Rules of Play

STANDARD OF PLAY:  All games sanctioned by this league shall be played in accordance with the latest edition of the “Laws of the Game” as published by The International Football Association Board (IFAB) and these Rules of Play.

LENGTH OF GAME:

U6, U7, U8 – Four 10-minute quarters
U9, U10 – Four 12-minute quarters
U12, U14 – Two 30-minute halves

BALL SIZE:

U6, U7, U8 – Number 3
U9, U10, U12 – Number 4
U14 – Number 5

            It is recommended that names and phone numbers be written on balls so they can be returned if lost.

SPECIAL RULES – ALL DIVISIONS

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:

U6 – Minimum 4, Maximum 6
U7, U8, U9, U10, U12, U14 – Minimum 7, Maximum 9

GENERAL:

  1. There is no mandatory play down rule. (If one team has 7 players and the other team has the maximum allowable of 9, the team with 9 does not have to play with 7).
  2. If a score goes beyond a 4-goal margin, it is recommended that coaches rotate dominate players or play with less.  CYSL is a recreation league and emphasis should be on learning the game, and good sportsmanship.  A win of 10 – 0 is not good sportsmanship.
  3. A team is allowed unlimited substitutions, at any stoppage in play.
  4. A substitute shall not enter the field of play until he/she has been given a signal to do so by the referee.
  5. No coach, substitute or player is to be anywhere but at his/her bench area during the game. A team’s bench area shall be that area two yards from the touchline and extending 10 yards one way from the half line only.  (Exception:  U6 Division)
  6. All spectators are to remain on the opposite side of the field from the coach and players during the game.  This is to keep the coach and players free from distractions.  ONLY 1 COACH AND 1 ASSISTANT are allowed on the coaching side with the players.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

PLAYERS EQUIPMENT:

  1. Commercial shin guards are required to be worn at practice and games.  (No newspaper, magazines, etc.)  Shin guards must be covered entirely by the stocking.
  2. There is to be no jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, ankle bracelets or watches) worn during the game. Jewelry covered with tape is no longer acceptable. Pierced earrings are not allowed. If parents are considering having their child’s ears pierced, to please wait until the end of the season.  Due to a serious injury that occurred to a child participating in another youth soccer league, this new safety ruling has been recommended.  Exception:  Medic Alert Bracelets
  3. No barrettes or hair clips.  Players are allowed to wear elastic headbands up to two (2) inches in width which will be approved by the official. 
  4. Players wearing orthopedic casts, air-splints or metal splints shall not be eligible to participate in the game unless the following procedures are met:
  5. Written permission from a physician to play soccer with a cast or splint is provided.
  6. Written permission from a parent or legal guardian to play with a cast or splint is provided.
  7. Foam padding (minimum ½” thick) is wrapped around the entire cast or splint, and the padding be wrapped in an “Ace” type bandage.  The padding must provide adequate cushioning to render to cast of equal or better softness as a bare arm.
  8. Prior to each game, a member of the CYSL Board must review and provide written approval of padding.  This written approval must be presented to the referee prior to the game.
  9. Bandanas may not be worn over the head or as a headband.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT:

  1. Slide tackling is only allowed in the U12 and U14 Divisions.
  2. Charging the goalkeeper shall not be permitted at any time when he/she is within his/her own penalty area.  When the ball is touching the goalkeeper, no other player may attempt to play the ball except if the goalkeeper is dribbling the ball.
  3. The Grievance Committee shall review all yellow and red card citations and reserves the right to penalize offenders as is deemed appropriate.
  4. Players and coaches must give their names to the referee when being “booked” at risk of further penalty or termination of the game.
  5. A player, coach or substitute, shall be cautioned for any incidental use of vulgar or profane language. 
  6. U6, U7, U8 – during the first three weeks of the season a player who makes an improper throw-in will be given a second opportunity after the referee has demonstrated why the first throw-in was defective.  The player will be given only one additional throw-in.
  7. Additional information is listed in the Participant’s Code of Conduct.

GOAL KICKS:

  1. Goal kicks for the U6, U7 and U8 Divisions may be taken anywhere within the penalty area.

REFEREE/ASSISTANT REFREES:

1.         The referee’s judgement with regard to the physical condition of the field and its acceptance for play, to the actual happenings and occurrences related to the conduct of the game and those prerogatives granted to him/her by the “Laws of the Game” for outdoor soccer shall not be challenged.  Touching, grabbing or pushing an official is a misdemeanor, punishable by law, and is cause for dismissal from the league.

  • Upon completion of the game, the referee will deliver any report of a send off or dismissal to the CYSL Board within 24 hours.

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION:

  1. In case of temporary suspension of play due to an injury or unusual situation, if one team is clearly in possession of the ball, the game shall be restarted by an indirect free kick by the team in possession of the ball at the point where the ball was when play was suspended.  Should there not be clear possession at the time play is suspended, there will be a drop ball at the spot where the ball was declared dead.  The spot of the indirect free kick or drop ball is subject to the overriding rule posted in Law 8 of the “Laws of the Game”, if the ball was in the goal area.

OFFSIDE:

  1. Offside is called in the U7 through U14 age divisions.

HEADING THE BALL:

  1. U6 – U12 Divisions:  Deliberate heading of the ball is not allowed in practice or games. A dangerous play will be called, and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the other team.
  2. U14 Divisions: Heading the ball is allowed in games but should be limited during practice.  Specific limitations were not available from USSF but will be given to coaches as soon as they are received by the league.

SPECIAL RULES – U6 DIVISION:

  1. Teams shall not use goalkeepers or allow any players to remain positioned in front of the goal during play.
  2. Scores are not be kept.
  3. No penalty kicks or direct free kicks.
  4. If a foul occurs within the penalty area the referee will spot the ball at the closest point on the line forming the penalty area, and the kicking teams shall be awarded an indirect free kick from that position.
  5. Offsides shall not be called but no offensive player shall be intentionally stationed in an offside position to gain an advantage.
  6. On free kicks or corner kicks, opposing players must stand at least 6 yards from the ball.

SPECIAL RULES – U7, U8, and U9 DIVISIONS:

  1. Under the “Laws of the Game” as published by IFAB, Law 12, #3 Sending Off Offenses, denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, is amended as follows:

“The first time a player infringes the Law, he/she may be warned or issued a caution depending on the judgement of the referee.  A Red Card may not be given, nor can the player be sent off for his/her first offense.”

  • No penalty kicks for the U7 and U8 Divisions.  Ball will be placed on the penalty mark for a Direct Free Kick.  Players of team taking the kick must be outside the penalty area and behind the penalty mark.  Defending players may be inside the penalty area no closer than 8 yards from the ball and may form a wall on the goal line between the goal posts.
  • All free kicks are indirect with opposing players 8 yards minimum away from the kicker.