NRASL – Laws of the Game – In‐House
Law 1—Field of Play
Sizes of fields, goals, lines, etc. are space dependent and may be non‐conforming for some age groups
Law 2—Ball Size
Size 3 ball- Tots and U5/U6 Academy
Size 4 ball- U8 (U7/8) and U11 (U9/10/11)
Size 5 ball-U14 (U13/14)
Law 3—Players
U8(U7/8) – 4v4 No goalie
U11 (U9/10/11) – 7v7 including goalie
U14 (U13/14) – 9 v 9including goalie
Player Substitutions
Any substitutions should occur ONLY when permission granted by the referee during a momentary pause (but
clock running) in action from a throw‐in, goal kick, or restart.
Play continues on the referee’s whistle once the exiting players are off the field.
Law 4 – Players Equipment
Shin guards are required
Socks over shin guards are required to secure the shin guards in place
-Cleats and Tennis‐shoes are allowed
Goalies should be differentiated with goalie shirts or pinnies
Law 7 – Duration of the Match
U8 and U11—12 minute quarters. 2 minute breaks between quarters. 5 minute half break. (57min)
U14—28 minute halves. 5 minute half break. (64min)
Referee is in sole control over the clock.
Game Clock should only be stopped by the referee for significant injury, weather, rare instance of goalie
substitution, and to consult with a NRASL Board Member.
Law 8 – Start and Restart of Play
Coaches and Referee determine who gets 1st kick and which team gets which goal.
Start the ball at midfield circle after a goal.
Start the ball at midfield circle at the beginning of each quarter.
If, while the ball is still in play, the referee is required to stop play temporarily for any reason not mentioned
elsewhere in the Laws of the Game, the match is restarted with a dropped ball.
Referee may choose to restart match without favoring attacking or defending teams with a drop ball
Law 9 – Ball in and out of play
The ball is out of play when: It has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air;
Play has been stopped by the referee
The ball is in play at all other times, including when: It rebounds off a goalpost, crossbar or corner flag post and
remains in the field of play; It rebounds off either the referee or an assistant referee when they are on the field
of play
Law 10—Scoring
No Keeping Score
If a player asks the score, say ‘there is no score – have fun’
Law 11—Offsides
No offside rules in effect except for U14 games.
In U14, call only the OBVIOUS offsides
Law 12—Fouls and Misconduct
No Direct Free Kicks
No Penalty Kicks
100% Misconduct Enforcement
The referee may feel that a player is so excessive with their violent conduct / serious foul play, that the referee
temporally suspends play and stops clock.
The referee will seek out a NRASL board member to consult about an ejection
- Ask the players to stay on the field take a knee
- Ejected players can be replaced by the offending team and the game and clock resume
Sending‐off (ejection) Offenses Examples
Serious foul play
Violent conduct
Spitting at an opponent or any other person
Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
A COACH maybe sent off if he/she commits:
Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures. (Go to concession stand and get a board
member if this occurs)
Law 13—Free Kicks
Only Indirect Free Kicks, no Direct Free Kicks or Penalty kicks
A goal can be scored off an indirect free kick only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters
the goal:
If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded to the defenders
Free Kick Inside the Penalty Area
- Indirect free kick to the defending team:
- Indirect free kick to the attacking team:
- All opponents must be at least 8 yds from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on
their own goal line between the goalposts
- The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
Free Kick Outside the Penalty Area (Most Common)
- All opponents must be at least 8 yds from the ball until it is in play
- The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
Law 15—Throw‐ins
Allow player to rethrow in the ball if the player does not do it correctly on the initial attempt of the throw‐in.
The referee shall explain the proper method before allowing the player to re‐throw.
Law 16—Goal Kicks
Goal kick may be taken anywhere within the goal box area
If any player plays the ball before it leaves the penalty box area, a goal kick shall be retaken
Law 17—Corner Kicks
To be taken from the corner where the touchline and goal line meet
8 yard separation
A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick