1. ROSTER
- A team may not have more than 14 players for U9 and U10 age groups
- A team may not have more than 18 players for U11 and older age groups.
- Secondary roster players are allowed, but will be considered to be guest players.
- Three guest players are allowed.
- U9 and U10 games will be played on a small field with eight (8) players on the field (including the goalkeeper) for each team.
- U11 through U19 games will be played on a full size field with eleven (11) players on the field (including the goalkeeper) for each team.
- A player may only play for one team throughout the tournament.
2. LINEUP
- Official approved rosters and permission to travel forms should accompany application or be sent in as soon as possible.
- Player passes and medical release forms (required) will be checked at the Friday night check-in.
- If prior arrangements are made, they can be checked before your first game at Tournament Headquarters.
- Player passes need not be presented at each game nor are lineup sheets required.
- Medical release forms must be in the possession of the coach or designated representative who is present during matches.
3. UNIFORMS
- All players on a team must wear similar uniforms numbered with no duplicate numbers.
- When teams have the same color jersey, the first team listed will be designated as the home team and be asked to change jerseys.
- Socks must be worn pulled up over shin pads, jerseys tucked in.
- Absolutely no jewelry is allowed.
4. GAME DURATION
- U9 & U10, two (2) 25-minute halves with 5-minute half-time.
- U11 through U19, two (2) 30-minute halves with 5-minute half-time.
- Teams are expected to be ready to play at the scheduled start time for each game.
- If a team has seven (7) players available, play begins.
- Any team more than five (5) minutes late will forfeit their game.
- Games may be shortened at the discretion of tournament officials or the referee.
5. GAME DELAY
- Any game stopped due to field conditions or weather will be resumed as soon as possible at a time and field location designated.
- In the event of inclement weather, unsafe field conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, the Tournament Officials have the authority to change games as follows:
o Relocate or reschedule any game
o Change the duration of any game
o Cancel any game
o Cancel the tournament
- Games terminated after one half of play because of darkness will be considered final.
- If games cannot be played on one day, the games will not be made up and standings will be determined by the games played.
6. GAME BALL
- A size 4 ball will be used for U9 through U12 games.
- A size 5 ball will be used for U13 through U19 games.
- Game balls will be provided by the Tournament.
7. SUBSTITUTIONS
- Unlimited for both teams on goal kicks, goals scored, and half time.
- Unlimited on throw-ins for the team with possession.
- Limited if an injured player is replaced, the opposing team may substitute an equal number.
8. EJECTION
- A substitute may not be sent in for an ejected player nor may an ejected player be a substitute.
- An ejected player or coach is ineligible for the next scheduled game.
- A player ejected for fighting is ineligible for further tournament play.
9. CAUTIONS
- An accumulation of three (3) cautions or an ejection and a caution to a player or coach will result in dismissal from the tournament.
- Coaches are responsible for players, assistants and spectators, as well as themselves.
10. SPECTATOR EJECTIONS
- Spectators dismissed from a match by the referee or field marshal will be banned from all further tournament participation.
- A dismissed person may not be within sight and sound of the match or it will lead to the team being disqualified from further tournament play.
- All mechanical noisemakers are prohibited
11. REFEREES
- All U9 through U11 games will be officiated under the one (1) referee system with two line persons, one supplied by each team if needed.
- U12 through U19 games will be officiated under the three (3) referee system.
- If the assigned referee is unable to officiate the match, the field marshal will appoint a referee acceptable to both coaches.
12. STANDINGS
§ The order of finish will be determined by the number of points accumulated.
§ Three (3) points will be awarded for a win, one (1) point for a tie, zero (0) for a loss.
§ A forfeit will be recorded as a minus (-1) point. The other team will be given three (3) points for a win with maximum goal differential.
§ If two teams have an equal number of points, the order of finish will be decided as follows:
12.1 Head to head. (in the event of a tie among more than two teams criteria 12.2 – 12.4 will be used to determine the first place team.) Once 1st place is decided 12.1 – 12.5 will be used to determine next order of finished.
12.2 Goal difference in all games, with a maximum of three goals differentials in each game.
12.3 Fewest goals allowed.
12.4 Most goals scored, with a maximum of three in each game.
12.5 Penalty kicks (as described below, except the time and location will be determined by a tournament official).
12.6 In the event of the tournament being canceled before all scheduled games are played, standings will be determined solely by the tournament committee based on an equal number of games played in the order in which they were played.
§ Points system will not be assessed for consolation games
13. PENALTY KICK PROCEDURES
- Preliminary round games and consolation games can end in a tie, no exceptions.
- Only semi-final and championship games cannot end in a tie.
- Penalty shots will decide the outcome, as follows.
- Only the players on the field at the end of regulation are eligible to participate in the penalty kicks.
- The referee shall decide the goal at which all kicks shall be taken.
- The team winning the coin toss has the option of kicking first or second.
- No player may shoot a second time until all eligible teammates (including the goalkeeper) have taken a kick.
- Each team takes five (5) shots, alternately.
- The team scoring the most goals wins.
- If the score is tied after five (5) shots by each team, shots continue, alternating, until one team scores and the other does not.
- Other than the shooter and the two (2) goalkeepers, all eligible players must remain in the center circle while shots are in progress.
- Players not on the field at the end of the game do not participate in the penalty kicks and remain on the sideline.
14. ADVANCEMENT
- Teams will be grouped in divisions based on age.
- Age groups with fewer than 3 teams will be combined with another age group.
- Three (3) team divisions each team will play each other twice in a round robin format, winner will be determined by Rule 12.
- Four (4) and (5) team divisions each team will play each other once in a round robin format, winner will be determined by Rule 12.
- Six (6) team divisions-within the divisions there will be two brackets of three (3) teams;
o each team will play two preliminary round matches; after the conclusion of all preliminary matches, teams advance as determined by rule 12;
o Third ranked teams will play against each other for their third tournament game;T
o he first ranked team in one division will play the second ranked team in the other divisions;
o The winners of these two games will advance to the Championship game.
o There is no overtime. Winner will be determined by Penalty Kick Procedure (Rule 13) in the event of a tie at the end of regulation play.
o In no case shall a team that forfeits a match be declared a division winner or participate in a semifinal match.
15. PROTESTS & APPEALS
- No Protests or Appeals will be entertained.
16. TEAM CONTACT
- At registration, each team must provide a designated contact person and their cell phone number who can be contacted at any time during the tournament.
17. TOURNAMENT CANCELLATION
- In the event of inclement weather or any other "act of God" which would prevent continuation of the games, the tournament will be canceled, no refunds will be given. Standings will be determined by the tournament committee. All decisions of the committee are final.
