Division Rules

Equipment & Safety

No jewelry of any kind (earrings, nose rings, necklaces, bracelets, rings) may be worn during games or practices, unless required for medical purposes and accompanied by a handwritten doctor's note. Players wearing jewelry must be removed from play until it's removed.

All players must wear shin guards, covered by calf socks of a uniform color, plus a jersey, shorts, and cleats. Nothing injurious to any player may be worn (metal hair clips, watches, metal-spiked cleats, etc.).

The goalkeeper must wear a jersey or pinnie of a different color from both teams.

Disciplinary Action (Red & Yellow Cards)

Red card: Automatic suspension of at least one game for the player or coach. The MYS Board will communicate any suspension within 48 hours.

Yellow card accumulation: Three or more yellow cards in a season results in a minimum one-game suspension on the third card, with additional suspensions for each card after that. The MYS Board will communicate any suspension within 48 hours.

A player receiving a yellow card should be temporarily substituted, even if not mandated by the referee, so the coach can talk through the caution before the player returns to play.

A red-carded player may be replaced by a teammate — the team is not required to play down a player.

Coach Requirements & Conduct

Coaches must be registered with the league and allocated to a team. Head and assistant coaches are required to complete a background check, online concussion training, and SafeSport training.

Coaches should make initial contact with every player's parent(s) at least one week before the first practice, and communicate promptly about field closures, weather cancellations, planned absences (with an approved replacement secured), and player/parent concerns.

Coaches remain on their own side of the field with their players, opposite the spectators, and must not leave the coaching area during games unless called onto the field by the referee.

A goal differential of more than seven is discouraged — coaches are expected to actively manage lopsided scoring (adjusting player positions, focusing on possession, using the non-dominant foot) rather than running up the score.

Do not publicly criticize an official, player, parent, or coach from either team. Applaud good plays by both teams and set an example of respect and self-control at all times.

Sportsmanship & Behavior

Parents should not be on the field during practices or games unless called upon by a coach.

Verbal abuse toward officials, players, coaches, or anyone else will not be tolerated. Violations of this policy or the MYS Code of Conduct are subject to discipline by the MYS Executive Board, up to and including suspension or permanent ban from MYS/MYA programs.

Any concerns about parent, player, or coach behavior during a game should be handled discreetly between the opposing coaches.

PRE-K / K

Field: W 20 yd x L 25 yd, goal approx. 4' x 6'. Ball: Size 3.

Format: 4 players per side in a split-field model (two games running simultaneously). If numbers require 3v3, both teams should match — one field can play 3v3 while the other plays 4v4.

Playing time: All players play a minimum of half the game regardless of score or ability, except for health/safety reasons.

Duration: 4 quarters of 12 minutes, with 2-minute breaks between quarters.

Substitutions: At referee's discretion — on goal kicks, following a goal, or on a throw-in.

Goalkeeper: None used in this division. Defenders should not act as pseudo-goalkeepers.

Referee: No formal referee — the game is managed by one coach from each team, with an emphasis on skill development and explaining calls as they're made.

Offside: Not an infraction in this division.

Fouls: An indirect free kick is awarded for all infractions (handling, tripping, holding, pushing, kicking, dangerous play, etc.). Coaches should still explain the rule to the player even if play continues.

Restarts: All restarts are indirect — a goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff, free kick, kick-in, or drop-ball.

Kick-in replaces throw-in in this division, treated as an indirect free kick with opponents 5 yards away.

Heading the ball is not permitted and should not be practiced.

Build-out line: Opponents must retreat behind the build-out line (mid-field line) on goal kicks and when the goalie/defense has possession, to support less-pressured buildup play.

No goal arc in this division.

1st / 2nd Grade

Field: W 25 yd x L 35 yd, goal approx. 4' x 6' (as of the August 2026 update, 1st Grade now matches 2nd Grade field size). Ball: Size 3.

Format: 4 players per side, split-field model. Defenders should participate in the flow of the game rather than hovering near the goal arc.

Playing time: All players play a minimum of half the game regardless of score or ability, except for health/safety reasons.

Duration: 4 quarters of 12 minutes, with 2-minute breaks between quarters.

Substitutions: Made near the middle of the quarter with a running clock, ideally at times agreed between both coaches (PK/K around the 4-minute mark; 1st/2nd around the 6-minute mark), plus between quarters, at half, and as needed for injury.

Goalkeeper: None used in this division.

Referee: No formal referee — coach-managed, with an emphasis on development and explaining the rules as calls are made.

Offside: Not an infraction in this division.

Fouls: An indirect free kick is awarded for all infractions. Coaches should use accidental infractions as teaching moments even when they let play continue.

Restarts: All restarts are indirect — no goal can be scored directly.

Kick-in replaces throw-in in this division.

Heading the ball is not permitted and should not be practiced.

Build-out line: Same as PK/K — opponents retreat on goal kicks and when the defense has possession.

No goal arc in this division.

Field: W 35 yd x L 60 yd, goal approx. 6.5' x 18.5'. Ball: Size 4.

Format: 7 players per side including a goalkeeper. Minimum starting roster is 5 players. Teams should match player counts when reasonably possible.

Playing time: All players play a minimum of half the game regardless of score or ability, except for health/safety reasons.

Duration: 2 halves of 25 minutes, with a 5-minute halftime. Teams switch goals at halftime.

Substitutions: At referee's discretion — on goal kicks, following a goal, or on a throw-in.

Goalkeeper: Required, must wear a distinguishing jersey color. Has up to 6 seconds to release the ball (the 8-second count is not being enforced). No player should keep goal for more than half of a single game.

Referee: A Referee is assigned and has final say on all calls. Assistant Referees are provided if available but not required at this level.

Offside: Enforced, tied to the Buildout Line — a player is offside if past the build-out line and nearer the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. No offside penalty on a direct goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in.

Fouls: Minor infractions (12A) draw an indirect free kick; serious infractions (12B, e.g. handling, tripping, holding, pushing, reckless charges) draw a direct free kick. Penalty kicks are awarded for direct-free-kick infractions inside the penalty area.

Throw-ins: Standard throw-in rules apply (two feet on ground, ball thrown with both hands overhead). Opponents must stay 5 yards away.

Heading the ball is not permitted and should not be practiced.

Build-out line: Applies — opponents retreat until the ball is in play on goal kicks and when the goalkeeper has possession.

Goal arc: Players may not be in the arc until the ball is also in the arc; violators are expected to leave when told by a coach on the field.

5th / 6th Grade

Field: W 50 yd x L 70 yd, goal approx. 6.5' x 18.5'. Ball: Size 4.

Format: 9 players per side including a goalkeeper. Minimum starting roster is 6 players.

Playing time: All players play a minimum of half the game regardless of score or ability, except for health/safety reasons.

Duration: 2 halves of 30 minutes, with a 5-minute halftime. Teams must switch goals at halftime.

Substitutions: At referee's discretion — on goal kicks, following a goal, or on a throw-in.

Goalkeeper: Required, distinguishing jersey required. Punting and drop kicks are allowed, though the ball may not land past midfield without first touching the ground or another player. No player should keep goal for more than half of a single game.

Referee: A Referee is assigned and has final say. An Assistant Referee assists with out-of-bounds, corner kicks, goal kicks, and offside; a volunteer may assist if no Assistant Referee is available.

Offside: Fully enforced under standard rules (no build-out line at this level) — a player is offside if in the opponents' half and nearer the goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.

Fouls: Same direct/indirect structure as 3rd/4th grade (Law 12A/12B). Penalty kicks awarded for direct-free-kick infractions inside the penalty area.

Throw-ins: Standard rules apply, opponents must stay 8 yards away.

Heading the ball is not permitted and should not be practiced, per league-wide policy through 6th grade.

No build-out line or goal arc restriction at this level — standard field of play rules apply throughout.