U10 - Tuesday & Wednesday Evenings

⚽ Belmont, Lambeth & Thames Centre Recreational

2026 Mini Soccer Rules of the Game – U10 Boys & Girls

Belmont, Lambeth, and Thames Centre Soccer programs are committed to providing a fun, safe, and development-focused environment for all players.

U10 Schedules Click Here 

Section 1 – Teams

• Players must wear:

  • Shorts, socks, shin guards, cleats, and a numbered jersey

  • No jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.)

• Each team fields 7 players, including a goalkeeper

  • Format may adjust to 6v6 if numbers are low (coach agreement)

• Goalkeepers:

  • Must wear a different colored shirt or pinnie

  • Gloves are required (provided by each association)

• Teams may share players if needed (except during Cup Challenge)

• Minimum 5 players required to start a game

• Maximum 15 players per roster

• All players must be registered with:

  • BMSA, LYS, or TCMS

• Equal playing time is required for all players

• Call-up players:

  • Must be approved by club executives

  • Must come from U8 recreational teams

• Teams switch ends at halftime

• Lambeth fields:

  • Teams must stay off the field until their scheduled time

  • Warm-ups must not interfere with other games

Section 2 – Game Play

• Standard FIFA / Ontario Soccer rules apply unless modified below

• Games are played on mini pitches

• Ball size: Size 4

Game Format

• Kickoff time: 6:30 PM sharp

• 2 x 25-minute halves

• 5-minute halftime

• The referee determines kickoff possession at each half

Substitutions

Allowed during:

• Throw-ins

• Goal kicks

• Goals

• Water breaks or halftime

Not allowed during:

• Corner kicks

• Free kicks

All substitutions are at the referee’s discretion

Breaks

• Water breaks may be added if agreed upon by coaches and referee

• No additional time is added for breaks

Match Officials

• Games are officiated by a certified Level 1 or Level 2 referee

• If no referee is present:

  • Each team’s coach will officiate one half

General Rules

• No offside rule

• Home team is responsible for:

  • Providing and securing nets

Throw-ins

• Awarded when the ball fully crosses the sideline

• A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in

Proper technique:

• Face the field

• Both feet on or outside the line

• Use both hands, throwing from behind and over the head

• Referees may allow one retake for incorrect throws

Fouls & Free Kicks

A direct free kick is awarded if a player:

• Kicks, trips, jumps at, or charges an opponent

• Strikes or pushes

• Tackles from behind or makes contact before the ball

• Holds an opponent

• Spits at an opponent

• Deliberately handles the ball

Penalty Kick:

• Awarded if a foul occurs inside the penalty area

Penalty Kick Procedure

• Ball placed at the penalty mark

• Goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the kick

• All other players must remain:

  • Outside the penalty area

  • Behind the ball

• The kicker must:

  • Kick the ball forward

  • Not touch it again until another player does

Goalkeeper Rules

An indirect free kick is awarded if the goalkeeper:

• Handles a ball passed back deliberately by a teammate

• Handles a ball received directly from a teammate’s throw-in

• Receives a “trick” pass (e.g., lifted to body then played to goalie)

• If the goalkeeper handles the ball outside the penalty area:

  • A direct free kick is awarded

Goal Kicks & Retreat Rule

• Goal kicks are taken from the 6-yard line

Retreat Rule

• Opponents must retreat to the 1/3 field line

• They may not advance until the ball:

  • Is touched by a teammate

  • Leaves the field

  • Crosses the retreat line

  • Is played by the goalkeeper (drop or pass)

• Coaches must mark retreat lines with cones before the game

• When the goalkeeper has the ball in hand:

  • Opponents must retreat to midfield

Additional Rules

• Corner kicks follow FIFA rules

  • Opponents must stay at least 4 yards away

• No parents or coaches on the field during play
  (unless acting as referee)

• Referees must record game incidents and report to their club

Weather Policy

Referees will wait up to 15 minutes before canceling due to weather

• If stopped after halftime, the game is considered complete

• Field cancellations are communicated at least 1 hour before game time

• Home clubs are responsible for notifying teams

Section 3 – Conduct & Sportsmanship

• Handshakes occur before the game

• Sideline setup:

  • Players and coaches on one side

  • Spectators on the opposite side

  • Everyone must stay at least 3 yards off the field

• No one may stand behind the net

• Coaches, parents, and spectators must:

  • Respect officials at all times

  • Avoid criticism

  • Encourage positive behavior

Ontario Soccer “Take 5” Initiative

To address sideline behavior:

1. Warning

2. Timeout

3. Game Abandonment

Coaches are expected to support officials in managing spectator conduct.

This program emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and respect for the game—thank you for helping create a positive soccer experience for all players.