Rules

Notice: All teams that play in cross association (Girls U10-U19 and Coed U10-U19) will play by the Cross Association Rules.

Table of Contents

	LAW I - The Field
	LAW II - The Ball
	LAW III - Number of Players on Field
	LAW IV - Equipment
	LAW V - The Referee
	LAW VI - The Assistant Referee
	LAW VII - Duration of the Game
	LAW VIII - Starting Play
	LAW IX - Ball Out of Play
	LAW X - Method of Scoring
	LAW XI - Offside
	LAW XII - Fouls and Misconduct
	LAW XIII - Free Kick
	LAW XIV - Penalty Kick
	LAW XV - Throw-Ins
	LAW XVI - Goal Kick
	LAW XVII - Corner Kick

Summary of the Laws of the Game as modified for MYSL Recreational Soccer Games. Note - In all cases where no specific reference is made concerning any aspect of the Laws f the Game herein; current FIFA laws and rulings will apply together with current modifications of those Laws as set out by the United State Youth Soccer Association.

LAW I THE FIELD

The team/coach area for each team will run from the halfway line toward the penalty (18 yard line) perpendicular to the touch line and a minimum of one yard of the touch line. The area behind the goal box should be free of spectators, players, parents, coaches and assistant coaches. One head coach and one Assistant Coach from each team will be allowed on the same side as the players. All other coaches / spectators / parents should be on the opposite.

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LAW II THE BALL

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LAW III NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON FIELD

** Substitute quickly when the ball goes out of bounds. Referee permission to substitute is unnecessary. Substitute at quarters and half-time; substitute during quarters if coach feels it is necessary; i.e.: player shows up late. * Unlimited substitutions - At the discretion of and with the permission of the referee, a coach may substitute for any player when:

1. There is a throw-in to be taken by the team having possession of the ball There is goal-kick to be taken by either team A goal has been scored by either team For an injured player (opposing team may substitute the same number of players) For a cautioned player (yellow card) with the opposing team allowed to substitute the same number of players.
2. Referee must be notified specifically if the substitution involves the goalkeeper.

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LAW IV EQUIPMENT

1. Jerseys, shorts & socks provided by MYSL. Goalkeeper must wear different color from all other players and referees. Shin guards must be worn at all games and practices. Shin guards must be covered entirely by socks at all times. Shoes must be sneakers or soccer cleats; (no football, baseball, softball or metal cleats). Pierced earrings must be removed; taping over earrings must be removed. Any jewelry of any kind is not allowed. Medical alert jewelry is to be allowed so long as taped securely to the player. Any religious jewelry is allowed so long as noted to the referee and secured in a safe manner to the referee's satisfaction. No wire-rimmed glasses unless completely covered by approved sports goggles; plastic frames acceptable; a strap should be worn to secure glasses. Anything judged not dangerous by the referee will be allowed. No hard casts are allowed; covering casts with foam or other substances is not allowed.
2. Jewelry, Braces, Glasses & Casts Guidelines.

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LAW V THE REFEREE

1. All decisions are final Keeps official time and score Controls all aspects of game Protects players from natural hazards and violations of the Laws of the Game Ensures that no team or player takes advantage of another U05-U07; one coach per team on the field; person serves as coach/referee
2. U08-U19; one referee

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LAW VI THE ASSISTANT REFEREE

1. U05-U08; no assistant referee
2. U10-U19; two assistant referees

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LAW VII DURATION OF THE GAME (cancellation, breaks)

1. Cancellation of games due to weather (for schedules with rain dates). If play is suspended and games terminated before completion of first half, game will be rescheduled if the rain date built into the schedule has not been used. If rain date has been used, the game will be considered a tie regardless of the score at time of cancellation. If play is suspended and game termination at or after completion of first half, game will be deemed completed and score at time of play termination shall be considered the final score.
2. Breaks

1. U05-U08 - two minute quarter break; five minute half time; after break, restart where play stopped
2. U10-U19 - five minute half-time; change ends at half-time

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LAW VIII STARTING PLAY

1. Kickoff Beginning each quarter (half) After a goal is scored
2. Drop ball

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LAW IX BALL OUT OF PLAY

1. When ball has wholly crossed touch (side) line When ball has wholly crossed goal line
2. When play has been stopped by the referee

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LAW X METHOD OF SCORING

1. A goal is scored when the whole of ball passes over the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar provided no infringement of the game has occurred The team with the greatest number of goals at the end of the match is declared the winner
2. Matches ending in a tie will be complete and end tied

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LAW XI OFFSIDE

	no offside for U5-U8
	a player is in an offside position if he is: Nearer to his opponents' goal-line than the ball In his opponents half of the field, and Nearer the goal line than at least two of his opponents

	It is not an offense merely in itself to be in an offside position
	A player shall only be penalized for being in an offside position if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by;

1. Interfering with play, or Interfering with an opponent, or
2. Gaining an advantage by being in that position

	A player receiving the ball from a teammate directly from a throw-in, goal kick, or corner kick shall not be judged offside
	When offside occurs, the referee awards an indirect kick to the other team at the point at where the infraction occurred

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LAW XII FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

A direct free kick shall be awarded to the team opposing a player who intentionally:

1. Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent Trips or attempts to trip an opponent Jumps an opponent Charges an opponent Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent Spits at an opponent Holds an opponent Pushes an opponent Handles the ball deliberately with hand or arm except for a goalkeeper in his own penalty area.
2. When tackling an opponent makes contact with the opponent before contact is made with the ball.

	A penalty kick shall be awarded for any of the above fouls committed by the defending team in its own penalty area
	An indirect free kick shall be awarded to the team opposing a player who:

1. Plays in a dangerous play Charges fairly away from the ball Intentionally obstructs an opponent Interferes with a goalkeeper clearly in possession of the ball As a goalkeeper, takes more than four (4) steps before releasing the ball into play or intentionally delays the game
2. Goalkeeper touches ball with his hands after a teammate deliberately kicks it back to him

A player shall be cautioned (yellow card) if he:

1. Guilty of unsporting behavior Enters or leaves the field of play without the referee's permission Persistently infringes the Laws of the Game Shows dissent by word or action Delays the restart of play Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick
2. deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee's permission

A player shall be sent off (red card) if he:

1. Is guilty of violent conduct Is guilty of serious foul play Uses offensive, insulting, or abusive language Spits at an opponent or any other person Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (with the exception of the goalkeeper in his own penalty area) Denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
2. Receives a second caution (yellow card) in the same game

Players sent off may not be replaced. Players (or coaches) sent off may not attend the next game played. Games canceled due to weather or postponed for any other reason are not considered played for this purpose. A player or coach who has been sent off will be allowed to participate in all practices preceeding the game which must be set out.

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LAW XIII FREE KICK

Direct

1. All opponents must be ten yards away Ball must move to be in play
2. A goal may be scored directly

Indirect

1. All opponents must be ten yards away from the ball Ball must move to be in play
2. A goal may be scored only if the ball has touched another player before it crosses the goal line

* For U5 to U8, since there is no goalkeeper, treats all fouls within the penalty area as indirect kick fouls.  Thus, the defending team may line up 10 yards from the placement of the ball, or on the goaline if less than 10 yards.

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LAW XIV PENALTY KICK

	From within penalty area, two-thirds (2/3) of the distance from the goal line to penalty area line, centered; this is generally 12 yards from the goal line
	Only goalkeeper and kicker may be in the penalty area
	Goalkeeper's heals must touch goal line and he may move laterally but not forward; no penalty kick will be awarded in the U05, U06 and U07 division
	Only the keeper can be less than 12 yards from the goal line.

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LAW XV THROW-INS

	U05/U06 no throw-ins - use indirect kick for restart
	U07-U08 two (2) attempts - no possession change
	U10-U19 one (1) attempt - possession change
	Must face playing field; throw from behind and overhead; part of both feet must be touching ground on or behind touch (side) line

           Note: In all cases where no specific reference is made concerning any aspect of the Laws of the Game herein, current FIFA laws and rulings will apply together with current modifications of those laws as set out by the United States Soccer Association.

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LAW XVI GOAL KICK

1. When offensive team propels ball over goal line outside the goal Ball is placed anywhere on the goal area line and kicked into play Ball must clear penalty area to be in play
2. Opposing team may not have a player in the penalty area at the time of the goal kick

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LAW XVII CORNER KICK

	When defensive team propels ball over goal line outside the goal
	Ball is placed in and kicked from the arc at the corner of the field on the same side as it was played out of bounds
	All opponents must be ten (10) yards away from the ball
	A goal may be scored directly

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