2025 EASL Fall Soccer Rules
EASTERN AREA SOCCER LEAGUE GAME RULES
REFEREES, PARENTS, COACHES & COMMISSIONER’S
Updated August 2025
1. Unless otherwise noted – all divisions in the Eastern Area Soccer League will be governed by the current USSF Soccer Law and/or rules printed herein only in the event of a conflict.
2. Time duration for each Age Group:
a. U6 (2) 15-minute halves. Total Game Time = 33 minutes
b. U8 – U19 (2) 25-minute halves. Total Game Time = 53 minutes.
c. There will be a 3-minute maximum break at half-time.
d. Game Clock will start at scheduled time.
3. Forfeit Rules:
a. Forfeit time is 5 minutes.
b. The forfeiting team will be responsible for the official’s fees for both teams.
4. The Goalie Jersey must be a different color from all other players. U8 - U12 teams having at least five players must start the game at the regularly scheduled time – both teams must match. U14 - U19 teams having at least seven players must start the game at the regularly scheduled time – both teams must match. If after 5 minutes after game start time you have less than the minimum amount of players you forfeit the game.
5. Referees:
a. Paid officials will be used for all League games.
b. The Officials are in charge of the game. The Officials have control from the time of team check-ins until the teams leave the premises.
6. Teams must have an adult coach 18 years or older to play or continue a game. Each team may have 1 Head Coach and 2 Assistant Coaches within the coaches’ box. Coaches Box is from the mid-field line to the 18 yard line, on your own half of the field.
a. All volunteers must have completed a background check within the current year.
b. All Coaches & Assistant Coaches must attend one of the scheduled EASL Rule Review meetings annually.
c. All Coaches & Assistant Coaches must have a signed EASL Code of Conduct on file annually.
7. When issued a Yellow card the removed player can go back into the game on the next substitution.
8. Spectators and Fans:
a. All Spectators must be on the same side of the field and at least 6 feet back from the touch line.
b. They must never be goal side or behind the goals.
c. It is the coaches’ responsibility to control their teams’ spectators.
d. Failure to do so could result in the coach being cautioned, ejected, and suspended.
e. Failure to provide name will cause Head Coach as listed on the roster to be suspended for one game.
f. Each team along with the coaches will line up on the same side of the playing field for the entire game. Spectators need to be on the opposite side of the field as the player(s) they came to support.
g. Teams are responsible to clean up their bench area at the conclusion of each game. Spectators are expected to place trash in the proper receptacles. We are guests of the local venue, and you are expected to treat the facilities in the same manner that you would like your community to be treated.
h. The venues are smoke free & alcohol free. No air horns or noisemakers are allowed at any venues. We appreciate your cooperation.
9. Slide Tackles:
a. Slide Tackles are not allowed during the games. With the exception of a goalie within the perimeter of the goal box.
b. If a player, outside of the exception above, performs a slide tackle during a game the referee will give out a yellow card.
10. In order to encourage fair competition and discourage coaches from running up the score:
a. If the team is winning by more than 5 goals a player is to be removed from game play.
b. If the team is winning by more than 8 goals another player is to be removed from game play.
c. If the team wins by more than 10 goals the coach will be brought before the EASL Board.
d. Officials are required to submit score sheets (signed by both coaches) for games with 10 or more goal differentials.
11. Player(s) Equipment
a. Player(s) must wear a jersey with number, shin guards, socks (must cover shin guards), and strap if glasses are worn.
12. Players are prohibited from wearing the following during play:
a. Any Cleats that have a full center “toe”cleat or metal spikes
b. Hard Casts (even padded) or brace with metal in it
c. Hard Hair Accessories such as beads, barrettes, clips.
d. Any Jewelry (tape/band-aids over any piercing is not permitted, even if the piercing is new). The only exception to this rule will be a medical alert necklace which must be taped to the players chest under their jersey. Players will be subject to a yellow card if found to have jewelry on during play.
13. League Play:
a. U6 – 5v5
b. U8 – 7v7
c. U10 and U12 – 9v9
d. U14, U16 & U19 – 11v11
e. The league may complete a roster check at any time during the season
f. Coaches need to verify their rosters with their Council Representatives before the final roster deadline just in case players were added to their team’s roster after the roster was initially turned into the EASL Committee.
g. All jerseys on the team must match. No Exceptions.
h. All numbers on jerseys must match rosters and cannot be a temporary number. No Exceptions.
14. Substitutions:
a. On any Goal Kick.
b. Possession – throw-in – Piggyback substitutions are allowed.
c. Possession – corner kick – Piggyback substitutions are allowed.
d. After a Goal is scored.
e. For an Injured Player – the Opposing Team may also substitute 1-for-1 basis. All players within the field of play must kneel in place during the stoppage of play.
f. For a player receiving a caution – yellow card – the opposing team may also substitute on a 1-for-1 basis.
g. No substitution for an ejected (red card) player.
i. U8 - U12 may finish with a minimum of five players.
ii. U14 - U19 may finish with a minimum of seven players.
iii. Anything less and the game is awarded to their opponent by default.
15. Heading the Ball:
a. For U10 and younger age groups heading the ball is not permitted.
b. An uncontested drop ball will be awarded for accidental infraction.
c. Intentionally heading the ball will result in an in-direct free kick to the opposing team.
d. Any head ball infraction within the 18 will be taken outside of the 18.
e. No penalty kick may be awarded.
f. Heading the ball is permitted for U12 and Up.
16. U6 Specifics
a. There can only be 3 Coaches on the field.
b. All Coaches must have passed background check.
c. One Coach on the field of play, but cannot be in front of the goal; One Coach on the sideline with the players bench & One Coach behind goalside.
d. Teams should line up on opposite sides of the “playing field” (fence side and center field). To help keep the ball in play as much as possible.
17. U8 Specifics
a. BUILD OUT LINE
i. The spirit of this rule is to encourage the U8 teams to learn how to play the ball forward from the first third.
ii. When the goalkeeper has the ball in his/her hands during play, the opposing team must move behind the build-out line until the ball is released from the goalkeeper's possession and crosses the penalty area.
iii. Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line, the goalkeeper can release the ball by passing (NOT dribbling), throwing, or rolling the ball to a teammate who is on his/her side of the build-out line or beyond the build-out line.
iv. NO PUNTS are allowed.
v. After the ball is released from the goalkeeper's possession and crosses the penalty area, the opposing team may cross the build-out line and play resumes as normal.
vi. The goalkeeper releasing the ball from possession or the player taking the goal kick does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build-out line.
vii. The play from the goalkeeper or from the goal kick can be played to a teammate beyond the build-out line.
b. OFFSIDE
i. The build-out line shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.
ii. Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build-out line and goal line.
iii. ARs should position themselves with the build-out line, the second to last defender, or the ball, whichever is closest to the goal.
18. The season will start the first Friday after Labor Day and will consist of 8 games for each team.
19. Anyone in contact with a player must complete a background check within the current season and be on the approved Baltimore County Recreation Volunteer List; not limited to, Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Managers, Team Moms, etc.
20. Start of Play:
a. The game is started at midfield at the beginning of the game, after a goal is made, and after halftime.
b. The ball must be touched.
c. The ball cannot be touched twice consecutively from the same player.
21. Scoring:
a. The ball must be completely cross over the Goal Line between the posts and under the Crossbar.
22. The Officials use red and yellow card(s) to communicate to players and coaches. The definitions of the cards are as follows:
a. Yellow Card(s): are used by officials to caution players for dangerous or reckless play, unsportsmanlike behavior, or infractions of the rules and the player has been removed from game play.
i. A substitute player may be put into game in the removed player’s place.
ii. If a player is shown a second yellow card the player is removed from the game and not replaced.
b. Red Card(s): are used by the officials to remove a player from the game. It means the automatic ejection of the player and that player's team will remain shorthanded for the remainder of the match.
i. Any Player or Coach ejected from a game for misconduct or use of foul or abusive language shall be suspended for two games.
1. If Player plays for multiple teams, red card suspension is determined by review of the EASL Board.
2. If the coach coaches for multiple teams, this will apply only to the role on the team that the card was given
ii. All Red Card(s) are pending review from the EASL Executive Board.
iii. Any Player or Coach receiving a Red Card who are also Officials will not be allowed to referee during their suspension.
iv. Once shown a Red Card the Coach or Player must leave the field immediately and go to the parking lot and may not re-enter or participate on any of the EASL Soccer fields until their suspension has been served.
v. Refusal to leave the premises upon being red carded will result in further disciplinary action from the EASL Committee.
23. Offside(s)
a. A player should not be ahead of the ball at a time when the ball is played in his/her directions unless he/she has 2 opponents ahead of them (Goalie is considered an opponent).
b. A player cannot be offside(s) if he/she is on their own half of the field or if he/she receives the ball from a throw-in or corner kick.
c. A player cannot be called offside(s) if the ball is played by an opposing team player.
d. Offside(s) is judged the moment the ball is kicked.
24. Goalkeeper(s):
a. May not touch the ball with their hands when a teammate has last kicked it.
b. Are allowed to use their hands and arms to play the ball within the penalty area only.
c. The goalkeeper must release the ball within eight seconds of gaining possession.
25. Goal Kick(s):
a. If the Attacking Team last touches the ball before it goes over the Goal Line – the Defensive Team takes a Goal Kick
b. Goal Kick(s) may be taken from anywhere on the 6-yard line.
26. Free Kick(s):
a. The ball must be placed at the point of infraction.
b. The ball must not be rolling.
c. The ball must clearly move.
d. 10 yards of space is automatically given
e. Encroachment on the 10 yards is a Yellow Card
27. Penalty Kick(s):
a. A Penalty Kick is taken from the penalty spot
i. Large Field – 12 yards from the center of the goal
ii. Small Field – 10 yards from the center of the goal
b. When the kick is taken – All Players except the Goalkeeper and the Kicker must be outside the Penalty Area and the Penalty Arc.
28. Corner Kick(s):
a. If the Defensive Team last touched the ball – over the Goal Line – the Attacking Team takes a Corner Kick from the closest corner.
b. Encroachment = Yellow Card
COACHES & COMMISSIONER’S
29. The away team is responsible for providing alternate color jersey in case of conflict. If alternate color cannot be provided within 5 minutes of game time a forfeit would occur.
30. A coach found to flagrantly field an illegal player will be suspended for one year from the date of the infraction from the Eastern Area Soccer League.
31. Standings:
a. Games will be based on a “point System.”
i. Wins = 3 points
ii. Ties = 1 point
iii. Loss = 0 points
b. In case of a tie for league standings – the following tiebreakers will apply
i. 1st – Head-to-Head Competition
ii. Total League Goal Differential
c. Each team will submit scores to the email scores@easlsoccer.net or update within the app provided..
d. Each team needs to submit the final score within 48 hours following the game played.
e. If games are canceled due to inclement weather and cannot be made up than the standings will be based on a percentage basis.
32. Game Ball Size:
a. U6 and U8 will use a Size 3 Ball
b. U10 and U12 will use a Size 4 Ball
c. U14 thru U19 will use a Size 5 Ball
COMMISSIONER’S & REFEREES
33. The Eastern Area Soccer League will operate in the following co-ed, boy’s and girl’s youth divisions: U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 & U19. Each recreation council will decide on which division the player will participate in using the USSF birth year matrix.
34. If a recreation council is found to have submitted documentation with falsified information to the league, the recreation council will be brought before the EASL Executive Board for disciplinary action and/or possible removal from the league.
35. If a recreation council participating in the EASL loads teams with players that are or have been in other travel/club leagues, the recreation council will be brought before the EASL Executive Board for possible removal from the league.
36. All per team fees will be predetermined prior to the season start.
37. Team Counts:
a. Preliminary Team Counts are due to the Schedule Coordinator by the July EASL meeting.
b. Final Team Counts are due to the Schedule Coordinator by August 1st.
38. Team Rosters:
a. If a player is not listed on your roster – that player will not be eligible for tournament games
b. For U8 - U12 TEAMS – If a team cannot field the regulation number of players – both teams ARE REQUIRED TO MATCH, to a minimum of 5v5. As more players arrive you can adjust to put more players on the field progressively while continuing to match.
c. For U14 - U19 TEAMS – If a team cannot field the regulation number of players – both teams ARE REQUIRED TO MATCH, to a minimum of 7v7. As more players arrive you can adjust to put more players on the field progressively while continuing to match.
39. Players:
a. Players can only play for one team/one age bracket in the EASL unless the individual council brings the case before the EASL Committee and is approved as an exception
b. Players can only play up an age group and not play down unless the individual council brings the case before the EASL Committee and is approved as an exception
c. There will be no duplicate numbers permitted on the same team
d. All exceptions must be approved by the EASL Committee prior to the final approval of the rosters
e. Female players can play in the Boys and Girls Division in the same age group.
40. EASL Patch: All players participating in the EASL must wear the EASL Patch/Logo on their jersey. The Patch/Logo must be visible.
41. Scheduling:
a. Once a game is scheduled – the game will be played – no rescheduling will be made – except for league cancellations due to weather or catastrophic disasters
42. Once a game is scheduled – the game will be played on the field that is designated on the schedule. There will be no exceptions unless approved by the EASL Committee ahead of time or due to unforeseen problems or conditions of a field that would make game conditions unplayable or unsafe.
43. Referees:
a. Paid officials will be used for all League games.
b. The following number of officials will be used during each game:
i. U6 - No Referees
ii. U8 – (1) Senior Official
iii. U10, U12 – (2) Officials
iv. U14, U16 and U19 – (3) Officials