NORTH ANDOVER SOCCER ASSOCIATION
This is a list of rules used for North Andover Soccer Association Intown matches that are different from or in addition to the FIFA Laws of the Game. These shall be applied whenever officiating a NASA match.
Law 1: The Field of Play. Fields will be marked and measured to NASA specifications. Referees will check the field for SAFETY issues and correct placement of goals before each match. Teams must stay on their own half of the sideline, and spectators must be on the sideline opposite the teams. No one, teams or spectators, shall be allowed along the goal line or behind the goals.
Law 2: The Ball. G2 will use a size 3 ball; G4 will use a size 4 ball
Law 3: Number of Players. For G2 the standard format will be 4v4 with no goalie. When rosters consist of over 8 players, G2 can and will play in a 5v5 format to ensure no one sits out a “double-shift”. For G4 the standard format will be 7v7 including the goalkeeper.
Law 4: Player Equipment. All players must wear shin-guards and may not wear jewelry. No exceptions other than for or a religious pendant or a medical alert item which must be taped to the body. NO HARD HAIR CLIPS, CASTS, WATCHES, BRACELETS OR EARRINGS. Footwear must be safe (NO TOE CLEATS) tied securely and have no sharp or rough edges. Players will be allowed to play if they have the correct color uniform shirt even if not an official uniform jersey. All shorts should be black and socks should be red or black but should never be a reason for a child not to play. Goalkeepers must wear a pinnie or different color jersey. In cold weather, players may wear jackets or sweatshirts UNDER the jersey with hoods tucked in and not hanging out, and sweatpants OVER the shorts. Soft caps may be worn.
Law 5. The Referee. See the “NASA Advice to Referees” document. Remember that games are refereed by older children who play in the NASA program. Please be patient and don’t give negative feedback to them. If you have a matter that needs to be discussed, please contact the NASA Referee Director.
Law 6: Duration of the Match. G2 will play four 6-minute quarters with a 1-minute break between quarters and a 3-minute break at halftime (24 minute halves). G4 will play one game that will consist of four 6-minute quarters with a 1-minute break between quarters and a 3-minute break at halftime (24 minute halves).
Law 7: Substitutions. For both G2 and G4, substitutions will be allowed every 6 minutes at the referee's call. Substitutions may not be done on restarts (throwins/kick-ins, goal kicks, corner kicks). The referee will allow substitutions for injuries and other situations when a player wants/needs to leave the field.
Law 8: Start & Restart of Play. There is no coin flip. Teams will defend on the side they warmed up on for the first half and switch ends for the second half. Red will kick off the first half, White the second half. Retakes on kickoff “double touches” are allowed. There are NO DROP BALLS under any circumstance. See Law 15, 16 and 17 for more special restart rules. ALL restarts will be at the signal of the referee whether by whistle, hand signal or voice.
Laws 9 and 10: In and Out of Bounds & Method of Scoring. Both are per FIFA Law.
Law 11: Offside. There is no offside for G2. For G4, it is to be called only when past the attacking 14 yard line.
Law 12: Fouls & Misconduct. In addition to offenses listed in the FIFA Laws of the Game, deliberately heading, or attempting to head the ball shall be considered “dangerous play”, and the referee is required to stop play and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the spot of the infraction.
Referees will not use yellow or red cards for misconduct or serious foul play. Players should be verbally warned of inappropriate behavior and the coach should be advised to remove a player to “cool off” if their play and behavior compromises the safety of other players or themselves. After 3 warnings a player may be removed from the remainder of the match, but this should be used only as a last resort.
Law 13: Free Kicks: For G2 all kicks are INDIRECT. For G4 free kicks are per FIFA Law except for infractions inside the attacking 14 yard area (penalty area). See Law 14.
Law 14: The Penalty Kick. There are no penalty kicks awarded in NASA matches. For G2, all infractions by defenders inside the 14 yard line result in an INDIRECT KICK from the 14-yard line. For G4 matches, the kick is also taken from the 14 yard line, but the nature of the infraction determines whether it is a direct or indirect kick.
Law 15: The Throw-In. There are no throw-ins in G2. When the ball goes out of bounds along the sidelines, the restart will be a kick-in. In G4, players will throw the ball back in. Illegal throw-ins must be called by the referee and the reason for it being illegal explained. Players are allowed to retake the throw-in. After an illegal retake the ref will again stop play and explain. If the next retake is illegal, the ref will allow play to continue.
Law 16: Goal Kicks. Goal kicks may be taken by any member of the kicking team. The defending team MUST retreat to their own half of the field. The defending team may not enter the attacking half until 1) the ball crosses the 14 yardline OR 2) is touched by another player on the kicking team. If the referee deems the attacking team to have encroached on the attacking half of the field, the referee shall blow the whistle to stop play and award the kicking team an indirect free kick at their own (defending) 14 yard line. Any throw or any free kick restart (goal kick or other) from inside the 14 yard line must touch the ground OR another player before crossing the midfield line. If the ball crosses without touching, the referee shall blow the whistle and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team on the midfield line at the point the ball crossed the line
Law 17: Goalie. There are no goalies in G2 soccer. There are goalies in G4. Punts or drop-kicks are not allowed. After a save or otherwise during the run of play, the goalkeeper must distribute the ball by throwing (from within the 14 yard area) or by placing the ball on the ground and playing it. The attacking team does not have to retreat to midfield following a goalie save. If the ball is punted or drop-kicked, the referee is instructed to stop play by blowing the whistle, advise the player that punting is illegal, and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the attacking 14 yard line.
Law 18: The Corner Kick. Follow standard FIFA Law except that a retake shall be allowed for a double touch.
Law 19: Common Sense. Officials, players and coaches should use their best judgment to keep NASA matches SAFE- FAIR- FUN. The players are young children who are still learning the game. Be patient, be encouraging, be gracious and have fun!