WHAT IS THE MERCY RULE & WHEN DO YOU ENACT IT?

The intent of the Mercy Rule is to promote sportsmanship and maintain an enjoyable experience for all during lopsided games.

“5 - 8” MERCY RULE: 

  • If a team is behind by 5 or more goals, they may add an additional player onto the field.

  • The additional player can remain on the field until the goal differential has been reduced to less than 5.

  • This occurs again at an 8-goal deficit.

  • If a player for the opposing/winning team is issued a red card & thus ejected, the losing team in this “5-8” scenario is not required to also remove a player until the goal differential is reduced to 8 or 5 goals.

For example, for the 9/10U age group (7V7):

  • If Team A goes up by 5 goals, then Team B may add a player (now 8V7)

  • If Team A goes up by 8 goals, Team B may add an additional player (now 9V7)

  • If Team B scores & reduces the goal differential to 7 goals, Team B must remove a player (back to 8V7)

  • If Team B scores additional goals & reduces the goal differential to 4, Team B must remove another player (back to 7V7)

This rule adaptation cannot be applied to any tournament play nor any competitions not exclusively under MAYSA oversight/direction.