CYSL U9 and U10 RULES AND REGULATIONS (effective Fall 2025)

REFEREES - One center referee 

NUMBER OF FIELD PLAYERS - 7 v 7 including a goalkeeper. A minimum of 4 players on each team must be present to start a game.

ROSTER SIZE - Maximum of 14 on game day roster.  

CLUB PASS & SECONDARY PLAYERS - Club pass & secondary players are allowed on roster if needed

GAME PASSES - All Players/Coaches must have laminated USYS cards or digital passes to be allowed in the coaching/technical area. 

BALL - Size 4. Home team to provide a suitable game ball

SUBSTITUTIONS - Unlimited substitutions at any stoppage, with the permission of the referee 

GAME LENGTH - Two 25 Minute Halves  

FIELD SIZE – Recommended 40 x 60 yards.  Width ranges from 35-45 yds.  Length ranges from 55-65 yds.

GOAL SIZE – Recommended 7 X 21 feet.  6X18 and 6.5X18.5 can be used. Goals must be anchored securely to the ground.

MARKINGS

• Center Circle - 8 Yard Radius

• Penalty Area - Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, twelve (12) yards from the center of the goal. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of twelve (12) yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made ten (10) yards from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistance to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of eight (8) yards from each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.

• Goal Area - Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, four (4) yards from the center of the goal. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of four (4) yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.

• Corner arcs shall conform to IFAB.

• Build Out Line – Build out line should be halfway between the mid field and the top of the penalty area.

FLAGS - Conform to IFAB.  Each team provides three with the midfield flag placed 1 yard outside the touchline.

HEADERS - Intentional headers are NOT permitted. An intentional header shall result in the opposing team taking an indirect free kick.

SLIDE TACKLES – Slide tackles are NOT permitted.  A slide tackle shall result in the opposing team taking an indirect free kick.

GOALIES – Goalies can only throw/roll the ball or play the ball with their feet.  They cannot punt or drop kick the ball.  

OFFSIDES - Follow IFAB Laws of the Game. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line. They can only be penalized for an offside offense that occurs between the build out line and goal line.

FOULS & PENALTIES - All Free Kicks follow IFAB Laws of the Game with the exception that all opponents are at least 8 yards from the ball.

PENALTY KICKS - Follow IFAB Laws of the Game.  

BUILD OUT LINE - When goalkeeper has the ball, either during play (from the opponent) or from a goal kick:

• The opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is released to play.

• The ball is in play when it leaves the penalty area.  

• The attacking team’s players (teammates of the goalkeeper in possession of the ball) do not have to fall back to the build out line. The goalkeeper MAY release the ball BEFORE the opponents are behind the build out line. 

• After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal.

UNIFORMS - Each player must have the same color jersey. Numbers are not necessary. Pennies are allowed if needed and should be worn by the home team.

JEWELRY - NO jewelry of any kind is allowed. This includes taping piercings of a player’s ears. The only exceptions for “jewelry” are Medic Alert bracelets and religious items specifically required by the wearer’s religion.

CAST/BRACE - A player may play with a hard cast or brace if it is sufficiently padded and not a danger either to themself or to other players.  The final decision is up to the discretion of the center referee in determining the safety of the padding.

CYSL asks that team spectators sit directly across from their team benches on opposites sides (touch lines) of the field. Spectators/teams should be at least 3 feet back of the touch lines. No spectators should be behind the goal lines or goals.