Tournament Rules

Tournament Rules Printer Friendly Version [PDF]

U09 / U10 7v7 Modified Rules Printer Friendly Version [PDF]

U11 / U12 9v9 Modified Rules Printer Friendly Version [PDF]

REGISTRATION AND CREDENTIALS

HEADQUARTERS: United Sports Training Center, 1426 Marshallton-Thorndale Road, Downingtown, PA 19335. 484-678-1432 Contact: Joe Levan

REGISTRATION: Teams must check in ELECTRONICALLY.

ROSTERS: Teams may register a maximum of fourteen (14) players for U08, U09 and U10 (7v7). The maximum will be 18 players U11 and U12 (9v9). Roster size cannot exceed 22 players for U13-16. Teams cannot dress more than 18 players for any single tournament game at U11-U16. A team may use up to five (5) guest players but any team utilizing loaned players is still limited to the player maximmus based upon teh age grops and level of play (7v7, 9v9 or 11v11). US Club Soccer teams may only take guest players registered under US Club Soccer, and USYSA teams may only take guest players registered with properly stamped USYSA player pass cards. A player can only play with one (1) team during the tournament weekend regardless of different age divisions or level of play. If a player is used on multiple teams, both teams will forfeit their matches.

RULES OF PLAY

FIFA Laws of the Game will apply as modified by USYSA and EPYSA as described herein.
Duration of Games & Overtimes, by Halves, and Ball Size are as follows:

Division	Length	Overtime **	Ball Size
U16	30 Minutes	5 Minutes	5
U15	30 Minutes	5 Minutes	5
U14	30 Minutes	5 Minutes	5
U13	30 Minutes	5 Minutes	5
U12	30 Minutes	5 Minutes	4
U11	30 Minutes	5 Minutes	4
U10	25 Minutes	5 Minutes	4
U09	25 Minutes	5 Minutes	4
U08	25 Minutes	5 Minutes	4

** Semi-Final or Final games tied after regulation will play two equal overtime halves to their conclusion. If a tie still exists after overtime halves in Semi-Final or Final, FIFA Penalty Kick will determine the winner. Penalty Kicks will immediately follow game.

HALF TIME: Half Time will be exactly five minutes.

CHECK-IN CONDUCT: Failure of a team to report within five minutes of a scheduled kick off will be considered to have forfeited the game.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Free (unlimited) substitution will be allowed in all age groups through Under 19’s. For age groups 16 years and older, free substitution is allowed providing the tournament is not an official competition (but a friendly club tournament) and the age category does not include matches between national teams of CONCACAF member countries. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, at any stoppage in play (including overtimes).

PLAYERS EQUIPMENT: It will be at the Referee’s discretion to determine the safety and suitability of player equipment including the wearing of an orthopedic cast or hard brace. Shin guards are mandatory for all players. No jewelry!

COACHING: All Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends and spectators at all times. Coaching from the sideline (giving direction to one’s own team on points of strategy and position) is permitted, provided:
• No mechanical devices are used;
• The tone of the voice is instructive and not derogatory;
• Each coach or substitute remains within 10 yards of their side of the halfway line;
• No coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other coaches, players, substitutes, or spectators;
• No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS: A player or coach receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game is considered to have been given an Ejection (red card) for the purposes of awarding points for the Tournament competition. A player who has been ejected (sent off), will not be replaced. A player or coach who has been ejected will not return for that game and will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game. A player or coach who is ejected for violent conduct or serious foul play may be subject to further sanctioning. Any player or coach who assaults a referee will be expelled from the Tournament.

SUSPENDED AND TERMINATED GAMES: If in the opinion of game officials, a game must be suspended for any reason the game may be resumed but is subject to being ended not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game. If in the opinion of game officials, a game must be terminated for misconduct of players, bench coaches, or spectators, the offending team could be suspended from further play and forfeits that game and all remaining games. All previous points earned remain as played. Additionally, the home league and State Association will be contacted as appropriate.

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 games will be terminated not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game.
TOURNAMENT COMPETITION

DETERMINING WINNERS: Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:
Six (6) points for each Win
Three (3) points for each Tie
Zero (0) points for each Loss
One (1) point for each goal scored up to a maximum of three (3) per game.
One (1) point for each shutout
MINUS ONE (-1) FOR EACH PLAYER OR COACH EJECTED
A 0-0 tie will be scored as 4 points for each team (3 for tie, 1 for shutout)
A 4-2 game will be scored as 9 points for the winning team (6 for win, 3 for goals) and 2 points to the losing team (2 for goals).

In the event of a tie in points at the end of bracket play, the winner for advancement to Semi-Final will be determined as follows:
1. The winner in head to head competition. (If there is a 3 team tie, proceed to the next tie breaker)
2. Fewest goals against.
3. Goal differential, maximum of +/-3 per game (Team wins 4-0, only gets 3 points, losing team gets -3)
4. Most total wins.
5. Most shut outs.
6. If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 5, FIFA Kicks from the Mark will be taken fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the Semi-Final game.
NO RULES WILL BE REVISITED

HOME TEAM: The Home Team will be the team which appears first on the game schedule. The Home Team will supply the game ball, unless supplied by the Tournament. The game ball will be subject to Referee approval. The Home Team will be required to switch to alternate jerseys to accommodate a color conflict as declared by the referee. If the Home Team cannot supply alternate jerseys, the Visitor Team will change. The Home Team should be on the Left Bench when facing the field. Teams are on the SAME SIDE. Spectators are opposite the bench areas.

FORFEITS AND BYES: Teams failing to report ready to play within five minutes of the scheduled kick off time. Teams failing to check in at the Mandatory Registration or for taking actions which cause a game to be terminated will forfeit the game(s) 1-0. The winner will be awarded eight points (six for the win, one for a goal, and one for a shut out).

PROTESTS: NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED.

DISPUTES: All disputes will be settled by the Tournament Director or his designee and the decision will be final.

REFUND POLICY: Once a team is accepted into the tournament, there will not be a refund issued. If a team must withdraw before the acceptance list is posted, a full refund will be issued. In the event of inclement weather, every attempt will be made to reschedule games using any available means. If games are canceled due to weather, refunds will be determined based on the number of completed games played.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The tournament offers Event Cancellation Insurance to every accepting team. In the event of inclement weather or any other unseen circumstances, every attempt will be made to reschedule games using any available means. If games are canceled due to weather or any other unseen circumstances, refunds will be determined based on the number of completed games played.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: The Tournament Rules Committee reserves the right to make the following changes in the event of inclement weather: * Relocate and/or reschedule a match. * Change a division structure. * Reduce scheduled duration of a match * Cancel a match

TOURNAMENT PLAY

TWELVE TEAM DIVISION will consist of four (4) Brackets of three (3) teams. Each team will play the others within its Bracket for a total of two (2) preliminary games. The second place teams from Groups A and B will play a consolation and the second place teams from Groups C and D will play a consolation. Third place teams from Groups A and B will play and Groups C and D will play a consolation. The winners of Group A and B will play Semi-Final Game 1, and the winner of Group C and D will play Semi-Final Game 2. The Semi-Final winners will meet for the Championship.

TEN TEAM DIVISION will consist of two (2) Brackets of three (3) teams and one (1) Bracket of four (4) teams. In Brackets A and B (3 teams each) each team will play the others within its Bracket for a total of two (2) preliminary games. Bracket C will play the others within its Bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games. The second place teams from Groups A and B will play a consolation. Third place teams from Groups A and B will play a consolation. The winners of Group A and B will play Semi-Final Game 1. The Semi-Final winner will play Bracket C winner for the Championship.

EIGHT TEAM DIVISION will consist of two (2) Brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will play the others within its Bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games. The winner of Group A will play the winner of Group B will for the Championship.

SEVEN TEAM DIVISION will consist of one (1) Bracket of seven (7) teams. Each team will play four (4) other teams within its Bracket for a total of four (4) preliminary games. The team with the most points will be awarded first place. The team with the second most points will be awarded second place.

SIX TEAM DIVISION will consist of two (2) Brackets of three (3) teams. Each team will play the others within its Bracket for a total of two (2) preliminary games. The first place team from Group A will play the second place team from Group B in Semi-Final 1. The first place team from Group B will play the second place team from the Group A in Semi-Final 2. The third place teams from Groups A and B will play a consolation. The Semi-Final winners will meet for the Championship.

FIVE TEAM DIVISION will consist of one (1) Bracket of five (5) teams. Each team will play the others within its Bracket for a total of four (4) preliminary games. The team with the most points will be awarded first place. The team with the second most points will be awarded second place.

FOUR TEAM DIVISION will consist of one (1) Bracket of four (4) teams. Each team will play the others within its Bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games. The team with the most points will play the team with the second most points for the Championship.