National Premier League (NPL)

According NorCal documentation, NPL (formally RAL) is A Northern California based, multiple flight, League Competition for Selected Soccer Club’s U14 - 15 – 16 – 17 – 18 Boys and Girls Teams utilizing Showcase Days/Weekends throughout the year for National Team, Professional and Collegiate Showcasing Opportunities.

2015-16 Season Information

Referee Procedures

Pre-Game
Post-Game

Playing Rules

U14
U15-16
U17-18
Email Recap of Season info

2015-16 Season Information

Referee Procedures

The NPL home page is here for team research and added information.

A good referee rules site for NorCal is here. The player All handbook, see page 22 is summarized below.

Pre-Game

Teams must give opposing team and referee a roster 20 minutes prior to the beginning of each game.
The NorCal Game Card (printed Sheet of paper) is to be given to the Referee by the home team before the game. It is to be filled out and signed by the Referee and each teams coach. The home team will keep and file the game card for future possible reference. Maximum game day roster is 18 players, do not allow more than the allowed number to be checked in and play.
Check players and coaches/managers against their US Club passes. NO PASS, NO PLAY! Player passes must have the individual's picture and be laminated to be valid.
No Guest Players. Only players on the printed rooster may play, no handwritten names. The referee may write a player's name in but not until the name is seen on an electronic game card (on a phone for example). What might happen for a league game is a team adds players after the other team has printed the game card...if this happens simply ask the away team to show an electronic game card and then the referee can write the names in.
Check players' equipment. Jewelry is not allowed. It is NOT OK to put tape over earrings or bracelets. Medical bracelets are allowed if made safe to the Referee's satisfaction.
Diagonal System of Control (DSC) mandatory.
International Walk Out is recommended but no longer required. Try to do the walk out 5 minutes before kick off time. This applies to all referees and all NorCal NPL Games.

Post-Game

Return player passes to teams. Do not keep the passes of any sent-off players or team officials.
Sign and return the NorCal Game Card to the Home team, fully filled out. Make sure you record the score for yourself so you can enter it into the Arbiter.
Referee also enters game report into Arbiter.
Send-off reports must be submitted within 24 hours. The send-off reporting system is now fully online Here. It is in development but obsoletes whatever invalid links or emails you may find in handbooks or other sources.

Playing Rules

NPL Substitution Rules:
Substitutions are at the referee’s discretion. A substitution can take place for either team at the following times:

prior to a kick-off
a goal kick
a throw-in
or after the referee stops play for an injury or yellow card

Substitutions are permitted as follows:

First Half No Re-Entry
Second Half one Re-Entry
There will be 1 re-entry per half for an injured GK (no field player re-entry).

U14

11 v 11, use 18 player game day roster
Size 5 Ball
35 Minute Halves
10 Minute Half-Time

U15-16

11 v 11, use 18 player game day roster
See special substitution rules above for U16
Size 5 Ball
40 Minute Halves
10 Minute Half-Time

U17-18

11 v 11, use 18 player game day roster
See special substitution rules above
Size 5 Ball
45 Minute Halves
10 Minute Half-Time

Email Recap of Season info

Hello Teams:

The 2014-15 NorCal NPL kicks-off for all Fall Playing teams this weekend with Match Day #1. The following email contains some very useful information for coaches and managers.

NorCal NPL Handbook Update

The NorCal NPL Handbook has been updated for the 2014/15 NorCal NPL season. Please pay special attention to the following sections:

1.5 Substitutions: U14-U15 unlimited subs; U16-U19 first half no re-entry, second half one re-entry.

3.2 Game Day Procedures: Specifically, please remember the following required Home Team responsibilities and pre-game procedures:

Benches for both teams
Easy-up or bench cover set up for both teams
Water for both teams and referees (could be bottled or in a large jug)
International "Walk Out" five minutes prior to match

3.3 Post-Game Procedures: Specifically, please remember to report scores, report goal scorers, and fill out the NEW NorCal NPL Online Game Report

Reporting Scores

Go to http://home.gotsoccer.com/?p=login

Click on Scoring Input https://www.gotsport.com/events/scoring/Default.aspx

Enter the event ID (40467 for NPL FALL) and the 4-Digit Pin (2014) - it is also printed on Game Card in case your forget

Enter game number and update score - Click on Save

Reporting Goal Scorers

Report score

Log into your teams GotSoccer account

Click on "Game History" in the top links bar

Find the game and click on the "+"

Enter the players name and the blue "+" to save

NPL Online Game Report
All teams are required to submit the NPL Game Report following the game. It is a very short form but will help NorCal monitor the quality of the league. The following items are on the Game Report: Game Day Setup, Field Conditions, Opponents Players of the Match, and Referees. This should be filled out for each match.

Here is a direct link to the NorCal NPL Game Report. There will also be a link on the NorCal NPL Website on the Schedules, Results, and Format link:

NorCal NPL Game Report

Here is a link to view the entire handbook:

NorCal Premier Soccer Handbook - NPL Section Pages 23-29