Taber & District Soccer Association – Laws of the Game
The league plays according to the IFAB Laws of the Game and the modified laws of the games as found in the 2019 Alberta 7v7 Outdoor Rules and Mini Referee Guide (for U7-U9) and the 2019 Alberta 8v8 Outdoor Rules (for U11).  Please find below a summary of the modifications used in house league in TDSA.
Abbreviations:
Taber & District Soccer Association – TDSA
Alberta Soccer Association – ASA
Alberta Soccer Association “2019 Alberta 7v7 Outdoor Rules and Mini Referee Guide” – ASA 7v7 Rules
Alberta Soccer Association “2019 Alberta 8v8 Outdoor Rules” – ASA 8v8 Rules
 
ALL AGE GROUPS:
Players Equipment – each player must have:

• Socks
• Shin-guards
• Footwear
• Team t-shirt or Jersey
• Goalkeepers may wear gloves and pants
• Players wearing casts or medically-necessary devices must have the permission of TDSA to play
• No jewellery or headbands allowed, foam hairwrap may be used
• Goalies wear different colour jerseys (or pinnies in U7/9) from other players

U7

• Maximum number of players on the field at any time is (7)
• If a team shows up with 5 or less players, coaches are encouraged to come up with a solution in order to allow the children to still participate in a modified game (Eg. Give some players to short team, play 5 vs. 5, etc.)  The goal is to get children playing.
• Ball size (#3)
• Field size:  Mini-soccer pitch, goals are approx. 5 metres wide by 2 metres high
• Duration of the game:  15 minutes of practice time followed by a game which consists of 2 equal halves of 15 minutes, halftime break of 5 minutes.  Times may be altered upon agreement by both coaches.  Practice time is extremely important for the development of skill and knowledge and should not be eliminated except under unusual circumstance.
• Playing time:  Each player must be given opportunity for equal play time and should play at least 50% of the game.  Players should be encouraged to explore all positions.
• Goals:  Cannot be scored from a kick inside of the “Goal Area” (crease)
• 3 Goal Rule: Each player may only score 3 goals, in effect only if team is winning
• Substitution: Unlimited, may be made when the team is in possession of the ball at a throw in, before a goal kick or corner kick, after a goal, at half time, when the play is stopped after an injury or when the other team is substituting
• Throw In: Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game; however, one re-throw is allowed after the explanation of what the player did wrong.  Play continues after 2^nd throw.
• Retreat Line – comes into effect only in two situations: A Goal Kick (when the ball has passed over the goal line and is awarded to the defending team to be kicked from the ground) OR a Free Kick to the defending team within its own goal area.  At these 2 restarts, the opposing team is required to move beyond the Retreat Line (halfway line).  The Goalkeeper kicks the ball on the ground from anywhere within their own goal area, short to a team-mate; they may not play the ball long over the retreat Line.  As soon as the ball has left the goal area, the play will resume as normal and the “Opposing” team can move inside the Retreat Line.
• Off-Side: No offside is called
• Slide-Tackling: Not allowed
• Fouls:  All fouls (intentional handballs, pushing, tripping, etc.) will result in an indirect free kick (must touch another player before going in the net) – opponents must be no less than six yards away
• Reffing: done by both coaches on the field (it is geared more to education than penalization)

 
U9

• Maximum number of players on the field at any time is (7)
• If a team shows up with 5 or less players, coaches are encouraged to come up with a solution in order to allow the children to still participate in a modified game (Eg. Give some players to short team, play 5 vs. 5, etc.)  The goal is to get children playing.
• Ball size (#4)
• Field size:  Mini-soccer pitch, goals are approx. 5 metres wide by 2 metres high
• Duration of the game:  20 minutes of practice time followed by a game which consists of 2 equal halves of 20 minutes, halftime break of 5 minutes.  Practice time is extremely important for the development of skill and knowledge and should not be eliminated except under unusual circumstance.
• Playing time:  Each player must be given opportunity for equal play time and should play at least 50% of the game.  Players should be encouraged to explore all positions.
• Goals:  Cannot be scored from a kick inside of the “Goal Area” (crease)
• 3 Goal Rule: Each player may only score 3 goals, in effect only if team is winning
• Substitution: Unlimited upon approval and discretion of the referee.  May be made when the team is in possession of the ball at a throw in, before a goal kick or corner kick, after a goal, at half time, when the referee stops the play after an injury or when the other team is substituting.
• Throw In: Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game; however, one re-throw is allowed after the explanation of what the player did wrong.  2^nd throw must conform to the IFAB laws or the other team is awarded the throw
• Retreat Line – comes into effect only in two situations: A Goal Kick (when the ball has passed over the goal line and is awarded to the defending team to be kicked from the ground) OR a Free Kick to the defending team within its own goal area.  At these 2 restarts, the opposing team is required to move beyond the Retreat Line (halfway line).  The Goalkeeper kicks the ball on the ground from anywhere within their own goal area, short to a team-mate; they may not play the ball long over the retreat Line.  As soon as the ball has left the goal area, the play will resume as normal and the “Opposing” team can move inside the Retreat Line.
• Off-Side: No offside is called
• Slide-Tackling: Not allowed
• Fouls:  All fouls (intentional handballs, pushing, tripping, slide-tackling, etc.) will result in an indirect free kick (must touch another player before going in the net) – opponents must be no less than six yards away
• Reffing: done by a referee.  Please note:  most of the referees at this age level are beginning refs who are also developing their reffing skills.  They are never to be yelled at or questioned negatively.  They may be approached at half time or at the end of the game in a respectful, calm, upbuilding manner.  Their say is final. Please remember that they are young and likely have much to learn yet and that one day it could be your own child in their shoes.  If you have concerns, please don’t hesitate to let the reffing co-ordinator or the director know.

U11

• Maximum number of players on the field at any time is (8)
• Minimum number of players on the field at any time is (6) 
• Minimum of 2 males/females should be on the field at all times
• Ball size (#4)
• Field size:  length 75 metres, width 55 metres, goals are approx. 6 metres wide by 2 metres high
• Duration of the game:  20 minutes of practice time with a 5 minute break followed by a game which consists of 2 equal halves of 30 minutes, halftime break of 5 minutes.  Practice time is extremely important for the development of skill and knowledge and should not be eliminated except under unusual circumstance.
• Playing time:  All players that participate regularly and put into the team an honest effort are expected to get equal play time, playing at least 50% of the game.
• Goals:  Can be scored from a kick inside of the “Goal Area” (crease)
• Substitution: Unlimited upon the approval and discretion of the referee.  Can be made when the team is in possession of the ball at a throw in, before a goal kick or corner kick, after a goal, at half time, or when the other team is substituting or when the referee stops the play after an injury, and after a yellow card (however the coach may substitute only the yellow carded player)
• Throw In: Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game
•  Retreat Line – comes into effect only in two situations: A Goal Kick (when the ball has passed over the goal line and is awarded to the defending team to be kicked from the ground) OR a Free Kick to the defending team within its own penalty area.  At these 2 restarts, the opposing team is required to move beyond the Retreat Line (closest offside line).  As soon as the ball has left the penalty area, the play will resume as normal and the “Opposing” team can move inside the Retreat Line.
• Off-Side: Conform to the IFAB offside rules with the modifications outlined in the ASA 8v8 Rules; referees are strongly encouraged to indicate which player(s) were involved in the infraction, for the sole purpose of player education.  The offside rule is in effect in the attacking 3^rd of the field.
• Slide-Tackling – Not Allowed
• Fouls:  Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game & and ASA 8v8 Rules
• Penalty kicks:  Conform to the IFAB Laws of the Game & the ASA 8v8 Rules
• Reffing: done by a referee.  Please note:  most of the referees at this age level are newer refs who are developing their reffing skills, especially in regards to offside calls.  They are never to be yelled at or questioned negatively.  They may be approached at half time or at the end of the game in a respectful, calm, upbuilding manner.  Their say is final.  Please remember that they are young and likely have much to learn yet and that one day it could be your own child in their shoes.  If you have concerns, please don’t hesitate to let the reffing co-ordinator or the director know.

 
U13/14

• Maximum number of players on the field at any time is (11)
• Minimum number of players on the field at any time is (7)
• Minimum of 2 females/males on the field at all times.  If not enough (2) of one gender come to play, then the team will play short-handed by up to 2 players.
• Ball size (#5)
• Duration of the game:  2 equal halves of 35 minutes, halftime break of 5 minutes. 
• Playing time:  All players that participate regularly and put into the team an honest effort are expected to get equal play time, playing at least 50% of the game. 
• All rules as per the IFAB Laws of the Game
• Slide-Tackling: Not Allowed
• Referees:  Must be treated with respect and as the only and final authority before, during and after the game.  They are never to be yelled at or questioned negatively.  They may be approached at half time or at the end of the game in a respectful, calm, upbuilding manner.  Their say is final.  If you have concerns, please don’t hesitate to let the reffing co-ordinator or the director know.

 
U15/18

• As per the rules for Inter-League, found on both the Coaldale and Taber and District Soccer Association websites
• Playing time:  All players that participate regularly and put into the team an honest effort are expected to get equal play time, playing at least 50% of the game. 
• Referees:  Must be treated with respect and as the only and final authority before, during and after the game.  They are never to be yelled at or questioned negatively.  They may be approached at half time or at the end of the game in a respectful, calm, upbuilding manner.  If you have concerns, please don’t hesitate to let the reffing co-ordinator or the director know.