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Build Out Line Policy | Referees

EDP Soccer promotes player development and fully supports the US Youth Soccer Player Development Initiative. EDP Soocer's implementation will be as follows:

The 7v7 game is geared for player development. Referee decisions may invoke the “spirit of the game” when the development of the players supersedes trifling infractions.

 

The build-out line promotes playing the ball out of the back, while creating more opportunities and improvement of a player’s understanding of the game in a less pressured setting.

 

When the goalkeeper has possession of the ball, either during live play or from a goal kick, opponents must retreat behind the build-out line before they can pressure the ball and the attacking team when the GK puts the ball into play the ball

 

The build-out line will also serve as the designation for offside at 7v7 play.

Field Marking of the Build-Out Line:

  • The build-out line should be equidistant between the penalty area line and the halfway line.

  • The build-out line should be painted on the field, preferably in a different color.

  • If a painted line is not available, a marker such as a flag or cones will need to be used on the sideline.

Offside

  • The build-out line will be used to denote where offside offenses will be penalized (instead of the halfway line).

  • Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.

  • Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build-out line and the goal line.

Goal Kicks / Free Kicks Coming Out of the Penalty Area

When the goalkeeper has possession of the ball during live play OR from a goal kick or free kick coming out of the penalty area, opponents must retreat behind the build-out line before the opponents can pressure the ball and the attacking team until the GK puts the ball into play.

 

For a goal kick or free kick coming out of the penalty area the ball is considered “in play” when: 

  • The ball is touched by another player on the goalkeeper's team, or 

  • The ball comes to a complete stop, or 

  • The ball crosses the build-out line.

Goalkeeper's Possession After 'Save' During Live Play

  • Goalkeepers cannot punt or drop-kick the ball. 

  • If the goalkeeper does punt/drop-kick the ball: the restart is an indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team at the penalty area line parallel with the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred. 

  • Goalkeepers must throw, roll or release the ball on the ground and play the ball with their feet to put the ball in play. 

  • The ball is considered “in play” as soon as the GK releases the ball.

Encroachment

  • All opponents must retreat behind the build-out Line before they can pressure the ball or the attacking team.

  • If an opponent pressures the ball or the opponent attacking team before they retreat behind the build-out line (encroachment), the restart will be an indirect free kick for the attacking team at the point of the infraction.

  • If a goalkeeper chooses to release the ball quickly before their opponents retreat behind the build-out line, they are doing so at their own risk as these opponents can pressure the ball / attacker as soon as the ball is “in play”.

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