SoccerFest 2024!

Modified Rules of Play

Rule of play conform to Laws of the Game with the following modifications. 

Check-in

Teams must submit an official roster and medical authorization forms for players. Managers can check-in teams on-site  beginning at 7:30 am. Rosters are frozen at check-in. Players may not be on more than one roster.

All competitive players must have valid player passes. Rec players must be listed on a team roster.

Bracket Formation

Each team will play three games. We will use a round-robin tournament generator for the festival. We will try and schedule a break between matches. 

Concussion Policies

SoccerFest complies with Minnesota Statue 121A.37 in accordance with Mankato United Soccer Club and MYSA Concussion Policies. Coaches and referees are required to take concussion training. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a free, online course Concussion Training for Coaches (and referees), at https://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/concussions Copies of the Minnesota statute and MYSA policies are at: http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/programs/concussions.cfm.

Law 1 – Field

Dimensions

• Under 8:  25 yards wide by 40 yards long.
• Under 10: 35 yards wide by 55 yards long.
• Under 12: 50 yards wide by 80 yards long.
• Under 14: Will meet FIFA requirements for minimum full-size fields.

Law 2 – Ball

• Under 8:  Size 3.
• Under 10: Size 4.
• Under 12: Size 4.
• Under 14: Size 5.

Law 3 – Players and Substitutions

• Under 8: Maximum of 4 players; no goalkeeper. Roster limit of 8.
• Under 10: Maximum of 7 players and minimum of 5, including goalkeeper. Roster limit of 14.
• Under 12: Maximum of 9 players and minimum of 6, including goalkeeper. Roster limit of 16.
• Under 14: Maximum of 11 players and minimum of 9, including goalkeeper. Roster limit of 18.

Rosters are frozen at check-in. Players may not play on more than one team in an age group. Coaches shall present rosters to referees before the start of each match. The referee shall inspect player passes prior to kick-off to verify registration status and age level. 

To be consistent with National Championships Policy, matches in all age groups operate with unlimited substitutions. Substitutions may be made at any stoppage of play with the approval of the referee. Entry or reentry shall be at a normal substitution point (with approval of the referee) or at any point during the game if the referee signals for the player’s reentry. 

Law 4 – Players’ Equipment

Players must not wear anything which is dangerous to themselves or other players, including any kind of jewelry except medical or religious medals that are taped to the body. Eyeglasses must be secured with a strap or band.

Teammates (except goalkeepers) must wear matching jerseys or shirts and matching stockings. Goalkeepers must wear jerseys, shirts, or vests which distinguish them from the other players and the referee. All players must wear safe shoes and shin guards which must be covered completely by stockings.

Law 5 – Referee

The referee is a certified USSF official who enforces the rules so as to encourage safety, fair play, and enjoyment of the game for all participants. He or she serves as timekeeper and scorer, and has the authority to stop, suspend, or terminate the match for rule violations, dangerous weather, and other causes. All referee decisions concerning the game are final.

Law 6 – Assistant Referees

Assistant referees are not required for Under 8 and Under 10 matches. If certified USSF assistant referees are available for Under 12 and Under 14 matches, they may indicate when the ball has passed completely out of the field of play; which side is entitled to the throw-in, goal kick, or corner kick; when a player may be penalized for being in an offside position; when a substitution is requested; and when misconduct or other incident has occurred out of the view of the referee. If club assistants are used, they shall indicate only when the ball has passed completely out of the field of play.

Law 7 – Duration

• Under 8: Two equal periods of 15 minutes. 
• Under 10: Two equal periods of 20 minutes.
• Under 12: Two equal periods of 25 minutes. 
• Under 14: Two equal periods of 25 minutes. The halftime interval is five minutes.
• No overtime after tied games.

The tournament follows MYSA weather guidelines. The tournament director shall monitor the heat index and inform coaches and game officials when it reaches dangerous levels. In such cases, referees shall apply the following modifications:

Heat Index Modification(s) Up to 89o Normal play.

• 90-99f - 2-minute water break with running time midway through each period.
• 100-105f -Shorten each period by 5 minutes; 2-minute water break with running time midway through each period.
• 105+f - Suspend play.

Referees shall not stop play arbitrarily for water breaks, but instead shall take advantage of normal stoppages of play near the midpoint of each period.

Law 11 – Offside

• Under 8: No offside. 
• Under 10: No modification 
• Under 12: No modification 
• Under 14: No modification

However, 8U coaches should discourage players from lurking deep in the opposing team’s end of the field, waiting for easy scoring opportunities. Such tactics disrupt the flow of the game and undermine the positive sporting attitudes that youth soccer seeks to promote.

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct

Referees shall explain violations briefly to the offending players.

Under 8 and Under 10 coaches should discourage slide tackling, which is unnecessary and frequently unsafe at these ages.

Referees should avoid showing yellow and red cards to Under 8 and Under 10 players whenever less drastic means will suffice to deal with misconduct.

Coach ejection/dismissals: As stated in the MYSA Rules & Policies, “If a coach is out of control, a referee may request the coach to leave before a game continues. If a coach is asked to leave a game, the referee will retain the member’s pass and will send it to the MYSA office along with the appropriate game report. The coach will serve an automatic mandatory two-game suspension.”

Law 13 – Free Kicks

• Under 8: All free kicks are indirect. Opponents must remain at least 5 yards from the ball until it is kicked.
• Under 10: All free kicks are indirect. Opponents must remain at least 6 yards from the ball until it is kicked.
• Under 12: Opponents must remain at least 8 yards from the ball until it is kicked.
• Under 14: No modification.

Law 14 – Penalty Kicks 

• Under 8: No penalty kicks.
• Under 10: No penalty kicks.
• Under 12: Penalty kicks are taken from 8 yards. Under 14: No modification.

Law 15 – Throw-Ins

Under 8: A player who makes an illegal throw is allowed another try. The referee explains the correct method before the player tries again.

Under 10: No modification. Under 12: No modification. Under 14: No modification.

Law 16 – Goal Kicks

• Under 8: Opponents must remain outside the goal area and at least 5 yards from the ball until it is kicked into play beyond the goal area.
• Under 10: Opponents must remain outside the goal area and at least 6 yards from the ball until it is kicked into play beyond the goal area.
• Under 12: Opponents must remain outside the goal area and at least 8 yards from the ball until it is kicked into play beyond the goal area.
• Under 14: No modification.

Law 17 – Corner Kicks

• Under 8: Opponents must remain at least 5 yards from the ball until it is kicked.
• Under 10: Opponents must remain at least 6 yards from the ball until it is kicked.
• Under 12: Opponents must remain at least 8 yards from the ball until it is kicked. 
• Under 14: No modification.

Second Touch Violations

The referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team if a player restarts play with a kick-off, free kick, penalty kick, throw-in, goal kick, or corner kick and touches the ball again before it touches another player of either team. 

Law 17 – No tobacco, drugs or alcohol

SoccerFest is a tobacco, alcohol, and drug-free event.

Law 18 – Behavior

SoccerFest is a player-centered event. Everyone present is responsible for helping to promote a positive atmosphere. Players, coaches, spectators, and officials will follow the code of conduct as described in the MYSA Policies and Rules Manual.

Law 19 – Uniform Color Conflicts

When the color of uniforms conflicts (as determined by the referee), the home team must change to an alternate color. 

CASWELL NORTH: RULES AND REGULATIONS

Caswell North is a city park of North Mankato and follows rules and regulations established by the city and the Mankato United Soccer Club.

1. Dogs are not allowed.
2. Players are not allowed to warm up inside the 18 box to protect fields for the entire summer and fall seasons.
3. A goalie can use the backside of a net to warm up (the back is the same size as the front).
4. Driving or parking on the grass is prohibited.
5. Glass containers are prohibited.
6. Bonfires are prohibited.
7. Snowmobiles and ATVs are prohibited.
8. Audio devices must respect reasonable use of the park by others.
9. Golfing is not allowed.

Registration Deadline: May 17, 2024

Registration will open soon! 

Questions? Contact staff@mankatounited.org