Be careful not to confuse the “National Premier League” which is the umbrella organization with the term as used by SoCal. All information needed for our purposes can be founded at the NPL | SOCAL Home page
About SoCal’s NPL
- The National Premier League’s (NPL) competitive structure is a regionally based, national platform which is intended to reduce the burdens on families by limiting travel.
- The NPL offers national pathways, opportunities and exposure to help players grow both on and off the field.
- The NPL equips clubs with tools and best practices to facilitate an optimal youth soccer experience for players, coaches, families and referees.
- The NPL hosts a National Championship event for league qualifiers each year in Colorado to crown a National Champion in each age group.
The NPL’s mission is to facilitate more meaningful games, reduce travel and provide a pathway to postseason competition.
The NPL will serve youth soccer by forming and collaborating with leagues, adopting the Players First philosophy and supporting US Club Soccer’s mission to foster the development of clubs.
The NPL equips member leagues with tools and best practices to facilitate an optimal youth soccer experience for players, families, coaches and referees.
The NPL welcomes players who strive to play at the next level, as well as those who want a high-level, competitive atmosphere with their friends.
The NPL’s competitive structure is intended to reduce burdens on families by limiting travel.
The NPL offers national pathways, opportunities and exposure to help players grow on and off the field.
NPL Rules (included in the SoCal Soccer League Handbook)
Roster Rules
NPL Player Eligibility
A player may not play for more than one team within an age group in the NPL. Players may club pass “up” between NPL teams outside of their age group and may play no more than 2 games per day. No more than 2 players and 1 goalkeeper (who must play in goal) can Club Pass to another NPL team from the same club OR to Flight 1. NPL players may NOT club pass to teams in Flight 2-4.
NPL and Non-NPL Player Eligibility
NEW FOR 2023:
For 11v11 games:
(2007-2005): A maximum of 20 players may be dressed and play in a game. The 20 players must be on the official Match Report given to the match official and opposing team before the start of the game. Any players listed on the roster that will not play must have a line through their names on the Match Report or set as inactive players.
(2011-2008): A maximum of 18 players may be dressed and play in a game. The 18 players must be on the official Match Report given to the match official and opposing team before the start of the game. Any players listed on the roster that will not play must have a line through their names on the Match Report or set as inactive players.
For 9v9 games:
A maximum of 16 players may be dressed and play in a game.
For 7v7 games:
A maximum of 12 players may be dressed and play in a game.
Player Uniforms
Opponents must wear colors that distinguish them from each other, and also the Referee and the Assistant Referees.
It is recommended that the home team wears light uniforms while the away team wears dark uniforms.
Each goalkeeper must wear colors that distinguish them from the other players, the Referee, and the Assistant Referees. All players on a team except the goalkeeper shall wear identical uniforms (shirts, shorts, and socks).
- If there is a conflict in the uniform color, the away team shall change uniforms.
- Player numbers must be affixed to the back of the uniform shirt. Each Player on a team shall wear a unique number.
Spectator Seating
ALL SPECTATORS FROM A TEAM will sit on the same side of the field as their team.
Spectators will NOT sit on opposite sides of the field from their team for League play.
Coaches are responsible for the spectators on their team.
Spectators may not sit behind goals or next to the corner flags.
Spectators are not to commingle with spectators from the opposing team. Spectators should sit on the opposite side of the halfway line to the Assistant Referee.
Home Team has a choice of seating on the touchline.
Personnel on the Bench
- A maximum of 3 team officials are allowed in each team’s technical area. Team officials must have a current US Club passcard from the Club in which they are coaching in order to sit in the technical area.
- A coach must have a minimum Grassroots license to coach a game in SOCAL.
- A manager with a current US Club passcard from the Club in which they are may cover for a coach in an emergency situation.
Competition and Participation Rules
General. Unless otherwise provided in these Regulations, all NPL Competitions shall be played in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game in force at the time of competition as provided by the International Football Association Board.
Referee Assigning. SoCal is responsible to contact the applicable referee assignor(s) to schedule referees for all NPL games in Southern California.
Match Reports.
Home Team must provide 3 copies of the Official SOCAL Match Report to the Referees. Game will not be played without a Home Team provided Match Report.
Visiting Teams must provide 1 copy of the Match Report to the Referees. Game will not be played without a Visiting Team Provided Match Report.
It is suggested that each team be checked in, with special attention paid to jersey numbers, using the Official Match Report provided by that team. Check to ensure jersey numbers are consistent across all Match Reports!
Referee Fees must be paid before each game. Cash on the field. Each team pays half of the total fees due. The SoCal NPL referee fees are the same as those for SoCal games.
Safety
A Player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to themselves or another Player, in the opinion of the referee.
Casts – No orthopedic (hard) casts, air splints, or metal splints may be worn. Players will be allowed to play in a soft cast at the discretion of the Referee.
Jewelry – Absolutely no jewelry, including rings, chains, watches, jewelry, hair clips, bobby pins, earrings, bracelets, rubber bracelets, or excessively long fingernails may be worn while participating in any SOCAL games. Only Medical Alert Warning Bracelets may be worn and shall be taped to secure them to the Player’s body.
Long Finger Nails – Exceptionally long finger nails may be considered dangerous and whether or not a player may play with them is at the discretion of the referee.
Shin Guards – All players are required to use shin guards at all times. They must be age appropriate, worn properly and be professionally manufactured and unaltered. Socks must completely cover shin guards.
Substitutions – Discovery NPL
- 3 moments, per half, for substitutions. Half-time does not count as a moment. Re-entry is allowed per half at the moments used by the coach. Subbing on the moment of an opposition, still counts towards a team’s 3 moments.
- In accordance with the new USSF Head Injury guidelines, a substitution for a suspected head injury will not count against re-entry rules.
Game Length. NPL Regular Season Competitions shall be played with the following game lengths. Leagues may play under different time lengths based on their local regulations and should be detailed on a separate attachment.
U-13 * – U-16: 2 x 40 minutes
U-17 – U-19: 2 x 45 minutes
* League may choose to play 35 minute halves at the U-13 age group, especially when multiple games are played in a weekend. Confirm with the coaches before beginning the game.
Age groups for the 2022-23 Season are provided below:
- U-13 Age Group: Players born on or after January 1, 2011
- U-14 Age Group: Players born on or after January 1, 2010
- U-15 Age Group: Players born on or after January 1, 2009
- U-16 Age Group: Players born on or after January 1, 2008
- U-17 Age Group: Players born on or after January 1, 2007
- U-19 Age Group: Players born on or after January 1, 2005
Players may play for their own age group and for “older” age groups