Rules & Regulations

Welcome to the JSSL National Youth Leagues. We are now in our 14th season of running Youth Leagues in Singapore. JSSL is proud to organise Singapore’s No 1 professional youth league for all children.

Both boys and girls, from the ages of 5 to 17 years old, will be competing across 12 age categories (9 boys & 3 girls), which includes 250 teams, 15 leagues with 38 divisions and participation of over 3500 children from all over Singapore.

For the new season, teams will be placed into either Division 1, Div 2, Div 3, Div 4 or Div 5, based on their position and ranking from the previous season.

1         LEAGUE DIVISIONS

Division 1

1stHalf of the Season – September to December 2018

  • All teams play each other 2x in the 1st half of the season from September to December 2018
  • The bottom placed team after the 1st half of the season is relegated to Div 2 automatically
  • The 2ndfrom bottom placed team will play off against the 2ndplaced team in Div 2
  • The team that wins the playoff play will compete in Div 1 for the 2ndhalf of the season

2ndHalf of the Season – January to May 2019

  • For the 2ndhalf of the season from January to May 2019 all points return to “0”
  • All teams will play each other 2x
  • The League Champion is the team with the most points at the end of the 2ndhalf of the season

Division 2

1stHalf of the Season – September to December 2018

  • All teams play each other 1x in the 1st half of the season from September to December 2018
  • The top placed team in Div 2 is automatically promoted into Div 1
  • The 2ndplaced team will play off for a place in Div 1
  • The 2 bottom placed teams after the 1st half of the season are relegated to Div 3 automatically

2ndHalf of the Season – January to May 2019

  • For the 2ndhalf of the season from January to May 2019 all points return to “0”
  • All teams will play each other 1x
  • The League Champion is the team with the most points at the end of the 2ndhalf of the season

Division 3

1stHalf of the Season – September to December 2018

  • All teams play each other 1x in the 1st half of the season from September to December 2018
  • The top 2 placed teams in Div 3 are automatically promoted into Div 2
  • The 2 bottom placed teams after the 1st half of the season are relegated to Div 4 automatically

2ndHalf of the Season – January to May 2019

  • For the 2ndhalf of the season from January to May 2019 all points return to “0”
  • All teams will play each other 1x
  • The League Champion is the team with the most points at the end of the 2ndhalf of the season

Division 4

1stHalf of the Season – September to December 2018

  • All teams play each other 1x in the 1st half of the season from September to December 2018
  • The top 2 placed teams in Div 4 are automatically promoted into Div 3
  • The 2 bottom placed teams after the 1st half of the season are relegated to Div 5 automatically

2ndHalf of the Season – January to May 2019

  • For the 2ndhalf of the season from January to May 2019 all points return to “0”
  • All teams will play each other 1x
  • The League Champion is the team with the most points at the end of the 2ndhalf of the season

Division 5

1stHalf of the Season – September to December 2018

  • All teams play each other 1x in the 1st half of the season from September to December 2018
  • The top 2 placed teams in Div 4 are automatically promoted into Div 4

2ndHalf of the Season – January to May 2019

  • For the 2ndhalf of the season from January to May 2019 all points return to “0”
  • All teams will play each other 1x
  • The League Champion is the team with the most points at the end of the 2ndhalf of the season

Girls Leagues

1stHalf of the Season – September to December 2018

  • All teams play each other 1x in the 1st half of the season from September to December 2018

2ndHalf of the Season – January to May 2019

  • For the 2ndhalf of the season from January to May 2019 all points remain
  • All teams will play each other 1x
  • The League Champion is the team with the most points combined from the 1stand the 2ndhalf of the season

** Any Divisions with 4 or less teams will play each other 2x in each half of the season

2         JSSL NATIONAL LEAGUE BREAKDOWN

  • Boys 6’s - 5 aside / 2 x 15min games / quarter pitch
  • Boys 7’s - 7 aside / 2 x 20min games / quarter pitch
  • Boys 8’s - 7 aside /  2 x 20min games / quarter pitch
  • Boys 9’s - 8 aside /  2 x 25min games / half pitch (div 1)/ quarter pitch (div 2 and below)
  • Boys 10’s - 8 aside /  2 x 25min games / half pitch (div 1)/ quarter pitch (div 2 and below)
  • Boys 11’s - 9 aside /  2 x 25min games / half pitch
  • Boys 12’s - 9 aside /  2 x 25min games / half pitch
  • Boys 14’s - 11 aside (div 1+2+3) 2 x 25min games / full pitch / offsides or 9 aside (div 4)/ 2 x 25min games / half pitch
  • Boys 16’s – 11 aside / 2 x 30min games (div 1) 2 x 25mins (div 2) / full pitch / off sides
  • Girls 11’s - 8 aside / 2 x 25min games / quarter pitch
  • Girls 13’s - 9 aside / 2 x 25min games / half pitch
  • Girls 14’s – 9 aside / 2 x 25min games/ half pitch
  • 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss
  • There will be a 5min break at half time

3         JSSL NATIONAL LEAGUE PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY OFF

  • Division 1 – bottom team relegated after 1sthalf of the season automatically
  • Division 1 – 2ndfrom bottom team plays off against 2ndplaced Div 2 team
  • Division 2 – top placed team promoted after 1sthalf of the season automatically
  • Division 2 – 2ndplaced team plays off against 2ndfrom bottom Div 1 team
  • Division 2 – bottom 2 teams relegated automatically
  • Division 3/4/5 – top 2 teams promoted & bottom 2 teams relegated after 1sthalf of the season

4         JSSL LEAGUE AGE CUT OFF’S

  • B6’s – Boys Born 1/1 2012 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2011 or later
  • B7’s – Boys Born 1/1 2011 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2010 or later
  • B8’s – Boys Born 1/1 2010 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2009 or later
  • B9’s – Boys Born 1/1 2009 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2008 or later
  • B10’s – Boys Born 1/1 2008 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2007 or later
  • B11’s – Boys Born 1/1 2007 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2006 or later
  • B12’s – Boys Born 1/1 2006 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2005 or later.
  • B14’s – Boys Born 1/1 2004 or later / Girls Born 1/1 2003 or later.
  • B16’s – Boys Born 1/1 2002 or later + 3 players Born 1/1 2001
  • G11’s – Girls Born 1/1 2007 or later
  • G13’s – Girls Born 1/1 2005 or later
  • G16’s – Girls Born 1/1 2002 or later + 3 players Born 1/1 2001

**Girls can play 1 year below their age group in Boys league **

5          LEAGUE POINTS & FORMAT

  • Each team will be awarded 3 points for a win
  • Each team will be awarded 1 point for a draw
  • Each team will be awarded 0 points for a loss
  • The League Champions will be the team with the most points at the end of the 2nd Half of the Season
  • Should there be a tie on points, the following will conditions will decide the League Champions (in order of sequence):
    • First - Goal Difference
    • Second - Goals For
    • Third - Goals Against
    • Fourth – Head To Head Matches
    • Fifth – If all of the above is equal, the 2 teams will play a 25min game to determine the Champion. If the game ends in a draw, a sudden death penalty shoot-out will take place.

6         NATIONAL LEAGUE SCHEDULE

  • The 1st Half of the season will start in September and end in December
  • The 2nd Half of the season starting in January and end in May
  • There will be a 2 week break in April which is when the JSSL International 7s will be held
  • The leagues will commence the week after the JSSL International 7’s

7          LEAGUE FIXTURES, TABLES & RE-SCHEDULING

  1. League fixtures for the entire 1st half of the season will be announced prior to the start of the season. This will be shared through the JSSL League website , JSSL League app, and via email, providing each team with time to plan and prepare their players and parents
    2. Teams are allowed to re-schedule 1 game per team for each half of the season. All teams will be requested to provide unavailability dates prior to the start of each half of the season.
    3. Any team that has to re-schedule more than 1 game each in either Half of the Season will forfeit the points
    4. The rescheduling of matches might result in teams playing 2 games on a Sunday
    5. League results and tables will be updated in real time on line and on the league app as each age group is completed
    6. Results and tables can be accessed at www.jssl-singaporeleagues.comand the League app
    7. Any team wishing to dispute a result or league standing will have 2 weeks from the date of the match to raise the issue and any decision made by the management committee is final

8         FORFEIT OF GAMES

  1. Please note that the match and the points will be forfeited, if a team is unable to play a scheduled game and did not provide notice before the start of the season
    2. 3 points and a 3-0 scoreline will be awarded to the other team
    3. Where a team cancels last minute, best efforts will be made to ensure that the team affected by the late cancellation gets to play a friendly game
    4. If a team fails to show up for 2 games in a season or cancels last minute, they will be withdrawn from the JSSL Leagues

9         DISCIPLINARY CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS, COACHES, CLUBS & PARENTS

  1. At all times players, coaches and parents are to act and represent themselves in an orderly and professional manner
    2. All JSSL venues do not permit:
    o Animals, pets or smoking
    o Use of foul Language
    3. Coaches will be assigned half of the pitch side area from which to coach from and they will be required to remain within their half of the pitch side at all times
    4. Coaches and parents will not be allowed to coach or stand directly behind goals
    5. Players that are yellow carded twice in a half season will be suspended for 1 game starting from the next league game
    6. Players that are red carded in a game will be suspended for 1 game starting from the next league game
    7. Coaches using foul language, in any dialect/language, and/or are not behaving with a responsible conduct will be asked to leave the pitch
    8. Any soccer school or club that attempts to age cheat by playing overage players, non-registered players or inappropriate players will:
    1st offence will have coach and player withdrawn from JSSL Leagues
    2nd offence will have entire team that is involved withdrawn from JSSL League
    3rd offence will have entire club withdrawn from JSSL Leagues
    9. Any soccer school or club that approaches and solicits players from other soccer schools or clubs with the intent to poach players into joining their club will be withdrawn from the JSSL Leagues

10       TEAM & PLAYER REGISTRATION

  1. All teams will be required to register online all their players before the start of the season
    2. Full name, D.O.B and a current head shot must be provided in the online portal and this process must be completed at least 1 week before the start of the League Season
    3. All team and player registrations are the responsibility of each respective club/manager; any player who has not been registered online will not be permitted to play
    4. Every player will be required to bring his/her original passport/ original photo id to verify his/her Player Registration before the first game of the season
    5. Players will not be allowed to play if they do not register with their original passport before their first game and are not registered on line on the teams backend webpage
    6. Teams and coaches are advised to arrive early before the first scheduled game, to give sufficient time to complete the registration of all players from the team
    7. Every player in the JSSL Leagues will be provided with a Player Card by the 3rd week of the leagues; players are to bring these cards for the verification process before each game.
  2. If a player loses his/her card or fails to bring their player ID card then they will not be allowed to play. However, they can purchase a new player ID card on the spot at each venue for $10.
    9. Teams can add new players to their team lists during the season, however, the player MUST be registered online before they play their first game, and he/she must provide his/her original passport for verification
    10. Registered players must get their stamps at the JSSL Registration tent before being allowed to play

11        MATCH DAY REGISTRATION – PLAYER STAMPS

  1. Before each game starts all players are required to register and verify themselves at the JSSL Registration Tent with their Player Cards
    2. Upon the verification process, the player will receive a Player Stamp on his/her hand identifying his/her age group and his/her division
    3. If a player does not register or get verified on match day they will not obtain the Player Stamp and hence will not be allowed to play
    4. Referees will check all players to ensure they have the required Player Stamp, however it is the responsibility of the coach to ensure ALL his players have registered and have category appropriate stamps. In the event a player does not have a Player Stamp they will be sent to the JSSL Information tent to obtain the Player Stamp.

12       PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

  1. Players can only play for 1 Club
    2. Players can only play in 1 Division for that Club. Players can play for more than 1 team for the same club as long as they are age appropriate and it is in the same “Division” for each team. i.e. a Boy 8 Div 1 player can play in Boys 9 Div 1 BUT NOT Boys 9 Div 2.
    3. Within the same club, a player can be promoted upwards from one Division to another Division. However, he/she will need to de-register from their original team and register for their new team both online and at the League Admin Tent.
  2. Once a player is promoted up, he/she CANNOT be promoted down or play for a team in a lower division. The player must return their Player Card to the League Admin to be amended accordingly.
    5. Players cannot drop from one division to a lower division without special dispensation from the League Organisers. In this case the Club Manager will need to write in via email, in advance, for this special dispensation.
  3. Girls can play in both the Girls League and the Boys League
    7. Players that represent the Singapore Sports School or NFA are only eligible to play in Division 1. 8. Dispensations for player/team eligibility can be awarded on a case to case basis decided by the League Organisers.

13       PLAYER TRANSFERS

  1. During the league season, if a player transfers from one club to another, the new club he/she is joining must register the player
    2. The “transferred” player will only be eligible to play for the new club for 30 days after official registration has been performed by the new club; this process has to be done in person at the JSSL Registration Tent with the player and his/her parent and coach present along with their original passport. They must complete the League Transfer Form and only then will the 30 days commence
  2. Players are to return their player cards to the admin upon de-registration; they will be issued a new card upon registration for the new club.

14       TEAM KIT

  1. Div 1 + 2 - teams will be required to have unique player numbers for each team and player
  2. Div 3 and below – teams will be required to have numbered jerseys but not unique numbers
  3. Girls leagues - teams will be required to have numbered jerseys but not unique numbers

14     CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES

A coach’s primary responsibility is to make sure that his/her players have fun, develop as footballers and to instil in them a passion for the game.

The performance of coaches is not measured in wins and losses, but rather in what players learn in terms of technique, sportsmanship, and fair play.

Coaches are charged with the responsibility of controlling their players and parents at all times during a match.

Coaches will dress appropriately for match games with a Club top and club logo/emblem and will wear closed shoes.

Coaches lead and teach by example; players will be a reflection of the manager and coach.

Coaches will:

  • Use positive reinforcement when dealing with players.
  • Never use foul or abusive language and never abuse a player mentally, verbally, or physically.
  • Have respect for the League admin team and for the authority of the referee, our opponents on match days and the officials of their club.
  • Teach players the rules of the game, fair play, and proper behaviour.

In addition:

  • Coaches are to ensure that all players bring their Player ID Cards and that all players are registered before they play their first league game
  • This includes ensuring they bring along their Original Passport for the 1st game they play
  • Ensure that their parents are aware that our venues do not allow:
    1. Smoking and pets or animals
    2. Bad language in any dialect

15     CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS

Players should:

  • Play according to the laws and THE spirit of the game
  • Be on time and be prepared for matches and training session
  • Turn up for training and matches in appropriate and clean clothing
  • Always wear shin guards
  • Display self-control in all situations and never use foul or abusive language - before, during or after a game or training session
  • Train and play to the best of their ability, have a positive attitude, and encourage others to do the same
  • Respect the opposition. Treat them as you would like them to treat you
  • Respect the referee. Never dispute his or her decisions. They are only human and they make mistakes, just like you.
  • Line up after each game in the centre of the pitch to shake hands with the opponents

16     CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS

  • Be your child’s best fan and support him/her unconditionally
  • Support all the players in your child’s squad. Do not criticise anyone
  • Help your child to focus on the performance and not the result and Remember - winning is not as important as the performance
  • Do not criticise the opponents, their parents or their officials
  • Display self-control in all situations. Never use foul or abusive language at any time
  • Never audibly dispute a referee’s decision. They will make mistakes occasionally. We all do. If you abuse or shout at the referee you are breaking the rules of the game.
  • Parents must not coach from the touchline during matches or training and leave this to the coach or you may cause confusion and erode your child’s confidence
  • Parents must not enter the field of play
  • If you have any issues please raise it with your clubs coach / manager / officials
  • Remember - children don’t mean to make mistakes
  • There is no smoking, pets or bad language permitted at any JSSL venue
  • Please remember – the game is for the children and it is not for the glory of the coach, manager or parents.