NORTH YORK COSMOS SOCCER CLUB
HOUSE LEAGUE RULES
Release 3, Tuesday March 19, 1998
Game Rules (General - But not for Mini Division)
Game Rules (Division Specific)

Mini Division / Tyke

Squirt Division

Atom Division

Mosquito Division

PeeWee Division
Play-off & Tournament Rules

Rules for Play-off and Final Games

Rules for In-house Tournament Games
General Rules:
Statements of Compliance:
Every member of North York Cosmos Soccer Club executive, convenors, coaches and assistants
as of the 1997 season must be registered with the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) through the
club by means of the OSA RDS/LCR (Registration) system. This is to ensure everyone is
covered by OSA insurance policy. Also, all of the above will be required to sign a Statement of
Compliance form to be provided and administered by a member of the club executive and the
convenor.
Players on representative (competitive) teams are separately registered and cannot play on House
League teams other than when on trial for a rep team. All-star teams and Select teams are part of
House League.
Player Registration:
All house league players are provided to the convenor from the club registrar only. The registrar
ensures that the appropriate fee has been paid and that proper documentation has been submitted.
The convenor will then pass the players to the designated coaches.
Convenor Responsibilities:

Make up the teams

Recruit the coaches

Arrange a meeting with coaches to hand out schedules and equipment and explain
coaches’ responsibilities.

Monitor that games are conducted as per house league rules

Provide the team roster including names and phone numbers of coaches to the VP
House League.

Provide team standings upon request and at the end of regular league schedule to
the VP House League

Obtain player ratings from the coaches and forward to VP House League at the
end of season

Forward weekly scores and standings to the Web Master for inclusion on the Web
page
Coach Responsibilities:

Each and every player is to have equal playing time during each game irrespective
of ability, skill or attendance at practices. Exception: player injury or at the
discretion of game official(s).

To have regular weekly practices

Coaches are to take on players assigned by the convenor only.

Report game scores to the convenor. (Winning coach only, both in case of tie)
Schedules & Rosters:
The VP House League will provide the schedule for the convenors to distribute to the coaches.
The team rosters are to be given to VP House League at the time of the convenor-coaches
meeting and to be updated after the third league game.
Team Balancing:
The Convenors will make every effort to form balanced teams based on players' age, gender and
rating. To minimize the need for further adjustments, special grouping requests will not be
considered. The club recognizes that there may be a need for further balancing. The coaches are
advised that there will be some team balancing within the first three weeks (three games) of
regular play. After the first three weeks, any further adjustments will only be made if all parties player, parents and coaches - agree.
Cosmos Select Teams:
The house league offers the source of players for the Cosmos Select Teams. As such, players
may be invited by select-team coaches during the start of the house league season. Select-team
coaches must hold a division specific tryout for interested players. This will only be exceeded if
all parties - player, parents and coaches - agree.
A select player will play in the House League and attend specific training with the Select Team
coaches. Select Teams will target certain Tournaments to travel to and the cost for these
tournaments is covered by the players (self-funding).
Scouting and Borrowing for Cosmos Rep. Teams:
The house league or Select Teams are sources of players for the Cosmos rep. teams. As such,
players may be recruited by rep-team coaches during the complete house league season. To
minimize the impact on teams re balancing, a maximum of one player per team may be drafted.
This will only be exceeded if all parties - player, parents and coaches - agree.
The procedure for drafting players is as follows:
The rep-team coach will advise the house league / select coach and convenor of their
interest in the player. While the player is on trial with the rep team, he may play on
both teams. However, the trial period may not exceed two weeks, and must take place
within the three week House League balancing period.
After that, the player either returns for good or stays with the rep-team. The now repteam player cannot return to the house league team to strengthen the team.
House league players may be borrowed for occasional rep games only if there is no conflict with
the house league schedule.
Rating of Players:
Players need to be rated to allow for team balancing. The rating is done by applying letters from
‘A’ to ‘C’, with ‘A’ being the highest rating. The 'plus ' or 'minus' suffix may be used to modify
the ranking, e.g., ‘B+’ for a player who is better than ‘B’ but not rated ‘A’. All coaches must rate
their players prior to August 15 and provide a rating sheet to the Convenor by that date. The
Convenor is to pass a copy of the information to the Vice President, House League, who in turn
will pass a copy to the registrar. Mini division soccer players should be rated 'A' or 'B' only.
Attire:
Shin pads, soccer shoes and proper attire are required for all players for all games. The referee
will refuse to allow players to play if shin pads are missing or if soccer shoes are illegal, i.e.,
metal cleats are not permitted. No sunglasses, watches, earrings or jewelry etc. with hard parts
are permitted. Corrective glasses may be worn. They should be sports glasses but, if parents
accept the risk, may be regular glasses. FIFA rules apply! Mini and Squirt divisions are excepted
for shoe rule.
At events and games, coaches are expected to wear the shirts provided by the club.
Equipment:
At the start of the season, the following equipment is provided to each team:

A minimum of three new balls

A goalie shirt(s)

One uniform for each player on the team

Mini division: 2 Cones and a whistle

Other equipment as required for special events (i.e., nets, all-star team uniforms
etc.)
The convenors will hand out uniforms to the coaches only for the number of players registered
on the team. The remaining uniforms are held by the convenor in case additional players join the
teams.
At the end of the season, i.e., after the last game, the following is to be returned to the convenor:

All balls provided by the club

The goalie shirt(s)

Mini division: Cones

All-star shirts are to be returned to the VP House League after each tournament
unwashed.

Any other equipment provided by the club
Game Officials:
The club provides accredited game officials for all scheduled games. Game officials are the
ultimate authority during the games. In case of schedule changes or make up games, the
convenor is to advise the Director of Game Officials. A minimum of one week's notice is
required for any rescheduled game.
If the appointed referee does not arrive within 10 minutes of the scheduled game start time, the
convenor may select someone else to referee or the convenor may reschedule the game if a
suitable replacement cannot be found. If the game has started without the scheduled referee and
they arrive late, the game will not be stopped to substitute the scheduled referee, but the
scheduled referee may take over at half time. The late arrival or absence of the referee is to be
brought to the attention of the Director of Game Officials or the Vice President House League.
Conduct:
Spectators are not permitted behind the goal area during a game. They are also expected to keep
5 feet (1.5 m) away from the sidelines. The coaches and convenors are responsible for ensuring
that spectators do not challenge the referees or their decisions. Abusive or foul language will not
be tolerated. Anyone so doing will be warned only once. Repeat violators will be required to
leave the field.
Medals and Trophies, Team Pictures:
The house league champions and runner-up will be presented with trophies at the semifinal
game. There will be trophies presented to the play-off champions and the runner up. If a division
has 12 teams or more, the division will be split in groups 'A' and group 'B' and trophies will be
awarded in each group.
In-house tournament trophies are presented at the field as each team has been eliminated from
the tournament. Every player receives at least one trophy per season.
Team pictures are taken in mid June.
Recourse in Case of Noncompliance:
If a player does not comply with the club rules, the player will be discharged from the club at the
discretion of the NY Cosmos executive. Dues paid will be refunded by registrar after the uniform
has been returned to the convenor in good condition for the use of players on the waiting list.
If a coach does not comply with the club rules, he or she will be asked to resign at the discretion
of the NY Cosmos executive.
Game Rules (General - But not for Mini Division)
Rules for Regular Games:
1. There will be a minimum of 12 scheduled (regular) house league games per team before
the playoffs.
2. Games are played RAIN or SHINE and will be stopped by the referee or the convenor at
the approach of thunderstorms only.
3. A game counts as played with the score as it stands if 60% of the scheduled time
(referee’s time) has elapsed. Otherwise, the game will be replayed at a date, time and
field selected by the Convenor in coordination with the affected teams.
4. There is no overtime in case of a tie.
5. The regular number of players in a game is 11. The minimum number of players in a
game is seven. If there are less than seven players available, the team short of players
forfeits the game. If both teams are short of players, they will both forfeit the game. The
score to be entered will be 1:0 against the team who forfeits or 0:0 if both teams forfeit.
There is a 10 minute grace period after the scheduled start time. Game halves are then
reduced by up to five minutes each.
6. If teams are short of players, the team with more players may play only one player more
than the opposing team with fewer players, up to the regular number of 11.
7. Coaches of the winning teams are to phone the game results to the convenor within 24
hours of the completion of the game.
8. Ranking is established by a point system during regular games to determine the position
in the play-offs and to determine the League Champion and Runner Up. This is
calculated as follows:

Two points for a game win

One point for a game tie

No points for a game loss
9. In the event of a tie in the final standings, the following is applied in sequence until the
tie is broken:
1. Goal difference (goals scored minus goals against)
2. Goal average (goals scored divided by goals against)
3. Most goals scored.
4. Least goals allowed
Should the tie not be broken by then, a shutout will be used (see play-off rules). At the discretion
of the convenor, a regular game between the teams that are tied may be played to break the tie.
Game Rules (Division Specific)
MINI DIVISION
1. Each team may only have their designated coach on the field of play. The coaches will
also serve as referee, alternating halves.
2. Mini division uses size three balls, and plays two equal halves of 15 minutes with a five
minute half-time break.
3. Mini games are with seven players a side and alternate groups of players every five
minutes.
4. In addition to the usual equipment provided, mini coaches receive two cones for goal
posts and a whistle. These are held by the coach and are to be brought to all games.
TYKE
4 v. 4

No goalkeeper.

No off-sides.

When the ball goes out of bounds over the sideline (touch-line), it is put back into play
with a kick-in. The kick-in can not go directly into the goal.

When the ball goes out over the end line, it is put back into play either by dribbling or
kicking the ball back into the playing area. There are no corner kicks!

After a goal has been scored, it is put back into play by either dribbling or passing from
the end line.

There are field "supervisors" or "managers" instead of referees. The intent of this adult
facilitator is to ensure a safe environment. The role of the field "supervisor" is that of a
facilitator: ensuring that players put the ball back into play properly. This allows the
players to learn how to regulate the games (decisions on who caused the ball to go out of
play). The field supervisors are dressed distinctively but not necessarily in the traditional
back uniform.

Kickoffs that begin each period of play are taken from the approximate center of the
field.

Players can score from anywhere on the field.

All fouls are penalized with an indirect free kick. The opponent must be three yards away
from the ball at the time of the kick.

Depending on tournament/league schedules, each game has 12 minute halves with a 5
minute brake.
SQUIRT DIVISION
1. Each team may only have one coach on the field of play. Coaches are not permitted in
either of the 18 yard boxes. Any infringement of this rule will result in an indirect free
kick for the opposing team.
2. Coaches are also permitted on the field during playoffs and any finals.
3. Squirt division uses size four balls, and plays two equal halves of 25 minutes, with a five
minute half-time break.
4. For the playoffs, if there are 12 or more teams, they will be treated as two separate
divisions that may or may not interlock. Two teams from each division will make it to the
finals.
ATOM DIVISION
1. Each team may have the designated coach on the field of play only for the first 3
scheduled games of the season.
2. Atom division uses size four balls and plays two equal halves consisting of 30 minutes
each, with a five minute break at half time.
MOSQUITO DIVISION
1. Mosquito division uses size five balls and plays two equal halves consisting of 35
minutes, with a five minute break at half time.
PEEWEE DIVISION
1. Peewee division uses size five balls and plays two equal halves consisting of 40 minutes,
with a five minute break at half time.
Play-off & Tournament Rules
Rules for Play-off and Final Games:
Coaches are not permitted on the field during play-off and final games, with the exception of the
Squirt division. The opposing teams may play with 11 players regardless of the number of
players on the other team. However, a team with less than seven players will forfeit the game. If,
at the end of regulation time, the game is tied, it will be decided by overtime, and, if still tied, by
a shootout.

The winner of a tied game in a knockout competition is determined by a series of
kicks from the penalty mark.

The referee selects the goal to be used.

The team winning the coin toss must take the first kick.

Only those players in the game when the game ends (including overtime) may
take kicks. Exception: A goalkeeper injured during the taking of the kicks who is
unable to continue may be replaced by a player who was not in the game when it
ended.

The goalkeeper may be one of the kickers.

Each team takes five kicks, alternately. Exception: The kicks stop if one team has
scored more goals than the other team could, even if the other team were to
complete its five kicks.

If the number of kicks scored is tied after both teams have taken five kicks, the
taking of kicks continues in the same alternating order until, after an equal
number of kicks, the tie is broken (sudden victory).

No player may take a second kick until all eligible players on his or her team,
including the goalkeeper, have taken kicks.

When all of the eligible players on a team have taken kicks, the team may change
the kicking order for any additional kicks.

Except for the kicker and the two goalkeepers, all other eligible players must stay
in the centre circle while the kicks are taken.

The goalkeeper whose teammate is taking the kick must stay behind the kicker.

No player may step off the field at the end of the overtime of a tied game. They
will proceed as directed by the game officials.

No person, including the coach, may step on the field at the end of the overtime of
a tied game. The coach may enter the field only after asked to do so by the game
officials. In the Squirt division, the coach on the field when the game ends may
remain there.
Rules for In-house Tournament Games:
House league tournament games are outside the house league schedule and do not count for the
house league ranking. Any house league player registered with the club may participate in the
tournament. If a team cannot field the minimum number of players for the weekend, they may
supplement their roster with other players of the same age or younger, provided these players are
registered as recreational players (House League) with the Ontario Soccer Association.
Regular house league game rules apply with exceptions as listed below. Detailed rules are
provided prior to the tournament for each division.

Length of game

Number of players

Point scoring system