[ SYSL REFEREE PAGE | FIFA RULES ]

The field must be lined for the first game of each play date. The referee must be able to see the end lines and touch lines. The field must have corner flags (except micro 3v3). The net must be hung correctly so there are no holes in which a ball could pass through without being detected. The referee should walk the field before the start of the first game to make sure the field is safe.

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The home team must provide a game ball. Prior to the start of the game, the referee must get the ball from the home team coach and check that it is the proper size, is correctly inflated and is generally acceptable for use. If the ball provided is not acceptable, the referee shall ask for another until an acceptable ball is provided. If the home team cannot provide an acceptable ball, then the referee shall ask the visiting coach for a ball.

For ball sizes, refer to the following:

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A)   Number of players

In order to avoid a forfeit, a team must have the following minimum number of players by their scheduled game time. If after 15 minutes a team does not have the required minimum number of players, the referee will blow the whistle to indicate the end of that game.

* Interleague teams must play with an even number of players on the field. They will play according to the interleague guidelines as per their schedule. The only exception is in the case of a team receiving a red card. If they are already playing match and do not have any additional players, they must play down a player.

Note: The coach of a team that is playing "down" must notify the referee during a dead ball of any late arriving players after the game has started. The coach must get permission from the referee before allowing the player to enter the field of play. The player is to report to the referee who will check for proper equipment.

B)   Substitutions

A substitute may be permitted on any dead ball with the exception of a corner kick (with permission of the referee).

Note: A substitution MUST be made for any injured player for whom play has been stopped and who has been attended to on the field.

A substitution cannot be made unless the referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made. A substitute may only enter the field of play after receiving a signal from the referee. Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper provided that the referee is informed and that the change takes place during a stoppage in play. The referee shall not allow play to resume until he/she is sure that all substituted players have left the field of play. A substitution will be made immediately after a yellow card is issued to a player, that player must come off. [As per law 12 SYSL modified]

If a coach sends a substitute onto the field of play without first getting the referees permission, the referee will:

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• All players MUST wear shin-guards. They are to be worn next to the skin and must be entirely covered by the players socks.

• Players are only allowed to wear either sneakers or soccer cleats (football and baseball cleats are NOT allowed)

• Goalies MAY wear a helmet in the U8 and older divisions. at their own discretion.

• The goalies MUST WEAR a different color shirt than the field players of either team.

• Players MAY NOT wear jewelry of any kind. This includes watches, rings, necklaces and earrings.

• Earrings may not be taped over; they MUST be removed.

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A)   If the referee does not appear by the scheduled game time, the coaches must agree upon a mutually acceptable person to referee. The referee game card MUST be signed by a member of the board in order for the game to be official and for the substitute referee to get paid. The team to which the substitute referee is affiliated must be noted on the card.

B)   The referee is empowered to terminate the match in the event of grave disorder, but the referee has no authority to decide that either team is disqualified , and therefore, the loser of the game. The referee must send a detailed report to the Director of Referees, who will notify the Intramural Commissioner and the Arbitration Committee, which alone has the power to deal further with the matter.

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There will be a linesperson / assistant referee for each sideline. It will be the duty of the linesperson / assistant referee to signal when the ball has totally gone over the touch line and is out of play. It is the job of the linesperson / assistant referee to indicate the direction of the throw-in (the referee can overrule). The linesperson / assistant referee will also be empowered to call off-sides as it occurs on the field of play (the referee can overrule). If the linesperson / assistant referee is not a certified SYSL referee, then they are only to indicate the direction of the throw-in. The referee must get the flags back at the end of the game and pass them along to the next referee on that field if necessary.

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All games must start on time. Any games starting more than 10 minutes late will be shortened and will be played in two equal halves where possible. Games must end on time. Game clocks will NOT stop for any reason. If in the case of a severe injury, the game will be shortened to two equal halves (where possible). Five (5) minutes will be allowed between halves.

Game duration for each division is as follows:

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Prior to the start of the game, a coin toss will determine which side of the field each team will defend and which team will kick off. Start of play always begins with the referee’s instruction, usually a whistle, verbal command or a hand signal.

The ball is considered out of play when:

The ball is in play all other times.

It is considered in play if it bounces off the crossbar, goalposts, corner flag post, Referee or Linesperson when they are on the field of play and the ball remains in the field of play.

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A goal is scored when the whole ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar as long as it has not been thrown, carried, or intentionally propelled by a hand or arm of an attacking player or enters the goal from an indirect kick that has not been touched by a second player after being struck.

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A player is in the offside position if he/she is nearer to his opponent's goal line than both the ball and at least one opposing field player.

A player in an offside position is only penalized if, in the opinion of the referee, the player is interfering with play or with an opponent, or is seeking to gain an advantage by being offside (i.e.: by receiving a pass from a teammate).

A player is NOT OFFSIDE if he is in his own half of the field of play. He is even with the second to last opposing player OR he is even with the last two opponents.

YOU CANNOT BE OFFSIDE:

• on a throw-in

• on a goal kick

• on a corner kick

• on a drop ball

• on your own half of the field

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A)   Direct kicks

Direct kicks are awarded for:

A goal may be scored from a direct kick without another player touching the ball except the kicker. A direct free kick is taken from the spot of the offense.

A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above offenses is committed by a player inside his own penalty are, irrespective of the location of the ball, provided it is in play. (U9 thru interleague) .

B)   Indirect free kicks

Indirect free kicks are awarded for:

If a player (intramural or interleague) receives a YELLOW CARD, he/she MUST LEAVE the field for a minimum of FIVE (5) MINUTES. They are to be replaced with a substitution and may return to the field on any dead ball after that time.

If a player receives a RED CARD, he/she MUST LEAVE the field and CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED for (i.e. his team must play the rest of the game one man down). The Referee shall note the player and the infraction on the back of the game card and must file an incident report with the Director of Referees who will notify the Intramural Trustee.

Player/coach penalty for receiving a RED CARD will be decided by the Intramural Trustee, based on the nature of the incident. The SYSL board will be notified of any action taken.

If a player receives a RED CARD and his team falls below the minimum number of players, the referee shall blow the whistle to indicate an end to the game.

If an interleague player receives a RED CARD, he may be substituted while the game is still going on. If his team does not have a substitute, then they must play down, not match [as per law 3 SYSL modified].

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A)   Direct free kick

• If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal is awarded.

• If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.

The referee will indicate a direct free kick by pointing in the direction the kick is to be taken.

B)   Indirect free kick

• If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents goal, a goal kick is awarded.

• If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.

• A goal can only be scored if the ball touches another player before it enters the goal.

The referee will indicate an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. he maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched by another player or goes out of play.

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A penalty kick is awarded against a team which commits one of the ten offenses for which a direct kick is awarded, inside its own penalty box and while the ball is in play. A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick. Penalty kicks are taken from the penalty spot.

All players, except the kicker and the opposing goalkeeper, will remain out side the penalty box until the ball has been struck. The goalie remains on his goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been struck. The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has touched another player. The ball must be kicked forward. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward.

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A throw-in is a method of restarting play.

A goal CANNOT be scored directly from a throw-in.

A throw-in is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the touch line, either on the ground or in the air. It is awarded from the point where it crossed over the touch line and to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball.

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:

• faces the field of play

• has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line.

• uses both hands

• delivers the ball from behind and over his head.

The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

The ball is in play immediately as it enters the field of play.

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A goal kick is a method of restarting play.

A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team.

A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball crosses over the goal line outside the goal posts when last having been played by an attacker.

The ball is kicked from the six (6) yard line and must clear the penalty box before being played by another player.

If the ball does not clear the penalty box, the kick is re-taken.

The kicker cannot play the ball a second time before another player touches the ball.

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A corner kick is a method of restarting play.

A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team.

A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball crosses over the goal line outside the goal posts when last having been played by a defender.

The ball is placed inside the corner arc at the nearest corner flag post. The flag post cannot be moved.

Opponents must remain at least ten (10) yards from the ball until it is in play.

The ball is in play when it is kicked by an attacking player and it moves.

The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

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Tony Monti
SYSL Director Of Referees
(631) 471-5597
E-mail: amonti1@optonline.net