All MSYS Soccer Rules are modifications of official FIFA Laws of the Game

U5 & U7 Divisions

Law I – The Field

A. Field Size: 30 yd x 15 yd up to 35 yd x 22 yd

B. Goal Size: 6’W x 4’H x 2’D

Law II – The Ball

A. Ball Size: three (3)

Law III – The Number of Players

A. On Field: 4 players (4v4 without keeper). If one team has less than 4 players the opposing team should play with a minimum of 3 players.

B. Substitutions can occur at any time “on-the-fly.”

C. All players should be given the opportunity to play at least 1⁄2 of the game.

D. Coaches should refrain from talking to the referee during the game. If the coach has a question, he/she should wait for half time or the conclusion of the game. The referee will not stop the game or the clock to talk to a coach.

E. The coach can be on the sideline during the games, or on the field if they wish. (Note: The coach or anyone filling in for a coach must be at least 18 years of age, or be supervised by an adult.) Only the coach and one assistant coach are permitted on the player’s bench side of the field during the game. All other parents and spectators must watch the game from the opposite touch line. No assistant coaches or spectators may sit/stand/coach from behind the goal or along the goal lines.

Law IV – Player’s Equipment

A. Footwear: Soccer cleats or tennis shoes (cleats are preferred). Baseball or Football cleats (cleats which contain a single cleat at the toe or very front of the shoe) are not allowed

B. Shin guards are required to be worn underneath the sock. The sock must completely cover the shin guards at all times. Players are not permitted to take the field without shin guards.

C. ALL items of jewelry are strictly forbidden and must be removed prior to game time. This includes all necklaces and bracelets (whether string, leather, metal, or plastic), rings, earrings (including nose rings, tongue studs, and other piercings), leather bands, rubber bands etc. Using tape or band-aids to cover jewelry is NOT acceptable – the item must be removed. Furthermore, players must remove from their hair ALL hard clips, beads, or large bows from their hair. Soft “scrunchies” or pony-tail holders are permissible. The referees will inspect teams prior to each game and will ask a player out of compliance in this area to remove the jewelry or hair accessory.

D. The player will not be permitted to play unless they are in compliance.

Law V – The Duration of the Match

A. Length: The game shall be divided into 4 equal quarters of 6 minutes each

B. Breaks: There shall be a 2 minute break between the first and second quarter and the third and fourth quarter, and a 3 minute half-time break.

C. Teams shall switch goals at half time.

Law VI – Fouls and Misconduct

A. Fouls shall be called with an understanding of the age of the players. A foul may be called if a player commits any of the following offenses:

Kicking, striking, or attempting to kick or strike and opponent
Charging or tackling an opponent in a violent, reckless, or dangerous manner
Tripping, pushing, or holding an opponent in a violent, reckless, or dangerous manner or in a manner which creates an advantage for the player
Using obscene or profane language or making such gestures
Acting in a manner which obstructs the game or otherwise creates a disturbance
Spitting at an opponent
Deliberate handling of the ball

B. All fouls shall result in an INDIRECT FREE KICK.

C. There shall be NO SLIDE TACKLES by a player on the field for any reason. A slide tackle is a sliding attempt made on a ball while the ball is in another player’s possession.

Law VII- Free Kicks

A. There are no direct kicks and all fouls shall result in an indirect free kick taken at the spot of the foul. The ball must be stationary on the taking of the free kick and the kicker shall not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player of either team.

B. There shall be no free kicks taken by the attacking team within the defending team’s goal area. If a foul is committed in the defending team’s goal box, the ball shall be placed 5 yards away from the goal box for the indirect free kick.

C. The opposing team shall be at least 5 yards away from the ball when the free kick is taken.

Law VIII – The Penalty Kick

A. There are no penalty kicks in this age group.

Law IX – Throw-Ins

A. A throw-in is necessary when the ball goes out of play across a touchline. The thrower must face the field when delivering the ball and part of each foot shall be on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline. The thrower shall use both hands and shall deliver the ball from directly behind and over his or her head.

B. A goal may not be scored directly from a throw-in.

C. At the discretion of the referee, successive throw-ins may be allowed if the initial attempt is improper.

D. After delivering the ball, the thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

Law X – Goal Kick

A. A goal kick shall occur if the attacking team kicks the ball over the defending team’s goal line without scoring a goal.

B. A goal kick may be taken from any point inside the goal area. The opposing team must be five yards from the goal box when the ball is kicked. A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick.

C. If the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area from a goal kick, the kick is retaken. After the kick, no player may touch the ball until it is outside of the penalty area.

D. The kicker must not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

Law XI – Corner Kick

A. A corner kick shall occur if the defending team kicks the ball over their own goal line.

B. A corner kick shall occur from anywhere inside the corner arc with the opposing team at least 5 yards away. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

C. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.

D. The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.

(Back to the top)

U9 – U12Divisions

Law I – The Field

A. Field Size: 60 yd x 33 yd

B. Goal Size: 12’W x 6.5’H x 4.5’D

Law II – The Ball

A. Ball Size: four (4)

Law III – The Number of Players

A. On Field: 7 players (the goalkeeper is the 7th player), or 6 players if one of the teams has less than 7 present.

*A player cannot play as the goalkeeper for more than one half in each game, unless they specifically request it.

B. Substitutions can occur at any time with the permission of the referee.

C. All players should be given the opportunity to play at least 1⁄2 of the game.

E. The coach should be on the sideline during the games. (Note: The coach or anyone filling in for a coach must be at least 18 years of age, or be supervised by an adult.) Only the coach and one assistant coach are permitted on the player’s bench side of the field during the game. All other parents and spectators must watch the game from the opposite touch line. No assistant coaches or spectators may sit/stand/coach from behind the goal or along the goal lines.

Law IV – Player’s Equipment

A. Footwear: Soccer cleats or tennis shoes (cleats are preferred). Baseball or Football cleats (cleats which contain a single cleat at the toe or very front of the shoe) are not allowed

B. Shin guards are required to be worn underneath the sock. The sock must completely cover the shin guards at all times. Players are not permitted to take the field without shin guards.

D. The player will not be permitted to play unless they are in compliance.

Law V – The Duration of the Match

A. Length: The game shall be divided into two 20-minute halves

B. Breaks: There shall be a 3 minute half-time break.

C. Teams shall switch goals at half time.

Law VI – The Start of Play

A. The referee shall determine the team that kicks off with a coin flip or referee discretion.

B. Opponents must be outside of the circle surrounding the center mark while the kick-off is in progress. The ball is in play when it is kicked or played forward or backwards.

C. A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-off.

D. The player kicking the ball on a kick-off must not kick the ball again before another player touches the ball.

Law VII – Fouls and Misconduct

A. Fouls shall be called with an understanding of the age of the players. A foul may be called if a player commits any of the following offenses:

Kicking, striking, or attempting to kick or strike and opponent
Charging or tackling an opponent in a violent, reckless, or dangerous manner
Tripping, pushing, or holding an opponent in a violent, reckless, or dangerous manner or in a manner which creates an advantage for the player
Using obscene or profane language or making such gestures
Acting in a manner which obstructs the game or otherwise creates a disturbance
Spitting at an opponent
Deliberate handling of the ball

B. All fouls shall result in an Indirect Free Kick.

C. If a player deliberately passes the ball back to his/her own goal keeper, and the goal keeper touches the ball with his/her hands, this is considered deliberate handling of the ball (the goal keeper IS allowed to kick the ball however to another team mate) and as such, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick. See Law XIII, section B for the procedure to handle this infraction.

D. The referee and/or coach shall explain all infractions to the offending player.

E. There shall be NO SLIDE TACKLES by a player on the field for any reason. A slide tackle is a sliding attempt made on a ball while the ball is in another player’s possession.

Law VIII- Free Kicks

A. There are only indirect free kicks taken at the spot of the foul. The ball must be stationary on the taking of the free kick and the kicker shall not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player of either team.

C. The opposing team shall be at least 5 yards away from the ball when the free kick is taken.

Law IX – The Penalty Kick

A. Penalty kicks are taken from the penalty spot.

Law X – Throw-Ins