Objective

Our primary objective is to ensure that all players have fun while developing their skills and preparing for the next level of competition. We place a strong emphasis on the importance of fair play, sportsmanship, and a positive attitude both on and off the field.

We ask all coaches, parents, and officials to:

• Encourage and support players at all times, fostering a positive and uplifting environment.
• Prioritize fair play and respect for all participants, ensuring that every player has the opportunity to enjoy the game.
• Focus on skill development while maintaining a fun and engaging atmosphere for everyone involved.

Safety

24-Hour Rule: ****NEW****

Parents, guardians,spectators and players must wait at least 24 hours after a game or practice before addressing concerns with a coach or team. This policy is in place to promote thoughtful communication and reduce emotionally charged discussions. All concerns should be expressed in a respectful and constructive manner.

Health and Wellness:

• Any player who is feeling unwell should refrain from participating in practices or games to protect their health and the well-being of others.
• Each player is responsible for bringing and managing their own water or sports drink to minimize sharing and potential contamination.

Concussion Management:

• Athletes showing any signs, symptoms, or behaviors indicative of a concussion—such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance issues must be immediately removed from play.
• The affected athlete is prohibited from returning to practice or competition until they have been evaluated and cleared by a qualified healthcare professional.

Parental/Guardian Presence:

• It is mandatory for a parent or guardian to be present at all practices and games to ensure the safety and well-being of the athlete. This allows for immediate parental involvement in case of injury or other concerns.

If a child is not feeling well, they should not participate in any practices or games. Use hand sanitizer frequently.  Each child is responsible for his/her own drink.

Sportsmanship

• All players and parents must abide by the league’s Code of Conduct, which outlines expectations for behavior and sportsmanship.
• NYS requests that there be no yelling or chanting when players are kicking PK’s, as it is important to maintain a respectful and supportive atmosphere.
• At the beginning of each game, all players and coaches are required to shake hands with their opponents and officials as a sign of respect and good sportsmanship. Failure to do so will result in a suspension for the following game, even during tournament weekends.
• Any unsportsmanlike or inappropriate behavior—such as foul language, disrespect toward officials, players, or coaches—may result in immediate ejection from the game and/or suspension from the league.
• Any coach, parent, or player ejected from a game will be suspended from participating in their next scheduled game.
• The use of illegal players (those not registered and listed on the roster) will result in an automatic forfeit.
• While NYS maintains a zero-tolerance policy for unsportsmanlike conduct, any continued behavior of this nature may result in suspension, up to and including indefinite removal from the league, depending on the severity and frequency of the incidents.

Uniforms

All players are required to wear the official NYS jerseys during games.

• Team-purchased jerseys must be approved by the NYS office before use. Approval will only be granted if the team is a complete returning team with a minimum of 10 players. No exceptions will be made.
• Any new uniform purchases or changes should be communicated and approved well in advance to ensure compliance with league standards and to avoid additional costs.

Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn under socks. To ensure safety during play, knee pads are required for all participants during both practices and games.

No hats, jewelry/earrings, sunglasses(unless they’re prescription), metal cleats or football cleats allowed. Tape can cover earrings. No exceptions.

Goalies must bring a pinnie or different color jersey to wear. Goalie gloves are optional.

Field Specs

Ball Size: 5

Goal Size: 14 ft × 6 ft

Field Size: 40 yards wide × 60 yards long (adjustable based on field availability)

Spectators & Bench Area:

• Must remain at least 2 yards behind sidelines
• Not permitted behind or near the goal line

Substitution Area: Located at midfield

Player Information

To be eligible to play, all players must be listed on the official season roster. Roster checks will be conducted throughout the season.

Players not on the field must remain seated on the bench during gameplay.

Game formats may vary by season. Games are typically played 11 vs. 11, including a goalkeeper.

If a team does not have enough players, the game will be adjusted to match the number of players on the opposing team, with games played as 9 vs. 9 if necessary. Teams may be required to share players to ensure a fair match.

Every player must participate in at least half of each game.

Game Specs

Consist of 4, 10-minute quarters with a 3-minute halftime and 1 minute between quarters.

Home team provides a game ball.

Visiting team kicks the ball first to start the game.

Play begins with the kicking team passing the ball to a teammate to the side or backwards.

Home team kicks off in the 3rd quarter.

Clock starts on the official’s whistle.

Players must throw the ball in after any out of bounds play, unless it is a corner or goal kick.

Penalty kicks placed at top of goal box.

No overtime - games end in a tie except during tournament play.

PER US SOCCER FEDERATION GUIDELINES FOR YOUTH, NO HEADERS ALLOWED.

NYS has a no header rule. Players can control the ball with their head after the ball touches the ground first. There is no intentional heading to score or to deflect the ball away.

Players must refrain from continuing play while on the ground. No kicking, playing around the ball, or maintaining possession is allowed until the referee restarts play.

After half time teams will switch sides

Mercy Rule: If a team leads by 5 or more points, they must take a defensive position and refrain from attacking the goal. Only three offensive players may cross the midline; all other players must remain on their defensive side of the field. Key players must stay in a defensive role until the lead is reduced to fewer than 5 points

Forfeits:

• A forfeit will automatically occur if the team has less than 7 players at scheduled game time. Game will start if the team has 7 players. For unusual circumstances, for example road closures or accidents, we will wait 5 minutes for 7 players to arrive, time will not be adjusted.

• A forfeit will automatically occur if the team has illegal players/not registered with the team.

Substitutions

Allowed when the team is in possession of the ball and referee’s acknowledgement during breaks in play, kickoffs, goal kicks, etc. All players must be sent to the substitution box and wait for referee’s acknowledgement.

Coaching

Each team is allowed 1 coach on the sideline and 1 behind the goal line to instruct players.

During the regular season only. Tournament all coaches must be on sidelines.

Coaches have authority to sit a player if acting unsportsmanlike or continuously misses practices without an excuse. Must notify the referee and note on the scorecard.

Coaches must ensure the team shakes hands before the game.  

Illegal players (not registered and listed on roster) will be an automatic forfeit.

Coaches must stay on their respective sides with players; Cannot cross the touchline on the field to coach or in the substitution box. Coaches must stay off the field during play. One coach behind the soccer goal to help instruct the goalie during the regular season. Tournament, no coach next to the goal. Head coach has authority to limit playing time for any player who consistently misses practice without an excuse or has caused disciplinary problems.

Officiating

Referee Authority

• At least one referee will be on the field to call the game.
• Officials may not see every infraction but will make calls to the best of their ability.
• Please respect the officials’ decisions. If you have questions, wait until the quarter break to discuss.

Slide Tackling / High Kicks / Physical Play

• Not permitted.
• Infraction results in a turnover, followed by the referee’s judgment call: free, direct, indirect, or penalty kick.

Offsides

• Results in an indirect free kick awarded to the defense.
• No offsides during throw-ins, corner kicks, or goalie kicks.
• This is a subjective call by the referee.

Headers

• An indirect kick is awarded to the defense, even inside the goal box.

Hand Ball

• Called only when intentional (e.g., stopping the ball on purpose).
• Protecting oneself from being hit is not considered intentional.
• Shoulder contact is permitted.

Free, Direct, Indirect, and Penalty Kicks

• Awarded according to the specific infraction.

Throw-Ins

• Both feet must remain on the ground (planted, crossed, or dragging one foot).
• Cross-side throws are not permitted.
• Infraction results in a turnover.

Yellow and Red Cards

• Issued for serious infractions by players or coaches.
• May result in game ejection, suspension from the next game, and/or expulsion for the remainder of the season.
• Includes unsportsmanlike conduct or use of foul language.

Parents

Parents must obey the Parent Code of Conduct. Parents not following code of conduct will be asked to leave the game. No Exceptions. Parent Code of Conduct

While we encourage parents to get involved, during games we ask all parents to allow the coaches to coach and officials to officiate. Please limit your coaching from the sidelines.

Parental/Guardian Presence:

It is mandatory for a parent or guardian to be present at all practices and games to ensure the safety and well-being of the athlete. This allows for immediate parental involvement in case of injury or other concerns.

Parents are not allowed to approach refs.

We encourage parents to get involved, but allow the coaches to coach and officials to officiate.