Part III - Game Play
Rule 3301. RULES OF PLAY
Section 1. Except as provided by USYSA or its State Associations, the FIFA “Laws of the Game” apply to all competitions sponsored by USYSA. Players under 10 years of age may play soccer in accordance with the rules of USYSA’s Development Player Program—Modified Playing Rules for Under10, Under 8, and Under 6.
Section 2. State Associations may not approve games involving teams Under 10 or younger, unless those games are conducted with not more than 8 players on each side.
Rule 3302. SUBSTITUTIONS
Section 1. Except as provided by USYSA or its State Associations, substitutions shall be unlimited except where specified otherwise in the rules and regulations for a special competition.
Section 2. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, at any stoppage in play.
Rule 3303. LENGTH OF GAMES, OVERTIME PERIODS, BALL SPECIFICATIONS, FIELD SIZES, GOAL SIZES, OFFSIDES, AND BUILD OUT LINES
Section 1.
(a) Except as provided by USYSA and its State Associations, the length of games, overtime periods, ball size, ball circumference, and ball weight for each age group is as follows:
| Age Group | Game Length | Overtime Periods | Ball Size | Circumference Weight | Players | Max Field Size (yards) | Maximum Goal Size (feet) | Offside |
| 19 & Under | Two 45’ halves | Two 15’ halves | #5 | 27-28 in. 14-16 ozs. | 11 v11 | 130 Length 100 Width | Height 8 Width 24 | Yes |
| 18 & Under | Two 45’ halves | Two 15’ halves | #5 | 27-28 in. 14-16 ozs. | 11 v11 | 130 Length 100 Width | Height 8 Width 24 | Yes |
| 17 & Under | Two 45’ halves | Two 15’ halves | #5 | 27-28 in. 14-16 ozs. | 11 v11 | 130 Length 100 Width | Height 8 Width 24 | Yes |
| 16 & Under | Two 40’ halves | Two 15’ halves | #5 | 27-28 in. 14-16 ozs. | 11 v11 | 130 Length 100 Width | Height 8 Width 24 | Yes |
| 15 & Under | Two 40’ halves | Two 15’ halves | #5 | 27-28 in. 14-16 ozs. | 11 v11 | 130 Length 100 Width | Height 8 Width 24 | Yes |
| 14 & Under | Two 35’ halves | Two 10’ halves | #5 | 27-28 in. 14-16 ozs | 11 v11 | 130 Length 100 Width | Hieght 8 Width 24 | Yes |
| 13 & Under | Two 35’ halves | Two 10’ halves | #5 | 27-28 in. 14-16 ozs. | 11 v11 | 130 Length 100 Width | Height 8 Width 24 | Yes |
| 12 & Under | Two 30’ halves | Two 10’ halves | #4 | 25-26 in. 11-13 ozs |
9 v 9
|
70-80 Length 45-55 Width | Height 7 Width 21 (Recommended Height 6.5 x Width 18.5) |
Yes |
| 11 & Under | Two 30’ halves | Two 10’ halves | #4 | 25-26 in. 11-13 ozs |
9 v 9
|
70-80 Length 45-55 Width | Height 7 Width 21 (Recommended Height 6.5 x Width 18.5) |
Yes |
| 10 & Under | Two 25’ halves | NONE | #4 | 25-26 in. 11-13 ozs. |
7 v 7
|
55-65 Length 35-45 Width | Height 6.5 Width 18.5 (Recommended Height 6.5 x Width 12) |
Yes |
| 9 & Under | Two 25' halves | NONE | #4 | 25-26 in. 11-13 ozs. | 7 v 7 | 55-65 Length 35-45 Width |
Height 6.5 Width 18.5 |
Yes |
| 8 & Under | 4-10’ quarters | NONE | #3 | 23-24 in. 11-12 ozs. |
4 v 4 No Goal Keeper
|
25-35 Length 15-25 Width | Height 4 Width 6 | No |
| 6 & Under | 4-10’ quarters | NONE | #3 | 23-24 in. 11-12 ozs. |
4 v 4 No Goal Keeper
|
25-35 Length 15-25 Width | Height 4 Width 6 | No |
(b) In tournament play, if the game is still tied after overtime periods, FIFA “Kicks from the Penalty Mark” rules apply to determine the winner.
Section 2.
(a) Except as provided by USYSA and its State Associations, the length of games, ball size, ball circumference, and ball weight for each age group shall be as follows:
Age Group Game Length Size Circumference Weight _
10 & Under As Modified Rules specify #4 25-26 in. 11–13 ozs.
8 & Under As Modified Rules specify #3 23-24 in. 11–12 ozs.
6 & Under As Modified Rules specify #3 23-24 in. 11–12 ozs.
(b) For the 10U, 8U, and 6U competitions, ties will stand.
Section 3.
(a) In 10U and 9U 7v7 games a build-out line will be used.
- When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play.
- Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punts and drops kicks are not allowed).
- After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out lin and play resumes as normal.
- The opposing team must also move behind the build out line during goal kick until the ball is put into play.
- If a goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense.
- If the punt or drop kick 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.
- The build out line will also be used to denote where offsides offense can be called.
- Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line.
- Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build out line and the goal line.
Rule 3304. Uniforms
Section 1. In this rule, “team member” means a player, coach, assistant coach, or other official of a team.
Section 2. A team member is not prohibited by USYSA or NYSWYSA from having a mark or name, or both, on any part of the team member’s uniform being worn at a game, if the mark or name is related to an item or service that is appropriate for youth. The Organization Member with which the team member is registered shall determine the appropriateness. An Organization Member, or its member, may be more restrictive on uniform marks or names than allowed under this rule. Any inappropriate mark or name on the team member’s uniform must be removed, replace, or covered before the team member may continue to participate in the game.
Rule 3305. Heading
Section 1. This rule is mandatory for all US Soccer conducted events, including Regional and National competitions for the National Championship Series, and National Presidents Cup series. This rule is also mandatory for the US Youth Soccer National League, US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program.
Section 2. NYSWYSA Member Clubs are strongly encouraged to adopt this Rule for state and local play.
Section 3. All Players age 10 and younger shall not head the ball directly from the air in any match or competition, nor shall these players practice heading the ball in any organized team setting. If a player age 10 or younger deliberately heads the ball in a match, the referee shall award an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the spot of the infraction. If the heading occurs within the penalty area, the referee shall move the ball outside the penalty area and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.
Players age 11 and age 12 shall be permitted to head the ball in any match or competition. These players may practice heading the ball in an organized team practice or skill session, but coaches shall monitor this practice so that no single player heads the ball more than 25 times per week, regardless of setting.
Players age 13 and older shall be permitted to head the ball in any match or competition and these players may practice heading the ball in an organized team practice or skill session.