YMCA of Edwardsville Youth Soccer League
The YMCA Youth League is an introduction to soccer for many children. The emphasis of this league is
instruction. Soccer skills will be taught to the children in a fun, relaxed, encouraging environment.
Sportsmanship and teamwork will also be stressed. We ask coaches and parents to praise player’s
development, improved skill, and good sportsmanship, and not emphasize whether the child scored or
the team won the game. There will be no score kept for league games and no team standing will be
posted. We hope that this will allow the children to focus on having fun and improving their skills instead
of winning and losing.
Kindergarten & First Grade League Rules
The Ball:
 A size 3 ball will be used for league games.
Number of Players:
 Kindergarten – Each team will play with 5 players on the field. THERE WILL BE
NO GOALIE.
 1st Grade – Each team will play with 5 players and a goalie on the field at one
time. (6 total)
 The minimum number of players to start a game is 4 – Kindergarten, 5 – 1st
Grade.
Field/Goal Size:
o The dimensions of the playing field will be 30 yards by 40 yards.
o The goals will be 4 ft high and 8 ft wide (Kindergarten) or
5 ft high and 10 ft wide (1st Grade)
Length of Game:
 Each game will be divided into 4 quarters.
 Each quarter will last 10 minutes with a continuously running clock.
 The half-time break will be 5 minutes. The 1st and 3rd quarter breaks will last 2
minutes.
Second – Eighth Grade League Rules
The Ball:
 A size 4 ball will be used for 2nd – 4th grade league games.
 A size 5 ball will be used for 5th – 8th grade league games.
Number of Players:
 2nd – 4th grade will play with 6 players and a goalie.
 5th – 8th grade girls will play with 7 players and a goalie.
 5th – 8th grade boys will play with 10 players and a goalie.
Field/Goal Size:
The dimensions of the playing field will be:
o 2nd Grade – 35 yds by 50 yds
o 3/4th Grade – 50 yds by 65 yds
o 5th – 8th Grade Girls – 55 yds by 70 yds
o 5th – 8th Grade Boys – 60 yds by 100 yds
The dimensions of the goals will be:
o 2nd Grade – 6 ft high by 12 ft wide
o 3rd/4th Grade – 8 ft high by 16 ft wide
o 5th – 8th Grade Girls – 8ft high by 16 ft wide
o 5th – 8th Grade Boys – Regulation Size
Length of Game:
 Each game will be divided into 2 halves.
 Each half will last 25 minutes. Clock will run continuously during game.
 The half-time break will be 5 minutes.
All League Rules
Playing Time & Positions:
 Each player will play a minimum of 50% of the game.
 Everyone should have a chance to play all positions. Please rotate/substitute
your players so that each player can play offense and defense in each game.
Playing Equipment:
 Footwear should be athletic shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes.
 Shin guards are mandatory and will be worn under full socks or athletic pants.
No metal fasteners are allowed.
 A player’s jersey must be seen at all times.
 No hats with bills may be worn during the game. Stocking caps are acceptable.
 No earrings or jewelry may be worn.
 A player wearing a cast may not play unless they have doctor and league
supervisor’s permission.
Referees:
 Judgment calls by the referees are final.
 All rules infractions should be briefly explained to offending player.
 Coaches will discuss foul calls and rule interpretations with officials during breaks
only.
 There is absolutely no reason for coaches to be involved in unsportsmanlike
conduct.
Start of Game
 Parents and spectators should be located across the field from the teams. Only
coaches and players will be allowed on the team side of the field. The referee
will keep the area behind the goal line free of spectators.
 A coin toss will decide which team will start with the ball. Possession then
alternates at the start of remaining half.
 If the minimum number of players is not present at game, the officials will begin
play 10 minutes after your game is scheduled to start or 10 minutes after the
previous game ends. (Since no score is kept, teams may have to combine players
if enough members of each team are not present.)
Offsides:
 Coaches may not allow players to remain near either goal, except goalies.
 Players should be encouraged to be involved in play at both ends of the field.
 If offsides becomes a problem, the YMCA reserves the right to enforce offside
penalties.
Fouls and Misconduct:
Conform to FIFA rules with the following exceptions:
 All fouls will result in an indirect kick.
 There will be no penalty kicks or direct kicks.
 Referees will explain all infractions to offending players.
 The referees will consider the age and experience of the player when calling
fouls or letting game play on.
 Safety will always have the highest priority in our leagues.
 NO SLIDE TACKLING WILL BE ALLOWED.
Free Kicks:
 All free kicks are indirect kicks.
 All indirect kicks awarded in the penalty box will be taken from closest indirect
kick mark.
 A goal may not be scored from an indirect kick until a second player from either
team has touched the ball.
 Opposing team players must be 5 yards from the ball.
Throw-Ins:
 A throw-in puts the ball back in play after it is out of the play on a sideline.
Goal Kick:
 A goal kick puts the ball back in play when it goes over the end line after
touching an offensive player last. Goal kicks are taken from the goal kick marks.
Corner Kick:
 Corner kicks put the ball in play when it goes over the end line after touching a
defensive player last. Corner kicks are taken from the semi-circle located in
corners of field.
Time Outs:
 There are no time-outs.
Substituting:
 Kindergarten – 1st Grade – Teams can substitute players freely anytime during
the game.
 2nd Grade – 8th grade – Teams can substitute players during any goal kick and
after any goal. Players may substitute on throw-ins if the team with possession
of the ball substitutes first. An injured player must be substituted out of the
game if the game clock is stopped due to injury.