ST. PETE RAIDERS

Bringing Soccer to Pinellas County Families Since 1970

Spring 4 v 4 Rules

St. Pete Raiders 4 v 4 Spring Soccer Rules

PLAYER REGISTRATION

All players will be listed on their teams’ roster before the season begins. Players can only play for their assigned team, unless prior arrangements are made with the league.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS

EIGHT is the maximum number of players on a team; FOUR field players at one time. Players may only play on one team in the league. There are no goalkeepers in 4 v 4 soccer. Substitutes may occur at any dead ball situation, enter and exit at the half-field mark only.

TEAM UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT

All players must wear club issued Spring jerseys/shirts during play. All players must wear shin guards. Any player without shin guards and players wearing jewelry will not be allowed to play. Teams are responsible for providing game balls. Here are the following sizes for each group: U8 = Size 3; U9-U12 = Size 4; and U13 & up = Size 5.

FIELD DIMENSIONS

Maximum Length - 40 yards, Width - 30 yards. Smaller fields, minimum dimensions 30 x 20 may be used.

GOAL AREA

A 9 foot semi-circle is directly in front of the goal. No player may touch the ball within the goal area, however any player may move through the goal area. Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line is considered in the goal area; the player is an extension of the area. If a defender touches the ball in the goal area, a goal is awarded to the offensive team. If the defender OR the ball is in the area and contact is made, a goal is awarded. If an offensive player touches the ball within the goal area, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team. If the ball comes to a complete stop in the goal area, regardless of which team touched it last, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.


GAME DURATION

The game shall consist of two 12 minute halves separated by a two minute halftime period OR the first team to reach 12 goals, whichever comes first. There are no time outs in 4 v 4 soccer.

GOAL SCORING

Goals can be scored from anywhere on the offensive half of the field of play. The ball must last be touched (either by offense or defense) within the attacking team’s offensive half of the field.

NO OFFSIDES and NO SLIDE TACKLING in 4 v 4 soccer

FIVE YARD RULE

In all dead ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defensive player’s goal area is closer than five yards, the ball shall be placed five yards from the goal area in line with the place of the penalty.

KICK-INS

The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline instead of throw in. Goals can not be scored directly from a Kick-In as this is an indirect kick.

INDIRECT KICKS

All dead ball kicks (kick-ins, free kicks, kick-offs) are indirect with exception of corner and penalty kicks.

GOAL KICKS

May be taken from any point on the endline, and not in the goal area. Ball must touch ground or player prior to crossing the half line. Any long ball played over the center line, is an in-direct kick from the center line for the opponent.

KICK OFF
May be taken in any direction. Goals CAN NOT be scored directly from a Kick-Off as this is an Indirect kick and ball must be 100% inside the offensive half of field.

PENALTY KICKS

Shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by the infraction. It is a direct kick taken from the middle of the half-field line with all players behind the half-field line. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick. Penalty kicks are not live balls.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Players, coaches and spectators are expected to act in the nature of good sportsmanship at all times. Abuse of the referees will not be tolerated. Any instance of such conduct will disqualify the responsible party from the game.

SITUATIONS OR OCCURRENCES THAT THESE RULES DO NOT ADDRESS SHALL BE LEFT TO THE SOLE DISCRETION OF PROGRAM DIRECTOR.

Leagues and Affiliations

FYSA

FYSA

US Club Soccer

US Club Soccer

West Ham United

West Ham United

USA

USA

USL

USL

USSF

USSF

GYSA

GYSA

Sponsors

3 Daughters Brewing

3 Daughters Brewing

After School Kicks

After School Kicks

ACU Logo

ACU Logo

4thStreetPizza

4thStreetPizza