NorCal Fall Playing League

The NorCal Playing League is a A US Club sanctioned league providing teams in Northern California Premier Competition.

NorCal Fall Playing League Fall 2015-16 Season Information Dates Referee Procedures Pre-Game NorCal Protocol for Crew of < 3 Post-Game Playing Rules U9 U10 U11 U12 U13, U14 U15, U16 U17, U18 Links

Fall 2015-16 Season Information

Dates

August 22 - Opening Day
November 18 - Closing Day

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Referee Procedures

NorCal hosted information for referees is here specifics are one level down.

See Fall Home Page U8-10 and Fall Home Page U11-13 and Fall Home Page U14-19 for up to date information and schedules for researching teams. Specific rules for U8-10 are here. New revised Handbook for all ages, leagues and competitions is here. This handbook and related resources are summarized below. An alternate site for rules is Here, it is a NorCal referee site.

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 team's coach. The home team will keep and file the game card for future possible reference. NOTE the maximum game day roster size for each playing level, 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!
  

Special case - If a whole team of Player Passes is forgotten, lost, or missing /late by an Act of God – the game should be played using the official game card rosters. However, pictures must be taken of the team of players by the coach to be later submitted to NorCal in the event the game is contested by the other team.


• 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 for U12 and up. Strangely the team handbook allows for Single Referee in U9 and Dual Referees in U10/U11 BUT our assignment group will only use the standard 3 referee system with club lines filling in if needed.
  

• Be aware that NorCal requires a full crew of referees for every game, and the coaches have the option of playing the game "under protest" if there are less than 3 referees at the game, but they need to document that BEFORE the start of the game, not after seeing that the result is not in favor.

NorCal Protocol for Crew of < 3

Attention: There is no such NorCal rule of Forfeit for crew < 3
1. The visiting team should note the missing referees on the game card and the game should be played under protest. This means the visiting team can appeal to have the game replayed if necessary. **If there are major issues with the referees, an appeal to the Event Coordinator for a replay can be filed, however, in most instances the game can be officiated at an acceptable level.
2. Seek out an individual who is a current year licensed referee. If a current year licensed referee is found, then they may fill in as a full linesman (making all calls).
3. If there are no licensed referees available, a knowledgeable individual from either team can fill in as a "club linesman." A "club linesman" has a more limited role in the game and can only flag balls in and out of bounds (no offside, fouls, etc.).

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 the official site obsoletes whatever invalid links or emails you may find in handbooks or other sources.

Playing Rules

NorCal Substitution Rules U11 and up:
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

U9

See NorCal for Full U9-10 Rules

• 8 v 8 (7 and keeper), use 14 player game day roster
  

• Size 4 Ball
  

• 25 Minute Halves
  

• 5 Minute Half-Time
  

• Either team may substitute on any stoppage, subject to the referee’s approval. This is full FIFA including corner kick and free kick stoppages.
  

• All throw-ins must be done correctly, but at the discretion of the referee a re-throw can be granted.
  

• Penalty kicks will be allowed.
  

• All major and technical fouls will be enforced resulting in direct free kick or indirect free kick as appropriate.
  

• Offside will be enforced.
  

• Goal kicks may be taken from any point within the penalty area in order to keep the game flowing, unless both coaches agree otherwise in advance with the referee. Remember that the attacking team must be at least 10 yards from the ball regardless of where it is placed in the penalty area.

U10

See NorCal for Full U9-10 Rules

• 8 v 8 (7 and keeper), use 14 player game day roster
  

• Size 4 Ball
  

• 30 Minute Halves
  

• 5 Minute Half-Time
  

• Either team may substitute on any stoppage, subject to the referee’s approval. This is full FIFA including corner kick and free kick stoppages.
  

• All throw-ins must be done correctly, but at the discretion of the referee a re-throw can be granted.
  

• Penalty kicks will be allowed.
  

• All major and technical fouls will be enforced resulting in direct free kick or indirect free kick as appropriate.
  

• Offside will be enforced.
  

• Goal kicks may be taken from any point within the penalty area in order to keep the game flowing, unless both coaches agree otherwise in advance with the referee. Remember that the attacking team must be at least 10 yards from the ball regardless of where it is placed in the penalty area.

U11

• 8 v 8, use 14 player game day roster
  

• Size 4 Ball
  

• 30 Minute Halves
  

• 10 Minute Half-Time
  

• FIFA Laws for all else

U12

• 11 v 11, use 18 player game day roster
  

• Size 4 Ball
  

• 35 Minute Halves
  

• 10 Minute Half-Time

U13, U14

• 11 v 11, use 18 player game day roster
  

• Size 5 Ball
  

• 35 Minute Halves
  

• 10 Minute Half-Time

U15, U16

• 11 v 11, use 18 player game day roster
  

• Size 5 Ball
  

• 40 Minute Halves
  

• 10 Minute Half-Time

U17, U18

• 45 Minute Halves
  

• 10 Minute Half-Time
  

• Ball Size: 5
  

• 18 player game day roster.