Laws Of Our Game!

All of our games are governed by the most current edition of FIFA's Laws of the Game (pdf format) with the variations listed on the chart below.
The chart is reasonably complete but your should read the White Book to be certain you have seen every variation we make from the Laws.
If nothing is listed in a cell in the chart below, there is no variation from FIFA's Laws of the Game.

Last Updated Thu, Nov 1, 2007.

**BCSA Variations from the Laws of the Game**
Law	Under 8	Under 10	Under 12	Under 14-19
1-The Field of Play	Length-35-50 yards. Width-20-25 yards. No Penalty Area. Center Circle-6 yards in radius. Goal Area-6 yards from each goalpost and 6 yards into the field. Goal-5' max. Flags, discs or pop-up goals are acceptable.	Length-45-60 yards. Width-35-45 yards. Center Circle-8 yard radius. Goal-6' x 18' (7'x21' acceptable) Penalty Arc-8 yards from penalty spot. Penalty mark - 8 yards from goal line.	Length-70-80 yards. Width-45-55 yards. Center Circle-8 yard radius. Goal-6' x 18' (7'x21' acceptable) Penalty Arc-8 yards from penalty spot. Penalty mark-10 yards from Goal line.	.
2-The Ball	Size 3 Ball	Size 4 Ball	Size 4 Ball	Size 5 Ball
3-The Number of Players	Roster - No limit Field - 4v4 no GK ALL COACHES MUST HAVE PASSES. Certified rosters required for players. Unlimited substitution on the fly.	Roster - 14 players Field - 6v6 incl. GK Minimum to Start or Continue-5 3 coaches max. ALL COACHES MUST HAVE PASSES. Certified rosters required for players. Unlimited substitution at any stoppage with permission of the referee.	Roster - 16 players Field - 8v8 incl. GK Minimum to Start or Continue-7 3 coaches max. ALL MUST HAVE PASSES. Unlimited substitution at any stoppage with permission of the referee.	Roster - 22 players Maximum of 18 players at the Game site. 3 coaches max. ALL MUST HAVE PASSES. Unlimited substitution at any stoppage with permission of the referee.
4-The Players' Equipment	Shinguards MANDATORY. Soft cleated shoe or sneakers. No jewelry.	Shinguards MANDATORY. Soft cleated shoe or sneakers. No jewelry.	Shinguards MANDATORY. No jewelry.	Shinguards MANDATORY. No jewelry.
5-The Referee	Coaches facilitate games on the field. No referees are required. Instructional only.	Both teams will pay referee and mentor on field before match. New referee program/certified official. Referee shall briefly explain infraction to player. Referee shall check credentials.	Both teams will pay referees on field before match. Certified officials. Referee shall check credentials.	Both teams will pay referees on field before match. Certified officials. Referee shall check credentials.
6-The Assistant Referees	No assistant referees.	No assistant referees. A mentor will be assigned to each match.	Certified assistant referees. Club Assistants should be avoided if possible.	Certified assistant referees. Club Assistants should be avoided if possible.
7-The Duration of the Match	15-20 minute games. Between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes playing time per site per day.	2 halves of 25 minutes each with 5 minute halftime. Referee will add time as per FIFA.	2 halves of 30 minutes each with 10 minute halftime. Referee will add time as per FIFA.	10 Minute Halftime. 2 halves of: U14-35 minutes. U16-40 minutes. U19-45 minutes. Referee will add time as per FIFA.
8-Start and Restart of Play	Opposing players must be at least 6 yards from the ball on kick-offs.	Opposing players must be at least 8 yards from the ball on kick-offs.	Opposing players must be at least 8 yards from the ball on kick-offs.	.
9-Ball in and Out of Play	.	.	.	.
10-The Method of Scoring	No score or standings shall be kept.	No score or standings shall be kept.	.	.
11-Offside	No offside penalties shall be called.	No offside penalties shall be called.	.	.
12-Fouls and Misconduct	Coach/facilitator shall briefly explain violation to offending player. No sliding tackles.	Conform to FIFA with the exception that an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the center spot on the halfway line if a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball in the air from his/her penalty area into the opponents penalty area.	Conform to FIFA with the exception that an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the center spot on the halfway line if a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball in the air from his/her penalty area into the opponents penalty area.	.
13-Free Kicks	All free kicks are indirect. Opposing players must be at least 6 yards from the ball.	Opposing players must be at least 8 yards from the ball.	Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents are at least eight (8) yards from the ball.	.
14-The Penalty Kick	No penalty kicks shall be awarded.	Opposing players must be at least 8 yards from the ball. The penalty mark is made eight (8) yards from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them.	Conform to FIFA with the exceptions that the penalty mark is at ten yards and that players other than the kicker and defending goalkeeper are at least eight (8) yards from the penalty mark.	.
15-The Throw In	One rethrow after explanation from referee shall be given.	.	.	.
16-The Goal Kick	Opposing players must be at least 6 yards from the ball.	.	.	.
17-The Corner Kick	Corner kicks are indirect. Players must be six yards from ball. Ball must be within one yard of the corner.	.	Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents are at least eight (8) yards from the ball.	.