US Youth Soccer Official Under 10 Playing Rules, Laws & Recommendations
Law 1 – The Field of Play
Dimensions: The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater
than the length of the goal line.
Length: minimum 45 yards maximum 60 yards
Width: minimum 35 yards maximum 45 yards
Field Markings: Distinctive lines not more than five (5) inches wide. The field of play is divided
into two halves by a halfway line. The center mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway
line. A circle with a radius of eight (8) yards is marked around it.
The Goal Area: A goal area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn
at right angles to the goal line five (5) yards from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend
into the field of play for a distance of five (5) yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel with
the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.
The Penalty Area: A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are
drawn at right angles to the goal line, ten (10) yards from the inside of each goalpost. These
lines extend into the field of play for a distance of ten (10) yards and are joined by a line drawn
parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area.
Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made eight (8) yards from the midpoint between the
goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of eight (8) yards from each
penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.
Flag posts: Conform to FIFA.
The Corner Arc: Conform to FIFA.
Goals: Goals must be placed on the center of each goal line. They consist of two upright posts
equidistant from the corner flag posts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The
maximum distance between the posts is eighteen (18) feet and the maximum distance from the
lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is six (6) feet.
*Safety: Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they
satisfy this requirement.
Law 2 – The Ball: Size four (4).
Law 3 – The Number of Players: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more
than six players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of
fewer than five players.
(Arizona FC will play 6v6 at U9)
(Arizona FC will play 7v7 at U10)
Substitutions: At any stoppage and unlimited.
Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment: Conform to FIFA. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on
weather conditions, but uniforms must still distinguish teams.
Law 5 – The Referee: Registered referee, especially Grade 9 or parent/coach or assistant coach.
All rule infringements shall be briefly explained to the offending player.
Law 6 –The Assistant Referees: Not required. May use club linesmen if desired.
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match: Conform to FIFA with the exception of the match being
divided into two (2) equal halves of twenty-five (25) minutes each. There shall be a half-time
interval of five (5) minutes.
Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play: Conform to FIFA with the exception of the opponents of
the team taking the kick-off are at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play.
Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play: Conform to FIFA.
Law 10 – The Method of Scoring: Conform to FIFA.
Law 11 – Offside: None.
(Arizona FC will play offsides at this level)
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct: Conform to FIFA with the exception that an indirect free kick
is awarded to the opposing team at the center spot on the halfway line if a goalkeeper punts or
drop-kicks the ball in the air from his/her penalty area into the opponents penalty area.
Law 13 – Free Kicks: Conform to FIFA with the exception that all opponents are at least eight
(8) yards from the ball.
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick: Conform to FIFA with the exception that the penalty mark is made
eight (8) yards from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them.
Law 15 – The Throw-In: Conform to FIFA.
Law 16 – The Goal Kick: Conform to FIFA. Club or league option: US Youth soccer
recommends that opponents should remain in their own half until the ball is in play. The team
taking the goal kick does not have to wait for the opposition to retreat and has the option to
restart the game beforehand should they so choose. The ball is in play when it is kicked directly
out of the penalty area.
Law 17 – The Corner Kick: Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least
eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play.