OCYS Rules of the game: | Orange Texas Soccer

General Rules:These rules apply to everyone regardless of age or division.

Coaches must carry their risk management card, or their team card with risk management status on the top at every practice and every game. If no adult with a coaching card is available, the game will not be played and will result in a forfeit.
Players must wear shin guards under their socks at every practice and at every game. If a player has no shin guards, he or she should not be allowed to practice or play. This applies during all drills, not just during scrimmages. And yes, it applies to the high school teams.
Every player should play at leas ½ of the length of each game. This is regardless of whether he/she has been to practice or not. This also applies to division II teams. The only exceptions are illness or disciplinary reasons. If a player is on the bench but will not be player, the coach must notify the referee.
No headers before U12

U5-U6

Ball size 3.
Team size 3 vs. 3
4 8-minute Quarters, 5-minute breaks
All free kicks are indirect, and players must be 3 yards away.
No corner kicks. Regular throw in/kick in will be used instead.
On goal kicks, defending team must retreat to midfield.
When the ball goes out at the touch line, parents may kick it back in to aid in play continuity. When the ball goes beyond the goal line, the play is immediately dead.
Coaches will ref their own games.
No goalkeepers, and all players should attack. Do not park a player in front of goal.

U7-U8

Ball size 3
Team size 4 vs. 4
4 10-minute quarters with 5 minutes between quarters .
All free kicks are indirect and players must be 10 ft. away.
No kicks should be taken by the attacking team inside the opponent’s goal box.
No penalty kicks.
Throw-ins on touch line violations. If a throw-in violation is committed, the player should have the violation explained and a second chance given. If a second violation occurs, the ball goes to opposing team.
Corner Kicks are given. Opponents must be 10 ft. away.
Coaches will ref their own games unless extra refs are available.
No goalkeepers, and all players should attack. Do not park a player in front of goal.

U9-U10

Ball Size 4
Team size 7 vs. 7
Minimum of 5 players
Substitutions: Prior to a throw-in in your favor, any goal kick, Injury by any team, when referee stops play, half-time.
Referees will be provided. Infractions should be explained by the referee to offending players.
2 25-minute halves. 10-minute half time break. Hydration breaks will be given at the discretion of the referee.
Opponents must be 8 yards away from free kicks.
On goal kicks, opposing team must retreat beyond the build-up line
Off-sides only beyond the build-up line.
No headers
No drop kicks or punts

U11-U12

Ball Size 4
Team size 9 vs. 9
Minimum of 6 players
Full FIFA rules, except if a team is entirely U11, neither team may head the ball.
Two 30-minute Halves
10-minute Halftime
no added time

U13 and up

Fun New Rules

There is a new referee abuse policy. They are taking it seriously at the state level and will being giving instructions to referees to start carding and sending off players and/or coaches. If you want to see the US Youth Soccer policy (which is what most associations go by, click here.
Youth (under 18) refs will be getting green badges and any problems they have from players/coaches will have more serious sanctions(triple the penalty).
All teams U9 and up MUST have a designated “captain” with an arm band. If there is an issue on the field, the captain will be the only one to approach and address the referee. If the referee is “mobbed or crowded” they will be issuing cautions.
IMPORTANT! Goalies will have 8 seconds to release the ball after taking possession. The referees will give a visible countdown at 5 secs and if the goalie violates the 8 seconds a corner kick is awarded to the other team.