2026 LEAGUE RULE BOOK

Soccer in the Country Rules

The complete league rules in one place. Coaches should use their division-specific Coach Rules page for the fastest game-day reference.

Divisions & Game Format

Who is on the field

4U: 4v4 — four field players per team, no goalkeeper, 8-minute quarters.
6U: 4v4 — four field players per team, no goalkeeper, 10-minute quarters.
8U: 6v6 — five field players plus one goalkeeper per team, 12-minute quarters.
11U: 8v8 — seven field players plus one goalkeeper per team, 12-minute quarters.
Every division plays four quarters and has a 15-minute combined halftime devotional.
Every available player plays at least 3 of 4 quarters.

Kickoffs · out of bounds · fouls · safety

A kickoff from the center starts play and restarts after a goal. Teams begin on their own half and the kicker cannot touch the ball twice before another player touches it.
The entire ball must cross a boundary line before it is out of play.
Ball over the sideline: throw-in for the team that did not touch it last.
Ball over the goal line after the attacking team touched it last: goal kick.
Ball over the goal line after the defending team touched it last: corner kick.
Deliberate handball, pushing, tripping, holding, kicking and unsafe tackling may result in a free kick.
Headers and slide tackling are not allowed in any division.

No goalkeeper · no offside · shooting arc

No goalkeeper, no offside and no penalty kicks.
A marked shooting arc sits in front of each goal. No player may touch the ball while the ball is inside that arc.
Opponents stay at least 4 yards away on free kicks, throw-ins and corner kicks.
On goal kicks, place the ball on the end line 5 yards from the shooting arc on the side where the ball went out. Defenders retreat behind midfield until the ball is put into play.
Goals must be scored from the attacking half of the field.
Direct free kick: ball at the spot of the foul and a goal may be scored directly. Indirect free kick: ball at the spot of the violation and another player must touch the ball before a goal can count.

Offside · penalty kicks · goalkeeper rules

Offside is called. A player must be in an offside position and become involved in active play before a violation is called.
No offside violation occurs directly from a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.
Goalkeepers may handle the ball with their hands inside the goal/penalty area and must release it within 6 seconds.
A goalkeeper may not pick up a deliberate kick or throw-in from a teammate.
Opponents stay at least 7 yards from free kicks and corner kicks, and at least 5 yards from throw-ins.
A direct-kick foul inside the penalty area results in a penalty kick from 7 yards.
Direct free kick: ball at the spot of the foul and a goal may be scored directly. Indirect free kick: ball at the spot of the violation and another player must touch the ball before a goal can count.

Every player, every game: at least 3 of 4 quarters.
The minimum is game-by-game, not a season average.
Normal substitutions happen between quarters.
Mid-quarter substitutions are for injury, illness, safety or legitimate child needs—not strategy.
Missing practice does not automatically reduce game playing time.

One official 60-minute practice each week at the Soccer in the Country fields unless leadership approves another site.
One optional extra practice is allowed only when an open field and time slot exists.
Canceled practices must be communicated to the team and league leadership. Makeup requires an open slot.

No permanent playing up or down. Coaches do not make roster moves or trades on their own.
When a team cannot field enough players, it may temporarily pull an eligible registered player from the division immediately below for that game only.
Pull-ups are only to field a team—not to add bench depth.
4U has no younger division; if short-handed, adjust numbers on the field.

League jersey + league socks + black shorts/leggings + shin guards + appropriate shoes on game day.
Shin guards are required for games.
Soccer cleats or tennis/athletic shoes are allowed. Baseball and football cleats are not.
Players bring their personal ball to practice. The league provides the Saturday game ball.

Respect officials. A coach may ask for clarification but may not argue, yell or repeatedly challenge calls.
Parents encourage from the spectator sideline and should not coach or officiate from there.
Normal parent complaints use a 24-hour cooling-off period after games. Serious safety concerns do not wait.
League leadership may remove a disruptive or unsafe spectator.

Safety comes before soccer.
Possible concussion: remove the player. When in doubt, keep them out.
Serious medical emergency: call 911, then leadership and the parent/guardian.
League leadership makes Saturday weather decisions. Coaches do not independently cancel, resume or reschedule games.
Lightning means stop and get players to safety.

GroupMe is the official day-to-day team communication system.
Team information goes in Team GroupMe. Division questions go in Division Coaches GroupMe. Pull-up needs go in All Coaches GroupMe.
Serious or private matters go directly to league leadership.

Prayer and age-appropriate devotionals are part of the league experience.
The 15-minute combined halftime devotional is built into every game and is not optional.
Coach soccer well, love kids well and point them to Jesus.