Washington State Youth Soccer Association (WSYSA)
and District 6 (IAL)
Laws of the Game
The Laws of the Game for youth soccer for ages 12 and higher in Washington State follow USSF with the following exceptions:
In addition, it would be good to familiarize yourself with the Washington State Referee Committee Youth Rule Interpretations by going to the WASRC website (click here).
Also, the complete WSYSA and District 6 Rules of Competition have been extracted from the 2008-2009 Administrative Handbook (this is the latest addition). Click on the rule set below that you are interested in:
Finally, please see the T-CYSA (Youth) drop-down selection above for rules associated with U-6 through U-11 and some U-12 through U-14 age group matches.
- The team clearly in possession of the ball at a stoppage of play where the re-start would normally be a Drop Ball, may re-start play with an Indirect Free Kick.
- Field sizes may vary by age group. However, key dimensions (such as Goal Area, Penalty Area, Penalty Arc, and Center Circle) will be the same as specified in the USSF Laws of the Game.
- Unlimited substitutions by either team are allowed at any stoppage of play if the players have already reported for substitution and are recognized by the Referee to enter the field of play.
In addition, it would be good to familiarize yourself with the Washington State Referee Committee Youth Rule Interpretations by going to the WASRC website (click here).
Also, the complete WSYSA and District 6 Rules of Competition have been extracted from the 2008-2009 Administrative Handbook (this is the latest addition). Click on the rule set below that you are interested in:
- WSYSA Rules of Competition
- WSYSA District 6 Rules of Competition
- The 2008-2009 WSYSA Administrative Handbook
Finally, please see the T-CYSA (Youth) drop-down selection above for rules associated with U-6 through U-11 and some U-12 through U-14 age group matches.
Concussion Management - The Zachery Lystedt Law (HB 1824)
On May 14, 2009 the Governor of Washington, Christine Gregoire, signed House Bill 1824, also known as the "Zackery Lystedt Law". Effective July 26, 2009, the Lystedt Law directly affects youth sports and Traumatic Brain Injuries and requires that:
1) An informed consent must be signed annually by parents and youth athletes acknowledging the risk of head injury
prior to practice or competition
2) A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion must be removed from play – “when in doubt, sit
them out”
3) A youth athlete who has been removed from play must receive written clearance from a licensed health care
provider prior to returning to play
1) An informed consent must be signed annually by parents and youth athletes acknowledging the risk of head injury
prior to practice or competition
2) A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion must be removed from play – “when in doubt, sit
them out”
3) A youth athlete who has been removed from play must receive written clearance from a licensed health care
provider prior to returning to play
Concussion Signs and Symptoms
WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?
A concussion is a brain injury that:
Is caused by a bump or blow to the head
Can change the way your brain normally works
Can occur during practices or games in any sport
Can happen even if you haven’t been knocked out
Can be serious even if you’ve just been “dinged”
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION?
Headache or “pressure” in head
Nausea or vomiting
Balance problems or dizziness
Double or blurry vision
Bothered by light
Bothered by noise
Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
Difficulty paying attention
Memory problems
Confusion
Does not “feel right”
WHAT TO DO IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, THINKS THEY HAVE A CONCUSSION?
Tell someone - never ignore a bump or blow to the head even if you feel fine.
Get a medical checkup. A doctor or health care professional can tell you if you have a concussion and when you are OK to return to normal activity.
Give yourself time to get better. If you have had a concussion, your brain needs time to heal. While your brain is still healing, you are much more likely to have a second concussion. Second or later concussions can cause damage to your brain. It is important to rest until you get an approval release from a doctor or health care professional.
A concussion is a brain injury that:
Is caused by a bump or blow to the head
Can change the way your brain normally works
Can occur during practices or games in any sport
Can happen even if you haven’t been knocked out
Can be serious even if you’ve just been “dinged”
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION?
Headache or “pressure” in head
Nausea or vomiting
Balance problems or dizziness
Double or blurry vision
Bothered by light
Bothered by noise
Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
Difficulty paying attention
Memory problems
Confusion
Does not “feel right”
WHAT TO DO IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, THINKS THEY HAVE A CONCUSSION?
Tell someone - never ignore a bump or blow to the head even if you feel fine.
Get a medical checkup. A doctor or health care professional can tell you if you have a concussion and when you are OK to return to normal activity.
Give yourself time to get better. If you have had a concussion, your brain needs time to heal. While your brain is still healing, you are much more likely to have a second concussion. Second or later concussions can cause damage to your brain. It is important to rest until you get an approval release from a doctor or health care professional.