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League Game Day

Procedures | Referees

​Pre-Match Instructions

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  • All EDP Soccer games are played under US Youth Soccer as governing body.

  • Both Teams must present the Referee with Game Cards, which are generated from the GotSport website, and which should include the team roster with pass numbers.

  • Both teams must present Player Passes for all players.

  • Coaches must also have US Youth Soccer passes to participate.

    • ​Both teams must present Passes for all coaches. Coaches MUST be carded to the club, but not necessarily the team to be permitted to participate. No more than four coaches are permitted to participate in a game per team.

  • No Pass - No Play - No Exceptions

  • If there is a conflict with Uniform Colors, the Home Team will change.

  • If one or both rosters are missing from Game Card, the team must supply a copy of their US Youth Soccer roster, to be attached to the game report for the referee’s review.

  • EDP will at NO times provide the names, contact details or full copies of game reports to players, parents or coaches. This request must be made to the state association or referee assignor.

  • 11v11 game = No more than 18 players in uniform and 4 coaches are allowed in the technical area with the team. 

  • 9v9 game = No more than 16 players in uniform and 4 coaches are allowed in the technical area with the team. 

  • 7v7 game = No more than 14 players in uniform and 4 coaches are allowed in the technical area with the team. 

  • No guest players permitted. Teams are permitted to use Club Pass players from another team within their own club if they are US Youth Soccer carded to that same club and age appropriate. Club Pass players may not appear on the official roster but are still permitted to play.

  • Secondary players are permitted. Secondary players MUST present their primary team pass and the CJYSA-EDP form indicating they are permitted to play.

 

  • Grace Period:

    • The home team is allowed a 15-minute grace period and the visiting team a 30-minute grace period.

    • The referee is also permitted a 30-minute grace period. If the referee arrives later then 30 minutes from the start time of originally scheduled game start time, the referee will lose the game assignment (and game fee) if game has already been started.

EDP Soccer Modifications to the LAWS of the GAME

 

The games are played according to the IFAB Laws of the Game, except the modifications that follow:

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  • Law 1 - The Field

    • The size of the field & goals will be age appropriate, ideally sized at US Youth Soccer recommendations for the 11v11, 9v9, and 7v7 formats, but the game should be played regardless of whether field or the goal size conforms with USYS recommendations.

 

  • Law 2 - The Ball

    • The size of the ball be age appropriate:

      • 8U-12U = size 4 ball

      • 11U-12U = size 4 ball

      • 13U-19U = size 5 ball

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  • Law 3 - The Players

    • The number of players will be age appropriate:

      • 11U-12U = 9v9, no more than 16 players in uniform / on the bench & may participate.

        • If a team has fewer than six players, the match may not resume after the ball has gone out of play.

    • 13U-19U = 11v11, no more than 18 players in uniform / on the bench & may participate.

      • If a team has fewer than seven players, the match may not resume after the ball has gone out of play.

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  • Substitution Procedure:

    • National League Conference Games​

    • EDP League Games

      • Unlimited free substitutions may be done by either team at any stoppage of play at the referee’s discretion.

      • Players to be substituted should exit the field at the halfway line on the team side touchline, unless otherwise directed by the referee.

 

  • Law 7 - The Duration of the Match

    • The match lasts for two equal halves and the interval at half-time should be 10 minutes.

      • 11U-12U = 60 minute game

      • 13U-14U = 70 minute game

      • 15U-16U = 80 minute game

      • 17U-19U = 90 minute game

 

  • Law 13 - Free Kicks

    • For 11U & 12U games, the distance for encroachment shall be 8 yards.

 

  • Law 14 - The Penalty Kick

    • For 11U & 12U games, the distance for the penalty kick mark shall be 10 yards.

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Notes

  • For 11U and younger games, referees should implement the EDP Heading Policy.

  • Referee may allow padded rigid casts in a game, but the final decision regarding safety is made by the referee.

  • Referees are expected to implement the EDP Respect & Etiquette Policy.

“Only the Captain Rule”:

  • To encourage fairness and mutual respect toward referees, Travel Leagues shall adopt the IFAB “Only the Captain” guidelines. While respectful communication between referees and all players is part of the game, referees may implement a ‘captain-only’ zone in instances where they are approached or surrounded by multiple players during major incidents or key decisions.

  • The “Only the Captain” guidance shall apply to the 15U–19U age groups, where players are generally expected to demonstrate maturity, leadership, and game understanding sufficient for the protocol to be effective.

    • In the 8U–14U age groups, if multiple players confront the referee, the referee shall manage dissent in accordance with Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct and may request the assistance of a rostered coach to help de-escalate the situation.

  • Each team may designate one captain on the field during the match. The captain has no special authority but serves as the designated team leader.

  • Captains may enter the ‘captain-only’ zone when signaled by the referee and are expected to deter teammates from doing so.

  • If the captain is a goalkeeper, another player should be designated in advance (e.g., at the coin toss) to fulfill this role when communication with the referee is necessary.

  • If the captain is substituted or sent off, a new captain shall be nominated.

*Note:  Each state may choose to implement this in their own way, but we will encourage referees to utilize it at 15U and up. 

8 Second Rule – GoalKeepers:

Goalkeepers must release the ball within 8 seconds.  Referees should be giving a 5 second warning. If the Goalkeeper has control of the ball with their hands/arms for more than 8 seconds, the referee will award a corner kick. 

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