U12 | 2025 Fall 2025 Fall Outdoor Youth Soccer

Information

UPDATED Outdoor Rec Soccer Rules 2025

Soccer Field Layout

• The number of players on a field at a time: the Under 4 division will be 5; Under 6 division will be 5; Under 8 division will be 5 (Four on the field and a goalie); Under 10 will 7 (Six on the field and a goalie); Under 12 will be 9 (Eight on the field and a goalie).
• Game clock for U4 ONLY will be four 8-minute quarters with subs happening at the four-minute mark of each quarter. The U6 & U8 teams will play two 20-minute halves. The clock will stop at 5-minute intervals (5, 10 & 15) for subs. The only time coaches can meet as a team is at halftime. The U10, U12 officials play 2 24-minute halves. Coaches and/or officials will keep track of the time.
• There are goalies for U8, U10, and U12! U10 and U12, goalies may punt the ball away after they have secured it in the box. U8, NO GOALIE PUNTS! U8, the goalie has two options after they have secured the ball, they can roll it out or throw it out to try to pass it to a teammate.
• U8 ONLY, after the goalie has secured the ball, I am asking the coaches to teach the goalies to hold the ball for a little and wait until the opposing team GATHERS BEHIND THE HALF FIELD LINE before the goalie rolls or throws the ball to their teammate. IF the goalie does not wait, the ball is up for grabs by both team and it is a fair game. AFTER the goalie has rolled or thrown the ball, it is also fair game, and the opposing team may try to gather the ball as well. THEY DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AN OFFENSIVE PLAYER TOUCHES THE BALL off of a goalie roll or throw. ALL OF THIS IS TO TRY TO PREVENT OPPOSING TEAMS GETTING QUICK GOALS OFF STEALS BECAUSE THEY STAY RIGHT NEXT TO THE GOALIE on a goalie roll or throw.
• U4 and U6 there are NO GOALIES!
• The U6 field will have an arch around the goals. IF there is no play near those arches, coaches, please try to keep your players outside of those arches. IF a ball goes close to or in those arches, a player on the defensive team may enter the arch to try to steal the ball and prevent a goal. This is to try to prevent cherry picking with players just standing right inside or near the goal.