Rules Of The Game

Field of Play Ball In and Out of Play Corner Kick
The Ball Method of Scoring "5 Goal Rule"
Number of Players Offside Slide Tackle Rule
Players' Equipment Fouls and Misconduct Pass Back or Parrying
The Referee Free Kicks Coaches
The Linespersons Penalty Kick Spectators
Duration of the Game Throw-In Goal Safety
Start of Play Goal Kick Bleeding Player

 

  • Field of Play
    • Size - The field is rectangular.  A full size FIFA field is from 100-130 yards long and from 50-100 yards wide.  EYSA modifies the size of the playing field to adjust for player age and number of players per team.
    • Marking - The field is marked with distinctive lines.  The sizes of the goal areas, penalty area and center circle are proportioned to the sizes of fields used by EYSA teams.
    • Goals - A full size FIFA goal is 24 feet wide and 8 feet high.  The sizes of the goals used by EYSA are proportioned to the sizes of the fields being used by various age groups.
    • Restraining line - A dotted restraining line will be marked parallel to the side (touch) lines on both sides of the field. This dotted line will extend the length of the field and be a distance of three feet from the side (touch) line.  Spectators and players will stay behind this line during games.
    • Team area - During the game, players and coaches are required to stay off the field of play while the game is being played.
  • The Ball
    • Material - The ball may be leather or any other durable material provided by the Association.
    • Size - For age groups 5/6  and 7/8 a size 3 ball is used.  For the 9/10 and 11/12 year olds, a size 4 ball is used.  For the 13/14 Girls, 13-15 Boys and 15/16 Girls age groups a size 5 ball is used.
    • Only balls supplied by EYSA will be used in EYSA matches.
  • Number of Players
    • For age groups in the 6-a-side format, ideally the roster will consist of 11 players on the roster.
    • For 9/10 year old teams the roster will ideally consist of 14 players.
    • For full size field teams the ideal roster will have 18 players.
    • Substitutions - either team may substitute as many players (goalkeeper included) as desired but only during stoppages in play (goal kicks, throw-ins, injuries, cautions, between periods and after scored goals).
    • Ejected players may not be replaced.  The team of the ejected player must play the rest of the game with one less player.
    • A match will not be started or continued if the number of available players for a team is less than 2 players fewer than the standard for that age group.
    • In the event of one team having less than 2 players fewer than the standard at the scheduled starting time for a match, a ten minute grace period will be allowed before the match is canceled.  (With the agreement of both coaches and referees, a scrimmage match may be played by pooling available players from both teams, in the event that one team is short players.)
  • Players' Equipment
    • A player may not wear anything dangerous to self or other players.
    • Shoes must be worn by all participants in a game.  Shoes with soles containing  leather, rubber, nylon or plastic cleats, studs or bars, (no metal) whether molded as part of the sole or detachable are allowed as long as the referee does not consider them dangerous.  Baseball, football cleats or any shoes with toe cleats are not allowed.
    • Players wearing orthopedic casts are not eligible for play.
    • Only uniforms issued by the Association may be worn in scheduled matches with the exception of the goalkeepers.  Uniforms may not be altered from their as received condition.  Game jerseys are to be tucked in at all times while playing.
    • Goalkeepers must wear colors which distinguish them from all other players and referees.
    • Mouth guards are encouraged -  especially for goalkeepers and player wearing orthodontic braces.
    • No hard jewelry or hair ornaments may be worn by any player - this includes pierced earrings.
  • The Referee
    • One, two or three referees will be assigned to officiate each match.  The main concern of referees will be the safety of the players.
    • Referees will enforce the rules of the game, but may choose not to call a foul if it is not serious and if, in the opinion of the referee, it is to the advantage of the fouled team to allow play to continue.  (In the latter case, the referee should so indicate by loudly calling out, "PLAY ON!")
    • Referees may warn, caution and eject players and coaches who violate the rules of the game.

      EJECTION POLICY
      Any player or coach who is ejected from a match will also be suspended from the team's next match.  A second ejection, in one season, will result in suspension from the next two matches.  A third ejection, in one season, will result in suspension for the remainder of the season.
      In addition, particularly violent, or unsportsmanlike behavior by any player or coach will be reviewed by a committee composed of the Association president, the Association head referee and an uninvolved area director.  The involved area director should be present during the review.  This committee will have the authority to impose a more severe penalty than prescribed above.  For a first, or second ejection, the penalty could be increased to suspension for the remainder of the season.

      RED CARD POLICY

      1. The referee issuing the red card will record the offending player's name, jersey number, team name, coach name and EYSA area number.
      2. The referee will report this information to the EYSA head referee, either directly or through the area's head referee.
      3. The EYSA head referee will notify the area director for the offending team.
      4. The area director will notify the coach of the team for the red carded player to reinforce that the player should not play in the next game.
      5. The area director may take other action to be sure that the player does not play.  (i.e. Advise the referees assigned to that team's next game to be sure the player does not play.)
      6. The EYSA head referee will keep track of carded players to be sure the penalties described in the "Ejection Policy" are enforced.
    • The referee's judgment with regard to the physical condition of the field of play, to happenings on the field during play and those authorities granted by the rules of the game are not to be challenged.
    • The referee has the discretionary power to stop a match for any infringement of the rules and to suspend or terminate the match whenever, by reasons of weather, interference by spectators, interference by coach(es) or other cause, deems such stoppage necessary.
    • The referee will allow no person, other than the players and linespersons to enter the field of play without permission of the referee.
  • The Linespersons
    • When only one referee is assigned to a match, or only one referee is present, each team will be responsible for providing one person deemed qualified to assist, as a linesperson, in controlling the match.
    • The linesperson's duties will be to indicated when a ball is out of play and which team is entitled to the appropriate restart.  The linesperson may also advise the referee of any serious infringement of the rules which may occur outside the view of the referee.
    • The referee may elect not to act upon a linesperson's advice.
  • Duration of the Game
    • Age groups 5/6 - four quarters of 10 minutes each. 
    • Age groups 7/8 and 9/10 - four quarters of 12 minutes each.
    • Age groups 11/12, 13/14 Girls, 13-15 Boys and 15/16 Girls - four quarters of 15 minutes each.
    • All matches will be conducted with a continuously running clock.
    • At half time, the interval will not exceed 10 minutes.  The interval between the first and second quarter, and the third and fourth quarters will not exceed 2 minutes.
    • Time may be extended in any period, at the discretion of the referees, to make up for excessive lost time due to injury or other cause.  The added time is not to disrupt schedules of other matches on the same field.
    • Time will be extended in any period to allow the taking of a penalty kick.
    • At the Field General's discretion, play can be shortened due to extreme weather conditions.
  • Start of Play
    • Before the beginning of the match, choice of ends and kick-off will be decided by the toss of a coin.  The team winning the toss will have the option of choice of ends or kick-off.
    • Each player must remain in their own half of the field until the ball is kicked.  Players of the opposing team must stay at least ten yards from the ball until it has been kicked.  The kicked must move the ball forward (into the opponent's half).  The kicker may not play the ball a second time until after it is touched by another player.  A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-off.
    • After a goal has been scored, the match will be restarted with a kick-off by a player of the team scored upon.
    • After each half, when restarting the match, ends shall be exchanged and the kick-off will be alternated between teams to begin the next period.
    • When the match has been temporarily suspended for any cause not mentioned elsewhere in the rules, the game will be restarted with a drop ball at the place where the ball was when play was suspended.  If stoppage occurred within the penalty area, the restart drop ball will be conducted at the nearest point outside the penalty area.
  • Ball In and Out of Play
    • The ball is out of play when all of the ball is completely outside the outer edge of the side (touch) line or end (goal) line of the field.
    • The ball is out of play when the match is stopped by the referee - indicated by sounding of the whistle.
    • The ball is in play at all times other than those described in the above situations.
    • The ball is in play when it bounces off a goal post, cross bar or corner marker and stays in the field of play.
    • The ball is in play when it bounces off of a referee or linesperson, when they are in the field of play , and it stays in the field of play.
    • The ball is in play after an assumed breakage of a rule, until the referee signals play to a halt by sounding the whistle.
  • Method of Scoring
    • A goal can be scored only if all of the ball goes completely past the entire goal line, under the cross bar and between the goal posts, while it is in legal play.
    • Any player on  a team, including the goalkeeper, may score goals.
    • A player may score a goal into the goal he or she is defending. This unfortunate event is called an "own goal". The goal is awarded to the opposing team, unless the own goal has been caused by the player taking a free kick, throw-in, goal kick or kick off.
  • Offside
    • A player is in an offside position if nearer to the opponents' goal line than the ball, unless:
      • the player is in their own half of the field of play, or
      • there are at least two opponents nearer their own goal line than the attacking player.
    • A player will only be declared offside and penalized for being in an offside position if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by a team-mate, he or she is, in the opinion of the referee:
      • interfering with play or with an opponent, or
      • seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position.
    • A player will not be declared offside by the referee:
      • merely because he or she is in an offside position, or
      • if he or she receives the ball directly from a goal-kick, a corner kick, a throw-in, or when it has been dropped by the referee.
    • If a player is declared offside, the referee will award an indirect free-kick, which will be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the offense is committed by  a player in the opponent's goal area, in which case, the free kick will be taken from a point anywhere within that half of the goal area in which the offense occurred.
    • The offside rule is not in effect in EYSA age groups 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and 15/16 Girls games unless the violation occurs as a matter of tactic (i.e. cherry picking).
  • Fouls and Misconduct
    • Fouls - There are two kinds of fouls; major and minor.  A direct free kick is given to a team suffering a major foul; an indirect free kick is given for a minor foul.
    • A referee should judge a play to be foul and award a free kick only if the player, in the opinion of the referee, is intentionally fouled, or is fouled through carelessness.
    • A referee should not stop play to award a free kick if , in the opinion of the referee, the fouled team is better off if play continues.  This is called the "advantage" clause and it should be signified by the referee calling loudly, "Play on".
    • Major Fouls - There are ten major fouls which, in order to be judged foul, must be committed intentionally;
      • Kicking, or trying to kick, an opponent
      • Tripping an opponent -  whether or not the opponent fall down
      • Jumping at an opponent - whether or not contact is made
      • Charging an opponent violently or dangerously - that is, where either the charging player or the charged player could be hurt
      • Charging an opponent from behind.  Exception: if the opponent is legally obstructing a player, that player may charge the opponent fairly, from behind (shoulder to shoulder), but the charge must not be done dangerously
      • Hitting or spitting at, or attempting to hit, an opponent
      • Holding an opponent
      • Pushing an opponent
      • Handling the ball, except by the goalkeeper in their own penalty area.  Handling is a foul when the ball touches any part of the hand or arm, with intention to control the ball.  NOTE: If a player is not trying to control the ball, or is instinctively protecting himself or herself from injury, the referee should not call the handling foul.
      • Slide tackle (Violent or from behind. Refer to slide tackle rule.).
    • Minor Fouls - There are six minor fouls:
      • Dangerous play, such as high kicking near another player's head or trying to kick a ball held by a goalkeeper.  NOTE: If a player puts himself or herself in danger, the referee should give an indirect free kick against that player.
      • Fair charging (shoulder to shoulder contact without danger to either player) but with the ball out of playing distance, more than about one step away.
      • Illegal obstruction - A player intentionally placing himself or herself between the ball and an opponent, when not within playing distance of the ball, to stop the opponent from playing the ball.  A player putting himself or herself between the ball and an opponent while within playing distance of the ball is a legal obstruction.
      • Charging the goalkeeper - The goalkeeper cannot be fairly charged within the penalty area, and the ball must not be played while in the goalkeeper's possession.  "Possession" means any part of the goalkeeper's body holding the ball stationary. It also means bouncing or throwing the ball into the air and catching it again.
      • Illegal play by the goalkeeper.  After having taken control of the ball with their hands, in their own penalty area, the goalkeeper has 5 seconds to release the ball for play.  Once the ball has been released from possession of the goalkeeper, it must be touched by another player before the goalkeeper may touch it again with their hands.  If the ball is played by a player on the goalkeeper's team, that player must be outside the penalty box.
      • Slide tackle (Refer to slide tackle rule.)
    • Misconduct - There are two kinds of misconduct; misconduct resulting in a caution, and misconduct resulting in a player or coach being sent off the field (ejected).
    • Warning - The referee often tells a player or coach to improve their behavior.  A caution may be given by raising a yellow card.  A player or coach may be cautioned for:
      • Entering or leaving the field of play without the referee's permission. If the referee stops the match to give a caution, an indirect kick is given to the opposing team.
      • Continually breaking the rules.
      • Arguing with the referee's decision.  This is called "dissent".
      • Interrupting the flow of the match, or the referee's control of the match, with unsportsmanlike behavior.  Such behavior includes purposely delaying the match, insulting behavior and purposely hard fouls.
      • Receiver of a Yellow Card must leave the field of play until the next substitution opportunity, the cautioned player may be replaced at the time of the infraction.
    • Ejection - The referee indicates an ejection by raising a red card.  The referee should immediately send a player or coach off the field of play for:
      • Violent behavior such as kicking, hitting or spitting at anyone
      • Use of foul, insulting or threatening language
      • Committing a second cautionable act after having already received a caution. The second caution (yellow card) must result in ejection from the match, but not in suspension from the team's next match.
      An ejected player may not be replaced by a substitute.  The team of the ejected player must play short.
  • Free Kicks
    • A free kick is taken to restart play after the match has been  stopped by the referee for any of the offenses mentioned above.
    • Free kicks are classified as either:
      • Direct - a free kick in which a goal may be scored directly from the kick, or
      • Indirect - a free kick in which a goal may be scored only when the ball has been played or touched by a player, other than the kicker, prior to passing through the goal.  The referee should signal an indirect kick by holding one arm and hand upward until the ball is legally played by another player.
    • When a player is taking a direct or indirect free kick, all of the opposing players must be at least ten yards from the ball until it is in play.
    • Players who do not retire to the proper distance when a free kick is taken must be cautioned and, on any repeated offense, be ordered off the field.
    • All free kicks taken by age group 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10 players shall be indirect, except the penalty kick.
  • Penalty Kick
    • If a player commits a major foul (see Fouls and Misconduct) in their own penalty area, the fouled team is given a penalty kick from the penalty spot (a point 12 yards into the field of play from the goal line, centered in the field - on a full sized field).
    • Before signaling for the kick to be taken, the referee should ensure that all players except the kicker and the defending goalkeeper are outside the penalty area and penalty arc, but inside the field of play.
    • The opposing goalkeeper shall stand on the goal line, between the goal posts, until the ball is kicked.  Lateral movement is allowed, but the goalkeeper is not permitted to come off the line by stepping or lunging forward until the ball is in play.
    • No defending or attacking player may enter the penalty area or penalty arc before the ball is kicked.
    • The ball must move forward.  If played directly sideways or backward, the penalty kick must be retaken.  After the ball has moved the distance equal to one full turn, any player other than the kicker may play the ball.  That is, a goal may be scored directly or indirectly from a penalty kick.
    • The kicker must not play the ball a second time before another player, from either team, has touched the ball.  If the kicker does play the ball illegally in this instance, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
  • Throw-In
    • A throw-in is taken to restart the match after the ball goes out of play past a side (touch) line.  The throw-in is taken from the point where the ball crossed the line.
    • The throw-in is awarded to the opponents of the team that last touched the ball before it went out of bounds.
    • The thrower must face the field.  As the ball leaves the thrower's hands, some part of both feet must be on the ground, either on or outside the side line.
    • The thrower must throw the ball with equal strength by both hands, in one continuous motion from the back of the head and over the top of the head.
    • If the ball is not thrown properly, the opposing team is awarded a throw-in.
    • NOTE: In the 5/6 age group, kick ins are used in place of throw-ins with the above rules in force.
  • Goal Kick
    • A goal kick is taken by any defending player to restart the match after the ball goes out of play past the goal line (unless it is a legal goal) after having last been touched by an attacking player.
    • The ball is placed at any point within the goal area (6 yard box).
    • Opponents must be at least 10 yards from the ball and must be outside the penalty area when the ball is kicked.
    • The ball is in play when it has traveled completely outside the penalty area.  If the ball does not travel outside the penalty area, a re-kick is taken.
  • Corner Kick
    • A corner kick is taken to restart the match after the ball goes out of play past the goal line (unless it is a legal goal) when last touched by a defending player.
    • The ball is placed completely within the corner arc on the side of the field where the ball went out of play.
    • The corner markers must not be moved or removed to assist the kicker taking a corner kick.
    • The corner kick may be taken by any player on the attacking team.  A goal may be scored by kicking the ball directly into the goal.
    • Opponents must be at least ten yards from the ball when it is kicked, but the kicker may kick the ball when they are closer, if desired.
  • "5 Goal Rule"
    • If an EYSA soccer match reaches a goal differential of 5 (5-0, 8-3, etc.) the team that is behind will be allowed to add an additional player onto the field.
    • If the goal differential becomes less than 5, the additional player must be removed from the field.
    • A maximum of one additional player can be added to the field.
  • Slide Tackle Rule
    • Slide tackling is not allowed in any EYSA match. A player who intentionally performs a slide tackle against an opponent to win the ball will receive a caution (yellow card).  Subsequent slide tackles by the same player will result in a game ejection (red card).
    • Restart after a slide tackle:
      • If the tackle is a major foul (violent or from behind), restart is a direct kick.  If the tackle occurs inside the penalty box, it will be a penalty kick.
      • If the tackle is a minor foul (dangerous play), restart will be an indirect kick (including inside the box).
  • Pass Back or Parrying
    • The pass back to the goalkeeper by teammates and goalkeeper parrying rule will not be enforced for age groups 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10.  The pass back and parrying rule will be enforced for age groups 11/12, 13/14 Girls, 13-15 Boys and 15/16 girls.
  • Coaches
    • Up to three coaches are allowed on team sidelines during EYSA scheduled matches.
    • During the game coaches are required to stay off the field of play and within the prescribed team area.  Coaches of 5/6 and 7/8 year old teams are allowed to roam the sideline as long as it does not interfere with play while the game is ongoing.
  • Spectators
    • All spectators will view scheduled EYSA matches from the side of the field opposite the team/bench side and behind the dotted restraining line.
  • Goal Safety
    • No one is permitted to hang on or play around the goals.  It is everyone's responsibility to enforce this rule.
  • Bleeding Player
    • Players that are bleeding or players that have blood on their uniform must be replaced.
    • Players can re-enter the game only when the referee is satisfied that the bleeding has been stopped and all blood has been removed from the player's uniform.