rules

In cases not covered by these tournament rules, FIFA's Laws of the Game and USYSA playing rules will be used. Standards of good sportsmanship will be a major consideration of tournament officials in arriving at disciplinary decisions and resolving fairness issues. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at field venues. Pets or animals will not be permitted unless allowed by law and only then they must be restrained by leash.

1. Play Format: Each team will play at least 3 games, with championships to be determined whenever possible by playoff games. All games will be officiated by only USSF Registered Officials. Where scheduling difficulties require it, championships will be determined by point-scoring or tie-breaking systems.

2. Point Scoring: The following 10-point system will be used for standings:

Win - 6 points
Tie - 3 points
Shutout - 1 point
Goals - 1 point each up to a maximum of 3
Red Cards - 1 point deducted for each red card

3. Preliminary Tie-Breaking: Preliminary games may end in a tie. In the case of tie at the end of the Preliminary round, the Tournament Committee will determine final placement using the following criteria in order of priority:

Head-to-head competition, whenever applicable.
Least goals allowed.
Most goals scored (up to a maximum 6 per game).
FIFA penalty shoot-out.

4. Tie-Breakers: Semi-Finals will be settled by shoot-out immediately after the end of a tie game. Finals will be followed by 2 overtimes of 10 minutes each, and then a FIFA penalty shoot-out if the game is still tied.

5. Wild Card Position: In the case where a wild card position is called for, the second place team with the most points of the age bracket as determined by section 2 of these rules shall be chosen. It there is a tie, then section 3 of these rules shall govern.

6. Game Lenght: Preliminary and Semi-Final games will have the following game length:
Under 10 - Under 14: 25 minute halves
Under 15 - Under 19: 30 minute halves

All games will have a 5-minute half-time. Finals will be regulation game length for that age bracket.

7. Awards: Team trophies and individual medals will be awarded to the 1st- and 2nd-place teams in each age group.

8. Protests: No protest will be allowed. Referee decisions will be final.

Pre-Game Requirements:

1. Laminated player passes with photo and signature must be presented to the field monitor, who will check them against the approved team roster. Players without a valid player pass will not be allowed to participate.

2. All players must be registered prior to the team's first game.

3. Players may only participate on one registered team during the tournament.

4. Home teams will choose which side of the field they will occupy. No two teams, players, coaches or spectators will occupy the same side of the field or the area behind the goals.

5. Home teams will be listed first (left-most) on the schedule, and will be responsible for changing jerseys should there be a color conflict. If the Home Team cannot supply an alternative jersey, the Home Team will forfeit the game.

6. Unless supplied by the Tournament Committee, the designated Home team shall supply the game ball. The game ball will be subject to Referee approval.

7. Shinguards are mandatory. Casts and braces must be well-cushioned so as not to constitute, in the referee's opinion, a danger to players. Large or hard casts may be grounds for excluding a player from the tournament.

8. A team's inability to field at least 7 players at starting time will result in that team's forfeiture of the game.

Game Requirements:

1. Coaches shall stay within 10 meters of the midfield line. Partisan spectators should stay on their team's side of the field. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of themselves, their players, parents/spectators and others associated with their team.

2. A team that does not have at least 7 players on the field during play will forfeit the game.

3. Substituted players will enter and leave play at the mid-field line.

4. The following substitution rules apply:

Your Team:

Prior to your throw-in
For your player receiving a yellow card
For your injured player

Either Team:

Prior to a goal kick
After a goal
During half-time
Prior to an overtime period
During any play stoppage in unusual circumstances, at referee discretion

5. The referee has the discretion to require a coach to substitute for a cautioned (yellow card) or injured player. That player may be substituted back in at the next legal substitution.

6. The clock will not stop for injuries or discipline incidents except in extraordinary circumstances at the referee's discretion.

7. The referee's report will constitute the official game record.

Post-Game Requirements:

1. The referee will turn in the game report, initialed by the respective team coach, either to the field monitor, or to the Field Marshal at the Tournament Field Headquarters.

2. Coaches are responsible for checking the game results and bracket standings posted at Tournament Field Headquarters and for reporting perceived errors to tournament officials there for review and possible correction.

3. Complaints about refereeing, opponent behavior, field conditions, etc. should be addressed to the Field Marshal or to officials at the Field Headquarters and not to the Field Monitors whom have no discretionary power in these matters.

Under 10 Requirements:

1. Will play with a maximum of eight (8) players per team, including the goalie, on the field. Minimum of five(5) players. Maximum of fourteen (14) players on a roster.

2. Opposing players must be at least eight (8) yards from the ball on all free kicks.

3. Penalty kicks shall be ten yards from the goal line.

4. Goals measuring 6' x 18' shall be used.

5. Opponents must be eight (8) yards away before penalty or corner kicks are allowed.

6. Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.

7. Teams and games may be co-ed.

Disciplinary Actions:

1. A player or coach receiving a red card will be suspended for the remainder of that game and the next game. The Tournament Committee may extend the suspension as it deems fit. The player's card will be delivered to tournament headquarters by the monitor or other official of the tournament. Before playing again, the player, or team administrator, must come to the tournament headquarters to retrieve their card.

2. Any team refusing to complete a game after being told to do so by the referee will forfeit the game and will be reported to their respective home league and state association.

3. Depending upon the circumstances, the Tournament Committee may require teams that forfeit a game to also forfeit all other games played.

4. If the referee terminates a game, the Tournament Committee shall decide the outcome of the game.

5. If unexpected termination of play is due to the misconduct of one or both teams, coach(s) and/or parents then the Tournament Committee will try to ensure that the offending team(s) will not benefit from the termination.

6. All interpretations of the rules and other decisions made by referees, Field Marshals and the Tournament Committee will be final. NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED.

Weather and Field Problems:

1. In case of inclement weather or dangerous field conditions, games may be shortened or re-scheduled, go to a FIFA penalty shoot-out, or be canceled.

2. It may be necessary to change game times or locations if the assigned fields become unavailable or some similar difficulty arises.

3. If the fields are un-playable due to rain, teams will be refunded less pre-paid expenses made by the tournament.

4. If some of the scheduled games are unable to be played, awards will be made based on a point system to be determined by the Tournament Committee.