LAWS & GUIDANCE

AYSO Heading Rules

February 15, 2016

Consistent with the US Soccer (USSF) mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all division players U-11 (U-12 and below for programs without single age divisions) and below in both practices and games.
Heading for players in U-14 is limited to a maximum of thirty (30) minutes per week with no more than15-20 headers, per player. There is no restriction on heading during a match.
An indirect free kick (IFK) will be awarded to the opposing team if a player, age 10 or younger, deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a match.
The indirect free kick is taken from the place where the player deliberately touched the ball with his / her head.
An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team's goal area, must be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the player deliberately touched the ball with his / her head.
Neither cautions nor send offs shall be issued for persistent infringe mentor denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity related to the heading infraction.

For more information on the new rules, refer to the AYSO National Rules & Regulations. Heading is covered under paragraph 1.I. US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing R ules page 7.

Build Out Line and Offside U9 and U10 Rules:

Build out line Instructional Video: Build Out Line Video

The spirit of this rule is to encourage the U9 and U10 teams to learn how to play the ball forward from the first third. Traditionally keepers have been able to just punt the ball across the midway line which was a detriment to the players learning how to progress the ball forward from defense to mid field to the attackers.
When the goalkeeper (Team O) has the ball in his/her hands during play, the opposing team (Team X) must move behind the build-out line until the ball is released from the goalkeeper's possession and crosses the penalty area.
Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line, the goalkeeper can release the ball by passing (NOT dribbling), throwing, or rolling the ball to a teammate who is on his/her side of the build-out line or beyond the build-out line.
Section 1R has clarified that the goalkeeper may roll (not bounce) the ball and then pass the ball to a teammate on their side of the build out line.
PUNTS and DROP KICKS are not allowed from the keeper.
After the ball is released from the goalkeeper's possession and crosses the penalty area, the opposing team may cross the build-out line and play resumes as normal.
The goalkeeper releasing the ball from possession or the player taking the goal kick does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build-out line.
The play from the goalkeeper or from the goal kick can be played to a teammate beyond the build-out line.
2018 FALL Season UPDATE - on Goal Kicks, the ball must be kicked and cross the penalty area before the opposing team can cross the build out line to attack the ball.

OFFSIDE

The build-out line shall be used as the line to determine offside. 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.
ARs should position themselves with the build-out line, the second to last defender, or the ball, whichever is closest to the goal.

Guidance to Referees

Encourage the opponents to move quickly beyond the build-out line. Do not start the “6-sec clock” until all opponents have retreated behind the build-out line.
The referee should position themselves on or very close to the build-out line and ask the players to stay behind until the ball is released.
If a player insists on crossing over the line a couple of times without respecting the referee’s direction; you have an IFK for the goalkeeper’s team… location: on the build-out line, place closest to where the player crossed the line

The Area 1P staff has created a video presentation of the current implementation of the Build-Out Line for Coaches & Referees.

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