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Welcome To AYSO Region 75 - Whittier/Santa Fe Springs

12U Guideline 12U Guideline

The Field: 
The Field Size for 12U games is 70-80 yards long and 44-55 yards wide.

The Markings:
The Center Circle Radius is 8 yards, the Goal Area is 5 yards x 16 yards, Penalty Area is 14 yards x 36 yards, and Goal Line to Penalty is 10 yards. 

The Goals: 
Goal Size is 6.5 feet high x 18.5 feet wide. (Max size - 7 feet high x 21 feet wide).

The Ball: 
A size 4 ball is used for U-12 games.

The Players:

  • Numbers: Nine per team on field; one of which is a goalkeeper. 12 maximum on roster.
  • Substitutions: Between periods, at halftime and for injuries.
  • Playing Time: Minimum of two periods per game and no player should play four periods until everyone has played three.
  • Teams: Separate girls and boys teams should be promoted at all levels of play.

Player Equipment: 
Shoes and shin guards, covered by the socks are mandatory at all practice and game activities. Soft-cleated soccer shoes or tennis shoes.

Duration of Game:
Four 15-minute periods. Halftime break of 5 - 10 minutes. No other changes from play as specified in FIFA Laws of the Game Printed for the American Youth Soccer Organization.

The Start of Play:
The referee conducts a coin toss with captains of both teams. The team that wins the coin toss chooses direction of play and the other team kicks off at the center circle. After half time, the teams switch directions and the team that won the first half coin toss kicks-off. Opponents must be ten yards from the center mark while kick-off is in progress.

Fouls & Misconduct:
Opponents must be ten yards from the ball on restart kicks. Coaches should work cooperatively with players to eliminate the need for cautions and send-offs. Referees will issue cautions and send-offs if such action, in the opinion of the referee, is warranted. The referee will complete a misconduct report should a yellow or red card be issued. Players receiving a send-off will not be allowed to participate in their next scheduled match. It is the coach’s responsibility to notify the referee of the next match of this requirement.

Referee:
The referee must be a certified regional referee or above.

Assistant Referees/Club Linesmen:
If available, qualified, neutral assistant referees who have completed Regional Referee Certification (or higher) may be used to assist the referee. This is an opportunity for new intermediate referees or seasoned regional referees to gain experience. If qualified assistant referees are not available, Club Linesmen (someone who is affiliated with one of the teams/clubs) may be recruited from the spectators to assist the referee with calling the ball in and out of play only. This is an opportunity for parents to get involved.

General Play Requirements:
The goalkeeper must play as least one quarter on the field.

Injury Substitutions:
If a player is injured during the course of a game and is forced to leave the field, there are two options:

• The coach may substitute for the injured player for the quarter. However the injured player may not return to the game for the remainder of the quarter in which they left the field or
• The coach can elect to play short a player for that quarter and when the injured player can continue he may substitute back into the game at a break in play with the referee's permission.

Playing time credit in injury cases: The player who starts the quarter will get credit for the whole quarter regardless of how much time they play. This means time played by the substitute cannot be applied toward the three quarters they are required to play.

Substituted Players:
Substituted players should sit between the halfway line and the top of the penalty area (the 18) on the side of the assistant referee (usually the right side) of their respective touchlines. Substituted players should wear a scrimmage vest over their jersey while on the touchline to help prevent the assistant referee from mistaking a substitute player in an offside position from a player on the field.

Spectators:
Spectators should sit approximately 9 feet off the touchline and between the halfway line and the top of the penalty area (the 18) on the side opposite the assistant referee (usually to the left side of the coach) of their respective touchlines. 

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Region 75 Whittier

PO Box 5463 
Whittier, California 90607

Email Us: [email protected]
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