1. Small Sided Games U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
What all USSF referees need to know
To Officiate Small Sided Games

2. Developing Players to the Best of Their Ability
Small Sided Games
Developing Players to the Best of Their Ability 2

3. Small Sided Games Program Objectives
Develop improved skills with the ball
Improve confidence and comfort
Develop intelligence with and without the ball
Promote faster decisions and better awareness
Develop partnerships within the team 3

4. Small Sided Games Groups by ages 4 v 4 6 on roster, no GK
7 v on roster (5 min) 6 + GK
9 v on roster (6 min) 8 + GK 4

5. Small Sided Games
Each affiliated league should publish their own “rules of competition” (ROC), which USSF referees are obligated to enforce if they accept assignments to games within that league.
Any league adopted Concussion policy is in force for players at U11 and below. That enforcement applies to all small sided games 5

6. MYSA Heading Policy
No player at U11 is allowed to intentionally head the ball.
If a player is struck in the head by a ball, the game should be stopped if the player appears to be injured, and the player should leave the game for evaluation.
Restart is an indirect free kick (IFK) from where the ball struck the head, subject to league ROC. 6

7. MYSA Heading Policy
Should a player younger than U-11 be playing up in an older age group that might allow heading, it is the responsibility of the player’s coach or parents for that player not to head the ball, not the referees’.
Referees must enforce any “no-heading” policy based simply on the competition designated age group where the game is placed.
Should a player younger than U-11 be playing up in an older age group that might allow heading, it is the responsibility of the player’s coach or parents for that player not to head the ball, not the referees’.
Referees must enforce any “no-heading” policy based simply on the competition designated age group where the game is placed. 7

8. 4 v 4
No marked goal areas or penalty areas 8

9. 4 v 4 Ball size 3 4 vs 4 Shin guards are required
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any time
Game divided into 4 quarters of no more than 10 minutes each, 5 min rest between periods 9

10. 4 v 4 Restarts used Kick offs Indirect free kicks Throw-ins*
Goal kicks
Corner kicks
Opponents should be 10 feet away on restarts
No offside or penalty kicks
Goal and Corner kicks taken from “general area”
* Kick-ins and/or dribble-ins are also acceptable 10

11. 4 v 4 Registered and certified referees are NOT needed at this level
Coaches are expected to manage the game environment from the touchline using these standards of play and their best judgment
Together, coaches and parents are expected to create and promote a fun and safe environment for the players. Hence, any referee that is used should use these same guidelines for game management. 11

12. 7 v 7 12

13. Build Out Line – Definition/Purposes
7 v 7
Build Out Line – Definition/Purposes
Line drawn marked across field of play parallel to the half way line in each half at a point halfway between the half line and the penalty area.
The build out line is used for both offside and to restrict attacking pressure on defensive restarts by the goalkeeper. 13

14. 7 v 7
Build Out Line
Promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting
When the GK has the ball, either during live play (from an opponent) or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play. 14

15. 7 v 7
Build Out Line
Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punting is NOT allowed)
After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and player resumes as normal 15

16. Build Out Line - Violations
If a goalkeeper punts the ball, an IFK should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
If the punt occurs within the goal area, the IFK should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred 16

17. Build Out Line - Violations
If the attacking team crosses the build out line before the ball is put into play, an IFK should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot where the offense occurred. 17

18. Build Out Line - Violations
If an opposing team does not move beyond the build out line before the ball is put into play by the GK, the referees should “wait and see” if any opposing players interfere or gain an advantage from their not retreating beyond the build out line. If the referees decides to enforce it, an IFK should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense as determined by the referee. 18

19. Build Out Line – Offside
7 v 7
Build Out Line – Offside
Players cannot be penalized for offside between the build out line and the half way line.
Players can be penalized for offside between the build out line and the goal line. 19

20. 7 v 7 Ball size 4 7 v 7 (6+GK) 5 minimum to continue
Shin guards are required
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage
Game divided into 2 halves of 25 min minute halftime, NO added time 20

21. 7 v 7 Standard Laws of the Game that Apply Law 4 – Players’ Equipment
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct *
Law 8 – Start and Restart of Play
Law 13 – Free Kicks
Law 9 – Ball In and Out of Play
Law 14 – Penalty Kick
Law 10 – Method of Scoring
Law 15 – Throw-in
Law 11 – Offside **
Law 17 – Corner Kick
* With the exception of deliberate heading and punting
** With no offside between halfway line and build out line 21

22. 9 v 9 22

23. 9 v 9 Ball size 4 9 v 9 (8+GK) 6 minimum to continue
Shin guards are required
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage
Game divided into 2 halves of 30 min minute halftime, NO added time 23

24. 9 v 9 Standard Laws of the Game that Apply Law 4 – Players’ Equipment
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct *
Law 5 – The Referee
Law 13 – Free Kicks
Law 8 – Start and Restart of Play
Law 14 – Penalty Kick
Law 9 – Ball In and Out of Play
Law 15 – Throw-in
Law 10 – Method of Scoring
Law 16 – Goal Kick
Law 11 – Offside
Law 17 – Corner Kick
* With the exception of deliberate heading in U11 and below games 24

25. Implementation Timeline
All concussion initiatives are implemented with immediate effect
Small sided standards are mandated to be in force August 2017
Some leagues have chosen to adopt earlier, check your league’s ROC. 25