Under-10 Rules and Procedures

Under-10 games use the full FIFA Laws -- with a few modifications to accommodate the age and size of the players. Since a full size field is a bit of physical challenge for children this age, U10 games in Region 26 are played on reduced size fields (roughly, 60% of full size). To keep everything to scale, the distances in the Laws of the Game are all reduced proportionately. (For example, the 10-yard distances at free kicks, corner kicks, etc. are reduced to 8 yards.) Slightly smaller goals are also used.

Also, proportional to the reduced size fields, U10 teams consist of 7 players each rather than the full sized teams of 11 players used in the older divisions. This allows players to get more "touches" on the ball than they would if 11-player teams were used.

A match may not start if a team consists of less than 5 players. However, since team records and division standings are not kept in U10, referees should allow the team that is short to "borrow" a player from the other team so that the game can still be played.

Region 26 U10 Goal Kick Law

Beginning in 1997, U10 players in Palo Alto had been permitted to take goal kicks from any point within their own penalty area. As of 2002, goal kicks will be taken from within the goal area, but the size of the goal area relative to the penalty area will be changed to make it easier for U10 players to put the ball into play. Moreover, when a free kick is taken by a team from within its own penalty area, all opponents must remain at least 8 yards away from the ball.

No other changes are made to the full FIFA Laws, other than those mandated for all of AYSO (see AYSO Rules and Regulations ) and the changes of "scale" noted above.

Referee Assignment in U10

U10 games are typically refereed by certified parent referee volunteers from each team. However, U10 games are played using the full Laws of the Game (with some minor changes), rather than the abbreviated ones used in U7 through U9. It is important that all the referees officiating at this level actually know the full Laws, otherwise the players get very confused. Since in the past we have had difficulty getting trained referees from all U10 teams, the Region 26 Board has decided that each U10 team will be required to provide a certified Regional Referee for each game for which they are the Home team. (The Home team is the team listed first in the schedule.) If the Home team cannot provide a certified Regional Referee for the game, it will be considered to have forfeited the game.

Since most parent referees will occasionally be unavailable for a home game (e.g., due to business travel, illness, etc.), it is strongly recommended that each team obtain (i.e., train) two Regional referees, so they have a backup. These two officials can serve as Assistant Referees on away games. For more details, contact our Regional Referee Administrator.


Updated July 2009 Palo Alto AYSO Referee pages Copyright © 2003 Palo Alto AYSO