U9 Soccer -- Rule changes for the fall season

[Nick Keenan]

Dear Coaches and Managers --

This season we will quite a few changes in the way we play our games.
We will be playing essentially under the FIFA "Laws of the Game," with
just a few modification. At our coaches' meeting on Wednesday we will
go over the rules in detail, but I want to highlight some of the
changes because I know some teams are beginning to practice.

(For the truly curious or litigious, the FIFA Laws of the Game are
at : http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html .
Stoddert's complete recreational rules are at:http://www.stoddert.com/
docs/rules/HandbookFall2007.pdf

A handy one-page summary of the recreational rules is at:
http://www.stoddert.com/docs/rules/1-page%20Recreational%20Rules%20Summary%20-%20Fall05.pdf
)

Major rule changes for this season:

* Ball size -- we now play with a size 4 ball
* Number of players -- seven, including goalkeeper
* Length of game -- two 25 minute halfs, five minute half-time
* Referees -- we will have referees
* Substitutions -- Can only be made on a kick-off, goal kick, or your
own throw-in. No substituting on corner kicks or the opponent's throw.
If the other team substitutes on their throw you may as well. All subs
must be approved by the referee.
* Offside -- offside will be called, but only "clear" violations

Let me know if you have questions.

Thanks,
Nick