Rules :: Takoma Soccer

Rules for Each Division

Pre-K-3 & Pre-K

All Pre-K-3 & Pre-K sessions last 60 minutes and are designed with fun and instruction in mind. There are no games where scores are kept. For a general idea of how PK sessions are organized, look at the Coaching Tips to find drills for Pre-K-3/Pre-K/Kindergarten. We use size 3 balls.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten sessions last 90 minutes and emphasize fun and instruction, but competition is also introduced. At the end of each session a friendly scrimmage is played against another "K" team. Usually each team divides into two small-sided squads for two separate scrimmages. For instance, Red "A" will play against Blue "A," and Red "B" will play against Blue "B." If three teams are involved, then Red "A" will play Blue "A," Red "B" will play Green "B," and Blue "B" will play Green "A." We use size 3 balls.

Division 1

Division One Questions

How long are the games?

Each game will be 32 minutes long, broken into four eight-minute quarters, with a three-minute break between each quarter. Every effort should be made to begin and finish each game in a timely fashion.

How many players are on each team?

Games will normally be six-versus-six, although adjustments can be made depending on the number of players in attendance for any individual game. The rest of the players are substitutes.

When can a coach substitute players?

Subbing is allowed whenever the ball goes out of bounds. However, to keep the game moving along without unnecessary interruptions, it is often best to make substitutions during the breaks between quarters.

May a coach stand behind the goal line in Division One?

Yes, one coach is allowed to instruct the defenders from behind the goal line (but not in any of the other divisions).

Can parents stand behind the goal line?

On fields with slopes, a person acting as a ball retriever may stand behind the line but at a distance to prevent distracting players on the field. No spectators are ever allowed behind the goal line.

What is the rule on a ball that bounces off the defense and into the net, when it clearly would not have gone in otherwise?

This is a goal.

Is it true there is no goal if someone touches it within the arc?

Yes, it is true. If a member of the attacking team touches the ball, it is a goal kick. If a defender touches the ball within the arc, the correct call is a penalty shot from ten yards out. During a penalty shot no player from either team can stand between the shooter and the net.

What if the ball passes near the arc but stays outside and is then touched by the hands of a defender? What is the call?

An indirect kick from the point of the infraction.

Why do we have an arc (the half-circle in front of the goal)?

The essential rule is that no player on either team can touch the ball inside the arc. Nor are you allowed to stand inside the arc, although you are allowed to run through it to get to the other side of the field.

The arc is meant to help young players learn two fundamentals of soccer - shooting and tackling. We want attackers to see an "open" net and shoot from several feet away rather than try to dribble the ball into the net. At the same time we want defenders to try to take the ball away from an attacker rather than back-pedal and use their bodies as shields.

How tight do we want to call games involving kids who are committing fouls not for competitive advantage, but because they are not developmentally advanced enough to control their bodies?

This is a judgement call. Players who appear to be commit fouls on a random basis through lack of coordination or lack of bodily control should receive warnings and instruction from the referee in most cases. If such a foul is egregious and has a demonstrable impact on the game, the foul should be called (but again with instruction). In cases where a player continues to commit fouls after two or three warnings the referee should ask the coach to remove the player from the game for instruction on the sideline.

What is the penalty for a serious foul?

All fouls (except for those inside the arc) result in indirect kicks from the point of infraction. In an indirect kick, the ball must touch a second player from either team before it is considered in play. Aside from penalty shots, no direct kicks are awarded in Division One.

How long do we want to delay a game by insisting that Division One players execute a correct throw-in?

When a player does not correctly execute a throw-in, a second chance should be given -- with instruction. Once the second throw is made the game should proceed, regardless of the correctness of the throw.

Since there is no goalie box, where should the ball be placed for goal kicks?

Goal kicks should take place from a point three yards upfield from the end line and three yards from the middle of the net. The further away from the net the better. A goal kick should be an advantage to the goal-kicking team.

Where must opposing players stand during a goal kick, corner kick or an indirect kick?

They should be a distance of eight yards from the kicker.

Are players assigned positions in Division One?

Coaches should make every effort to get the players to distinguish between offensive and defensive positions. In some small-sided leagues, two attackers must always stay on the offensive side of the mid-line, and one defender must always be on the defensive side. We encourage this basic positioning, although it is not a mandatory rule in our league. The other players on the field can be considered midfielders with the freedom to roam.

Is offside called?

No. However, coaches should not employ a strategy in which players hang out by the net waiting for an opportunity to score. To teach wrong habits that will have to be unlearned is to do a disservice to the players. Besides, players should be encouraged to take part in the action, not to stand around.

Are yellow or red cards handed out?

Not as such. Repeated fouls or inappropriate behavior (e.g., talking back to the ref) should be addressed with a warning to the player and coach. If the warning fails to curb the problem the referee may remove the player from the game for a five-minute "time-out" period during which a teammate may be subbed in.

What happens during bad weather?

Games will be cancelled during thunderstorms, heavy rains or in situations where standing water creates a hazardous condition. The division coordinator may cancel all games for the day if its clear that no games can be played that day. Otherwise Coaches should contact each other on the day of game to decide whether to cancel on account of changing weather. Coaches will notify the players.

What size balls do we use?

We use size 3 balls.

Division 2

General Guidelines

Our philosophy is to encourage fair play, fun, and respect for the other team. Coaches are expected to lead by example.

Eligibility -- Only players registered with the league may play. Questions about eligibility should be referred to the division coordinator.

Playing time -- Coaches must make every effort to put each player on the field a minimum of half the game. Exceptions can be made when players are in violation of team or league rules, such as using inappropriate language, or when their health is at risk.

Weather -- Games will be cancelled during thunderstorms, heavy rains or in situations where standing water creates a hazardous condition. In case of a cancelation the division coordinator will notify coaches, and coaches will notify their players.

Punctuality -- Players and coaches should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of each game. Every effort should be made to finish games within the allotted time.

Goal differential -- Coaches should use effective strategies to avoid lopsided scores such as instructing players to shoot from outside the Penalty Area or using their off foot exclusively.

Game instruction -- Coaches should remain off the field during games except in the case of injuries. Coaches are allowed to instruct the keeper during games from behind the goal through Division Four. In Division Five and older they are only allowed to coach from the sidelines.

Spectator etiquette -- Only coaches are allowed to instruct players during a game. Spectators must refrain from giving instructions to players and should cheer within the bounds of good sportsmanship. Spectators are not allowed to stand behind the goal at any time.

Game rules -- The referee is responsible for making all calls related to game action and player behavior. If the designated referee is absent, a parent may fill the referee's role. Parents can also be recruited as assistant referees to help with out-of-bounds calls.

Sportsmanship -- Harassment of the referees will not be tolerated and should be reported to the league coordinators. Taunting of players and any abusive language is also not allowed and may result in suspensions.

Rules

Throw-ins: Referees will require proper throw-ins (ball thrown from behind & over the head, using both hands, with the thrower facing the field, both feet on the ground either on or outside the side line). A second chance will be given for incorrect throw-ins.

Offside: Where a player is on the attacking side of the field, in front of the ball, and receives the ball or affects the play, with fewer than two defenders (two field players, or a field player and the goalie) between the attacking player and the goal. Offside should not be used as an offensive strategy. Goals scored as a result of an offside situation will be nullified. Otherwise players should simply be warned when they are offside by coaches and when possible by the referee.

Goal kicks: The goal-kicking team can take the kick from any place inside the Goal Area (the smaller box within the Penalty Area). All players on the opposing team must be out of the Penalty Area whereas players on the goal-kicking team can be inside the area. Players on the team in possession must move the ball beyond the penalty box either by kicking or dribbling. More than one player may touch the ball. Opponents may not touch it until it is clear of the box.

Slide tackling is not allowed under any circumstances.

Referees will enforce handballs when the violation is deemed both to be a deliberate act and to create an advantageous situation for the offending team. Any part of the arm, from fingertips to the shoulder, can cause a handball.

Referees will enforce rules on high kicking, which is a kick aimed above the knee of an opposing player. The first violation will result in a warning.

Fouls also should be called for dangerous plays and other obvious infractions.

Direct kicks/indirect kicks will be awarded at the referee's discretion. On a direct kick the kicker may score by kicking the ball directly into the goal. On an indirect kick the ball must first touch another player before it can go into the goal.

Penalty kicks should be called as a last resort, typically in situations where the referee believes a foul prevented the scoring of a goal.

Deliberate heading of a ball is not allowed and is considered a foul. If the referee believes a player has deliberately headed the ball, the opposing team receives possession of the ball for an indirect kick whether inside or outside the Penalty Area.

Subbing: Either team can make a substitution on a goal kick or a kickoff following a goal. The team in possession of the ball can make a substitution on a throw-in or a corner kick. The other team can make a substitution on a throw-in or corner only if the team in possession is also subbing. A substitution is also allowed for an injured player, in which case both teams can send in one sub. Substitutions are not allowed when play is stopped for fouls. A coach must get the referee's permission before subbing so that the referee can stop the game until the subbing is completed.

No coach or parent may touch an opposing player while the player is on the field of play unless the player is in obvious distress and the adult is offering assistance. Any violation of this rule will result in a red card. The offending adult must immediately depart the field of play. Failure to depart will cause a forfeit.

Players must shake hands following each game. Improper conduct during the team handshake will result in a red card, and the player or coach involved will be ineligible for the following week's game.

Division 2 games will be 40 minutes long, broken into four 10-minute quarters (running time - no stoppages of the clock, except for injuries).

Field matchups will normally be eight-versus-eight, although adjustments can be made depending on the number of players in attendance. Note that the eight includes the goalkeeper.

We use size 3 balls.

Except as specified above, matches will be conducted in accordance with the Laws of the Game. See https://www.ussoccer.com/referees/laws-of-the-game or http://www.theifab.com/laws

Division 3

Same as Division 2 except for these changes:

Referees will offer no second chances for incorrect throw-ins.

Referees will enforce offside violations.

Penalty kicks will be called for clear infractions within the Penalty area.

Games will be four 12-minute quarters with 5 minute breaks.

Field matchups will normally be nine-versus-nine. In cases where one team is short of players, the matchup should be at equal strength, e.g. eight-versus-eight.

Division 4

Same as Division 3 except for these changes:

Goal kicks: The goal-kicking team can kick the ball from any place inside the Goal Box (the smaller box within the Penalty Box). All players on the opposing team must be out of the Penalty Box whereas players on the goal-kicking team can be inside that area. Players on the team in possession must move the ball beyond the Penalty Box either by kicking, passing or dribbling. More than one player may touch the ball. The ball is not live until it clears the Penalty Box, and opposing players cannot touch the ball until it is clear.

Games will be 60 minutes long, broken into two 30-minute halves, with a five-minute break for halftime.

Matchups will be ten-vs.-ten. In cases where a team is short of players, the matchups can be adjusted accordingly, but no fewer than seven players should be on the field for each team. In cases where both teams have lots of players, the matchups can be eleven-vs.-eleven, if both coaches agree.

We use size 4 balls.

Division 5

Same as Division 4 except for these changes:

Matchups will be eleven-vs.-eleven. In cases where a team is short of players, the matchups can be adjusted accordingly, but no fewer than seven players should be on the field for each team.

Divisions 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10

Same as Division 5 except for these changes:

Starting in Division 6, slide tackling is allowed but discouraged.

Starting in Division 7, heading is allowed but discouraged.

Division 8 and Coed-9 games will be 80 minutes long, broken into two 40-minute halves, with a ten-minute break for halftime.

Coed-10 games will be 90 minutes long, broken into two 45-minute halves, with a ten-minute break for halftime.

All other games will be 70 minutes long, broken into two 35-minute halves, with a five-minute break for halftime.

Matchups will be eleven-vs.-eleven. In cases where a team is short of players, the matchups can be adjusted accordingly, but no fewer than seven players should be on the field for each team.

We use size 4 balls in Division 6; we use size 5 balls in Divisions 7, 8, 9, & 10.

Goal kick rules for Coed-10: The ball must be stationary and is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team. The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. Opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.

General

KICKS & THROWS

On a goal kick, may anyone else (on the goalie's team) touch the ball in the penalty box before it clears the box?

No, the ball may not be touched before it leaves the penalty box. However, defenders may stand in the box during the kick. Offensive players must stay out of the box.

What happens if a goal kick does not clear the penalty box?

The goal kick is taken again since the ball did not officially enter play. The idea of a ball not being in play, or "dead," is important. If the ball is considered dead, no fouls may be called. However, sendoffs and cautions can be issued during a dead-ball situation.

On a throw-in, what is the call when the thrower throws it and then touches it again before anyone else?

A turnover, and an indirect kick for the opposing team.

On a corner kick, a direct kick, an indirect kick or a kickoff from the center circle, what is the call if the kicker kicks the ball and then touches it again before anyone else?

A turnover, and an indirect kick for the opposing team.

Can a goal be scored directly from a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in?

Yes, on a goal kick, corner kick, and kick-off. No, on a throw-in.

What is the proper placement for a direct kick near the net? Are defenders allowed to form a "wall," or is it a free shot on the goalie? Do you place the ball where the foul occurred, or in the center of the penalty box?

In the case of a serious foul (see later section for definition of fouls) inside the penalty box, the attacking team is awarded a penalty shot, which is taken twelve yards from the net and dead-center. No "wall" can be formed. If a serious foul is committed outside the box, the result is a direct kick from the point of infraction. If it is a non-serious foul, either inside or outside the box, the opposing team is given an indirect kick from the point of infraction. In all of these other situations the defense is permitted to form a "wall." On the other hand, the attacking team is entitled to take a "quick kick" - that is, as soon as the referee places the ball on the ground. The offense is not obligated to let the defense set up a "wall."

On a direct kick, an indirect kick or a corner kick, is there a certain amount of room the defenders must give the kicker?

Yes. Ten yards.

Where are players allowed to stand on a penalty shot?

All players except the goalie and the shooter must be ten yards from the ball, out of the penalty box and behind the ball (behind the penalty spot). You are allowed to stand on the side of the box as long as you are behind the ball.

Where must a player stand relative to the sideline when performing a legal throw-in? Must both feet be outside the sideline?

When throwing in, a player must have both feet either behind or on the white line.

On a throw-in, is there a certain distance the defenders must stand from the thrower?

No, but no interference is allowed.

On a throw-in, can goalies pick up the ball that is thrown?

No. It is an infraction that results in an indirect kick for the other team.

On a throw-in, can a receiving player legally straddle the sideline, with one foot out of bounds?

A player receiving the ball may stand completely out of bounds, as long as the ball is in bounds. The call is based on the location of the ball when the receiving player makes contact.

OUT OF BOUNDS

When is the ball out of bounds?

The whole ball must be over the whole white line to be out of bounds. The touch lines and goal lines are part of the field of play. If any part of the ball is within the field of play, it is in bounds.

A ball is kicked toward the goal line and a defender is able to hover around the ball preventing an attacker from reaching it before it crosses the line. Is this a legal play?

The defender may block the attacker as long as the ball is within playing distance -- a yard or so -- of the defender. If the defender blocks the attacker while the ball is beyond playing distance, it is an obstruction resulting in an indirect kick to the opposing team.

If a ref does not see who kicked the ball out of play, is it okay to do a drop ball?

The Laws of the Game do not permit a dropped ball in an out-of-bounds situation. The only proper restart is a throw-in. Two good rules of thumb: if you are not sure, hold your signal for a second or two, and let the players deal with it. Often they will make the call with no dispute because they know what happened. You may also observe the direction in which the ball left the field of play; almost always it was traveling in a direction that favored the team last in possession. If all else fails, give it to the defense and get on with the game.

OFFSIDE RULE

For an animation and more details, try here.

What is the definition of offside?

Of all soccer rules, offside is the most complicated and most hotly debated. To start with a simple definition, offside occurs in a circumstance where two things are true: the ball is played to an attacker who is in front of the ball, and fewer than two members of the defensive team are between the attacker and the goal-line. But attackers can be offside even if the ball is not played to them. The critical factor is whether the attacker was somehow involved in active play. Under current FIFA interpretations, an offsides player only is involved in active play if (1) the ball comes to the player, or (2) the player physically interferes with a defender.

Should the ref call offside if the ball is passed forward to a teammate who was onside at the time of the pass, even if there was an additional teammate who was in an offside position but not involved with the play at the time of the pass?

If the offside player did not touch the ball or physically interfere with a defender, it is not a violation.

Consider the situation where an offensive player is in an offside position but is not seemingly involved with the play. Here are three questions. A) If another player comes through and scores, is the goal disallowed because of the first player? B) If the second player kicks a ball that bounces off the post and the first player scores, is the goal disallowed? C) If the second player kicks a ball that bounces off a defender or the goalie and the first player then scores, is this a fair goal?

A) The ref has to decide if the player in the offside position was interfering with the play or not. If the offside player did not touch the ball or interfere with a defender, the goal should be allowed.

B) If the ball bounces back from the post and the player in the offside position scores, the goal must be nullified as the offside player gained an advantage. This can be really difficult to call, but the whole point of offside is: did you gain an advantage from that position?

C) The technical issue here is possession. If the ball glances off a defender or goalkeeper, including an uncontrolled save, the offensive team is still considered to be in control and the first player must be called offside and the goal nullified. But if the goalkeeper intentionally parries the ball with a hand pass, or if a defender plays the ball (rather than it inadvertently hitting the defender), then the defense has gained possession. You cannot be offside if you receive the ball from an opponent. So if the defense plays the ball and gives it up to the offensive player who was in an offside position, and the player scores, that is a good goal.

If two attackers are heading toward the opposing goal on a breakaway with no defenders except the goalkeeper in front of them and player A passes the ball forwards to player B, is that offside?

Player A may pass the ball forward to Player B but only if B is behind A when the ball is kicked, even if there are no defenders in front of the play. To be offside, the ball has to go forward and B has to be in front of A. Just to complicate this a little more, B must have been behind A at all times during the breakaway after passing the next to last defender prior to the pass from A. If player B is ahead of A at any time on the breakaway after passing the next to last defender, then B may not take a forward pass from A without being offside.

In the same situation player A passes the ball back to player B. Is that offside?

A backwards pass is not offside. One of the best plays in soccer is to be deep behind the defense and pass the ball back to your advancing teammates. This is similar to a trailing play in basketball or a backwards lateral in American football.

Does the offside rule apply if attackers are in their own half of the field?

No, the rule does not apply until the attackers have crossed the center line.

Does the offside rule apply on a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in?

No. However, once anyone touches the ball, the rule is back in effect. In other words, for the play to be legal, the player in an offside position must be the first one to touch the ball when it enters play. Otherwise that player must quickly return to an onside position.

Does the offside rule apply on a direct or indirect kick?

Yes, it does apply.

At what level do we begin to enforce the offside rule?

In Division One, offside is not called. In Division Two, offside is rarely called, only to stop blatant goal-hanging. In Division Three and up, offside is enforced.

Is there a minimum distance that referees are required to be from the potential offside line in order to make the call? At times the refs seems rather far away, and it seems they are guessing that an offside has occurred.

Unless there are neutral assistant refs running the sidelines - that is, knowledgeable individuals who are not affiliated with either team - the offside call must be made by the referee. Even with neutral assistants, the referee must still exercise judgment. So a referee must try to keep pace with play in order to get the best position to call an offside. But there is nothing in the Laws of the Game concerning referee position. Referees are taught to cover the field by moving through an imaginary diagonally-oriented oval running from one corner of the field, through the midfield circle, to the opposite corner of the field. They are also taught to operate 10 to 15 yards from the play in order to get a good view yet not interfere with play.

GOALIE RULES

A defensive player inadvertently kicks a ball that is then picked up by the goalie. Is this a violation? What if a defensive player does intentionally pass it to the goalie who then picks it up?

The goalie may pick up an intentional pass back only if it is headed or chested. If the ball is kicked with the foot, the ref must decide whether the defender was trying to make a legitimate defensive play where the ball inadvertently went to the goalie, in which case the goalie may pick it up. However, if a goalie picks up an intentionally kicked pass from a defender, it is a violation that results in an indirect kick for the other team at the point of infraction. Note: for balls picked up wrongly inside the six-yard goalie box, the placement for the indirect kick is on the goal-box line, not inside the goalie box.

Is it true that an offensive player may not interfere once the goalie has hands on the ball?

When the goalie is perceived to have control of the ball, no offensive player may continue attacking. This does not mean that when the goalie has touched the ball it is dead. Far from it. If the ball is not under the control of the goalie, it's a live ball, and an attacker may go for it. A word of advice, though: referees have an obligation to protect the goalie just as they protect the quarterback in football.

What limits are there on goalies once they have picked up the ball?

They can take four steps or use up five seconds, or a combination of same, before getting rid of the ball. They may not anymore roll the ball to themselves and pick it up. Once the ball is on the ground the goalie must kick it out. This new rule was introduced a few years ago to prevent wasting time when a team is ahead.

FOULS

Fouls are of many kinds, with or without the ball. They include:

hand-ball, i.e. intentionally hitting the ball with a hand, arm or shoulder
tackling the person rather than the ball
tripping or attempting to trip
kicking or attempting to kick a player
pushing with a straight-arm
pushing in the back
holding
jumping in, using your back to tackle
dangerous play, normally translated as a high, dangerous kick toward the face
tackling from behind (if you don't hit the ball first)
kicking at the ball while your hips are on the ground

For a complete list of fouls you might look at the FIFA site: http://www.fifa.com/index.html

For any rough or deliberate foul, including hand-ball, tripping, pushing, and other blatant fouls, the call is a direct kick. If the foul occurs inside the penalty box the call would therefore be a penalty shot. For minor infractions, i.e. dangerous play or obstruction, the call is an indirect kick, even if the foul occurred inside the penalty box. The referee should use common sense and allow the game to proceed as much as possible. There will always be elbowing, a little pushing, and so on.

A foul occurs if a player commits a violation in a manner that is careless, reckless or involves excessive force. (Rule of thumb: the first category gets a whistle, the second a yellow card, the third a red card.) Referees are instructed not to stop the game for every "trifling breach of the laws." You are looking for either a clear violation or for something that alters the course of play, poses a danger to players, or for a pattern of small abuses. In a practical sense, you are also determining the level of intensity in the game with your earliest foul calls. Call things tight and you may avoid an overly rough game but you also run the risk of frustrating players. Call things loose and you may have a more exciting game but you risk it degenerating into unsportsmanlike conduct. You must assess the teams, their style of play, your ability to control situations, and so on, in order to strike a balance. The most important rule of thumb: BE CONSISTENT. Also remember that soccer is a contact sport. A collision between players may be legal.

Should the ref consider whether a player intended to commit a foul?

A player's intention is not relevant when calling fouls, except in the case of a hand-ball.

What is the definition of a hand-ball? Do inadvertent cases where the ball bounces up and hits a player's hand count as a hand-ball?

The part of the body at issue is from the fingertips to the shoulder. One key element in making a decision is the player's intention. The wording of the rule is "deliberately handles the ball." A rule of thumb: hand to the ball is a foul; ball to the hand is not a foul. But a ball that strikes a hand that is spread out to the side of a player's body or held over the head, rather than in a normal position, can be construed as a player trying "deliberately" to interfere with the ball. The other key element in your decision is whether the pereptrator's team gained an advantage. If the normal flow of the game was not affected, or if the opposing team instead gained an advantage, then the referee should not call a hand-ball foul, even if the action was deliberate. All in all, the U.S. Soccer Federation is encouraging U.S. refs to call fewer hand-balls.

Can girls players legally use their hands to protect the chest area? Can boy players protect their private parts as well?

The answer is yes in both cases, as long as their arms are folded close to their bodies. They may not move their arms to knock the ball down to their feet. Such an action is a foul, resulting in a direct kick or a penalty shot for the other team.

A defensive player makes an horrendous foul in the penalty box. The whistle does not blow and the offensive team scores. Is it a goal?

Yes. Nullifying the goal and forcing the attacking team into the risky proposition of a penalty shot would give an advantage to the team that committed the foul. Therefore the goal stands. Unlike other American sports, "advantage" calls in soccer are a critical part of the decisionmaking. The ref may allow play to go on at any time if it is to the advantage of the team that did not commit the foul. The referee should let everyone know this by calling "Play On!" and sweeping both hands from the waist forward.

MISCELLANEOUS

Is the white line part of the penalty box? Is the white line along the sidelines part of the field?

Lines on a soccer field are part of the area they define. The line around the penalty box is part of the penalty area. If a serious foul is committed on the line, the correct call is a penalty shot. Likewise the line along the sidelines is part of the field.

If the ball rebounds from the corner flag, what is the call?

The ball is still in play.

An attacker runs across the goal line into the net during the scoring of a goal. Does the goal count?

Yes, it is absolutely legal.

Are coaches allowed to run out on the field if they see an injured player?

Coaches may not run onto the field unless they are invited by the ref, who must first stop play. An exception may be made in a dire emergency. Remember, the Laws of the Game instruct referees to allow play to continue if, in their opinion, a player is only slightly injured.

You may look up the latest rules for FIFA: http://www.fifa.com/index.html

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