RT19 5v5 League Rules & Philosophy
Format: Co-ed, Small Sided Game Structure
Game Time Parameters: Saturdays starting as early as 11:30 AM kick off to 4:30 kick off
Field Size: 25x45 Yards (varies by Venue) – U10 field is very good
Goal Size: Varies based on Venue-U10 goals are very good
Play Format: Coed 5v5 or 6v6 (depending on field size) with rosters of 10-12 players
Referee: official refs – 1 per game
Duration: 2-30 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
Substitutions: Unlimited and on the fly
Ages: 8th-12th Grade
Players: Inhouse or current D6/5 Travel level. If a one off D4 travel, Cup or High School player wants to play it must be discussed among the participating Clubs and approved. This is a Rec League. Players are signed up on the CMYSA website the same as in-house & travel registration. RT19 will be one of the available programs for your player to participate in when they become the appropriate age.
Communities & Season: Currently Canon Mac, Mt. Lebanon & Baldwin are the base of the league & each has been involved for several years. Peters plays when they are able. This past season we had a team from Carlynton participate & in past seasons we've had teams from Brookline, Chartiers Valley & USC field teams. We are working to try and bring back some of these communities & South Fayette will be starting with us this fall. We generally have 6-8 teams each season.
Seasons run along with the in-house & travel seasons. We try to play 8 weeks each season and hold a tournament on the 8th week to end the season.
All rules are like FIFA Soccer unless otherwise mentioned in here:
❖ Out-of-bound plays (sideline and corners) - "kicked in" from where it went out on sideline. No throw-ins. Goals cannot be scored from a kick-in. 3 yard leeway.
❖ All indirect – 3 yard leeway (except PKs)
❖ No off-sides, persistent cherry picking will result in an indirect for the opposing team
❖ Subbing on the fly
❖ GKs no punting – distribution must touch before ½ way line
❖ 6 sec GK handling - to keep game flowing
❖ No goal kicks, goalie retrieves ball and rolls or throws. No punting.
❖ If an offensive player kicks ball over end line it goes to the goalie for a goal clearance – throw or role the ball.
❖ Substituting on the fly.
❖ When goalie makes a save, underarm, throw, or foot/pass distribution.
❖ Players need to stand 10 feet (3 adult strides) away from the ball for an indirect kick.
❖ Goalie does not need to stay in penalty area - can "pull the goalie" for offensive sweeper/keeper play
❖ No slide tackling
❖ Fighting, misconduct, ill treatment of referee by parent or player results in removal from the league. None tolerated.
❖ Ref decisions on rules are final.
League Philosophy
1. Sportsmanship and enjoyment of the game in a semi-competitive, hybridized rec/travel league
2. Play with few stoppages and many touches on the ball due to small-sided format and subbing on fly
3. Community competition with very limited travel distance (in house philosophy but among nearby communities)
4. No over coaching - team managers are there to guide subs and discuss tactics with the players. We encourage player input and leadership as much as possible.
5. Play with friends is encouraged, no tryouts
6. To continue love of and enhance the game via low pressure, competitive, free play style, enjoyable soccer with limited financial and time commitment
7. Teams are structured by participating communities so that they are as equal in ability as possible. We strive for parity among teams and within the league.
8. Hard rule 8th-12th grade and it is up to all participating communities to let constituents know the breadth of the age groups included.
9. If the scores are out of control because some teams are much stronger, the game can be called complete by the end of the first half. For the second half, players from each team can mix it up. Players love nothing more than to score on each other. The 2nd half does not count toward standings. Score stands at the completion of the 1st half.
10. RESPECT -- No team should be blowing out another team. The mission here is to build camaraderie. It's going to be a long season for the team blowing out everyone, especially when game cancellations start happening on them. Balance it and keep the peace.