ROSTER RULES
Maximum Tournament Roster Size
Up to 26 players.
Guest players - any number, as long as they are on the roster with the correct forms etc.
Playing on More Than One Team?
Players can only play for one team
Game Roster Size
U9 and U10 – up to 12 players, selected from the tournament roster
U11 and U12 – Up to 14 players, selected from the tournament roster
U13 to U19 - Up to 18 players, selected from the tournament roster
Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions and unlimited re-entry
Substitutions may occur at any stoppage of time
However, the referee shall have discretion over all substitutions, and may refuse to allow any substitution if, in his opinion, the purpose is to disrupt the game.**
**In allowing for unlimited substitutions, we would like to remind all coaches that it is their responsibility to handle their substitutions in a professional manner so as not to detract from the game, and if this cannot be accomplished some restrictions on substitutions may be imposed in the future.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
• A valid US Club Soccer/USYSA/State player card for each player and coach and or manager
• A US Club Soccer/USYSA/State official roster
• Medical authorizations also will be required for all players at check-in.
COMPETITION RULES
The following rules shall govern all Tournament competitions:
a. All games shall be played pursuant to FIFA Laws of the Game, unless stated otherwise in these Rules.
b. Length of Games:
U9 and U10: 25 minute halves
U11 and U12: 30 minute halves
U13/14: 35 minute halves
U15/16: 40 minute halves
U17/19: 45 minute halves
All halftimes: 10 minutes
c. In excessive heat conditions, limited water breaks can be allowed by the referee at his discretion, after prior consultation with the Competition Director.
d. For all round robin games, games ending in a tie will be recorded as a tie, with each team receiving one point.
e. Ball size: size 4 for U9 - U12; size 5 for U13 - U19
f. All players must wear shin guards. All other equipment rules shall be pursuant to FIFA Laws of the Game.
g. The home team shall be listed first. In case of uniform color conflicts, the designated home team shall change uniforms.
THE FIELD OF PLAY
The field of play will conform to the following dimensions:
11v11
Minimum 50 x 100 yds, maximum 100 x 130 yds
Goals 8 x 24 ft
8v8
Min. 45 x 70 yds. - Max. 60 x 90 yds
With markings proportionate and goals 7 x 21 ft
6v6
Min. 35 x 50 yds. - Max. 45 x 60 yds
With markings proportionate and goals 6 x 12 ft. to 6 x 18 ft
STANDINGS AND TIEBREAKERS
a. Game Points: 3 points awarded for a win; 1 point for a tie; zero points for a loss. A forfeit shall be recorded as a 1 – 0 win, with one goal being credited.
b. Tiebreakers: For teams tied in points at the end of a round robin competition, tiebreaker priorities shall be: head to head competitions (but not in the case of three way ties); goal differential (max. of 3 per game), total goals scored (max. of 4 per game), fewest goals allowed.
• In a case where three teams are tied in points but one team has defeated the other teams tied in points, the winner of the two matches will be deemed winners.
c. Uneven Games Number: If a tiebreaker calculation between two or more teams would be based on a different number of games, total goals and fewest goals allowed will be converted into a percentage per game.
GAME AUTHORITY AND DISCIPLINE
a. The referee’s decision in all matters related to the field and the game itself shall be final. There shall be no protests of any referee’s decision or game result.
b. Red cards awarded to players or substitutes during a Tournament game or dismissals of team officials shall result in that player or team official being suspended for the next tournament game. The team official shall serve their suspension in a game involving the same team when the dismissal occurred, unless such team has no more games remaining. The Discipline Committee shall have the authority to take further disciplinary action should they deem it necessary.
c. There shall be no yellow card accumulations. Note that FIFA Circulars #866 and #821 require that a sendoff for a red card or a sendoff after two yellow cards in a game be treated the same. Thus, in both cases the player must sit out the remainder of that game and the next tournament game.
d. All coaches shall have at all times complete responsibility and control for the conduct of their players, bench, parents, and friends.
e. If, in the opinion of the referee, it is necessary to terminate a game due to the misconduct of a team or others associated with that team, the game shall be forfeited to the opposing team and the matter shall be referred to the Tournament Discipline Committee, which may, among other penalties, suspend the team for the remainder of the Tournament. If, in the opinion of the referee, the termination is the result of substantially equivalent misconduct by both teams or by persons associated with both teams, the matter will be resolved by the Tournament Discipline Committee.
f. At the end of each game, the referee’s game report shall be submitted to the Competition Director.
GAME START TIMES AND RE-SCHEDULING
a. All games shall start at the designated time. A forfeit shall be declared if a team cannot field a minimum of seven (7) players at the start time of the game. However, the Tournament Director shall have the authority to adjust the schedule in cases where a team’s arrival has been delayed due to unforeseen travel or weather conditions.
b. Every reasonable effort will be made to complete a game as long as the safety of the participants and spectators is not jeopardized. Should a game not be able to be started or should a suspension of play be required due to safety concerns or unplayable conditions, the referee, coaches and Tournament Director or Competition Director shall consult, but the referee shall have the ultimate authority to either suspend or terminate the game.
c. If it is not possible to complete a game for the reasons set forth in this section, if the first half is completed, the results shall stand. If the first half is not completed, or if the game is tied, the Tournament Director or Competition Director, shall determine whether it shall be rescheduled or another resolution of the matter shall be implemented. The schedule of remaining games shall be a factor in any determination. The teams involved shall be consulted, but the ultimate decision on such resolution shall rest with the Tournament Director or Competition Director.
d. In all cases, the Tournament Director has the ultimate authority to adjust the schedule of any or all remaining games, including shortening the length of games, to arrive at an equitable result and in consideration of the overall integrity of the competition.
DISCIPLINE
Discipline for the Tournament shall be under the jurisdiction of the US Club Soccer.
TOURNAMENT DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE
The Tournament Discipline Committee shall be the Tournament Rules Committee members at the event and/or the Competition Director, or other individuals appointed by the Executive Director. In all matters of discipline, with the exception of an alleged incident of misconduct towards a game official, the Tournament Discipline Committee shall render a determination, and send a report to the Tournament Discipline Committee pursuant to this section.
a. Suspensions for normal red cards and staff ejections shall not extend beyond the tournament or Finals.
b. For serious discipline matters with the potential to incur penalties beyond the issuance of a red card or staff ejection, a Competition Incident Report and a referee’s report shall be completed and sent to US Club Soccer.
Tournament Check-In Procedures
a. The check-in times and locations shall be determined by the Tournament Director.
b. At check-in, teams shall present the following:
• Official team roster, downloaded and printed from the team’s website information (up to 26 players).
• Player cards for all players on the roster.
• Player medical treatment authorization forms.
• Coaches and managers passcards.
