Substitutions

Substitutions are permitted between periods only, except in the case of injury. If a player is removed because of injury, the referee must be notified and will waive the substitute player in.

Division Specific Rules

U6/U7

FIFA requires a goalkeeper. Instructional divisions U6 and U7 may choose not to play with a goalkeeper provided both coaches agree before the start of the game.

U10

The U10 division may play either 7v7 or 6v6 games. This depends on the number of players assigned to the teams by the division director at the start of the season. If teams are allocated 11 players per team, the games should use a 7v7 format. If 10 players are allocated per team, a 6v6 format should be used.

In 7v7 format games, the coaches may agree to play 6v6 format if there is a shortage of players at game time. The game format must be determined at the start of the game. The game format cannot be changed once the game has started.

Eyeglasses: Require a retainer. No exceptions.

Mouth guards: Required for players with dental braces. No exceptions. Mouth guards are recommended for all players.

Shirt and Socks: NYSL Uniform (shirt and socks) must be worn. Socks must fully cover the player’s shin guards. Shirts must be tucked in.

Shorts: Soccer shorts or sweat pants (without pockets) are required. Players may not play in jeans or other types of pants that have pockets, chains, or loops.

Shoes: Soccer cleats or sneakers are allowed. Baseball style cleats that have a toe cleat or metal are not allowed.

Medical/Religious bracelets: These can be worn but they must be taped down.

Prohibited: Dangerous items, including belts, jewelry (of all kinds except as noted below), watches, suspenders, pins, clips and earrings. No casts of any kind are allowed. (No exceptions.) Knee braces must have sharp or hard edges covered and padded splints must be wrapped and taped to at least one adjacent finger. (See General Rule 11.4 for complete rule regarding attire).

Allowed: Visor-less soft caps (ski hats) for players. Goalkeepers may wear a soft billed baseball type cap, knit gloves/mittens (no metal clips). Sweat shirts must be worn under the uniform with hoods tucked in.

Jewelry exceptions: Religious medals may be worn if they are under the uniform and taped down. Medical bracelets are allowed but they must be taped down in a way that would prevent another player from catching a finger on the bracelet.

The referee should wear black, red, or blue uniforms. Official NYSL blue T-shirts may be worn at the U10 or lower levels. Yellow is an NYSL uniform color so it should not be used. A valid referee patch should be properly displayed on the uniform.

Game Reports

The referee is required to fully complete the game report. The game report is located on the referee section of the NYSL website. The game report must be completed by the Monday following the match. The referee will indicate any cautions, ejections, serious injury, as well as other requested information on the game report form.

All matches U8 and higher will consist of four (4) periods. There will be a two (2) minute interval between periods and five (5) minutes at half-time. Teams will change ends at half-time.

The following table specifies the time of each period for a division. The referee may shorten the time of a period at their discretion with the agreement of both coaches.

The U6/U7 divisions rotate players during the game period at the coach’s discretion.

Post Season Play

When playoff games are tied after regulation time has expired, divisions U14 and higher will play two (2) ten (10) minute periods to completion (No golden goal). The U12 division will play two (2) five (5) minute periods to completion.

If the score is still tied after the overtime periods, FIFA rules will be followed for kicks from the mark.

Promptness

Matches are started as scheduled. The scheduled start time is the kickoff time. Teams that do not have the minimum number of players ten (10) minutes after the scheduled start time will forfeit. Referees are directed to start matches on time regardless of the fact that a team is missing players (See rule 11.17 in the NYSL General Rules). Non-Competitive divisions, U10 and lower, may borrow players from the opposing team in order for the game to be played. Players borrowed must use the color of the team they are playing on.

Playing Time

All players who are not being disciplined must play at least two (2) periods. All players must play three (3) periods before any player may play four (4) periods. Exceptions must be made known and have the agreement of the Division Director prior to the start of the match.

In playoff games, all players must play in at least one of the two overtime periods.

Weather

The Referee may allow free substitutions (USYSA Guidelines) during excessively hot weather. The Referee may shorten periods due to weather conditions with the agreement of both coaches.

The referee will suspend the match for lightning and/or thunder and may suspend for weather and/or if field conditions are deemed unsafe. In both regular season and postseason play, if the first half is completed then the match is official. If the first half is not completed, then the match will be replayed in its entirety. In post-season play, if the score is tied when a match is suspended, and is rescheduled, the match will be replayed in its entirety.

Terminated Matches

The referee may terminate a match due to problems with players, coaches, and/or spectators. The league will determine the results of the match and any sanctions to be imposed.

The Kick-off

Possession of the ball for kick-off at the start of a period will alternate between the teams.

The Penalty Kick

The U12 division must be a minimum of 8 yards from the penalty mark until the ball is in play during a penalty kick.

The U10 and lower divisions, players must be on the opposite side of the halfway line from where the kick is taken until the ball is in play.

Restarts from the Penalty Area

For the U10 and Instructional divisions, balls that are cleared by the goalkeeper on his/her throw or punt, goal kick or any free kick (direct or indirect) by a defensive player from within the penalty area must first touch the field or any player before crossing the midfield line. For an infraction of this rule, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick where the ball crossed the halfway line.

All FIFA rules apply in this section.

All FIFA rules apply in this section.

Divisions U10 and lower do not enforce Offside.

Slide tackles: Slide tackles are not allowed in divisions U10 and lower. The referee will treat the slide tackle as a dangerous play.

Ejections: Any player sent off (red card) shall not be eligible for the next scheduled match. A deliberate, serious foul, or any violent conduct by a player may result in additional sanctions by the league.

Cautions: Any player receiving a third caution (yellow card) in one season will be automatically suspended from his/her next scheduled game.

Appeal Process: Game suspensions may be appealed using the following process.

The coach must write to the division director explaining why the game suspension is not warranted. If the division director agrees, the division director must send the justification, along with any additional feedback, to the NYSL chair and the head referee. If both the chair and the head referee agree that the game suspension should not be enforced, the division director must notify the coaches in the division to explain the decision before the next scheduled game.

Defensive player distance from the ball at the time of the kick

Penalty kick ball placement

For the U10 and Instructional divisions, the player may be given a second opportunity to perform a proper throw-in. This is at the discretion of the referee (at the U10 level) or coaches (at the Instructional level), but must be done consistently for the entire match.

Placement of the ball during goal kicks

The ball must go out of the penalty area before it is in play. If another player touches the ball before it leaves the penalty area, the goal kick is retaken.

Defensive player distance from the corner arc at the time of the kick. If the corner arc is not present on the field, distances specified are from the ball.

The coach should ensure that spectators are on the proper side of the touch line prior to the start of play. This is the side of the field opposite from the coaches and the players.

Coaches are required to remain within their technical areas during the match. If a technical area is not explicitly marked on the field, it is defined as 10 yards from the spot where team members have placed their gear. This must be at least 2 yards back from the touch line. Coaches should not enter the field of play without the Referee’s permission. Coaches should never encroach on the other team’s half of the field.

If a player is injured during game play, they must fill out an injury report (See article 10.11 in the NYSL bylaws). Coaches must bring player registration forms and a first aid kit to the games. If contents of the NYSL supplied first aid kit are depleted, replacements should be requested from the division director.

Coaches are encouraged to rotate players to different positions, especially in the instructional divisions. We are attempting to create well-rounded players that have experience in a variety of positions. It may seem counter-intuitive to put a player in offense that is not aggressive; however, players develop inconsistently and at different rates. A player that shows little interest now in playing forward may well develop the skill necessary, such as playing with their back to the goal, looking for pass-threading opportunities – in short, playing in those positions that force them to develop those skills. Even when those players don’t go into those positions later, they play significantly better because they know what a player in that position is expecting.

Coaches shall follow the rules of article 10.11 of the NYSL bylaws.

Mercy Rule

Once a team reaches a 4-goal differential, coaches should employ some or all of the following tactics to prevent the game from becoming a blowout:

• Put the weakest scorers up front (use this as an opportunity to let them be forwards).
• Try someone new in goal or at fullback.
• Pull a player off the field and play short at the next quarter. If it is still a mismatch, pull off another player at the subsequent quarter.
• Ask the players to complete 5 (or more) consecutive passes before shooting.
• Ask the player to only take shots from outside the Penalty Box (i.e., practice chip shots, lofted shots at the top of the goal mouth, or power shots).
• Tell the players that ONLY a certain player will be allowed to shoot on goal.

Division directors will monitor reported scores and coaches will be contacted for explanations if an extremely lop sided score is recorded. When the coach involved is the division director, the coach will be asked to explain the lopsided score to the NYSL Chair.

Game Reporting

The coach will indicate, on the score sheet, the names and numbers of all players attending the game and the quarters in which they have played. Coaches will deliver referee signed game sheets to the divisional director or his/her representative on the day of the game. The referee's signature indicates only the accuracy of the score. Players may be held out of play for disciplinary action provided that this action is noted on the score sheet, and that prior notification is given to the Division Director.

The NYSL is a recreational league that wants the spirit of the laws to prevail. Referees are expected to officiate the game to the age of the participants. Learning the laws is part of player development. Protests concerning judgment decisions by referees will not be permitted.

The reasons listed below will be considered:

• Non-roster players participating in game.
• Intentional falsification of score sheet.
• Eligible players not receiving mandated playing time.
• Any unique occurrence that may warrant the attention of the operating committee.