This page clarifies the IFAB Laws of the Game, and South Dundas United’s Laws of the Game that supersede IFAB’s rules.
- International Football Association Board rules 2024/25 (PDF Document)
- IFAB rule changes for 2025/26 – implemented by SDUFC except as listed below (PDF Document)
South Dundas United LotG supersede IFAB in the following respects:
LAW 1 – Field of Play
Section 3 – U9 and younger – Field sizes are 75′ on the goal line, 150′ on the touch line.
Section 5 – U9 and younger – The goal area is a 25′ radius semicircle centred on the centre of the goal.
Section 9 – U9 and younger – Coaches are allowed on the field during matches in the regular season, the technical area is not enforced. During playoffs and tournaments, coaches are not allowed on the field except for U5. U11 and older, team officials and players not on the field of play must remain in the technical area during a match.
Section 14 – There is no VAR available.
LAW 3 – The Players
Section 1 – The number of players on pitch allowed are as follows: U5 (5v5), U7 (6v6), U9 (7v7), U11 (9v9), U14 and up (11v11). Teams will match the number of players on the field per side.
Section 2 – Substitutions are unlimited. U9 and under are on-the-fly substitutions. U11 and older follows substitution procedures as per IFAB.
Section 10 – In addition to IFAB rules, each SDUFC team at the U13 or older level, must appoint a captain. That captain will wear an arm band provided by the league. There must be a captain on the soccer pitch at all times. If the captain is substituted off, an alternate who remains on the pitch must assume wearing the armband. Only the captain, and the designated head coach/team official for a team, may discuss calls made by the referee. Any player or team official who is not the appointed captain or head coach, which questions a call or makes a comment about a call made by the referee, may be warned once, then carded appropriately in the match. First offence is a yellow card, second offence in the same match is a second yellow card offence (red card). In the instance of a red card offence, the player will be subject to a hearing consisting of the board and the referee-in-chief (or designate) and possible suspension. (*New in 2025)
LAW 4 – The Players’ Equipment
Section 1 – Players with stud earrings that cannot be removed may apply bandage or medical tape around the ear lobe to ensure the stud cannot fall out, puncture the skin, or come into contact with other players/uniforms.
LAW 7 – Duration of the match
Section 1 – U5 matches are 10 minutes per half. U7 and U9 are 12 minutes per half. U11 are 15 minutes per half, U14 are 20 minutes per half, and U18 are 25 minutes per half. (*Amended 2025)
Section 2 – Half time is five minutes.
Section 3 – There is no allowance for stoppage time in matches.
Section 5 – Abandoned matches will not be replayed. Abandoned matches will not be counted in standings.
LAW 8 – The Start and Restart of Play
Section 1 – Designated “Away Team” will have first ball at kick off of the match. Designated “Home Team” will have the kick off for the second half of the match. There is no coin toss option except during playoff championship and consolation finals.
Section 2 – A Dropped Ball is awarded if the ball is in play and makes contact with any foliage overhanging the soccer pitch. The Dropped Ball is awarded to the team that last had possession.
LAW 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match
Section 2 – When competition rules require a winning team after a drawn match the only permitted procedures to determine the winning team are: two equal periods of extra time not exceeding 5 minutes each; followed by kicks from the penalty mark. During any tournament when round-robin play is undertaken, if a deciding round-robin match requires a game to not end in a draw (e.i. game three of round-robin with two or more teams tied in points going into the match), at the end of regulation time, the match will be settled by kicks from the penalty mark.
Section 3 – Kicks from the penalty mark will be taken at the following distance based on each league: U9 and younger – 6 yards from the goal line; U11 – 9 yards from the goal line; U12 and above – 12 yards from the goal line.
LAW 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
Section 1 – A direct free kick from the corner (corner kick) is awarded to the opposition if a goalkeeper controls the ball with the hand/arm for more than eight seconds (the last five sections being a visual or audible warning) before releasing it into play. This rule is in effect for all SDUFC leagues from U9 and older including Adult. (Amended 2025)
Section 2 – An indirect free kick is awarded if a goalkeeper, inside their penalty area, commits any of the following offences:
controls the ball with the hand/arm for more than six seconds before releasing it(Amended 2025, IFAB)- touches the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it and before it has touched another player
- touches the ball with the hand/arm, unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or attempted to kick the ball to release it into play, after:
- it has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate
- receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate. A penalty kick is awarded to the attacking team
In the event of a goalkeeper intentionally picking up the ball from an intentional pass from a teammate, a penalty kick will be awarded to the attacking team. Multiple offences may be cautioned.
Section 3 – Disciplinary Action (U11 and older) – If a player has received a caution (yellow card) in three consecutive matches, that player will be suspended for their next match. Any player or team official that is sent off (red card) after being cautioned (yellow card) while the match official in control of the pitch will be suspended for their next match. Any player or team official that is sent off directly (straight red card) will be suspended for their next three matches.
Section 3 – Sending Off Offences (All Leagues) – Any individual that has been sent off (red card) must remain more than 40 yards (120 feet) from the match with which said individual committed the offence.
Section 3 – Serious foul play – will equal a caution or sending off from the match.
Section 3 – Violent conduct – Any individual (player, team official, spectator) which commits violent conduct will face a hearing and potential expulsion for the season.
LAW 15 – The Throw-in
Section 1 – U7 leagues and younger will use a kick-in as a substitution for a throw-in. U8-U10 leagues will allow substitutions with unlimited retries. After three unsuccessful throw-in attempts by a player, another player from the same team in U8-10 will take the throw-in. There is no loss of possession for unsuccessful throw-ins in U8-10 leagues. U11 leagues will allow two additional attempts to successfully complete a throw-in before possession is awarded to the opposing team. U14 leagues will allow one additional attempt to successfully complete a throw-in before possession is awarded to the opposing team. Leagues older than U14 will not have additional attempts allowed, possession is awarded to opposing team.
LAW 16 – The Goal Kick
Section 1 – Procedure – The ball must be stationary and is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team. For U9 and younger, this is the entire goal area. For U10 and older, this is the six yard box. The ball must exit the penalty area before any other player can contact the ball. A violation of this will result in the goal kick being retaken. All players except for the player taking the goal kick, and/or the goalkeeper, must be outside of the penalty area.
LAW 17 – The Corner Kick
Section 1 – Procedure – Opponents must remain at least 5 yards (15 feet) from the corner arc until the ball is in play.