Please reach out to a CGSA representative for a paper copy or email info@cgsa.ca for a pdf copy of these rules. Due to formatting these rules may not read perfectly on this website.**

**Please note any time a CGSA team enters a tournament or outside event, those rules will trump CGSA rules and will need to be followed by all players.**

 

CGSA OUTDOOR RULES:

Rule 1: Field Markings  

Please note CGSA uses a variety of indoor facilities during the indoor season. Dimensions for the field may vary from facility to facility and their may be discrepancies between where certain markings are places on each field of play(Ie// corner kick markings). CGSA does its best to maintain a uniform rule across all platforms but where any question arises, the final decision will fall to the referee of the game and they will have sole decision making over the final rule. Any question or concern regarding a field marking, rule, or call may thereafter be brought to complaints@cgsa.ca

In general our indoor field markings will be as follows:

 

 

Rule 2: The Ball  

For a ball to be considered official, it is required to be spherical, made of leather or other suitable  material and it is of proper size. The ball circumference cannot be more than 70 cm (28 inches) and not less than 58 cm (23 inches).  

Soccer balls come in 3 different sizes: 3, 4, & 5. The ball size is shown on the ball. 

U5: Size 3
U7: Size 3 
U9: Size 4
U11: Size 4
U13: Size 5
U15: Size 5
U17: Size 5

Rule 3: Number of Players  

· A team must have a minimum 4 players. Cannot start or continue a game if a team has 3 or less players, it will be considered a forfeit for the team without enough players. 
· There is no time limit for players to arrive at the field and be allowed to play, Players arriving late must wait for a whistle or referee allowance to cross the field.
· Unlimited substitutions. 
· All players including trialists must be listed on the game sheet. . 
· Trialist is defined as a player who can play on another team at the same age group or higher for up to 5 games for one team and up to 7 games total in the season(Including tournaments). A team may use up to a maximum of 5 trialists per game, so long as they do not exceed their original roster size per team ramp registration(IE/ if a team has 12 players and 2 are ill, they may use 2 trialists, however if 7 are ill they may only use 5 trialists.) Any coach using trialists during a game must email their soccer director the name of the trialist used, and their original team. Trialists will be tracked via spreadsheet and overuse may result in penalty.

2024/2025 Indoor Season Age Groups and Players on field: 

U7: 5 players on each team
U9: 7 players on each team* 
U11: 6 players on each team*
U13: 6 players on each team*
U15: 6 players on each team* 
* Minimum 4 players to start or continue a game, other team does not have to match player numbers,  they can play up to their allowed number players on field.

Rule 4: The Players Equipment  

· A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous 
· All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands etc.) are  forbidden and must be removed. MedAlert Jewelry is the only exception to this rule and all coaches and referees must be made aware before the game begins.
· Small stud nose piercings will be allowed. However players and parents are asked to NOT get a player's nose pierced during an active soccer season. 
· Using tape to cover Jewelry is not permitted except in the instance of covering small stud earrings, however hoops are not allowed in any circumstance and must be removed*.

*Please note CGSA rules may not be the same as other entities and if your player enters a tournament or is representing CGSA at an outside event they are expected to follow all piercing rules of said event.

Compulsory Equipment 

· Stockings (socks) 
· Shin guards (covered entirely by stockings, rubber/plastic, provide reasonable protection)
· Suitable indoor footwear  
· Goalkeeper must wear different color jersey than all other players and referees
· If player leaves field to correct equipment, they must be checked by the referee before re-entering the field of play 
· If cautioned during play, free kick to opposing team at spot of ball when play was stopped

Hard Cast Policy 

· Rigid/Hard Casts are not allowed to be worn in any game 
· Soft (Neoprene) Casts are allowed 

All rulings are at the discretion of the referee as to whether or not the cast, brace or equipment is  potentially injurious to another player

 

Rule 5: The Duration of the Match  

· 2 halves specified by the age group times below (unless mutually agreed upon by both teams and referee) 
· Halftime interval must not exceed 3 minutes
· Clock is not used in U7, nor is score kept. Clock is not stopped in U9 and up for any reason other than a time out.
· Each team is permitted 1- 30 second time out per game with a clock stoppage.
· If the game is called before it has finished for any reason and 66% or more of the game has elapsed the game will be considered played, if less than 66% of the game has elapsed the game will be considered unplayed, and will be rescheduled.

Age Groups Times: 

U7: 20 minute practice, 25 min game(2-12 min halves with a 3 min break)
U9: 2 X 25 minute halves, 2 minute halftime 
U11: 2 X 25 minute halves, 2 minute halftime
U13: 2 X 25 minute halves, 2 minute halftime  
U15: 2 X 25 minute halves, 2 minute halftime
U17: 2 X 25 minute halves, 2 minute halftime

Rule 6: The Referees  

· The referee is in charge of the match and enforces the Rules of the Game. One referee will direct play from the field and the other will control the time box, while providing a second set of eyes.
· Allows play to continue when the team against which an offense has been committed will  benefit from such an advantage and penalizes the original offense if the anticipated advantage does not materialize at that time 
· The referee's decision is final. The referee may not change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect if play has restarted, e.g. Restart after goal scored, signaled end of 1st or 2nd half. 
· Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of technical offenses, cautionable and sending-off offenses. The referee does not have to take action immediately but can wait until the ball next goes out of play 
· Within reason provide direction and clarification to players as needed during the game 

ZERO TOLERANCE 

**Any level of Harassment or Abuse will not be tolerated at referees, officials or players, any  incident will be recorded on the game sheet and submitted for CGSA committee to review for  possible further sanctions and disciplinary actions** 

**In-game action can include verbal warning, yellow card or red card as determined  necessary by the Referee** 

Rule 7: Substitutions  

· Field player substitutions are unlimited and may take place at any time including "on the fly",  without having to notify the referee for permission, play will not stop for “on the fly”  substitutions 
· A player is considered to have left the field of play when they are between the restart line and  between either end of the teams bench
· New player may enter from either gate of the team's bench 

Guaranteed Substitution Opportunity: 
· After a time-penalty has been awarded 
· Serious injury to player 
· After a goal has been scored 

Goalkeeper substitution: (any player can change with the goalkeeper) 
· Referee has to be notified 
· Change is made at a guaranteed substitution opportunity or during halftime

Too many players 
· Examples: substitute comes on too early or player going off intentionally interferes with play  when sub has entered the field 
· Team is penalized with a 2-minute technical offence penalty and must play 1 player down (if a  goal is scored during the 2-minute technical penalty, the player may re-enter the field)  · Free kick to opposing team at spot of ball when play was stopped 

Rule 8: Start and Restart of Play  

· The team entitled to the kick has 5 seconds to play the ball, following a signal from the referee · (if taking more than 5 seconds, the kicker is penalized by a 2-minute technical offence penalty  for delaying the restart, however the team remains entitled to the restart) 

Kick-off 
· Start of match / After a goal is scored / Start of 2nd half of match 
· Home team decides which goal it will attack in the first half 
· Visiting team has the kick-off to start the match 
· Home team has the kick-off to start the 2nd half of match 
· Teams change sides and attack the opposite goals in the 2nd half of match · After a team scores a goal, a kick-off is taken by the other team 

Procedure: 
· All players must be in their own half of the field except the player taking the kick-off
· Opponents of the team taking the kick-off must be 15 feet from the ball  
· Ball must be stationary on the center mark 
· The referee gives a signal 
· Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves in any direction 
· Free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the kicker touches the ball again before it is  touched by another player (double touch) 
· The kick-off is retaken for all other infringements at kick-off

 

Rule 9: Methods of Scoring  

· A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no offense has been committed by the team scoring the goal.
· If the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded.
· 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. There is no overtime in CGSA.

Rule 10: Three Line Violation  

For a three-line violation, the referee awards a free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the  restart mark at the center of the violating team's defensive line 

A three-line violation occurs: 

· When the ball touches or is played by a player in their own defensive zone, and · The ball completely crosses all 3 lines in the air without touching another player, the referee,  the field of play, the touch walls or goal wall in the defensive zone from which it was played 

When a team has 2 fewer players eligible to be on the field than the opposing team, the three-line  violation does not apply for the team with fewer players

Rule 11: Fouls and Misconduct  

A free kick* is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following 7 offenses  in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
 · Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent 
· Trips or attempts to trip an opponent 
· Jumps at an opponent 
· Charges an opponent 
· Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent 
· Pushes an opponent 
· Tackles an opponent 

A  free kick* is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following 6 offenses: 
· Holds an opponent 
· Impedes an opponent with contact 
· Boards an opponent
· Bites or spits at an opponent 
· Handles the ball deliberately (except goalkeeper within own penalty area) 
· Makes contact with a held object or throws an object at the ball, opponent or match official 

**A direct kick is awarded at U11, U13, U15 and U17. An indirect free kick is awarded at U9.

An Indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper inside their own penalty area commits one of the following offenses: (free kick taken from spot of offense) 

· controls the ball with the hand/arm for more than six seconds before releasing it
· touches the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it and before it has touched another player
· touches the ball with the hand/arm, unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or attempted to  kick the ball to release it into play, after: 
· it has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate 
· receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
· Controls ball with feet or body in penalty area for longer than 5 seconds to purposely delay  game before then touching the ball with hands

A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball with the hand(s) when: 

· the ball is between the hands or between the hand and any surface (e.g. ground, own body) or  by touching it with any part of the hands or arms except if the ball rebounds from the  goalkeeper or the goalkeeper has made a save 
· holding the ball in the outstretched open hand 
· bouncing it on the ground or throwing it in the air 

A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with the hand(s).

 

Rule 12: Disciplinary Cards 

Careless:  

(Accidental, carelessness, or due to player’s incoordination) 

Means that the player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making the challenge or that they acted without precaution: no further disciplinary sanction is needed if a foul is judged to be careless 

· First and second offense will be a free kick and verbal warning for each offense
· 3rd offense is yellow card (persistent foul ruling)(player number and team noted by referee)and 2-minute penalty box for player, team plays with 1 player down for 2 minutes(U9 players will serve their penalty on their team bench)
· 4th offense is 2nd yellow and red card. At the U9 level the player will receive a 5 minute penalty on the bench while the team plays down, at the U11 and above age groups, player is sent off the field and team plays with 1 player down for the rest of the game. (player sent off is to leave the field and bench area before the game can resume) 

Reckless: 

(Intentional, extreme carelessness, recklessness) 

Means that the player has acted with complete disregard of the danger to, or consequences for their opponent: a player who plays in a reckless manner shall be cautioned  

· First offense is yellow card(player number and team noted by referee) and 2-minute penalty box for player, team plays with 1 player down for 2 minutes(U9 players will serve their penalty on their team bench).
· 2nd offense is 2nd yellow and red card. At the U9 level the player will receive a 5 minute penalty on the bench while the team plays down, at the U11 and above age groups, player is sent off and the team plays with 1 player down for the rest of the game. (player sent off is to leave the field and bench area before the game can resume) 

Using excessive force: 

(Extreme aggression, intentional, excessive force and dangerous play) 

Means that the player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring an opponent: a player who uses excessive force shall be sent off 

· First offense is a red card. At the U9 level the player will receive a 5 minute penalty on the bench while the team plays down, at the U11 and above age groups, player is sent off and the team plays with 1 player down for the rest of the game. (player sent off is to leave the field and bench area before the game can resume) 

**If a goal is scored against a team who has a player serving a 2-minute penalty, the player may re-enter the field.
If a goal is scored against a team who is serving a 5 min penalty with 1 player down, there is no relief.**

· If a red card is shown by a Referee, a report including player #, team and details of the incident  are to be recorded and provided to the league committee
· Straight red cards will be reviewed by the league disciplinary committee for potential further  suspensions or disciplinary action 
*Red cards at U9. Offending team does not play with 1 player down for the rest of the game, the red carded player will have a 5 minute penalty on the team bench and then return to the game. If a referee believes a player of team is abusing this, or is in need of a stricter punishment during play, they will ask the board to review the player in question. 

Spitting 

· Spitting at or on another player, team official or referee is an automatic Red Card.  Player is sent off and the team plays with 1 player down for the rest of the game. (player sent off is to leave the field and bench area before the game can resume) (U9 player to serve a 5 minute red card penalty on the team bench instead of leaving the game)
· Spitting downwards (ruled as not intentionally at a player, team official or referee) is a Yellow Card (player number and team noted by referee) 

 

Rule 12: Free Kicks  

A direct free kick means that the kick can be taken as a direct shot on goal.  

See Rule 11 for when to award a direct free kick. 

A direct kick can be awarded at U11, U13, U15 and U17. An indirect free kick is awarded at U9, there are no direct kicks in this age. 

An indirect free kick means that someone else has to touch the ball before it can be taken as a shot on goal.

Free Kicks are awarded to the opposing team if in the opinion of the referee, a player:
· Plays in a dangerous manner 
· Impedes the progress of an opponent 
· is guilty of dissent, using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures or other verbal offenses 
· Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands 

Procedure: 
· A free kick is taken from the place the offense occurred. 
· If a free kick is kicked into the players own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team 
· Ball must be stationary 
· Free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the kicker touches the ball again before it is touched by another player (double touch) 
· All opponents at least 15 ft from the ball (unless they stand on their own goal line between the  goal posts) 
· Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves 
· The kicker has 5 seconds to kick the ball, following a signal from the referee, (the referee indicates visually and verbally the 5 second count) 

Retake free kick if: 
· opponent is closer than 15 ft and no advantage 

Free kick to defending team inside their Penalty Area: 

· All opponents at least 15 ft from the ball · All opponents outside the penalty area until the ball is in play 
· Ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area (retake if the ball does not leave  the penalty area) 
· Defending team can take the free kick from any point inside the penalty area 

Retake free kick if: 

· opponent is closer than 15 ft and no advantage  
· if free kick is taken from within penalty area and the ball does not leave the penalty area with one kick

Rule 13: Penalty Kick  

A penalty kick is awarded if any of the 12 direct free kick offenses in Rule 11 are committed by a  player inside their own penalty area irrespective of the position of the ball. 
· Penalty kick is taken from the Penalty Mark 
· Player taking penalty kick must be clearly identified 
· Goalkeeper only required to have one foot on the line, facing kicker, between goalposts until ball has been kicked 
· All other players outside the penalty area and penalty arc, behind the penalty mark and at least 15 feet from the penalty mark 

Procedure: 
· When all players are in their positions as per above, 
· Referee signals for penalty kick to be taken 
· The penalty kick must be kicked forward and is in play when it moves forward
· Player taking the penalty kick cannot touch 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 offense. 

*U11 Level and lower - NO Penalty Kicks (New and early developing goalkeepers)   

*U13, U15 and U17 - Penalty Kicks are allowed

 

 

Rule 14: The Ball In and Out of Play: Ceilings or Side  

The ball is out of play when: 

· It has wholly crossed a perimeter wall (e.g. bench area) or has touched the side netting
· It strikes the netting or any structure above or overhanging the field of play (this includes any netting at the top of a full-length glass perimeter wall) 

Ball is in play at all other times including: 

· Rebounds off goalpost, crossbar or perimeter wall and remains in the field of play
· Rebounds of the referee 
· Unintentionally touches a player who is being replaced by a sub and is within the restart line and the gates to the bench
· Touches any part of the glass on a full-length glass perimeter wall or glass above thin boards

Out of Play - Side: 

· A direct free kick (U9 indirect) is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball crosses the touch wall or touches the side netting
· The free kick is taken from the restart line or between the restart line and the touch wall where the ball went out of play 

Out of Play - Ceiling: 

· A direct free kick (U9 indirect) is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the ball strikes the netting or structure above the field of play 
· The free kick is taken at the restart mark at the center of the defensive line closest to where the ball was last touched or played. 

Procedure: 

· Opponents must be at least 15 feet from the ball 
· Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves 
· Free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the kicker touches the ball again before it is touched by another player (double touch) 
· Any other infringement, the kick is retaken

 

Rule 15: Handling The Ball

For the purposes of determining handball offenses, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit 

 

 

It is an offense if a player: 

· Deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, including moving the hand/arm towards the ball  
· After the ball has touched their or a team-mate’s hand/arm, even if accidental, and immediate leads to a goal or creates a creates a goal-scoring opportunity  

It is an offense if a player touches the ball with their hand/arm when:  

· The hand/arm has made their body unnaturally bigger  
· The hand/arm is above/beyond their shoulder level (unless the player deliberately plays the ball  which then touches their hand/arm 
· The above offenses apply even if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm directly from the head or  body (including the foot) of another player who is close 

Except for the above offenses, it is not an offense if the ball touches a player’s and/arm: 
· If the hand/arm is close to the body and does not make the body unnaturally bigger
· Directly from the player’s own head or body (including the foot)  
· Directly from the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close 
· When a player falls and the hand/arm is between the body and the ground to support the body, but not extended laterally or vertically away from the body  

In determining whether or not a player deliberately handled the ball, the referee has several considerations:  

· Movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)  
· Distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)  
· Position of the hand ('natural' position versus 'unnatural' position) does not necessarily mean  that there is an infringement 

All handball offenses will be at the Referee’s discretion based on these rules.

 

Rule 15: Slide Tackling

· Slide tackling from behind a player unprepared for a slide tackle is not permitted
· A direct free-kick (U9 indirect) will be awarded to the opposing team 

· The above rules will apply to slide tackles from behind and will be assessed as reckless or excessive force
· For all other slide tackles just like any other tackle the referee will take into account if the tackle endangers the safety of the opponent, as well as determining whether the tackle was careless, reckless or involves excessive force 

Sliding to save a ball from going in the goal, sliding to score a goal, sliding to block a shot, and the like do not constitute a "slide tackle" as per this rule.
Goalies may use the slide tackle within their own penalty area; however, they fall under the same rule as a field player once they have exited their penalty area. 
All fouls for slide tackles, will be at the Referee’s discretion

 

Rule 16: The Goal Kick

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. 

Procedure: 
· Ball can be kicked from anywhere within the goal area by a player on the defending team
· Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves (does not have to leave the penalty area)
· Opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play 

Retreat Line: Applies to U9 and U11 age groups only 
The Retreat line will be in effect at Goal Kicks.
All players of the opposing team must pass the retreat line at a goal kick.
The retreat line will be regarded as the center line of the field. 
In all age groups, when the Goalkeeper picks up the ball during play, there is no Retreat line but all opposing team players must be outside the penalty box.

An Indirect Free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the kicker touches the ball again before it is touched by another player(double touch). 

 

Rule 17: The Corner Kick

A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal wall or touches the goal wall  netting, having last touched a player of the defending team and a goal is not scored

Procedure: 

· Ball must be placed at the corner mark nearest where the ball crossed the goal wall.
· Opponents must be 15 feet from the corner mark.
· Ball is in play when it is kicked
· 5 seconds to kick the ball, following a signal from the referee 
· Free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the kicker touches the ball again before it is touched by another player (double touch)
· A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team

*The corner kick will take place from the corner kick line regardless of whether this line is the same on all fields. If there is no corner kick marker, the corner kick will take place from a location marked with tape when possible and solely at the referees discretion*

 

Appendix:  

Player Eligibility
In line with ASA by-laws, players must only be registered for one youth soccer organization at one time during a season, and may therefore not knowingly register within CGSA while registered for any other youth soccer entity whether community or club.  

Too many players:

· only stop play if there is interference with play 
· have the person removed when play stops 
· take appropriate disciplinary action, warning and play restarts with a direct free kick to the opponents 

Defenders Wall 

· Where 3 or more defending team players form a ‘wall’, only defending team players are allowed  in the “wall”. No attacking team player is allowed in the “wall”, near the “wall” or interfere with the “wall” until the ball is in play 
· If, when a Direct or Indirect free kick is taken, and an attacking team player commits one of the offenses above and the advantage rule does not apply, the free kick is retaken 

Drop Balls 

· Drop balls can no longer be contested.  
· The last team to touch the ball when play is stopped will have possession of the dropped ball from that point of the field. 
· One caveat: any play stopped in the penalty area will be returned to the goalkeeper no matter who possessed the ball at the stoppage. 

Benches

· Teams on opposite benches on field. Please ensure your team is sitting accurately under the "Home" or "away" banner for ease of keeping track. 
· For insurance purposes, nobody EXCEPT coaches and players listed on roster are permitted in this area. Any team found with unregistered children, players or extras on their bench may be subject to penalty.
· All spectators, family, siblings and additional children must in the spectator benches area. 

Blood Policy  

· Player leaves the field and is attended to by team officials to stop bleeding.
· Each team will be provided with gloves and sanitizing supplies. 
· If a player leaves the field due to bleeding and the injury is treated, bleeding has stopped and  the wound is securely covered the player may rejoin the game as long as they are checked by the referee.
· The Facilities blood on the field policy must be followed if available.

Referee Hand Signals / Assistant Referee Hand Signals