There are seventeen rules or "Laws" in soccer. Most of the rules get modified for youth soccer but can vary from league to league. Here is a quick reference of the modified laws.

Law 1. Field Dimensions- Modified for youth to promote lots of touches. Fields can be 20' wide x 30' long for micro soccer and up to 70' wide x 110' long for 11v11 games.

Law 2. Ball Size- A size 3 ball is used for players U5 to U8, size 4 for players U9 to U12, and size 5 for U13 and up.

Law 3. Number of Players- Modified from 3 players to 11. WCSA plays 3v3 no goalkeeper in U5, 4v4 no goalkeeper in U7, 6v6 including goalkeeper in U9, 9v9 including goalkeeper in U12, and 11v11 including goalkeeper in U15 and up.

Law 4. Player's Equipment- Shin guards with socks that completely cover shin guards. No jewelry and no baseball or football cleats because the front cleats stick out.

Law 5. Referees- Modified. The referee's main concern is the safety of the players. The ref enforces all the rules of the game. 3v3 and 4v4 leagues do not use a referee.

Law 6. Assistant Referee- In 11v11 games there are two assistants helping the referee control the game.

Law 7. Duration of the Game- Modified. The official time is two 45-minute halves. With youth leagues it can range from two 20-minute halves up to 45. Some leagues have 4 12-minute quarters.

Law 8. Start of Play- The kick off is taken at the center spot and is determined by a coin toss. Each player must be in his or her half of the field and at least ten yards away from the ball. If a referee has to do a drop ball, the play resumes when the ball hits the ground.

Law 9. Ball in and Out of Play- The ball is out of play when it COMPLETELY goes over the goal line or touchline. It doesn't matter whether it's in the air or on the ground.

Law 10. Method of Scoring- The ball must COMPLETELY go across the line into the goal.

Law 11. Offside- This is one of the most complicated laws of the game. Most leagues don't apply off sides until they start playing 11v11. The basic concept is that a player must have at least one defender (not including the goalkeeper) between him and the goal WHEN the ball is played to him. Also, to be offside the player must be in the opponent's side and looking to gain an advantage.

Law 12. Fouls and Misconduct- At the youth level most fouls are due to pushing, holding, or tripping and result in a free kick. Other ones to watch out for are handballs and charging.

Law 13. Free Kicks- There are two types of free kicks: direct and indirect. At the youth level most free kicks are classified as indirect. This means a goal may not be scored until the ball has been played or touched by a second player of either team.

Law 14. Penalty Kick- If a player commits a foul in his or her own penalty area a penalty kick will be awarded. The kick is taken twelve yards out from the goal.

Law 15. Throw In- The thing to teach your players is both feet have to be on the ground, they must have two hands on the ball, and the throw must come from behind the player's head. The penalty for a bad throw in is that the opposing team gets the ball. Some leagues don't enforce this rule or give the player two chances.

Law 16. Goal Kick- A goal kick is granted when the attacking team kicks the ball over the goal line. The kicker may not touch the ball again until it has left the penalty area and has been touched by another player on either team.

Law 17. Corner Kick- A corner kick is awarded when the defending team kicks the ball over it's own goal line. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

Complete rules from soccer can be seen on the FIFA website.

Section 1. (a) Except as provided by US Youth Soccer and its State Associations, the length of games, overtime periods, ball size, ball circumference, and ball weight for each age group is as follows:

(b) In tournament play, if the game is still tied after overtime periods, FIFA "Kicks from the Penalty Mark" rules apply to determine the winner.

Section 2. (a) Except as provided by US Youth Soccer and its State Associations, the length of games, ball size, ball circumference, and ball weight for each age group shall be as follows:

(b) For the under 10, under 8, and under 6 competitions, ties will stand.