Waldwick Soccer Association

P.O. Box 163

Waldwick, New Jersey 07463

2009 Division 5 Rules

The following changes to the standard rules will apply to all Division 5 games. No modifications of these rules will be allowed, except by the division coordinator and referee coordinator.

1. The field of play shall be a minimum of 35 yards wide and a maximum of 50 yards wide. The length of the field shall be a minimum of 55 yards in length and a maximum of 80 yards in length. Our fields will be 40 yards wide and 60 yards long.

2. The goal area shall be six yards from each goal post and six yards into the field of play, joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The penalty area shall be marked 12 yards from each goal post and 12 yards into the field of play, joined by a line drawn parallel to the goal line. Penalty kicks are marked at 10 yards from the goal line.

3. Goal size shall be approximately six and one-half (6 ½) to seven (7) feet high and eighteen (18) feet wide.

4. Goal kicks may be taken from any point inside the goal area. Opponents must be 10 yards away from the ball.

5. Corner kicks shall be taken from the corners of the field. Opponents must be 10 yards from the ball.

6. Foul throw-ins shall be identified by the referee and the referee shall allow one retake per throw.

7. The maximum number of players on the field at any one time shall be eight per team, including a designated goalkeeper. For all small-sided games, a minimum of five players must be fielded to start a game. If five eligible players cannot be fielded, the opponent should supply the appropriate number of players so the teams are balanced and the game can be played.

8. If a team does not have eight players, the other team must match the number of players that their opponents use. For example, if one team only fields six players, the other team must also field six players. The lone exception to this rule is if the coach of one team removes players in order to avoid excessive scoring.

9. At no time during a game can a team have a greater than six (6) goal differential. Any coach that allows their team to have a greater than six goal differential will be shown a yellow card by the referee. They must then appear before the Association’s games conduct committee.

10. Any coach that receives a red card, a yellow card or an unsatisfactory rating in a referee report during the season must appear before the Association’s games conduct committee.

11. Before the game, teams including their players and coaches shall take positions on the same side of the field. The teams and the coaches are separated by the “halfway” or “midfield” line. All others, spectators and parents, are to be on the opposite side of the field. Parents are not to be on the same side of the field as the players.

12. Games will consist of four 15-minute quarters. A size 4 ball will be used.

13. New Jersey State law and Waldwick Board of Education Policy prohibit smoking on school property. This includes the fields that the teams play on. The referee will notify the coaches if any of the spectators are smoking.

14. Waldwick Board of Education Policy prohibits dogs on school property. No dogs will be permitted on any of the fields that the teams play on. The coaches are responsible for notifying parents of this rule.

15. No jewelry of any kind can be worn. No jewelry (earrings, necklaces, rings, watches, etc.) will be allowed. Earrings that are taped will not be allowed. Metal hair clips will not be allowed.

16. Each coach and assistant coach must sign a code of conduct document. Copies are to be made by the coach and distributed to all parents (for informational purpose only, no parent signatures are required). Signed copies by each head coach are to be returned to the division coordinator.

17. League rules hold the coach responsible for the conduct of parents on his/her team. Coaches may receive a card for the behavior of their parents. Abuse of referees and players will not be tolerated. Any reported violations will be reviewed by the Association’s games conduct committee and coaches may be asked to appear before the committee.