ECNL

ECNL Referee Guidelines

Game Day Checklist (print)

ECNL Conference and ECNL Regional League Games

– ECNL Website

Thank you for accepting the assignment to referee in the ECNL.

Every game played in the ECNL impacts competition standings and postseason qualification – there are no “friendly” games or “meaningless” games. 

Below is general information and rules applicable to ECNL competition:

Game Ball:

U13-U18/U19 – Size 5 (provided by the home team)

U11-U12 – Size 4 (provided by the home team)

  • Game ball should be Nike for all ECNL Girls competitions
  • Game ball should be PUMA for all ECNL Boys competitions.
    • COVID Protocol: The home team should sanitize the match balls before and after each match.

Game Length:

  • U11, U12: 30 minute halves (10 minute halftime)
  • U13: 35 minute halves (10 minute halftime)
  • U14, U15 & U16: 40 minute halves (10 minute halftime)
  • U17 & U18/U19: 45 minute halves (15 minute halftime)
  • Referees should provide appropriate stoppage time in every game.

Substitutions, Check-In & Passcard Handling:

  • Each player and coach on the bench should have an ECNL passcard
  • Players designated as “Discovery Players” are tied to the age group in which they are carded.
  • U13-U18/U19: FIFA, seven (7) per half.  Players may not re-enter in the same half.
  • U11-U12: unlimited substitutions.
    • COVID Protocol:
      • Referees must check-in players prior to the match, with the coach showing the passes to the referee for check-in. The referee should not handle the player or staff passes at any time pre-, during, or post-game.
      • Substitution records should be recorded by each referee in their book according to ECNL substitution rules.  Referees should not collect passcards for substitutions.
  • Below is a template of the ECNL passcard (the only passcard acceptable for ECNL competition):

Rosters, Reports, and Passcards:

  • The home team should provide an ECNL Match Report to the referee.  Only eighteen (18) players are eligible for the match. These 18 must be indicated on the Match Report. Age-appropriate players that are not pre-printed on the roster may be hand-written on the roster so long as they have a valid ECNL passcard.
  • At the conclusion of the game, after the match report has been completed and signed by the referee, the referee should give the game report back to the home team. The home team is responsible for uploading the match report and reporting the score in TGS.    

COVID RECOMMENDATIONS

      • Each referee should bring their own equipment (flags, uniforms, etc.). Please do not share equipment.
      • Hydration Breaks: Should your match have a hydration break due to temperature index, players may leave the field to collect their personal water bottles for hydration. Substitutes/Coaches should not share or hand off water bottles.
        • Referees should bring their own hydration. There will be no Gatorade coolers with water or Gatorade on the sidelines.
      • All referees should perform a self-temperature check prior to leaving for the match.
        • If a referee has a temperature over 100 degrees, they should not referee the match
        • If a referee feels sick or has any symptoms of COVID-19, they should not referee the match
        • If a referee has had close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, the referee should not referee the match
      • There should be no international walkouts, and players, staff, and the referee should maintain social distancing on the bench and whenever not participating
      • If a referee has contact with someone who has COVID-19, they should report that to their assignor (league).

Miscellaneous:

  • Referees should arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off time.
  • Game fees should be paid to referees no later than immediately after the game.  The home team is responsible for payment:
    • U17 & U18/U19 Fees:  $75 to referee and $50 to each assistant referee, and   
    • U14, U15, & U16: $65 to referee and $40 to each assistant referee.
    • U13: $60 to referee and $40 to each assistant referee.
    • U12: $40 to referee and $30 to each assistant referee.
    • U11: $40 to referee and $22 to each assistant referee.
  • Uniforms: In a one-game weekend (teams will confirm uniform colors with each other)
    • Home Team – light shirt, light socks, any short | Away Team: dark shirt, dark socks, any shorts
    • Uniforms: In a two-game weekend (teams will confirm uniform colors with each other)
    • Game #1 – Home Team – light shirt, light socks, any short | Away: dark shirt, dark socks, any shorts
    • Game #2 – Home Team: dark shirt, dark socks, any short | Away: light shirt, dark socks, any shorts

Red Cards:

  • The referee reports all red cards with corresponding documentation immediately following the game to schedule@theecnl.com. The report should include age group, teams, player(s) sent off, the offense, and referee’s name, email and phone number.  Referees should not keep player passes for players that are sent off, they should be returned to the team manager.

Should you have any urgent game-day questions, direct them to:

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