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Rocky Ridge Soccer Rules

Grades 8-12 / Ages 13+

1. Time
   1. There will be 2 periods of 30 minutes with a 5-minute break in between periods.
2. Players
   1. 10 v 10 - including the goalie.
3. Kickoff
   1. The ball will be placed at midfield, and the Home team will begin the game with a free kick.
   2. The defending team must stay on their half of the field and outside the starting circle, or 6 yards away from the ball, until the ball has been kicked.
   3. There will be a new kickoff at the start of each period and after each goal.
4. Scoring
   1. If the ball crosses the goal line, the team is awarded 1 point. The ball must fully cross the goal line.
   2. After a goal is scored, the opposing team will begin play with a free kick from the midfield point.
   3. If a female player scores a goal, the team will be awarded 2 points.
5. Out of Bounds Play
   1. If the ball is knocked out of bounds on either sideline, the ball is awarded to the opposing team, which will throw the ball back in bounds using two hands positioned over their head and both feet touching the ground. The ball may be thrown forwards or backward.
   2. If the ball was knocked out of bounds by the offensive team near the goal line, the ball is awarded to the opposing team, and the goalkeeper must kick the ball upfield from inside the goalie box.
   3. If the ball was knocked out of bounds by the defensive team near the goal line, the ball is awarded to the opposing team, and the ball must be kicked in play from the corner closest to where the ball went out of bounds by any offensive player.
6. Hands
   1. If any player touches the ball with their hands, the ball is awarded to the other team with a free kick placed where the foul occurred.
   2. "Hands" is considered any part of an extended arm or hand.
7. Free Kicks / Penalty Kicks
   1. Indirect Free Kick
      1.  The ball must touch at least one other player before being scored.
      2. Defenders must be 10 yards away from the ball until the ball has been kicked.
      3. Indirect Free kicks are rewarded for the following Rules:
         1. Offsides
         2. Goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands after receiving a pass from a teammate
         3. Attempting to kick the ball when the goalkeeper has possession
         4. A penalty kick is kicked backward

2. Direct Free Kick
   1. The ball does not need to touch another player before being scored.
   2. Direct Free kicks are rewarded for the following Rules:
      1. Handball
      2. Unsportsmanlike / Aggressive / Dangerous behavior

3. Penalty Kick
   1. Awarded when a Direct Free Kick penalty is called within the goal box.
   2. 12 yards away from goal or top of the goalie box. 

8. Goal Keeper
   1. The Goalkeeper may touch or grab the ball with their hands as long as they are within the goalkeeper box; otherwise, they can only kick the ball.
   2. Once the goalkeeper has possession of the ball, they can throw or kick the ball in any way to move the ball upfield.
9. Offsides
   1. They are receiving the ball from a throw-in.If offsides is called, the opposing team will receive a free kick.
   2. A player is in an offside position if:
      1. They are nearer to their opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the last opponent (not including the goalkeeper).
      2. A violation occurs when they are in an offside position at the same time the ball is being passed forward to them.
   3. A player is NOT in an offside position if:
      1. They are in their own half of the field of play.
      2. No part of the attacking player (head, body, or feet) is closer to the opponent's goal than the final defender (not including the goalkeeper).
10. Field, Ball, and Goal Size
    1. Field Size – 100' x 160'
    2. Goal Size – 7' x 16'
    3. Goal Keeper Box Size – 32' x 25'
    4. Ball Size – 5