Game Guidlines
FIFA allows for the Laws Of The Game to be modified for
youth players. JLYSSL in conjunction with CYSA and USCS have adopted the following commonly used special rules by age group. Other competitions (such as Norcal) may use slightly different modifications. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the rules of competition for each type of match you may officiate.
| U10 - U19 Class 3 and U16 - U19 Class 4 |
| Topic |
U10 |
U12 |
U14 |
U16 |
U19 |
| Ball Size |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Minutes per half |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
| Half Time |
5 Minutes |
5 Minutes |
5 Minutes |
5 Minutes |
5 Minutes |
| Center Referee |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Asst. Referee |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Players - Min. |
5 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
| Players - Max. |
8 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
| Offside |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Injuries |
Any Stoppage |
Any Stoppage |
Any Stoppage |
Any Stoppage |
Any Stoppage |
| Direct Kicks |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Penalty Kicks |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Fouls |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Throw ins |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Cards, Yellow/Red |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| |
| U8 - U14 Class 4 |
| Topic |
U8 |
U10 |
U12 |
U14 |
| Ball Size |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
| Minutes per half |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
| Half Time |
5 Minutes |
5 Minutes |
5 Minutes |
5 Minutes |
| Center Referee |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Asst. Referee |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Players - Min. |
5 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
| Players - Max. |
7 |
8 |
11 |
11 |
| Offside |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Injuries |
Stop Game |
Stop Game |
Stop Game |
Any Stoppage |
| Direct Kicks |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Penalty Kicks |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Fouls |
Leniency |
Leniency |
Yes |
Yes |
| Throw ins |
Retry |
1 Retry |
Yes |
Yes |
| Cards, Yellow/Red |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| |
| Substitutions |
| Injuries |
Both teams may substitute players |
| Throw-ins |
Only the team granted the throw-in may substitute players |
| Goal Kick |
Both teams may substitute players |
| Kick off |
Both teams may substitute players |
| Corner Kick |
Neither team can substitute players |
| Any other stoppage |
Neither team can substitute players |
|
