Ref Cheat Sheet

A quick reference guide for officiating CCSL Rec and Travel Games

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U8

  • 4v4
  • Side 3 ball
  • 4 quarters, 12 min ea
  • No offsides
  • No slide tackling
  • No heading
  • No score-keeping


U10

  • 7v7
  • Size 4 ball
  • 25 min halves
  • Buildout lines
  • When a goal kick occurs and when the goalie has possession of the ball, the opposing team must be behind the buildout line
  • Offsides from the buildout line to the goalline
  • Video tutorial: https://www.ncsl-soccer.com/u9-10-build-out-lines-explained
  • No punting
  • No heading
  • Intentional, indirect free kick
  • Unintentional, indirect free kick
  • No slide tackling, direct free kick

U12

  • 9v9
  • Size 4 ball
  • 30 minute halves
  • No heading- indirect free kick
  • No slide tackling- direct free kick
  • Offsides

U13-U16

  • 11v11
  • Size 5 ball
  • 40 minutes halves
  • Heading is permitted
  • Slide tackling is permitted
  • Offsides

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Mercy Rule for Rec Games

  • When a team is losing a game by four (4) goals, it must add one (1) additional player. 
  • When a team is losing a game by five (5) goals, it must add another additional player.
  • When a team is losing a game by six (6) goals, it must add another additional player. [See clarification below]                                                           
  • The maximum player advantage is three (3) players in U10.
  • The maximum player advantage is two (2) players in U12. 
  • The maximum player advantage is one (1) players in U13-16.     

                                           

If the losing side narrows the score, they must remove a player accordingly.

 

If the losing side does not have remaining players on the bench to add to the game, the winning side must choose between removing a player or providing a player to the losing side. If the losing side narrows the score, the winning side retains their player. 


NCSL Travel Cheat Sheet

  • Check-in is still required! Referees must still check team rosters and player cards before all NCSL games. Teams may present physical or electronic player cards and a printed USYS state-approved roster.
  • Unlimited club pass allowed. Teams can use unlimited club pass players each game as long as they are travel players within the same club, age-eligible, and don't exceed roster limits.
  • Recreational players/cards are NOT allowed. Only players with USYS travel player cards may play in NCSL games.
  • Blue game cards are NOT required. We recommend that each team use its USYS state-approved roster and player cards to check in. Teams must have a physical roster available; however, they have the option of showing physical or electronic player cards. The referee must collect the team rosters either physically or by taking a picture for their records.
  • Captain badges are NOT required. Teams are not required to designate a captain, and if they do, the captain is not required to wear an identifying armband.
  • Referees must enter game reports. Referees must enter game reports on the NCSL website. Click here for instructions on how to enter game reports.
  • Referees Communication Devices. Referees are permitted to use communication devices during NCSL games.
  • Game Length & Ball Size (unlimited substitutions)
  • U9-11 | 30min halves, 1 referee | Size 4 ball
  • U12 | 35min halves, 1-3 referees (ARs are NOT required at U12) | Size 4 ball
  • U13 | 35min halves, 3 referees | Size 5 ball
  • U14 | 35min halves, 3 referees | Size 5 ball
  • U15-16 | 40min halves, 3 referees | Size 5 ball
  • U17-19 | 45min halves, 3 referees | Size 5 ball