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Summary of Heartland Soccer League Rules

Player and Coaches Cards (HSA Rule 3.05)

  • Each player and coach must have a valid (laminated and signed by an official of their
    home state) US Youth Soccer player pass in order to participate in the League
  • The player & coaches passes must be brought to every game along with the game day roster
  • The match officials will check the teams in prior to kick off
  • A team has until the end of the half time period to produce the player/coaches passes should they not have them available prior to the game or they will forfeit the match

Heading Restrictions at U11 (HSA Rule 5.09)

  • Per US soccer recommendations there will be no deliberate heading at U11 and below
  • When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) should be
    awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
  • If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel
    to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred
  • If a player does not deliberately head the ball, then play should continue

Delay of kick off (HSA Rule 5.07)

  • If a game is delayed due to the tardiness of a team, players, coach or manager, a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes of “grace” time shall be awarded
  • After fifteen (15) minutes if the team is still not able to start the game, it shall be declared a forfeit
  • The grace period might be adapted if the team that is late has a valid reason

Soccer Ball Size (HSA Rule 5.01)

  • U12 and younger divisions will use a size 4 ball
  • U13 and older divisions will use a size 5 ball
  • The home team (listed first in the schedule) shall provide the match ball

Responsible Parties (HSA Rule 7.01)

  • All coaches and other team officials shall be subject to all rules pertaining to misconduct
  • Any other individuals who may be reasonably construed as being associated with a team shall be subject to the jurisdiction and authority of The League
  • Any coach or team official can be held responsible for any individual associated to their team at any match (this includes parents)

Player Equipment and Jersey Color Conflicts (HSA Rule 5.02)

  • The jersey of all players, except for the goalkeeper must contain a visible number, unique from the other members of the same team
  • No jewelry may be worn
  • Hard casts must be covered and be deemed safe for opposing players by the match officials
  • Shin guards are mandatory for all players
  • In case of a color conflict, the home team (listed first in the schedule) shall change colors
  • Please note in tournaments, the away team is usually required to change colors

Duration of the Game (HSA Rule 5.03)

  • Under 9 and Under-10 – 2 x 25 minute halves
  • Under-11 and Under-12 – 2 x 30 minutes halve
  • Under – 13 and Under-14 – 2 x 35 minute halves
  • Under-15 and Under-16 – 2 x 40 minute halves
  • Under-17, 18 and 19 – 2 x 40 minute halves
  • All games are considered final if at least half the game is completed
  • If the game is stopped prior to half time due to weather conditions, the complete game will be replayed
  • Please note tournaments usually shorten halves by five minutes in all age groups

Playing format and minimum number of players (HSA Rule 4.06)

  • The minimum number of players that must be on the field to avoid forfeit are:
    • 11 v 11 Minimum of 7 players (U13 and older)
    • 9 v 9 Minimum of 5 players (U11 and U12)
    •  7v 7 Minimum of 4 players (U10 and younger)
  • Forfeits shall be recorded with a score of 3-0.  In the case of a double forfeit, both teams will record a 0-3 loss to their records

Players and Spectators Seating (HSA Rule 5.08)

  • Players and coaches will set up on the opposite side of the field from all spectators
  • This will be mandatory at all HSA locations

Rain-Outs games (HSA Rule 4.07)

  • All weather cancelled games will be rescheduled to the rain out weekend at the end of the season
  • Teams have the option to reschedule away from the rain out weekend if time permits
  • Should any team be unavailable to play on the rain out weekend and have not rescheduled the game, that team will forfeit said game
  • There is no option to request the rainout weekend as a conflict date