U10 - Juniors

Local Rules of Competition:

NO SLIDE TACKLING
Match Duration: 2, 25 minute halves
Players: 7v7 including goal keeper
Size of Ball: 4
Substitutions: Unlimited, at a stoppage in play
Offside:  Yes, with the build-out line.
Referees:  Yes


Goal Keepers Introduced (No Punting), offside is enforced. 3 opportunities to throw the ball in correctly.

• Attention span beyond U-8 but still not extended.
• Inclined more toward group activities.
• Still in motion.
• Still very sensitive. Dislike personal failure in front of peers.
• Still enjoy running, jumping, climbing and rolling.
• Prefer real balls through imitation of the big guys. Sports heroes becoming important.
• Still lack a sense of pace. Go flat out.
• Activities should be individually based and with pairs of players.
  

What is a Build Out Line (BOL) and where is it located?

The build out line promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting on a 7v7 field for 9U and 10U. Build out lines should be equidistant between the penalty area line and the halfway line. In the absence of a line, a build out line can be marked with 2-3 training disks or cones in a way that does not endanger the players or referee(s).

Build Out Line use?

When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing (now defending) team must move behind the building line until the ball is put into play. Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed on 7v7 fields). After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal. The opposing team must also move behind the build out line prior to a goal kick and may only cross the build out line once the ball has left the penalty area.

Build Out Line practical applications; guidance to coaches and referees

Ideally, the goalkeeper with ball in hand (or field player taking a goal kick) will wait to put the ball into play once all opponents are past the build out line. However, the goalkeeper (player) can put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the position of the opponents and the consequences of how play resumes. Coaches and referees should be mindful of any intentional delays caused by opponents not retreating in a timely manner or encroaching over the build out line prior to the ball being put into play. At this age, coaches are responsible for addressing these types of issues with their players and referees can manage the situation with misconduct if deemed appropriate. To encourage compliance of defenders to retreat past the build out line, referees should be flexible when enforcing the six (6) second rule and counting time of possession should only begin when all opponents have moved behind the build out line.

Build Out Line and offside?

The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called. Attacking players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line. Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build out line and goal line.