SOCCER RULES AS MODIFIED FOR YSYSL
Revised 8/86, Updated 1991,1992,1995,1997,2001
THE RULES OF THE GAME - PRE-GAME PROCEDURES
RULE 1 THE FIELD
OF PLAY
RULE 2 THE BALL
RULE 3 NUMBER OF PLAYERS
RULE 4 PLAYERS; EQUIPMENT
RULE 5 REFEREES
RULE 6 LINESMAN
RULE 7 DURATION OF GAME
RULE 8 THE START OF THE GAME
RULE 9 BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY
RULE 10 METHOD OF SCORING
RULE 11 OFF-SIDE
RULE 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
RULE 13 FREE KICK (DIRECT AND INDIRECT)
RULE 14 PENALTY KICK
RULE 15 THROW-IN
RULE 16 GOAL-KICK
RULE 17 CORNER-KICK
The complete laws are found in USSF Laws of the Game - Guide for Referees; authorized by FIFA and all disputes shall be governed thereby; save and except for specific modifications set forth in YSYSL Rules to the contrary.
Pre-Game Procedures:
All players on YSYSL teams will play the equivalent of one-half of the game. Players may be withheld from playing for disciplinary reasons, illness, or injury but must be identified on the game card prior to the start of each game. Coaches who fail to play all players the equivalent on one-half of the game will be placed on “mandatory substitution” for the remainder of the season. Mandatory substitution will consist of stopping the game halfway into each half by the referee and the insertion of all healthy players on the sidelines of the offending team only.
As determined by the Board of Directors.
RULE 2 - The Ball
YSYSL Modification:
U6, U8 - No. 3;
U10, U12 - No. 4
U14, U16, U19 - No. 5
RULE 3
YSYSL Modification:
(A) The maximum number of players
U-6 5 players
U-8 7 players
U-10 9 players
U-12 11 players
U-14 11 players
U-16 6 players (Speed Soccer)(B) Substitutions:
U-8, U-10:
Either team may substitute any number of players on either teams goal kick, corner kick, throw-in, after a goal is scored, when a player is injured or upon a caution.
U-12, U-14, U-16, U19: Either team may substitute any number of players on either team goal kick or when a goal is scored. The team in control of a throw-in or corner kick may substitute any number of players. On an injury of caution, the injured or cautioned player(s) may be substituted, and the other team may substitute a similar number.
(C) The “Play Down” Rule -
Each team must field a minimum of seven (7) players (except for U-8 five, U-6 four). If a team is short of players the coach can play with fewer than the regulation number of players. The coach can keep one player in reserve as a sub, the opposing team has to play down to the number of players available for the game, not the number of players on the field.
Minimum on field Opposing team plays down to
U-6 4 4
U-8 5 5
U-10 7 7
U-12 7 9
U-14 7 9
RULE 4 - Players' Equipment
No jewelry, casts, or solid splints. This is a FIFA, US Soccer, CYSA, District 6, and YSYSL rule. No exceptions.
YSYSL Modification:
As soon as the Referee sees an injured player, the referee will stop play. Play will resume by a drop ball. The only situation in which a coach or parents are allowed on the field is to assist an injured player, after the referee’s signal.
In U-6 soccer, coaches will referee the games. A maximum of two coaches from each U-6 team is allowed on the field of play. Referees for U-8 and U-10 are assigned as available. Coaches may be asked to referee their game.
RULE SIX
No YSYSL modification
RULE SEVEN - Duration of the Game
YSYSL Modification:
U-6: Two equal periods of 15 minutes, U-8: Two equal periods of 20 minutes, U-10: Two equal periods of 25 minutes, U-12: Two equal periods of 30 minutes, U-14: Two equal periods of 35 minutes.
The half-time interval shall not exceed five minutes except by consent of the Referee.
RULE EIGHT - Start of the Game
YSYSL modification:
U-8 and U10 cannot score a goal from a kick-off or goal-kick, U-12 and older may.
RULE NINE - Ball In and Out of Play
No YSYSL modification
RULE TEN - Method of Scoring
No YSYSL modification
RULE ELEVEN - Off Side
No YSYSL modification
RULE TWELVE - Fouls and Misconduct
No YSYSL modification
The 4-step rule for goalies has been changed to six-seconds. The intent is speed the game up, the goalie has six seconds after controlling the ball to put it in play.
RULE THIRTEEN - Free Kick
No YSYSL modification
YSYSL Modification
Penalty-Kick: Those penalties occurring in the penalty area in the U-8 and U-10 age groups will be played as direct kicks in place of penalty kicks. The direct kick will occur from the penalty mark. The defensive team will be allowed to set up a wall in order to block the kick.
RULE FIFTEEN - Throw In
YSYSL ModificationThe throw-in: U-8 and U-10 only, for any violation of the throw--in, the referee will verbally and physically demonstrate the correct procedure and will allow a second opportunity for that player to make a correct throw-in. For any further violation/infraction of this rule, the referee will award possession of the ball to the opposing team.
No YSYSL modification
RULE SEVENTEEN - Corner Kick
No YSYSL modification