ASA Rules
Age Eligibility
The age chart is given to ASA by the USYSA organization, ASA does not set these guidelines, but must follow them due to our affiliation with USYSA. If you have questions as to where your player should be place, please do not hesitate to ask questions by calling the Soccer Office.
Contact The ASA Office For The Current Chart Or go to Soccer Forms
ASA doesn't promote moving players up age groups to play soccer. We have found that is more for the player's benefit that they play within their own age league. However, if parent's believe that a player would thrive at a higher age group, they may petition the ASA Board of Directors to move their player up ONE age group. A PETITION FORM must be obtained at the soccer office and placed on file with the player's registration. The Board of Director's meets twice during the registration month to consider these requests. Contact the Soccer Office for times and dates of these meetings.
Players MAY NOT BE MOVED down an age group, for insurance purposes.
****U6 players are considered for acceptance by the following methods:
U6 players are eligible to play under the following guidelines:
1. Correct age eligibility.
2. Currently be in Kindergarten for the spring season or starting kindergarten during the fall season.
3. Be turning 5 within the U-6 soccer season.
4. Petition by the parents/guardian.
Again, if you have questions, please contact the Soccer Office at 225-0088
Go to Policies for the League Rules and Modified Rules to print.
ASA League Rules
Policy No: Effective: Reviewed: Spring 2007 Revised: Spring 2007
Subject: ASA City League Rules
Policy: The following rules apply to all teams competing in the ASA City League:
- Each player must meet the ASA Eligibility Requirements for City League Play as published by the ASA.
- Both teams will be on the same side of the field. The home team (as listed on the game schedule) shall occupy the north or east end of the field. Spectators will occupy the opposite side of the field from the teams/players.
- The home team shall be responsible to change jerseys if the referee deems it necessary.
- Shinguards are mandatory for ALL players and must be completely covered by socks or pants.
- Players equipment will be inspected before each game. In addition to shinguards, referees will inspect shoes and any other items worn players (all jewelry must be removed). Any equipment that is deemed dangerous by the referee will not be allowed.
- Players with active bleeding must leave the playing area until the bleeding is stopped and all blood has been removed from his/her jersey/uniform.
- Unlimited substitutions, with the CONSENT OF THE REFEREE, may be made at the following times:
- before a throw-in (by the throwing team).
- before a goal kick (by either team).
- after a goal is scored (by either team).
- when play has been stopped for an injury (by either team).
- at half time/quarter break (by either team).
- Goalkeepers may be changed only with the referee's permission.
- The referee is the sole time-keeper on the field. He/she may add time to each half to account for time lost due to injuries, substitutions, etc.
- Coaches/Team officials must stay on their own side of the field and within their “technical area”. The “technical area” includes the team bench and 10 yards in each direction from that bench. Coaches, assistant coaches, and spectators are not allowed to “coach” from behind the goal line or the opposing side of the field. Coaches/team officials are allowed to convey “tactical instructions” to their players. Coaches/team officials are not permitted to “question” or “protest” decisions made by game officials. Any questions about the decisions of the game officials should be asked at half-time or after the match.
- Game Discipline:
- Players and substitutes are subject to discipline/suspension for misconduct.
Yellow Card = Caution
Red Card = Dismissal from that match and suspension from his/her teams next scheduled match. Additional suspensions/penalties may be imposed by the ASA Board of Directors.
- Coaches, assistant coaches, other team officials, and spectators are subject to expulsion/suspension at the discretion of the referee/ASA board of directors. Coaches, assistant coaches, and other team officials who are sent off/dismissed from a match will be assessed an automatic one game suspension and the incident will be reviewed by local and state authorities for possible additional action.
- Players and substitutes are subject to discipline/suspension for misconduct.
- Players will participate in their own age bracket as adopted by the Aberdeen Soccer Association. Any exception to this rule is the decision of the Board of Directors.
- Teams will play with equal numbers on the fields. Seven is the minimum and eleven is the maximum*. A team with less than seven players will forfeit the game. Teams who have 11 or fewer players available for any game have the right to withhold one (1) player as a substitute. Both teams must still play with equal numbers on the field. *Minimum/Maximum player numbers may be different and take precedence for leagues playing under micro/modified rules (U6, U7, U8, U1O, & U12). Consult the modified rules document for more information.
- If a team does not have enough players available to reach the minimum number of players designated for that league by 10 minutes after the scheduled start of the match, they will be considered a “no-show” and the match will be terminated.
- Game length by league; U6 = Four 8 min. quarters, U7 & U8 = Four 10 min. quarters, U10 =Two 25 min. halves, UI2 = Two 30 min. halves, U14 = Two 35 min. halves, U16=Two 40 min. halves, U19 = Two 45 min. halves. These times may be altered for any league before each season.
- Each player will play a minimum of time as follows: U6, U7 & U8 = One quarter each half; UIO-U19 One-third of each half except for disciplinary reasons.
- Modified rules will, where applicable, take precedence in those leagues playing modified soccer; (Boys and girls U6, U7, U8, U10, & UI2).
- Games will be stopped for lightning, violent weather, darkness, or any other reason the referee deems necessary, including disruption from the sidelines, in accordance with ASA written procedures. A game so suspended may be restarted or terminated.
- If a referee fails to stop a game for lightning or other severe weather condition, the respective coaches, if they agree, may themselves stop the game by telling the referee of their decision Once the referee is informed, game is considered suspended, play will stop, and all players will be removed from the field until the referee determines either that play can resume or that the balance of the game is canceled. The Competition Committee will settle all disputes that may arise under this rule.
- If the first half of a game has been completed before the game is suspended/terminated, it will be considered final. Any other game which is suspended and/or cancelled will be referred to the ASA board for possible reschedule.
- Rules/regulations for individual competitions/leagues (Modified leagues, ASA city tournament, Northern Blast Club, etc) will take precedence over these rules when approved by the ASA Board of Directors.
All rules/regulations that are not addressed in this document or any other document provided by the Aberdeen Soccer Association will be governed using the following:
- ASA Board of directors
- South Dakota State Soccer Association
- United States Soccer Federation
- FIFA Laws of the Gam
ASA Modified League Rules
Policy No: Effective: Reviewed: Spring 2007 Revised: Spring 2007
Subject: Modified/Micro Rules for U6 through U12 Leagues
Policy: These leagues are developmental with an emphasis on learning the game of soccer, and not on winning, therefore every effort should be made to play the games regardless of player numbers.
U6 Boys and Girls
- No Goalkeeper.
- Size #3 balls will be used.
- No Penalty Kicks.
- No offside will be called.
- Play should be stopped for any rough or dangerous play and the ball awarded to the opposing team. Offending player(s) should be cautioned by his/her coach as to the dangerous play.
- Maximum players on the field …………………………………..……….(4)
- No games should be called due to lack of players available.
- Teams will play with an equal number of players on the field. Teams who have the maximum number of players(4), or less than the maximum number of players available will still have the right to have one(1) substitute and the teams must still play at equal strength.
- Scrimmage length………………………………… 4 (8) minute quarters
- Parents or assistant coach should keep the time.
- NO score keeping.
- NO Referee supervision, games are supervised by parents and coaches. Parents and coaches will receive training sessions for this league.
U7 & 8 Boys and Girls:
- Goal Keepers allowed – coach should rotate players in and out of goal.
- Play will be stopped if a player is guilty of committing a “foul” or is guilty of “dangerous play” and an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team. Examples of “fouls” and/or “dangerous play” include, but are not limited to—tripping, kicking, striking, holding, obvious handballs, pushing, foul language, and any other act the referee deems as dangerous. Players guilty of repeated “dangerous” or “foul” play should be verbally cautioned/instructed by the referee AND the coach/parent.
- Offsides will not be called.
- Size #3 Balls will be used.
- Maximum number players on the field (6)(5 plus goalkeeper)
- No games should be called due to lack of players available.
- Teams will play with an equal number of players on the field. Teams who have the maximum number of players(6), or less than the maximum number of players available will still have the right to have one(1) substitute and the teams must still play at equal strength.
- Game length ………………………………………….4 (10) minute quarters.
- NO scorekeeping.
- 2nd try on throw-ins will be allowed, if second attempt is not successful, the ball will be awarded to the opposing team.
U10 Boys and Girls
- Goal keepers are allowed.
- FIFA “Laws of the Game” will be followed.
- Offside will be called.
- Size #4 balls will be used.
- Maximum players on the field …………… (6)(5 plus goalkeeper)
- No games should be called due to lack of players available.
- Teams will play with an equal number of players on the field. Teams who have the maximum number of players(6), or less than the maximum number of players available will still have the right to have one(1) substitute and the teams must still play at equal strength.
- Game length …………………………………. 2/25 minute halves
U12 Boys and Girls
- Goal keepers are allowed.
- FIFA “Laws of the Game” will be followed.
- Size #4 Balls will be used.
- Maximum players on the field …………… (8)(7 plus goalkeeper)
- Minimum players on the field ……………....……. (4) plus keeper
- Teams will play with an equal number of players on the field. Teams who have the maximum number of players(8), or less than the maximum number of players available will still have the right to have one(1) substitute and the teams must still play at equal strength
- Game length ………………………………………… 2/30 minute halves
