NorCal Premier Rules SummaryPrintable

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 8/7/26

Match Cards

Referees MUST use a referee wallet match card to report goals, misconduct and other items.

Players are to be checked in via an on-line NorCal App.   Check in can be done on the referee's phone or on a phone of a member of the team staff.  To participate, a player must be listed in the App for the match.   No exceptions.

Coaches should be in the on-line roster.   However, any coach with a valid pass for the club in question can be in the technical area. Note in your referee wallet.  

After the match a representative of each team should take a photo of the referee match card.  

Protests regarding field conditions must be noted by the referee in their wallet referee match report BEFORE the match.  Protests regarding players or player passes must noted by the referee before or after the match.   

Passes

A USClub Player Pass for each person (player and adult) in the technical area to be provided to the referee.  Passes must have a picture.  Passes must be associated with the match and are on-line.  

Adults

At least 1 adult must have a pass with a photo must be on team side for the entire match. Maximum 3 credentialed adults in technical area. Each adult must have a pass.

Field set up

Home club chooses format.:  Not the referee's responsibility to inform or enforce.   

Player Counts

7v7   Minimum 5 players to start or continue. Maximum 14 players on roster
9v9   Minimum 6 players to start or continue. Maximum 16 players on roster
11v11  Minimum 7 players to start or continue.  Maximum 18 players on roster

Participant Behavior  

The competition rules prohibit Coaches, Players and Spectators  to approach or engage with the referee regarding calls.  This is before, during or after the game.   Warn violations.   Caution repeated violations.  

Referee Crew

Use Club lines.  Ask away team first for club line.   Under no circumstances use 2 person - 2 whistle system. 

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.

Orthopedic Supports

Hard casts, air splints, metal splints - forbidden.
Soft casts okay - if deemed safe.
Braces okay - if deemed safe

Age Modifications

U08-U10    Build Out Line
U08-U11    No heading   
U08-U12    PK at 10 yds.   FK at 8 yds

Deliberate Heading

In U11 matches and younger, deliberate head to ball contact is to be whistled.  Award an IFK for the opponents.

Match Length

FALL .......................................                                           S...........SUMMER 
U08-U10 : 2 - 25 minute halves    7v7............                                  U08-U09 : 2 - 25 minute halves    7v7
U11-U12 : 2 - 30 minute halves     9v9............                                 U10-U11 : 2 - 30 minute halves    9v9
U13 ......... 2 - 35 minute halves    11v11 ............                             U12-U13 : 2 - 35 minute halves    11v11
U14-U16 : 2 - 40 minute halves ...........                                            U14-U16 : 2 - 40 minute halves
U17-U19 : 2 - 45 minute halves ............                                           U17-U19 : 2 - 45 minute halves                                                                                                       

Half Time

U08-U10 5 minutes  
U11-U19 10 minutes per rules of competition.   To keep matches on time shave to 7 minutes

Late Start

Can start up to 15 minutes late.   Reduce each half by the same amount to keep the match end time the same.   i.e. if match starts 10 minutes late, shorten each half by 5 minutes.   Tell the coaches that you are shortening the halves before the match starts.   If you shorten the halves, submit an Incident report.   Link is below. 

IFAB "Only Captains"

Youth leagues are not adopting the IFAB requirements for captain armbands and the "only captains" mechanic.  Posted July 22, 2025

Other

Home Team changes jersey colors if there is a conflict
Ball size U12 and below Size 4.  U13 and above Size 5
Referees are advised to discourage gamesmanship, "time-wasting", or excessive substitutions.

Send offs 

Complete send off report in the NorCal App.  Sent off youth should remain in technical area under supervision of coach or in spectator area under supervision of parents.   Sent off coach cannot remain in technical area and cannot further participate.    Do not force coach to leave "sight and sound".   

Incident Reports 

Head injury?  Pitchinvasion?  Questionable player eligibility"?  Abandoned or teminated match?
Referee Reports

Websites 

This information is the best that has been given to the webmaster. Please advise as to corrections or links.  Links update 8/14/25

NorCal Referee Program Important Links

Referee Reports


Summary table