NATIONAL CAPITAL SOCCER LEAGUE RULES
New Rule: Referees are required to show red and yellow cards to team officials when cautioning or ejecting them. (Previously cards could be shown at the referee's discretion.)
GENERAL:
Ball U-9 thru U-12 Size 4
U-13 thru U-19 Size 5
Halves U-9 thru U-12 30 min. 1 referee
U-13 thru U-14 35 min. 3 referees
U-15 thru U-16 40 min 3 referees
U-17 thru U-19 45 min. 3 referees
Half-time 5 minutes
Field: U-9 thru U-10 70-80 yds x 45-50 yds
U-11 thru U-19 FIFA
Goal: U-9 thru U-10 6.5 ft high x 18.5 ft wide
U-11 thru U-19 FIFA
Note: If there are two sets of lines, the outermost shall be used.
GRACE PERIOD
Teams have 15 minutes after scheduled kick-off time to have 7 players ready to play. The game shall start as soon as 7 players are present.
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER
The league hotlines (including Referee Mailbox 5) will post widespread closings. Referees
shall call these numbers first Referees should call the assignor only as a
last resort. If there is no information on the hotlines, and
the referee has not been called by the assignor, he/she shall go to the
field. If the referee delays the start of a game or halts a
game in progress, he/she should set a specific waiting period (generally 15 to
30 minutes) and then make a decision about continuing. A cancellation decision
by the referee does not automatically affect following
games.
FIELD PREPARATION
The home team is responsible for
providing a safe and acceptable playing field. If the referee deems the field
not playable or unsafe because of inadequately cut grass, or improper lines or
nets, he/she shall abandon the game and mail the Game Report Card noting why the
game was not played. Referees will be paid even if the game is not played.
TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP LIAISON
Each team will designate a
TSL who will identify him/herself to the referee before the game. TSLs shall be
responsible for ensuring spectators maintain proper sideline behavior and
observe the spectator restraining line. Referees may request TSL assistance for
handling serious spectator problems.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
From midfield with referee's permission
Prior to throw in by team in possession Prior to goal kick by either team After
a goal by either team For an injured player (other team may sub one for one) At
beginning of second half For player receiving yellow card (that player only) No
substitution on corner kicks
REPORTING GAME-RELATED PROBLEMS
Referees must show all cards to coaches. Serious game problems (terminations,
excessive cards, spectator behavior, forfeits, etc.) shall be reported
promptly to the Rules and Discipline Chairman. The referee shall decide if a
narrative report is also warranted. Cases of assault or possible assault
should be immediately reported, as a minimum, to the Rules and Discipline
Chairman.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
The referee shall check player
passes only if requested by either coach. Teams have until the end of the
first half to produce passes. If not available for checking by then, the game
shall be terminated and the league notified. If any player's eligibility is
questionable, the player shall be allowed to participate in the game and a
full report shall be provided. If a player is clearly not eligible to play, he
may not play. Any instance of ineligible or suspected ineligible players must
be reported to the NCSL Rules and Discipline Chairman.
UNIFORMS
Shirts, except goalkeepers, must be numbered and must
correspond with numbers on the Game Report Card. A player may not enter the
game without a numbered shirt. The home team must change jerseys in case of
conflict. Players must wear shin guards at all times. Shirts must be tucked in
and socks pulled up over the top of shin guards at the beginning of each half.
Referees should enforce these rules.
TEAM AND SPECTATOR SIDES
U13-19 teams shall be on one side of the field and spectators shall be on the
opposite side (unless this is not possible due to geographic conditions).
Younger teams are encouraged to do the same thing, but it is the home team's
decision whether to do so. Coaches and assistants shall remain within 20 yards
of their side of the center line. Coaches are responsible for controlling
their own behavior and that of their team and adults on their sideline.
Spectators shall remain between the 18-yard lines extended to the touchline
and shall be a minimum of 3 yards from the touchline, whether a spectator
restraining line is provided or not. Spectators may not stand behind the goal
line or goal. Use of horns, clappers, bells, sirens, megaphones, etc. is not
permitted at NCSL games.
NCSL WEATHER HOTLINE: 703 237-7800
NCSL RULES AND DISCIPLINE CHAIRMAN:
RAY GREENBERG, email
RayGreenberg@comcast.net; phone 301 330-4912