Under 10 - Rules and procedures
Under 10 games use the full FIFA Laws with some
changes. Since a full sized 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, all
distances in the Laws of the Game (e.g. the 10 yard distances at free
kicks, corner kicks, etc.) will all be reduced proportionately to 8
yards. Slightly smaller goals are also used.
Also proportional to the reduced size fields, U10
teams consist of 7 players, rather than the full sized teams of 11 used
in the older divisions. This allows players to get more "touches" on
the ball than they would in 11 player teams.
A match may not start if a team consists of less
than 5 players. However, since team records or 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 kids can play the game.
Region 26 U10 Goal Kick Law
Although the fields in U10 are laid out with the same
markings as a full size field, the Region 26 Board has decided that
games in U10 will be played using the full Law 13 (Free Kick) and
Law 16 (Goal Kick). Since 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 relative size of the goal area to the penalty area will be
changed
to make it easier for U10 players to put the ball in 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 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 parent volunteers
from each team. However, U10 games are played using the full Laws (with
some minor changes), rather than the abbreviated ones used in U7
through U9. It is important that the referees at this level actually know
the full Laws, otherwise the children 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 (listed first in the schedule). If they do not, they will be
considered to have forfeited the game.
Since most parent referees will occasionally be
unavailable for a home game (e.g. for travel, illness, etc.), it is
therefore recommended that each team obtain (i.e. train) two
referees, so they have a
backup. These two officials can then run line on away games. For more
details
please contact the Under
10 Referee Coordinator .