East of Scotland Soccer Development Association


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Rule Changes

 

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At the last ESSDA General Meeting on 17th August 2008, it was agreed that there would be a few changes to the playing rules at ESSDA. These changes were demonstrated at the In Service day on 25th August 2008. These changes come into immediate effect.
 

The key changes are -

7v7 (U9/U10) Continuation with ‘Safety Zone’ but introduce 4v4 (or equivalent activity) at side with ‘spare players’ where feasible
7v7 (U11) Introduction of Retreating Line and continue with 4v4 (or equivalent activity) at side with ‘spare players’ where feasible
7v7 (U12) Introduction of Offside (in Retreating Line Zone) and Introduction of Pass-Back Rule ( Still maintain 4v4 at side)

Things to remember about the Retreating Line:

  •   ON ALL OCCASIONS, when the goalkeeper gathers the ball by hand (or from a goal kick where appropriate), the opposing players must retreat outside the area which is marked by a retreating line (this can be a line, cones, markers etc).
  •   Opposing players must NOT enter the safety zone until a defender has taken his/her ‘first touch’ of the ball or when the ball comes to a complete halt.
  •   Defenders should be encouraged to take the first touch as quickly as possible before this happens.
  •   A return pass to the goalkeeper so that they can then ‘thump’ the ball up the field of play is not in the spirit of the game.

Where a rule is breached , ie, players entering the retreating line zone too early or not retreating at all, a free-kick should be given to the opposing team from the edge of the Retreating Line.

Where a goalkeeper kicks a ball from hand or from a goal kick, without passing to a defender, this is in breach of the rules and a free-kick should be offered to the opposing team on the Retreating Line.

Depending on pitch size, the Retreating Line should be marked approximately 13m-16m from the goal line.

Where clubs do not agree to play the rule changes they must be reported to the appropriate ESSDA age group coordinator.

 

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Last modified: 01 October 2011