ALLISON SPORTSTOWN U6 – U19 RULES OF PLAY –
COMPETITIVE YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE
ALLISON SPORTSTOWN U6 – U19 RULES OF PLAY –
COMPETITIVE YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE
All rules will be in accordance with FIFA and US Soccer with the following exceptions:
LAW 1 – The Number of Players
1. All players on the roster may play in a match with unlimited entry and re-entry.
ALLISON SPORTSTOWN allows for free substitution on any dead-ball situation
at the discretion of the referee. “At the discretion of the referee” is to be
interpreted as assisting the referee in carrying out his or her mandate to “facilitate
the continuous flow of the game.” Therefore, referees are expected to deny
substitution by either team which would delay a quick restart, while allowing
substitutions by either team when the flow of the game has been naturally
interrupted.
2. A player may be moved from one team to another for an individual match within a
club if the following conditions are met:
a. Permission must be granted by the coach of the player’s primary roster.
b. No player can play down. Note: Playing down refers to both the age of the
player and to guest playing on a team in a division lower than the rostered
player’s team’s division. Example:
i. A U12-aged player may not guest play on a U11 or younger team.
2) A player rostered on a team playing in U13D2 may guest play on
any team in U13D2 or higher but may not guest play on any team in
U13D3 or lower. Similarly, a U13 player rostered on any team
playing in a U14 division or higher may not guest play on any team
playing in any U13 division.
c. Guest Players/Club Pass players may only play within their own club.
i. Exceptions:
1. During the fall season, boys who are in 8th grade who fall
under the U15 age group due to their legal age can play with
a U14 team as a club-pass player. Each team can use up to
six (6) club pass or state pass/trapped players to play in a
U14 division as guest players.
2. During the spring season, girls who are in 8th grade and fall
under the U15 age group due to their legal age can play with
a U14 team as a club pass player. Each team can use up to
six (6) club pass or state pass/trapped players to play in a
U14 division as guest players.
3. Due to the recent birth year requirement, U15 divisions will
be available for teams during both league seasons.
4. Players must return to their own age group in their eligible
season.
d. A maximum of up to six (6) guest players and club pass players can be
added for U11-U19 (9v9-11v11) teams. A maximum of up to three (3)
guest players and club pass players can be added for U6-U8 (4v4) teams
or U9-U10 (7v7) teams.
e. Match suspensions as a result of red cards under the conditions of 2(c)(i)
and 2(c)(ii) will be served with the player’s PRIMARY team. No matches
can be played for any team by the suspended player until the suspension
is served. If a player/team is in violation of this rule, the player will be
deemed illegal, and the match will be forfeited.
f. If a club-pass player receives a red card, he/she must sit out for the
highest division team he/she guest plays on in that current season.
g. Players not playing in a particular match should be crossed off the game
card.
h. Players can only guest play from their primary roster.
Note: All guest players must be added to the match card and have a
player pass. The following information MUST be written on the game card:
Player’s full name, ID #, jersey #, division of primary team. (i.e.: Joe
Smith, SM01012001, #15, D2) (i.e.: Joe Smith, SM01012001, #15, D2)
All guest players must be under the same entity such as US Club or US
Youth. The team may not be crossed over between the two entities. This
could lead to a forfeit should the team have players from both entities.
CLUB PASS, STATE PASS and TRAPPED PLAYER CLARIFICATIONS:
1. You are considered a "trapped player" if you are in 8th grade or senior year of
HS and the remainder of your age has moved on to freshman year or college.
MYSA considers you a "trapped player” meaning you do not have the team to
register with the entire season.
2. MISSOURI: Players must be released from their primary team if that team only
plays in the fall or spring in the high school divisions. Players must then get a
club pass or state pass player card for the one (1) season of trapped play.
3. Players whose team is in high school can get a club pass player card (through
the club) or a state pass player card (through the state). These players can only
guest play in the U15/U14 age group as 8th graders or in the U19/U18 age group
as seniors in high school/freshmen in college.
4. Players may NOT have a primary/secondary card if playing as a trapped player.
5. Dual rostered players can be rostered on two different teams within the same
club or on two different clubs. They will need to choose a primary team and a
secondary team. Players can be primary or secondary at any division level
regardless of which team is in a higher division.
Note: For a secondary player to go on a roster, the primary coach’s permission
must be given. Please refer to the club registrar for requirements.
6. The maximum number of players on a game roster for a specific match is as
follows:
Age Group Game
Structure
Roster Size
U6, U7, U8 4v4 Max 8
U9, U10 7v7 Max 14
U11, U12 9v9 Max 18
U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18, U19 11v11 Max 22; dress 18 per
game
7. The maximum number of bench personnel allowed in the coach area will be four
(4). All bench personnel must have a current US Soccer Pass with a picture. All
other personnel will be viewed as spectators and must maintain the proper
distance from the players.
8. Players are allowed to play in a maximum of two (2) ALLISON SPORTSTOWN
League matches per day.
9. Failure to comply with any of the above conditions may result in a forfeit of the
particular match and disciplinary action for both player and coach.
LAW 2 – The Player’s Equipment
1. The jersey of each player, except the goalkeeper, must contain a visible number,
unique from the other members of the same team.
2. It is at the discretion of the referee whether or not a player with a hard cast may
play in a game.
LAW 3 – The Duration of the Match and Ball Size
Age Group Ball Size Duration of Match
U6, U7, U8 3 or 4 2 x 20-minute halves
U9, U10 4 2 x 25-minute halves
U11, U12 4 2 x 30-minute halves
U13, U14 5 2 x 35-minute halves
U15, U16 5 2 x 40-minute halves
U17, U18, U19 5 2 x 45-minute halves
1. Regular season matches ending in a tie shall remain a tie.
2. A game is considered final at half if it is canceled for any reason.
LAW 4 – Playing Rules
ALLISON SPORTSTOWN has adapted to the small, sided standards and birth year
registration from U.S. Soccer.
4v4:
1. For 4v4 games, there will be one (1) referee and no offsides will be called.
2. No goalies, 4v4 is all field players.
3. There will be no throw-ins or kick-ins, dribble-ins only.
4. A 4v4 game may not start if either team consists of fewer than three (3) players.
The minimum number of players on a team required for a match to continue is
also three (3).
7v7:
1. For 7v7 games, there will be one (1) referee and no offside will be called.
2. For the 7v7 play, there will be a build-out line used to promote playing the ball out
of the back in an unpressured setting.
3. A 7v7 game may not start if either team consists of fewer than five (5) players.
The minimum number of players on a team required for a match to continue is
also five (5).
4. Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line, the goalkeeper can pass,
throw, or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed).
5. After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the
build-out line, and play resumes as normal.
Note: Build-out line practical applications: Ideally, the goalkeeper will wait to put the ball
into play once all opponents are past the build-out line. However, the goalkeeper can
put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the positioning of the
opponents and the consequences of how play resumes.
9v9:
1. For 9v9 games, there will be three (3) referees and offsides will be called.
2. A 9v9 game may not start if either team consists of fewer than six (6) players.
The minimum number of players on a team required for a match to continue is
also six (6).
For all other age groups, ALLISON SPORTSTOWN will abide by the Laws of the Game
by FIFA.
U.S. SOCCER CONCUSSION GUIDELINES
In accordance with U.S. Soccer’s recommendation on specific changes to rules on
heading for certain age groups deliberate heading is not allowed in U11 age group
games and younger. If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free
kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the
deliberate header 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. Please refer to U.S. Soccer Concussion Guidelines.
For all other age groups, ALLISON SPORTSTOWN will abide by the Laws of the Game
by FIFA.
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES/POLICIES
Discipline and Ethics
1. All coaches, players, referees, team officials, and spectators shall be subject to
the ALLISON SPORTSTOWN discipline and appeals policies.
2. No wagering of any kind will be tolerated, and such violations could lead to a
maximum penalty of expulsion for the league. A report could also be sent to
MYSA.
3. No player shall receive any compensation for services rendered to a team or
receive any promises of compensation.
4. There will be no drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking or vaping in the
player/coach area.
Registration
1. All registration shall be in accordance with current US Soccer, USYSA, US Club,
and MYSA or other US Soccer member youth rules unless otherwise specified by
the ALLISON SPORTSTOWN staff.
2. All players, coaches, and managers must have a US Soccer member youth
pass card and/or US Club cards (photo ID) to participate in the ALLISON
SPORTSTOWN Competitive Soccer League.
3. Player registration and necessary paperwork as required by the ALLISON
SPORTSTOWN league must be completed prior to the start of the first league
match. Failure to do so will be an automatic forfeit of the matches until
registration has been completed, except when delay is caused by ALLISON
SPORTSTOWN.
4. Eligibility of players shall be in accordance with the current US Soccer, USYSA,
US Club, and MYSA or other US Soccer youth member regulations unless
otherwise specified and approved by the ALLISON SPORTSTOWN staff.
5. Age limit definition shall be in accordance with current US Soccer/USYSA, US
Club Soccer regulations except as modified by the ALLISON SPORTSTOWN
staff.
6. Proof-of-birth shall be in accordance with the current US Soccer youth member
regulations as directed by the ALLISON SPORTSTOWN staff.
7. All coaches and managers signing the official team roster must be registered with
US Soccer/USYSA/MYSA/US Club Soccer or other US Soccer affiliates.
8. It is the sole responsibility of the coaches to advise each league in which they
participate of any schedule changes to prevent match conflicts. ALLISON
SPORTSTOWN will not be responsible for advising any other league of the
schedule or changes to the schedule. ALLISON SPORTSTOWN will not bear the
sole responsibility of rescheduling games for other leagues’ conflicts with
scheduled ALLISON SPORTSTOWN games. It will be up to the teams to review
the “reschedule policy”.
TEAMS AND DIVISIONS
1. Decisions concerning a team’s admittance into the league shall be at the sole
discretion of the ALLISON SPORTSTOWN staff.
2. Teams will be accepted into the league and may be classified into divisions
based on the prior season’s record, if any, at the discretion of the ALLISON
SPORTSTOWN staff.
3. Ownership of a team:
o A club team belongs to the club administrator on file with the ALLISON
SPORTSTOWN office and an independent team belongs to the
coach/manager listed on the team application. This person has the right to
assign all rights of “ownership” to another person, subject to ALLISON
SPORTSTOWN approval.
o Teams forfeiting three (3) or more games, regardless of the reason, may
not be accepted back into the league the following season at the
discretion of ALLISON SPORTSTOWN. They will also bear the
responsibility for all fees with respect to each forfeited game which include
field costs and full referee payments.
o Any team dropping out of the league will not be reimbursed for games
missed and may not be allowed back the following season.
o Any coach/manager associated with the team can be suspended for up to
one year from playing in the ALLISON SPORTSTOWN league for a
breach of rule 3b.
4. Rankings and Bracketing:
a) The Objective: The primary objective of ranking and bracketing is to place
teams in brackets such that the resulting bracket becomes the most
competitive bracket possible for all teams in all brackets.
b) Allison Sports will use every effort to adhere to the ranking and bracketing
criteria, the bracketing committee shall have final authority to place teams
in brackets/divisions.
c) The Process:
a. After applications are received, the ALLISON SPORTSTOWN staff
will create an initial set of rankings based on the criteria defined in
the ranking and bracketing criteria section.
b. The ALLISON SPORTSTOWN staff will provide this information for
review and modification.
c. The resulting rankings will be published for all teams and clubs to
review.
d. Club teams will send requests/error notifications to the single
delegate selected by/for their club. The ALLISON SPORTSTOWN
staff will direct calls/emails from club teams to the appropriate club
contact. The bracketing staff will accept requests from club teams
only through the designated club delegate.
e. Independent teams will send requests/error notifications to
ALLISON SPORTSTOWN staff.
f. All club bracketing representatives will send their ranking change
requests to ALLISON SPORTSTOWN.
g. The bracketing staff will review all requests and make final changes
to the rankings and the brackets will be published.
h. The bracketing staff will break down the rankings into divisions to
establish the most competitive brackets. Any additional changes
will be subject to approval by the bracketing staff.
i. The ALLISON SPORTSTOWN staff will initiate scheduling. Once
an age group/division is scheduled, there will be no bracket
changes.
5. Relegation and Bracketing Criteria:
The number of teams in brackets/divisions will be primarily based on the initial
league interest.
Team history will be based on the team application.
Team placement will be largely based on its performance in the previous
season/tournament play.
New teams with no record will be placed in the lowest division. ALLISON
SPORTSTOWN reserves the right to make an exception to this rule.
Girls may play in boys’ divisions, but boys may not play in girls’ divisions.
For divisions that have no history, teams will be randomly bracketed in
multiple divisions except that an effort will be made to place multiple teams
from the same club in different divisions. The top teams from each of the
divisions will be placed accordingly the following season, etc.
ALLISON SPORTSTOWN LEAGUE STANDINGS
1. Standings will be determined by awarding three (3) points for each win, one (1)
point for each tie, and zero (0) points for a loss.
2. If the teams have played an uneven amount of games in an unfinished season, a
win-loss percentage will be determined based on the number of games played
(not the number of games scheduled) and manually adjusted to show correct
standings.
Ex: Team A (scheduled for 10 games) played only 9 games with a 3(W)-0(T)-6(L)
record totaling 9 points – to find the winning percentage, divide the number of
points earned by the max points for games played (27 points for this example)
equaling a 0.333 winning percentage. The percentage shall be rounded to the
nearest thousandths (3 decimal places).
Ex: Team B (scheduled for 10 games) played 10 games with a 2(W)-2(T)-6(L)
record totally 8 points – to find the winning percentage, divide the number of
points earned by the max points for games played (30 points for this example)
equaling a 0.267 winning percentage. The percentage shall be rounded to the
nearest thousandths (3 decimal places).
3. League Tie Breakers:
Head-to-Head
Goal Differential
Most Wins
Note: If three or more teams are tied, head-to-head is eliminated.
OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
1. Home teams must wear white or light-colored jerseys. If a conflict occurs while
the home team has the designated color, the visitors must change.
2. Each team manager must complete and give the referee the line-up card
indicating the jersey number, name, and player ID number of each player
participating in the game.
Note: All guest players must be added to the match card and have a player pass.
The following information MUST be written on the game card: Player’s full name,
ID #, jersey #, and division of the primary team. (i.e.: Joe Smith, SM01012001,
#15, D2)
3. The player pass of each player, manager, and coach participating and a copy of
the roster must be in the possession of the coach or manager at each league
game. A team must produce the player cards and/or roster.
4. Games shall start on time. If a game is delayed due to the tardiness of a team,
players, coach or manager, a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes of “grace” time
shall be awarded. After fifteen (15) minutes, if the team is still not able to start the
game, it shall be declared a forfeit. Forfeits shall be recorded with a score of 2-0.
In the case of a double forfeit, no scores will be posted but games will count
against final standings as a loss.
5. Suspension of games due to weather and/or field conditions considered
dangerous to the players shall be at the discretion of the referee or site manager.
If the first half of the game has been completed, the game is official. If the game
is stopped in the first half, it will be restarted from that point of the game.
6. If a game does not restart after a delay in the first half and the game is then
canceled, it will then be rescheduled by the league scheduler and played as a full
game.
7. All coaches and substitutes should remain a minimum of two (2) yards away from
the touchline. Spectators should remain a minimum of six (6) yards from the
touchline.
8. Teams should be situated on the same side of the field and confined to an area
equal to the diameter of the center circle. Team fans will be located on the
opposite side of the fields as their team, when possible.
9. A carded, licensed coach is required on the sideline at all league games for the
entire game. If a carded, licensed coach is not present for any portion of the
game, the game will be forfeited.
10. Teams responsible for a forfeit for not having enough players, no carded,
licensed coach, refusing to play, or abandoning a game shall be assessed all
applicable fees for both teams.
11. Teams requesting special consideration for absence due to out-of-town
tournaments must make the request in writing to the ALLISON SPORTSTOWN
office by the conflict deadline established by the office.
12. If a game needs to be moved, refer to the ALLISON SPORTSTOWN Reschedule
Policy. A fee will be assessed for all games moved within three weeks of the
game date. The opposing team must agree before a game is moved.
13. All complex rules at ALLISON shall be respected and obeyed.
14. Each coach/manager shall acquaint himself/herself, as well as players, parents,
and spectators, with the rules, discipline and appeals policies, constitution, and
by-laws of the association. A plea of ignorance is not sufficient grounds for
appeal or protest.
15. Any matters not provided for in these rules shall be determined by the ALLISON
SPORTSTOWN staff. The ALLISON SPORTSTOWN staff may change these
rules at its sole discretion.
16. All league fees will be due by the announced due date for all divisions. Teams
that have not paid league fees by the published due date will not receive any
points for ties or wins until paid. The team will start receiving points again once
league fees have been paid. Points may not be awarded back after payment is
made at the discretion of ALLISON SPORTSTOWN.
17. All delinquent invoices by the end of the season will be sent to the team’s state
office.
18. Refunds for Cancelled Games. All refunds will be issued in the form of a credit
to be applied to future league fees. There will be only one exception to this
general rule. U18 and U19 teams whose players are graduating to college will
receive a check for game cancellations. These checks will be issued to the
individual or entity that signed the check paying for their last league fees.
If a team elects to leave ALLISON SPORTSTOWN and play in another league,
there will be no credit.
19. All clubs will register the following with the league: their club name, teams
represented by that club, a list of coaches and managers within that club, and the
officers of that club authorized to use the club’s name in matters of this league.
Any team registering with ALLISON SPORTSTOWN using a club name or form
of the club name but not authorized by the club will be denied use of the name
and possibly admission into the league. It is the responsibility of the club to notify
the league of any changes in information that may occur during the current
season.
20. ALLISON SPORTSTOWN uses only certified referees for the Competitive Youth
Soccer League.
21. All administrative fees are non-refundable.
ALLISON SPORTSTOWN abides by FIFA, US Soccer Rules and Guidelines, and US Youth Soccer