Roster Size:

• Roster Limit 11U, 13U & 15U (soccer six field) divisions - 12 players per team, Maximum two non-Minneapolis residents
• Roster Size 18U: (Regulation field) 22 players per team, maximum of four non-Minneapolis residents
• MPRB Coaches Badge: Badges will be printed and given to the coach by their park director once they’ve completed the coaches’ certification program. Coaches are required to wear the badge at all games. 

MPRB Soccer Schedules:

• Youth soccer schedules will be viewable through our online league management software. It is a web-based program and can be viewed from anywhere. 
• Park directors will be notified when they are available for viewing you will then use the following steps to get your team’s schedule
• On the top menu bar, click on Game Schedules – Choose your division
• Teams can also use the “Find Team Schedule” search bar
• Teams can view the whole season schedule, or they can click on “teams” and just view the schedule for their team (great tool for parents & coaches) 
• Special notes will be displayed above the standings (i.e. tournament information)
• Teams can check scores of other games & view standings once the scores have been reported

Administrative Rules:

• Questionable Weather: Call game site one hour before game time to check status of game
• Forfeit Rules:

a. 11U, 13U & 15U - A team must have a minimum of five (5) players on the soccer field at game time or the game shall be declared a forfeit. Eligible players may be entered during the game without penalty.

b. 18U (regulation) must have a minimum of seven (7) players on the field at game time or the game shall be declared a forfeit. Eligible players may be entered during the game without penalty. 

c. Teams who forfeit three or more games during the regular season will be ineligible for the post season tournament

• League Standings: League standings will be determined on a point basis: two (2) points for a win, one (1) point for a tie, zero (0) points for a loss. League games ending in a tie will remain a tie.
• Game Completion: Any game played through the entire first half will be considered a full and complete game. The referee can suspend or terminate a game when the referee feels it necessary; (i.e. darkness, severe weather, interference by spectator, players and/or coaches' behaviors) 
• Game Specifications:
• 11U - Two 25-minute halves, size four ball
• 13U and Up - Two 30-minute halves, size five ball
• Half Time:  No more than five (5) minutes between halves. All games are running time.
• Field Dimensions:

  a. 11U, 13U & 15U divisions will play on a 40yd (wide) x 60yd (long) field with a goal size of 6.5”x12”. All games will be 6 vs. 6 players

  b. 18U divisions will play on a regulation size soccer field

• Game Ball: The home team must provide the game ball
• Linesman Request:  Upon request each coach should provide one linesman to assist the referee. The linesman will only signal the team which last touched a ball, when it goes out of bounds.
• Participation Rules:

a. It is highly recommended and the responsibility of each coach to play his/her players an equal amount of playing time. Remember we are here for the kids!

b. Coaches are encouraged to provide each player with game experience in a variety of positions

• Uniforms & Protective Equipment:

a. Players must wear tennis or soccer shoes with molded rubber cleats. This excludes baseball, football & other shoes with toe cleats. Referees should check shoes before the game, and also during the game as necessary

b. All players are required to wear shin guards and they must be completely covered with stockings, socks or pants

c. It is strongly recommended that goalkeepers wear elbow and knee pads and that all players wear a mouth guard

d. The goalkeeper shall wear a colored shirt, which distinguishes the goalkeeper from the other players and from the referee (i.e. goalie shirt must be different from their team and the opposing team)

e. It is required that each player wear a different number on the back of their shirt. Non-silk-screened numbers are acceptable. If duplicate numbers, one number must be altered, or correction be made for the player to participate.

Playing Rules:

• Substitutions:  Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee at following times:

a. Prior to a throw-in your favor

b. Prior to a throw-in not your favor if the opposing team elects to substitute

c. Prior to a goal kick by either side 

d.  After a goal by either team

e. Prior to a corner kick by either team

f. After an injury when the referee stops play, substitution will be limited one or two players per team

g. There is no limit on the number of players to substitute at one time

• Offside Rule: 

a. Will not be called in 11U

b. Offside Rule will be enforced in all 13U, 15U & 18U soccer games

i. The rule reads: A player may be called offsides if in the opponents’ half of the field, nearer the opponents’ goal than two opposing players, and the one of the following either interfering with play or an opponent or seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position. A player shall not be called offsides if, in the opinion of the referee, the above conditions are not met, or if the player received the ball directly from the goal kick, throw-in or drop ball.

ii.  Note: Offside is judged at the moment the ball is played, not when the player receives the ball. Additionally, a player who is level (even) with the second to last opponent is not in an off-side position and therefore shall not be called off-side. Penalty: Indirect free kick.

• Goalkeeper:

a. A goalkeeper cannot be touched or charged when in control of the ball in the penalty area

b.  The goalkeeper cannot be charged when in the air while playing the ball

c. The goalkeeper must have a free path when punting or throwing the ball

d. Any time an offense is deliberate and dangerous, the player may be ejected from the game

• Slide Tackles:

a. Slide tackling is not allowed, exception for goalkeeper in their own penalty area

b. Sliding is allowed to save the ball from going out of play, intercepting a pass, etc., but not to challenge an opponent

• Heading:

a.  Heading is not allowed for 11U

b.  Heading is allowed for 13U, 15U and 18U

• Penalties:

a. Red Card: A red card penalty for player or coach consists of suspension for the remainder of the game and the next regular game. When a red card is issued, referee will notify player, both teams’ coaches, and the Soccer League Director. 

(1) If a player receives a Red Card due to a physical altercation, an additional three-game suspension or permanent removal from the league may occur

b. Yellow Card: Referee will notify player and coach whenever a yellow (warning) card is issued

c. A review process that identifies an especially flagrant violation can result in an additional suspension for the player or coach

Post Season Invitational Tournament: 11U, 13U, 15U and 18U

Rule changes for the tournament will be as follows:

The regular season rules apply with the below expectations

•  All games will be shortened to two (2) twenty-five minute halves with a five (5) minute intermission. 
•  Eligibility and Protests:

a. Teams will be asked to provide a hard copy of a team photo at the tournament that will be compared against the final roster. Any player not on the final roster or part of the team photo is not eligible to participate in any tournament games. No mobile pictures are allowed.

b. Only teams participating in the 2025 MPRB season are eligible for the Post Season Tournament. Teams that forfeited three or more times during the regular season are not eligible.

c. There will be NO adding of players or combining teams

d. All protests must be reported to the official during the game and reported to the field supervisor immediately following the game 

e.  In case of a protest, a player’s information will be checked against the team’s final roster & team photo

• TIE BREAKER: Tie games will be decided by playing sudden-win overtime (the first team to score wins).  To begin the overtime each team will remove their goalie and one forward and play with 4 players. All players are eligible to participate in the overtime. Players may not touch the ball with their hands at any time (except if in goal during a penalty kick). If after 2 minutes of play there has been no score, each team will eliminate one more player. After each 2 minutes of scoreless play, teams will continue to eliminate a player from the playing field. Overtime will begin with a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss will take the kickoff for the first 2 minutes. Teams will alternate taking the kickoff for each additional two minute periods.

(a) 1st 2 minutes: 4 on 4

(b) 2nd 2 minutes: 3 on 3

(c) 3rd 2 minutes: 2 on 2

(d) If still tied, continue two minute periods of 2 on 2 until a goal is scored

  A. All divisions (except 18U) will follow the above play 

  B. 18U tie games will be decided by a shoot-out

  C. This tie breaker will be used for all tournament games including championship games

• Overtime Substitutions: Substitutions may enter the game only after the 2 minute periods have ended
• Teams are not required to substitute
•  Offside will not be called in overtime