WAYS In-Town Recreation Additional Information for Parents:

WAYS observes the FIFA Laws of the Game. In addition to those general soccer rules, the in town rec divisions also adhere to these rules. These rules are in place to promote player development, sportsmanship and love for the game of soccer in a safe environment:

• Players must be equipped with shin guards, socks that cover the shin guards and appropriate footwear. If worn cleats must be soccer cleats.
• No Jewelry is allowed. Earrings must be removed and not covered with tape. Any headbands must be soft.
• Players are to arrive with plenty of time to be checked in by the referee prior to each game. If the player arrives late, they cannot be checked in until after the first quarter of the game has been played.
• Only a WAYS Coordinator or a referee on site will determine if a field is unplayable due to weather conditions. Many times the games are played in rainy conditions. If the game gets cancelled it will be rescheduled for a later date.

Additional Rules for Division 1 (co-ed):

• A size 3 ball will be used.
• Games will be four 10 minute quarters with a brief halftime.
• Subbing is allowed at any stoppage of play.
• Each Team will have 6 players on the field at a time. (5 players on field and 1 goalie)
• Players will observe an imaginary "build out line" (half field) for goal kicks and when the goalie has the ball. This means the opposing team must back off from the penalty area and allow the goalie or goal kick player to play the ball out to their teammate. All players can then resume play as normal.
• There will be no 6 goal differential rule.
• No off-sides called.
• No intentional heading the ball will be allowed. It will result in an indirect kick for the other team.
• Players will be allowed a do over for throw ins.
• Slide tackling is not allowed.
• No playoffs for this division.
• Please be courteous to our referees. WAYS has a zero tolerance policy for referee abuse.

Additional Rules for Division 2 (Grades 2-4):

• A size 4 ball will be used.
• Games will be four 15 minute quarters with a brief halftime.
• Subbing will only be allowed at the 7.5 minute mark in each quarter or at the end of each quarter for the first 3 quarters. Fourth quarter subbing will be allowed at stoppage of play.
• Boys - Teams will have 8 players on the field at one time (7 players and 1 goalie).
• Girls - Teams will have 7 players on the field at one time (6 players and 1 goalie).
• Players will observe a "build out line" for goal kicks and when the goalie has the ball. This line will be marked across the field approximately 10 yards outside the penalty box. This means the opposing team must back off from the penalty area behind this line and allow the goalie or goal kick player to play the ball out to their teammate. All players can then resume play as normal. This is to promote playing the ball out of the back in an unpressured setting. Failure to observe the build out line rule will result in an IN-DIRECT KICK for the defensive team at the site of the infraction.
• The goalie IS NOT permitted to punt or drop kick the ball.
• There will be no 6 goal differential rule. We are replacing this rule with the "Number's Up" Rule. In order to increase sportsmanship and not discourage goal scoring, we will institute the "power play/numbers up rule". If a team is losing by a 3 goal difference they will be allowed to add one player. If the goal difference increases to 4 goals they will be allowed to add another player (this will be the maximum allowed). Once the losing team scores, a player will come off the field again to balance out the number of players on the field.
• Off-sides will be called. Off-sides will be based on the mid-field line (this is different than the travel team divisions for this age group).
• No intentional heading the ball will be allowed. It will result in an indirect kick for the other team.
• Players have one chance to make a proper throw in.
• Slide tackling is not allowed. This will result in an indirect free kick.
• The last 2 weeks of the season will be playoffs followed by the championship game.
• Please be courteous to our referees. WAYS has a zero tolerance policy for referee abuse.
  

Additional Rules for Division 3 (Grades 5-8):

• Size 5 ball will be used.
• Teams will have 2 options to be agreed upon by coaches and referees before game starts:
  • Teams will have 9 players on the field at one time (8 players and a goalie). Games will be 2 40 minute halves with a brief halftime (or if agreed 2 35 minute halves)
  • Teams will have 8 players on the field at one time (7 players and a goalie). Games will be two 35 minute halves with a brief halftime.
• Subbing will be permitted at any stoppage of play with approval from the referee.
• There will be no 6 goal differential rule. We are replacing this rule with the "Number's Up" Rule. In order to increase sportsmanship and not discourage goal scoring, we will institute the "power play/numbers up rule". If a team is losing by a 3 goal difference they will be allowed to add one player. If the goal difference increases to 4 goals they will be allowed to add another player (this will be the maximum allowed). Once the losing team scores, a player will come off the field again to balance out the number of players on the field.
• Off-sides will be called.
• Players have one chance to make a proper throw in.
• Heading the ball IS allowed for this age group.
• Slide tackling is not allowed. This would result in an indirect free kick.
• The last 2 weeks of the season will be playoffs followed by the championship game.
• Please be courteous to our referees. WAYS has a zero tolerance policy for referee abuse.

Additional Rules for Playoff Games:

• Only the top 4 teams in a division are eligible for playoffs. Format is 1 v 4 and 2 v 3. The winners of those matches will play each other for the championship.
• In the event that regulation time ends in a tie for a playoff game, the teams will play two 10 minute overtime periods in their entirety.
• If the score is still tied at the end of both overtime periods, they will move to a shootout.
• Only players who are on the field at the end of the match are eligible to take a kick. This round will be best of 5 penalty kicks.
• If the score is still tied it moves to single-elimination penalty kicks.