Roster, field, ball, goal sizes for all age groups:

• 5U & 6U

Players on field: 4 V 4 no goal keepers

Field: L (25‐35y) X W (15-25y)

Ball:  Size 3

Goals: 4’ X 6’ (hockey goals or flag goals)

Roster: Up to 6 recommended for single field or 12 for side‐by‐side fields format.

Playing time:  4 quarters of 8 minutes each.

• 7U & 8U

Players on field: 4 V 4 no goal keepers

Field: L (25‐35y) X W (15-25y)

Ball:  Size 3

Goals: 4’ X 6’ (recommended) up to 6’ X 12’

Up to 6 recommended for single field or 12 for side‐by‐side fields format.

Playing time:  4 quarters of 8 minutes each.

• 9U & 10U

Players on field: 7 V 7 including a goalkeeper

Field: L (55-65y) X W (35-45y)

Ball:  Size 4

Goals: 6’ X 18’

Playing time:  2 halves of 25 minutes each

Roster: Up to 14

• 11U & 12U

Players on field: 9 V 9 including a goalkeeper

Field: L (70-80y) X W (45-55y)

Goals: 7’ x 21’ are recommended, but 6’x18’ are acceptable

Ball:  Size 4

Playing time:  2 halves of 30 minutes each

Roster: Up to 16

• 13U & 14U

Numbers: 11 V 11 including a goalkeeper

Field: L (100-120y) X W(60-80y).  100-105y long x 60-65y wide recommended.

Goals: 8’ x 24’

Ball:  Size 5

Playing time:  2 halves of 35 minutes each

Roster: 22 maximum; no more than 18 can “suit up” per game

• 15U & 16U

Players on field: 11 V 11 including a goalkeeper

Field: L (100-120y) X W(60-80y).  105-110 long x 65-70 wide recommended.

Goals: 8’ x 24’

Ball:  Size 5

Playing time:  2 halves of 40 minutes each

Roster: 22 maximum; no more than 18 can “suit up” per game

• U17 - 19U                                                                                                          

Player on field: 11 V 11 including a goalkeeper

Field: L (100-120y) X W(60-80y).  110-115 long x 70-80 wide recommended.

Goals: 8’ x 24’

Ball:  Size 5

Playing time:  2 halves of 45 minutes each

Roster: 22 maximum; no more than 18 can “suit up” per game

What the Ref Needs to see

• A MAYSA approved roster with jersey numbers (which team staff may write in). Team admins are able to print their team roster from PlayMetrics. Teams can also request a copy of the team roster from their club registrar or admin.  A copy of the roster should be left with the referee at each league game.
• Both teams located on the same side of the field, and spectators located on the opposite side. Team staff and players shall be restricted to the "technical area." The Technical area essentially covers an area from either edge of the center circle to 20 yds towards the goal line of the side of the field on which they are located.
• All staff on the team side of the field must have WYSA issued Risk Management (RM) passes.
• Teams are permitted to have up to 3 team staff present on the team side of the field during games.

Equipment, Uniforms, Rules & Restrictions

• All players MUST WEAR SHINGUARDS.
• ALL players in MAYSA League are required to wear matching, numbered, jerseys. Competitive teams are required to wear matching socks and shorts.
• Sponsor logos may be placed on jerseys but may not obstruct view of player number and may not promote alcoholic beverages nor tobacco products. 
• Shirts worn underneath a player's jersey need not exactly match the jersey color. However, every attempt should be made to cover zippers or other hard edges.  Similarly, sweatpants are acceptable so long as other equipment requirements (i.e., shinguards, socks) are also worn.  
• The home team must provide alternative jerseys with numbers if a color conflict arises. MAYSA recommends the use of t-shirts (white for example) Numbers on these alternate shirts is not required for recreational teams.
• Soft molded cleats are recommended. Cleats should have no sharp edge.
• Jewelry (including pierced earrings) may NOT be worn.
• Splints and or any kind of casts are NOT allowed, unless approved by the MAYSA Referee Assignor. If approval is given a hard copy form will be provided for the player/team to present to officials at the match. Players/teams should not assume that wrapping a cast or applying padding will necessarily result in approval to play. The safety of all players on the field must be taken into consideration.

Home team provides:

• Six field markers : Four corner flags and one cone (or flag) marker for each side of the field at midfield (one yard off the sideline)
• Nets for goals if they are to be used (strongly encouraged)
• A properly inflated ball, in good condition
• U-6 through U-8: Size 3
• U-9 through U-12: Size 4
• U-13 and older: Size 5

Player Safety

Soccer is a relatively safe sport. However, as with any activity, the chance for injury does exist. If a player should become injured during a game, the following procedures should be used for game management purposes:

1. The referee is charged with the responsibility of stopping play. They are to use their best judgment in evaluating the severity of the injury and game situation that exists. For example, if a player twists his or her ankle and an opponent has a breakaway attempt, the referee may, in his or her opinion, allow play to continue until there is opportunity for a logical stoppage (i.e. Team with injured player has possession, ball goes out of play, etc). Conversely, if the injury appears to be severe, the referee may immediately stop play.
2. The coach of the injured player is the only team personnel allowed on the field. Furthermore, that coach must wait for the referee to beckon him or her on to the field.
3. All players presently on the field must remain on the field while the injured player(s) is (are) being attended to. There is no requirement that the players sit down, etc. only that the players remain on the field.
4. The clock does not stop in USSF sanctioned play. The referee may however, at his or her discretion, add an appropriate amount of time to the game.

Forfeit Criteria and Game Cancellations

A grace period of ten minutes beyond the scheduled game time is permitted for teams to arrive, after which time the game is declared a forfeit by the absent/understaffed team. Each team must have the following MINIMUM number of players present for a match to commence:

For leagues in which scores are kept, a forfeit will be recorded as a 0-1 loss for the absent/understaffed team.

Field & Weather Conditions and Game Cancellations

MAYSA does not cancel games due to weather conditions. Field conditions, however, may merit game cancellations. Cancellations due to field conditions are made by coaches and club field coordinators by early morning prior to the game, or by referees at game time.

The referee may cancel a game at game time or anytime thereafter due to lightning or other severe weather.

MAYSA Severe Weather Policy

Referees must suspend a game if they hear thunder or see lightning. All participants are to move away from the fields and into a storm shelter or vehicle. Referees are to keep participants away from the field and not to restart the game until at least 30 minutes following the last detectable thunder or lightning.

At the field, the decision to stop, suspend or terminate a game lies exclusively with the referee regarding any other severe weather conditions.

Game Cancellation Decisions

Prior to a MAYSA league game, early enough to notify all parties on the day of the game) games may be cancelled due to poor field conditions.

MAYSA makes the determination to cancel games due to field conditions for Reddan Soccer Park only.
The Madison City Parks Department makes the determinations for Madison city parks.
Field Coordinators for Clubs make determinations for their leased fields. They may work with the Parks departments as well.
Home coaches may also make the decision to cancel a game due to field conditions.

For Club In-house league games (leagues formed within the club), contact the Club for policies regarding game cancellations and reschedules.

Once the game has started, the decision to stop play rests solely with the referee. If the game is called prior to half time, the game is to be re-played in its entirety. If the game is called at halftime or any point thereafter, the game is considered a complete game and the final score stands. Referee(s) shall be paid in full for games which were started but had to be terminated at any point due to weather.

Game Cancellation Checklist:

• Make a determination on the day of the match as early as is reasonably possible, if cancellation is appropriate ‘due to field conditions’. (A trip to the field for direct observation is recommended.)
• For Tier 3 & 4 level games the HOME coach is responsible for:
  • Notifying their opponent’s manager or coach
  • Notifying their club's Licensed Referee Assignor to alert referees
• For Tier 1 & 2 level games, the HOME coach is responsible for:
  • Notifying their opponent’s manager or coach
  • Notifying Linda Huttenhoff (lhuttenhoff@maysa.org) as soon as possible to alert referees

MAYSA reserves the right to issue penalties for failure to observe these notification procedures. The following are potential consequences for the team's club:

• Not notifying the opposing team about a cancelled game: $50 fine
• Not notifying the referee(s) about a cancelled game: Fine equal to the total fees due to the referee(s).

No game should be rescheduled except when:

• State Championship game conflicts arise that were not predictable (play-in games), or
• A referee has stopped a game before the end of the first half.

All other circumstances do not warrant any changes to the schedule after the final schedule release.

Any date selected for a rescheduled game must be at least seven days in the future from the date on which the MAYSA Referee Coordinator is notified via email about the rescheduled game.

Game Reschedule Procedure

1. Determine reschedule date based on agreement between coaches, and consultation with field coordinator to secure field availability.
2. Email MAYSA's Referee Coordinator, Linda Huttenhoff (lhuttenhoff@maysa.org) the details regarding the rescheduled game. Copy both coaches on this email to confirm agreement. (Do not leave phone message.)
3. Information required:
   • Both teams' identification, including name, gender, age group, and division of play
   • Game Number 
   • Original game location, date and time  
   • New game location, date and time

MAYSA will then re-post the rescheduled game to the Arbiter for referee assigning, and update the online schedule.

The Madison Area Youth Soccer Association (MAYSA) Code of Ethics & Conduct is intended to help all stakeholders become the best they can be. MAYSA stakeholders include players, teams, parents, coaches, clubs and administrators. All are challenged to not only meet a high standard of sportsmanship, Fair Play and respect for the game but to set a high standard regardless of the actions or behavior of others.

All participants are encouraged to be familiar with the FIFA Laws of the Game and any US Youth Soccer, Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association or MAYSA adaptations. In addition, all participants are expected to show the utmost respect to referees at all times and abide by MAYSA No Tolerance Policy for Referee Abuse. Participants need not agree with the decisions of referees but are fully expected to accept and abide by the decisions. No individual may confront a game official at halftime, during the game or post game for any reason other than to retrieve player pass cards, shake hands or say “thank you”.

Players and Teams

• Shall be respectful to opponents, game officials, spectators and the field of play itself before, during and after every training or match.
• Shall never use profane language, taunt opponents or attempt to injure an opponent in any manner.
• Shall embrace the Spirit of the Game and the joy of competition over winning and losing.
• Shall understand that the post-game handshake is an important symbol of sportsmanship and appreciation for the opponent and that it is mandatory.

Coaches

• Must have a full understanding of the FIFA Laws of the Game and any adaptations.
• Shall be familiar with MAYSA policies, including: Club Passing, use of Guest Players and MAYSA’s No- Recruitment Policy.
• Shall emphasize the importance of participation, value of competition and player development over winning and losing.
• Shall participate in the post-game handshake.
• Shall refrain from negative coaching from the sidelines and refrain from yelling at players, opponents and game officials from the sidelines.
• Shall be responsible for the actions of their players and spectators before, during and after a match. Coaches are expected to consistently ensure a safe and supportive environment for players on both teams and referees.
• Shall be aware that only the team’s coach is permitted to provide feedback regarding the referee. Further, referee comments, questions or concerns may be directed to the Madison Area Soccer Referee Unit (MASRU) per the form available on the MASRU website, www.masru.org.

Parents and Spectators

• Are encouraged to cheer for sportsmanship and good plays, no matter who makes them.
• Will abstain from the use of tobacco products and alcohol in the areas immediately surrounding the field of play.
• Will be familiar with and aware of any specific rules or requirements for fields and facilities. For example, the prohibition of dogs (unless they are service dogs), which is typical at most (but not necessarily all) parks and facilities.
• Will respect the team’s designated coach and minimize confusion among players by abstaining from coaching from the sideline.
• Will interact in a cooperative and positive manner with the parents & spectators from the opposing team.

Club admin, directors, other staff

• Will work cooperatively with MAYSA leadership and staff with respect to the registration of players, placement of teams, scheduling and other administrative duties.
• Will actively help MAYSA communicate its goals & policies and meet deadlines.
• Will promote the growth of soccer throughout MAYSA, irrespective of club affiliation.

Violations

Any players, coaches, parents or administrators who violate the MAYSA Code of Ethics & Conduct or its intent may be subject to any or all of the following: a formal/written warning, suspensions ranging from a single game to a lifetime ban or other sanctions at the discretion of MAYSA Competitive Committee. MAYSA reserves the right to apply the ‘Common Sense Rule’ to any actions by players, coaches, parents & spectators and club administrators which may not be specifically addressed by the Code of Ethics & Conduct.

The MAYSA Board of Directors and Staff will also be expected to hold themselves accountable to the MAYSA Code of Ethics & Conduct.