League website: https://dpleague.org/

League Framework: https://dpleague.org/frameworks/

Referee Game Day Checklist: DPL-Match-Day-Checklist-for-Referees

RULES & REGULATIONS

Unless otherwise provided in these Regulations, all DPL competitions shall be played in accordance with the youth association and league modifications listed below and FIFA Laws of the Game in force at the time of competition as provided by the International Football Association Board.

ROSTER RULES

1.    Roster Size

a)   The maximum roster size on a Team’s Roster is 30 per age group.

b)   Game Roster Size:

i.     For U13 through U19 games, only 18 players from the roster will be eligible to participate in each game, and these players must be placed on the Game Day Roster (showing players that will start and players eligible for substitution).

ii.   The bench and technical area are reserved for players and a maximum of five (5) registered club staff members, not including a registered Health Care Professional (HCP) or Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).

TECHNICAL FRAMEWORK

1.    Game Length

a)   All U13, U14 and U15 games will be two (2) 40-minute halves with 10-minute halftime

b)   U16, U17 and U19 games will be two (2) 45-minute halves with a 15-minute halftime

2.    Substitutions

a)   Teams can use a maximum of (5) moments per game for subs, with halftime NOT Classed as a moment.

b)   Players can re-enter the game after being substituted at any time.

c)    Substitutions are allowed at any stoppage.

3.    Head Injury Substitution

a)   The DPL has implemented a rule change to allow a player who is suspected to have suffered a head injury to be substituted while being evaluated.

1.    The substitution for the evaluation of the concussion/head injury will not count against the team’s total number of allowed substitutions.

2.    However, a team must be in possession of at least one (1) substitution to implement this temporary substitution.

b)   If the player is deemed by the HCP or ATC to not have suffered a concussion, the player may re-enter the game at any stoppage of play and must replace the original substitute; this head injury evaluation substitution will not count as a used substitution.

1.    Furthermore, the temporary substitute will be able to re-enter the game at a later time.

c)    If the player is not cleared to return to play by the HCP or ATC, the replacement player will no longer be considered a temporary substitution and the team will be charged a substitution.

d)   Any cards (red/yellow) issued to the temporary substitute will count for the remainder of the game.

MATCHDAY PROTOCOLS

1.    Field Setup

a)   Team sideline requires both the home and away team have (2) benches or (1) long bench for team and staff.

b)   Team sideline requires both the home and away team have matching team tents

c)    Team sideline requires a minimum of (1) trash can

d)   Team sideline requires a minimum of (1) table providing both water and sports drink

e)   All match fields are marked properly in accordance to the FIFA rules

f)     All match fields must have (4) matching corner flags 7.

2.    Match Cards & Photo Match Cards

a)   The official game day roster must be provided on Match Cards and Photo Match Cards from GotSport and shall be presented to the referee prior to the game and should also include team staff. All teams are responsible for verifying the accuracy of rosters provided on all Game Cards and signing a completed copy from the referee crew after the game.

b)   Players are to be added to rosters electronically in GotSport. Write-ins are not permitted unless previously approved by the League Manager OR Member Services Associate. https://system.gotsport.com/forms/76019435G

c)    It is the responsibility of the home club to report scores, any disciplinary actions, and upload the match card for each fixture. This must be submitted within 72 hours of the completion of the match.

d)   The DPL Staff will update the rosters weekly on the website to reflect any suspensions, additions or drops, or other eligibility issues.

3.    Match Balls

a)   HOME TEAM must provide a minimum of 3 game balls, per game. The quality of these match balls MUST be consistent with the quality of a NFHS standard GAME Ball. Low quality training balls are not permitted.

RISK MANAGEMENT

1.    The Field Inspection

a)   Home clubs are responsible for inspecting the field and ensuring the safety of the facility. However, should the visiting club become aware of a safety issue at the facility, they should immediately inform the home club and the game official about the issue.

b)   The home club should do the following:

1.    Inspect for foreign objects

2.    Check for holes, hills, or ruts

3.    Inspect sprinkler heads to make sure that they are seated and properly covered

4.    Ensure there is a restraining line for spectators at least five (5) feet beyond the touch line and outside of the bleachers and seating areas

5.    Inspect the field and surrounding areas for any possible “attractive nuisances”

2.    Referee Responsibility for Safety

  • All determinations as to the safety of the field, the goals, the balls, player equipment are ultimately the responsibility of the referee assigned to the game.
  • Any field, equipment, or ball conditions deemed by the referee to be unsafe must be corrected by the home club before play can begin or resume.

EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS

Equipment

1.    Goals, Nets, Corner Flags and Benches

  • All goals must be properly anchored.
  • A game will not start without proper equipment, including secured goals, properly lined fields, and corner flags.

Uniforms

1.    Home team will be required to wear light colored uniforms (jersey, shorts, and socks) and away team will be required to wear dark colored uniforms

  • Home teams will be responsible for changing in the event of a conflict will choose their uniforms and visiting teams will be required to wear their contrasting uniforms.

2.    On a double fixture weekend, it is required for teams to coordinate uniform colors ahead of time for the entire weekend to avoid conflicts.

3.    Cold Weather Allowances

These guidelines are subject to referee interpretation, player age and conditions. 

  • The jersey and number must be visible at all times no matter what the conditions. 
  • Layers can go underneath the jersey; it should be team color, black, gray or white.
  • Layers of athletic attire are allowed on the legs, this includes tights and leggings, and they should be black, gray or team colored. 
  • Gloves without clips or rings are allowed. 
  • Headbands, ear bands, beanies and ski caps that are tight to the head are allowed in extreme conditions with referee approval.