Hello Fellow Referees,
With the summer season already here, I wanted to remind you of the playing rules for the various Leagues and divisions as I am still getting lots of questions.
If you want to officiate in any leagues, you must log onto Ref Centre and update your leagues, divisions and availability and make sure you click submit.
Just a Reminder all game sheets must be submitted to the perspective leagues within 24 hours after a game, The information for submitting game sheets can be found on each game sheet for the various leagues.
Heat advisory policy:
If the air temperature rises to above 30 C at game time, the following guidelines shall apply:
30C and below- no action.
between 30-35C – enforced 2-minute water breaks during each half.
above 35C - referee to make final decision as to water breaks and whether to play the game.
Lightning Safety/ Severe Weather Policy:
When thunder roars, go indoors!
The safety of players, coaches, management, and spectators is the primary concern in any weather event that occurs during all matches sanctioned by Canada Soccer. By understanding and following the below information, the safety of everyone shall be greatly increased. Ultimately, the referee has the final say over delaying or restarting a match due to weather. Waiting to stop play or not waiting to start play may result in a serious injury or loss of life. Referees are expected to act responsibly when dealing with such events during matches they are controlling.
Retreat Line:
How the retreat line is implemented.
When the goalkeeper has the ball in their possession at a goal kick, after making a save or when the
ball is in their hands, the opposing team members would "retreat" to the predetermined area of the field.
The predetermined areas are as follows:
5v5 - Half way line. It is recommended the goalkeeper does not drop kick the ball
7v7 – 1/3rds line.
9v9 - 1/3rds line.
With the opposition retreating to the correct part of the field the goalkeeper can now successfully throw
or pass the ball to a team mate. Once the player receiving the ball from the goalkeeper touches the
ball, the ball is in play and the opposition players can pressure and attempt to win the ball.
If the goalkeeper chooses not to wait for the opposing players to “retreat” and releases the ball from
their hands to their feet or throws/passes the ball down the field, the ball is instantly in play.
Opponents must be behind the retreat line and cannot cross the retreat line until the ball:
Is touched by a player of the team receiving the GK’s distribution
Leaves the field of play
Crosses the retreat line. (If the goalkeeper chooses to play the ball across the retreat line prior
to the opposition crossing the retreat line)
Is released by the GK’s hands to allow distribution with their feet (drops the ball to pass/dribble
with their feet)
For more information on the retreat line complete with diagrams please take a look at Ontario Soccer’s
publication, Field Organization Guide. It’s available to view/ download at:
http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0112/8119/1901-Field-Organization-Guide.pdf
1. EMDSL
NEW THIS SEASON! FOR AGES U8-U11 NO HEADING OF THE BALL, IF SO AN INDIRECT FREE KICK WILL BE AWARDED TO THE OPPOSING TEAM.
U8-U12 Game Sheets when filling out EMDSL game sheets for U8 to U12 you are still required to put 0 - 0 for the score and give the coaches their copy. (1 white copy for the team and 1 copy for the referee to submit) For the copy you return to the league you need to record the actual score of the game as well as record the score on ref centre. This is not to be shared with the coaches and we do not need to know who scored the goals.
U13-U18 Game Sheets Please record the official score and who scored the goals, YC and RC. Then give the coaches their copies (2 sheets to the home team and the 2 sheets to the away team).
U8-U11 Law 15 pass-in/dribble-in
A pass-in or dribble-in is a method of restarting play.
The kicker may conduct either as a method of restarting play throughout the duration of the match.
A pass-in or dribble-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball crosses the touch line, either on the ground or in the air.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in/dribble-in.
EMDSL Divisions:
U-8&9-----> FORMAT: 5v5 Incl. the Keeper
Referee Fees - Please reference this link
SIZE 4 Ball
2x20 minutes halves
NO Throw ins: The ball must be kicked in or dribbled in when the ball crosses over the touchline.
Kick ins or dribble in is allowed on a corner kick.
All free kicks are indirect NO penalty kicks, No yellow or Red Cards.
Retreat line is 1/3 of the field which can be marked with cones placed on both sides of the field.
Player substitution may be made at any time on the fly or stoppage of play
No Scores, No Standings, No offsides.
U10&11-----> FORMAT: 7v7 Incl. the Keeper
Minimum Number of players 5
Referee Fees - Please reference this link
SIZE 4 Ball
2x25 minutes halves
NO Throw ins: The ball must be kicked in or dribbled in when the ball crosses over the touchline.
NO dribble in is allowed on a corner kick.
All free kicks are indirect except a penalty kick. (PK Mark 9M)
Retreat line is 1/3 of the field which can be marked with cones placed on both sides of the field.
5 second rule applies to retreat line.
Player substitution may be made at any stoppage of play.
No Scores No Standings & No offsides.
U-12-----> FORMAT: 9v9 Incl. the Keeper
Minimum Number of players 6
Referee Fees - Please reference this link
SIZE 4 Ball
2x35 minutes halves
Throw ins.
Regular offsides
Free kicks are direct and indirect as per FIFA, Penalty Mark 9 Meters
Retreat line is 1/3 of the field which can be marked with cones placed on both sides of the field.
5 second rule applies to retreat line.
Player substitution may be made at any stoppage of play.
No Scores, No Standings
EMDSL pertaining to U13-U18.
U13/U14- FORMAT 11v11
Referee Fees - Please reference this link
SIZE 5 Ball
2x40 minute Halves
Regular FIFA rules including offsides
Unlimited regular substitutions and on their own possession throw in. Opposing team may piggyback.
U15/U16 FORMAT 11v11
Referee Fees - Please reference this link
SIZE 5 Ball
2x45 minute halves.
Regular FIFA rules including offsides
Unlimited regular substitutions and on their own possession throw in. Opposing team may piggyback.
U17/U18 FORMAT 11v11
Referee Fees - Please reference this link
SIZE 5 Ball
2x45 minutes halves.
Regular FIFA rules including offsides
Unlimited regular substitutions and on their own possession throw in. Opposing team may piggyback.
If you have any questions, please Text me, call me, or Email me
Have a Great Season!
Tom Partalas, EMSA
Referee Coordinator
Please see below for a map of the fields at 1 Password Park for the EMDSL Festivals in July. Note that there are two areas where the 5v5 fields are located.
The District Cup Draw was held at the BMO Centre on Wednesday May 14, 2025. The District Cup is an annual competition held by the EMDSL. It is not a playoff and is drawn prior to or early in the season. Teams that are identified as home teams for preliminary or quarter final games are asked to source a field date and time in conjunction with the opponent. Once the schedule is posted to the main website, game changes can then be entered to move the games into the system.
Please try to adhere to the following scheduling protocol where possible:
For preliminary games please have these scheduled for game dates no later than June 30th.
For quarter final games please have these scheduled for game dates no later than July 31st
All semi final and final games are hosted by the league. For preliminary and quarter final games the home team is responsible for the field costs and the away team is responsible for the match official costs.
Draw Chart Spreadsheets are below:
The 2025 EMDSL Festival for Tier 1-3 U8-12 teams will be held at 1 Password Park in St Thomas.
Schedules will be posted to your main team site on the league website after the start of the season.
Below please find the date for your respective division. Each team will have two games that day, and there will be a skills and drills area for the players to participate in. Tier 3 teams will be added to the table below and all Tier 3 games will be held on the 5th or 6th.
A reminder to clubs and team officials that you are responsible to pay the match official for any home games on your schedule at the Festival.
Division Dates
| Division | Festival Date |
| U8 Female | July 5th |
| U8 Male Tier 1 | July 5th |
| U8 Male Tier 2 | July 5th |
| U8 Male Tier 3 | July 5th |
| U9 Female Tier 1 | July 6th |
| U9 Female Tier 2 | July 6th |
| U9 Female Tier 3 | July 5th |
| U9 Male Tier 1 | July 5th |
| U9 Male Tier 2 | July 6th |
| U9 Male Tier 3 | July 6th |
| U10 Female Tier 1 | July 19th |
| U10 Female Tier 2 | July 19th |
| U10 Female Tier 3 | July 6th |
| U10 Male Tier 1 | July 19th |
| U10 Male Tier 2 | July 19th |
| U10 Male Tier 3 | July 6th |
| U11 Female Tier 1 | July 20th |
| U11 Female Tier 2 | July 20th |
| U11 Female Tier 3 | July 5th |
| U11 Male Tier 1 | July 20th |
| U11 Male Tier 2 | July 20th |
| U11 Male Tier 3 | July 5th |
| U12 Female Tier 1 | July 19th |
| U12 Female Tier 2 | July 20th |
| U12 Female Tier 3 | July 6th |
| U12 Male Tier 1 | July 20th |
| U12 Male Tier 2 | July 19th |
| U12 Male Tier 3 | July 5th |
Registration is now open to Clubs interested in registering teams for the 2025 EMDSL outdoor soccer season. Clubs must be members of the EMSA District or have the appropriate play out and play in rights approved by their home District and by EMSA. All registrations are subject to the approval of the league and the district.
Please ensure you have read the registration instruction file below prior to registering.
Important Notes:
For Tier 3 teams U13 and above only, please register at the link with the following year of birth:
U13/U14 aged teams use the 2011 year of birth.
U15/U16 aged teams use the 2009 year of birth.
U17/U18 aged teams use the 2007 year of birth.
Tier 3 only offers U14/U16/U18 double year cohort divisions for 2025. Players do not have to be the same birth year but teams must register in the division that matches the oldest birth year player on the team.
Handwritten applications are no longer being accepted. Only the online or completed excel format will be accepted. Please ensure your applications are returned in excel format if using the excel option. Other formats will not be accepted.
Regardless of what method you use the applicable team fees must be received at the BMO Centre 295 Rectory
Street, London ON, N5Z 0A3 address above by the applicable registration deadline. Fees must be paid via Club cheque.
Coach information is no longer required on the application forms. This information must be added later when you activate your team on the EMDSL website closer to the start of the season.
If there are any special requests or questions please contact the respective Tier Director listed on the contacts page of the website. Note that the league cannot answer questions with respect to player eligibility. These should go first to your Club and then to the District.
Fees for 2025 are $300.00 for Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams, and $200.00 for Tier 3 teams.
Ready to Register:
There are two registration options available for this season.
You can use the online link below to register, you will need to do one submission for each team, or you can use the excel option also below for multi team registrations. Please do not do both. If you use the excel option please ensure you email your completed form in excel format to both emdslvp@gmail.com and schedule@emdsl.ca.
Click for Online Registration Link
Below is the excel registration option:
Please see the outdoor match official fees for 2025.
Please see the game days below for the 2025 outdoor season. Note that depending on the number of registrations per age group and gender some divisions may be combined or not offered. These are the suggested game days. Note that some clubs may not have fields on the designated day and may have to adjust accordingly.
Congratulations to our 2024 Gus Fabrikis Bursary recipients. Both individuals have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the game of soccer in the District and we wish them all the best in their post secondary education.
The Indoor District Cup draw was held at the BMO Centre on October 17th, 2024. The draw results are below. Please note that the dates and times of the games will be added later in the season with the semi finals and finals to be held in late March or early April 2025.
Thank you to all who participated in our District Cup Finals over the weekend of August 18-19. See our photo gallery of winners and successes!
