PLAYOFFS RULES

FIELD OF PLAY  

1 - The coaches’ technical area on each side of the halfway line shall be marked by two lines off the field of play and perpendicular to the touch line.  The area shall be as long as the diameter of the center circle. Where possible, the coaches’ technical area shall include two additional lines, with one line parallel to and at least one yard from the touch line, and a second parallel line no more than three yards from the touch line. 

2. The field shall be marked, where possible, with a spectator control line parallel to the touch line at a distance of at least three yards from the touch line. Coaches and officials should help the assistant referees keep spectators behind the spectator control line and between the top lines of the penalty area. 

3. Spectators shall not be allowed behind the goal lines, with the exception of photographers who have received authorization from the referee, and who shall remain quiet and sufficiently back from the goal lines. 

Match play shall be governed by the IFAB Laws of the Game as modified by AYSO (with permission), the AYSO National Rules & Regulations and the age appropriate AYSO Coach Manual.   

Playoff Rules for U10, U12, U14

• Single Elimination games

• Only the winning team advances to the next round

• Medals are awarded to first and second place.

• Games cannot end in a tie. 

• In preliminary rounds, the game may go directly to kicks from the mark.  

• In finals or other games at the discretion of the region there will be two extra periods, 5 min each, if the game is tied at the end of regulation.

  • No golden goal. Both extra periods must be played.

  • If the game is tied at the end of the extra periods, there will be kicks from the mark to determine the winner.

Pool Games Seeding Tie-Breakers for U10, U12 and U14

1. Head to Head 

2. Goal differential 

3. Fewest goals allowed 

4. Fewest penalty (red or yellow cards)

5. Coin Toss 

In U8 and lower divisions if seeding is required it will be done based on total volunteer and referee points.

Duration of Games

Division  Maximum Duration of Half  

U5 10 minutes 

6U 10 minutes 

8U 20 minutes 

10U 25 minutes 

12U 30 minutes 

14U 35 minutes 

Half‐time periods shall be a minimum of five and a maximum of ten minutes as designated by the referee.  

Kicks From The Penalty Mark Procedures. U10, U12, U14

• Only players on the field at the end of the second extra period may take kicks

• Coach will identify the first 5 players to take the kicks.

• The players other than the kicker and goalkeeper must be:

o at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the penalty mark

o behind the penalty mark

o inside the field of play

o outside the penalty area

• The ball must be stationary on the penalty mark and the goalposts, crossbar and goal net must not be moving.

• Team with the most goals after the first 5 kicks is declared the winner.

• If the game is still tied after the first 5 kicks, each team will take a turn to kick until one team has more goal.

• All players on the field must take a kick (including the goal keeper)

Kicks From The Mark (Penalty Kicks) Procedures. U5, U6, U8

• Mark 10 steps from the goal the kicks will be taken

• No goalkeeper

Playing time and Substitutions

1. All rostered players must play at least half of the match, excluding overtime.  Such participation is controlled as follows for 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U divisions:  

a. Approximately midway through each half the referee shall permit substitution. This normally occurs during a regular stoppage in play, and the match is resumed with the appropriate restart (i.e. throw‐ in, goal kick, corner kick, kick‐off, free kick, penalty kick or dropped ball).  On occasion the referee may need to stop play for substitution while the ball is in play, in which case the match is resumed with a dropped ball.  

b. Substitutions may also be made at half‐time and at the start of any overtime periods.  

c. When the referee signals for substitution, the coaches should have all substitutes entering the match immediately report to the referee or the designated assistant referees, who shall note on the lineup cards those team members substituting.  

d. During such stoppages, the coach of each team may substitute as many team members, or none, including previously substituted team members, as long as all eligible team members meet the minimum playing requirements.  

e. The referee shall allow for any time lost due to substitution or other cause by stopping his/her watch or adding playing time. 

Note: minimum playing time does not apply to extra periods since everyone have already played the minimum half during regulation. You can play anyone. However, take note that only players on the field in the second extra period may take PKs if the game is still tied at the end of the extra period.