BUSA House Rules

Weather

BUSA Inclement Weather Policy

RULES common to all age players:

All players must be registered to play on BUSA teams
Unsportsmanlike conduct is not tolerated; Coaches and parents included
Face to face parental approval is required for any child to re-enter a game after any type of head injury; even a perceived minor one. Referees or coaches are allowed to override parental approval for re-entry of a child; parents and coaches cannot override a referee decision that a child cannot continue.
All Rec League players (unless sick/injured) who are at a game must play at least 50% of that game; exceptions always apply if a kid is displaying poor behavior, is a danger to other players

U4

Funded by donations to BUSA for Tanner's Tots, this is an informal introduction to soccer for all 3 yr old players accompanied by a parent.
No weekly practices
No uniforms needed
Soccer activities every game Saturday
- SPRING season: 11am
- FALL season: 10am
- Meet at U4 marked field at Beauregard Soccer Complex, DeRidder, LA

U6

4 versus 4, no goal keepers (can play down to 2 v 2). Ball size 3, no score is kept. No direct goals off a kick-off
2 x 20-minute halves. All healthy, capable players must play at least 50% of the game.
Substitution done during any stoppage or during play at coach discretion. Teams will not switch sides of the field at halftime.
Throw-ins done by referee rolling ball back onto field.
1 coach per team can be on the field to help direct play. By week 3 coaches should come back to the sidelines
No heading the ball is allowed in U6; Referees will verbally correct the players if heading is attempted.
No Goalies or defense players acting as a goalie. Players can be in defensive half but not playing deep defense as a goalie would. (Intent is for high scoring games and maximum player involvement). If a player uses hands intentionally to prevent the ball from going into the goal it is considered a goal.
Fouls are not differentiated (direct-indirect, major-minor). Referee will make every attempt to correct behavior and let play continue if possible (verbal warnings). Aggressive fouls (pushing, tripping, shirt pulling that goes beyond verbal warning) will result in IDFK (outside arc) and explained to the players. If a player continues highly aggressive play towards another player he/she can be given a “time-out” by the ref for 2-3 minutes as needed (sit on the bench). Team does not have to play short-handed. Coaches need to help this with their teams; a coach should identify the problem and implement a player time-out before a referee has to.
Sliding. Players are not allowed to intentionally slide on the ground for any reason. A free kick can be issued to opposing team (with referee verbal explanation). Unintentional sliding occurs often at this age and is not a violation; referee judgement call.
Half court press from endlines. Endline restart is always a goal kick from anywhere in the goal arc. Opposing players must retreat back to their defending half of the field until the ball is played. “Dribble in” or kick are allowed for goal kick re-start.
Mercy rule. If a team is winning by 5 or more goals the winning coach should discreetly initiate measures to result in a more even outcome. He/she must promote good sportsmanship and prevent taunting or teasing. Possible measures can be playing with less players on the field, allowing the opposing team to add a player (must inform referee first), create a “passing contest” within the team, sending his/her most dominant player to play on other team (must flip jersey) or enforcing a longer stand off for restarts for players. The Mercy rule is not optional; coaches must try to attain “close” results as much as possible.
Safety. Any dangerous play must be stopped; typically high kicking and playing on the ground. Restarts can be referee roll-in or IDFK; no drop balls at U6. Referees and coaches must encourage players to get up quickly if/when they fall on the ground.
Referees will try to “even out” lopsided games using their best judgment. They may roll the ball to less aggressive players or in favor of a team that is less dominant.

6 v 6 or 5 v 5, no goal keepers (can play to 3v3) Ball size 3, 2x 20-minute halves Minute quarters. No direct goals off a kick off.
Teams will not switch sides of the field at halftime.
Substitution done at quarters or upon coach request during injury or other stoppage (a coach can, and should, “bench” a player for a couple minutes if he/she is displaying unsportsmanlike conduct or playing over aggressively toward other players)
No Goalies or defense players acting as a goalie. Players can be in defensive half but not in or near the goal arc when the ball is not in the area; halfway between midline and the goal arc is a reasonable area for a deep defender. If a player uses hands intentionally to prevent the ball from going into the goal it will be a goal. If a defensive player runs into and positions him/herself in front of the goal to block shots (as a goalie would) a blocked shot may be considered a goal; referee judgment call.
No heading is allowed in U8; coaches need to discourage heading in practice and games. Referees will verbally correct the players if heading is attempted and stop the play if an advantage is gained by the heading player/ player’s team (i.e breakaway or goal).
Throw in done by players but referees will not call infraction unless egregious (1 handed, jumping or underhand) to keep play flowing; Infraction will be a do over.
Start of game, halves and after each goal scored is a kick-off. 5 yard stand off on restarts
All endline restarts are a goal kick. Goal kicks taken from goal arc. During a goal kick opposing players must retreat back to their defending half of the field until the ball is played. No Corner kicks.
Fouls are not differentiated (direct-indirect). IDFK is the result of any foul unless it is intentional to prevent a goal in which case a goal is awarded. Referee will attempt to correct behavior and let play continue if possible (verbal warnings). Aggressive fouls (pushing, tripping, shirt pulling that go beyond verbal warning or pose a safety risk) will result in IDFK (outside the arc) and explained to the player. If a player continues highly aggressive play towards another player he/she can be given a short time-out (sit on the bench)” by the referee (or coach). Team does not have to play short-handed.
No card violations will be issued to U8 players however game ejections can be issued if extreme but team will not play shorthanded like a red card.
Sliding. Players are not allowed to intentionally slide on the ground for any reason. A free kick can be issued. Unintentional sliding occurs often at this age and is not a violation unless it endangers another player. Aggressive sliding into an opponent can result is a time-out if warranted.
Mercy rule. If a team is winning by 5 or more goals the winning coach should discreetly initiate measures to result in a more even outcome. He/she must promote good sportsmanship and prevent taunting or teasing. Possible measures can be playing with less players on the field, allowing the opposing team to add a player (must inform referee first), create a “passing contest” within the team, sending his/her most dominant player to play on other team (must flip jersey) or enforcing a longer stand off for restarts for players. The Mercy rule is not optional; coaches must try to attain “close” results as much as possible.
Safety. Any dangerous play must be stopped; typically high kicking and playing on the ground. Restarts can be referee roll-in or IDFK; no drop balls at U8. Referees and coaches must encourage players to get up quickly if/when they fall on the ground.
Referees are instructed to “even out” lopsided games using their best judgment. This may be asking a coach to give a dominating player a water break or playing with less players.

U10

8 versus 8 (7 field players + 1 goalkeeper), can play down in player number as needed, Ball Size 4
Teams will switch field sides at halftime
2- 25 minute halves with a "running" quarter break (quarter break is maximum 2 minutes) quarter break re start is from where it left off (throw-in, goal kick etc.) the clock continues to run during quarter break/water break.
Substitution during quarters or stoppage of play.
No heading is allowed in U10; coaches need to discourage heading in practice and games. Referees will verbally correct the players if heading is attempted and stop the play if an advantage is gained by the heading player/ player’s team (i.e breakaway or goal). Intentional heading violation are an indirect free kick for the opposing team.
Throw in done by player; if incorrect the player gets 1 re-do attempt. If incorrect again the opposing team gains possession for throw in.
Offside rules in effect; referees should try to explain the rule to players called for offsides if possible.
8-yard stand off from ball during restarts; Penalty Kicks in accordance with FIFA.
Fouls are consistent with laws of the game however physical fouls (pushing, arm shielding, jumping into, obstruction or charging) will be called as fouls with less physical contact than high school or higher levels.
Corner kicks are according to FIFA
During Goal kicks, opposing players must retreat to their defending half of the field until the ball is played.
Indirect free kicks (IDFKs) from violations inside the penalty box will always be taken from outside the penalty box; ie. a goalkeeper violation (passback, double touch) or a defensive header occurring inside the penalty box will be moved to the nearest point on the "18"/penalty box line. This is a BUSA Club/Rec rule for safety with younger players; official FIFA rules direct indirect free kicks as a spot foul.
Yellow and Red cards can be issued to players, coaches and spectators. (cards issued to coaches or spectators are used to prevent verbal interaction and diffuse a situation. Coaches or spectators issued a red card must leave the field area but may remain in the parking lot to retrieve their child after the game) Games will not be forfeited as a result of poor adult behavior.
Unsportsmanlike behavior will be called aggressively. Arguing with referee, intentionally stalling, not granting restart standoff or taunting opponents can be immediate yellow cards. Spitting, swearing, or other egregious action warrant issuance of a red card.
Sliding. Players are not allowed to intentionally slide into or in front of a player for any reason (slide tackle). Slide tackling will be assessed as tripping and treated as a direct free kick violation. Sliding to kick a ball in the open (away from other players) is not a violation; goalie sliding is not a violation unless it is intended to harm an opponent or reckless. Aggressive sliding into an opponent should result in a yellow card.
Mercy rule. If a team is winning by 5 or more goals the winning coach should discreetly initiate measures to result in a more even outcome. He/she must promote good sportsmanship and prevent taunting or teasing. Possible measures can be playing with less players on the field, allowing the opposing team to add a player (must inform referee first), create a “passing contest” within the team, sending his/her most dominant player to play on other team (must flip jersey) or enforcing a longer stand off for restarts for players. The Mercy rule is not optional; coaches must try to attain “close” results as much as possible.
Safety. Any dangerous play must be stopped; typically high kicking and playing on the ground when an opponent is trying to play the ball. Restarts should be IDFK. Referees and coaches must encourage players to get up quickly if/when they fall on the ground.

U12

8 v 8 or 9 v 9 (7/8 field players + 1 goalkeeper) Ball size: 4
2-25 Minute halves with running water/quarter breaks. Substitution during out of bounds stoppage of play (not on a free kick or penalty). Informal stoppage time can be implemented by referee if intentional stalling or time wasting is exhibited.
Throw in done by player. if incorrect possession goes to opposing team.
Offside rules in effect.
NO heading in U12. Penalty is an IDFK.
Indirect free kicks (IDFKs) from violations inside the penalty box will always be taken from outside the penalty box; ie. a goalkeeper violation (passback, double touch) or a defensive header occurring inside the penalty box will be moved to the nearest point on the "18"/penalty box line. This is a BUSA Club/Rec rule for safety with younger players; official FIFA rules direct indirect free kicks as a spot foul.
Corner kicks and goal kicks according to FIFA.
Yellow and Red cards can be issued to players, coaches and spectators. (cards issued to coaches or spectators are used to prevent verbal interaction and diffuse a situation. Coaches or spectators issued a red card must leave the field area but may remain in the parking lot to retrieve their child after the game) Games will not be forfeited as a result of poor adult behavior.
Unsportsmanlike behavior will be called aggressively. Arguing with referee, intentionally stalling, not granting restart standoff or taunting opponents can be immediate yellow cards. Spitting, swearing, or other egregious action warrant issuance of a red card.
Sliding. Players are not allowed to intentionally slide into or in front of a player for any reason (slide tackle). Slide tackling will be assessed as tripping and treated as a direct free kick violation. Sliding to kick a ball in the open (away from other players) is not a violation; goalie sliding is not a violation unless it is intended to harm an opponent. Aggressive sliding into an opponent should result in a yellow card.
Mercy rule. If a team is winning by 5 or more goals the winning coach should discreetly initiate measures to result in a more even outcome. He/she must promote good sportsmanship and prevent taunting or teasing. Possible measures can be playing with less players on the field, allowing the opposing team to add a player (must inform referee first), create a “passing contest” within the team, sending his/her most dominant player to play on other team (must flip jersey) or enforcing a longer stand off for restarts for players. The Mercy rule is not optional; coaches must try to attain “close” results as much as possible.
Safety. Any dangerous play must be stopped; typically high kicking and playing on the ground when an opponent is trying to play the ball. Restarts should be IDFK. Referees and coaches must encourage players to get up quickly if/when they fall on the ground.

U15

9 v 9 (8 field players + 1 goalkeeper) Ball size: 5
2-30 Minute halves with running water/quarter breaks. Substitution during out of bounds stoppage of play (not on a free kick or penalty). Informal stoppage time can be implemented by referee if intentional stalling or time wasting is exhibited.
Throw in done by player. if incorrect possession goes to opposing team.
Heading is allowed in U15
Indirect free kicks (IDFKs) from violations inside the penalty box will always be taken from outside the penalty box; ie. a goalkeeper violation (passback, double touch) or a defensive header occurring inside the penalty box will be moved to the nearest point on the "18"/penalty box line. This is a BUSA Club/Rec rule for safety with younger players; official FIFA rules direct indirect free kicks as a spot foul.
Corner kicks and goal kicks and off sides are according to FIFA.
Yellow and Red cards can be issued to players, coaches and spectators. (cards issued to coaches or spectators are used to prevent verbal interaction and diffuse a situation. Coaches or spectators issued a red card must leave the field area but may remain in the parking lot to retrieve their child after the game) Games will not be forfeited as a result of poor adult behavior.
Unsportsmanlike behavior will be called aggressively. Arguing with referee, intentionally stalling, not granting restart standoff or taunting opponents can be immediate yellow cards. Spitting, swearing, or other egregious action warrant issuance of a red card.
Sliding. Players are not allowed to intentionally slide into or in front of a player for any reason (slide tackle). Slide tackling will be assessed as tripping and treated as a direct free kick violation. Sliding to kick a ball in the open (away from other players) is not a violation; goalie sliding is not a violation unless it is intended to harm an opponent. Aggressive sliding into an opponent should result in a yellow card.
Mercy rule. If a team is winning by 5 or more goals the winning coach should discreetly initiate measures to result in a more even outcome. He/she must promote good sportsmanship and prevent taunting or teasing. Possible measures can be playing with less players on the field, allowing the opposing team to add a player (must inform referee first), create a “passing contest” within the team, sending his/her most dominant player to play on other team (must flip jersey) or enforcing a longer stand off for restarts for players. The Mercy rule is not optional; coaches must try to attain “close” results as much as possible.
Safety. Any dangerous play must be stopped; typically high kicking and playing on the ground when an opponent is trying to play the ball. Restarts should be IDFK. Referees and coaches must encourage players to get up quickly if/when they fall on the ground.