MODIFICATIONS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME-GENERAL

All games hosted by the Mustang Soccer League will be played in accordance with the current FIFA Laws of the Game, including all International Board Decisions and current memorandums and advice issued to Referees by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), except as modified below. Current copies of the Laws and memorandums are available from various soccer stores that sell books and from our Referee website: www.mustangrefs.com. There is also a summary printed in the CYSA Coaches Manual.

2007 Rule changes for U9D1 and U10D1 games being played under NorCal League/US Club Soccer rules.

Note that these rules apply ONLY to these two age groups and divisions. Throw Ins- There is no foul throw- in so let play continue on for almost all throw-ins, within reason. For example, do not allow the players to step on the field to throw the ball in or if the throwing motion is so flagrantly bad, then make them take the throw over.

Goal Kicks- Goal kicks for these two age groups are taken at the edge of the penalty area (18 yard line). Make sure that all opponents are at least 10 yards away. A team wishing to take a kick from the goal area may do so and all FIFA rules regarding a kick from this spot shall apply.

Substitutions- US Club Soccer substitution rules apply which means that the teams can substitute at ANY stoppage of play including Free Kicks, In-Direct Free Kicks, Corner Kicks, opponent's throw-ins, Goal Kicks, after a goal has been scored, at the half etc.

Number of players will be 8 per side (seven plus a goalkeeper)

Fouls- These games allow normal Direct Free Kicks, Indirect Free Kicks, Penalty Kicks and offside.

Referees are reminded that they DO NOT have the authority to permit the coaches to alter any of the league rules. If the coaches wish to play under different rules, they need to take this up with the league.

For U9D3, U10D3, and U10D4 the following special rules apply

Number of players will be 8 (seven plus a goalkeeper)

There are no Direct Free Kicks and there are no Penalty Kicks. There is Offside called at this age and level but everything is an Indirect Free kick at the spot of the foul, except if a foul is called inside the goal area in which case the ball moves perpendicular to the foul out to the goal area line, which is 6 yards from the goalline. Make sure that all opponents are at least 8 (eight) yards away or on the goal line when the kick is taken.

Substitution- This age group and level plays under normal CYSA rules which is unlimited substitution in the follow circumstances; Own throw-in, any goal kick, any kick off (start, half time or goal) or any injury. Make sure to not allow any subs on any corner kicks or any Direct or indirect free kicks. Also, make sure that only the team that has possession of the throw in, subs.

Law #1: The Field
The dimensions of a full size field may range from 65 to 73 yards x 105 to 110 yards. The exact size of the fields will be based on the primary age group assigned to play on the field and the location of the field and will be determined by the League up to the maximums allowed by the Laws.

The goals for U-10s should be 7 x 18 feet, or as determined by the league. All other age groups will play with goals 8 x 24 feet. The center circle for U-10s shall be 8 yards in radius.

The penalty arc is not required to be painted on U-10 fields.

Law #2: The Ball
The ball for U10 to U12 at all playing levels will be a size #4, 25-26 inch circumference, 11-13 ounces. The ball for U14-U19 at all playing levels will be a size #5, 27-28 inch circumference, 14-16 ounces. The Home team will provide the game ball. If the Home team does not have a suitable ball, the Visiting team shall provide the ball.

Law #3: Number of Players
U-10 Division IV Teams: Again, the maximum number of Players on the field will be 8 (one of which will be the goalkeeper). The minimum number of Players required to play a game will be 6. Note that when playing outside of Mustang Soccer (including the District?s Crossroads Tournament but not White Plus games with SRSC), teams will play with a maximum of 8 Players.

U9 D3, U10 D3 and U10 D4 Teams: The maximum number of Players on the field will be 8 (one of which will be the goalkeeper). The minimum number of Players required to play a game will be 7.

• Prior to a throw-in, but only by the team awarded the throw
• Prior to a goal kick, by either team
• After a goal has been scored, by either team
• After an injury, while play is stopped, by either team
• At half time
• When the Referee stops play to caution a Player, the cautioned Player may be substituted prior to the restart of the game. Only the cautioned Player may be substituted.

A Player may be substituted an unlimited number of times. On all substitutions, the substitute Player should not enter the field of play until receiving a signal from the Referee, and then only at the half-way line.

An injured Player may be substituted as allowed in item 4 above. If a Player is bleeding, they must be substituted. The injured Player may re-enter the game only after all the blood has been removed from the area of bleeding and from any clothing and is checked by either the center referee or the assistant referee.

Any Player receiving a serious injury during a practice or scheduled game (requiring a doctor's attention) must have a written release from a doctor before returning to practice or game play.

Each Player will play at least one half of the game?s duration (Coach?s responsibility- see exceptions under Disciplinary Procedures for Players).

Law #4: Equipment
Shinguards
Shinguards are required for all try outs, training sessions, practices, games and tournaments; they must be worn properly and shall be professionally manufactured and unaltered. Shinguards must cover a minimum of ¾ of the shin, except they do not have to be longer than 10?. The shin runs from the ankle to the knee. Players wearing shinguards that are too short will not be allowed to play.

Casts and Braces
All players, parents, coaches, and referees are required to act as a reasonable person concerning player safety, including protecting players from wearing any equipment or device that is dangerous to the player wearing the equipment/device or is a danger to any other player on the field.

Players wearing orthopedic casts, braces (metal, carbon fiber, hard plastic and like devices) or splints (air or metal) shall not be eligible to participate in any Mustang tournament game, regular season game, practice, tryout or training session

Elastic-type supports without any metal, carbon fiber, hard plastic or like devices are permitted provided the Referee does not deem the support to be potentially harmful to other players.

Glasses
Players who must wear eyeglasses are strongly encouraged to wear sports goggles. Players must wear glasses that are safe. Lenses must be unbreakable and frames must be unbreakable plastic or sturdy metal.

Jewelry
Absolutely no jewelry of any kind (metal, plastic, rubber, rope, thread or any like material) may be worn while participating in any game, practice, tryout, or training session. Only medical alert bracelets may be worn and they must be taped as necessary. Earrings and other piercings cannot be taped. If the player is found on the field wearing any jewelry, that player should be temporarily removed from the field, the jewelry removed and the team plays short until that teams next legal substitution.

Uniforms
The Home team will wear the Red uniform. The goalkeeper will wear a distinctive jersey. It will be the Coach?s responsibility to have all Players in full uniform, appropriate to the division.

Law #5 & 6: Referee and Assistant Referee
All games at the U10 D4and U12 D4 level will be officiated by three Grade 9 (or higher) Referees. Each team will provide one Grade 9 Referee to act as Assistant Referees (linesmen), while the Home team shall supply a Grade 9 Referee to act as the Center Referee. Referees are not Coaches and will not coach the Players, but may give instructions limited to the Laws of the Game.

If the home team can only provide one Grade 9 Referee, that Referee shall be the Center Referee and the visiting team shall provide two Assistant Referees.

If the home team can not provide any Grade 9 referees, then the away team shall provide a Grade 9 referee as the Center Referee and two Grade 9 referees as the Assistant Referees.

If the home and away teams can only provide one Grade 9 Referee each, then the home team shall provide a parent as a parent official as the second linesmen. A Parent Official that is acting as a linesman can only call the ball in and out of play.

If the home team cannot provide any referees and the away team only has one Grade 9 referee, that Grade 9 referee shall be the center referee and both the home and away teams shall provide a parent as a parent official as the second linesmen. A Parent Official that is acting as a linesman can only call the ball in and out of play.

All games at the U10 D4 plus and U12 D4 plus level will be officiated by three licensed referees. Mustang will try and assign the center ref which will be a Gr 8 or higher. The Home team and the visiting team will each provide a Gr 9 Parent Official to act as the Assistant Referees. In case Mustang is not able to assign the Center Referee, the home team will supply the Center Referee, who will be a Gr 9 parent official, or higher, and will also provide a Gr 9 referee as the Assistant Referee. The visiting team will provide a Gr 9 Parent official as the other Assistant referee.

• U-17/18/19 - two 45-minute halves
• U-15/16 - two 40-minute halves
• U-13/14 - two 35-minute halves
• U-11/12 - two 30-minute halves
• U-9/10 - two 25-minute halves
• U-7/8 - four 10 minute quarters
• U6 - four 8 minute quarters

The half time interval shall be 5 minutes.

Any team unable to field the minimum number of Players within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time will forfeit the match and the opponent awarded with a 1-0 win. If both teams are unable to field the minimum number, then both teams will be assessed a 0-1 loss.

All games will end on time. Any game that does not start on time will be shortened and both halves will be shortened an equal amount of time, so that the game will end on time.

Law #8: Start of Play
A goal may be scored directly from a kick-off.

Law #12: Fouls and Misconduct
In all U9D3, U10D3 and U10D4 matches, all fouls including fouls inside the penalty area will result in an indirect free kick (with special reference to Law #8 for the placement of the ball for fouls in the goal area). There are no penalty kick in these age groups and division. Remember rule 8 on the placement of the ball for an IDFK within the goal area. The ball must be placed perpendicular to the foul on the Goal Area Line that parallels the goal line and is closest to the spot of the foul.

Parent Officials will not show yellow or red cards. However, Parent Officials may warn (caution) and in severe cases, the Parent Official may send off the player which will prevent the Player from returning to play for the remainder of the game. A Player sent off by a Parent Official may not be replaced, i.e. the team will play short-handed for the remainder of the game.

The goalkeeper will not be charged at any time if he/she is within his/her own penalty area.

Law #13, 14 & 17: Free Kicks and Penalty Kicks
In all U9 D3, U10 D3 and U10 D4 matches, there will be no direct free kicks (and, therefore, no penalty kicks). All kicks will be indirect. This means that the ball must first touch another Player before it enters the goal in order for a goal to be scored. No kicks at the goal shall be taken closer to the goal than the edge of the goal box (see law #8). Defenders must remain at least 8 yards from the ball until it is in play in these age groups and levels.