset. And they will apply to the next game in the season, regardless of it’s a Playoff, Championship, or All-Star game.
NOTE: Any bans and suspensions may be reviewed and adjusted by the FOS Executive Board.