NorCal

- NorCal hosted information for referees is here, specifics are one level down.
- The Handbook is here. The handbook and related resources are summarized below.

Pre-Game

- Teams must give opposing team and referee a roster 20 minutes prior to the beginning of each game.
- The grace period for kick-off for late arrival of a team to the game is 15 minutes. If it is necessary for a game to be shortened due to a late start, both teams and the referee shall agree on having two equal shortened halves.
- 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.
- See this document for detailed instructions on roster verification, including protocols player passes and match cards.
- 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.
- No Hard Cast allowed (even if bubble wrapped!)

Braces are allowed as long as the referee decides that the brace will not or cannot hurt the player wearing the brace or any other player.

- 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 (U13 and up, U8-U12 can be 1 referee), 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

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.
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).
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.).
Fall 2021 - NorCal will allow Dual Referee on an emergency basis. NorCal will also allow affiliated members of a team to officiate (Parent) as long as it's disclosed to both teams.

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 for all ages:

No limit on number of subs or re-entry
Substitutions are at the referee’s discretion.
Substitutions by either team are allowed at any stoppage (including Foul and Corner Kick) of play with the permission of the referee.
Substitutions should not be used as a means to disrupt the flow of the game (time wasting). Be aware of the attacking team interest in a quick restart. Do not take that away with a sub from the defending team!

- No Re-Entry Protocol (for Head Injury and SCA)
  In accordance with the US Club Soccer return to play guidelines, any Player removed from the Field for a suspected head injury or SCA (sudden cardiac arrest) will not be allowed to return to the Field of play unless cleared by a Licensed Healthcare Provider, defined by CA law AB-379 as an individual who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and is acting within the scope of the provider’s practice for evaluation and management of concussions or other head injuries and/or an individual who is trained in the evaluation and management of cardiac conditions and is acting within the scope of that provider’s practice for evaluation and management of sudden cardiac arrest, fainting, and shortness of breath.

US Soccer Mandate - Heading

For U11 and below (10 years old or younger), when a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area (6 yard box), the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If a player a player does not deliberately head the ball, then play should continue.

- Talk with both coaches prior to kickoff to ensure they are aware of the Heading rule change and how it will be officiated.
- Deliberate heading is not a foul, rather it is a violation of permissible playing technique in the defined age brackets.
- For deliberate heading, play must be stopped immediately. Verbalize your call as older players may be confused.
- If a goal is scored by a player deliberately heading the ball, the goal should be disallowed and an IFK should be awarded.
- As is the case with deliberate handling, this call will potentially be controversial. Be consistent and use common sense. Tactical heading to stop an attack may happen, it is a frustrating downside of the no-heading policy.
- No advantage can be applied for a "Heading Violation"
- Heading Violation can not considered for misconduct, so no Yellow card for persistent infringement and no DOGSO (a defensively headed ball off the goal line is JUST an IFK at the top of the goal area or penalty area for 7v7 play).
- If a player "can't stop heading" or appears to tactically heading, talk with the coach to sub the player out.

Concussion Protocol

- In accordance with the US Soccer return to play guidelines, any player removed from the field for a suspected head injury will not be allowed to return to the field of play unless cleared by a Healthcare Professional.
- A health care professional is defined as “a licensed health care professional such as an athletic trainer certified (ATC), or a physician (MD/DO), with a skill set in emergency care and sports medicine injuries and with knowledge and experience related to concussion evaluation and management.” It will be up to each club to decide whether they will provide a health care professional at their matches, and to ensure that their health care professional has the correct certification to be evaluating players for head trauma. If a club plans to use a health care professional to evaluate suspected head injuries during a NorCal match, the health care professional must be presented to the referee prior to the start of the match. Referees will not allow the re-entry of players removed from the field of play for suspected head injuries unless they are informed of the presence of, and meet with, a health care professional prior to the start of the match.

US Soccer Mandate - Buildout Lines

Build out lines are additional field markings for 7v7 play. They extend the full width of the field equidistant from the halfway line and the penalty area line. The spirit of the mandate is promote playing out from the back when the Goalkeeper has the ball. Review the mandate with the coaches before the game, talk to Goalkeeper and opposing team players to encourage proper implementation. Penalize for infractions as a last resort, especially early in the season.

Reference Documents

- - See page 29-33 of US Soccer doc,
  - GameOfficials has this document, see page 15-19
  - See also this video Explaining The 7v7 Build Out Line: Part I.

Procedure

For a goal kick or when the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play. Teammates of the goalkeeper can be behind the buildout line and inside the penalty area.
For a goal kick, the opposing team must stay behind the build out line until the ball is kicked (and moves). If the opponent moves beyond the build out line prematurely, stop play, and restart with Goal Kick.
Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can kick (for goal kick restart), pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed). There is no restriction on the ball traveling beyond the halfway line.
Note the "undocumented" case: Goalkeeper has the ball in hands during play and “releases” it by putting it on the ground. The ball is now In-Play and the other team is free to cross build-out line.
After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal.
Teammates of the goalkeeper will be behind the buildout line so they can receive the ball from the goalkeeper without immediate pressure. This is a primary rational for the implementation of this rule.
Ideally, the goalkeeper will wait to put the ball into play once all opponents are past the build out line. However, the goalkeeper can put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how play resumes.
Finally, the build out line will be used to denote where offside offenses can be called. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line.

Infractions

Players can be penalized for an offside offense only between the build out line and goal line.
If goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the punt or drop kick occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.
Opponents must not waste time moving out past the build out line. Referees should be flexible when enforcing the 6 second rule and counting the time of possession should only begin when all opponents have moved behind the build out line.
If a team is slow to retreat behind the build out line for the purpose of time wasting or encroaches beyond the line before the ball is put back in play, the referee may show the yellow card and caution the offending players to manage the situation.

4v4 (U8)

Many NorCal clubs are running this 4v4 (3 player + keeper per side) with no paid referees. It is noted here for informational purposes only.

7v7 (U8-10)

- 7 v 7 (6 and keeper), Minimum 5 players, use 14 player game day roster
- Size 4 Ball
- 25 Minute Halves
- 5 Minute Half-Time
- All throw-ins must be done correctly.
- Penalty kicks will be allowed, spot is 10 yds out.
- All major and technical fouls will be enforced resulting in direct free kick or indirect free kick as appropriate.
- 8 yard distance for free kicks.
- Offside is modified as per Buildout mandate - a player can only be in an offside position between the buildout line (vs halfway line) and the goal.
- Buildout Line mandate is in effect. See above for description.
- Goal kicks are taken as per IFAB from within the goal area. Opponents should be beyond the buildout line before the goal kick is taken unless the kicking team elects not to wait.
- Restrictions on keeper distribution, No Punts or Drop Kicks. The ball is allowed to go over the halfway line if thrown, passed, or via a goal kick.

9v9 (U11-12)

- 9 v 9, Minimum 6 players, use 16 player game day roster
- Size 4 Ball
- 30 Minute Halves
- 10 Minute Half-Time
- 8 yard distance for free kicks
- NO HEADING at U11, Heading allowed at U12
- FIFA Laws for all else

U13

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

U14 - U16

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

U17, U18

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

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