LAW 7 - THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

MORE INFORMATION

Timing -
There are two equal periods (halves).

Halves are normally 45 minutes but can be altered for youth play. Official time is kept by the referee.

Clock is started at kick-off and remains running.

Clock is never stopped by time may be added for lost time.

The half can be extended for the taking of a penalty kick.

Youth Modifications -
Various age groups have different lengths of halves.

Below are some typical youth lengths of half:

U10 - 25 minutes
U11-U12 - 30 minutes
U13-U14 - 35 minutes
U15-U16 - 40 minutes.

Length of halves are often shortened in tournaments.

Always make sure to confirm length of halves for each game officiated.

Halftime -

Players are entitled to half-time but it cannot exceed 15 minutes (stated in rules of competition) but can be altered with consent of the referee.

Referee Team:

If possible, meet at location agreed in pregame conference to exit the field together

Half-time conference focuses on:

Significant match events

Specific player behaviors and team strategies

Adjustments needed for the second half

Conformation of details regarding goals and cards

Added Time -

Time is added to a half lost for substitutions, player injuries, time wasting, and any other cause.

The referee shall add time but the amount of time added is at the discretion of the referee.

End of the Game -

Referee:

Signals with the whistle

Points up field to the center circle

Supervises the departure of the teams from the field

Assistant Referee:

Join the referee on the field

Flags are furled

Referee Team:

Keeps players and team officials under observation at all times

Leaves the field as a team after the teams have departed or have otherwise ceased all competitive activities

Mistaken Ending:
If the referee ends the half early, then the teams must be called back onto the field and the remaining time must be played
The half-time interval is not considered to have begun until the first half of play is properly ended

If the ball was out of play when the half ended incorrectly, then play should be resumed with the appropriate restart (throw-in, goal kick, etc.)

If the ball was in play, the restart is a dropped ball where the ball was when the referee incorrectly ended play (remember goal area exceptions)

If a period of play (first half or first overtime period) was ended prematurely and this fact was not discovered until after the next half has been started, the referee will complete the match using the correct length of time for the half

Timing - There are two equal periods (halves). Halves are normally 45 minutes but can be altered for youth play. Official time is kept by the referee. Clock is started at kick-off and remains running. Clock is never stopped by time may be added for lost time. The half can be extended for the taking of a penalty kick.
	Youth Modifications - Various age groups have different lengths of halves. Below are some typical youth lengths of half: U10 - 25 minutes U11-U12 - 30 minutes U13-U14 - 35 minutes U15-U16 - 40 minutes. Length of halves are often shortened in tournaments. Always make sure to confirm length of halves for each game officiated.
Halftime - Players are entitled to half-time but it cannot exceed 15 minutes (stated in rules of competition) but can be altered with consent of the referee. Referee Team: If possible, meet at location agreed in pregame conference to exit the field together Half-time conference focuses on: Significant match events Specific player behaviors and team strategies Adjustments needed for the second half Conformation of details regarding goals and cards
	Added Time - Time is added to a half lost for substitutions, player injuries, time wasting, and any other cause. The referee shall add time but the amount of time added is at the discretion of the referee.
End of the Game - Referee: Signals with the whistle Points up field to the center circle Supervises the departure of the teams from the field Assistant Referee: Join the referee on the field Flags are furled Referee Team: Keeps players and team officials under observation at all times Leaves the field as a team after the teams have departed or have otherwise ceased all competitive activities
	Mistaken Ending: If the referee ends the half early, then the teams must be called back onto the field and the remaining time must be played The half-time interval is not considered to have begun until the first half of play is properly ended If the ball was out of play when the half ended incorrectly, then play should be resumed with the appropriate restart (throw-in, goal kick, etc.) If the ball was in play, the restart is a dropped ball where the ball was when the referee incorrectly ended play (remember goal area exceptions) If a period of play (first half or first overtime period) was ended prematurely and this fact was not discovered until after the next half has been started, the referee will complete the match using the correct length of time for the half