Kickers and Minors/Seniors Rules

The rules of SAY Soccer shall be enforced as stated in the SAY rulebook unless modified below. These modified Laws are for Minors/Seniors and Kickers Co-ed. 

Updated January 14, 2023

Notes: 

1. In the opinion/interpretation of the referee(s):

   1. If two or more females are present and able to play, Once Female Touch is established, a team does not lose the Female Touch until the ball crosses into its defense side of the field. This includes the taking of throw-in, any free kick, goal kick or corner kick that is taken in the attacking half of the field.

   2. If no females are present and able to play, Once the 3 passes are established, a team does not lose the 3 passes until the ball crosses into its defense side of the field. This includes the taking of throw-in, any free kick, goal kick or corner kick that is taken in the attacking half of the field.

2. The goalie is one of the players

The recommended field size is the same as used for the Strikers and/or Kickers Division 

• 11 v. 11 may have up to 11 players on the field (including goalkeeper) and at least 8 total players. 

  • Up to 8 of these players on the field can be male.

• 9 v. 9 may have up to 9 players on the field (including goalkeeper) and at least 6 total players. 

  • Up to 6 of these players on the field can be male.

• 8 v. 8 may have up to 8 players on the field (including goalkeeper) and at least 5 total players.

  • Up to 5 of these players on the field can be male.

• The game can still be played if there are less than 2 females present and able to play, including if no females are present.

• Any forfeits, including if the minimum number of players are not present and able to play, will be determined by the Mason SAY President and/or Mason SAY Referee Coordinator.

• In case of 1 female player, defending that player must be within the spirit of the game. Defending with multiple players to prevent Female touch is not allowed. A whistle and a verbal warning will be issued for unsporting behavior if, in the eyes of the referee, defending is outside the spirit of the game. A yellow card will be issued to the coach for a second offense.

• Restart will be an indirect free kick at the location of the unsporting behavior.

• Unsporting defending is considered more than 1 or 2 persons defending a Female player. 

The game will be played in 15-minute quarters. No overtime. 

The female touch rule does not apply at the kickoff. Any player may take the kickoff. A goal can be scored directly from this kick. The taking of the kickoff by a female does not establish female touch. 

If two or more females are present and able to play, A female player must touch the ball in her attacking half of the field for a goal to be allowed unless the ball enters the goal from: 

• A kickoff and the ball has not been touched by a second teammate

• A kick is taken from the defensive half of the field and has not been touched by a second teammate in the attacking half of the field. 

Should a goal be disallowed because a Female Touch was not established, play should be re-started with a goal kick.

If one female is present and able to play, the ball must be touched by the female anywhere in any position on the field. The female touch will reset at kickoff.

If no females are present and able to play, the males present must make a minimum of 3 (three) passes on the offensive side of the field.

• LAW 13: A female must take all free kicks awarded to a team in its attacking half of the field. An improper restart of play will result in an indirect free kick to the defending team from the position of the improper restart. Kicks awarded in the defense half may be taken by any player of the team. 

• LAW 14: A female must take all penalty kicks. An improper restart of play (penalty kick) will result in an indirect free kick to the defending team. 

• LAW 15: Any player of a team may take a throw-in. The taking of a throw-in by a female player does not establish a Female Touch.

• LAW 16: Any player of a team may take a goal kick. 

• LAW 17: Any player of a team may take a corner kick. A male can score a goal directly as long as the proper Female Touch has been previously established. The Taking a corner kick by a female does establish female touch.