Law Information
AYSO games follow
FIFA
(international soccer) Law very closely, with only a few changes to adapt
to AYSO's philosophy (e.g. controlled substitution to ensure that "everyone plays")
and, at the youngest age levels, to adapt the game to the physical and mental
maturity of the players. All AYSO referees should have a copy of the current AYSO
edition of The Laws of the Game,which contains both the FIFA Laws and
AYSO's modifications to them. Ask the referee administrator for a copy.
National AYSO also provides a number of referee resources.
AYSO Rules of
Competition
Most of AYSO's Rules
of Competition and modifications to the Laws are printed into the AYSO edition
of The Laws of the Game (and are also included in the Referee's Handbook).
The full text of AYSO's Rules
and Regulations and Policy
Statements are on the national website.
Age Differences
Players 8 and older
(in the U9 division and above) use the full FIFA Laws (although U9 and U10 children
play on 7 player teams on reduced size fields). Under 8 players play on 4 player
teams on an even smaller field, with a simplified set of Laws. Under 6 games
are not formally officiated at all but are facilitated by their team coaches.
U9 and above games
are run using the diagonal system (center referee plus two assistant referees).
U7 and U8 Laws
for Region 109
Most AYSO regions
adapt the Laws significantly for Under 8 players. Unfortunately, such ad hoc
changes can leave players, coaches and parents without a single reference source
as to what the rules actually are. Some years ago, Menlo Park drafted a self contained
set of Laws for Under 8 games in this region. They can also be
found in the Referee's Handbook.
U9 and U10 Rules
and procedures
U9/10 games use
the full FIFA Laws with some changes. Since a full sized field is a bit of physical
challenge for children this age, U9/10 games in Region 109 are played on reduced
size fields (roughly 60% of full size). To keep everything to scale, all distances
in the Laws of the Game will all be reduced proportionately (for example, 10 yards
to 8 yards). Slightly smaller goals are also used.
Also proportional
to the reduced size fields, U9/10 teams consist of 7 players. This allows players
to get more "touches" on the ball than they would in 11 player teams. A match
may not start if a team consists of less than 5 players.
Referee Assignment
in U9/10
U9/10 games are typically
refereed by parent volunteers from each team. However, these games are played
using the full laws (with some minor changes), rather than the abbreviated ones
used in U7 and U8. It is important that the referees at this level actually know
the full laws, otherwise the children get very confused. We strongly suggest that
each team provide at least one certified Regional referee.
Since most parent
referees will occasionally be unavailable for a home game (e.g. for travel,
illness, etc.), it is therefore recommended that each team obtain (i.e. train)
two referees, so they have a backup. Extra officials can then be Assistant
Referees. For more details please contact the Regional
Referee Administrator
Substitution
Rules for Under 19 and Under 16 Games
Unlike many youth
soccer leagues, AYSO limits substitutions to make it practical for the referee
to ensure that "everyone plays" at least half the game. Substitutions
are therefore only allowed at half time and at two substitution breaks midway
through each half. However, in U16/U19 games, free substitutions are allowed in
the fourth quarter, provided that the players involved have already played at
least half the game.
Player Equipment
Both The Laws
of the Game and the AYSO Rules of Competition prohibit players from wearing
anything that, in the opinion of the referee, may be dangerous to either themselves
or another player. Because disputes about the danger of specific items keep arising,
Region 109 has issued a list of prohibited items . Items
not on this list may also, of course, be deemed dangerous by the referee on the
field.