Game Format
Players per side
7
6 field + 1 GK
Grades
3 – 4
BAYS travel (Gr. 2 & under play Town)
Game length
60 min
Two 30-min halves
Ball size
4
Size 4 · Grades 3–6
Key Rules
No offside
Offside is not enforced at 7v7. Players may position anywhere on the field.
No heading
Deliberate or attempted heading results in an indirect free kick for the opposing team. Accidental contact (ball strikes the head) is not penalized.
Goalkeeper possession limit
GK must release the ball within 8 seconds of gaining possession. No second pick-up after a voluntary release.
Goal kicks & GK distribution
On a goal kick or keeper release, the ball must touch the ground (or a player) in the defensive half before it crosses midfield. See the section below — BAYS uses no build-out line.
Substitutions
With the referee’s consent: after a goal, before a goal kick, at the start of the second half, and on a throw-in by the team in possession (then the other team may sub too). Not before a corner kick.
Minimum 5 players
A team needs at least 5 players on the field to start and to continue. Drop below 5 and the game is ended. Free kicks: opponents stand 8 yards back (not 10).
Goal Kicks & GK Distribution
The half-line distribution rule
Know this
1
On a goal kick, the opposing team retreats to its own defensive half and may not cross midfield until the ball is kicked and moves.
2
The keeper may throw, roll, kick, punt, or drop-kick. Punting is allowed at BAYS 7v7.
3
The ball must touch the ground — or a player — in the defensive half before it crosses midfield. It may not be played over the halfway line in the air.
!
If it crosses midfield untouched: turnover. Play restarts with an indirect free kick at the halfway line nearest where the ball crossed.
●
No build-out line: BAYS does not draw the build-out line some leagues use. The Warrior Way still coaches building out from the back over launching long — but that’s our coaching choice, not a rule.
Playing Time (FYS Bylaws)
Minimum 50% playing time per player
Every rostered player must play at least half the game. No exceptions for competitive situations.
Multiple positions required
All players should experience multiple positions across the season. No player should be fixed in one spot all year.
GK rotation
No player should serve as goalkeeper for more than 50% of total game time per game. Rotate the position.
Results & Standings
Grades 3 & 4
Scores and standings are kept. BAYS posts weekly W-L-T records, points, and goal differential for both Grade 3 and Grade 4. Report your score to your section captain after each game.
“Non-results”
Grades 3-4 are labeled non-results-oriented — meaning no playoffs, no tournament (MTOC), and no section-champion recognition. Those begin at Grade 5. The weekly standings still exist; the postseason does not.
Discipline
Yellow card — Caution
Player receives a warning and remains in the game. Accumulation of yellows across matches may trigger a suspension per BAYS rules.
Red card — Ejection
Player is removed immediately. The team plays short for the remainder of the game — no replacement. A red-carded player must sit out the next scheduled match.
Coach ejection
Ejected coach must leave the field area. The team must have another responsible adult present to continue play. If no responsible adult is available, the game is forfeited.