1. Full-Sided

Full-sided games (11v11) will be played by two teams consisting of:

• Not more than eleven (11) players, and
• Not fewer than seven (7) players
• One of whom shall be the Goalkeeper

2. Short-Sided

Short-sided games will be played by two teams each using the following criteria:

1. 7v7 games

   1. not more than seven (7) players, and

   2. not fewer than five (5) players,

   3. with or without a Goalkeeper.  No Goalkeeper is required

2. 8v8 games

   1. not more than eight (8) players, and

   2. not fewer than five (5) players,

   3. with or without a Goalkeeper.  No Goalkeeper is required

3. 9v9 games

   1. not more than nine (9) players, and

   2. not fewer than six (6) players,

   3. with or without a Goalkeeper.  No Goalkeeper is required

4. 10v10 games

   1. not more than ten (10) players, and

   2. not fewer than six (6) players,

   3. One of whom shall be the Goalkeeper

5. Short-sided Passers (U8) games may be either 7v7 or 8v8

6. Short-sided Wings (U10) games may be either 7v7, 8v8, or 9v9

7. Short-sided Strikers (U12) and older, games may be either 8v8, 9v9, or 10v10

3. Player

A player is a team member who has been given permission by the referee to enter the field of play.  All others are substitutes

4. Substitutions

   The following substitutes may only be made with the permission of the referee:

   1. Both teams may substitute any number of players.
      1. on a goal kick
      2. after a goal
      3. during an extended time out (as for an injury)
      4. between periods
      5. when the referee stops the game to issue a caution or a send-off
   2. the team in possession of the ball on a throw-in may substitute any number of players.  If the team in possession chooses to substitute, the opposing team may also substitute any number of players
   3. A substitute becomes a player when they are acknowledged by the referee

STEP 1 - Stop Play

5. Infringements/Sanctions

Any substitute entering the field of play without the permission of the referee, or any substitute who interferes with play whether by upon entering or leaving the field of play shall be subject to punishment for illegal substitution.

1. If the infraction is noted while the ball is in play, the referee shall stop play.  Play is to be restarted with an Indirect Free Kick against the offending team at the location where the ball was when play was stopped.

2. Whether or not the ball is in play, the substitute(s) shall be cautioned.

STEP 2 - Caution substitute, show yellow card

STEP 3 - Play is restarted with an indirect free kick

6. Changing the Goalkeeper

During the progress of the game, the referee must be notified specifically before the Goalkeeper is changed (except when change is made between periods).

7. Improper Changing the Goalkeeper

Any player on the field changing places with the goalkeeper without the permission of the referee while the ball is in play, shall be subject to punishment for improper change.

1. Play is not stopped

2. At the next stoppage of play, both players will be cautioned.

8. Players Sent Off

A player ejected after the game starts may not be replaced.

If a member of a team is ejected before the game begins, the team does not have to play "short"

A  player joining or rejoining his or her team that has fewer than eleven players on the field after the start of the match shall first draw the attention of the referee from the touchline; and may enter or re-enter the field only with the permission of the referee.  The signal from the referee shall be made by a definite gesture which makes the player understand that he or she may come into the field of play; it is not necessary to wait until the game is stopped (this does not apply in respect of an infringement of Law IV), but the referee is the sole judge of the moment in which he gives his signal of acknowledgement.