Celtics Winter League Grasshopper Rules
1. 40-minute games with a running clock. Games start when the ref blows the
whistle. No warm-up time given. Referees: use the clock on the wall. End
the game when the Grasshopper clock says, :20, :40, :00.
2. No off-sides.
3. Kick-ins; no throw-ins.
4. Kick-ins are indirect.
5. Build-Out Lines: Small field is the halfway line. Large field is the entry gate.
Defending team must retreat behind those lines. Ball is in play when the
player receives the ball.
6. First pass free – Small field, opposing players need to be in their own half
until the ball is touched. Large field, behind the team door.
7. Defender must be at least three yards from the player taking
the kick-in.
8. Penalty kick if a foul inside the box.
9. No goal kick, punts, or throws “in the air” over the halfway line. Violation
results in a goal kick for the other team.
10.ALL kicks are indirect (excluding penalties)
11.Blue card for egregious fouls, U11 and up only. Results in 2 minutes out or
until the first goal is scored by the opponent.
12.No slide tackles
13.Subs on fly
14.No gum
15.No jewelry
16.No cleats
17.Ball size is U8-size 3, U9-U11-size 4, U12-size 5.
18.(U8=2015, U9=2014, U10=2013, U11=2012, U12=2011)
19.Shin guards are mandatory.
20.Record all scores and report them to volunteer at Celtics table at the end
of your shift.
21.If the ball hits the ceiling, it is a dead ball and is played at the point of
touch.
22.ALL kicks are indirect (excluding penalties)
23.No goals scored from their own half. Result is no goal and goal kick
24.Players not playing need to be outside of the playing area. Coaches
stay with players.
25.U8, U9 – Mandatory small goals. U10+ – Coaches discretion agreed upon
before the game.
26. The league was founded on Player Development and, as such, we ask that
you place stewardship of the game as a high priority while at the
Grasshopper. Importance to be placed on control, ball movement and
technique. The score is kept during games, however, there should be little
pressure on teams to win games since we do not keep standings. Please be
patient with our younger referees as they are learning their trade; we hope
that this league will be a foundation for these younger referees who are of
high school age to allow them the confidence to continue regularly on the
local soccer circuit in years to come. Coaches are also asked to be
responsible for parent behavior and commit to the same level of decorum.
