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Specific WAYS League rules

  • 19/05/14
  • By Suffolk FA WAYS League
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The WAYS League is sanctioned by the FA to pilot the following rules.

1. Equal Player Numbers: If either team has one less player, the opposing team must field the same number of players. This rule doesn't overrule a red card sending off offence.
2. Balancing Teams Ability: During a match when the goal difference reaches 4 the losing team may field an additional player. At the point the goal difference falls to 3 the losing team must withdraw their additional player (this does not need to be the same player that was put on as the additional player). During a match when the goal difference reaches 6 the losing team may field two additional players. At the point the goal difference falls to 5 the losing team must withdraw one of their players (again, this does not need to be the same player that was last to be put on).
3. Match Win by Goal Difference: When the goal difference of a match reaches 9 the game is ended and declared won by the team that has the most goals. For the remaining time that the match would have continued the teams may play a friendly game. For development purposes it is suggested that players are allowed to interchange between teams and the game format is flexible, e.g. more players on each team, individual and team challenges, and team self management, etc. The players should be allowed to determine if and how they would like to do this.

Mini soccer to 9v9 transition
1. Linespersons and offside at U10 - In the Spring Season of U10 competition, if both teams agree at the time of fixture invitation, the use of linespersons and application of the offside rule is allowed.
2. Goal Kick Retreat at U11 and U12 - In 9 v 9 competition, i.e. for year groups U11 and U12, the Goal Kick Retreat rule is optionally applicable as defined in FA Mini Soccer Rules, Law 16. To invoke this rule both teams need to agree to apply it at the time of standard pre-match communications between team managers.