9v9

Field of play

• 75x50 recommended

• Goals are 6.5 x 18 or 7 x 21 (recommended)

Ball

• Size 4

Game Length

• 30-minute halves; 5-minute break between halves

Players

• 9v9 (8 field players and 1 goalkeeper)

• Game may not start or continue if there are less than 7 players on a team. 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. Teams may borrow players from the opponent to play at full strength. Sharing players so all players get more game time is preferred. 

• Players will play at least 50% of the game

• Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage

Players’ Equipment

• Jersey, black shorts, socks, shin guards, and cleats - home team wears blue, the away team wears gray

• Shin guards must be completely covered by the stockings

• No jewelry of any kind.

• No hard casts or splits are allowed

Referees

• YSYSL will strive to provide three referees for games but will use 1- or 2-person crews when necessary

• If no referee is available, select a responsible adult to manage the game, keep time, and player safety. Remember it’s about FUN!

Referee Abuse:

• Referee disrespect is NEVER tolerated and can result in disciplinary action against any player, coach, or spectator

Start and Restart of Play

• A dropped ball may be used to restart a game when, while the ball is still in play, the referee is required to stop play temporarily for any reason not mentioned in the laws. Dropped balls are NOT contested. 

Offsides:

A player is caught offside if he’s nearer to the opponent’s goal than both the ball and the second-last opponent (including the goalkeeper) when his team-mate plays the ball to them. In other words, a player can’t receive the ball from a teammate unless there are at least two opponents, either level with them or between them and the goal.

It’s not an offense in itself to be in an offside position. A player is only penalized for being offside when involved in active play. So a player can only be called offside when:

• In the opposition’s half.

• Playing the ball or interfering with play (that is, part of the attacking move).

• Interfering with an opponent (that is, preventing the opponent from defending against the attacking move).

• Gaining any advantage by being in that position.

A player can’t be offside from a goal kick, throw-in, or corner.

Goal Kick

• Goal kicks do not need to leave the penalty area. Players on the team taking the goal kick may remain inside the penalty area; opponents must be outside the penalty area until the goal kick is taken

Game Play

• Goals may be scored directly from a kick-off or goal kick

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO HEADING IN THIS AGE GROUP

Deliberate heading is NOT allowed in YSYSL games. If a player deliberately heads a ball in a game, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate head occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred. This is considered a technical offense and not a foul.