Player Age & Eligibility
The players' playing age is determined by following the USYSA guidelines for 2024/2025
U9: Born on or after 1/1/2016
U10: Born on or after 1/1/2015
U11: Born on or after 1/1/2014
U12: Born on or after 1/1/2013
Any player meeting the rules below needs to be on the Gotsport roster using the Club Pass function. No players will be allowed to play who are written in on the roster. These updated rules have been put in place to help with player development (and if a team is short on players for unforeseeable circumstances), not to help teams win games. If your team has a full primary roster of 13-14 players for a game, you should not be moving players down (or up) to try to win.
Team Check-In
Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled kick of time. Referees will check teams in using a team's match card (see Match Day Requirements).
Max Roster Size
U9-U10: 13 Players
U11-U12: 18 players
Heading Rules
Heading is only allowed by players that have turned 11-years-old. If a 10-year-old is playing in a game, he is not allowed to head the ball, and it is the responsibility of the coaches and referee to make sure this is clearly communicated prior to each game.
Laws of the Game
All matches must be played in accordance with the FIFA laws of the Game, except as specifically modified in the Rules.
LAW 1: Field of Play
U9-U10 (7v7) must play in accordance with the US Youth Soccer rules
U11-U12 (9v9) must play in accordance with the US Youth Soccer rules.
LAW 2: The Ball
U9-U12: Size 4
LAW 3: Number of Players and Substitutions
U9-U10: 7v7
U11-U12: 9v9
Substitutions are unlimited and any stoppage of the game in half way line with referee’s permission.
LAW 4: Players Equipment
402.2 Player equipment shall be in accordance with the requirements of USYS and FIFA rules. Additionally: a) Screw in cleats are permitted; however, judgement as to their safety is at the discretion of the referee. B) Orthopedic casts can be worn at any sanctioned FYSA tournament with written approval from a doctor and written permission from a tournament official, final judgement as to its safety is at the discretion of the referee.
It is the policy of the NEAL that no player be allowed to wear ANY jewelry while participating in any NEAL sanctioned match. The only exception that may be allowed is a medical alert bracelet or necklace when taped to the body. The referee shall make the decision as to the safety of the player and the referee’s decision is final.
Teams will wear uniforms of matching design and color with a minimum of six (6) inch numbers affixed to the back of the uniform shirt
The designated home team per the tournament schedule will be required to change jerseys if there is a conflict. In cases where the schedule does not designate a home team the first team listed on the game report will be the considered home team.
The uniform of the goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of the competing teams and the referee.
LAW 5: The Referee
The center referee for all matches must be certified by the Federation.
Referees are required to submit a completed USSF or a league specific game report to the Site Director containing any information relating to any game incidents involving players/coach, spectator misconduct, or injuries.
In the event the assigned referees fail to appear, and the assignor and/or Site Director fails to provide a replacement, the senior assigned assistant referee shall assume the duties and shall find an alternate assistant. The game will be played as scheduled and will be deemed official.
LAW 7: Duration of the Match
U9-U12: 2x30 = 60 minutes
LAW 8-10:
No change per FIFA “Laws of the Game”
LAW 11: Offside
No change per FIFA “Laws of the Game”
Post-Game Procedures
Referee is responsible for returning game reports and supplementals to home team coach
Control of Sideline Conduct
Players, substitutions, mangers, coaches, and fans are expected to conduct themselves within the letter and spirit of “Laws of the Game”. The site director and referee has the authority and the responsibility to remove any person(s) from the game for abuses of conduct, in addition to any specific disciplinary action brought by any other authority. In addition to good manners, the following rules will apply to Florida Academy League games.
The home team will designate one sideline to be for the sole use of the players listed on the game roster and a maximum of three (3) managers/coaches/trainers from each team, with one team occupying one side of the midfield and one team, the other. While the game is in progress the manager/coach/trainer and the reserve players must remain on their respective benches and may not roam the sidelines.
The manager/coach will be responsible for the behavior of their fans and the referee will have the authority to warn and ultimately send off, any manager/coach whose fans behave in an abusive or disruptive manner.
The players' playing age is determined by following the USYSA guidelines for 2024/2025
U9: Born on or after 1/1/2016
U10: Born on or after 1/1/2015
U11: Born on or after 1/1/2014
U12: Born on or after 1/1/2013
Any player meeting the rules below needs to be on the Gotsport roster using the Club Pass function. No players will be allowed to play who are written in on the roster. These updated rules have been put in place to help with player development (and if a team is short on players for unforeseeable circumstances), not to help teams win games. If your team has a full primary roster of 13-14 players for a game, you should not be moving players down (or up) to try to win.
- A goalkeeper is allowed to play in more than one game.
- A team can use one 11 player (2014) to play two games in a day but cannot exceed 90 minutes.
- A team can use up to two players to play in two games in a day in the same age group. A player cannot exceed 90 minutes between the two games.
Team Check-In
Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled kick of time. Referees will check teams in using a team's match card (see Match Day Requirements).
Max Roster Size
U9-U10: 13 Players
U11-U12: 18 players
Heading Rules
Heading is only allowed by players that have turned 11-years-old. If a 10-year-old is playing in a game, he is not allowed to head the ball, and it is the responsibility of the coaches and referee to make sure this is clearly communicated prior to each game.
Laws of the Game
All matches must be played in accordance with the FIFA laws of the Game, except as specifically modified in the Rules.
LAW 1: Field of Play
U9-U10 (7v7) must play in accordance with the US Youth Soccer rules
U11-U12 (9v9) must play in accordance with the US Youth Soccer rules.
LAW 2: The Ball
U9-U12: Size 4
LAW 3: Number of Players and Substitutions
U9-U10: 7v7
U11-U12: 9v9
Substitutions are unlimited and any stoppage of the game in half way line with referee’s permission.
LAW 4: Players Equipment
402.2 Player equipment shall be in accordance with the requirements of USYS and FIFA rules. Additionally: a) Screw in cleats are permitted; however, judgement as to their safety is at the discretion of the referee. B) Orthopedic casts can be worn at any sanctioned FYSA tournament with written approval from a doctor and written permission from a tournament official, final judgement as to its safety is at the discretion of the referee.
It is the policy of the NEAL that no player be allowed to wear ANY jewelry while participating in any NEAL sanctioned match. The only exception that may be allowed is a medical alert bracelet or necklace when taped to the body. The referee shall make the decision as to the safety of the player and the referee’s decision is final.
Teams will wear uniforms of matching design and color with a minimum of six (6) inch numbers affixed to the back of the uniform shirt
The designated home team per the tournament schedule will be required to change jerseys if there is a conflict. In cases where the schedule does not designate a home team the first team listed on the game report will be the considered home team.
The uniform of the goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of the competing teams and the referee.
LAW 5: The Referee
The center referee for all matches must be certified by the Federation.
Referees are required to submit a completed USSF or a league specific game report to the Site Director containing any information relating to any game incidents involving players/coach, spectator misconduct, or injuries.
In the event the assigned referees fail to appear, and the assignor and/or Site Director fails to provide a replacement, the senior assigned assistant referee shall assume the duties and shall find an alternate assistant. The game will be played as scheduled and will be deemed official.
LAW 7: Duration of the Match
U9-U12: 2x30 = 60 minutes
LAW 8-10:
No change per FIFA “Laws of the Game”
LAW 11: Offside
No change per FIFA “Laws of the Game”
Post-Game Procedures
Referee is responsible for returning game reports and supplementals to home team coach
Control of Sideline Conduct
Players, substitutions, mangers, coaches, and fans are expected to conduct themselves within the letter and spirit of “Laws of the Game”. The site director and referee has the authority and the responsibility to remove any person(s) from the game for abuses of conduct, in addition to any specific disciplinary action brought by any other authority. In addition to good manners, the following rules will apply to Florida Academy League games.
The home team will designate one sideline to be for the sole use of the players listed on the game roster and a maximum of three (3) managers/coaches/trainers from each team, with one team occupying one side of the midfield and one team, the other. While the game is in progress the manager/coach/trainer and the reserve players must remain on their respective benches and may not roam the sidelines.
The manager/coach will be responsible for the behavior of their fans and the referee will have the authority to warn and ultimately send off, any manager/coach whose fans behave in an abusive or disruptive manner.
