VALLEY AA 9 v 9 Rules
In addition to the US Youth Soccer Small Sided Official Laws, Valley AA has the following additional rules of play and conduct.
Size 4 ball
1. The player must play ½ the scheduled game time.
2. The game consists of two 25 minute halves with a 5 minute half time break.
3. No jewelry may be worn. The covering of earring will not be allowed as this doesn’t take away the potential for injury. The only exception is medical alerts jewelry. This is to prevent injury to others.
4. All players are required to be in uniform for their games. The uniform consists of team shirt, dark athletic shorts, team socks and shin guards (shin guards must be worn and completely covered by the socks. Players may not alter the uniform. If pants or long sleeves are worn they must be under the uniform.
5. Players may be denied ½ playing time for lack of attending practice, refusing to play assigned positions or other disciplinary problems. The opposing Coach and Referee must be notified. The Soccer Commissioner must also be made aware of the problem as soon as possible.
6. Minimum number of players for a team to start the game will be six (6). The opposing team will play down to match the team that is short. The opposing team will be permitted to play with plus one player over the team that is short under the following conditions. If the opposing team has a full roster, they are permitted to play with plus two players over the team that is short. This to allow adequate playing time players of the team with a full roster.
7. Only deliberate hand balls will be called. The player must deliberately use their hand to catch or deflect the ball to gain an advantage. Incidental contact with the ball will not be called (ball to hand)
8. A second throw in attempt will be given to a player for a foul throw in. Same player must throw.
9. The Home team and all of their spectators will sit on the sideline nearest to the parking lot. The visitor will sit on the opposite side. The Coach(es) will be responsible for the conduct of the players and parents on your team. Be quick to stop any negative actions or comments by parents on the first occurrence. The Coach(es) are expected to set the tone and keep control during a game. If you have a parent that persists after you advise them to stop misbehaving, advise the referee of the situation and the game will be suspended, the referee will leave the field for assistance. Only a VAA Executive Board Member or Soccer Commissioner may only restart the game.
10. Cautions (yellow cards will be issued) on all major fouls. An explanation on the penalty will be given to the coach and player. The offending player must be substituted at the time of the caution. The player may reenter the game when the team has it next opportunity to make substitutions. This league is still instructional and the use of red cards (immediate ejections) will generally not be used for players.
11. A player receiving 3 cautions in a game or a red card will be removed from the game and the team will play short for the remainder of the game. The player is also suspended for the next game, but will be required to attend the game in full uniform. This will show acceptance and will complete the suspension. If the child does not attend the game, they are suspended until they show attention.
12. A Coach(es) receiving a red card or two cautions must leave the field and will be suspended for a minimum of one game. There will also be a review by the VAA board on all suspensions of Coach(es) to determine if further steps are warranted.
13. No slide tackling is permitted at this level. Slide tackling is the act of sliding to play the ball while at or near the feet of another player. A warning will be issued on the first offense as well as an indirect kick, if it occurs a second time a yellow card will be issued to offending player in addition to the indirect kick.
14. When a player is injured, Coaches will wait to be beckoned onto the field by an official. Once the coach enters the field the injured player must be substituted for. The opposing team may also substitute one player.
15. Substitutions may occur on any thrown-in or goal kick. No player may be substituted until beckoned by the referee, and it’s the referee’s discretion whether to allow the sub or not.
16. Head balls are not prohibited at this level. An indirect kick will be awarded from the point of incident.
17. Teams up by 5 goals are discouraged from scoring more. If when up by 5 goals and one of the team’s top players score, the Coach in charge may be suspended for at minimum one game at the discretion of the Soccer Commissioner.
18. DROPPED BALL Procedure The ball is dropped for the defending team goalkeeper in their penalty area if, when play was stopped: the ball was in the penalty area or the last touch of the ball was in the penalty area In all other cases, the referee drops the ball for one player of the team that last touched the ball at the position where it last touched a player, an outside agent or, a match official. If it touches a match official and remains on the field of play and: a team starts a promising attack or the ball goes directly into the goal or the team in possession of the ball changes All other players (of both teams) must remain at least 4 m (4.5 yds) from the ball until it is in play The ball is in play when it touches the ground. Offences and sanctions The ball is dropped again if it: touches a player before it touches the ground leaves the field of play after it touches the ground, without touching a player If a dropped ball enters the goal without touching at least two players, play is restarted with: a goal kick if it enters the opponents’ goal a corner kick if it enters the team’s goal
19. Penalty Kick The goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot on/in line with the goal line when the kick is taken; cannot stand behind the line
20. The Goal Kick PROCEDURE The ball must be stationary and is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves Opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play OFFENCES AND SANCTIONS If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded; if the kicker commits a handball offence: a direct free kick is awarded; a penalty kick is awarded if the offence occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area, unless the kicker was the goalkeeper, in which case an indirect free kick is awarded If, when a goal kick is taken, any opponents are inside the penalty area because they did not have time to leave, the referee allows play to continue. If an opponent who is in the penalty area when the goal kick is taken, or enters the penalty area before the ball is in play, touches or challenges for the ball before it is in play, the goal kick is retaken. If a player enters the penalty area before the ball is in play and fouls or is fouled by an opponent, the goal kick is retaken and the offender may be cautioned or sent off, depending on the offence. For any other offence, the kick is retaken.
21. There will be playoffs at the end of the fall season. All teams will be included in the playoffs. There will be awards for first and second place teams. The playoffs may be double or single elimination based on the number of teams or a combination. Playoff games will be played under the regular season rules with the following exceptions: A team will not play down to match the team that is short players, borrowing players are not permitted unless stated otherwise by the Soccer Commissioner. There are no ties in playoffs. There will be two five minute overtime periods, the teams flip for which goal to defend first then switch goals between periods. After the two overtime periods and there is still a tie. There will be a shoot out consisting of 5 players from each team currently on the field. If there is still a tie then 5 different players will be selected for another shoot out.
(updated 07/14/2025)