We have a new rule that applies only on GOAL KICKS in Division 1 (f.k.a. U8) and Division 2 (f.k.a. U10).  We are using a build-out line. This line will be drawn on each half of the field from sideline to sideline, halfway between the center line and the penalty area.  The purpose is to encourage teams to learn to “build out” their attack from their defensive end by being able to easily and successfully pass goal kicks directly to teammates to begin the attack without opposing players nearby.  On grass fields, the line will be drawn with dashes across the field.  On turf fields, if the line is not painted, cones will be used on the sidelines to indicate the build-out line.  




On goal kicks, the opposing (non-kicking) team’s players must now move behind the build-out line and cannot come forward across the line until the goal kick has been taken and the ball has left the penalty area. 

A violation will result in a free kick on the build-out line at the spot of the encroachment.  (If a goal kick is played by any player before it leaves the penalty area, the usual rule that it must be retaken still applies.)

The kicking team has the option to take the kick before all of the other team’s players have moved beyond the build-out line, in which case there would be no encroachment violation.  Refs will be encouraged to use common sense discretion to enforce this new rule in the spirit in which it is intended