Mission Statement: Pennridge Yellowjackets Concussion Awareness Tournament Rules Our goal is to provide an opportunity for young boys and girls to participate in a fun and challenging day of soccer while providing them, their coaches, and their parents with knowledge and exercises to help prevent the occurrence of concussions. Eligibility 1. All teams must be formed from age-appropriate players based on their age as of August 1, 2016. 2. Players must have current validated passes from their appropriate State Association for the team on which they are participating. 3. U8 Teams can have 8 players for the 4v4 bracket 4. Teams can contain up to 14 players for U-9 to U-11 and 18 players for U-12 to U- 14. 5. Teams may include multiple guest players. All guest players must have a current, validated pass from their state association or be registered with a club and have medical release forms signed by a parent. 6. For U9-U11, teams may use 5 guests. For U12-14, teams may use 6 guests. 7. Players may only play for one team during the tournament. 8. Players must wear a jersey with a consistent number for all games. Tournament Director Decisions All participants are reminded that the tournament is designed to allow players to enjoy a day of soccer. While a championship team will be determined for each age bracket, we want to stress the efforts, improvement, and enjoyment of the players. With that in mind: 1. No protests will be allowed. 2. All decisions made by the referee are final. 3. All decisions made by the tournament directors are final. 4. Any person whose conduct is detrimental to the spirit of the tournament will be asked to leave the soccer field area. Rules of the Game U-8 Divisions: Games will be 4v4, 4 sixteen (16) minute games. 8 minute halves, 2 minute half-time. 1. 4 players no goalies 2. Team will use size 3 soccer ball.
3. Max roster 8, max 3 guest players U-9 through U-10 Divisions: Games will be twenty-five (25) minutes in duration. No overtime. Each team will be guaranteed at least 4 games. Play will be 7v7 (6 field players plus a goalie). 1. Field sizes are within suggested size for 7 v 7 fields per USYSA. 2. Goal sizes will be 6 x 18 or 7 x 21 or similar. 3. Teams will use a size 4 soccer ball. 4. All other USYSA rules will be in effect. U-11 and U-12 Division: See rules for U-9 to U-10 except: 1. Play will be 9 v 9 (8 players and a goalie). 2. Field sizes are within suggested size for 9 v 9 fields per USYSA. 3. Goal sizes will be 6 x 18 or 7 x 21 or similar. 4. Teams will use a size 4 soccer ball. U-13 and U-14 Division: See rules above except: 1. Play will be 11 v 11 (10 players and a goalie). 2. Field sizes are within suggested size for 11 v 11 fields per USYSA. 3. Goal sizes will be 8 x 24. 4. Teams will use a size 5 soccer ball. Coach/Team Official Responsibilities: 1. All coaches/team officials must register with tournament officials at least 1 hour before their first scheduled game for the day. It is encouraged for coaches/managers to register electronically a week before the tournament. 2. Coaches must show current medical releases for all players participating in the tournament. 3. Coaches must submit a roster with all participating players and coaches listed on it. Coaches must provide contact information (cell phone #) when they register so tournament officials can contact them, if necessary. 4. Any team which uses an illegal player will be dismissed from the tournament with no refund given. 5. Coaches/teams will be held responsible for the actions of individuals associated with their team. Bracket Play/Point Systems:
1. Tournament directors reserve the right to adjust groups to make games as competitive as possible. This may include combining groups, having multiple pools within age groups, or asking teams to move up or down with team official permission. 2. Tournament directors will determine whether playoffs will be used to determine age bracket champions or whether bracket play points will determine winners. Those decisions will be made during the scheduling of games. i. --If no playoffs are listed, age group champions will be determined by pool play. 3. Points for brackets will be as follows: 3 points for a win 1 point for a tie 0 points for a loss Tiebreakers: a. Head-to-head b. Goal differential (max of +3 or -3 per game) c. Fewest goals allowed d. Most goals scored (max of 5 per game) e. Least number of cards issued f. Coin flip --for a tiebreaker of more than 2 teams, skip head-to-head and proceed as above Playoffs: (if scheduled for the bracket) Games will run exactly as regular games with the exception that overtime will occur, if needed, to determine a winner. Overtime will be golden goal. After 10 minutes, if no team has scored, teams will proceed to a shoot-out with 5 players shooting for each side. If a winner is still not determined, teams will continue, one at a time, choosing new players (not in the original 5) shooters, until the tie is broken. Referees 1. All games will be officiated by a single referee. 2. All referees will be certified. 3. Referees are responsible for decisions regarding appropriate equipment, casts, braces, eyewear, etc. If coaches have questions regarding a player s equipment, they should meet with the referee as early as possible to be checked. 4. Any cards issued by the referee will have the following consequences: a. yellow card player must be replaced until the next appropriate substitution opportunity
b. 2 nd yellow card (same game) player may not participate in the rest of the game and may not play in the next game. 5. Team plays full strength. a. 2 nd yellow card (over multiple games) player will sit out the next game. 6. Team plays full strength. a. red card player is removed for the rest of the game and the next game. Team must play a man down for the rest of the game. 7. Forfeits Any time a team is reduced to the point where they have 3 less players on the field than is allowed (e.g. 4 in 7v7 or 6 in 9v9 ages or 8 in 11 v 11 ages), the game will be declared a forfeit with the score listed as 2-0. Forfeits could occur due to cards, injury, or failure to have players on the field on time. 8. Any team who forfeits a game will be ineligible to win the age bracket. 9. Game Reports At the end of the game, both coaches must sign the game report card. It will include the score of the game and any cards issued with reasons. Warm-ups/Game Preparation 1. Teams may warm up in areas in between fields being mindful not to interfere with the other games and staying away from areas behind the goals. 2. Teams should be at their designated field for their next game at least 5 minutes before the game starts. 3. Teams listed first on the schedule are home teams. If there is a conflict with jersey colors, the home team should change. The away team will get the choice of the opening tap or side to defend. 4. Both teams should set their bench on the same side of the field with spectators on the other. Medical and Emergency Information/Cancellation 1. Participants and parents are encouraged to attend and/or participate in one of the different sessions that will occur over the course of the day regarding concussion prevention, symptoms, treatment, and research. 2. Tournament directors will make every effort to assure a certified trainer or similar medical professional is present for the duration of the tournament. If medical assistance is needed, please report immediately to the registration tent where they will call for help. 3. In the event of a weather-related emergency (lightning, etc.), the tournament will be stopped for the appropriate length of time. Upon resuming, games that were less than half complete will be finished. Games that were more than half complete will be declared over and the next games started. Directors will decide about whether to resume where the schedule left off, to modify the length or
schedule of games, or to skip games to complete the event in sufficient time. No refunds will be given for missed or adjusted games. 4. If the tournament is not played due to weather or field conditions, there will be no rain date. 5. Teams will be refunded their registration fee minus a $50 processing fee or teams can roll their entire registration fee toward the registration fee for the following year. 6. Registered teams unable to participate must respond at least three weeks prior to the tournament date. They will receive their entry fee back minus a $100 processing fee. Teams that withdraw less than three weeks before the tournament date will not be eligible for any refund. Other Important Information: 1. No smoking, alcoholic beverages, grills, or pets are allowed on the school district premises. 2. All participants and spectators at the tournament are present at their own risk. PYSA, the Pennridge School District, the vendors, and guests are not liable for any injury or losses incurred by any team or person(s) during the duration of the tournament. This includes any costs incurred in the event of cancellation or rescheduling.