Frequently Asked Questions

1.        What are the only reasons NCSL will allow us to reschedule a game?

The NCSL Administrator can only reschedule an NCSL match for State Cup, President’s Cup, official middle or high school game conflicts, and an Olympic Development Program travel conflict.

2.        Who is supposed to notify the NCSL office when our team has a State Cup or President’s Cup game on the same day as an NCSL game?

All teams participating in State Cup or President’s Cup competition must keep their club reps informed of their State Cup or President’s Cup schedules. Club reps must notify the NCSL office of any Cup games which conflict with NCSL games.

3.        Players on my team have a baseball game at the same day and time as my NCSL game. The coach of the team I am scheduled to play has agreed to reschedule the game to another day. Will the league reschedule this game for us?

The size and complexity of the NCSL schedules do not allow for scheduling around other sports or other non-soccer related activities. Games are rescheduled only if they conflict with State Cup, President’s Cup or official High/Middle School soccer matches. NCSL provides a "Scheduling Request Form" for each club rep to complete and submit for each team prior to each season. This form allows teams to submit conflict requests for Saturday games. While a request cannot always be honored due to limitations on field availability, the NCSL Administrator does her very best to provide assistance whenever possible.

4.        The directions to the field we are scheduled to play on are not posted on the website. How can we get directions to the field?

If the directions to a field are not posted on the website, the hosting club did not provide these directions to the league. In this situation, visitors should contact their opponent directly to obtain the directions to the field.

5.        Why is it so important for all teams to print the game numbers on the blue game card? Oh by the way, what is a game number?

The NCSL game number is the 1 to 5-digit number that precedes each game on the NCSL Division Schedule. This number must be printed on all game cards to facilitate the Rules and Discipline Committee, the league administrator and the referee assignors. .

6.        A player on my team forgot his jersey and I carry a spare jersey in my coach’s bag. What do I have to do so that this player can play?

Issue the spare jersey to the player and record the new jersey number on the blue game card. The jersey number for each player on game day must match the jersey numbers on the game card.

7.             How will I know for sure what cards were issued during the game to players and coaches on my team?

The best method of obtaining what cards were issued during a game is to have a team official (TSL or manager) request this information from the referee at the conclusion of the game.  The purpose is to verify not to debate whether a card should have been issued.  Thereafter, you should check the entries on your team webpage on the NCSL website.  See also the discussion under question 9, below.

8.        What if I believe that a recording error was made and a card(s) issued during the game was assigned to the wrong player?

Contact your club representative who will work with R&D to resolve these problems.

9.        Why can’t the league post cards received during a game on a regular weekly basis on the web site?

With the transition from time consuming blue game cards to the online reporting system, the website is now updated with cards received during a game on a regular basis.  This is typically accomplished within days of the game.  While this system should assist teams, it does not relieve them of their responsibility to track cards and serve sit-outs for red cards and accumulated points according to league rules.  For steps on how to check your team cards and player points refer to the document entitled “How-To Steps for Checking your Team Cards and Player Points” on the NCSL web site.

10.     How can we get credit for a sit-out that has been served?

It is the team’s responsibility to document sit-outs.  Failure to do so could lead to disciplinary sit-outs being imposed.   For players, make sure to tell the referee at check in, and ask the referee to report the sit out in the on line game report. Still do a sit out card having your opponent sign it. Should the referee fail to report the sit out, the card can be submitted to the league to document the sit out. If mailed, remember to make and keep a copy of the card. For coaches, a sit out card must be prepared and sent to the league. If mailed, make sure to keep a copy of it. 

11.     How often is the NCSL R&D sit-out list updated on the web site?

R&D posts the sit-out list to the website before each season.  Before posting the list, each entry is vetted with the club representative.  Thereafter, the list is monitored to ensure sit-outs are served.   During the season, the list is checked to ensure sit-outs were served.  

12.     What if I want to file a complaint about the referee for my game and I didn’t get his name before the match?

It is not necessary to obtain the referee’s name, and approaching the referee after a match to request it can be confrontational.  Instead, after the match contact your club representative who can work with the R&D Chairman towards appropriate action. The R&D Chairman has access to the names of all referees assigned to a match.

13.     Why aren’t the U9 and U10 scores posted on the NCSL web site?

These matches are non-results oriented.  The NCSL Board of Directors has chosen not to publish the scores and standings for these non-result games. 

14.     Why does NCSL delay results-oriented play for girls longer than for boys?

The difference is entirely historical, based on different decisions made when the boys and girls played in separate leagues (as WAGS and NCSL).  The NCSL Board of Directors has chosen not to overturn the historical decisions yet, but is studying the optimal structure for both.