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. Age Division See Age Matrix Format: U9 to U-10 Divisions will play 7 v 7 U-11 to U-12 Division will play 9 v 9 U-13 Divisions will play 11 v 11 Protests No protests will be allowed during this tournament. The decision of the Referee, Field Marshal, and the Tournament Director shall be final. Credentials Laminated USYSA player ID cards (photo), medical release forms will be required (laminated USYSA player cards will be acceptable). All teams must provide a team roster. Birth certificates must be available upon request. Players Equipment The referee has the final determination as to the safety of each players equipment. All players are required to use shin guards. No rings, chains, watches or metal objects may be worn. Casts are permitted at the referee s discretion. Check-In Teams shall check-in at the MANDATORY REGISTRATION pursuant to application and acceptance notifications. Players need not be present for check-in. Coach/Player 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.
Code of Conduct All players, coaches, managers and spectators will be expected to demonstrate good sportsmanlike conduct. Coaches and managers shall have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends and spectators at all times. Inappropriate conduct by your team's spectators can jeopardize your coach and/or team. If a referee terminates a game due to misconduct of players or spectators, the offending team will forfeit. The offending player, spectator or team may be banned from further participation in the tournament. Also, please note the following: Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at the tournament sites. Pets are not allowed. This is a smoke-free environment; no smoking is allowed at any of the fields. After each game, please pick up the trash on your sideline and place it in one of the provided trash or recycle receptacles. Please help us keep the games on time by immediately collecting your things and clearing your sideline after your game. This will allow the next team to move into position and prepare for the start of their game. 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, longer suspension may be enforced based on mandatory review of 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 association 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 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. Substitutions are allowed only at the following times: Prior to throw-in Prior to a goal kick by either team. After a goal by either team. After the referee stops play for an injury, a coach may substitute for the injured player only. During half-time. On a caution, only the cautioned player may be substituted at that time. Wild Card Teams Wild Card teams advancing to quarter or semi-finals will not play the champion from their own bracket unless they meet again in the finals. Schedules will be adjusted accordingly.
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. Home Team The home team appears first on the game schedule. The Home Team will supply 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 color conflict is declared by the referee. 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 Marshal. Game Check-In Prior to the start of each scheduled game, each team must present to the referee the teams' player cards so that the team may be checked in to 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, 1 for the shutout). Playing Times Play will be based on halves as specified below. Times are listed in minutes: Age Bracket Preliminaries Semi-Finals Finals Ball Size U13 25 25 25 5 U12 25 25 25 4 U11 25 25 25 4 U10 20 20 20 4 U9 20 20 20 4 U8 20 20 20 4
HALF TIME WILL BE EXACTLY TEN (10) MINUTES All Preliminary games will be terminated not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game regardless of the amount of time played in each half up to that point. A game is "complete" upon completion of one half of play regardless of the circumstances of termination during the second half with final results based on the score at termination. A preliminary game can end in a tie. Championship games and semifinal games ending in a tie, after regulation time, will go immediately to FIFA kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner. Format of Play Teams have a guarantee of three games. Roster Size Roster size is as follows: U8-U10, 14 Players including Guest Players (max of 5) U11-U14, 18 Players including Guest Players (max of 5) Tournament Point System 6 Points for each Win 3 Points For each Tie 0 Point For each Loss 1 Point For each Goal Scored (maximum of 3 per game) 1 Point For each Shut-out MINUS 1 POINT FOR EACH PLAYER OR COACH EJECTED Note: 0-0 tie will be scored 4 points for team (3 for tie, 1 for shutout) Tie Breakers In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined as follows: 1. The winner in head to head competition 2. Fewest goals against 3. Most goals for 4. FIFA penalty kicks will be taken 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 less a 25% administrative fee. Refund Policy No refunds after the application deadline unless a replacement team is found in which case a refund will be sent less administrative fees to be determined. Note: All refunds will be processed the week following the tournament.
Birth Year and Season Matrix When determining the age group for a season, the year the season ends should be used for determining the birth year. Also note that the format U followed by age really means that age and younger. For example, U8 should be read as 8 years old and younger. Season Birth Year 2020 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2019 U6 2018 U6 U7 2017 U6 U7 U8 2016 U6 U7 U8 U9 2024-2025 2015 U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 2014 U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 2013 U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 2012 U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13 2011 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 2010 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15 2009 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15 U16 2008 U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15 U16 U17 2007 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 2006 U12 U13 U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19 2005 U13 U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19 2004 U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19 2003 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19 2002 U16 U17 U18 U19 2001 U17 U18 U19 2000 U18 U19 1999 U19