YSYSL MODIFICATIONS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME – 2025

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.

LAW ONE – THE FIELD OF PLAY

Field sizes and goal sizes are determined by the YSYSL Board to be within standards set by US Soccer and CalNorth; fields for U8 & U10 shall include a Build Out Line (Halfway between the penalty area and the half line)

1. Penalty spot

   1. U6 & U8 – No penalty spot

   2. U10 & U12 – 10 yards

   3. U15 – 12 yards

       2.  The home team will take the south or west side along with their supporters and the away team will take the opposite side. Coaches for U12 and older teams will remain in the technical area which is an area 10 yards on either side of the center line. U10 and U8 games with a referee, coaches will remain between the Build Out Line. For any game with a referee, coaches may not enter the field of play without the referee's permission. 

LAW TWO – THE BALL

1. U6 & U8 – Size 3

2. U10 & U12 – Size 4

3. U15 – Size 5

LAW THREE – THE PLAYERS

1. Maximum number of players (on the field):

   1. U6 – 4 players & NO goalie

   2. U8 – 6 players (changed for 2025)

   3. U10 – 7 players

   4. U12 – 9 players

   5. U15 – 11 players

2. Substitutions: Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage of time

3. Play down rule: minimum number of players

   1. U6 & U8 – 4 players

   2. U10 – 5 players

   3. U12 – 6 players

   4. U15 – 7 players

If a team is short of players the coach can play with fewer than the regulation number of players. The coach may 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. Additionally, coaches are encouraged to “borrow” players from the opposition to maximize playing time.

LAW FOUR – THE PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

No jewelry, casts or solid splints. NO EXCEPTIONS

LAW FIVE – THE REFEREE

1. U6  – No referees; a coach from each team is on the field to guide the players and manage the game

2. U8 and U10 - One referee; if a referee isn't available a coach from each team is on the field to guide the players and manage the game

3. U12 – A one (1) or two (2) person system may be used if there aren’t enough referees available

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.

LAW SIX – THE OTHER MATCH OFFICIALS

U8 and U10 – No Assistant Referee

NOTE: Unsporting conduct or disrespect toward any game official is not acceptable from any player, coach or spectator. Coaches are responsible for all sideline behavior.

LAW SEVEN – THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

1. U6 – 8 minute quarters

2. U8 – 10 minute quarters

3. U10 – 25 minute halves

4. U12 – 30 minute halves

5. U15 – 35 minute halves

The halftime interval shall not exceed 5 minutes except by consent of the Referee.

LAW EIGHT – THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY

U8 & U10 cannot score a goal from a kick-off or goal-kick, U12 & U15 may.

LAW ELEVEN – OFFSIDE

1. U6 & U8 – Offside is not called at this age

2. U10 – Offside is only called between the Build-Out Line and the endline

3. U12 & U15 – Offside per FIFA Laws

LAW TWELVE – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

U6, U8, U10 & U12 - Deliberate heading is not allowed and punished by an Indirect Free Kick for the opposing team/ U15 - Heading IS allowed

LAW THIRTEEN – FREE KICKS

U6 & U8 – All free kicks will be taken as Indirect Free Kicks; they may not go directly into goal

LAW FOURTEEN – THE PENALTY KICK

1. U6 & U8 – No penalty kicks

2. U10 – Penalty kicks will be taken as direct kicks in place of penalty kicks and will occur from the penalty mark. The defensive team will be allowed to set up a wall on the goal line in order to block the kick.

LAW FIFTEEN – THE THROW IN

1. U6 – May opt to use a kick-in in place of a throw in

2. U8 & U10 – for any violation of the throw in the referee (U10)/coach (U8) will verbally and if needed 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 the rule, the referee will award possession of the ball to the opposing team.