League Rules

UPDATED: 4/24/2025
The league is divided into four divisions:

Mites Grades 1-2 7v7 (10 Minute Quarters) Size 3 Ball No Offside No Heading - whistle and restart at the referee's discretion 10 and Under Field Size Suggested Length: Maximum 60 yards / Minimum 50 yards Suggested Width: Maximum 40 yards / Minimum 35 yards Suggested goal size: 6.5 ft. x 18.5 ft. Fields are to be lined or coned to provide appropriate penalty areas and goal areas "Restraining Lines": This is a line that is parallel to the end line and within each team's zone. Referees and coaches are encouraged to create and enforce a "retreat" or "restraining" line for goal kicks. It does the kids no good to have a goal kick being booted directly into their net by an opposing player standing on the edge of the penalty area		Pee Wee Grades 3-4 7v7 (25 Minute Halves) Size 4 Ball No Heading - whistle and restart at the referee's discretion 10 and Under Field Size Suggested Length: Maximum 60 yards / Minimum 50 yards Suggested Width: Maximum 40 yards / Minimum 35 yards Suggested goal size: 6.5 ft. x 18.5 ft. Maximum Goal area: 4 yards from the end line and goal post Fields are to be lined or coned to provide appropriate penalty areas and goal areas "Restraining Lines": This is a line that is parallel to the end line and within each team's zone. Referees and coaches are encouraged to create and enforce a "retreat" or "restraining" line for goal kicks. As with the Mites: It does the kids no good to have a goal kick being booted directly into their net by an opposing player standing on the edge of the penalty area.
Junior Varsity Grades 5-6 9v9 (30 Minute Halves) Size 4 Ball No Heading - whistle and restart at the referee's discretion 12 and Under Field Size Suggested Length: Maximum 80 yards / Minimum 70 yards Suggested Width: Maximum 50 yards / Minimum 45 yards Suggested goal size: 6.5 ft. x 18.5 ft. Minimum (7 ft. x 21 ft. acceptable) Fields should be lined or coned to provide appropriate penalty areas and goal areas		Varsity Grades 7-8 11v11 (30 Minute Halves) Size 5 Ball Field sizes and goal sizes may vary, but must be appropriate for 11v11 play involving middle school kids.

Rules for all Divisions

• Games may be rescheduled only in the event of unplayable weather or unplayable field conditions. An assessment of unplayable weather is made on the day of a scheduled game. In order to request a rescheduling, the home team's coach must send an email to the home team's coordinator, the opposing coach, the scheduled referee and the league's gmail account at parochialkickers@gmail.com. The email request must include the Game Number in the subject line.
  • Once the two coaches agree to a new game date and time, please send a follow-up email with the new game information.
  • The league cannot reschedule games based on factors such as scheduling conflicts for a team's coach and/or players.
• Jerseys - Each player must have the same color shirt. In the event of a color conflict between teams, the home team will wear pinnies or make some other arrangement to wear a different color.
• Shin Guards - Each player must wear shin guards UNDER soccer socks.
• No Jewelry is allowed - NO EXCEPTIONS! Please note that jewelry may be deemed to include hair accessories, beads, and the like that are made of hard plastic.
• Shoes: Sneakers or Soccer Cleats only
• In the event a team cannot field the specified number of players, then both teams must play down in order for the game to be played. Please do not register a team that does not have the specified number of players for that age division.
• Gender issue: IN ALL DIVISIONS there must be a minimum of 2 girls on the field at all times. This rule is in effect up to there being 4 girls or fewer present. If each team has 5 or more girls present then there must be 3 girls on the field. The team that is not compliant with this rule will be deemed to have forfeited the game 1-0. Both teams are encouraged to play the game anyway, but the official score will be a 1-0 forfeit. The referee is not responsible for enforcing this rule - this is to be handled between the coaches.
• If a team cannot play the game as scheduled or does not show within 15 minutes of the start of the game, the team forfeits the game 1-0 to the opponent. There is no overtime period for games that end in a tie. The league uses FIFA Laws of the Game Guide for Referees, United States Soccer Federation, most recent edition, as our final reference in the game. The referee's call is the final decision in disputes. We rely on the FIFA sanctioned referees we hire to call games. Referees may not be perfect however they are the ultimate authority.
• If there is a serious concern with conduct during a game or a game's outcome, a school's coordinator should contact a league administrator to discuss the same. Coaches should not contact league administrators directly regarding such concerns. In addition, prior to a coordinator's contacting a league administrator with such a concern, any coaches and coordinators involved in the matter must first attempt to resolve the concern(s) through good faith discussions. These discussions must be consistent with the league's mission as a Catholic recreational league.
• There will be a thirty minute wait time for lightning/thunder to pass over. If there is still lightning/thunder after that thirty minute period then the game is called and will not be rescheduled.
• No slide tackling. It is permissible for a player to slide for a ball if another player is not in the vicinity. If a slide tackle occurs without contact to the opposing player, then the penalized team will surrender an indirect kick.
• Substitutions are at the discretion of the referee
• Parents/spectators must be on the opposite side of the field as the players are.
• Game reports are reported by referees.
• All players must be a student in good standing of the school they represent.
• "PLAYING UP": Students who are in even-numbered grades are eligible to play up on a team from their school in the next highest division. This means: Grade 2 players may play up with the Pee Wees; Grade 4 players may play up with the Junior Varsity; Grade 6 players may play up with the Varsity. Older players CANNOT move down to a lower division. No kindergartners may play. Younger players who are playing up a division MUST have approval from the league directors. Please use this request form seek approval for a player to "play up."
• Schools that field more than one team in a division must divide the students evenly into teams, preferably by a random pick process or similar process. There are to be no "stacked" or tiered teams from a single school within a single age division. An even division of teams requires that there be a substantially equal share of children from both grades for that particular division. Schools should not organize multiple rosters within one division so that there are teams composed of players from only one grade. Players are to be assigned to and play for only 1 team.

Coaching Responsibilities

• Follow the NYSWYSA Zero Tolerance Policy
• Not tolerate abuse of the referee or opposing players by your players or supporters nor will the coach act like this as well. If the Referee ejects a spectator or coach for what they deem as crossing the line, then that person needs to leave the site immediately. If they do not leave the site, the Referee has been instructed to pick up the game ball until that person leaves the game site. If they refuse to leave the game site, then the Referee has the discretion to terminate the game. If a player is ejected, they may sit on the bench with the team as long as the coach has that player under control.
• Teach the children values of personal effort, teamwork, cooperation and to be gracious winners or losers at all times. Be familiar with the FIFA Rules of the Game Guide for Referees United States Soccer Federation
• Be sure that all players are properly registered with the league
• Attend league meetings or have an alternate attend. Decisions are made at these meetings which affect us all
• Be familiar with the playing schedule and be sure it is followed.
• Curtail rough play and promote sportsmanship and good will
• Not tolerate profane language from players, parents or fans
• Direct any question of player eligibility, field condition, etc. to the referee prior to the game

Rules and Guidance Regarding Parents, Families, Spectators

• Follow the NYSWYSA Zero Tolerance Policy
• Talk about the other kids team-indeed, on both teams in the same manner you would like other parents to talk about your child. This is the golden rule applied to sports. Watching kid's sports tends to be a social affair. When you're making conversation on the sideline with your friends and neighbors, think about what you're saying before you actually say it. To always be on the safe side, only voice praise for the other children. That way, you'll never go wrong.
• It's nice to give the coach a pat on the back when he or she wins. It's even nicer when you give the coach a pat on the back after a loss. Remember that the vast majority of coaches are volunteers who are sacrificing their own time to help your kid. So give them a well-deserved salute, especially when their team hasn't fared too well that day.
• Don't hesitate to give the ref a pat on the back either. As you might have guessed, refs are people too. And they like when parents and fans acknowledge their on-field efforts as well. Why don't you lead the way?
• Remind your child that it's the effort that counts. We all know all kids want to win. That's a given. But we also know that for every winning team, there's also a loser. Be prepared to cushion your child's disappointment after a loss by pointing out that he or she played hard and put forth a tremendous effort.
• Avoid the post-game analysis. When the game is over and your child climbs back into your car, avoid at all costs the detailed excruciating post-game analysis of everything he or she did right and wrong. Just let them chill out, savor the fun of having played, and relax. The absolute worst time for "friendly criticism" is immediately after the game.
• SMILE. A LOT. Kids sports are about having fun, and because kids take their behavioral cues from you, try to at least look like you're enjoying yourself.
• If you aren't a "good sport" at the games, the kids won't be either. This should be self-evident. If you set a pattern of being a sideline loudmouth who likes to yell and scream at the ref, coach or opposing team, don't be surprised when your kids start copying your behavior. You will have only yourself to blame.
• Take time to learn the rules of the game. A lot of kids these days are playing sports you may or may not be familiar with. So if you don't know the rules of the game, why don't you and your child learn them together? Besides, it's a good idea to read the rule book. It just might help win a dispute.
• If you must make noise at the games, shout only praise and encouragement. If you're a screamer and yeller, make certain that when you open your mouth, you're only pouring forth cheerful encouragement for your child's team. There's never any place for derogatory, snide or sarcastic comments at kid's games. Above all, be there for your children. Support them, praise them, and let them know you can always be counted on for unconditional love, regardless of the final score.