NORCAL STATE CUP Updated September 7, 2012 HANDBOOK

NORCAL STATE CUP Updated September 7, 2012 HANDBOOK 2012-2013 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS Topic Page General Information 3 NorCal State Cup Champions 4 New Additions to Cup 5 NorCal State Cup Format 6-14 Competition Timeline 15-16 Scheduling and Communication 17-18 Management Procedures 19-20 Playing Rules 21-22 Roster Rules 23-24 Referee Information 25 Disciplinary Regulations 26-28 Code of Ethics 29-32 Website Help 33-34 Past Champions 35 2

I. GENERAL INFORMATION - The NorCal State Cup is open to any teams registered with a club in good standing with NorCal Premier Soccer. Club and team affiliation may be terminated because of a violation of performance conditions set forth by NorCal Premier Soccer. Following each State Cup, the league office shall review the compliance record of each team in their specific division. The NorCal State Cup committee may find that compliance with the standards is insufficient and recommend action to the league office. In extreme cases of repeated noncompliance, NorCal Premier may terminate the participation of the team in question. - All teams must have a manager or coach that has daily access to email, and a telephone number connected to a 24 hour answering system. Email will be the primary form of contact and it is expected that the team manager is checking email on a daily basis. - Only the NorCal State Division Champion will be considered State Champion. - The NorCal State Cup Coordinator has final say on all Cup related matters including: changing of scheduling of matches, location of matches, time of matches, dates of matches, player eligibility, and more. Any protests of the NorCal State Cup Coordinators decision should be submitted to the NorCal PAD committee as an incident report. 3

II. NORCAL STATE CUP CHAMPIONS The U14-U17 Boys and Girls NorCal State Cup Champions (State Division) will be automatically accepted into both the 2013 US Club Soccer National Cup Finals and the 2013 San Diego Surf Cup (Summer). Champions will still need to apply for both events if they plan to attend. NorCal also expects to be able to give some travel money to the 2012/13 Champions in order to help pay for travel expenses for these events. 4

III. NEW ADDITIONS TO CUP NEW!!! There will be a Preliminary Round match played in very large divisions (most likely U14-U16 boys and U14-U15 Girls). This will be a 1 game match played to determine a team s placement in a specific Cup Division. This will be done to provide a more competitive round of matches in the Group Phase. Only about 1/4 to 1/2 of the teams per age group will participate in the Preliminary Round. NEW!!! For all Preliminary, Group Phase, and Knockout Phase matches that are hosted by clubs, NorCal will schedule a date for the match to be played. Teams will be expected to play on those specific dates set by NorCal. The teams may still play the match on an earlier date if BOTH teams agree. This should make the scheduling of these non-norcal hosted matches much easier for all involved and will take much of the negotiating headaches out of the State Cup event. NEW!!! The higher seeded teams will now have the option to host their Round of 16 game at a club-hosted site. The NorCal Coordinator still has the authority to have the game played at a central location if travel between teams can be reduced or if their may be question about the club being able to host a very important State Cup match. Teams will still be required to come together for the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals. 5

IV. NORCAL STATE CUP FORMAT Basic Format Preliminary Round The Preliminary Round consists of a one game playoff played before the Group Stage. The purpose of the game is to split teams into Groups based on level. The winner of the Preliminary Match will remain in the State/Premier/Gold Division Group Phase and the loser will drop into the Silver/Bronze/Copper Division Group Phase. The Preliminary Round game is only played in divisions that are very large and need the early game in order to ensure proper competition in the Group Phase. The higher seeded team hosts preliminary Matches. If needed, NorCal will also have fields available for this round of games on September 9, 2012. Group Stage The Group Phase is played in every age group of the NorCal State Cup. The Phase is used to determine a team s placement for later rounds of the Cup. The top 2 teams will be placed in the highest Qualifying/Knockout Phase brackets while the bottom 2 teams will be placed in the lowest Qualifying/Knockout Phase brackets. NorCal Groups are determined based on 1) High School Season of Play (U15-U18) 2) NorCal State Cup Ranking 3) Some slight changes are made in order to help avoid major travel when possible. The scheduled Home Team will host these matches and provide and pay the referees. Qualifying Qualifying consists of a one game playoff played following the Group Stage. The game is only needed in very large divisions that have so many teams that teams cannot qualify directly for a Round of 16 game following the Group Stage. The Qualifying game determines a team s final placement for NorCal State Cup Knockout Phase. The first place team or the team from the higher seeded group, as determined by the NorCal State Cup Rankings, hosts Qualifying Matches. Knockout Phase The Knockout Phase is the final portion of the NorCal State Cup and takes place in every age group. The Knockout Phase consists of the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals. Once a team is beaten in the Knockout Phase Round they are eliminated from NorCal State Cup play. The higher seeded team will have the option of hosting their Round of 16 game with approval from the League Coordinator. All Quarterfinal, Semifinal, and Final matches will be hosted at a NorCal Hosted Site. 6

Basic Format Information 1. The teams are seeded by the NorCal Seeding Committee. 2. Based on the seeding, teams will play in a Preliminary Round game or placed in groups of 4." Ranking being the main criteria, but with the flexibility to exchange, for geographical reasons (reduce travel) two closely ranked teams. For U15-U18, High School Season separates teams. For the boys Winter HS playing teams will be grouped with other Winter HS playing teams and Fall HS playing teams will be grouped with other Fall HS playing teams. For the girls Fall HS playing teams will be grouped with Spring HS playing teams only since those Spring teams are eligible to play in the Fall or Winter. 3. Quarterfinal, Semifinal, and Championship matches will be played at a central location. There is also the possibility that Preliminary, Qualifying or Round of 16 games may also be hosted by NorCal at a Central Location if the travel distance can be reduced. 4. In each age/gender group there will be a minimum of 2 cups awarded and a maximum of 7. Each team will play a minimum of 4 games and most will play 5-9 games. 5. Every effort will be made to reduce travel; however, the major focus will be to maintain the "integrity" of the seeding that has enabled the NorCal Cup(s) to avoid having higher ranked teams knock each other out in the early rounds. 6. Only teams that have exhibited the highest levels of sportsmanship (players, coaches, parents) will be accepted into this State Championship tournament. 7. NorCal Cup(s) games must and will take precedence over any League games. Clubs that play in Leagues or Districts that are not cooperative in re-scheduling due to important NorCal game(s) should consult those officials asking for cooperation; or consider not entering the NorCal State Cup(s). 8. For Knockout Phase Brackets some 2 nd place teams will be seeded higher then some 1 st place teams due to the strength of group. The Knockout Phase Brackets are seeded by original seeding so some Groups are stronger then other due to high school seasons or to reduce heavy travel during the Group Stage. Format Per Age Group and Gender U14 Boys Preliminary Round 1) Will consist of teams ranked 21-108 2) The winners will create a group of 64 teams to compete for the State/Premier/Gold 1/Gold 2 Cups 3) The losers will create a group of 44 teams to compete for the Silver/Bronze/Copper Cups Group Phase 7

1) Will consist of all teams 2) In the State Group Phase the top 2 teams from each group will play in the State/Premier Qualifier and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Gold 1/Gold 2 Qualifier. 3) In the Silver Group Phase the top 2 teams will compete in the Silver/Bronze Qualifier and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Bronze/Copper Qualifier. Qualifying 1) Will consist of most teams 2) State/Premier Qualifier The winner will move to the State Round of 16 and the loser to the Premier Round of 16 3) Gold 1/Gold 2 Qualifier The winner will move to the Gold 1 Round of 16 and the loser to the Gold 2 Round of 16 4) Silver/Bronze Qualifier The winner will move to the Silver Round of 16 and the loser to the Bronze Round of 16 5) Bronze/Copper Qualifier The winner will move to the Bronze Round of 16 and the loser to the Copper Round of 16 Knockout Phase 1) A lose in this round eliminates your team from competition - a team cannot be eliminated prior to this round. 2) Winners of Round of 16 s qualify for Quarterfinals 3) Winner of Quarterfinals qualify for Semifinals 4) Winner of Semifinals qualify for Final 5) Winner of Final is considered State Cup, Premier Cup, Gold 1 Cup, Gold 2 Cup, Silver Cup, Bronze Cup and Copper Cup Champion U14 Girls Preliminary Round 1) Will consist of teams ranked 21-84 2) The winners will create a group of 52 teams to compete for the State/Premier/Gold/Silver Cups 3) The losers will create a group of 32 teams to compete for the Bronze/Copper Cups Group Phase 1) Will consist of all teams 2) In the State Group Phase the top 2 teams from each group will play in the State/Premier Qualifier and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Gold/Silver Qualifier. 8

3) In the Silver Group Phase the top 2 teams will compete in the Bronze Round of 16 and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Copper Round of 16 Qualifying 1) Will consist of some teams 2) State/Premier Qualifier The winner will move to the State Round of 16 and the loser to the Premier Round of 16 3) Gold/Silver Qualifier The winner will move to the Gold Round of 16 and the loser to the Silver Round of 16 Knockout Phase 1) A lose in this round eliminates your team from competition - a team cannot be eliminated prior to this round 2) Winners of Round of 16 s qualify for Quarterfinals 3) Winner of Quarterfinals qualify for Semifinals 4) Winner of Semifinals qualify for Final 5) Winner of Final is considered State Cup, Premier Cup, Gold Cup, Silver Cup, Bronze Cup and Copper Cup Champion U15 Boys Preliminary Round 1) Will consist of Fall ranked teams 21-60 and Winter ranked teams 13-28 2) The winners will create a group of 60 teams to compete for the State/Premier/Gold/Silver Cups 3) The losers will create a group of 28 teams to compete for the Bronze/Copper Cups Group Phase 1) Will consist of all teams 2) In the State Group Phase the top 2 teams from each group will play in the State/Premier Qualifier and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Gold/Silver Qualifier. 3) In the Bronze Group Phase the Top 2 teams will compete in the Bronze Round of 16 and the Bottom 2 teams will compete in the Copper Round of 16. Qualifying 1) Will consist of some teams 2) State/Premier Qualifier The winner will move to the State Round of 16 and the loser to the Premier Round of 16 9

3) Gold/Silver Qualifier The winner will move to the Gold Round of 16 and the loser to the Silver Round of 16 Knockout Phase 1) A lose in this round eliminates your team from competition - a team cannot be eliminated prior to this round 2) Winners of Round of 16 s qualify for Quarterfinals 3) Winner of Quarterfinals qualify for Semifinals 4) Winner of Semifinals qualify for Final 5) Winner of Final is considered State Cup, Premier Cup, Gold Cup, Silver Cup, Bronze Cup and Copper Cup Champion U15 Girls Preliminary Round 1) Will consist of teams ranked 17-64 2) The winners will create a group of 40 teams to compete for the State/Gold/Silver Cups 3) The losers will create a group of 24 teams to compete for the Bronze/Copper Cups Group Phase 1) Will consist of all teams 2) In the State Group Phase the top 2 teams from each group will play in the State/Gold Qualifier and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Gold/Silver Qualifier 3) In the Bronze Group Phase the top 2 teams will compete in the Bronze Round of 16 and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Copper Round of 16 Qualifying 1) Will consist of some teams 2) State/Gold Qualifier The winner will move to the State Round of 16 and the loser to the Gold Round of 16 3) Gold/Silver Qualifier The winner will move to the Gold Round of 16 and the loser to the Silver Round of 16 Knockout Phase 1) A lose in this round eliminates your team from competition - a team cannot be eliminated prior to this round 2) Winners of Round of 16 s qualify for Quarterfinals 10

3) Winner of Quarterfinals qualify for Semifinals 4) Winner of Semifinals qualify for Final 5) Winner of Final is considered State Cup, Gold Cup, Silver Cup, Bronze Cup and Copper Cup Champion U16 Boys Preliminary Round 1) Will consist of Fall ranked teams 17-48 and Winter ranked teams 13-20 2) The winners will create a group of 48 teams to compete for the State/Gold/Silver Cups 3) The losers will create a group of 20 teams to compete for the Bronze/Copper Cups Group Phase 1) Will consist of all teams 2) In the State Group Phase the top 2 teams from each group will play in the State/Gold Qualifier and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Gold/Silver Qualifier 3) In the Bronze Group Phase the top 2 teams will compete in the Bronze Round of 16 and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Copper Round of 16 Qualifying 1) Will consist of some teams 2) State/Gold Qualifier The winner will move to the State Round of 16 and the loser to the Gold Round of 16 3) Gold/Silver Qualifier The winner will move to the Gold Round of 16 and the loser to the Silver Round of 16 Knockout Phase 1) A lose in this round eliminates your team from competition - a team cannot be eliminated prior to this round 2) Winners of Round of 16 s qualify for Quarterfinals 3) Winner of Quarterfinals qualify for Semifinals 4) Winner of Semifinals qualify for Final 5) Winner of Final is considered State Cup, Gold Cup, Silver Cup, Bronze Cup and Copper Cup Champion U16 Girls Group Phase 11

1) Will consist of all teams 2) In the State Group Phase the top 2 teams from each group will play in the State/Gold Qualifier and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Gold/Silver Qualifier Qualifying 1) Will consist of some teams 2) State/Gold Qualifier The winner will move to the State Round of 16 and the loser to the Gold Round of 16 3) Gold/Silver Qualifier The winner will move to the Gold Round of 16 and the loser to the Silver Round of 16 Knockout Phase 1) A lose in this round eliminates your team from competition - a team cannot be eliminated prior to this round 2) Winners of Round of 16 s qualify for Quarterfinals 3) Winner of Quarterfinals qualify for Semifinals 4) Winner of Semifinals qualify for Final 5) Winner of Final is considered State Cup, Gold Cup, Silver Cup Champion U17 Boys Group Phase 1) Will consist of all teams 2) In the State Group Phase the top 2 teams from each group will play in the State/Gold Qualifier and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Silver/Bronze Qualifier Qualifying 1) Will consist of most teams 2) State/Gold Qualifier The winner will move to the State Round of 16 and the loser to the Gold Round of 16 3) Silver/Bronze Qualifier The winner will move to the Silver Round of 16 and the loser to the Bronze Round of 16 Knockout Phase 1) A lose in this round eliminates your team from competition - a team cannot be eliminated prior to this round 2) Winners of Round of 16 s qualify for Quarterfinals 3) Winner of Quarterfinals qualify for Semifinals 4) Winner of Semifinals qualify for Final 12

5) Winner of Final is considered State Cup, Gold Cup, Silver Cup, and Bronze Cup Champion U17 Girls Group Phase 1) Will consist of all teams 2) In the State Group Phase the top 2 teams from each group will play in the State Round of 16 and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Gold Round of 16. Knockout Phase 1) A lose in this round eliminates your team from competition - a team cannot be eliminated prior to this round 2) Winners of Round of 16 s qualify for Quarterfinals 3) Winner of Quarterfinals qualify for Semifinals 4) Winner of Semifinals qualify for Final 5) Winner of Final is considered State Cup, Gold Cup, Silver Cup Champion U18 Boys Group Phase 1) Will consist of all teams 2) In the State Group Phase the top 2 teams from each group will play in the State/Gold Qualifier and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Gold/Silver Qualifier Qualifying 1) Will consist of some teams 2) State/Gold Qualifier The winner will move to the State Round of 16 and the loser to the Gold Round of 16 3) Gold/Silver Qualifier The winner will move to the Gold Round of 16 and the loser to the Silver Round of 16 Knockout Phase 1) A lose in this round eliminates your team from competition - a team cannot be eliminated prior to this round 2) Winners of Round of 16 s qualify for Quarterfinals 3) Winner of Quarterfinals qualify for Semifinals 4) Winner of Semifinals qualify for Final 5) Winner of Final is considered State Cup, Gold Cup, Silver Cup Champion 13

U18 Girls Group Phase 1) Will consist of all teams 2) In the State Group Phase the top 2 teams from each group will play in the State Round of 16 and the bottom 2 teams will compete in the Gold Round of 16 Knockout Phase 1) A lose in this round eliminates your team from competition - a team cannot be eliminated prior to this round 2) Winners of Round of 16 s qualify for Quarterfinals 3) Winner of Quarterfinals qualify for Semifinals 4) Winner of Semifinals qualify for Final 5) Winner of Final is considered State Cup and Gold Cup Champion 14

V. COMPETITION TIMELINE *****PLEASE NOTE THE TIMELINE IS TENTATIVE. THE FINAL TIMELINE WILL LOOK ALMOST IDENTICAL BUT THERE WILL BE A POSSIBILITY OF SOME MINOR CHANGES. THE FINAL TIMELINE WILL BE PUBLISHED BY AUGUST 20, 2012. Rosters Frozen September 6, 2012 Preliminary Fall Playing on September 9, 2012 or earlier with agreement of both teams (Games must be scheduled with time and location by August 30, 2012) Winter Playing on December 2, 2012 or earlier with agreement of both teams (Games must be scheduled with time and location by November 15, 2012) Group Phase Fall Playing Teams All Fall Group Phase games must be scheduled by September 12, 2012 Match #1 played on September 23, 2012 or played earlier with agreement of both teams Match #2 played on October 14, 2012 or played earlier with agreement of both teams Match #3 played on November 4, 2012 or played earlier with agreement of both teams Rosters Open November 5, 2012 - November 20, 2012 Winter Playing Teams All Winter Group Phase games must be scheduled by December 6, 2012 Match #1 played on December 16, 2012 or played earlier with agreement of both teams Match #2 played on January 20, 2013 or played earlier with agreement of both teams Match #3 played on February 10, 2013 or played earlier with agreement of both teams Rosters Open March 5, 2013 - March 15, 2013 Qualifier Played on March 24, 2013 or played earlier with agreement of both teams Round of 16 Played on April 7, 2013 and hosted by clubs or NorCal Premier. Can be played earlier with agreement of both teams 15

Quarterfinals Girls Played on April 13, 2013 and hosted by NorCal Premier Boys Played on April 20, 2013 and hosted by NorCal Premier Semifinals Girls Played on April 14, 2013 and hosted by NorCal Premier (overflow on May 4) Boys Played on April 21, 2013 and hosted by NorCal Premier (overflow on May 4) Finals Played on May 5, 2013 and hosted by NorCal Premier 16

VI. SCHEDULING AND COMMUNICATION Communication Policy Communication between teams is vitally important for all NorCal Soccer events. Please make sure to have at least 2 different contacts listed for your team. It is highly recommended to have as many contacts as possible so your opponent can easily contact your team. Having the wrong email address or phone number listed is not a valid excuse for not receiving information and could result in your team and club being placed on probation if it becomes a common occurrence. Please check your team pages to make sure that your information is current. It may be a good idea to add one club representative to each teams contacts so club officials are aware of what is going on with each individual team in your club. For NorCal State Cup, teams are expected to communicate using general email as the primary source of communication, since it leaves an audit trail. It is recommended that each team have a representative that is email savvy and can take care of all communications. It is very important that teams abide by the 48-hour rule in returning communication messages. Policy for Scheduling Matches NorCal will provide dates when the matches should be played. Teams are expected to be available to play anytime on those game dates, although home teams need to be flexible especially if the opponent is traveling from a long distance. Please do not schedule games before 10am if a team is traveling from one or two hours away. We are aware of a few Scheduling Conflicts in the schedule during NorCal events. Please coordinate directly with opponents regarding the re-scheduling of these games into another date that works for both parties. Please be flexible and try to make this work, we all want these games to be played. Please be aware of all scheduling deadlines. For NorCal State Cup games NorCal will provide dates and Home Teams will be responsible for scheduling a time and location. All games, including reschedules, must be confirmed and on the schedule by the NorCal scheduling deadlines for each event. At that point schedules will be locked and can only be rescheduled if both teams agree. Please note - If NorCal feels that the home team is responsible for the game not being scheduled they will: A) First Warning - Lose home field advantage and still pay for refs and field costs. B) Second Warning - Forfeit Match C) Third Warning - Elimination from State Cup 17

After NorCal scheduling deadlines have passed, both teams must agree upon any game that needs to be rescheduled. If the opponent does not agree to a reschedule, the team asking for the reschedule must either play the game or forfeit. Cancellation/Forfeit Policy Teams must give their opponent a 96-hour warning if forfeiting an away match or they will be required to pay field and referee costs. Please remember that this is a club competition and not an individual team competition. The following is a list of common excuses we see for needing to cancel a game. We recommend the following solutions to frequently posed problems: 1) Too many players missing (ODP, sick, testing, etc.) a. Solution - Remember that any player from your club is available to participate with your team as long as they are of correct age. For State Cup since players may only play for one team in an age group please make sure to fill your roster to 26 by adding younger players to your frozen roster. As long as a player has a pass with your club they would be eligible to play with your team when short players unless they are competing in the same division. 2) Missing Coach a. Solution - Any coach with a valid pass for your club is able to coach any team in that club. If your coach has several commitments then it is recommended that teams have an assistant coach or another coach from the club available to cover games. 3) No Fields Available a. Solution - It is expected that if your team is playing in NorCal that your team has a quality field and access to field s. Fields need to be lined with proper dimensions as per posted rules. This excuse will not be acceptable for a cancellation of a match. 4) Tournaments other games a. Solution - NorCal understands that teams will possibly do a tournament during the time of Cup matches. This will be an acceptable excuse to ask for a reschedule but it must be done and rescheduled by NorCal scheduling deadlines. Please plan your schedule well in advance so your schedule does not become so full that you are unable to fulfill your Cup commitment. 18

VII. MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES Pre-Game Procedures This year NorCal will provide a specific date that a game should be played. The date can only be changed if BOTH teams agree or if the NorCal State Cup Coordinator feels that a change of date is necessary. Please make sure your team is available to play on all NorCal State Cup provided dates. Home Team 1) Contact away team to insure proposed game time works for both teams. Teams should be available to play at any time on the NorCal State Cup game date. However, it is expected that teams work together to make sure the game time is acceptable for both teams. Please do not schedule a game for earlier then 10am if more then 1 hour of travel is necessary. 2) Scheduling and posting agreed game time on website 3) Providing properly lined field 4) Provide and pay current year credentialed referee s who must have proper refereeing uniforms 5) Provide NorCal State Cup Game Card to center referee 6) Provide referee US CLUB SOCCER player passes for each player Visiting Team 1) Respond to any communication requests from the home team in regards to match. Away teams have 48 hours to respond to Home team if the time would not work. 2) Bring copy of NorCal State Cup Game Card 3) Provide referee US CLUB SOCCER player passes for each player Game Day Procedures At each NorCal State Cup match it is the responsibility of both teams to have possession of: 1) NorCal State Cup Game Card a. On the Game Card both team rosters must be printed on the Card to be a valid game. Please view Rosters for more information 2) US Club Soccer Passes for its players Post-Game Procedures Home Team 1) Coach or Managers signs the NorCal State Cup Game Card following the game 19

2) If no red card is given the home team holds onto the NorCal Game Card until the end of the NorCal State Cup 3) If a red card is given it is the responsibility to make sure the home team referee s fill out a send off report at www.norcalreferees.com 4) Home team posts score within 24 hours Visiting Team 1) Coach or Managers signs the NorCal State Cup Game Card following the game 20

VII. PLAYING RULES All games under league jurisdiction shall be played according to the rules and regulations recognized by NorCal Premier League which shall be the same rules set by FIFA/USSF except for those exceptions authorized by FIFA or USSF. Please check the NorCal Premier League Handbook for other general NorCal Premier League rules. Point System The NorCal State Cup Group Phase shall operate under a point system. The point system shall award three points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss. In case of a tie in the standings within a group the following will be used as tiebreakers: 1) Head to Head points between teams 2) Head to Head Goal Differential (up to 4) between teams 3) Overall Goal Differential (up to 4) 4) Goals for (up to 4) 5) Goals against (up to 4) 6) Most points against highest non-tied team in group (i.e. if the 2 nd place and 3 rd place team are tied best record vs. 1 st place team would win tiebreaker) 7) Best Goal Differential against highest non-tied team in group 8) Most Shutouts 9) Least Red Cards 10) Coin Toss If more than two teams are tied, the tie-breaking process will be used until a winner is determined. The tie-breaking procedure does not revert to previous criteria if one team is eliminated. Game Lengths All NorCal State Cup Group Phase and Knockout Phase matches will be played in full. All games will be played 11v11 with a size 5 ball. The following is the list of game lengths for each age group: U14 play 2x35 minutes; 10 minute half time U15 play 2x40 minutes; 10 minute half time U16 play 2x40 minutes; 10 minute half time U17 play 2x45 minutes; 10 minute half time U18 play 2x45 minutes; 10 minute half time Fields It is expected that all Club Hosted Fields are of the highest quality for NorCal State Cup competition. It is expected that fields are properly lined, mowed, and have nets and 21

corner flags. If you feel a field is not of proper quality please play the match under protest (view section on protests). If NorCal finds that a field is not to the standards of the NorCal State Cup, clubs may be asked to move their matches to another field and the match would be replayed. Please view the expected field dimensions for NorCal State Cup Club Hosted matches: U14 Maximum 120 yards x 90 yards; Minimum 100 yards x 55 yards U15 Maximum 130 yards x 100 yards; Minimum 105 yards x 60 yards U16 Maximum 130 yards x 100 yards; Minimum 105 yards x 60 yards U17 Maximum 130 yards x 100 yards; Minimum 105 yards x 60 yards U18 Maximum 130 yards x 100 yards; Minimum 105 yards x 60 yards All goals are expected to be regulation size 8 height x 24 width. Ties in Group Phase If a NorCal State Cup Group Phase match is tied after regulation, the tie stands and will be posted as a tie. Ties in Preliminary Round, Qualifying Round, and Knockout Phase For matches that need a winner, the team with the most goals after regulation time will be the winner. If the match is tied after regulation, two golden goal 5 minute overtime periods will be played. If the game is still tied after the two overtime periods, then kicks from the mark per FIFA will determine the Champion. Please note: Please make sure you arrive for your game knowing if the game can end in a draw or if a winning team is required. Substitutions A team may have no more than 18 players dressed for each game. Substitutions are allowed at the referee s discretion. A substitution can take place for either team at the following times: 1) Prior to a kick-off 2) A goal kick 3) A throw-in 4) After the referee stops play for an injury or yellow card Unlimited substitutions are allowed but NorCal Premier Soccer reminds all coaches that it is their responsibility to handle their substitutions in a professional manner so as not to detract from the game. 22

VIII. ROSTER RULES Eligibility All players and coaches must present their US Club Player Pass to the referee prior to the match. If the individual picture is not on the ID card and the card is not laminated, the individual will not be eligible for the match. All players must be named on the game card presented to the referee at the beginning of each game or have an exception from the NorCal State Cup Coordinator in writing. Players may only play for one Club, their club, during any NorCal State Cup match unless the NorCal State Cup Coordinator approves a transfer in writing. Individual teams may contain up to 26 players for the NorCal State Cup. For NorCal State Cup, rosters are frozen at certain dates and players may only be used from the 26-player roster submitted to NorCal. NO GUEST PLAYERS FROM OTHER CLUBS ARE ALLOWED IN ANY NORCAL EVENTS. Only 18 of 26 players may be used for matches. The 18 players must be on the official game card given to the match official and opposing team before the start of the game. The eight players not being played must have a line through their name on the roster. Official Roster Create your official State Cup Roster online in your teams GotSoccer account for the NorCal State Cup event. Rosters must be submitted by September 6, 2012. There will be a Roster Open Window from November 5, 2012 November 20, 2012 and another Roster Open Window from March 5, 2013 March 15, 2013 to allow adjustments to team rosters. All roster additions must be submitted in writing to the Cup Coordinator. Rosters will remain locked during the Roster Open Window but the Cup Coordinator can make adjustments manually. Player s names may not be hand written onto the NorCal Game Card. Only players listed on the official Game Card will be eligible to play in NorCal State Cup matches. Any team that does not submit a roster by the September 6, 2011 deadline will not be able to participate until their roster is submitted. Teams submitting rosters late will not be able to add any players that registered with US Club Soccer after September 6, 2011. In the event that a team is having a problem getting there players in the NorCal system (to show on the game card) only play the game if the Cup Coordinator approves a valid US Club Roster to be used instead. This roster would be sent to this teams opponent. To Few Players If a teams roster falls below 12 players for the NorCal State Cup event during a roster freeze period, NorCal will allow a team to add players to the roster to get the team back 23

up to 12 players in order to complete the NorCal State Cup competition. These additions must be approved by the NorCal Cup Coordinator. Guest Players No Guest Players will be allowed. Only players who are registered with the club the team is registered through may compete on behalf of the club in the NorCal State Cup. A player may not be registered for two US Club Soccer Clubs during the NorCal State Cup. Illegal Players Any player that does not appear on the NorCal Game Card or have a valid US Club Soccer Player Pass at the time of the match shall be considered an illegal player. Any team using an illegal player shall forfeit three points for each game to the opposing team against whom the illegal player was used. In addition, the coach of the team using the illegal player will be suspended from NorCal State Cup competition for one year. Cup Tied Player Transfers Players may only compete for one team per age group in the NorCal State Cup. A club may place players on more than one 26-player team roster but players may not play on two different teams in the same age group. For example, a player may not play for a first team and a second team in the same age group. A player may play up in an older age group while competing in their true age group. Once a player plays for a team in a specific age group that player is Cup Tied to that team in that age group. The player may not play for any other team in that age group for the remainder of the NorCal State Cup. Transfers Transfers are only allowed with written permission from the Cup Coordinator. Transfers are generally only allowed if a player moves residence over 1 hour from where they previously lived. The League Office has final say on all Cup Transfers. 24

IX. REFEREE INFORMATION Match Officials Match Officials for Club Hosted matches must be current year USSF licensed referees. The match officials shall consist of the referee and assistant referees (AR1, AR2). All NorCal State Cup matches must have 3 referees. No match officials may have a family member in the game they are working. If a game only has two referees present the game should be played under protest by the visiting team. The protest should be written on the NorCal State Cup game card. Following the match the away team should fill out an incident report so the PAD committee can make final determination on if the result will stand. Clubs that continually have problems getting 3 referees for Home matches will not be allowed to participate in future NorCal State Cup competitions. In the case of referees not showing up at all the PAD Committee will make the final determination on the result of the match. Assignment of Match Officials For all Club Hosted matches, referees shall be assigned and paid by the home team of each match. Clubs must have their referee assignor listed on their club officials on their NorCal Premier Club Page. For NorCal Hosted matches (Quarters, Semis, and Finals) NorCal will assign and pay all referees. 25

X. DISCIPLINARY REGULATIONS League Discipline A send off (red card) will result in a minimum of a one (1) game suspension. A send off because of two cautions will result in the player being suspended for the next match. If a player is sent off during the weekend, they may not play the remainder of the weekend. Games sat out that weekend can count against the suspension, as long as noted on the Roster and/or Referee Game Report as such. Any team using suspended players will be disciplined the same as using illegal players. The NorCal PAD (www.norcalreferees.com) must be notified of the send off within 24 hours by the home team. The player card can be returned to the team as long as the Referee Game Report shows the infraction, the players name and number. Incomplete Games For Group Phase matches, in the event a game cannot be completed, the game counts if half the game was completed. For Knockout Phase matches, the NorCal State Cup coordinator will determine if the result will stand, be replayed, or be played from the point of the termination at a different time. If there is no result and the match is suspended prior to the expiration of one half, the game shall be repeated at a time agreed upon by the competing teams in consultation with the Cup Coordinator. Any team directly responsible for the termination of the game due to poor sportsmanship towards referee, opposing fans, or opposing players may result in that team forfeiting the match. This could also lead to other possible penalties set by the NorCal PAD committee. No-Shows/Forfeits A no-show occurs when a team willfully does not show up to a game agreed to by the teams. Penalties for no-shows are as follows: 1) A forfeit to the opposing team 2) The accumulation of two no-shows in NorCal Cup shall result in the team s termination from the Cup and a 1 year suspension for the team in the following years NorCal State Cup 3) A forfeit will result in a 0-3 loss 4) Forfeiting team will pay for all referee, field, and admin costs associated with the no-show A team unable to attend a scheduled game because of an accident, weather, or act of god should immediately notify the opponent and the league office. Each situation shall be reviewed by the NorCal Cup Coordinator, which shall enter a decision. 26

Protests Protests involving field quality, referee credentials, and any other issues in regards to match conditions not being of the highest quality must be clearly written on the official Game Card prior to the start of the match. If the game begins and a protest has not been made prior to the match then a protest will not be considered. Protests in regards to eligible players or the playing of illegal players may be made prior to or following the match. Protests must be submitted to pad via the incident report. Specific referee decisions shall not be protested. No Protests will be allowed at NorCal hosted matches accept in regards to the possibility of playing illegal players. Team Drops Teams dropping after the July 9, 2012 payment deadline will forfeit their entire entry fee and be suspended for 1 year from participating in NorCal State Cup events. Any teams that have not paid and drop after the July 9, 2012 payment deadline will place their club on probation preventing any teams from that club from participating in the U14-U19 NorCal State Cup until the entry fee has been paid. Any team drops will result in a 3-0 forfeit win for their opponent. Violating League Rules The NorCal PAD committee shall have the authority to suspend, fine, or disqualify player, team officials or competing clubs for violating league rules, or for any action or conduct not in the best interest of soccer or NorCal Premier. Disciplinary Issues A panel of individuals from the league shall conduct the review of disciplinary issues. This panel will be known as the PAD Committee and shall consist of a minimum of three officials. Team Management Requirements All teams must have a manager or coach that has daily access to email, and a telephone number connected to a 24 hour answering system during the NorCal State Cup. Email will be the primary form of contact and it is expected that the team manager is checking email on a daily basis. Personnel on the Bench A maximum of 3 non-playing personnel are allowed on each team bench. 27

Red Card Procedure It is the team and clubs responsibility to ensure their Red Carded player/coach serves the minimum 1 game suspension. It is also there responsibility to ensure that their player/coach serves any additional suspension determined by the NorCal PAD committee. A referee report must submitted at www.norcalreferees.com within 48 hours of the red card being issued. Teams must send in the verification form confirming that suspensions have been served. All reports and forms should be sent to pad@norcalpremier.com. Suspensions All double yellow cards and red cards will result in a minimum one game suspension. This suspension is effective immediately. Even if the official suspension has not been determined it is the team and clubs responsibility to ensure that the suspension is immediately served. Any player that is crossed out by the league on a game card is ineligible to participate in the match. Red cards received in NorCal State Cup matches must be served in State Cup matches. Red cards may not be served in league matches. Players would be illegible for the next league match but must sit out the next Cup match. The only exception is players receiving a Red Card in their final Cup match must sit out their next NorCal League or Cup match. Verification Procedure Teams must have signed verification form signed by center referee and coaches of both teams, verifying the Player or Coach did not participate in game. Send all verifications to pad@norcalpremier.com. 28

XI. CODE OF ETHICS Membership in any NorCal Premier Soccer League or other competition is considered to be an automatic acceptance of its rules, policies and procedures. The purpose of this league is to set the highest standards for Soccer Clubs to develop youth players to their fullest potential both physically, emotionally, ethically. As such, participants must conduct themselves to the highest standard. At all times, adult participants are expected to be role models for the youth involved in this league - exhibiting good sporting behavior in both victory and defeat. All participants in NorCal Premier Soccer Events are members of US Club Soccer and therefore must adhere faithfully to its stated bylaws, rules and policies as well as to their intent. In addition to those stated bylaws, rules and policies: Adult members of the NorCal Premier Soccer will not (a) No coach/player will have in his/her possession, or consume, alcoholic beverages during any NCPS event. (b) All coaches, managers, players and spectators will adhere to the NCPS Code of Ethics. (c) Any coach, manager or official found guilty by a NCPS Ethics Committee of knowingly using an ineligible player(s) (over-age, improperly registered, or under disciplinary suspension) will be suspended from participation in all NCPS activities for the current and subsequent seasonal year. (d) Note the ethics policy as listed below: NorCal Premier Soccer Coaches Code of Ethics Adult members of the NorCal Premier Soccer will not 1. Recruit Players The definition of recruit for purposes of this league shall be: Approaching a player who is registered to and actively playing for another team within a NorCal Premier Soccer or US Club Soccer Club and asking them to either try-out, play or guest play for any other team, without first receiving prior written permission from the player s current club Director Of Coaching or Coaching Coordinator even for purposes of guest play. (Email is considered acceptable written permission ). 2. Acquire Teams from outside their Club; to bring into their club. 3. Engage in behavior so as to be suspended, by any NCPS or US Club Soccer disciplinary body, and/or acquire enough accumulated points (see disciplinary point system) so as to be required to stand before any US Club Soccer or NCPS disciplinary body. 4. Unnecessarily hamper the playing of any scheduled match at its originally scheduled time and place, or cause undue hardship should the re-schedule of a match become necessary. 5. Allow players to exhibit unsporting behavior before, during, or after any 29

sanctioned match or practice. This includes, but is not limited to blaming, (or teach players to blame) others in the case of defeat, or to excuse unsporting behavior. 6. Accept players from another club who have outstanding fees to another member of NorCal Premier Soccer or US Club Soccer. (Clubs should have written player/parent agreements for each year) 7. Select a coach from another club and allow this coach to work in the same age and gender of his/her previous club or academy unless the coach moves his/her residence outside of their current region - without permission of their former club. 8. Hold try-out related activities in a neighboring Clubs community without contacting the affected neighboring Clubs to receive approval for usage of their home based fields. Any issues will be dealt with first by NorCal s RAC and second by NorCal s BOD. NorCal Premier Soccer Members alleged to be in violation of these, or any other stated USSF, US Club Soccer or NCPS Codes of Ethics will be required to stand before the NorCal Premier Soccer Ethics Committee (NCPSEC) who will be made up of at least three and no more than seven club members who will act as the League s Ethics Committee. Allegations of ethics violations will be made in accordance with USSF, US Club Soccer and NorCal Premier Soccer bylaws and operating procedures, with a copy sent to the Chair of the NCPSEC. A written decision of suspension by a NCPS disciplinary body is automatically considered to be a written allegation of a NCPS Ethics Violation. NorCal Premier Soccer Coaches Code of Ethics Purpose: This code of ethics has been developed to clarify and distinguish approved and accepted professional, ethical and moral behavior from that which is detrimental to the development of soccer within the NorCal Premier Soccer and US Club Soccer Organizations. Article I - Responsibilities to Players (1) The coach shall never place the value of winning over the safety and welfare of players. (2) Coaches shall instruct players to play within the laws of the game and within the spirit of the game at all times. (3) Coaches shall not seek unfair advantage by teaching deliberate unsportsmanlike behavior to players. (4) Coaches should not tolerate inappropriate behavior from players regardless of the situation. (5) Demands on players' time should never be so extensive as to interfere with academic goals or progress. (6) Coaches must never encourage players to violate NCPS recruitment, eligibility or player s rules and policies. 30

(7) Coaches should direct players to seek proper medical attention for injuries and to follow the physician's instructions regarding treatment and recovery. (8) Coaches should take an active role in educating their players about sports nutrition, fitness and about prevention of tobacco use. (9) Coaches should educate themselves on a constant basis in order to provide their players with the highest-level instruction possible. 10) Coaches should always place the individual players development first and place team success second. Article II - Responsibility to NCPS and Member Associations (1) Adherence to all NCPS, USSF and US Club Soccer rules and policies, especially those regarding eligibility, team formation and recruiting are mandatory and should never be violated. It is the responsibility of each coach to know and understand these rules. (2) Any problems that cannot be resolved between coaches or clubs should be referred to the appropriate NCPS committee. Article III - Responsibilities to the Laws of the Game (1) Coaches should be thoroughly acquainted with and demonstrate a working knowledge of the Laws of the Game. (2) Coaches are responsible to assure their players understand the intent as well as the application of the Laws. (3) Coaches must adhere to the letter and spirit of the Laws of the Game. (4) Coaches are responsible for their players' actions on the field and must not permit them to perform with intent of causing injury to opposing players. (5) The coach must constantly strive to teach good sporting behavior. Article IV - Responsibility to Officials (1) Officials must have the support of coaches, players and spectators. Coaches must always refrain from criticizing officials the presence of players or spectators. (2) Professional respect, before, during and after the game, should be mutual. There should be no demeaning dialogue or gestures between official, coach or player. (3) Coaches must not incite players or spectators or attempt to disrupt the flow of the game. (4) Comments regarding an official should be made in writing to the appropriate organization assigning the official. Article V - Responsibilities regarding Scouting and Recruiting (1) All NCPS rules pertaining to recruiting shall be strictly observed by coach, manager or any team representative. (2) It is inappropriate to recruit player(s) actively playing for another team - unless the players club provides written permission. 31

(3) It is unethical for a player to be recruited or enticed from the Player Development Program setting, either by his PDP coach or any other coach, manager, player, parent or team representative present at said event. (4) When discussing the advantages of his/her organization, the coach has an obligation to be forthright and refrain from making derogatory remarks regarding other coaches, teams and organizations. (5) It is unethical for any coach to make a statement to a prospective athlete which cannot be fulfilled; illegal to promise any kind of compensation or inducement for play; and immoral to deliver same. (6) It is unethical for coaches to attend tryouts for other clubs, unless invited by the club in writing, or to have players attend tryouts at other clubs to recruit players. (7) It is unethical for a team or groups of players to be recruited from one club to another club by a coach working in the teams present club, a coach from another club, or any club representative from inside or outside the club. Article VI - Responsibility of Public Relations (1) Coaches have the responsibility to assist their players in conducting themselves properly when in public when representing their team, their club, US Club Soccer and NCPS. Article VII - Other Responsibilities (1) A coach's behavior must be such as to bring credit to himself, his organization and the sport of soccer. (2) While the concept of rivalry is wholly embraced, it cannot take precedence over exemplary professional conduct. (3) The attitude and conduct of the coach towards officials, players, spectators and coaches should be controlled and undemonstrative. (4) It is unacceptable for a coach to have any verbal altercation with an opposing coach or bench before, during or after the game. (5) Coaches must use their influence on his/her spectators that demonstrate intimidating and/or unacceptable behavior towards officials, player(s) and opposing team members. 32