MYSL Rules Summary By Age Group
Rules for 7v7 Soccer (Grade 3/4) in the Middlesex Youth Soccer League: FULL RULES HERE
Players: Seven players each, including one goalkeeper. A match cannot start or continue with fewer than five players on a team. Each player should play a minimum of 40% (20 minutes) of the total playing time.
Ball: A size four (4) ball is used for all Grade 3/4 matches.
Player Equipment: All jewelry, casts, or other dangerous equipment are prohibited. Players must wear a jersey with a unique visible number, shorts, stockings, shinguards, and soft soccer cleats or sneakers.
Referees: Referees are encouraged to explain infractions of the rules to players to help educate them. A referee may leave the field if a team cannot field five players fifteen minutes after the scheduled game time.
Match Duration: Two 25 minute halves, with a five-minute halftime interval. No overtime.
Fouls and Kicks: When a player deliberately heads or attempts to head the ball, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team. Keeper distributions (punts, drop kicks, and throws) may not travel in the air over the halfway line. If this occurs, an indirect free kick is awarded to the other team from midfield.
No Penalty Kicks: There are no penalty kicks. Fouls that would normally result in a penalty kick are moved outside the penalty area, and a direct free kick is awarded.
Goal Kicks: For goal kicks, opposing players must retreat to their own half of the field. The team taking the kick does not have to wait for the opposition to retreat.
Other Kicks: For corner kicks, free kicks, and kick-offs, opponents must be at least eight yards away from the ball until it is in play.
Rules for 9v9 Soccer (Grade 5/6) in the Middlesex Youth Soccer League FULL RULES HERE
Players: Nine players each, including one goalkeeper. A match cannot start or continue with fewer than seven players on a team.
Ball: A size four (4) ball is used for all Grade 5/6 matches.
Player Equipment: All jewelry, casts, or other dangerous equipment are prohibited. Players must wear a jersey with a visible number, shorts, stockings, shin guards (covered by stockings), and soft soccer cleats or sneakers. If both teams are wearing similar colors, the home team must change their shirts or wear pinnies.
Referees: Referees will be allowed to leave the field fifteen minutes after the game time if one team cannot field seven players.
Match Duration: Two halves of 30 minutes, with a five-minute halftime. No overtime.
Fouls and Kicks: If a player deliberately heads or attempts to head the ball, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team. An indirect free kick is also awarded at the center spot if a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball from their penalty area into the opponent's penalty area.
Penalty Kicks: A penalty mark is made ten yards from the goal. Players, other than the kicker and the defending goalkeeper, must be at least eight yards from the penalty mark.
Other Kicks: For free kicks, kick-offs, and corner kicks, opponents must be at least eight yards away from the ball until it is in play.
Rules for 11v11 Soccer (Grade 7/8 and Above) in the Middlesex Youth Soccer League FULL RULES HERE
Players: Eleven players, including one goalkeeper. A match cannot start or continue if a team has fewer than seven players. Unlimited substitutions are allowed, and a substituted player may re-enter the match.
Ball: A size five (5) ball is used for all Grade 7/8 and above matches.
Player Equipment: Players are required to wear a jersey with a unique visible number, shorts, stockings, shin guards, and footwear. The footwear must be soft soccer cleats or sneakers. Shin guards must be made of a suitable material for protection and be covered entirely by stockings. The home team must change jerseys or wear pennies if there is a color conflict with the away team. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather, but teams must still be distinguishable. Jewelry and casts are not allowed.
Referees: Referees can declare a field unplayable if it does not meet the necessary conditions, which could lead to a forfeit or a postponed game. Referees are permitted to leave the field fifteen minutes after the scheduled game time if a team cannot field seven players.
Match Duration: The match is divided into two equal halves. The length of each half depends on the grade level: Grade 7/8 is 35 minutes , Grade 9/10 is 40 minutes , and Grade 11+ is 45 minutes. The halftime interval is five minutes. There is no overtime in regular season matches.
Fouls and Misconduct: These rules conform to the standard IFAB Laws of the Game.
Goal, Free, Corner, and Penalty Kicks: These rules also conform to the standard IFAB Laws of the Game.