The Belmont Minor Soccer Association (BMSA) would like to remind parents, coaches, and players of the importance of fair play, patience, understanding, and positive reinforcement during every soccer game.  

🟢 The Teams

1. Required Equipment: Shorts, socks, shin guards, soccer shoes, and a numbered shirt.

2. Each team will consist of 7 players on the field, including one goalkeeper (goalkeeper may wear a goalie shirt).

3. A team must field a minimum of 5 players to begin any game.

4. All players must be registered in the BMSA soccer program.

5. All players must receive equal playing time/sitting time — REGARDLESS OF SKILL.

6. Teams are required to switch ends at halftime.

7. Substitutions are permitted:

   • During a stoppage

   • If a player is injured

   • At the request of coaches, with referee consent

   • Substitution timing must be agreed upon by both coaches and the referee before play begins

🔵 The Play

1. Unless otherwise specified by BMSA rules, FIFA rules apply.

2. Games consist of two 25-minute halves with a 5–10 minute halftime break.

3. Monday games include a 20–30 minute practice at 6:00 p.m., immediately followed by the game.

   • Games start no later than 6:30 p.m.

4. The referee decides first possession. The home team (listed second on the schedule) chooses which end to defend.

5. All games and practices use a Size 4 ball.

6. The offside rule does not apply.

7. Throw-ins: One retake allowed if the first attempt is incorrect (e.g., foot foul).

Fouls & Free Kicks

A free kick will be awarded if a player:

• Kicks or attempts to kick

• Trips or attempts to trip

• Jumps at

• Charges

• Strikes or attempts to strike

• Holds

• Pushes

• Deliberately handles the ball (except goalkeeper inside own penalty area)

• Tackles an opponent and makes contact before touching the ball

• If any of the above occurs inside the player’s own penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded.

• Spitting at an opponent results in immediate dismissal.

• All free kicks are indirect, except for intentional fouls inside the 12-yard box (Rule 8).

• If the goalkeeper handles the ball outside the 12-yard box, an indirect free kick is awarded.

• If a defending player passes back to the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper handles the ball, no free kick is awarded (U8 only).

• Goal kicks may be taken from any point before the 5-yard line.

• Opponents must be outside the 12-yard box on goal kicks. The ball must leave the 12-yard box before being touched again.

• One coach per team may be on the field for the first half of the season only to help manage play. After that, coaches must remain on the sidelines.

• No parents are allowed on the field.

• Goalkeeper must wear a different color shirt or pinnie than the opposing team.

🟡 Conduct

1. Handshakes between teams will occur before the game begins.

2. Players and spectators must sit 1–2 yards off the sideline.

   • Players and coaches sit on one side.

   • Spectators sit on the opposite side.

3. No parent, coach, or spectator may stand behind the net.

4. Coaches, parents, and spectators must not criticize game officials and must model respectful behavior.

5. BMSA Code of Conduct rules apply on game night.