SFYS City Rules SummaryPrintable

This rules summary is provided to the referees as a service. These are not the official rules of the competition. NO warranty is made that this summary is up to date.

Last Updated 7/10/25

League - Weather Hot Line / Game Day Hot Line

Questions? Talk to field marshal first. No field marshal? Call 415-794-2974

Player Passes

ALL Players must be pictured on a "Game Day Photo Roster"
Guest Players must be on printed "Game Day Roster".
NO handwritten players.

Adults

Only 2 coaches in the Technical Area ("Coaches' Box"). Adults must be pictured on the game day roster. Guest coach okay IF they have a pictured game day roster from the match date. Cannot use an old roster.

Player Counts

2nd (U08) & 3rd Grade (U10) - 7v7 - Minimum 5 Maximum 13
4th (U11) & 5th (U12) Grade  - 9v9 - Minimum 7 Maximum 15
6th-8th Grade - U15 - 9v9 - Minimum 7 Maximum 18

Referee Crew

>> One USSF Referee and two volunteer assistant referees (STAR or club lines)
>> Games that start late must be shortened equally in each half to end on time. 
>> No coach? no passes? no team? - do not wait more than 5 minutes.
>> Running late? - check passes at half time.
>> Greet STARs. 
>> Referees are encouraged to explain infractions.
>> You must have a W9 form on file with Pensra or SFYS

Match Reports

Submit match reports online at the Pensra website-> Must logon

>> No report = no pay
>> Report rainouts. You are paid if the game started. Otherwise no pay.
>> Report possible forfeits. You are paid. You do not declare a forfeit or the winner - leave that to the league!
>> Record/report the names and team affiliation of the STAR referees.

Blow Out Rule

Gently remind - do not enforce.
Coaches are requested to reduce the number of their players when the goal differential is +4
Remind coaches that they can lose a point for winning by 5 or more goals.

Age specific

Legal slide tackling is permitted at all ages
PK and DFK all ages.
Offside enforced all ages.

Age specific 2nd & 3rd Grade

DFK at 8 yards
PK at 8 yards
One re-throw on throw-ins at referee disretion.   Referess instruct the players.
Buildout line

Deliberate Heading

No deliberate heading
... 2nd - 5th Grade - U08-U13. Infractions are an IFK.

Match Length

2nd Grade - U09 - 4 x 10 minute quarters  (1 minute between 1st & 2nd  and 3rd & 4th) (5 minutes between 2nd and 3rd)
3rd Grade - U10 - 4 X 12 minute quarters (1 minute between 1st & 2nd  and 3rd & 4th) (5 minutes between 2nd and 3rd)
4th Grade - U11 - 2 X 30 minute
5th Grade - U12 - 2 X 30 minute
6th-8th Grade - U15 - 2 X 35 minute

Substitutions  

2nd Grade - U09 - At 10 minutes, half time and for injured player.
3rd Grade - U10 - At 12 minutes, half time and for injured player
4th-8th Grade - U11 thru U15 - Unlimited substitutions at any stoppage with referee permission
Do NOT add time for time lost for substitutions.

Half Time

5 minute half time at all levels.

IFAB "Only Captains"

Youth leagues are not adopting the IFAB requirements for captain armbands and the "only captains" mechanic.  Posted July 22, 2025

Send offs

Click here-> for procedure.

Other

2nd - 5th Grade - U09-U12  - Size 4     

Playoffs 

  • Each half reduced by 5 minutes
  • If tied - straight to KFTPM
  • KFTPM for 7v7 is best of 3 then sudden death - from 8 yds.
  • KFTPM for 9v9 is best of 3 then sudden death- from 10 yds
  • KFPTM for 11v11 is best of 5 then sudden death.
  • Only 10 minutes allotted for KFTPM - keep it moving!
  • No guest players

Playoff Rules 2024 - check which tab you are on

Websites

General Information (Pay)->
Referee Resources->
Become a Ref->
How to get games->
Multi tabbed -Rules Fall 2024