Football South has joined other federations around the country in trialling a caution system for poor behaviour towards others on game day.
Players deemed guilty of dissent are removed from the game for 10 minutes, similar to rugby's yellow card rule.
It is being used in both its men's and women's premier leagues, as well as Otago's Fletcher Cup and Southland Donald Gray Memorial Cup.
That could become more widespread in coming years.
It was similar to other trials being held in different leagues around the world.
''The dissent is by word or action,'' Football South referee development manager Lindsey Robinson said.
''It can be anything from a player to a player, or usually a player to a match official.
''The whole idea is to support improving behaviours on the day.
''Obviously, it has been felt like just giving a [regular] caution for dissent is not really helping the game in terms of profile, spectators and more than anything, retention of match officials.''
When receiving a caution players would be told that, shown a yellow card and then a two-hand signal would be made to the technical area.
That had created some confusion as the yellow card did not count towards a player's two yellow cards per match.
It had been deemed the loss of the player for 10 minutes was enough of a sanction.
However, it did count towards fines and yellow card suspensions.
Robinson said in some places overseas they had special permissions to use a different coloured card.
However, Football South was not able to make that change yet.
She suspected the confusion generated would be the main piece of feedback and that could be useful for the wider trial.
The cautions had been used this season, notably twice in response to Wanaka FC during its loss to Mosgiel on Saturday.
However, it was hoped they would be more useful as a deterrent.
When things got heated, the referee could warn captains a player was on the verge of spending time on the sideline.
The threat of that was hoped to keep players in line.
Robinson said not refereeing the passion out of the game was a focus, as was keeping open lines of communication with players, coaches and managers.
However, it was important those involved understood how to do that.
While unsure what the overall result would be, she felt it was important to try it out and see how it went.
''We've got to try to do something. We don't have loads of match officials out there, we want more referees and we're trying to get more coming through.
''We've got to look at ways of trying to improve that behaviour on the day for everyone. I can't imagine the players are enjoying it when they have times when they're getting too emotive.
'' It can't be enjoyable for anyone.''
