A summary of the key SAM and SAM-Select FIFA modifications are listed below. You can find the full league rules for SAM and SAM-Select here.
FORMAT OF PLAY, MINIMUM PLAYERS, GAME LENGTH
U8-U10 5 minimum 7 v 7 25 min halves
U11-12 7 minimum 9 v 9 30 min halves
U13-14 7 minimum 11 v 11 35 min halves
HS 7 minimum 11 v 11 40 min halves
SAM & SAM-Select Rules and Regulations
| Team Sportsmanship Liaison (TSL) | Yes |
| Red Card | Included in game report and reported to assignor |
| Combined Age Groups | Governing rules are rules for oldest age group |
| Heading | No heading in 11U and under games |
| Build Out Lines* | U8-U10 age groups |
| Substitutions | FIFA guidelines, no subs on the fly |
| Player Carding (Select only) | Must check team rosters and player cards before match. A player playing with an unverified card constitutes as a forfeit and should be included in the game report. |
| Lopsided Rule (Rec only) | 1 player is removed from leading team that has a 5-goal lead. Player returns when lead drops below 5 goals. |
| Forfeits | Ref may officiate a scrimmage between a team(s) in event of a forfeit |
| Spectators and Sidelines** | Spectators should be on opposite sidelines of coaches and player. Teams spectators, coaches and players should stay on their side of the midfield stripe. |
*Build out lines are used for U8, U9, and U10 divisions to allow for goalkeepers to pass, throw, or roll the ball out from the defensive third of the field to his/her teammate. The opponent must be behind the build out line. Once the ball leaves the goalkeepers hands, the opponent may then pressure the ball again and play will resume as normal.
- No punting or drop kicks are allowed.
- Offside: Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line, but can be penalized for an offside offside offense between the build out line and the goal line.
**Exception: Grass Fields Split to Two Small Sided Fields
All coaches players and spectators must stand/sit completely off the field. Each team occupies one side of the midfield stripe. Spectators of each team must be behind the players and coaches.
