All updated rules available for download below.

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Update on Proper Etiquette, Sportsmanship, and Scoring Rules

In order to promote good sportsmanship, we are replacing the current rules regarding scores.

The new rule will be enforced as follows:

           FOR COACHES:  When a team goes up by more than 5 goals, they will have to play down a player.  If your team is overly dominate, this would be a very good opportunity to teach kids the importance of passing skills and ball control.

Up by 6, pull 1 player.

Up by 8, pull a 2^nd player

Up by 10, pull a 3^rd player

This rule is in affect as of June 3, 2021 to promote sportsmanship towards ALL players.

A reminder to everyone that teams stand on one sideline of the field on separate halves and parents and spectators watch from the opposite sideline. NO SPECTATORS SHOULD STAND BEHIND OR NEAR EITHER GOAL. SIDELINES ONLY.

Remember that this is a recreational league design to teach soccer rules, sportsmanship, and proper soccer etiquette. Any disregard of these rules will result in disqualification. 

• Any spectator or parent using foul language, disrupting games, or otherwise interfering with players can and will be carded according to the Laws of the Game and can be removed from the fields.  If the interfering parent/spectator refuses to comply, the game will end and their team will forfeit the match and take a loss.
• If a Red Card is issued, that player is ejected from the game and is not eligible to play in the next game.  Also, the team of the ejected player may not substitute for the ejected player and will play down for the remainder of the game.

NYSL is adopting the national standards of play established by  United States Youth Soccer (USYS), United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and Ohio state standards by the Ohio North State Referee Committee

NYSL-2025

U6  CO-ED

• Size 3 ball.
• 5 v 5; 4+ Goalie or 4 v 4 without Goalie.
• 2 x 20-minute halves or 4 x 10-minute quarters.
• 5-minute half.
• Throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks when appropriate. 
• Hardline used for goal kicks.
• All kicks are indirect.
• Substitutions on kick-offs, corner kicks, goal kicks, or throw-ins.
• No score is kept.
• No offsides.
• Ball does not have to go forward on kick-off.
• Absolutely no slide-tackling.
• Coaches responsible for proper attire
  • Proper cleats. (no baseball or football cleats).
  • Proper age-appropriate shin guards covered by socks.
  • Absolutely no jewelry allowed during games.

NYSL-2025

U8  CO-ED

• Size 3 ball.
• 5 V 5; 4+ Goalie; 4 minimum.
• 2 x 20-minute halves or 4 x 10-minute quarters.
• 5-minute half-time.
• No offsides.
• All kicks are indirect. Hardline used for goal kicks.
• Ball does not have to move forward on kick-off.
• Throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks when appropriate.
• Substitutions allowed after goals are scored, before goal kicks, on your team’s throw-in or opponent’s throw-in only if they are also subbing.
• Subs MUST be at midfield line BEFORE the ball is out of play.  Subs must enter the field of play only at the midfield line and only when player being replaced has left the field.
• Absolutely no slide-tackling, except for goalkeeper attempting a save while in the penalty box.
• Coaches responsible for proper attire
  • Proper cleats. (no baseball or football cleats).
  • Proper age-appropriate shin guards covered by socks.
  • Absolutely no jewelry allowed during games.

NYSL-2025

U10   CO-ED

• Size 4 ball.
• 7 v 7; 6+ goalkeeper; 5 minimum.
• 2 x 25-minute halves or 4 x 12-minute quarters .
• 5 minute half-time.
• All kicks are indirect.
• Off-sides enforced.
• Ball does not have to move forward on kick-off.
• Throw-ins, goal kicks, corner kicks, and penalty kicks when appropriate.
• Substitutions allowed after goals are scored, before goal kicks, on your team’s throw-in or opponent’s throw-in only if they are also subbing.
• Subs MUST be at midfield line BEFORE the ball is out of play.  Subs must enter the field of play only at the midfield line an only when player being replaced has left the field.
• Absolutely no slide-tackling, except for goalkeeper attempting a save while in the penalty box.
• Coaches responsible for proper attire
  • Proper cleats. (no baseball or football cleats).
  • Proper age-appropriate shin guards covered by socks.
  • Absolutely no jewelry allowed during games.

NYSL-2025

U12   CO-ED

• Size 4 ball.
• 9 v 9; 8+ goalie; 6 minimum.
• Two 30-minute halves; 5 minute half-time.
• Kicks can be direct or indirect based on referee.
• Off-sides enforced.
• Ball does not have to move forward on kick-off.
• Throw-ins, goal kicks, corner kicks, and penalty kicks when appropriate.
• Substitutions allowed after goals are scored, before goal kicks, on your team’s throw-in or opponent’s throw-in only if they are also subbing.
• Subs MUST be at midfield line BEFORE the ball is out of play.  Subs must enter the field of play only at the midfield line an only when player being replaced has left the field.
• Absolutely no slide-tackling, except for goalkeeper attempting a save while in the penalty box.
• Coaches responsible for proper attire
  • Proper cleats. (no baseball or football cleats).
  • Proper age-appropriate shin guards covered by socks.
  • Absolutely no jewelry allowed during games.

NYSL-2025

U15   CO-ED

• Size 5 ball.
• 11 v 11; 10 + goalie; 9 minimum.
• Two 35-minute halves; 5 minute half-time.
• Off-sides enforced.
• Ball does not have to move forward on kick-off.
• Throw-ins, goal kicks, corner kicks, and penalty kicks when appropriate.
• Substitutions allowed after goals are scored, before goal kicks, on your team’s throw-in or opponent’s throw-in only if they are also subbing.
• Subs MUST be at midfield line BEFORE the ball is out of play.  Subs must enter the field of play only at the midfield line and only when the player being replaced has left the field.
• Absolutely no slide-tackling, except for goalkeeper attempting a save while in the penalty box.
• Coaches responsible for proper attire
  • Proper cleats. (no baseball or football cleats).
  • Proper age-appropriate shin guards covered by socks.
  • Absolutely no jewelry allowed during games.

REFEREES

• You MUST completely fill out a score card for each game officiated.  Failure to fill out a score card will result in no payment.  All sections of the score card must be filled out.
• Report any yellow or red cards on the back of score card, notify NYSL official, and fill out an incident report.
• Uniforms cannot be altered in any way.  They may not be cut, drawn on, marked on, taped on, or sewn on.  Any player with an altered uniform will be removed from the field.
• Absolutely no jewelry is permitted on the field during play.  The only exception will be for medical bracelets or necklaces.  These must me medically issued and taped or cushion where necessary.
• Referee decisions are final and absolute as long as you are abiding by the laws of the game.  If you have any issues with players, coaches, or spectators, see an official of NYSL.

Rules and Regulations

• Log in to Got Sport account at https://system.gotsport.com/users/login to access schedules and rosters.
• Spectators will stand on the opposite side of the field away from the teams and a minimum of 5 yards from the touch line and a minimum 30 yards from each goal line.
• There will be a 15-minute grace period allowed beyond the scheduled start of any match for each team to field a team ready for play.  Any team not ready beyond the 15-minute grace will forfeit the match.
• Inclement weather delays and cancelations will be decided at the discretion of NYSL officials and referees.  Our website and Facebook page will be updated promptly with cancellations.  There will be at least a 30-minute wait after the sight of lightning.
• NYSL is a recreation league, and we emphasize sportsmanship, learning, and fun.  Referees oversee their games, and their decisions are final and absolute.
  • Parents, coaches, and spectators are not to approach referees to dispute calls.
  • All complaints should be addressed to NYSL staff at the concession stand.