We have adopted these rules to help the flow of the game and to create an atmosphere where thegame of outdoor soccer in South Baltimore can be enjoyed by Players and Fans alike. These rules are set forth by the Board of Directors of the SBYSL and are enforced by the referees appointed by the board for each game.
Among other things, the Rules’ intent is to promote the adoption of standards for outdoor soccer, which will further promote its identity, growth and,above all, fun for those of all skill levels and ages. We ask all players, coaches, spectators, referees, and Board Members to keep in mind that this league is volunteer run league and everyone is here for the kids and the promotion of the League as a whole. This being said, we would like everyone to play hard, play fair and above all, HAVE FUN!
SBYSL's Outdoor soccer games follow the FIFA laws of the game that are published on the US Soccer website: https://www.ussoccer.com/referees/laws-of-the-game
The following modifications have been adopted
See Official Field Diagram for standard dimensions for the field, goals and markings.
Small FSK Field (75ft by 45ft) - Coed U7, Girls U8
Large FSK Field (90ft by 60ft) - Coed U9
Across Banner Field (Goal line to 40yd line) Girls U10, Coed U11, Girls U14
Banner Field (full field) Coed U14, Girls U18
The ball is Size 3 (Ages 3-5), Size 4 (Ages 6-10) or Size 5 (Age 11+ ).
Ball Change: The ball may not be changed except by the Referee.
The game ball is delivered to the Referee prior to each game. At the end of each Half, the ball is maintained by the Referee. Upon the game’s conclusion, the Referee returns the game ball to the person or team which supplied them.
Teams
| League | Age | Birth Year | Division | Players | Goalkeeper |
| Coed | 3 | 2019 | U4 | Skill Stations | N |
| Coed | 4 | 2018 | U5 | Skill Stations | N |
| Coed | 5 | 2017 | U6 | 5v5 | N |
| Coed | 6 | 2016 | U7 | 5v5 | N |
| Coed | 7/8 | 2014, 2015 | U9 | 6v6 | Y |
| Coed | 9/10 | 2012, 2013 | U11 | 7v7 | Y |
| Coed | 11/12/13 | 2009-2011 | U14 | 11v11 | Y |
| Coed | 14/15/16/17 | 2005-2008 | U18 | 11v11 | Y |
YOUTH
| League | Age | Birth Year | Division | Players | Goalkeeper |
| Girls | 6/7 | 2015, 2016 | U8 | 4v4 | N |
| Girls | 8/9 | 2013, 2014 | U10 | 7v7 | Y |
| Girls | 10/11/12/13 | 2009-2012 | U14 | 7v7 | Y |
Note: In small sided games, player numbers can be adjusted by coaches on game day to create equal and fair matchups. Adjustments should be made prior to the game start and with the consent of both coaches.
NO COACHES ALLOWED ON THE FIELD WITHOUT REFEREE PERMISSION
STARTING AT U7 AGE GROUP
No players or spectators on field during halftime. Post game: Players and spectators must yield to the oncoming teams. If time allows, oncoming teams can use the field for a few minutes prior to kick off for warm-ups.
No coaches are allowed behind the goal. Coaches must coach from the sidelines.
ALL COACHES MUST TRY TO GIVE ALL PLAYERS EQUAL PLAYING TIME
Substitution procedure
To replace a player with a substitute, the following must be observed:
The substitute only enters:
The substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play; from that moment, the replaced player becomes a substituted player and the substitute becomes a player and can take any restart. All substituted players and substitutes are subject to the referee’s authority whether they play or not.
Changing the goalkeeper
Any of the players may change places with the goalkeeper if:
Team captain
The team captain has no special status or privileges but has a degree of responsibility for the behavior of the team.
Outside interference
Assistant referees
They indicate when:
The assistant referee’s assistance also includes monitoring the substitution procedure.
The assistant referee may enter the field of play to help control the 9.15 m (10 yards) distance.
The game is to start ON TIME and ONLY play the specified amount of minutes. Please leave the field after your amount of game time. This will give the next team a couple minutes to stretch and prepare for their game. Please give courtesy for the next team to prepare for their game!!
Coed U5 - practice time and scrimmage time (coaches’ decision)
Coed U6 - practice time and scrimmage time (coaches’ decision)
Coed U7 - 4 - 10 minute quarters; 5 min half; 2 min between quarters
Girls U8 - 4 - 10 minute quarters; 5 min half; 2 min between quarters
Coed U9 - 4 - 10 minute quarters; 5 min half; 2 min between quarters
Girls U10 - 4 - 10 minute quarters; 5 min half; 2 min between quarters
Coed U11 - 4 - 12 minute quarters; 5 min half; 2 min between quarters
Coed U14 - 2 – 25 minutes halves; 5 min half
Girls U14 - 2 – 25 minutes halves; 5 min half
Coed U18 - 2 – 25 minutes halves; 5 min half
A kick-off starts both halves of a match, both halves of extra time and restarts play after a goal has been scored. Free kicks (direct or indirect), penalty kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are other restarts (see Laws 13–17).
A dropped ball is the restart when the referee stops play and the Law does not require one of the above restarts.
If an offence occurs when the ball is not in play this does not change how play is restarted.
For every kick-off:
Offences and sanctions
If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick, or for deliberate handball a direct free kick, is awarded.
In the event of any other kick-off procedure offence the kick-off is retaken.
Procedure
If play is stopped inside the penalty area, the ball will be dropped for the goalkeeper
If play is stopped outside the penalty area, the ball will be dropped for one player of the team that last touched the ball at the point of the last touch
In all cases, all the other players (of both teams) must be at least 4m (4.5yds) away
If the ball touches the referee (or another match official) and goes into the goal, team possession changes or a promising attack starts, a dropped ball is awarded
The referee drops the ball at the position where it was when play was stopped, unless play was stopped inside the goal area in which case the ball is dropped on the goal area line which is parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was when play was stopped.
The ball is in play when it touches the ground.
Offences and sanctions
The ball is dropped again if it:
If a dropped ball enters the goal without touching at least two players play is restarted with:
The ball is out of play when:
The team scoring the greater number of goals is the winner. If both teams score no goals or an equal number of goals the match is drawn.
When competition rules require a winning team after a drawn match or home-and-away tie, the only permitted procedures to determine the winning team are:
A combination of the above procedures may be used.
Note: Wins, Losses, and Draws will be recorded for the U7 age groups and older. A regular season champion will be determined based on a tally of the overall record. Wins = 2pts, Draws = 1pt, Losses = 0pt. In the event of a tie, the head to head record of the teams will be used as the first tiebreaker. The second tiebreaker will be a coin flip.
It is not an offence to be in an offside position.
A player is in an offside position if:
A player is not in an offside position if level with the:
A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched* by a team-mate is only penalized on becoming involved in active play by:
• interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate or
• interfering with an opponent by:
or
A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save by any opponent) is not considered to have gained an advantage.
A ‘save’ is when a player stops, or attempts to stop, a ball which is going into or very close to the goal with any part of the body except the hands/arms (unless the goalkeeper within the penalty area).
In situations where:
No offence
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
Offences and sanctions
If an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick where the offence occurred, including if it is in the player’s own half of the field of play.
A defending player who leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission shall be considered to be on the goal line or touchline for the purposes of offside until the next stoppage in play or until the defending team has played the ball towards the halfway line and it is outside their penalty area. If the player left the field of play deliberately, the player must be cautioned when the ball is next out of play.
An attacking player may step or stay off the field of play not to be involved in active play. If the player re-enters from the goal line and becomes involved in play before the next stoppage in play, or the defending team has played the ball towards the halfway line and it is outside their penalty area, the player shall be considered to be positioned on the goal line for the purposes of offside.
A player who deliberately leaves the field of play and re-enters without the referee’s permission and is not penalised for offside and gains an advantage, must be cautioned.
If an attacking player remains stationary between the goalposts and inside the goal as the ball enters the goal, a goal must be awarded unless the playercommits an offside offence or Law 12 offence in which case play is restarted with an indirect or direct free kick.
Direct and indirect free kicks and penalty kicks can only be awarded for offences committed when the ball is in play.
A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent
in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
If an offence involves contact it is penalised by a direct free kick or penalty kick.
A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences:
Handling the ball
Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with the hand or arm.
The following must be considered:
The goalkeeper has the same restrictions on handling the ball as any other player outside the penalty area.
Inside their penalty area, the goalkeeper cannot be guilty of a handling offence incurring a direct free kick or any related sanction but can be guilty of handling offences that incur an indirect free kick.
An indirect free kick is awarded if a player:
A player must be cautioned for:
Delaying the restart of play
Referees must caution players who delay the restart of play by:
Sending-off offences (Red Cards)
Head Coach is responsible for himself, his coaches, his players, his fans.
Anyone that is Ejected is GONE from that game and the NEXT ONE!!
A player, substitute or substituted player who commits any of the following offences is sent off:
A player, substitute or substituted player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area.
Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity
Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a deliberate handball offence the player is sent off wherever the offence occurs.
Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.) the offending player must be sent off.
A player, sent off player, substitute or substituted player who enters the field of play without the required referee’s permission and interferes with play or an opponent and denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is guilty of a sending-off offence.
The following must be considered:
Serious foul play
A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play. Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.
Violent conduct
Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made.
In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.
Offences where an object (or the ball) is thrown
In all cases, the referee takes the appropriate disciplinary action:
If the ball is out of play, play is restarted according to the previous decision
If the ball is in play and a player commits an offence inside the field of play against:
If, when the ball is in play:
If a player standing on or off the field of play throws an object (including the ball) at an opposing player, substitute, substituted or sent off player, or team official, match official or the ball, play is restarted with a direct free kick from the position where the object struck or would have struck the person or the ball. If this position is off the field of play, the free kick is taken on the nearest point on the boundary line; a penalty kick is awarded if this is within the offender’s penalty area.
If an offence is committed outside the field of play against a player, substitute, substituted player or team official of their own team, play is restarted with an indirect free kick on the boundary line closest to where the offence occurred.
If a player makes contact with the ball with an object (boot, shinguard etc.) held in the hand play is restarted with a direct free kick (or penalty kick).
If a substitute, substituted or sent off player, player temporarily off the field of play or team official throws or kicks an object onto the field of play and it interferes with play, an opponent or match official, play is restarted with a direct free kick (or penalty kick) where the object interfered with play or struck or would have struck the opponent, match official or the ball.
Direct and indirect free kicks are awarded to the opposing team of a player, substitute, substituted or sent off player, or team official guilty of an offence.
Indirect free kick signal
The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising the arm above the head; this signal is maintained until the kick has been taken and the ball touches another player or goes out of play. An indirect free kick must be retaken if the referee fails to signal that the kick is indirect and the ball is kicked directly into the goal.
Ball enters the goal
All free kicks are taken from the place where the offence occurred, except:
The ball:
Until the ball is in play all opponents must remain:
A free kick can be taken by lifting the ball with a foot or both feet simultaneously. Feinting to take a free kick to confuse opponents is permitted as part of football.
If a player, while correctly taking a free kick, intentionally kicks the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but not in a careless or reckless manner or using excessive force, the referee allows play to continue.
If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance, the kick is retaken unless the advantage can be applied; but if a player takes a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball intercepts it, the referee allows play to continue.
However, an opponent who deliberately prevents a free kick being taken quickly must be cautioned for delaying the restart of play.
If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its penalty area, any opponents are inside the penalty area because they did not have time to leave, the referee allows play to continue.
If an opponent who is in the penalty area when the free kick is taken, or enters the penalty area before the ball is in play, touches or challenges for the ball before it has touched another player, the free kick is retaken.
When there is a ‘wall’ of three or more defenders, the attackers are not allowed within 1m (1 yd) of the wall; an attacker less than 1m (1yd) from the ‘wall’ when the kick is taken will be penalized with an indirect free kick
When the defending team takes a free kick in their own penalty area, the ball is in play once the kick is taken; it does not have to leave the penalty area before it can be played
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded, if the kicker deliberately handles the ball:
A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their penalty area or off the field as part of play as outlined in Laws 12 and 13.A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.
The ball must be stationary on the penalty mark.
The player taking the penalty kick must be clearly identified.
The defending goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked.
The players other than the kicker and goalkeeper must be:
After the players have taken positions in accordance with this Law, the referee signals for the penalty kick to be taken.
The player taking the penalty kick must kick the ball forward; backheeling is permitted provided the ball moves forward.
The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.
The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.
The penalty kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play or the referee stops play for any offence.
Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken and completed at the end of each half of the match or extra time. When additional time is allowed, the penalty kick is completed when, after the kick has been taken, the ball stops moving, goes out of play, is played by any player (including the kicker) other than the defending goalkeeper, or the referee stops play for an offence by the kicker or the kicker’s team. If a defending team player (including the goalkeeper) commits an offence and the penalty is missed/saved, the penalty is retaken
Once the referee has signaled for a penalty kick to be taken, the kick must be taken. If, before the ball is in play, one of the following occurs:
If, after the penalty kick has been taken:
A throw-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball passes over the touchline, on the ground or in the air.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in:
At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower must:
Note: In the U8 and younger age groups, improper throw-ins are retaken and the second throw is played.
All opponents must stand at least 2 m (2 yds) from the point at which the throw-in is taken.
The ball is in play when it enters the field of play. If the ball touches the ground before entering, the throw-in is retaken by the same team from the same position. If the throw-in is not taken correctly it is retaken by the opposing team.
If a player, while correctly taking a throw-in, intentionally throws the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but neither in a careless nor a reckless manner nor using excessive force, the referee allows play to continue.
The thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
Offences and sanctions
If, after the ball is in play, the thrower touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded; if the thrower deliberately handles the ball:
An opponent who unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower (including moving closer than 2m (2yds) to the place where the throw-in is to be taken) is cautioned for unsporting behavior and if the throwin has been taken an indirect free kick is awarded.
For any other offence the throw-in is taken by a player of the opposing team.
A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a goal is not scored.
A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal a corner kick is awarded to the opponents if the ball left the penalty area.
Note: Placement of the ball for goal kicks in the U7 and U8 age groups is based on the ability to kick the ball out of the penalty area.
Offences and sanctions
If the ball is touched by an attacking player before it leaves the penalty area the kick is retaken.
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded
If the kicker deliberately handles the ball:
If an opponent who is in the penalty area when the goal kick is taken, or enters the penalty area before the ball is in play, touches or challenges for the ball before it has touched another player, the goal kick is retaken.
If a player enters the penalty area before the ball is in play and fouls or is fouled by an opponent, the goal kick is retaken and the offender may be cautioned or sent off depending on the offence.
For any other offence the kick is retaken.
A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored.
A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded;
If the kicker deliberately handles the ball:
If a player, while correctly taking a corner kick, intentionally kicks the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but not in a careless or reckless manner or using excessive force, the referee allows play to continue.
For any other offence the kick is retaken.
This rule introduces the implementation of a build out lines in the SBYSL short side competitions (U11 and younger). A build out line is a line on the field that is located equal distance between the penalty area and the halfway line.
The concept of a build out line is to encourage playing the ball out of the back, in a less pressured setting.
The build out line specifically impacts three key parts of the game, offside, goal kicks, and the goalkeeper putting the ball back into play once they have possession of the ball with their hands.
OFFSIDE The build out line denotes where an offside offense may begin to be penalized, replacing the halfway line for short side competition. Players are not penalized for offside between the halfway line and the build out line. Note: this portion of the rule only applies to games played on Banner field.
Offsides is not enforced on the younger age groups that play on the FSK fields.
GOAL KICK Opposing players must move behind the build out line during the taking of a goal kick.
They must remain behind the build out line until the ball is in play.
GOALKEEPER POSSESSION - BALL IN HAND Goalkeepers may NOT punt or drop kick the ball.
They must release the ball back into play with their hands. If a goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick, at the spot of the offense. If the offense takes place in the goal area, the ball is placed at the closest spot on the goal area line, parallel to the goal line. Goalkeepers can NOT throw the ball in the air, let it bounce and then kick it. That is a drop kick, and considered a violation.
When the goalkeeper has possession of the ball in hand, opposing players must move out of their offensive third, to a position behind the build out line. Once the goalkeeper releases possession with their hands, the opposing team may cross the build out line and resume normal play
Goalkeepers are permitted to put the ball into play while opponents are within their offensive third, but by doing so, the goalkeeper accepts the consequences of resuming normal play before the opponents move beyond the build out line.