NorCal State Cup Rules Summary
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 2/29/24
League
State Cup is more prestigious than League play. Expect and require a higher level of professionalism and compliance from the teams/adults.
Match Cards.
Provided by Home Team. Use Away Team if Home Team does not have. No card - coaches create one on piece of paper. (File Incident report) All player names must be printed on the match card or written by the referee. Player names in strikethrough font cannot play.
After match, print your name and both coaches sign.. Take photo of match card. Retain the photo till one month after the end of the season. Signed match card is returned to the home team.
Protests regarding players or player passes must be written on the match card before or after the match.
Adult name(s) need not be printed on game card. If Adult name not listed on game card, write it in.
Field Set Up - Technical Areas
Home club decides: Both teams on same side OR one team on each side. NOT the responsibility of the referee to inform the away team or to enforce.
Player Passes
A physical (laminated or unlaminated) or an electronic USClub Player Pass. An electronic pass is visible when logged on to the GotSport system. Screenshots of a pass are not acceptable. NO PASS = NO PLAY
Referee should check that the:
- Pass is Current
- Lists the correct club.
- The picture is of the player.
- The player is not too old.
Adults
Maximum of 3 adults permitted in technical area. A minimum of 1 credentialed adult must be in the technical area. In order to be a credentialed adult, the adult must have:
A physical USClub pass OR An electronic / digital USClub pass displayed on a device.
If the last credentialed adult is sent off - abandon the match. File an incident report.
Adult name need not be printed on game card. If Adult name not listed on game card, write it in.
If the adult name has a strikethrough and the adult claims that they are permitted to be present, allow them to be present File an incident report.
Adult pass must be:
- Current
- Photo must match the individual
- Of the correct club
Player Counts
7v7 Matches -- Maximum Game Day Roster is 14. Minimum 5 to start or continue.
9v9 Matches -- Maximum Game Day Roster is 16 Minimum 6 to start or continue.
11v11 Matches -- Maximum Game Day Roster is 18
Ref Crew
Must use the diagonal system of control. DO NOT use a two-man two-whistle system. Recruit club lines if needed. No referee (other than club lines) may have a family member in the match.
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
Knee and ankle braces okay - hard parts padded.
Hard arm/wrist splints may be allowed - if no danger.
Soft cast okay - if no danger.
Hard casts that cover the entire circumference of the arm/wrist are NOT permitted (even if padded).
Concussion
Any player removed for a suspected head injury cannot return unless cleared by a Health Care Professional. Referees MUST be informed and meet with the Health Care Professional BEFORE the match.
Age Modifications 7v7 U08-U10
Build out line
Deliberate Heading
In U11 matches and younger, deliberate heading of the ball is to be whistled. Award an IFK for the opponents.
Substitutions
Referees are advised to discourage excessive or time wasting substitutions.
IFAB "Only Captains"
Youth leagues are not adopting the IFAB requirements for captain armbands and the "only captains" mechanic. Posted July 22, 2025
Overtime,KFTPM, Winner required
Some matches must have a winner. Ask each coach before the match, if this match must have a winner.
If tied at the end of regulation - play two full 5 minute overtime periods. Then Penalty shootout
Other
Home team provides balls.
Home team changes jersey color if there is a conflict.
Send offs
Do not confiscate the pass. Leave the pass with the team. You will need the coach's / player's ID number from the pass. (Take a picture.) Within 24 hours go to Referee Reports and fill out a send off report. You will need the GotSport match number. 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
Anything unusual. Any concern about passes, rosters, coach eligibility. Better to play and document than not play.
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