Game Rule Summary Chart

Game Rule Summary Chart For Coaches, Parents, AND Referees - Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

		Fall and Spring			Spring Only		Fall and Spring
		3rd/4th	5th/6th Grade	Grade 8	Grade 10	Grade 12/PG	High School G912
Format		7v7	9v9	11v11	11v11	11v11	7v7
Time		2 x 30 min	2 x 30 min	2 x 35 min	2 x 40 min	2 x 45 min	2 x 30 min
Time		Should be a minimum 5 minute halftime interval
Heading		No (attempted or actual) IFK for team not in violation		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ball Size		#4	#4	#5	#5	#5	#5
Offside		no	yes	yes	yes	yes	no
Penalty Mark		8 yds	10 yds	12 yds	12 yds	12 yds	12 yds
Referee Fee		$40	$50	$65	$75	$85	$65
AR Fee		n/a	$35	$40	$50	$50	n/a
Roster Player Limit without waiver		N/A	D1 & D2 Gr 6 = 18 other N/A	22	22	22	N/A
Players Needed to Start		5	6	7	7	7	5
Players Needed to Continue		5	6	7	7	7	5
*Player Passcards/ID Sheet**		Never	Never for Grade 5 Not during Regular Season or BAYS Playoffs for Grade 6	Not during Regular Season or BAYS Playoffs	Not during Regular Season or BAYS Playoffs	Not during Regular Season or BAYS Playoffs	Never
*Player Passcards/ID Sheet**		*Special requirements are in place for teams actually participating in MTOC. See Match Rule 5 for when Player Passcards or a Team Photo ID Sheet are required.
Substitutions	With the permission of the referee after a goal, prior to a goal kick, prior to the start of the 2nd half - unlimited both teams on a throw-in - the team with possession may sub unlimited, and if they choose to sub, then the defending team may sub unlimited if an injured player(s) is substituted, then the opposing team may sub on a 1 for 1 basis after a caution, the offending player must leave the field and cannot return until the next substitution opportunity; a substitution is allowed (but not required) for the carded player a team that is already at the minimum number of players needed to continue play may temporarily play at below the minimum any player who is bleeding must be substituted immediately and may return only when bandaged; bloody uniforms may not be worn
15 minute Rule	BAYS provides a 15-minute window for an official game to start, if the following are met: The assigned referee arrives or after the 15 minutes are up the coaches may appoint an acting referee per LAW 5 Each team needs at a minimum, one adult wearing their credential to oversee each team (Match Rule 1). Both teams provide an official hard copy roster to the referee (Match Rule 1) . The minimum number of players for each team are present (LAW 3). See also Starting the Game in BAYS Match Rule 8.
Rosters	Two (2) printed paper copies (one for the referee, one for the opponent) and signed by the coach; electronic versions are not valid. All rosters must be typed/printed with no handwritten additions except for jersey numbers, additions of substitute coaches, or crossing off of players/coaches not in attendance. The referee is not responsible for ascertaining the roster size or eligibility of players.
Coaching and Coach Credentials	Official MYSA Credential Lanyards must be displayed and worn by ALL team officials on the team's sidelines. Electronic versions are not valid. At least one credentialed adult must be present on each team's sideline throughout the game. There is a maximum of three, Credentialed, non-player people on the team sideline. Prior to kickoff at every game, when referees ask for the team roster, they should verify that all team officials are wearing the proper credentials and number no more than 3 Under 18 team officials are allowed and must have an official MYSA credential All team officials on the sideline must stay within the technical area (if marked) and if not marked, within an area designated by the referee.
Equipment	Plaster/fiberglass casts (even if padded) and jewelry (including earrings) of any kind are not allowed. Players with medical, religious, or cultural wearable items must have the item properly secured with any medical information showing. Players can play with assistive devices such as prescription glasses, cochlear implant processors, hearing aids, insulin pumps, and other approved equipment that is essential for them to wear in order to play. It is the Coach's responsibility to point the specific equipment out to the referee before the game, so that if there is an issue—such as the assistive device coming off the player during the game—the referee is aware of the need to stop the play to provide assistance. It is the referee's responsibility to ensure that the players' equipment and other items are safe.
Special 3rd/4th Grade Rules	Free Kick: opponents must remain at least 8 yards away from any free kick unless they are on their own goal line. Goal Kick: defenders must retreat to the halfway line, but the opposing team may take the kick before all defenders have retreated. On a Penalty Kick, all players except the player taking the kick and the goalkeeper must be on the kicker’s defensive side of the halfway line. On a goal kick, or on a goalkeeper save, followed by a throw-out, punt, or drop kick, the ball must touch the ground in the defensive side of the halfway line, or be touched by any player in the defensive half of the field. Infringement of this rule will result in a turnover of the ball to the other team. Play shall restart with an indirect free kick at the halfway line nearest the spot where the ball crossed the halfway line.
Referee Abuse Prevention and Codes of Conduct	All Coaches, players, and parents/spectators shall follow the Codes of Conduct, BAYS Referee Abuse Prevention Policy, and the BAYS Current Rulebook and Policies. All coaches, team managers and spectators shall support and respect the decisions made by the match officials during the game. Failure to do so undermines the authority of the match officials and has the potential to create a hostile environment for the players, referee(s), and all other participants/spectators at a match. See Match Rule 15. The referee has the authority to take disciplinary action from the moment they arrive at the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play/parking area after the match ends.
Game Reporting	All referees (including ARs) must submit an online game report by November 30 for the Fall season and June 30 for the Spring season to be paid.