1. PRE-GAME INFORMATION

• Have players wear same color uniforms (no numbers or names required). Have your players bring alternate color just in case two teams are the same. Goalies should have opposite color of the field players.
• Indoor or tennis shoes are best. Outdoor rubber cleats will be allowed. Players wearing improper indoor or outdoor shoes, may not be allowed to play. (referee & managers decision).
• Shin Guards are recommended but not required.

2. Fair Play Rule

• Any team trailing by four or more goals can add one player to the field (no more than one extra player). Once the team trails by three or less goals, the extra player is removed from the field. Trailing team is not required to add a player.

3. GAME MANAGEMENT / FORFEITS

• The clock only stops for serious injuries or games that are at a one goal or less differential, with less than one minute of play remaining in the 2nd half or overtime.
• There is a one-minute rest time between periods. Please be aware of this constraint. Clock may start after the one minute time frame.
• Game time is forfeit time. Please be on time. Many teams are playing outdoor games or have other conflicts, which play as scheduled. Warm-up time may be waived if games are behind. This is to ensure that games are as close to on-time as possible.
• Games are only cancelled, due to bad weather or other acts of God. The update lines are as follows:
  • Visit our weather page for any changes regarding your league. If at any time you feel the weather conditions are not good for you to travel then please do not travel to your game. Some areas may be worse than others, but games may be played. It is better to forfeit than to not arrive at all.

4. IMPORTANT GOALKEEPER RULES

• No Goal kicks during youth league games.  When a “goal kick” is awarded, the referee will instruct the keeper to distribute the ball from his hands. The referee will not blow the whistle to restart play in most cases. No hands after the goalie distributes the ball. He/she may not use their hands again until an opposing player touches the ball first or a whistle to stop play. Goalie has the entire box. Offensive players must be clear of the box.
• Goalies can dribble the ball inside their goal area and pick it up when hands are available.
• Goalies may use their hands once after having possessing the ball. For example, the GK saves a shot and then rolls the ball to their defender who then passes the ball back to the GK. Because the goalie had possession of the ball and then the ball released the ball, he/she may not use their hands again until an opposing player touches first or a whistle to stop play.
• Goalies can use their hands on pass backs, from their players, from ANYWHERE on the field.
• Goalies may bounce the ball and use their hands. Judgment on when a goalie loses control and would not be allowed to pick it up would be judgment call by the official. This is in the event of the ball leaving the box.

5. SUBSTITUTIONS & FREE KICK

• ALL FREE KICKS ARE DIRECT (Exception: Kindergarten and First Grade Leagues at Manchester. (See exceptions under “Kindergarten and First Grade Leagues”)
• Substitutions are allowed “on the fly” or ANY dead ball situation. The referee may give permission first and has the authority to waive off a substitution request by the team without the ball, if they feel that the team with the free kick has an advantage or wants a fast restart.
• A two-minute penalty may be given for too many players on the field, but it is up to each official also to decide on a penalty or just a warning.
• Little guys sometimes do not have stoppages, so the ref may “invent” a whistle to help get subs in and out. We want the kids to play 🙂

6. ROSTERS / SCORES & STANDINGS

• Each player must fill out a roster form and have parent’s sign rosters and turn it in by first game played or prior to start date. This can be done online through our Vetta Sports system. Only rostered players will be able to access schedules and standings.
• Roster changes may be made up to the start of the third game. Roster checks can only go under an Official Protest before the start the game. The Coach must inform the referee. All “After-the Fact” protests will not be recognized (exception if the player in question enters the field after the start of the game and was not present at the beginning).
• Games scores and standings will be available on your Vetta Sports Online account. Winning team must contact Vetta with incorrect scores to the correct facility before final standings are posted.
• Vetta recognizes rosters by Grade or Age. There are exceptions to this so ask your league director. Management can refuse a player into a league for any reason. For example we may say that a high school aged player held back in 8th grade may be not allowed play.
• Players can NOT play on dual rosters if the teams are in the same bracket. There are exceptions to this rule but are stated by the youth director before league starts.

7. NUMBER OF COACHEs

• Only 2 coaches on each bench please.
• One coach will be allowed on the field for Kindergarten leagues ONLY.
• At first grade if both coaches agree, then coaches can be on the field.

8. Youth Head Ball Rulings:

• Rule will follow SLYSA and US Soccer for league play.
• 2010 birth year league or U11 or 5th Grader (this covers all the possible league names) or younger will not be allowed to intentionally head the ball.
• No intentional head balls allowed, officials discretion.
• League level is key. For example: if your a 5th grade team playing in a 6th grade league, you can head the ball.
• Must be under control of their body and have a reasonable time to react to be considered a foul.
• Deflection or blocked shots would not be considered a violation of this rule.
• When called by the official, a simple direct restart takes place at the point of the infraction.
• If the head ball occurs in the box by the defending team and the official feels there was a more than reasonable chance that there would have been a goal, then the official may award a penalty kick. In most cases this would be very rare. With the PK there will be no timed penalty nor blue or yellow card issued. Players will take awhile to get use to this new rule and we understand.

9. Order of determining playoffs

1. Most points
2. Direct head to head
3. Least goals against all opponents during league play
4. Number of shutouts in that session (including forfeits)
5. Coin Toss / Rock, Paper, Scissors

*Full Rulebook Here