13U & 17U Rules

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u13 & u17 GENERAL RULES OF PLAY

EXCEPTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO FIFA LAWS

Please refer to https://www.theifab.com/home for Laws of the Game

(IFAB also has an app that can be downloaded to your phone)

 

These Guidelines have been adopted by MVYSA from the South Texas Youth Soccer Association and are subject to change upon League Board Majority vote, any changes made will not be made during the current season of play. Any and all changes will be in compliance with FIFA and US Youth Soccer Rules.

 

Age Group 

A player with his / her parent’s and coach’s permission, and in compliance with the local association playing rules, may play in an older age group; however 

Except as provided herein, no player may play in a younger age group that the age group for which he/she is eligible 

 

The Field of Play; Technical Areas 

  1. The u13 age group shall have a field whose width is 150 feet wide and is 290 feet long. u17, when playing 7v7 will utilize a field that is 135 feet wide by 195 feet long. When u17 is playing 9v9 or more they will utilize a field with the same dimensions of the u13 field mentioned above. 

  2. Both teams are assigned to one side of the field and only coaches, players, and eligible adults permitted to be present with the team may be within the Technical Area. 

 

The Ball 

The size of the ball should be as follows: 

13 & Under – 17 & Under size 5 ball

 

Number of Players & Substitutions

  1. No team, u13 through u17, shall be allowed more than eighteen (18) nor less than seven (7) registered players at any given time. The minimum number of players on the field to start the match in u13 shall be 7, 5 for u17 when playing 7v7.

  2. Coaches must play each registered player that is present one-half (50%) of the game unless unable to do so due to player’s illness or injury or for disciplinary reasons. In the event that a player is present but will not be playing, the coach must inform the referee and the opposing coach as to the reason that player will not participate.

  1. The prior permission of the referee is required in order to make any substitution at any time, except at the resumption of play after the halftime break *all substitutions must be made at midfield*: 

** On a throw-in (by the team in possession) 

** On a goal kick (by either team) 

** After any goal (by either team) 

** After stoppage of play for an injury (either team) 

** At half time (by either team) 

** After a caution (the player receiving the caution) 

 

Equipment: please make sure all equipment is away from side sideline,

 

  1. Soccer cleats are required (Football or baseball cleats with the toe cleat are not allowed). Must be field cleats. Indoor or turf style cleats are not admissable.

  2. All players will wear shin guards which are commercially produced and specifically designed to provide protection to the shins. Shin guards must be worn properly: under socks, not on top.

  3. No player will be allowed to play with a hard cast (padded or otherwise), nor will any player be allowed to play with any brace (knee or otherwise) that contains exposed metal or hard plastics, unless it is wrapped with a minimum of ½ inch high-density foam wrapping or the manufacturer’s recommended protective coating.

  4. Players may wear sliding, bike, cyclist or tight fitting pants which do not protrude below the top of the knee and are the same color as the shorts (MUST BE WORN UNDER SHORTS). Spanx, or volleyball type shorts are not permitted without shorts being worn on top of them. This does not prohibit players from wearing loose fitting, long-legged sweat pants or tights when it is cold or goalkeepers from wearing  goalkeeper pants which may be tight and have padding.

  5. Bandannas of any style may not be worn during any game. Players may not wear a bandanna either on their heads, legs or arms. Exceptions may be made at the local level for medical reasons.

  6. All players and coaches must be wearing the league provided jersey shirt. Any team wearing something other than the league provided jersey will automatically forfeit.

 

Referees 

The referee’s judgment decisions shall be final in all matters concerning the rules governing the playing of the game, the playability of the field and the appropriateness of the uniforms. At the completion of the match, the referee shall have each coach sign the game report and submit the game report to the tournament representative. 

It shall be the duty of the referee to declare a forfeit in the event that a team has less than the required minimum number of players on the field ready to play within 15 minutes after the game was scheduled to start. If neither team has the required number, it shall be a double forfeit and shall be scored as a loss for both teams. In the event that the referee rules that the field is not playable, or that the uniforms are inappropriate, then he should note these facts on the game report and have each coach sign it. 

 

A game card will be completed by the referee for all play within MVYSA. This card will, at a minimum, contain the following: (MVYSA referees will submit all game cards to the appointed board official to record)

** association, age group, division, game location, date, game time 

** team names and final score 

** cautions (yellow cards) or ejections (red cards) issued, by team with player / name 

** any protest noted and brief basis for those protests 

** Prior to each MVYSA match, each team shall present to the referee for player verification and to ensure all metal has been removed, shin guards are worn properly (under socks, not on top) and that appropriate cleats are being worn by all players. If a game ball is not available, the referee will examine 2 player balls to ensure they can be used as a game ball. 

 

Duration of the Game 

17 & Under = two 25-minute halves 

13 & Under = two 25-minute halves 

The half-time interval shall be five (5) minutes. 

 

Goalkeeper:

  1. All goalkeepers must wear a different colored jersey or colored penny to identify them as the keeper. 

  2. There shall be no charging of the goalkeeper, fairly or unfairly. Any such act will be considered as “dangerous play” at the least and punished accordingly. 

 

For every kick-off:

  1. all players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field of play

  2. the opponents of the team taking the kick-off must be at least 10 yds from the ball until it is in play

  3. the ball must be stationary on the center mark

  4. the referee gives a signal

  5. the ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves in any direction

  6. a goal may NOT be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal, a goal kick is awarded to the opponents

 

Infringements on kick-offs: If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick, or for deliberate handball a direct free kick, is awarded. In the event of any other infringement of the kick-off procedure the kick-off is retaken.

 

Co-Ed Games: In the event that u17 and/or u13 is situated for co-ed play each team must have at least half of their registered girls on the field at all times. Should a team not have the appropriate number of girls or boys that team will automatically forfeit.

*Slide Tackles Are Not Allowed in MVYSA Rec League Play - 1st offense = warning, 2nd offense = yellow card*

 

** All MVYSA teams are responsible for keeping the team area clean following the completion of the game, this includes removing all trash, canopies, and chairs. 

 

** Championship points: Win =3pts, tie = 1pt, Loss = 0pts

 

** Games may be cancelled due to inclement weather, Coaches will be contacted and notification will be posted on the website. Coaches will be required to notify individual teams. Make up games may be scheduled during weekdays to accommodate all teams. 

 

** No Parents are to cross the game fields at any time. Please instruct all parents to meet their players at the ends of the kid safe zone / team area. Only the team parent is permitted in the kid safe zone / team area.  (this will help ensure we keep games on a timely schedule.)

 

If you have any questions or concerns in regards to the rules, please submit your question in email to Justin Stephens, director of coaching.