CYS Rules of the Game - Spring 2025

1. Special CYS rules the same throughout our leagues:

   1. 30 minute halves, 5 minute half-time

   2. Ground Play/Slide Tackling will result in an indirect free kick. This does not include sliding to save the ball from going out of bounds or intercepting a pass.

   3. Substitutions.  Subs must enter and exit from midfield.  Coach gets referee’s attention by calling “sub”.   Substitutions are allowed: 

      1. On your own throw-in/kick in

      2. On either team’s goal kick

      3. After a goal

      4. Half-time

      5. When your opponent is subbing

      6. Not on a corner-kick

   4. Goalie handball on pass from foot results in an indirect kick from outside the box.

   5. Per coordinator’s discretion:  games are 7 v 7 or 8 v 8.

   6. Shin guards are required.  Cleats are NOT required.

2. Special CYS rules different between the leagues:  

   1. 3rd/4th only

      1. “build-out line" during goal kicks and goalie possession in hand: kicking team has the option to wait for the receiving team to recede behind half line before playing the ball to another player.  

      2. “Goal hanging” (hanging out all alone in the offensive end, way outside of the play of the game)  is a violation upon receipt of the ball and results in a free kick from the location of the pass to the player who is goal-hanging.   Referees at 3rd/4th should not look for or enforce close-call off-side violations, only extreme goal hanging.

   2. 3rd/4th and 5th/6th only:

      1. intentional heading of the ball is a violation resulting in an indirect kick for the other team from the site of the violation

      2. no penalties or direct kicks; all kicks are indirect kicks

      3. goal kicks, goalie punts/drop-kicks and throws must bounce on the defensive side of the field, or else the other team has a free indirect kick from the half line.