📋 Season Rules

The primary goal of the BSC Rules is to create a framework for safe and consistent game opportunities for all members of the BSC. These rules shall be handed out at the draft and be made publicly available prior to each season. In-season revisions shall be posted online and all affected coaches shall be made aware of all changes.

🗓️ Practices

1. The President, Vice-President, Director of Coaching, or Fields Coordinator has the right to cancel ALL practices in the event of unsafe playing conditions at the fields.
2. No recreational practice will last longer than 1½ hours for U10 and above, and no longer than 1 hour for U4/U6 and U8. Teams may have no more than 3 sessions per week — a session being either a game or a practice. Session counts may be adjusted for field conditions or public health guidelines.
3. Practice sessions should involve passing, dribbling, shooting, and development of other foot skills relevant to the game of soccer.
4. Good sportsmanship and player fun should be emphasized.
5. Coaches should ensure proper breaks for water and restroom visits.
6. Practice fields shall be shared when possible — and under no circumstances shall one age group be kept off their assigned field by a team from another age group.

⏱️ Game Duration

2. All team members should arrive at the field a minimum of 15 minutes before the scheduled start.
3. The second half may be shortened by the referee for inclement weather, a “mercy” time reduction, or lack of daylight — at the referee's discretion.
4. If a game is stopped before the first half is complete, it must be replayed in full. After the first half is complete, the score may stand as final.
5. All regular-season games that end in a tie remain a tie.

⏳ Playing Time Every kid plays

1. All registered players must play a MINIMUM of 50% of the game, including tournament games. A player arriving after the start may be played at the coach's discretion. Exceptions may be granted for illness or injury (when the referee / other coach is advised) — and in U4/U6 when the child refuses to play.
2. It is the coach's responsibility to ensure all players meet the required time in each game. Failure to do so results in a 0–1 forfeit.
3. Coaches who fail to ensure game time are referred to the President and Coaching Coordinator on the first offense, and to the Disciplinary Board for further offenses.
4. Objections made by more than one parent / witness are considered valid by the Referee Coordinator and reported to the President. A forfeit may be awarded after the fact if review shows playing time was not ensured.
5. Specific instances of players missing practices go to the BSC Registrar. Coaches may not discipline the child themselves without Registrar approval.
6. We encourage ALL coaches to develop players in multiple positions. In U8 and U10, goalkeepers may not play more than 2 quarters (one half) in that position.
7. Approved “ghost player” / 12th-man players may sub on and off as they see fit (with referee approval) and have no minimum/maximum playing time — it may vary from “good day to bad day”.

🔄 Substitutions

1. Free substitutions are allowed in all age groups under current FIFA/USSF rules. EITHER team may sub on goal kicks, corner kicks, and throw-ins — at the referee's discretion.
2. Injury subs are one-for-one. The “other” team may sub if the injured team subs.
3. Substitutions are allowed only with the referee's permission, during stoppages in play.
4. Coaches must have players prepared to enter before the substitution occurs — game time must not be delayed waiting on the player or coach to decide “where to send the player”.
5. A referee may allow substitutions for one team if the other does not have enough players for subs.
6. There will be no substitutions under 2 minutes of each half in U10 and above.

⭐ Special Circumstances

1. A player may be considered a “ghost player” / 12th man upon approval by the Registrar, based on a physical or mental diagnosis that prohibits them from competing at their normal grade level.
2. Conditions of such a player are defined in the BSC Recreational Guidelines.

🏷️ Special Playing Rules By Age Group

FIFA / USSF laws apply except where modified below. Each division builds on the last — check the quick facts, then the full lettered rules.

🌱 U4 / U6 Learning divisions

1. Coaches, assistant coaches, or a parent serve as referee. Only one from each team is permitted on the field at a time.
2. No one may pick up the ball in the field of play (no goalkeeper). If a child picks it up, the ball goes to the other team at that spot — placed outside the arc if inside the goal area.
3. Players from either team are not allowed inside the goal area unless the ball is in the goal area, on offense or defense (no goalkeeper, no cherry picking).
4. Balls out on a touchline return with a throw-in (preferred) or kick-in. Balls out on the goal line return with a kick-in from the goal (offense kicked it out) or a corner (defense kicked it out).
5. Goal kicks may be taken at any point inside the goal area. Opponents must be on their own half until the ball is kicked.
6. There are no penalty kicks.
7. No offside rules are observed.
8. Players may not use their head to play the ball.
9. Playing time is four 8-minute quarters.

⚽ U8

1. A coach (or assistant) from each team is on the field during regular-season play, along with a club-appointed referee. The referee is in charge of all aspects — time and calling of all fouls.
2. If a ball strikes a referee or coach, they are considered “part of the field” and play continues uninterrupted.
3. Players get 2 attempts at throw-ins. The referee explains any improper throw before the rethrow; after the 2nd attempt the ball reverts to the other team.
4. There are penalty kicks — including those awarded by the referee for a coach's or parent's unsporting behavior.
5. ALL free kicks are direct, and defenders may “form a wall” except on penalty kicks. All fouls result in a direct kick with opponents 5 yards away (except penalty kicks). No direct kicks inside the goal box — move the ball to the closest point outside the box.
6. No slide challenges to the ball in proximity to another player.
7. No offsides are observed. However, no one other than the defending team may be in the goal box during corner kicks — the referee may ask offensive players to step out until the ball is kicked.
8. Goal kicks may be taken from any point inside the goal area. Opponents must be on their own half. The kicking team may play the ball inside the penalty box.
9. No player may challenge the goalkeeper by purposely going to the ground — a foul, possibly cardable. For fouls inside the goal area, the ball may be placed anywhere inside the goal area.
10. Players may not intentionally use their head to play the ball.
11. No substitutions during a penalty stoppage. All subs are at the referee's discretion.
12. All subs must be ready BEFORE coming to the line — the referee will not wait. Players may exit at any point but only enter at the bench area.
13. Goalkeepers may not play more than two quarters during the regular season.
14. Offensive players must retreat to the BUILDOUT LINES on all goal kicks AND punts. The keeper decides whether to punt/kick early. The referee may retake the punt/kick if the other team is “ball hawking” / not returning to midfield.
15. Bench players must stay on their own half during game time.
16. Ball is a size 3.
17. Game duration is four 12-minute quarters.
18. Teams have 6 players on the field.

🥅 U10 Introduction to offside

1. No coaches on the field. The referee is in charge of all aspects, including the official score and time.
2. Players get 2 attempts at throw-ins before the ball reverts to the other team.
3. Free-kick distance is a minimum of 8 yards.
4. A penalty kick is awarded for unsportsmanlike behavior by the coach or team parents.
5. Offsides are observed.
6. Penalty kicks are direct or indirect per FIFA/USSF guidelines.
7. Goal kicks may be taken from any point in the goal area. The kicking team may play the ball inside its own penalty area. The referee may retake the kick if the other team is “ball hawking” / not returning to midfield.
8. The opposing team must be behind the buildout line on BOTH goal kicks AND punts.
9. No player may challenge the goalkeeper by purposely going to the ground — a foul; the defending team gets a direct free kick from the spot (anywhere inside the goal area for fouls there).
10. Players may not intentionally use their head to play the ball.
11. Players may not enter the field unless waved in by the referee — first infraction a verbal warning, the second a yellow card.
12. Subs must be ready BEFORE coming to the line — the referee will not wait while the coach instructs.
13. Players may exit at any point during substitutions but may only enter from the midfield substitution line.
14. No substitutions during a penalty stoppage. All subs are at the referee's discretion.
15. Goalkeepers shall not play more than two quarters.
16. Game duration is two 25-minute halves.
17. Ball is a size 4.
18. Teams have 8 players on the field.

🏆 U12

1. No coaches on the field. The referee is in charge of all aspects, including the official score and time.
2. Players get 1 attempt at throw-ins before the ball reverts to the other team.
3. Free-kick distance is a minimum of 9 yards.
4. A penalty kick is awarded for unsportsmanlike behavior by the coach or team parents.
5. Offsides are observed.
6. Penalty kicks are direct or indirect per FIFA/USSF guidelines.
7. Goal kicks may be taken from any point in the goal area. The kicking team may play the ball inside its own penalty area.
8. No player may challenge the goalkeeper by purposely going to the ground — a foul; the defending team gets a direct free kick from the spot (anywhere inside the goal area for fouls there).
9. Players may not intentionally use their head to play the ball.
10. Coaches shall not enter the field unless motioned on by the referee.
11. Subs must be ready BEFORE standing at the line — the referee will not wait while the coach instructs.
12. Injury subs may be “one for one”. No substitutions during a penalty stoppage. All subs are at the referee's discretion.
13. Players may exit at any location during substitution but may only enter from the midfield substitution line.
14. Game duration is two 30-minute halves.
15. Ball is a size 4.
16. Coaches may hold one practice per month on proper heading technique. Intentional heading in games is still not permitted — this prepares players for the older groups.
17. Players follow all FIFA/USSF rules.
18. Teams have 9 players on the field.

🌟 U15 Full laws of the game

1. No coaches on the field. The referee is in charge of all aspects, including the official score and time.
2. Players get 1 attempt at throw-ins before the ball reverts to the other team.
3. Free-kick distance is a minimum of 9 yards.
4. A penalty kick is awarded for unsportsmanlike behavior by the coach or team parents.
5. Offsides are observed.
6. Penalty kicks are direct or indirect per FIFA/USSF guidelines.
7. Goal kicks may be taken from any point in the goal area. The kicking team may play the ball inside its own penalty area.
8. No player may challenge the goalkeeper by purposely going to the ground — a foul; the defending team gets a direct free kick from the spot (anywhere inside the goal area for fouls there).
9. Players may not enter the field unless waved in by the referee — first infraction a verbal warning, the second a yellow card.
10. Subs must be ready BEFORE coming to the line — the referee will not wait while the coach instructs.
11. Players may exit at any point but may only enter from the midfield substitution line.
12. No substitutions during a penalty stoppage. All subs are at the referee's discretion.
13. Teams have 11 players on the field.
14. Ball is a size 5.
15. Games are two 35-minute halves.
16. Players follow all FIFA/USSF rules.