Under 6

Main Rules:
*Please note, at this age we do not provide referees. Over the years we have worked with our parent volunteer coaches, and noticed that it provides a better environment for both the 5-6 year-old participants and parents. 

1. No heading. 
2. Pass-ins instead of throw-ins. 
3. Goal kicks will be taken from a marked spot 2.5 yards from the goal. During a goal kick the opposing/defensive team must go behind the midway line. When the ball is put in play, the opposing/defensive team may cross over the midway line and defend. 

Length of Match: 32 minutes (4 x 8 minute Quarters)

​Game Play: 3v3 (with no Goalie) 

At this age players do not need to have positions. All players should attack and defend. All players should take the ball to goal when they have possession and all players should pressure the ball when they are defending. Coaches should never advise their players to pass or shoot during play. Coaches should only advise their players to defend or dribble to goal. 

We ask coaches to separate the fields based on ability into an "A", "B", and "C" field. This is to allow for all players to get touches on the ball and hopefully enjoy the game. 

Under 7

Main Rules: 
1. No punting.
2. No heading. 
3. Pass-ins instead of throw-ins. 
4. Goal kicks will be taken from the top of the offensive team's goal box. During a goal kick the opposing/defensive team must go behind the midway line. When the ball is put in play, the opposing/defensive team may cross over the midway line and defend. 

Length of Match: 32 Minutes (4 x 8 minute Quarters)
Game Play: 4v4 (3v3 + Goalie) 
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Field players should attack and defend. Field players should take the ball to goal when they have possession, and if they pass to an open player, be praised by their coach. (coaches should never advise their players to pass or shoot during play - the player should learn to make the decision on their own). Field players should pressure the ball when they are defending. Focus on spatial awareness and not necessarily positions.

The goalie can use his or her hands, and when they have possession, they should be advised to roll the ball out with their hands, or pass the ball with their feet to a teammate nearby. Goalies should never punt. Field players should attack and defend. Field players should take the ball to goal when they have possession, and if they pass to an open player, be given praise by their coach (coaches should never advise their players to pass or shoot during play - the player should learn to make the decision on their own). Field players should pressure the ball when they are defending.  

We ask coaches to separate the fields based on ability into an "A" and "B" field. This is to allow for all players to get touches on the ball and hopefully enjoy the game. 

Under 8

Main Rules: 
1. No punting.
2. No heading. 
3. Pass-ins instead of throw-ins.
4. Goal kicks will be taken from the top of the offensive team's goal box. During a goal kick the opposing/defensive team must go behind the midway line. When the ball is put in play, the opposing/defensive team may cross over the midway line and defend. 

Length of Match: 40 Minutes (4 x 10 minute Quarters)
Game Play: 5v5 (4v4 + Goalie)
The goalie can use his or her hands, and when they have possession, they should be advised to roll the ball out with their hands, or pass the ball with their feet to a teammate nearby. Goalies should never punt. Field players should attack and defend. Field players should take the ball to goal when they have possession, and if they pass to an open player, be given praise by their coach (coaches should never advise their players to pass or shoot during play - the player should learn to make the decision on their own). Field players should pressure the ball when they are defending. 
 
We ask coaches to separate the fields based on ability into an "A" and "B" field. This is to allow for all players to get touches on the ball and hopefully enjoy the game.

Under 10

The Under 10 games consist of 7 players versus 7 players (goalie included in the 7 - so 6 players + goalie) on a 40yd x 60yd field. With less players on a small field, each child gets numerous touches on the ball and is actively involved in the game. There is NO PUNTING and NO HEADERS allowed in the game. 

Length of Match: 50 minutes (2 x 25 minute halves)

Build-out Lines
​These are only used in our U10 matches. The Build-out-Lines are located equidistant between the Halfway line and the Penalty Area line. 
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**The opposing team must move and remain outside the Build-out Area on all goal kicks and whenever the goalkeeper gains possession of the ball with their hands during play. The opposing team must remain outside the Build-out Area until the ball is put back in play and his or her teammate makes the first touch. 

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under 12

Play shall be conducted as 9 vs 9 including a keeper and using a size #4 ball.

1. Substitutions may be made at the mid-line ONLY by either team and with the consent of the referee:
   1. After a goal by either team
   2. Before any goal kick
   3. Before a throw-in in your team's favor or if both teams are at the mid line
   4. At the beginning of any period of play
   5. After any injury, by either team, when the referee stops play
   6. After a caution, the cautioned player may be substituted, if so, then the other team may also sub a player
2. A match shall consist of 2/30 minutes periods with a half time period of no less than 5 minutes and no longer than 8 minutes.
3. The execution of a slide tackle is STRONGLY discouraged. Slide tackles will be viewed critically and improperly executed slide tackles will be penalized.
4. Score is kept by the referee and the winning coach is responsible for reporting the score to the commissioner by the end of the day or entering it directly into the website.
5. Coaches, parents and supporters ARE NOT permitted on the pitch during play.
6. Parents and supporters are REQUIRED to remain on the opposite side of the pitch.
7. There is a tournament for this age group for the fall and spring seasons.

Offside
An offside position is gained when a player, while in the opponents half of the pitch, is ahead of the ball and closer to the opponents goal than two defenders, one of which may be the keeper. The call of "OFFSIDE" will only be made if the player is in the area of active play or is involved in the play.
Advantage
Advantage is called when the team that was fouled remains in control of the ball and on the attack, thus allowing any offensive opportunity gained to continue rather than penalize said team for the action of the opponent.
Dangerous Play
A call of dangerous play is made when any player is put into a situation where the act of conducting play is consider by the referee to place any player in a position to cause injury to themselves or any other players.
Ball In & Ball Out of Play
The ball is not considered out of play until it has gone completely over the marked boundary of the pitch. A player may be outside the marked pitch and play the ball as long as the ball remains within the marked boundary of the pitch.
Handling
The call of "HANDLING" occurs when, in the opinion of the referee, they view any play, including the keeper in certain instances, to have deliberately handled, carried, struck, or propelled the ball with their hand or arm. The referee may also look to see if, in their opinion, the hand went to the ball or the ball went to the hand, or if an advantage was gained, before making the call.
Mercy Rule
The Columbus East Soccer Association encourages all players and coaches to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times. If a team is trailing by 4 goals or more at any time during the match, they may play with 1 additional player until the deficit has been reduced to 2 goals, at which time they must remove the extra player. If the deficit increases to 8 goals or more, the team trailing may play with a maximum of 2 players until the deficit has been reduced to 6 goals and then the trailing team must remove 1 of the extra players.