Rules of Play

(FIFA,USYSA, & CYSA-SOUTH RULES APPLY)

It is the understanding of this tournament committee that all teams, including all players, coaches, spectators, and officials, will participate in the spirit of FAIR PLAY and will conduct themselves in accordance with the Tournament Rules.

Protests
No protests will be allowed during this tournament. The decision of the Referee, Field Marshall, and the Tournament Director shall be final.
Credentials
Laminated 2008-2009 USYSA player picture ID cards will be required. (Temporary 2008-2009 laminated player picture ID cards will be accepted.) All teams must provide a team roster. Birth certificates must be available upon request. No refunds will be given after the deadline date of November 21st, 2008. Bracketing of teams within an age group is at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director and is not appealable unless a team is assigned an incorrect age group or gender.
Medical Release
All players must have signed medical release forms, which also must be presented at check in.
Players Equipment
The referee has the final determination as to the safety of each player's equipment. All players are required to use shin guards. No rings, chains, watches, casts, metal objects, jewelry, or headbands may be worn.
Check- In
Teams shall check in at the MANDATORY REGISTRATION pursuant to application and acceptance notifications. Mandatory check-in is Friday, December 19th, 2008. Failure to check-in may result in disqualification from the tournament.
Conduct

All coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, bench, friends and spectators at all times. Coaching from the sidelines (giving direction to one's own team) is permitted provided:

  • No mechanical devices are used,
  • The tone of voice is instructive and not derogatory,
  • Each coach or substitute remains within 10 yards of either side of the halfway line,
  • No coach, substitute of spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other coaches, players, substitutes or spectators,
  • No coach, substitute of spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.
Cautions & Ejections
A player or coach receiving two (2) yellow cards in a single game is considered to have received an ejection (red card). Ejected players may not be replaced in the current game and shall serve a minimum of one game suspension at their next game played. For flagrant violations, a longer suspension may be enforced based on mandatory review by the Tournament Director.
Suspended Games
If, in the opinion of game officials, a game must be terminated due to misconduct of players, bench or spectators, the offending team could be suspended from further play and forfeit all points and position previously earned. Additionally, the home league and state associations will be contacted as appropriate.
Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions allowed in all age groups. However, teams may substitute only with the referee's permission. Substitutes must wait on the sideline (off of the field of play) until the field player has left the field of play and/or the referee has indicated the substitute may enter the field of play.
Injury
Delays of the game due to injury will result in appropriate time being added to the full game time, based on the judgment of the referee. However, all preliminary game will be terminated not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game.
Home Team
The home team appears first on the game schedule. The home team will supply the game ball, unless supplied by the tournament. The game ball is subject to referee approval. The home team will be required to switch to an alternate jersey if the referee declares color conflict. The home team will have the selection of the touchline from which they will play. In event of restricted space on one or both touchlines, teams may play from the same touchline subject to the discretion of the Field Marshall. If teams are on the same side of the field the half way line shall separate the teams.
Game
Check-in
Prior to the start of each scheduled game, each team must present to the Referee the team player cards so that the team may be checked into play and the game started at its scheduled time. Failure of a team to report within five (5) minutes of a scheduled kick off will be considered a forfeited game.
Forfeitures & Byes
Games not played will be classified as "Forfeits & Byes." Teams failing to report to pre-game check-in will forfeit the game(s). Teams failing to report ready to play within five (5) minutes of scheduled kick-off time forfeit that game. Forfeits & Byes will be scored 1-0 and the winner will be awarded 8 points (6 for the win, 1 for the goal, and one for the shutout). A team will receive minus one (-1) for each red card received by players or coaches).
 Format of Play

Pool Play is followed by a Championship game.

Game lengths:

  • U-8.................................  20 Minutes,
  • U-9 through U-12........  25 Minutes,
  • U-13 through U-14......  30 Minutes.

Teams will not change ends of the field during mini- games except at the Cays fields. Referees at the Cays fields will stop play midway through each mini-game at a time when one team has clear possession of the ball. The teams will switch ends of the field and the game will be restarted with the same team in possession of the ball unless play was stopped after a score.

1st place vs. 4th place and 2nd place vs. 3rd place match ups during Pool Play are score in the same way as all other pool play games. (This is not elimination round).

Full length championship games will be played between the top two teams in each circuit to determine 1st and 2nd place.

Final Games

  • U-8 two 20 minute halves,
  • U-9 through U-10 two 25 minute halves,
  • U-11 through U-12 two 30 minute halves,
  • U-13 through U-14 two 35 minute halves.

In Brackets with 6 or more group games, the standings after the group games are final using the point system and tie breaker system to determine 1st and 2nd place in the standings.
Tournament Points System

Scoring for each preliminary game will be as follows:

  • 6 Points for each Win,
  • 3 Points for each Tie,
  • 0 Points for each Loss,
  • 1 Point for each Goal Scored (Maximum of 3),
  • 1 Point for Shut-out,
  • MINUS 1 POINT FOR EACH PLAYER OR COACH EJECTED.

Note: 0-0 tie will be scored 4 points for each team (3 for tie, 1 for shutout).

 
Tie Breakers

In the event of a tie during the process of determining bracket winners and second place or wild card teams, the winner will be determined as follows:

  1. The winner in head to head competition,
  2. Fewest goals against,
  3. Most goals for,
  4. Most total wins,
  5. Most shut outs,
  6. If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 5, the standings will be deternined through FIFA Penalty kicks from the "Penalty Mark".

Acts of God

 

 

Rain or other weather conditions during the tournament shall not delay play unless the referee determines the field to be unsafe for play. In the event of canceling the tournament due to rain or natural causes all teams will receive a refund of the paid tournament fee amount less an administrative fee to be determined for organizational costs.