NorCal NPL Rules SummaryPrintable

NorCal Premier National Premier League

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 9/29/24

NorCal Premier NPL (also called NorCal Premier Pre-NPL  or NorCal Premier ECNLRL) is more prestigious than League play.   Expect and require a higher level of professionalism and compliance from the teams/adults

Match Cards. Changed Spring 2024

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. 

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

Player Passes Changed Spring 2024

In order to play, each player must have:

1) A physical (laminated or unlaminated) or an electronic USClub Player Pass (example picutrue or pass on a cell phone) at the game and listed on the match card,  OR
2) A physical (laminated or unlaminated) or an electronic USClub Player Pass and not listed on the match card.   The referee and only the referee can write in the player name on the match card.   The referee will tell each team that there is a player not printed on the match card.  The other team should file an incident report. 

Referee should check that the:

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

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 Changed Spring 2024

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.
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. 

Adult pass must be:

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

Club Lines   

Must use the diagonal system of control.   DO NOT use a two-man two-whistle system.  Recruit club lines if needed.   No referee (other than club lines) may have a family member  in the match.   

Home team

Provides balls.  Changes jersey color if there is a conflict.  

Technical Area

Home club decides: Both teams on same side OR one team on each side.   NOT the responsibility of the referee to inform the away team or to enforce.   

Send offs

Do not confiscate the pass. Leave the pass with the team. Within 24 hours go to http://www.norcalreferees.com/sendoff-> and fill out a send off report.

Half Time

All matches 10 or less minutes.    For fields that are tightly scheduled, use less than 10 minutes.   Typically 7 minutes.

U-Specific

U11-U12: 30 minute halves; 9v9; Minimum 6 players to start/continue, Maximum 16 players on game day roster;, Size 4 ball
U13: 35 minute halves; 11v11, Maximum 18 players on game day roster, Size 5 ball
U14-16: 40 minute halves; 11v11, Maximum 18 players on game day roster
U17-19: 45 minute halves; 11v11, Maximum 18 players on game day roster

Substitutions

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

U12  Unlimited

U13 - U19 Corrected Fall 2024

  • In the first half, once a player has been substituted out, they may not play again in the first half.  At half time, all player substitution activity resets.  In the second half, once a player has been substituted out, they may reenter (be substituted back in) once.  After they have been substituted out a second time in the second half, they may not play again in the second half.  Example: Player #7 starts in the first half and is substituted out in the 22nd minute.  She may now not reenter in the first half.  (Halftime - substitutions now reset!)  In the second half she is substituted in in the 50th minute, out in the 52nd minute, back in again in the 64th minute and substituted out in the 76th minute.  She may now not reenter in the second half.
  • Exception for injured goalkeeper.   One reentry per half permitted for an injured goalkeeper
  • A substitution to remove a player suspected to have a head injury shall not count against the re-entry rules. Thus the player entering the game for the injured player may enter without it counting towards his/her re-entry count, and the player that has been removed may re-enter the game (if cleared by a healthcare professional) for the original substitute.

Orthopedic Supports

No hard casts, air splints or metal splints.
Knee, elbow and ankle braces okay - if referee deems safe to player and others.
Soft cast okay - if referee deems safe to player and others.

Concussion

Any player removed for a suspected head injury cannot return unless cleared by a Health Care Professional. Referees MUST be informed and meet with the Health Care Professional BEFORE the match.  Must complete an incdent report.

Game Day

15 minute grace time for late arriving teams.  Do not impact later matches.  Both teams and referee can agree to equally shortened halves. Use your best coach management skills to convince both teams.    If starts more than 15 minutes late - complete an incident report.  
Home Team to provide benches and easy up covers for both teams.
Home Team to provide water for both teams and referee crew.
If time permits, Referees to conduct an "International Walk Out" 5 minutes prior to the match. Teams to shake hands before the game.  

This information is the best that has been given to the webmaster. Please advise as to corrections or links.

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