SLYSA U6 - U19 Rules of Play
All rules will be in accordance with FIFA and US Soccer with the following exceptions:
LAW 1 – The Number of Players
1. All players on the roster may play in a match with unlimited entry and re-entry. SLYSA allows for free substitution on any dead-ball situation at the discretion of the referee. “At the discretion of the referee” is to be interpreted as assisting the referee in carrying out his or her mandate to “facilitate the continuous flow of the game.” Therefore, referees are expected to deny substitution by either team which would delay a quick restart, while allowing substitutions by either team when the flow of the game has been naturally interrupted.
2. Guest Player Rules:
Examples:
A U12-aged player may not guest play on a U11 or younger team. 2) A player rostered on a team playing in U13D2 may guest play on any team in U13D2 or higher, but may not guest play on any team in U13D3 or lower. Similarly, a U13 player rostered on any team playing in a U14 division or higher may not guest play on any team playing in any U13 division.
Illinois - B: A club pass player can play in any division as a guest player across their age group as long as the CP is shown for their ID card. (Due to no dual rostering for IL teams)
If a player is rostered on a higher age than their birth year, they may not guest play down to their birth year as a guest player.
Guest Players/Club Pass players may only play within their own club from their primary listed team.
SLYSA Guest player form must be filled out and attached to the game card. Any information not filled in could result in a player being ineligible and a possible protest could result in a forfeit.
Note: Teams playing at a national or regional league level are considered to be in the Premier Division of their own age group and higher.
c. Exceptions:
i. During the fall season, boys who are in 8th grade who fall under the U15 age group due to their legal age can play with a U14 team as a club-pass player. If their club does not have an age-appropriate team. Each team can use up to six (6) club pass or state pass/trapped players to play in a U14 division as guest players ONLY.
ii. During the spring season, girls who are in 8th grade and fall under the U15 age group due to their legal age can play with a U14 team as a club pass player. If their club does not have an age-appropriate team. Each team can use up to six (6) club pass or state pass/trapped players to play in a U14 division as guest players ONLY.
Players that are in their trapped season of play may play with their club team if; a, their high school does not have a soccer team, b, a player did not make their high school team, c, their high school season is over. They will still be considered trapped and a guest player to play in the U14 age group Not exceeding 6 guest players.
iii. U15 divisions will be available for teams during both league seasons.
iv. Players must return to their own age group in their eligible season. Fall no trapped girls teams, Spring no trapped boys teams.
d. A maximum of up to six (6) guest players and club pass players can be added for U11-U19 (9v9-11v11) teams. A maximum of up to three (3) guest players and club pass players can be added for U6-U8 (4v4) teams or U9-U10 (7v7) teams. A SLYSA Guest player form must be filled out and attached to the match card to be turned in.
Your guest players plus your rostered players can not exceed your max playing roster. 4v4 10 players, 7v7 14 players, 9v9 18 players and 11v11 22 rostered, 18 on bench.
e. Match suspensions as a result of red cards under the conditions of 2(c)(i) and 2(c)(ii) will be served with the player’s PRIMARY team. No matches can be played for any team by the suspended player until the suspension is served. If a player/team is in violation of this rule, the player will be deemed illegal and the match will be forfeited.
f. If a club-pass player receives a red card, he/she must sit out for the highest division team he/she guest plays on in that current season.
g. Players not playing in a particular match should be crossed off the game card.
h. Players can only guest play from their primary roster.
Note: All guest players must be added to the SLYSA Guest Player form and match card and have a player pass then attach the form to the match card. All information MUST be written on the form and game card: Player’s full name, ID #, jersey #, DOB, division of primary team. (i.e.: Joe Smith, SM01012001, #15, 1/1/1111, D2) All guest players must be under the same entity such as US Club or US Youth. The team may not be crossed over between the two entities. This could lead to a forfeit should the team have players from both entities.
If the SLYSA guest player form is not filled out in its entirety the player could result in not playing or if protested the game could result in a forfeit.
CLUB PASS, STATE PASS and TRAPPED PLAYER CLARIFICATIONS:
- You are considered a "trapped player" if you are in 8th grade or senior year of HS and the remainder of your age has moved on to freshman year or college. Missouri Youth Soccer Association and Illinois Youth Soccer Association consider you a "trapped player meaning you do not have team to register with the entire season.
- MISSOURI: Players must be released from their primary team if that team only plays in the fall or spring in the high school divisions. Players must then get a club pass or state pass player card for the one (1) season of trapped play.
- Illinois club pass players can play on any team that they are age appropriate for. Club pass players must have an ID number that starts with CP. They still must follow the number of guest players for that age group.
- Players whose team is in high school can get a club pass player card (through the club) or a state pass player card (through the state). These players can only guest play in the U15/U14 age group as 8th graders or in the U19/U18 age group as seniors in high school/freshmen in college.
- Players may NOT have a primary/secondary card if playing as a trapped player.
3. A (MO) player can play on another team as a secondary player or guest player if the following are met. Dual rostered players can be rostered on two different teams within the same club or on two different clubs. They will need to choose a primary team and a secondary team. Players can be primary or secondary at any division level regardless of which team is in a higher division (MO only). The team requesting secondary permission for a player must begin the process in their GotSport account, and await permission from the player's primary team to grant approval for the player to be added as a secondary. A player is not officially rostered as secondary unless placed on the Official State Roster.
NOTE: Secondary players will take up a roster spot, guest players will be added to not exceed max roster size for the league match.
The team requesting the secondary player must begin the process within GotSport. For a secondary player to go on a roster, the primary coach’s permission and primary registrars’ permission must be given. Please refer to the club registrar for additional club requirements.
4. The maximum number of players on a game roster for a specific match is as follows:
AGE GROUP | GAME | ROSTER SIZE |
U6, U7, U8 | 4 v 4 | No more than 10 |
U9, U10 | 7 v 7 | No more than 14 |
U11, U12 | 9 v 9 | No more than 18 |
U13-U19 | 11 v 11 | No more than 22; only dress 18 per game. |
5. The maximum number of bench personnel allowed in the coach area will be four (4). All bench personnel must have a current US Soccer Pass with a picture. All other personnel will be viewed as spectators and must maintain the proper distance from the players. If a coach does not have an ID Card for this specific team they must be written on the game card and show a coaches card with all credentials met.
6. Players are allowed to play in a maximum of two (2) SLYSA League matches per day.
7. Failure to comply with any of the above conditions may result in a forfeit of the particular match and disciplinary action for both player and coach.
8. If a coach is dismissed from the game for any reason and there is not another licensed coach available the game will be forfeited by the team without a coach.
LAW 2 – The Player’s Equipment
1. The jersey of each player, except the goalkeeper, must contain a visible number, unique from the other members of the same team. If there is a duplicate number the team must add tape or distinguish the number from other players and update the match card.
2. Hard Cast: It is at the discretion of the referee whether or not a player with a hard cast may play in a game. A doctor's note to allow play is preferred but still up to the referee on the match.
LAW 3 – The Duration of the Match and Ball Size
AGE GROUP | BALL SIZE | DURATION OF MATCH |
U6, U7, U8 | 3 or 4 | 2 X 20 min. halves |
U9, U10 | 4 | 2 X 25 min. halves |
U11, U12 | 4 | 2 X 30 min. halves |
U13, U14 | 5 | 2 X 35 min. halves |
U15, U16 | 5 | 2 X 40 min. halves |
U17, U18, U19 | 5 | 2 x 45 min. halves |
1. Regular season matches ending in a tie shall remain a tie.
2. A game is considered final at half if it is cancelled for any reason.
LAW 4 – Playing Rules
SLYSA has adapted to the small sided standards and birth year registration from U.S. Soccer. Download the full PDF presentation: English | Español
4v4:
- For 4v4 games, there will be one (1) referee and no offsides will be called.
- No goalies, 4v4 is all field players.
- There will be no throw ins; kick ins or dribble ins only.
- A 4v4 game may not start if either team consists of fewer than three (3) players. The minimum number of players on a team required for a match to continue is also three (3).
7v7:
- For 7v7 games, there will be one (1) referee and no offside will be called.
- For the 7v7 play, there will be a build-out line used to promote playing the ball out of the back in an unpressured setting. Please Click Here for additional information regarding the new changes.
- A 7v7 game may not start if either team consists of fewer than five (5) players. The minimum number of players on a team required for a match to continue is also five (5).
- Once the opposing team is behind the build out-line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw, or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed).
- After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build-out line and play resumes as normal.
Note: Build-out line practical applications • Ideally, the goalkeeper will wait to put the ball into play once all opponents are past the build-out line • However, the goalkeeper can put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how play resumes.
9v9:
- For 9v9 games, there will be three (3) referees and offsides will be called.
- A 9v9 game may not start if either team consists of fewer than six (6) players. The minimum number of players on a team required for a match to continue is also six (6).
For all other age groups, SLYSA will abide by the Laws of the Game by FIFA- Please click here for Fifa Rules
U.S. SOCCER CONCUSSION GUIDELINES
In accordance with U.S. Soccer’s recommendation on specific changes to rules on heading for certain age groups deliberate heading is not allowed in U11 age group games and younger. If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred. Please click here to refer to U.S. Soccer Concussion Guidelines.
Click here for more information on Player Development Initiatives for 4v4, 7v7 and 9v9 games.
For all other age groups, SLYSA will abide by the Laws of the Game by FIFA- Please click here for Fifa Rules
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES/POLICIES
Discipline and Ethics
1. All coaches, players, referees, team officials and spectators shall be subject to the SLYSA discipline and appeals policies. Red cards for the initial suspension are not able to be appealed. Please refer to the Discipline and Appeals Policy. Click here to view the Discipline, Appeals & Red Card procedures.
2. No wagering of any kind will be tolerated, and such violations could lead to a maximum penalty of expulsion for the league. A report could also be sent to MYSA and/or IYSA
3. No player shall receive any compensation for services rendered to a team or receive any promises of compensation.
4. There will be no drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking or vaping in the player/coach area.
Registration
1. All registration and eligibility shall be in accordance with current US Soccer, USYSA, US Club, MYSA and IYSA or other US Soccer member youth rules unless otherwise specified by the SLYSA Board of Directors.
2. All players, coaches, and managers must have a US Soccer member youth pass card and/or US Club cards (photo ID) to participate in SLYSA. Digital cards may be accepted on game day. Managers may not sit in as a coach unless all coaches requirements have been met. (i.e. coaches license, background check, CDC and Safesport)
3. Player registration and necessary paperwork as required by the SLYSA league must be completed prior to the start of the first league match. Failure to do so will be an automatic forfeit of the matches until registration has been completed, except when delay is caused by SLYSA.
4. All teams must upload an Official State Roster into their registration before the first match. Anytime there is a change to the Official State Roster a new file must be uploaded.
5. It is the sole responsibility of the coaches to advise each league in which they participate of any schedule changes to prevent match conflicts. SLYSA will not be responsible for advising any other league of the schedule or changes to the schedule. SLYSA will not bear the sole responsibility of rescheduling games for other leagues’ conflicts with scheduled SLYSA games. It will be up to the teams to review the reschedule policy.
TEAMS AND DIVISIONS
1. Decisions concerning a team’s admittance into the league shall be at the sole discretion of the SLYSA Board of Directors.
2. Teams will be accepted into the league and may be classified into divisions based on the prior season’s record, if any, at the discretion of the SLYSA Bracketing Committee.
3. Ownership of a team:
a. A club team belongs to the club administrator on file with the SLYSA office and an independent team belongs to the coach/manager listed on the team application. This person has the right to assign all rights of “ownership” to another person, subject to SLYSA approval.
b. Teams forfeiting three (3) or more games, regardless of the reason, may not be accepted back into the league the following season. They will also bear the responsibility for all fees with respect to each forfeited game the following business day.
c. Any team dropping out of the league will not be reimbursed for games missed and may not be allowed back the following season.
d. Any coach/manager associated with the team can be suspended for up to one year from playing in the SLYSA league for a breach of rule 3b.
4. Rankings and Bracketing:
a. The Objective: The primary objective of ranking and bracketing is to place teams in brackets such that the resulting bracket becomes the most competitive bracket possible for all teams in all brackets.
b. Each year, the SLYSA Competition Commissioner will select 4 individuals (subject to approval by the SLYSA Board of Directors) to establish the bracketing committee. While the bracketing committee will use every effort to adhere to the ranking and bracketing criteria, the bracketing committee shall have final authority to place teams in brackets/divisions.
c. The Process:
i. After applications are received, the SLYSA administration will create an initial set of rankings based on the criteria defined in the ranking and bracketing criteria section.
ii. The SLYSA administration will provide this information to the bracketing committee for their review and modification.
iii. The resulting rankings will be published for all teams and clubs to review.
iv. Club teams will send requests/error notifications to the single delegate selected by/for their club. The SLYSA administration will direct calls/emails from club teams to the appropriate club contact. The bracketing committee will accept requests from club teams only through the designated club delegate.
v. Independent teams will send requests/error notifications to SLYSA administration.
vi. All club bracketing representatives will send their ranking change requests to SLYSA prior to the meeting date.
vii. The bracketing committee will review all requests and make final changes if any to the rankings and the brackets will be published.
viii. The bracketing committee will break down the rankings into divisions to establish the most competitive brackets. Any additional changes will be subject to approval by the bracketing committee.
ix. The SLYSA administration will initiate scheduling. Once an age group/division is scheduled, there will be no bracket changes.
d. Relegation and Bracketing Criteria:
i. The number of teams in brackets/divisions will be primarily based on the previous season for the age group. (Projecting 10 team brackets for 9 game seasons)
ii. Team history will be based on the team application. (i.e. it is important to use the same GotSport account each year because it contains the team history as well as team name/color/matrix year (i.e. 00/01)).
iii. Team placement will be largely determined by its performance in the previous season played.
iv. All requests by teams which are eligible to be moved up a division but request to stay in the same division or be moved down will be honored.
v. Teams that win the Premier Division will be given the option to move up an age group. If they choose to move up, they will be placed in the Premier Division ONLY.
vi. Teams which have a win/loss record of .250 or less will be relegated to the lower division at the discretion of the bracketing committee.
vii. Teams with a win/loss record of .750 or greater or win their division will be eligible for promotion, if space allows, at the discretion of the bracketing committee.
viii. New teams with no record could be placed in the lowest division. The bracketing committee reserves the right to make an exception to this rule.
ix. Teams that have not played in the SLYSA league but have history against teams which do play in SLYSA may be placed in divisions based upon previous performance at the discretion of the bracketing committee.
x. Girls may play in boys’ divisions, but boys may not play in girls’ divisions.
xi. Teams that played up in previous seasons but choose to return to their own age group should expect to be returned to the same division they were in before they chose to play up.
xii. For divisions which have no history, teams will be randomly bracketed in multiple divisions except that effort will be made to place multiple teams from the same club in different divisions. The top teams from each of the divisions will be placed accordingly the following season, etc.
xiii. Teams which do not play both spring and fall, but do play every spring or every fall, will be placed back in the same division. (I.e. a team which played in division 2 in the fall, but did not play in the spring, will be placed in division 2 when they return the following fall season). Teams sitting two or more seasons will NOT be eligible for the same bracketing upon return as when leaving the league. The bracketing committee will make decisions on these teams returning based upon past history, the same as new teams joining the league.
SLYSA LEAGUE STANDINGS
1. Standings will be determined by awarding three (3) points for each win, one (1) point for each tie and zero (0) points for a loss.
2. If the teams have played an uneven amount of games in an unfinished season, a win loss percentage will be determined based on the number of games played (not the number of games scheduled) and manually adjusted via GotSport to show correct standings after the season is over.
Ex: Team A (scheduled for 10 games) played only 9 games with a 3(W)-0(T)-6(L) record totaling 9 points – to find the winning percentage, divide the number of points earned by the max points for games played (27 points for this example) equaling a 0.333 winning percentage. The percentage shall be rounded to the nearest thousandths (3 decimal places).
Ex: Team B (scheduled for 10 games) played 10 games with a 2(W)-2(T)-6(L) record totally 8 points – to find the winning percentage, divide the number of points earned by the max points for games played (30 points for this example) equaling a 0.267 winning percentage. The percentage shall be rounded to the nearest thousandths (3 decimal places).
3. League Tie Breakers:
Head to Head
Goal Differential
Most wins
Note: If three or more teams are tied, head to head is eliminated.
Standings are final 1 week following the last date of play.
OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
1. Home teams must wear white or light colored jerseys. If a conflict occurs while the home team has the designated color, the visitors must change.
2. Each team must complete and give to the referee the line-up card indicating the jersey number, name, and player ID number of each player participating in the game as well as a completed SLYSA Guest player form if using any guest players.
Note: All guest players must be added to the SLYSA Guest player form and match card and have a player pass. The following information MUST be filled in its entirety or this could result in the player being unable to play or if the game is protested it could be considered a forfeit.
3. The player pass of each player, manager, and coach participating and a copy of the roster must be in the possession of the coach or manager at each league game. A team must produce the player cards and/or roster. Digital cards may be approved by a SLYSA representative.
4. Games shall start on time. If a game is delayed due to the tardiness of a team, players, coach or manager, a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes of “grace” time shall be awarded. After fifteen (15) minutes, if the team is still not able to start the game, it shall be declared a forfeit. Forfeits shall be recorded with a score of 2-0. In the case of a double forfeit, no scores will be posted but games will count against the final standings as a loss.
5. Suspension of games due to weather and/or field conditions considered dangerous to the players shall be at the discretion of the referee or site manager. If the first half of the game has been completed, the game is official.
6. If a game does not restart after a delay in the first half and the game is then canceled, it will then be rescheduled by the league scheduler and played as a full game.
7. All coaches and substitutes should remain a minimum of two (2) yards away from the touch line. Spectators should remain a minimum of six (6) yards from the touch line.
8. Teams should be situated on the same side of the field and confined to an area equal to the diameter of the center circle. Team fans will be located on the opposite side of the fields as their team, when possible.
9. A carded, licensed coach is required on the sideline at all league games for the entire game. If a carded, licensed coach is not present for any portion of the game, the game will be forfeited.
10. Teams responsible for a forfeit for not having enough players, no carded, licensed coach, refusing to play, or abandoning a game shall be assessed all applicable fees for both teams and will be contacted for payment the following business day.
11. Scheduled SLYSA games take precedence over all other commitments except MYSA and IYSA Cup games.
12. Teams requesting special consideration for absence due to out-of-town tournaments must make the request in writing to the SLYSA office by the conflict deadline established by the office.
13. If a game needs to be moved, refer to the SLYSA Game Reschedule Policy. A fee will be assessed based on sliding scale for all games moved after the first two weeks after schedules are released. The opposing team must agree before a game is moved. If the opposing team does not agree to a reschedule the game stays as scheduled.
14. All park rules where games are played shall be respected and obeyed.
15. Each coach/manager shall acquaint himself/herself, as well as players, parents, and spectators, with the rules, discipline and appeals policies, constitution, and by-laws of the association. A plea of ignorance is not sufficient grounds for appeal or protest.
16. Any matters not provided for in these rules shall be determined by the SLYSA Board of Directors. The SLYSA Board of Directors may change these rules at its sole discretion.
17. All league fees will be due by the announced due date for all divisions. Teams that have not paid league fees by the published due date will not receive any points for ties or wins until paid. The team will start receiving points again once league fees have been paid from that point forward.
18. All delinquent invoices by the end of the season will be sent to the team’s state office.
19. Refunds for Cancelled Games. All refunds will be issued in the form of a credit to be applied to future league fees. There will be only one exception to this general rule. U18 and U19 teams whose players are graduating to college will receive a check for game cancellations. These checks will be issued to the individual or entity that signed the check paying for their last league fees. Other teams receiving credits for cancelled games must meet two qualifications. These are:
a. A team must qualify as a “returning team” as defined in “Teams & Divisions.”
b. A team must play two consecutive league sessions or at least one session in the next soccer year.
c. All Illinois teams need to return ID cards to the IL registrar if not returning the following season within the seasonal year.
If either of these conditions is not met, then that team will not be eligible to receive a credit. For example, if a team disbands, no credit will be issued for game cancellations. If a team elects to leave SLYSA and play in another league, there will be no credit. Teams that play a fall session and play only tournaments in the spring, but return for the following fall session will receive their credit from the previous fall session.
20. All administrative fees are non-refundable.
SLYSA abides by FIFA, US Soccer Rules and Guidelines and US Youth Soccer.
