A parent-friendly summary of the NorCal rules families ask about most: red cards, how suspensions are served, standings tiebreakers and game-day basics.
The short answer parents ask for
A red card is a minimum one-game suspension and the player is out for the rest of that weekend’s NorCal games. In ECNL RL the send-off costs the rest of that day at that level plus the next day that level is played.
Suspensions do not cross competitions: a red card in an ECNL RL match cannot be served in a State Cup match, and a State Cup red card cannot be served in an ECNL RL match. Tournament games never count toward serving a NorCal suspension.
Individual cases are decided by the NorCal PAD Committee, and rules can change during the season. Always confirm a player’s eligibility with the coach or team manager before a match.
Red cards & suspensions
What happens after a send-off, how many games a player misses, and which competitions a suspension can be served in.
§3.2 — Red Cards
A red card is a minimum one-game suspension
A red card — including one that comes from two cautions in the same match — carries a minimum one (1) game suspension.
A player sent off during a match weekend is ineligible for any NorCal competition for the rest of that weekend, whether or not the Send-Off Report has been filed yet.
Games served that same weekend do count toward the suspension.
A player shown a red card must leave the match immediately and take no further part, but may stay on the bench or in the technical area. Players and coaches sent off should skip the post-match handshakes.
The PAD Committee does not normally add extra games for things the referee already handled in the match, but can act in extreme cases (violent conduct, spitting, discriminatory language, referee abuse).
Appendix B, §B.19 — ECNL RL Discipline
In ECNL RL, a send-off costs the rest of that day plus the next day at that level
Superseding §3.2 for ECNL RL: a player sent off is suspended for the remainder of that level of ECNL competition that day, and for the next day that level is played, for any age group.
A coach sent off is suspended for the remainder of that competition, all other ECNL competitions that day, and the next competition at that age-group level.
The NorCal League Office may add sanctions per the Disciplinary Matrix (Appendix E).
There are no protests or appeals of ECNL competition decisions or of Commissioner suspensions of five games or fewer. Suspensions longer than five games approved by a Disciplinary Committee may be appealed to US Club Soccer, then US Soccer.
Appendix B, §B.19 — Carryover
An ECNL RL suspension cannot be served in State Cup (and vice versa)
Red card suspensions within the ECNL RL – NorCal division do not carry over to other NorCal competitions, and suspensions from other competitions do not carry over into ECNL RL.
In practice: a suspension for a red card in an ECNL RL match cannot be served in a State Cup match, and a red card suspension from a State Cup match cannot be served in an ECNL RL match — each is served inside its own competition.
Red-card suspensions carry over between seasons only when the card is received in the final competition of the season, or when the length of the suspension requires it.
There is no yellow-card accumulation policy — yellows do not stack into a suspension.
§3.3 — Suspensions
How a suspension is served
It is the team's and club's responsibility to make sure a suspension is fully served. Timelines and processes live on the NorCal PAD website.
Players serve suspensions immediately, in upcoming NorCal games, with their Primary Team — regardless of which team the red card was received with.
A player may not compete for any other team until the suspension is fully served.
Play Date games count toward a suspension. Tournament games and forfeits do not.
Coaches with a game-based suspension serve with the team the violation happened with, may coach other club teams meanwhile, stay redlined on all rosters, and may have no contact with the suspended team from one hour before kickoff until the match ends.
Coaches with a time-based suspension may not coach any team for the duration.
Using a suspended player or coach makes them an illegal participant; the team, coach and club can be sanctioned under the Disciplinary Matrix.
Points, ties & tiebreakers
How league standings are decided when teams finish level on points.
§5.8–5.10 — Standings, ties and tiebreakers
Tiebreaker order for league standings
A match tied after regulation stands as a draw unless the competition rules require a winner.
Unless a competition states otherwise, ties on points are broken in this order: head-to-head points among the tied teams; overall goal differential (capped at ±6 per game); goals for (capped at 6 per game); goals against (capped at 6 per game); most points against the highest-ranked non-tied team in the group; best goal differential against that team; most shutouts; fewest red cards; coin toss.
With more than two teams tied, the process continues until a winner is determined and does not go back to an earlier criterion once a team is eliminated.
If a group cannot be completed or teams have played an unequal number of games, NorCal may use Points Per Game.
Tournament brackets can use their own tiebreakers — the Labor Day Cup, for example, publishes its own list.
Game day: rosters, uniforms, referees
Squad sizes, kit rules and match format for U13 11v11.
§5.3 — Game Details
U13 match format
U13 plays 11v11 with a game-day roster of up to 18 players and a minimum of 7 players to start.
Halves are 2x35 minutes with a 10-minute half-time, ball size 5, offside applies, and substitutions are allowed at any stoppage.
Deliberate heading is allowed from U13 up.
U13–U19 matches should have three licensed referees; matches played with fewer are under automatic protest but may proceed with club linesmen.
§5.2 — Equipment
Uniform rules
Home teams wear dark, away teams wear light, and the two teams must be distinguishable from each other and the referees — which is why the team asks families to bring both kits.
If there is a color conflict, the home team changes.
All outfield players wear identical shirts, shorts and socks; goalkeepers wear a distinguishing color.
Numbers go on the back of the jersey and each player wears a unique number. Undershirts/undershorts must match the primary jersey or short color, and sock tape must match the socks.
§2.5 — Cancellation and Forfeit Policy
Club players can fill a roster — except in State Cup
All NorCal competitions are club competitions: any age-appropriate club player may be used to fill a roster.
State Cup is the exception — roster freeze rules apply there.
Missing players or a missing coach are not valid reasons to reschedule or cancel after the scheduling deadline.
Rainouts, forfeits & abandoned games
What happens when a game is moved, cut short or not played.
§2.4–2.5 — Rescheduling and forfeits
Reschedules, forfeits and no-shows
Once a match has a time and location in GotSport, both teams must agree to any change.
For a forced reschedule such as a rainout, the home team works with the opponent to find a new date; if no date can be agreed, the match is recorded as a no-contest.
Teams must give 96 hours' notice before forfeiting or a fine applies. A forfeit is recorded as a 3-0 win for the team not at fault.
A no-show is a 3-0 forfeit plus a club fine, and repeat no-shows can mean removal from the competition.
§5.11 — Incomplete Games
Abandoned games
A game stopped for reasons outside either team's control stands as played if at least half of it was completed.
If it is abandoned before one half is finished, it is replayed in full at a time both teams agree with the League Office.
A team responsible for a match being terminated through poor sportsmanship forfeits and may face further sanctions.
Both teams submit a NorCal Match Report Form for any incomplete game; the League Office rules on the result.
§5.12 — No Re-Entry Protocol
Head injuries and cardiac events
Any player removed for a suspected head injury or sudden cardiac arrest may not return the same day and must be cleared by a licensed healthcare provider before playing again.
The only exception is when a qualifying licensed healthcare provider is at the match, was identified to the referee before kickoff, and no longer suspects a concussion or SCA.
Read the official handbook
This page is a volunteer summary written for families. The handbook is the official rule book — if anything here differs from it, the handbook wins.
The team assistant on this site can answer rules questions from this same handbook. It answers about the rules only — never about an individual player’s discipline.
