SASC Recreational League Information

Updated:  8/25/2025

Referee Procedures

Pre-Game

• • Both teams on same side of the field, spectators on opposite side.

  • Home team supplies game balls. 

  • In-House Rec games (U7-U12)

    • No match cards

    • No player cards

    • Safety check required

  • U14B, U14G, U16B, U16G are playing in the NorCal "SuperRec League"

    • No match cards

    • No player cards

    • Each coach will provide a printed roster of their own team

    • Scores are not officially recorded

    • Safety check required

  • ONLY a maximum of 2 coaches are allowed on the Player side, all other "adults" must move to the parent side of the field.

• • 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.

    • Players wearing any dangerous equipment or device including orthopedic casts, air-splints, or metal splints, shall not be eligible to participate in any game, practice, tryout or training session.

  • Single Referee in U7-U10 games.

  • Diagonal System of Control (DSC) for U12 and above games. The Dual-Referee system may be used on an emergency basis only.

  • Start the game On Time and if behind, reduce playing time for each half

Post-Game

• Referee enters game report into ArbiterSports.

• There is no send-off form.  Just document the offending player in Arbiter match report by name, jersey number, and send-off offense.

General Notes on SASC Rec Games

The typical referee doing SASC Rec games is new to refereeing. We do have some seasoned referees who just love Rec and refuse to do anything else but in general referees at this level are still learning the game. So here are some basic points to help you get the most out of each game.

• Work hard on recognizing what is a foul vs. a player just tripping over their own feet or just loosing balance. In Rec there is lots of both and it pretty obvious.

• Be confident that you saw it correctly. At this level is better error on the side of caution (calling a foul that maybe isn't) than letting an obvious foul go.

• If you need help email referee@sunnyvalesoccer.org and ask for a mentor.

• Before the game, examine the nets. Most often the small fields will have smaller goals and in most cases, the net will just be "hanging" down (and in the keeper's way). The net can be pulled back and in most cases, it can be tucked under the 2 corner stakes holding the goal down.

• Get those sidelines safe. Get spectators, chairs, feet, coaches and players back enough from the field BEFORE (and during the game) so as to not pose a danger to players near the touchlines.

• Control substitutions. YOU must let the coaches and players know that the substitutes must not enter the game until YOU call them on. And don't call them on until the player(s) going off, are either OFF or nearly off the field. It is a good idea to give them this instruction at your pre-game check-in.

• All restarts after a substitution requires a "restart whistle".

• Remember: 1 whistle for start of play, 2 whistles (and point to center circle) for half-time, 3 whistles (and point to center circle) for end of game.

• Watch for fouls. Recognize what is and what isn't a foul. Learn the difference between "feet falling over each other" and an actual trip. One is not a foul, the other is a foul. Pushing/shoving a player with the ball, so that he/she loses the ball, is generally a callable foul.

• Remember that a player taking a free kick is entitled to 8-10 yds free space. He/she does not need to ask. IT MUST be given automatically by the other team's players. Players that do not give this free space should be warned the first time; the second time it happens by the same team, it may warrant a yellow-card caution. Be really lenient and teaching at U8/10, more strict at U12, and hard nose (Card) at U14.

• • By U12/U14 the kicking team may want to take a "quick kick" right away and then you should let it be taken, regardless of the amount of free space given. If an opposing player, less than the required distance moves to block it, whistle for the infraction and generally a yellow is shown at the upper ages but normally just a "talking to" the lower ages.

  • Don't "quibble" about ball or player location on a free kick restart if it/they are a few feet from where you think it/they should be. Get the game going.

  • Whether you have ARs or not, make use of the diagonal as you follow play up/down field. Don't camp out on the touch line or center of the field. Stay near the play/action. "Out of bound/direction" isn't as important as being where the play/ball is. Players will usually know which side has the throw in.

  • "Hands" is often mis-called. Differentiate between a ball hitting a hand/arm with no attempt to use the hand/arm to play the ball (usually NOT a foul) and a player having his/her hands/arms up and letting the ball hit it (usually a foul) and a player by quick reflex moves to protect him/her self and was not able to turn away to avoid the ball (usually NOT a foul) and a player who stands and lets the ball play off the hand or any part of the arm, with time to turn and get out of the way, but doesn't do so, this is also usually a foul.

  • Do not let players, coaches keep making "dissenting" comments, remarks. Be Tall, be Brave, you are in authority. In a polite but strong, firm voice tell them to stop.

  • Do not let spectators continue "coaching" from the sidelines. Politely ask them to stop doing so. If necessary, let the coaches know they have responsibility to "govern the sidelines (players and spectators).

  • Know that a warning can be given to the coach, followed by "now I'm telling you" (it's like a "hidden yellow card"), followed by asking they leave the field (which is now like a "red card" send-off). The main point here is don't let improper behavior/comments continue throughout the game. You need to deal with it, let them know it's not acceptable and that it must stop. Yes, hard to do as a young, new ref., but sometimes if you make a good effort at it, you will often find that it does stop and you get this "good feeling" and the game continues in a better spirit.

Playing Rules

A rules summary can be viewed online at the SASC Rec rules page.

Rec Substitution Rules

• • No limit on number of subs or re-entry

  • Substitution allowed on any stoppage of play (IFAB)

  • Cautioned player (not mandatory)

NOTICE: Coaches can modify substitution rules before start of game as long as both agree and inform the referee.

No Deliberate Heading in any U12 or younger game

If a deliberate heading of the ball occurs, the restart is an IFK from the spot that the heading took place. If that spot is in the penalty area of an U10 or younger match, ball is moved to the penalty area line closest to where the heading took place, otherwise regular IFK ball placement applies.

• • 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.

  • 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 be 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).

  • If a player "can't stop heading" or appears to tactically heading, talk with the coach to sub the player out.

US Soccer Mandate - Build Out Lines (modified for SASC Rec)

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 build out 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.

• The opposing team must also move behind the build out line during a goal kick until the ball is put into play, teammates of the goalkeeper can be behind the buildout line.

• 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.

U7 Boys, U8 Boys, U8 Girls

• 20 Minutes Halves No time added at the end of regulation.

• 5 Minute Half-Time

• Ball Size: 3

• 5 v 5 with goal keeper,   no minimum

• Build Out line rules will be used.  See above for description.  Half-way line is used as the build-out line.  As part of build-out line, no GK punts or drop-kicks

• NO OFFSIDE CALLS Warn players if "cherry picking" in front of goal.

• NO DIRECT FREE KICKS. All free kicks are INDIRECT.

• NO PENALTY KICKS. All free kicks in the penalty area shall be taken from closest point on the nearest penalty area line.

• No foul called on pass back to keeper with keeper subsequently handling the ball

• Goal Kick may be taken from anywhere in the No-Go area, Note opponents must be 8 yards from kicker regardless of location

• One re-throw allowed on a foul throw-in.

• Opponents must be 8 yards from kickoffs, free kicks and corner kicks.

• Slide tackling is a foul and results in an indirect free kick for the opponent

• Explain your call to the offending player

U10

• 25 Minute Halves No time added at the end of regulation.

• 5 Minute Half-Time

• Ball Size: 4

• 7 vs. 7, no minimum. Encourage player sharing if one team lacks players.

• Build Out line rules will be used.   See above for description.   IF the field is not marked with a Build Out line, use the edge of the Center Circle.   As part of build-out line, no GK punts or drop-kicks

• CALL Blatant OFFSIDE If you notice a player obviously offside, call it. Stay with play, try to anticipate play so you are in position to see the offside.

• Indirect (IFK) and Direct (DFK) free kicks fouls are per IFAB (laws of the game).

• Penalty Kicks for fouls inside the penalty area are to be called.

• Warning on first occurrence of a back pass with GK pickup by hand (explain the law), called from then on for the warned team.

• Foul throw-ins are per IFAB (no re-throw, opponent gets the ball).

• Opponents must be 10 yards from kickoffs, free kicks and corner kicks.

• Slide tackling is a foul and results in an indirect free kick for the opponent

• Explain your call to the offending player

U12

• In-house: No players cards required. Play-through: No player cards required

• 30 Minute Halves

• 5 Minute Half-Time

• Ball Size: 4

• 9 vs 9, no minimum.  Allow 8v8 if a team lacking players.

• OFFSIDE CALLS per IFAB.

• Penalty Kicks for fouls in the penalty area as per IFAB

• Only "Clean" Slide tackling is allowed. Slide tackling with cleats up, both feet or from behind is minimum Yellow card. Hard or dangerous contact with opponent is Red.

U14

• In-house: No players cards required. Play-through: Currently, no CYSA player cards required.

• 35 Minute Halves

• 5 Minute Half-Time

• Ball Size: 5

• 11 vs. 11, minimum 7.

• Only "Clean" Slide tackling is allowed. Slide tackling with cleats up, both feet or from behind is minimum Yellow card. Hard or dangerous contact with opponent is Red.

• All Laws as per IFAB

U16

• Play-through or SuperRec.  No player cards.

• 40 Minute Halves 

• 10 Minute Half-Time

• Ball Size: 5

• 11 vs. 11, minimum 7.

• Only "Clean" Slide tackling is allowed. Slide tackling with cleats up, both feet or from behind is minimum Yellow card. Hard or dangerous contact with opponent is Red.

• All Laws as per IFAB

U18

• 45 Minute Halves 

• 10 Minute Half-Time

• Ball Size: 5

• 11 vs. 11, minimum 7.

• Only "Clean" Slide tackling is allowed. Slide tackling with cleats up, both feet or from behind is minimum Yellow card. Hard or dangerous contact with opponent is Red.

• Substitution is standard FIFA, i.e. at any stoppage.