Team Check-In and Post Game Responsibilities (U9-U19):
- Check teams in (players and coaches) using a team's photo match card (see example at bottom of the page)
- Only players listed on photo match card with picture are eligible to participate in that match
- Following the game, need to complete and fill out the standard match card (will receive one from each team, please use the newest printed version) and return to Home Team Coach/Manger/Admin (see example at bottom of the page).
- Items to be completed by the referee:
- Final Score
- Yellow and Red cards with correct codes
- Signature from Center Referee authorizing all information contained in match card is accurate
- Items to be completed by the referee:
Pre-Game Sportsmanship Statement & Procedure
Three-Five minutes before kickoff (after all pre-game activities are complete), both teams and the referee crew will line up at the Half Way Line of the Coaches Sideline. Led by officials, all players and coaches will walk across the field and line up facing spectators, 5 yard from the sideline.
The Sportsmanship Statement will be read by a representative of the Home team to all coaches, players and spectators.
Following the reading of the script, players will perform a pre-game handshake. (Home team to walk down the line of Away Team). After the pre-game handshake, all players and coaches will return to benches and starting players will assume positions on the field of play. At the conclusion of the match, coaches/players can say good game informally on the field, as there will be no formal handshake line.
Sportsmanship Statement
Mass Youth Soccer and the NECSL share a mission to provide a safe, fun and inclusive soccer experience for all participants
All participants deserve the right to play in an environment free from hostile and distracting behavior. Please do your part to create a positive soccer experience for all.
Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated, and sanctions may be applied for violations of policy or codes of conduct.
It is the referee's discretion to terminate the game if any threatening or discriminatory statements are made or for anyone entering the field of play without permission.
Three-Five minutes before kickoff (after all pre-game activities are complete), both teams and the referee crew will line up at the Half Way Line of the Coaches Sideline. Led by officials, all players and coaches will walk across the field and line up facing spectators, 5 yard from the sideline.
The Sportsmanship Statement will be read by a representative of the Home team to all coaches, players and spectators.
Following the reading of the script, players will perform a pre-game handshake. (Home team to walk down the line of Away Team). After the pre-game handshake, all players and coaches will return to benches and starting players will assume positions on the field of play. At the conclusion of the match, coaches/players can say good game informally on the field, as there will be no formal handshake line.
Sportsmanship Statement
Mass Youth Soccer and the NECSL share a mission to provide a safe, fun and inclusive soccer experience for all participants
All participants deserve the right to play in an environment free from hostile and distracting behavior. Please do your part to create a positive soccer experience for all.
Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated, and sanctions may be applied for violations of policy or codes of conduct.
It is the referee's discretion to terminate the game if any threatening or discriminatory statements are made or for anyone entering the field of play without permission.
Game Ball:
U13-U19: Size 5 Ball (provided by home team)
U9-U12 : Size 4 Ball (provided by home team)
Game Length:
U9-U12: 2 - 30 Minute halves
U13-U14: 2 - 35 minute halves
U15-U16: 2- 40 minute halves
U17-U19: 2- 45 minute halves
Substitutions with the consent of the Referee at any stoppage in play:
Small Sided Modifications | U9-U12 matches follow FIFA Standard Laws of the Game except for modifications outlined below
Age Group Format and Number of Players Dressed:
U13-U19: Size 5 Ball (provided by home team)
U9-U12 : Size 4 Ball (provided by home team)
Game Length:
U9-U12: 2 - 30 Minute halves
U13-U14: 2 - 35 minute halves
U15-U16: 2- 40 minute halves
U17-U19: 2- 45 minute halves
- Halftime is ten minutes for all age groups
- There shall be no overtime periods in regular season competition
Substitutions with the consent of the Referee at any stoppage in play:
- Procedure: When any player is to be replaced by a substitute, the following conditions need to be observed:
- The referee shall be informed of the proposed substitutions before it is made
- The substitute shall not enter the field of play until the player he/she is replacing has left, and then only after having received a signal from the referee.
- Enter the field during a stoppage in the game and at the halfway line.
- Change with the Goalkeeper: Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper provided that the referee is informed before the change is made, and that the change is made during a stoppage in the game.
Small Sided Modifications | U9-U12 matches follow FIFA Standard Laws of the Game except for modifications outlined below
- U9 & U10 - 7v7 games
- U11& U12 - 9v9 games
- Start of Play: Opponents must be eight (8) yards away from the ball on all Free Kicks, Kick-offs or Corner Kicks. On goal kicks or free kicks taken by the defending team within the penalty area, the opponents must be eight (8) yards away or outside the penalty area.
- Penalty Kick's (PK) are awarded as usual to attacking team if fouled in the opponent's penalty area. The PK is taken 10 yards from the goal line.
- Heading is only allowed by players that have turned 11-years-old. If a 10-year old is playing in a game, he/she is not allowed to head the ball, and it is the responsibility of the coaches and referees to make sure this clearly communicated prior to each game.
Age Group Format and Number of Players Dressed:
AGE GROUP |
FORMAT |
# PLAYERS DRESSED |
U8 |
5v5 |
13 |
U9-U10 |
7v7 |
13 |
U11-U12 |
9v9 |
18 |
U13-U19 |
11v11 |
18 |
Weather Postponements Prior to Kickoff
In case of bad weather prior to kickoff, it's the referee's responsibility to check the NECSL website for potential field closures
In case of bad weather prior to kickoff, it's the referee's responsibility to check the NECSL website for potential field closures
Referee Abuse Prevention | Policy 531-9
Effective March 1, 2025 U.S. Soccer has updated its Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9) with the goal to make youth and amateur matches safer, more fun, and more empowering for everyone involved.
Policy 531-9 now includes a category of misconduct titled “Gross Misconduct” which includes insulting, belittling, insinuating, or taunting behavior that undermines the authority of the referee. Additional mandatory minimum penalties for misconduct towards referees have been established. Of note is the addition of a minor multiplier, which triples sanctions for incidents of misconduct towards minor (under age 18) referees.
Mass Youth Soccer’s Board of Directors has also approved a Spectator Misconduct Towards Referees Policy, which extends the same minimum penalties in US Soccer Policy 531-9 to spectators at all Mass Youth Soccer sanctioned events.
The NECSL will follow the updated Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9) and will also follow the penalties adopted by Mass Youth Soccer for Spectator Misconduct Towards Referees.
Effective March 1, 2025 U.S. Soccer has updated its Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9) with the goal to make youth and amateur matches safer, more fun, and more empowering for everyone involved.
Policy 531-9 now includes a category of misconduct titled “Gross Misconduct” which includes insulting, belittling, insinuating, or taunting behavior that undermines the authority of the referee. Additional mandatory minimum penalties for misconduct towards referees have been established. Of note is the addition of a minor multiplier, which triples sanctions for incidents of misconduct towards minor (under age 18) referees.
Mass Youth Soccer’s Board of Directors has also approved a Spectator Misconduct Towards Referees Policy, which extends the same minimum penalties in US Soccer Policy 531-9 to spectators at all Mass Youth Soccer sanctioned events.
The NECSL will follow the updated Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9) and will also follow the penalties adopted by Mass Youth Soccer for Spectator Misconduct Towards Referees.
Addressing Derogatory Language and Discriminatory Actions
These guidelines provide a clear and accessible framework for reporting language incidents and discriminatory actions based on an individual's protected status. If a player or coach reports being subject to derogatory language or discriminatory actions, which is heard or seen by the referee crew, the incident will be addressed according to the IFAB Laws of the game.
If a member of the referee team did not hear or witness directly, the Center Referee will implement the following steps:
Mass Youth Soccer has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. All incidents of discriminatory language and/or actions must be reported to Mass Youth Soccer’s secure reporting portal.
These guidelines provide a clear and accessible framework for reporting language incidents and discriminatory actions based on an individual's protected status. If a player or coach reports being subject to derogatory language or discriminatory actions, which is heard or seen by the referee crew, the incident will be addressed according to the IFAB Laws of the game.
If a member of the referee team did not hear or witness directly, the Center Referee will implement the following steps:
- Stop the game, if necessary.
- Send both teams to their respective technical areas.
- Gather the referee team.
- Bring both coaches together.
- Explain the situation to the best of your ability and understanding.
- Direct the coaches to resolve the issue immediately. If the coaches are uncooperative, or a resolution cannot be initiated or reached in a reasonable amount of time (resolution not to exceed 5 minutes), the referee will abandon the game immediately.
Mass Youth Soccer has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. All incidents of discriminatory language and/or actions must be reported to Mass Youth Soccer’s secure reporting portal.
Photo Match Card (Check-In) & Standard Match Card (Post-Game):
