The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has published the latest changes to the 2017-2018 Laws of the Game, the official rules for soccer around the world. A link to the complete laws and to a summary of the changes for this year can be found below.
VYS enforces a technical area on the sidelines for all House game in the U9-U19 age groups, with the exception of the U19 girls that play in the HSGHSL. The purpose is to provide a defined area for coaches to operate from while maintaining the integrity of the remainder of the sideline for the other team's coaches and all players.
The technical area extends from the midfield line to the top of the penalty area on each team's end of the field. There will be no physical markings delineating the area, so coaches will need to be aware of their position on the sidelines. Coaches are expected to remain within the bounds of the technical area while the game is in play (i.e. not crossing over to the opposing team's half of the sideline, nor towards the end line past the top of the penalty area). Infractions of this requirement may be dealt with by the issuance of a yellow card at the discretion of the referee.
US Youth Soccer (USYS) has implemented their Player Development Initiative (PDI) to place a priority on developing basic skills and abilities for 6-12 year old players. One of the big changes is the use of Build Out Lines in all U9/U10 games, recreational and travel. A link to the State Referee Program presentation on the use of Build Out Lines can be found below, as well as a link to a video by the Teaching Ref and the USYS PDI presentation can be found below.
The addition of a "mercy" rule at all U19/U16 games, similar to what is in place already for the younger age groups.
Please review the detailed variations below and be aware of those that apply to the age group(s) that you coach and/or referee. If you have any question, contact Nick Klop, VYS Director of Referees.
Law 3 Number of Players All players must be registered with VYS in the current season.
No VYS Travel player may plan in a House match. Any player doing so risks their continued participation in the Travel program.
Law 4 Player Equipment If a player is wearing a cast or hard splint, it must be covered with a minimum of 1/4" closed cell foam or equivalent padding. The referee has the final decision whether the cast/splint represents a safety issue and if the player is allowed to play.
Law 10 Determining the Outcome of the Match If one team fails to appear for the match, the referee will note the absence in the game report and the commissioner will determine the outcome of the match.
Home team provides. If home team cannot, visitor provides.
7 players, including any guest players, are required for the match to commence and for the match to continue.
Guest Players So that the game may be played, players registered with another team, including the opposing team, can be guest players for the team that is short players if both team managers agree.
Playing Up A team behind by 3 or more goals may play up 1 player, but not exceed 11 players.
Substitution An unlimited number of substitutions can be made by either team on any throw-in, any goal kick, after any goal, at halftime, at any injury. There will be no substitutions on corner kicks.
Law 4 Players' Equipment Home team will wear red jerseys; visiting team will wear white jerseys.
Law 6 Assistant Referees If USSF-certified ARs are not available, a non-certified volunteer will be enlisted to call the ball out of play and to indicate possession on restart at the referee's discretion.
Law 7 Duration of Match 35 minute halves, 5 minute halftime break.
If the start of the game is delayed, the referee will shorten the halves accordingly to maintain the game schedule.
Law 10 Method of Scoring 2 goals max per player are allowed, other goals scored by that player do not count. The restart is with a goal kick.
Law 12 Fouls/Misconduct Parent League is a "No Contact" league. Excessive body contact against an opponent is prohibited as pushing. Body contact that is considered legal under FIFA guidelines can be called as a foul in Parent League in order to maintain the goal of a "No Contact" game. The restart is a direct free kick (or penalty kick if the foul was committed by a player against an opponent in the player's penalty area) for the other team. The conduct may result in a Yellow Card for Unsporting Behavior.
Slide tackling against an opponent is prohibited as tackling. The restart is a direct free kick (or penalty kick if the foul was committed by a player against an opponent in the player's penalty area) for the other team. The conduct will result in a mandatory Yellow Card for Unsporting Behavior.
Challenging the goalkeeper for a 50/50 ball is prohibited. Attackers must always allow possession to go to the goalkeeper with no resulting contact. The restart is a direct free kick for the other team. The conduct will result in a mandatory Yellow Card for Unsporting Behavior.
Verbal and/or physical abuse of players, referees, spectators, or others is prohibited, and will result in a mandatory Red Card. Additional penalties for this behavior may result, including suspension or expulsion from the Parent League.
Caution/Yellow Card A player receiving a Yellow Card must sit out for 5 minutes to allow the player to compose him or herself. The team may substitute for that player.
Send-Off/Red Card A player receiving a Red Card will sit out the remainder of that game; must immediately leave vicinity of the field; and must sit out the next league game. Team may not substitute for that player and must play down a player.
Law 14 Penalty Kick All penalty kicks will be taken by a woman from the 12 yard mark or by a man with the ball placed 15 yards from the goal line.
Note that the U19 girls play as part of the HS Girls League (HSGHSL) and their rules take precedence over the VYS LOTG where they are different. A copy of their rules may be found here.
Technical Area: Extends from midfield line to the top of the penalty area on each team's end of the field (applies only for the boys' division at this age group).
Law 3 Number of Players 11 v 11. Rosters preferably should have no more than 18. Seven players are required for the match to commence and continue.
Playing Down VYS - If a team has 7 players the opposing team must play not more than 9 players. If a team has 8 players the opposing team must play not more than 10 players. If a team has 9 or more players the other team may play down in its discretion.
The trailing team may add one extra player when trailing by three goals, even if that means fielding 12 players. The trailing team may have one extra player until such time as it has evened the score, at which time it will remove the extra player.
Substitution On own throw-in, when the other team in possession of the ball makes a substitution, on any goal kick, after any goal, at halftime, for an injured player (the opposing team may substitute the same numbers of players as injured players being substituted for by the other team).
Law 4 Players' Equipment Players will wear matching color jerseys with unique numbers. Home team will resolve jersey color conflict by switching to an alternate color.
Law 6 Assistant Referees If USSF-certified ARs are not available, non-certified volunteers will be enlisted. They may only indicate when the ball is out of play and the direction of throw-ins.
Law 7 Duration of Match 45 minute halves, 5 minute halftime break. If the start of the game is delayed, the referee will shorten the halves accordingly to maintain the game schedule.
A team must have at least 7 players on the field and ready to play within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time or the match will not be played, and the Referee will submit a report to that effect to the league.
Law 12 Fouls/Misconduct Violation of the boundary of the technical area may be punishable by a yellow card at the discretion of the referee.
Caution/Yellow Card A player receiving a Yellow Card must sit out for 5 minutes to allow the player to compose him or herself. The team may substitute for that player and the opposing team may substitute 1-for-1.
Technical Area: Extends from midfield line to the top of the penalty area on each team's end of the field.
Law 3 Number of Players 11v11. Rosters preferably should have no more than 18. Seven players are required for the match to commence and continue.
Law 7 Duration of Match 40 minute halves, 5 minute halftime break. If the start of the game is delayed, the referee will shorten the halves accordingly to maintain the game schedule.
Playing Down If a team has 7 players the opposing team must play not more than 9 players. If a team has 8 players the opposing team must play not more than 10 players. If a team has 9 or more players the other team may play down in its discretion.
Law 12 Fouls/Misconduct Violation of the boundary of the technical may be punishable by a yellow card at the discretion of the referee.
Goal measurements will vary by field, but generally 6 feet by 18 feet.
Law 3 Number of Players 9v9. Rosters preferably should have no more than 13.
Playing Down The trailing team may add one extra player when trailing by three goals. The trailing team may have one extra player until such time as it has evened the score, at which time it will remove the extra player.
Law 12 Fouls/Misconduct Slide tackling is prohibited as tackling. The restart is a direct free kick (or penalty kick if the foul was committed by a player against an opponent in the player's penalty area) for the other team. The conduct may result in a Yellow Card for Unsporting Behavior.
Violation of the boundary of the technical area may be punishable by a yellow card at the discretion of the referee.
either in practice or in games.
U12 players: U.S. Soccer guidelines provide that heading in training be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per week with no more than 15-20 headers per day.
The field will include Build Out Lines that are midway between the top of the penalty area and the halfway line. If lines are not available then cones can be placed on the touchline to mark the location of the Build Out Line.
Goal measurements will vary by field but generally 6 feet by 18 feet.
Law 3 Number of Players 7v7. Rosters preferably should have no more than 11.
Playing Down The trailing team may add one extra player if trailing by 3 goals. The trailing team may have one extra player until such time as it has evened the score, at which time it will remove the extra player.
Law 12 Fouls/Misconduct Slide tackling is prohibited as tackling. The restart is an indirect free kick (for the other team. The conduct will result in a mandatory Yellow Card for Unsporting Behavior.
The goalkeeper may not punt or drop-kick the ball into play after gaining possession, but must pass it on the ground, roll it or throw it into play. If the GK punts or drop kicks the ball, an indirect free kick is 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 is taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.
Law 13 Free Kicks All free kicks, without exception, will be indirect free kicks. There will be no penalty kicks . Restarts will be at the point of the foul, or if the violation incurred inside the goal area, from the closest area outside the goal area perpendicular to the goal line.
Law 14 Heading No heading is allowed in games. Whenever the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped. After determining if the player should be substituted due to injury, proper restart depends upon whether the player deliberately played the ball with his or her head. If deliberate, the proper restart is an indirect free kick for the opposing team. If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If the play by the head is deemed inadvertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball at the place where the heading occurred.
NOTE: No heading should be conducted in training.
Goal measurements will vary by field.
Law 3 Number of Players 4v4, no goalkeeper. Rosters limited to 12.
Playing Down Regardless of the score (which is not kept), a less competitive team may add a player or players in order to have a competitive game.
Substitution At any time, including on the fly while play is in progress.
Law 11 Offside There is no offside.
Law 12 Fouls/Misconduct Slide tackling is prohibited and results in an indirect free kick for the other team.
Law 13 Free Kicks All free kicks, without exception, will be indirect free kicks. There will be no penalty kicks. Restarts will be at the point of the foul, or if the violation incurred inside the goal area, from the closest area outside the goal area perpendicular to the goal line.
Kick-ins will be used instead of throw-ins. Infractions will result in a retake.
Goal Kick Opponents of the kicking team will remain in their own half of the field until the ball is in play.
Law 17 Heading No heading is allowed in games. Whenever the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped. After determining if the player should be substituted due to injury, proper restart depends upon whether the player deliberately played the ball with his or her head. If deliberate, the proper restart is an indirect free kick for the opposing team. If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If the play by the head is deemed inadvertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball at the place where the heading occurred.
Law 16 Goal Kick Opponents of the kicking team will remain in their own half of the field until the ball is in play.
Law 3 Number of Players 3v3, no goalkeeper. Rosters limited to 14.
Playing Down Regardless of score (which is not kept), a less competitive team may add an extra player or players in order to have a competitive game.
There are no Referees at this level of play.
Law 15 The Throw-in Kick-ins will be used instead of throw-ins. Infractions will result in a retake.
Law 3 Number of Players No roster limit.
Playing Down Games are not played at this level.
Substitution Games are not played at this level.
Law 6 Assistant Referees There are no referees at this level of play.
Law 7 Duration of Match 60 minute sessions.
Law 11 Offside Games are not played at this level.
Law 12 Fouls/Misconduct Games are not played at this level.
No heading should be conducted in U5 sessions.
Law 13 Free Kicks Games are not played at this level.
Law 15 The Throw-in Games are not played at this level.
Law 16 Goal Kick Games are not played at this level.