HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
11 V 11 OFFICIAL RULES

Ball Size: Size five (5)
Field Size: 114 yds. x 75 yds.
Goal Size: 8' high x 24' wide

Coaches:
  1. There shall be no more than two (2) coaches on the sidelines of a game, per team.

  Players:

1. The maximum number of players on the field per team at any one time is eleven (11). The game is played with a goalkeeper.
2. The maximum number of players on roster should not exceed eighteen (18).
3. Substitutions

   With the permission of the referee, substitutions may be made:

   • Prior to a throw-in, by the team possessing the ball. If the team in possession makes a substitution, the opposing team may then make substitutions at that time.
   • By either team prior to a goal kick.
   • After a goal is scored, by either team, prior to the kick-off.
   • After an injury when the referee has stopped play, by either team.
   • When a player has been cautioned. Only the cautioned player may be substituted.
4. Playing Time: Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time regardless of skill level, and, as long as the child arrives prepared to play in the proper uniform; is not under disciplinary suspension; is not physically handicapped due to illness or injury.

The Referee:

1. A G.Y.S.A. referee will oversee all games. Two linesmen will also assist the referee.
2. All rule infractions should be briefly explained to the offending player.

Duration of the Game:

1. The game shall be divided into two (2) forty (40) minute halves.
2. There shall be a half-time break of ten (10) minutes.

The Start of Play:

1. A coin toss will be conducted at the start of the game. The winner of the coin toss chooses the direction of attack. The opposing team kicks off.
2. Play is started by kick-off at the center of the field. Opponents must be ten (10) yards from the center mark when the kick-off is taken.
3. To start the second half, the kick-off is taken by the team that did not take the kick-off at the beginning of the game.

Ball In and Out of Play:

1. Any ball crossing the touch line will result in a throw-in for the opposing team.
2. Any ball crossing the goal line will result in a goal kick for the defending team or a corner kick for the attacking team.
3. A goal-kick is not required to leave the penalty area before a teammate touches the ball, meaning once the ball is touched/passed (in-play) for the kick, it is immediately considered in play. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area when a goal-kick takes place, and can only enter the penalty area after the ball is in-play.

Free Kicks:

1. The referee will indicate whether the free kick is a Direct or Indirect Free Kick.
2. Penalty kicks shall be awarded as a result of fouls occurring in the penalty area that would otherwise be a direct free kick.
3. Opponents must be ten (10) yards away from all free kicks.
4. During a free-kick – direct or indirect – if the defending team has three or more players in a wall, the attacking team may NOT have a player within one yard of the wall. This means no longer can attacking teams place wall-busters to break up a wall, or look to have players lose their marks by running through or around a wall. If they do, the referee can penalize the attacking team with a free-kick in the other direction.
   • Quick free-kicks can now be taken before a referee shows a yellow card, and the referee is allowed to wait before showing his yellow card until the next stoppage in play. Previously, if a free-kick resulted in a yellow card, the attacking team would have to wait until the referee shows his card before play can resume. However, the rule still stands where a referee distracted by already beginning to display a caution may halt a quick free-kick until he finishes the action.
     • As a caveat to this, if the referee was going to show a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the attacking team still may take a quick free-kick, but the punishment automatically reverts from a red card into a yellow as the attacking team is considered to have restarted its course of play.
5. Goalkeepers may now come slightly closer while defending a penalty, only required to have one foot on the goal line instead of required to stand completely on it.
6. A drop ball will now be awarded if a ball strikes a referee and falls in possession of the opposition side, or if the ball strikes the referee and ends up in the back of the net.
   • Drop balls can no longer be contested. However, along with that, drop balls can be taken by an attacking team wherever they possessed the ball when play was stopped, meaning an attacking team can continue from the point at which the attack was stopped.
     • One caveat: any play stopped in the penalty area will be returned to the goalkeeper no matter who possessed the ball at the stoppage.

Offside:

The offside rule will be in effect for this age group. Criticism directed to the referee is dissent and will not be tolerated. Please recognize this is always the most controversial and disagreed upon part of the game of soccer at all levels of play. Please demonstrate good sportsmanship.


Slide Tackling and Dangerous Plays:

Though slide tackling is generally discouraged by G.Y.S.A., the referee may allow slide tackling if it is performed carefully, and without contact between opponents. Rulings on dangerous slide tackles or other dangerous plays are subject to the referee's discretion and will be enforced for the protection of the players.

Misc. Rules:

• G.Y.S.A. encourages healthy and positive sports competition and puts a priority on the developmental process and the quality of play instead of the game outcome. It is not our desire to instill the "killer instinct" in the player, but rather to foster physical fitness, knowledge of the sport, agility, quick thinking and aggressive offensive and defensive play. Dangerous play and/or abusive language to coaches, players, or referees will not be tolerated.
• Parents/coaches and spectators should be there to enjoy the game, foster a positive sporting environment and to encourage the activity of all the youngsters participating in the game.  Please leave the “coaching” to the coaches.
• All coaches are required to stay within their designated coaching area.  The coaching area will be a 10 yard box painted orange from the edge of the center circle toward the goal line.
• Seek always to build character through soccer by focusing on the long-term developmental process over the short-term result of a game.