Youth Soccer Rules: U11–U13 Travel Soccer (Parent Guide)
Understanding the game as your player moves to competitive small-sided and full-sided soccer
Game Format
Travel teams at this age typically play 9v9 (9 players per side including goalkeeper) on a mid-sized field, roughly 70–80 yards long by 45–55 yards wide. Some U13 programs transition to full 11v11. Games are usually two halves of 25–30 minutes each.
No Hands Rules
- Field players cannot deliberately touch the ball with their hands or arms. Accidental contact (such as a deflection off the arm at close range) is judged by the referee.
- The goalkeeper may use hands only inside their own penalty area. Outside that area, they play as a field player.
- The goalkeeper cannot pick up a deliberate kick from a teammate’s foot (the “back-pass rule”); this results in an indirect free kick for the opponents.
Starting and Restarting
- The game begins with a kickoff from the center circle. After each goal, the team that conceded kicks off to restart play.
- All players must be in their own half at kickoff, and opponents must stay outside the center circle until the ball is played.
- The kicker cannot touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it.
Ball Out of Bounds
- Throw-in: When the ball crosses the sideline, the team that didn’t touch it last restarts with a throw-in. Both hands must bring the ball from behind and over the head, with both feet on or behind the line at release.
- Goal kick: When the attacking team sends the ball over the goal (end) line without scoring, the defending team restarts from inside their goal area.
- Corner kick: When the defending team sends the ball over their own goal line, the attacking team takes a kick from the corner arc.
Fouls, Free Kicks, and Penalties
Common fouls include tripping, kicking an opponent, pushing, holding, charging recklessly, or deliberate handball.
- Direct free kick: Awarded for most physical fouls. You can score directly from a direct free kick.
- Indirect free kick: The ball must touch another player before a goal can count. The referee signals by raising one arm straight up. Used for technical offenses like dangerous play or the goalkeeper back-pass violation.
- Penalty kick: If a direct-free-kick foul occurs inside the penalty area by the defending team, the attacking team is awarded a penalty kick from the penalty spot. Only the kicker and goalkeeper are involved; all other players must stay outside the penalty area until the kick is taken.
The Build-Out Line (U11–U12 in 9v9)
Many leagues use a build-out line at U11 and U12 to encourage playing out from the back:
- The build-out line is marked halfway between the halfway line and the top of the penalty area.
- When the goalkeeper has the ball (from a save or a goal kick), opposing players must retreat behind the build-out line until the ball is put into play.
- Once the ball is in play, opponents may cross the build-out line and pressure.
- Offside is only called between the build-out line and the goal line, not in the entire attacking half.
By U13 (or full 11v11), most leagues drop the build-out line and use standard halfway-line offside.
Offside
At this level, players are expected to understand the offside rule:
- A player is in an offside position if they are in the opponent’s half and closer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent (usually the last defender plus the goalkeeper).
- Being offside is only an offense if the player is actively involved when a teammate plays the ball—receiving a pass, blocking a defender’s view, or gaining an advantage.
- You cannot be offside on a throw-in, corner kick, or goal kick.
- If offside is called, the defending team gets an indirect free kick from where the offside player was when the ball was played.
At 9v9 with a build-out line, offside only applies between that line and the goal; at 11v11, it’s from the halfway line forward.
Yellow and Red Cards
Referees use the card system more consistently at travel level:
- Yellow card: A formal caution for repeated fouls, unsporting behavior, dissent, time-wasting, or failing to respect required distances on restarts.
- Red card: Ejection for serious foul play, violent conduct, denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity with a foul or handball, or receiving a second yellow card. The player cannot be replaced, and the team plays short.
Substitutions
Substitution rules vary by league, but most competitive travel programs allow unlimited substitutions at designated stoppages (goal kicks, your team’s throw-ins, after a goal, between halves).
Unlike recreational soccer, there is typically no guaranteed minimum playing time—coaches manage playing time based on performance, effort, and game situation.
♦ Heading
- U11: Deliberate heading is not allowed. If a player intentionally heads the ball, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick from the spot of the offense.
- U12–U13: Heading rules vary by league and state association. Many allow limited heading with restrictions on frequency in practice. Check your local league policies.
♦ Safety & Slide Tackles
- Slide tackles are permitted at this level but must be controlled and win the ball cleanly. Sliding “through” an opponent or from behind is a foul and may result in a card.
- Dangerous play (high kicks near an opponent’s head, reckless challenges) will be called more strictly than in professional games to maintain safety.
Key Mindset for Parents
At the travel level, competition increases and the tactical side of soccer becomes more prominent. Players are expected to understand positioning, spacing, and team shape. Referees are human and will miss calls—focus on your player’s development, effort, and sportsmanship rather than officiating. Let coaches coach, and keep sideline commentary positive and supportive.