Soccer Match Regulation Time and Stoppage Time
Of all the soccer rules and regulations that players and coaches need to know, one of the most important is the match length. After all, the amount of time left on the clock (along with the score) plays a big role in what strategy to use. However, the timekeeping of a soccer game and the terminology used is much different than in other sports. Therefore, it's important to discuss how regulation time for soccer works and how it applies to your games.
What Is Soccer Regulation Time?
In soccer, the scheduled length of a game is referred to as regulation time or "full time." The FIFA Laws of the Game state a regulation match is 90 minutes long, consisting of two 45-minute halves. In between is a halftime break of up to 15 minutes. The game length can only be changed if the referee and both teams agree to it beforehand. In addition to FIFA-sanctioned matches, most professional leagues and the NCAA use this format. The notable twist is that, unlike American football, basketball or hockey, professional and FIFA- sanctioned matches are played with a "running clock. " In other words, the clock doesn't stop for any reason until a half is over.
What Is Stoppage Time?
Even though the clock keeps running, there are plenty of times in soccer when play is halted. So what happens to all that downtime? This is where stoppage time or "injury time" comes in. The Laws of the Game state that, at the end of each half, the referee can add time to make up for any playing time lost due to goal celebrations, substitutions, player injuries, video reviews, etc. There is no minimum or maximum on how much stoppage time can be added. Furthermore, if a penalty kick is called, the half cannot end until this kick is taken. Although the NCAA does not have stoppage time, the clock does stop when a goal is scored and for player substitutions. The referee also can halt the clock for injuries, issuing yellow/red cards or if they determine someone is wasting time.
What Is Regulation Time in Youth Soccer?
Since most youth soccer is not governed by FIFA, it often has different time regulations. The United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) has issued recommendations for match length which are frequently used by travel and recreation leagues. These range from four 6- minute quarters for U6 players to two 45-minute halves for U17 and up. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) lets each state set its own soccer game lengths. That being said, most high schools play either two 40-minute halves or four 20-minute quarters. Some states add stoppage time while others have limited in-game clock stoppages.
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