Read the CYSA Team Manual for Modified Rules and Summary of Laws of the Game. Our goal is to promote sportsmanship, fun and a positive soccer experience for everyone, including the players, coaches, referees, parents and spectators. Our focus is beyond competition, wins & losses!

Pre-Game: Teams should arrive at least 20 minutes before game time. Inspect fields & goals for safety. 5 minutes before game time, coaches line their teams up midfield. A parent should be chosen from each team to referee one half the game each. Every player must have at least one parent referee a minimum of one time during the season. A referee parent should check equipment for safety. Shoes should be soccer cleats or turf shoes, but can be tennis shoes. No baseball shoes. No earrings, other jewelry, hard hair barrettes or watches. Shinguards must be under socks, jerseys tucked in and shoelaces double tied. Players must have shinguards or they will not be allowed to play. Players with casts or splints are not allowed to play.

It is the coach's responsibility to have a registration form / medical release for each player at every game. Anyone without these should not be allowed to play in the game.

Coaches, parents & spectators are not permitted near the goals. Parents & coaches should stay 3 feet back from touch line (side line). Coaches should coach (positively and calmly to set an example) from their half near half-line.

Introduce team captains. Coin toss: visitors call toss. Winner chooses the goal they will attack first half. Loser of coin toss kicks off first half.

3 players per side (No Goalkeepers). Size 3 ball, home team provides.

Game duration : 2 - 16 minute halves (no time is added). 5 minute half-time.

Substitution Break: at about the 8 minute mark of each half, indicate a 1 min. sub break.

Kickoff: From the center spot, ball should be kicked forward to a teammate, into the opposing half.

Fouls: No slide tacking allowed, nor pushing, tripping, holding, spitting, grabbing jerseys, or obviously handling the ball. If inappropriate language, speak to the player(s). If a foul, stop play with whistle, EXPLAIN the foul, and award an indirect free kick (ball on the ground) where the foul occurred. There are NO penalty kicks. Award an indirect kick, but place the ball no closer to the goal line than the goal box line.

Often players may fall on their own accord, or the ball may deflect off of hands, which are not fouls. Say, "Play On!" to let players know there is no foul and play should continue.

All free kicks are INDIRECT (ball must touch any other player before a goal counts). If ball goes directly in the goal from an indirect kick without being touched by another player, it is a goal kick for the defending team.

Do not call offside, but encourage any attackers consistently poaching to remain involved in active play. DO NOT ALLOW GOAL TENDING, keep players at leas six feet from the entrance to the goal.

Sideline Out of Bounds: Team last touching the ball loses ball to a quick kick-in for the other team at that spot. (Throw-ins can be difficult and time consuming at this age, hence a quick kick-in instead).

Goal: when the whole of the ball crosses completely over the goal line. Help restart the game quickly with a kickoff for the team scored against.

Corner Kick: When ball goes over end line last touched by a defender. Any offensive player takes the kick from the corner arc.

Goal Kick:When ball goes over the end line when last touched by an attacking player. Goal kick can be taken by any defensive player from anywhere in the goal box, preferably toward one of the corners. U6 goal kicks should not be taken from in front of the goal.

Injuries: When in doubt, whistle to stop play, check on player, with clock running. Also stop play for dangerous conditions: dogs running amok, small children, etc. Restart with an indirect free kick near midfield for the team last with the ball.

Safety is the number one priority.
If necessary, call fouls, explain to players, and remind them to play fairly; play the ball and not the opponent. Stay out of the way as much as possible . . . let the game flow, let the players play and have fun!!

End of Game: Encourage teams to shake hands, thank the Ref. and cheer for the other team.

All ties stand (no overtime of PK shootouts!). We are not keeping records of scores.

Observe teams for unsportsmanlike gloating or unkind comments & discuss with the coach.

To play all prepared players at least 50% of the game, ideally equal time for all.

Require that parents & spectators maintain a supportive & pleasant atmosphere.

Congratulate excellent, fair play by both teams.

No dogs please at game sites, and pack out trash . . . even organic trash! Thanks.

Please contact the Aptos Soccer Club referee coordinator through the Club phone at 688-8501 ext., and we'll try to return with answers as soon as possible.