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

*Note: Headers are ONLY allowed the 5th-6th and 7th-9th divisions. In all other divisions, a header will be penalized as a foul. If a header by a defender is made inside the box, the kick will be an indirect kick at the spot of the infraction.

PRE-SCHOOL (3) DIVISION

Law I – The Field

1. Field Size: 35y x 15y
2. Goal Size: 6’W x 4’H

Law II – The Ball

1. Ball Size: three (3)

Law III – The Number of Players

1. On Field: 4-5 players (without keeper). A team can play with a minimum of 3 players.
2. Substitutions can occur at any time “on-the-fly.”
3. All MSYS Individual registered and team placed players MUST be given the opportunity to play at least 1⁄2 of the game.
4. Coaches should refrain from talking to the referee during the game. If the coach has a question, he/she should wait for the quarter break or the conclusion of the game. The referee will not stop the game or the clock to talk to a coach.
5. 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

1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. The player will not be permitted to play unless they are in compliance.

Law V – The Duration of the Match

1. Length: The game shall be divided into 4 equal quarters of 7 minutes each
2. 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.

Law VI – Fouls and Misconduct

1. 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 an 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

1. All fouls shall result in an INDIRECT FREE KICK.
2. 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

1. 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.
2. All indirect kicks must touch an OFFENSIVE PLAYER before a goal can be scored.
3. The opposing team shall be at least 5 yards away from the ball when the free kick is taken.

Law VIII – The Penalty Kick

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

Law IX – Throw-Ins

1. 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.
2. A goal may not be scored directly from a throw-in.
3. At the discretion of the referee, successive throw-ins may be allowed if the initial attempt is improper.
4. After delivering the ball, the thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
5.  All Throw ins are considered Indirect and must touch an OFFENSIVE PLAYER before a goal can be scored.

Law X – Goal Kick

1. A goal kick shall occur if the attacking team kicks the ball over the defending team’s goal line without scoring a goal.
2. A goal kick may be taken from any point inside the goal area. The opposing team must be ten yards from the goal box when the ball is kicked. A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick.
3. The kicker must not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

Law XI – Corner Kick

1. A corner kick shall occur if the defending team kicks the ball over their own goal line.
2. 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.
3. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
4. The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.

(Back to the top)

 

Pre-K (4) and Kindergarten DIVISION

Law I – The Field

1. Field Size: 35 y x 15 y
2. Goal Size: 6’W x 4’H

Law II – The Ball

1. Ball Size: four (4)

Law III – The Number of Players

1. On Field: 4-5 players (without keeper). A team can play with a minimum of 3 players.
2. Substitutions can occur at any time “on-the-fly.”
3. All MSYS Individual registered and team placed players MUST be given the opportunity to play at least 1⁄2 of the game.
4. Coaches should refrain from talking to the referee during the game. If the coach has a question, he/she should wait for halftime or the conclusion of the game. The referee will not stop the game or the clock to talk to a coach.
5. 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

1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. The player will not be permitted to play unless they are in compliance.

Law V – The Duration of the Match

1. Length: The game shall be divided into 20 min halves
2. Breaks: There shall be a 2 minute break between the first and second half

Law VI – Fouls and Misconduct

1. 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 an 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

1. All fouls shall result in an INDIRECT FREE KICK.
2. 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

1. 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.
2. All indirect kicks must touch an OFFENSIVE PLAYER before a goal can be scored.
3. The opposing team shall be at least 5 yards away from the ball when the free kick is taken.

Law VIII – The Penalty Kick

1. There are no penalty kicks in this age group

Law IX – Throw-Ins

1. 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.
2. A goal may not be scored directly from a throw-in.
3. At the discretion of the referee, successive throw-ins may be allowed if the initial attempt is improper.
4. After delivering the ball, the thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

Law X – Goal Kick

1. A goal kick shall occur if the attacking team kicks the ball over the defending team’s goal line without scoring a goal.
2. A goal kick may be taken from any point inside the goal area. The opposing team must be ten yards from the goal box when the ball is kicked. A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick.
3. The kicker must not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

Law XI – Corner Kick

1. A corner kick shall occur if the defending team kicks the ball over their own goal line.
2. 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.
3. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
4. The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.

 

1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, 7th-9th DIVISIONS

Law I – The Field

1. Field Size: 60 yd x 33 yd
2. Goal Size: 12’W x 6.5’H x 4.5’D
3. Attack Line (1st/2nd only): The horizontal line painted across the field, halfway between the goal box and midfield. Defenders must start behind that line when the opposing team is taking a goal kick and cannot cross until the ball has left the goal box.

Law II – The Ball

1. Ball Size: four (4) for 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th. Size five (5) for 5th/6th and 7th/8th

Law III – The Number of Players

5. On Field: 7 players (including the keeper), *if both teams have 7 or more players present. Minimum number of players required for an official game is 5. 

• If you only have 7 players; we suggest to rotating players as needed to defense and/or Goalie to help with giving players breaks

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

1. Substitutions can occur at any time with the permission of the referee.
2. All MSYS Individual registered and team placed players MUST be given the opportunity to play at least 1⁄2 of the game.
3. 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.
4. The coach must 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

1. 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. No metal spikes.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. The player will not be permitted to play unless they are in compliance.

Law V – The Duration of the Match

1. Length: The game shall be divided into two 20-minute halves
2. Breaks: There shall be a 3 minute half-time break.
3. Teams shall switch goals at half time.

Law VI – The Start of Play

1. The referee shall determine the team that kicks off with a coin flip or referee discretion.
2. 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.
3. A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-off.
4. 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

1. 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 an 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

1. All fouls shall result in an Indirect Free Kick, unless it happens inside the box, which will result in a penalty kick.
2. 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 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 from the spot of the infraction.. See Law XIII, section B for the procedure to handle this infraction.
3. The referee and/or coach shall explain all infractions to the offending player.
4. 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

1. 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.
2. All indirect kicks must touch an OFFENSIVE PLAYER before a goal can be scored.
3. There shall be no indirect free kicks taken by the attacking team within 6 yards of the goal. If an infraction (other than a foul, see VII. C.) is committed in the defending team’s small box, the ball shall be placed 5 yards away from the small box for the indirect free kick. Fouls inside the large box result in a penalty kick.
4. The opposing team shall be at least 5 yards away from the ball when the free kick is taken.

Law IX – The Penalty Kick

1. Penalty kicks are taken from the penalty spot.

Law X – Throw-Ins

1. 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.
2. A goal may not be scored directly from a throw-in.
3. At the discretion of the referee, successive throw-ins may be allowed if the initial attempt is improper.
4. After delivering the ball, the thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

Law XVI – Goal Kick

1. A goal kick shall occur if the attacking team kicks the ball over the defending team’s goal line without scoring a goal.
2. A goal kick may be taken from any point inside the goal area. A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick.
3. After the kick, no player may touch the ball until it is outside of the penalty area.
4. The kicker must not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

Law XVII – Corner Kick

1. A corner kick shall occur if the defending team kicks the ball over their own goal line.
2. 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.
3. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
4. The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.

Law XVIII – Headers

1. Heading the ball is only allowed for 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade divisions.

 

**NEW** Competitive Divisions

Starting in Fall of 2026, we will offer competitive divisions for 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, and 7th-9th. When we have enough teams at this competition level, we will separate them from the recreational level and they will play with the following adjusted rules. These rules are out of a desire to prepare players at this competitive level for the next stage in their development, whether that be a club or school team environment.

Pre-Game:

• Players/Coaches and Parents/Spectators will sit on opposite sides of the field. No parents shall be on the player/coach sideline during the game. These sidelines will be determined by the referee and this rule will be enforced by the referee(s).

 

Offside:

• 3rd/4th Grade Division (using build out line)

(Back to the top)