NorCal Premier Rules SummaryPrintable

This rules summary is provided to the referees as a service. These are not the official rules of the competition. NO warranty is made that this summary is up to date.

Last Updated 9/5/24

Match Cards.  

Home team provides a Match card with printed names to the Referee.   Away team should have a match card too.  Away team match card to be used if the home team has no match card.   All player names must be printed on the match card. Player names in strikethrough font cannot play. 

If neither team has a match card - ask the coaches to write out a match card on a piece of paper: player names, jersey number and birthdates.   File an  incident report.   Link below.  

After the match, print your name on the match card, and both coaches sign the match card.   Referee and both coaches take a photo of the match card.   Retain the photo till one month after the end of the season.  Signed match card is returned to the home team. 

Protests regarding players or player passes must be written on the match card before or after the match.   

Field set up

Home club chooses:  Teams on one side and spectators on other side.   OR    Team A / Spectators A on one side and Team B/ Spectators B on other side.(No spectators behind AR in this configuration.)   Not the referee's responsibility to inform or enforce.   

Participant Behavior  NEW Fall 2024

The competition rules prohibit Coaches, Players and Spectators  to approach or engage with the referee regarding calls.  This is before, during or after the game.   Warn violations.   Caution repeated violations.  

The NorCal Team handbook was updated.  See link below.

Referee Crew

  • NorCal requires a full crew of referees for every 11v11 game.  Use club lines if a referee is missing.   Ask AWAY team first for a club line.
  • NorCal permits the use of 1 referee in 7v7 and 9v9 matches. Use club lines that can only call ball out. 
  • Under NO circumstances is a 2 man-2 whistle system to be used.  

Player Passes Changed Fall 2024

In order to play, each player must have:

1) A physical (laminated or unlaminated) or an electronic USClub Player Pass.  An electronic pass is visible when logged on to the GotSport system.  Screenshots of a pass are not acceptable.  NO PASS = NO PLAY
2) Be listed on the match card.    If NOT printed on the match card, the referee will then write in the player on the match card.  Check the player's age.     CHANGED SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

Referee should check that the:

  • Pass is Current
  • Lists the correct club.
  • The picture is of the player.
  • The player is not too old.

Complete Player pass and match card information can be found at Participant Verification Information

A summary for referees is at Referee Summary of Participant Verification Information   Not available as of 8/15/2024

Health Care Professional

A player with a suspected concussion will leave the match and cannot return unless cleared by a health care professional. The health care professional must be presented to the referee BEFORE the match.

Adults 

Maximum of 3 adults permitted in technical area. A minimum of 1 credentialed adult must be in the technical area.  In order to be a credentialed adult, the adult must have:
1) A physical, laminated or unlaminated USClub pass. OR
2) An electronic / digital USClub pass displayed on a device.  

If the last credentialed adult is sent off - abandon the match.  File an incident report.  Link below.
Adult name need not be printed on game card.  If Adult name not listed on game card, write it in. 

If the adult name has a strikethrough and the adult claims that they are permitted to be present, allow them to be present  File an incident report. Link below.

Adult pass must be:

  • Current
  • Photo must match the individual
  • Of the correct club

Send offs 

Do not confiscate the pass. Leave the pass with the team. You will need the coach's / player's ID number from the pass. (Take a picture.)  Within 24 hours go to NorCal Premier Send Off Report and fill out a send off report.  You will need the GotSport match number.

Deliberate Heading

In U11 matches and younger, deliberate head to ball contact is to be whiselted.  Award an IFK for the opponents.

  • When there is both a goal area and a penalty area, an IFK awarded to the attackers within the goal area is to be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line.
  • In 7v7 matches where there is no goal area, IFK awarded to the attackers within the penalty area are to be taken from the penalty area line parallel to the goal line closest to the point of the infraction.

Match Length

FALL .......................................                                           S...........SUMMER 
U08-U10 : 2 - 25 minute halves    7v7............                                  U08-U09 : 2 - 25 minute halves    7v7
U11-U12 : 2 - 30 minute halves     9v9............                                 U10-U11 : 2 - 30 minute halves    9v9
U13 ......... 2 - 35 minute halves    11v11 ............                             U12-U13 : 2 - 35 minute halves    11v11
U14-U16 : 2 - 40 minute halves ...........                                            U14-U16 : 2 - 40 minute halves
U17-U19 : 2 - 45 minute halves ............                                           U17-U19 : 2 - 45 minute halves                                                                                                       

Player Counts

7v7   Minimum 5 players to start or continue. Maximum 14 players on roster
9v9   Minimum 6 players to start or continue. Maximum 16 players on roster
11v11  Minimum 7 players to start or continue.  Maximum 18 players on roster

Age Modifications

U08-U10    Build Out Line
U08-U11    No heading   
U08-U12    PK at 10 yds.   FK at 8 yds  

Half Time

U08-U10 5 minutes  
U11-U19 10 minutes per rules of competition.   To keep matches on time shave to 7 minutes

Late Start

Can start up to 15 minutes late.   Reduce each half by the same amount to keep the match end time the same.   i.e. if match starts 10 minutes late, shorten each half by 5 minutes.   Tell the coaches that you are shortening the halves before the match starts.   If you shorten the halves, submit an Incident report.   Link is below. 

Ball Size

U08- U12 Size 4
U13-U19 Size 5

Home Team

Changes jersey colors if there is a conflict

Shin guards New Fall 2024

Any unmodified commercially manufactured shin guard is acceptable.

7v7 Build Out Line

  • Build Out line is equidistant from halfway line and the penalty area line
  • Goalkeeper has ball in her/his hands? => Opponents must retreat behind build out line
  • Goalkeeper can NOT punt or drop kick the ball. Restart with IFK .
  • On goal kick, opponents must retreat behind build out line
    Must remain behind build out line till ball is in play (kicked and moves) 
  • An attacker is NOT in an offside position if they have not crossed the build out line.
    AR's (if used) patrol from goal line to build out line
  • Goal kick taken from the goal area 

Substitutions

At the discretion and permission of the Referee. EITHER team may substitute at any
stoppage.

Referees are advised to discourage gamesmanship, "time-wasting", or excessive substitutions.

Orthopedic Supports

Hard casts, air splints, metal splints - forbidden.
Soft casts okay - if deemed safe.
Braces okay - if deemed safe

This information is the best that has been given to the webmaster. Please advise as to corrections or links.  LINKS need to be updated 8/10/24

NorCal Referee Resources
NorCal Premier->
NorCal Referees->
Incident Report->

From the NorCal Premier Handbook