Upward Soccer

Kickoff: A kickoff at center circle will be taken at the start of each half and following each scored goal. The initial touch may go in any direction. The ball must touch another teammate or opponent before the initial kicker touches the ball again. If the initial kicker kicks the ball twice before another child touches the ball, coaches and referees should allow the kickoff to be retaken. A goal cannot be scored from a kickoff. The opposing team must remain outside of the center circle until first touch is made. Both teams should start on their half of the field during kickoff.

Out-of-Bounds: The entire ball must cross the line to be considered out of play. If any part of the ball is still touching the line, play continues uninterrupted.

Scoring Requirement: A goal can only be scored from a team’s offensive side of the field. This prohibits a player from scoring during a kickoff or goal kick. It encourages players to pass the ball and work as a team rather than attempting to kick the ball the length of the field.

Possession of the Ball: The visiting team will always start the fist half with possession of the ball. The home team will always start the second half with possession of the ball. Following the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th segments, the team with possession when the substitution whistle is blown will retain possession of the ball. The next segment will start with a throw-in on the sideline closest to the spot where play stopped.

Slide tackling: Slide tackling is not permitted.

Headers: Headers are not permitted.

Indirect Kick: An indirect kick means a goal cannot be scored off first touch. A second person is required to touch the ball before a goal can be attempted.

Direct Kick: A direct kick means a goal can be scored off first touch.

Throw Ins: Players must use both hands to throw the ball overheard while keeping both feet on the ground. The team with last touch prior to the ball going out-of-bounds loses possession. Throw may be taken on or behind the sideline. Person throwing the ball cannot make first touch.

Goal Kick: A goal kick is awarded when the offense kicks the ball out-of-bounds on the end line or when it comes to a stop within the goal arc. Any defensive player may kick the goal kick. A goal kick is considered an indirect kick.

Corner Kick: A corner kick is awarded when the defense kicks the ball out-of-bounds on the end line. The corner kick should be placed inside the arc of the corner on the side the ball went out of bounds. A corner kick is considered a direct kick.

Drop Ball: A drop ball occurs when the referee had to stop play for a no-penalty situation. The ball is dropped at the spot where play stopped between two players – one from each team. The ball may only be kicked after it touches the ground. A drop ball is a direct kick.

Fouls: There are no yellow or red cards in Upward Soccer.

Fouls include, but are not limited to: dangerous play, impeding the progress of an opponent, preventing the GK from releasing the ball, delay of game, handling the ball, tackling, striking, charging, jumping into an opponent, tripping, or kicking an opponent. If the opponent creates an unfair act to gain illegal advantage, a foul should be called.

Players who commit two fouls within the same substitution segment must sit out the remainder of the segment. He/She can return for his/her next scheduled substitution. The player who is lined up to come in next will come in early, and this does not count against this player’s scheduled playing time.

Punting the Ball: Goal keepers are allowed to punt the ball; however, the ball must land on their side of the field. A punted ball cannot cross midfield.

League Format

• 3 vs 3
• Maximum 8 players per team

Field Dimensions & Equipment

• Length x Width: 25 yards x 15 yards
• Goal size: 4′ x 6′
• Center circle: 3 yards
• Shooting Arc: 3′ radius
• Ball Size: 3

Match Length

• Matches will be two 18 minutes halves.
• Subs will occur every 3 minutes.
• Halftime will be 5 minutes.

Scoring

• Teams cannot score on themselves. Result: corner kick.
• Score is not kept.
• When a team is behind 4+ goals, that team may add an extra player on the field until the point differential is 2 or less.

Shooting Arc

• Players are not allowed to contact the ball inside the arc.
• If a team scores from inside the arc, the defense should be awarded a goal kick.
• If the ball comes to a stop inside the arc, the defense should be awarded a goal kick regardless of who touches it last.

Goal Kick

• Ball should be placed on the end line 5 yards away from the goal.
• The opposing team must retreat beyond midfield prior to making contact.

Miscellaneous Rules

• There are no Goal Keepers in the K4 Division.
• Teams do not switch sides at half time.
• The head coach from each team will serve as a referee for the match.
• All fouls will result in an indirect kick; opponent must stand 5 yards back from the ball.
• There are no penalty kicks in the K4 division.
• Opponents must stand 2 yards away during a throw-in.
• Opponents must stand 5 yards away during a corner kick.
• There is no offsides in the K4 Division.
• Teams are allowed to kick the ball in or throw the ball in after it goes out-of-bounds on the sideline.

League Format

• 4 vs 4
• Maximum 8 players per team

Field Dimensions & Equipment

• Length x Width: 100′ x 60′
• Goal size: 4′ x 6′
• Center circle: 4 yards
• Shooting Arc: 3′ radius
• Ball Size: 3

Match Length

• Matches will be two 18 minutes halves.
• Subs will occur every 6 minutes.
• Halftime will be 5 minutes.

Scoring

• Teams cannot score on themselves. Result: corner kick.
• Score is not kept.
• When a team is behind 4+ goals, that team may add an extra player on the field until the point differential is 2 or less.

Shooting Arc

• Players are not allowed to contact the ball inside the arc.
• If a team scores from inside the arc, the defense should be awarded a goal kick.
• If the ball comes to a stop inside the arc, the defense should be awarded a goal kick regardless of who touches it last.

Goal Kick

• Ball should be placed on the end line 5 yards away from the goal.
• The opposing team must retreat beyond midfield prior to making contact.

Miscellaneous Rules

• There are no Goal Keepers in the K5 Division.
• Teams do not switch sides at half time.
• The head coach from each team will serve as a referee for the match.
• All fouls will result in an indirect kick; opponent must stand 5 yards back from the ball.
• There are no penalty kicks in the K5 division.
• Opponents must stand 2 yards away during a throw-in.
• Opponents must stand 5 yards away during a corner kick.
• There is no offsides in the K5 Division.

League Format

• 5 vs 5, including GK
• Maximum 10 players per team

Field Dimensions & Equipment

• Length x Width: 40 yards x 30 yards
• Goal size: 6′ x 12′
• Center circle: 5 yards
• Goal Box: 6 yards x 14 yards
• Ball Size: 3

Match Length

• Matches will be two 18 minutes halves.
• Subs will occur every 6 minutes.
• Halftime will be 5 minutes.

Scoring

• Teams can score on themselves.
• Score is kept.

Goal Box & Goal Keeper

• There are no penalty kicks in 1st-2nd grade. If a foul is committed by the defense inside the goal box, an indirect kick will be awarded to the offense. The ball should be placed at the top of the goal box on the side in which the foul occurred.
• When the GK picks up a ball passed to him from his own teammate, an indirect kick will be awarded for the opponent.

Goal Kick

• Ball should be placed at the top corner of the goal box.
• The opposing team must retreat beyond midfield prior to making contact.

Miscellaneous Rules

• Teams do switch sides at half time.
• The league will provide two referees per match.
• All fouls will result in an indirect kick; opponent must stand 5 yards back from the ball.
• Opponents must stand 2 yards away during a throw-in.
• Opponents must stand 5 yards away during a corner kick.
• There is no offsides in the 1st-2nd grade Division.

League Format

• 7 vs 7, including GK
• Maximum 14 players per team

Field Dimensions & Equipment

• Length x Width: 50 yards x 40 yards
• Goal size: 6′ x 18′
• Center circle: 8 yards
• Goal Box: 6 yards x 15 yards
• Penalty Box: 9 yards x 22 yards
• Penalty Kick Mark: 7 yards
• Ball Size: 4

Match Length

• Matches will be two 21 minutes halves.
• Subs will occur every 7 minutes.
• Halftime will be 5 minutes.

Scoring

• Teams can score on themselves.
• Score is kept.

Goal Kick

• Ball should be placed at the top corner of the goal box.
• The opposing team must retreat beyond midfield once a goal kick is awarded; however, the team taking the goal kick has the option of putting the ball back into play prior to the opponent fully retreating.
• The opponent cannot touch the ball until it has cleared penalty box area.

Direct Kick Vs. Indirect Kick

• The result of the foul depends on the infringement.
• Indirect kicks are awarded for dangerous play, obstructing an opponent, GK delays the game while handling the ball, off-sides, GK picks up ball passed to him/her by a teammate, unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Direct kicks are awarded for reckless or excessive behavior (kicking, tripping, pushing, tackling, holding, or deliberately handling the ball to prevent a goal from being scored).
• All other fouls result in an indirect kick.
• Opponents must stand 7 yards back during an indirect kick or direct kick.

Penalty Kick

• A penalty kick is awarded when the defense commits a foul inside the penalty box.
• All players other than the GK must stay outside of the penalty arc extended.
• If the kick does not result in a goal, but it stays in bounds, the ball is live.
• GK must be on the line when kick is made and cannot move forward until ball is kicked.

Miscellaneous Rules

• Teams do switch sides at half time.
• The league will provide two referees per match.
• Opponents must stand 5 yards away during a throw-in.
• Opponents must stand 7 yards away during a corner kick.
• There is no offsides in the 3rd-4th grade Division.

League Format

• 7 vs 7, including GK
• Maximum 14 players per team

Field Dimensions & Equipment

• Length x Width: 50 yards x 40 yards
• Goal size: 6′ x 18′
• Center circle: 8 yards
• Goal Box: 6 yards x 15 yards
• Penalty Box: 9 yards x 22 yards
• Penalty Kick Mark: 7 yards
• Ball Size: 4

Match Length

• Matches will be two 21 minutes halves.
• Subs will occur every 7 minutes.
• Halftime will be 5 minutes.

Scoring

• Teams can score on themselves.
• Score is kept.

Goal Kick

• Ball should be placed at the top corner of the goal box.
• The opposing team must retreat beyond midfield once a goal kick is awarded; however, the team taking the goal kick has the option of putting the ball back into play prior to the opponent fully retreating.
• The opponent cannot touch the ball until it has cleared penalty box area.

Direct Kick Vs. Indirect Kick

• The result of the foul depends on the infringement.
• Indirect kicks are awarded for dangerous play, obstructing an opponent, GK delays the game while handling the ball, off-sides, GK picks up ball passed to him/her by a teammate, unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Direct kicks are awarded for reckless or excessive behavior (kicking, tripping, pushing, tackling, holding, or deliberately handling the ball to prevent a goal from being scored).
• All other fouls result in an indirect kick.
• Opponents must stand 7 yards back during an indirect kick or direct kick.

Penalty Kick

• A penalty kick is awarded when the defense commits a foul inside the penalty box.
• All players other than the GK must stay outside of the penalty arc extended.
• If the kick does not result in a goal, but it stays in bounds, the ball is live.
• GK must be on the line when kick is made and cannot move forward until ball is kicked.

Substitutions

• Players will sub every 7 minutes for the first 28 minutes of the match.
• During the last 14 minutes of the match, coaches will be allowed to freely substitute players during a dead ball; players must be at midfield prior to subbing in.

Offsides

• Offsides will be implemented from Game 1 on.
• A player can only be considered offsides when he/she is on the opponent’s side of the field.
• A player is not considered offsides if at least two defenders (including GK) are between the player and the goal.
• A player moving up the field with possession of the ball is not considered offsides.
• Offsides is not called until a player gains an advantage or affects play due to illegal positioning (i.e. receives a pass while behind the 2nd to last defender).

Miscellaneous Rules

• Teams do switch sides at half time.
• The league will provide two referees per match.
• Opponents must stand 5 yards away during a throw-in.
• Opponents must stand 7 yards away during a corner kick.
• Regular season games can end in a tie.

League Standings & Tournament Play

• League standings will be kept for tournament purposes.
  • Win = 3 points
  • Tie = 1 point
  • Loss = 0 points
• The league will end the season with a single elimination tournament.
  • Games cannot end in a tie.
  • If a game is tied when time expires, a 5-minute “golden goal” period will be added to the clock (first team to score wins).
  • If still tied after 5 minutes, players will complete PKs.
  • During PKs, each team will rotate 3 players to kick a PK against the GK (rotate on same goal).
  • Team with the most goals after all 6 players kick wins the game.
  • If still tied after 6 PKs, PKs will continue by single rounds (each team getting one shot) until one team wins.
  • A player may not kick a second PK until all other players have kicked once.
  • The GK must remain the same person for the duration of PKs.