LSA Rules

LSA Changes in the Official Laws of Soccer:

Each player shall play at least two quarters of every game. No player shall play all four quarters of a game unless every other player on the team plays at least three quarters. Substitutions shall be made at the end of each quarter with exceptions made only for the case of injured players.

A game is declared a scrimmage whenever one team is unable to field 5 players. If one or both teams have too few players for a game, a scrimmage may be held. This can be accomplished by dividing the two teams equally.

A player shall not wear anything which is dangerous to another player or to themselves, such as earrings, wrist watches, bracelets, hair pins, casts, etc. The only acceptable footwear shall be sneakers or shoes with recommended molded soles. Hard leather sole shoes such as cowboy boots, hiking boots, or work boots, are strictly prohibited to protect the other players.

Any player lying on the field shall be presumed injured, and the play shall be stopped, immediately for an apparently serious injury or as quickly as possible without seriously affecting play for minor injuries. Positive, constructive coaching by coaches, players, and spectators from the touch lines will be permitted. However, the conduct of all persons on the touch lines must meet the same standards required of the players on the field. Coaching from the goal line is not permitted. The referee shall record the identity of any person who is ejected. The referee shall suspend the game until an expelled spectator or coach has left the field.

No play is allowed which endangers the goalkeeper, e.g. kicking at the ball in possession of the goalkeeper is forbidden. Possession shall be defined as a ball clearly under the control of the goalkeeper or as the goalkeeper being in contact with a stationary ball. This is not intended to prohibit offensive players from playing a moving ball before the goalkeeper can grab it. The goalkeeper may not be charged inside the penalty area.

The referee makes the final decision in all matters. The assistant referee’s (linesman) judgment is advisory only. Only the referee can stop play.

Time of play is continuous and cannot be stopped by a player or a play. Time is kept by the referee via a "running clock" which is stopped solely at the discretion of the referee. The game ends at the final whistle. No overtime is played; tied games remain a tie.

The game starts when the ball is properly kicked off into play.

Start games on time. Have your players at the field and ready to go 15 to 20 minutes before game time. If games are running late, the quarters may be shortened at the decision of the referee.

Prior to the start of a game, the choice of the kickoff or goal (field end) is decided by the toss of a coin administered by the referee. Please tell your captain what to choose before he/she goes to the coin toss.

Field ends shall be changed at half-time only, not between quarters.

Each team in the D or E division shall provide a club linesman for their side of the field. The club linesman may be a player, or a player's relative or friend, the coach, or any other interested individual. The referee should instruct the linesmen in their job. Their job shall be:

1. To indicate when the ball is out of play, that is, when it has passed completely over the touch line or goal line.

2. To indicate which team should receive the ball after it has passed out of play.

The referee makes the final decision in all matters.

Rule Changes For Each Division:

The following applies the all divisions:

·         Goals cannot be scored directly from a kickoff.  (New ruling as of 02/07/2004) 

·         Smaller field and goal (approximate 3/4 of full-size field).

·         7 players per side, 5 players minimum.

·         Four quarters per game, with two minute breaks in between.

·         Unlimited substitution between quarters, and at injuries.

·         Opponents must be 8 yards from ball at free kicks and corner kicks.  

·         Goalkeepers are encouraged to punt or to release the ball quickly after they gain possession. The special rules under USSF Law 12 concerning goalkeepers (6 sec time limit to hand control) should not be enforced.

Rules specific to the A/B division

·         Number 5 ball.

·         15 minute quarters on weekdays; 12 minute quarters on Saturday

Rules specific to the C division

·         Number 4 ball.

·         15 minute quarters on weekdays; 12 minute quarters on Saturday

Rules specific to the D division

·         Number 4 ball.

·         Four 12 minute quarters.

·         Players must remain on their feet during play unless injured.

·         No slide tackles.

 Rules specific to the E division

·         Number 3 ball.

·         Four 10 minute quarters.

·         Players must remain on their feet during play unless injured.

·         No slide tackles allowed

·         One retake is allowed after an illegal throw in and after bad goal kick.

·          All fouls are penalized with an indirect free kick (no penalty / direct free kick)

·         Goal kicks and free kicks awarded to the defense within their own goal area may be taken from any point half way between the boundaries of the goal area and the penalty area.