KICK OFF –

• The Home team listed on the schedule will kick-off.
• The visiting team listed on the schedule will select a side to defend first.
  • In Playoffs, the higher seeded team will decided whether to kick-off or defend.
• The start of play beginning each half & after a goal shall proceed with a kick-off.
• The ball shall be kicked while it is stationary on the ground in the center of the field of play.
• May be taken in any direction.
• A goal may not be scored directly from the kickoff.
• The ball is in play when it moves.

GOAL KICK –

• Results when the ball goes completely over the end line having last been touched by an attacking player.
• A member of the defensive team kicks the goal kick from the Goal Box line.
• All defenders must be behind the penalty line in U10, U13 and U18. In U8, all defenders must be at midfield. Defenders cannot cross the designated line until the ball is put into play,

CORNER KICK –

• Results when the ball goes completely over the end line having last been touched by a defensive player.
• A member of the offensive team kicks the corner kick from a spot within a one yard arc of the corner of the field nearest where the ball left the field.
• A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

THROW IN –

• Results when the ball goes completely over the touch line (side line).
• The throw shall be taken from the point where the ball crossed the line by a player of the opposing team.

All dead ball kicks (kick-ins, free kicks, kick-offs) are indirect with exception to corner and penalty kicks.

FIVE YARD RULE: In all dead ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defensive player’s goal area is closer than five yards, the ball shall be placed five yards from the goal area in line with the place of the penalty.

GOAL SCORING –

• A goal may be scored from a touch on the offensive half on the playing field.

GOAL –

• Scored when the entire ball completely goes over the goal line.

GOAL BOX –

• The goal box, ten feet wide by eight feet long, is directly in front of the goal.
• No player may touch the ball within the goal box, however any player may move through the goal box.
• Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line is considered in the goal box; THE PLAYER IS AN EXTENSION OF THE BOX.

GOAL BOX INFRACTION –

• Occurs if a defender touches the ball in the goal box, a penalty kick is awarded to the offensive team.
• If an offensive player touches the ball within the goal box, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.
• If the ball comes to a complete stop in the goal box, regardless of which team touched it last, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.
• Goal box does not apply in U5 and U7 Division.

GOAL PENALTY KICKS –

• Is a direct kick taken from the top of the center circle (15ft. line) on the offensive side of the midfield line with all other players behind the midfield line.
• If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick.
• Penalty kicks are not live balls.

HEADING

• If a player in U4, U6, U8 and U10 head a ball, the referee is required to stop play and reward the opposing team with an indirect kick.
• Heading is only allowed in the U13 and U18 Divisions.
• This rule is designated to safe guard our youth.

Handball in front of the goal – If a hand ball occurs intentionally in front of the goal and the ball would have crossed the goal line, a goal is counted and the offending player will be given a yellow card.

All rule infringements –

• As outlined in Law 12 of the Laws of Soccer, such as tripping, pushing, or hand balls Hand ball where a goal would be scored is handled above)will result in an indirect free kick.
• The on-field official/referee has sole discretion in determining whether or not an infraction has occurred.
• The on-field official/referee has the right to caution or eject a player (see Player Cautioning/Ejection) as a result of a rule infringement which, in the opinion of the official, merits such action.

Goals cannot be scored directly off an indirect free kick; the ball must be touched by another player from either team before it crosses the goal line. Goals also cannot be scored directly from a goal kick, throw in, or kick off. If the ball goes completely across the goal line without being touched by a player other than the initial kicker on one of these set plays then the result is a goal kick for the opposing team.

SLIDE TACKLING –

• Not allowed for any age division.
• Penalty for this infraction will be a caution on the first offense.
• The second offense will result in being ejected from the game.

Keeping our youth safe from injuries is critical.

PLAYER CAUTION/EJECTION (YELLOW/RED CARD) –

• Referees have the right to caution and/or eject a player from the game for continual disobedience or as a result of an incident that warrants cautioning the player or sending the player off.
  • RED CARD suspension = Rest of game PLUS next game. Sports Director may length suspension or eject player for rest of season.
  • YELLOW = Player is being warned about continuous rules infractions. 2 yellow cards will equal a Red card and automatic ejection.
  • Ejection – if a player is given a red card or two yellow cards, the team with the ejected player must play short for the remainder of the game.

EQUIPMENT

• All players must wear shin guards. Any player without shin guards will not be allowed to play.
• Tennis shoes or rubber/plastic molded sole soccer shoes must be worn. NO METAL.
• All athletes are required to wear issued uniforms.
• All athletes must have the CYS Youth Sports Emblem on their uniform.
• Chains, earrings, other jewelry, glitter, face paint or other inappropriate items may not be worn during competition.
• In cold weather, the player can wear sweatpants with no pockets. No pants.

SCORE AND TIME – The referee will keep the official score and time during the match.

SCORES – Should be submitted to the Field Marshalls Tent. All Standings will be published on the CYS Sports Website.

STANDINGS – During league play, a win will count for three points and a tie for one point. Standings will be kept on the CYS Youth Sports Website.

TIEBREAKERS: Ties between two or more teams will be broken by; 1) head to head results between tied teams; 2) goal difference 3) Fewest goals against.

PLAYOFFS –

• In the Divisions U18, U13, U10 and U8 there will be CYS postseason playoff tournaments.
• Team qualification will be determined by points acquired during the season.
• The highest ranked team will play the lowest ranked team or brackets will be created by the Sports Director.

PLAYOFF OVERTIME: TEAMS WILL HAVE A 10 MINUTE OVERTIME PERIOD WITH MANDATORY SUBSTITUTION AT THE 5 MINUTE MARK. IF STILL TIED THERE WILL BE A “GOLDEN GOAL” OVERTIME PERIOD.