RULES OF PLAY

  1. The rules of play shall be the LAWS OF THE GAME as published by FIFA with those modifications stated herein as approved by UYSA.
  2. Any rule not addressed shall be interpreted by the Tournament Rules Committee for the good of the game.

NUMBER OF GAMES

  1. Each team is scheduled for a minimum of three games.

BALL SIZE

  1. Each team must have a game ball for each game subject to Field Referee approval as follows:
    • #5 ball for age brackets Under 13 through Under 19.
    • #4 ball for age brackets Under 10 through Under 12.

STRUCTURE OF GAME

  1. TOURNAMENT SCORING - Teams will be divided into flights by age. Team standings will be based on the following point system:
    • (6) points for each win. (0) points for each loss. (3) points for each tie. (1) point deducted for each red card received. (1) point for each shutout. (1) point deducted for each forfeit. (1) point for each goal scored, up to (3) maximum, regardless of win or loss.
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    • For a forfeited match, the winner will be credited with a 1-0 win and awarded (8) points (six for the win, one for the goal and one for the shut-out). A team abandoned by another team during a match will be awarded at least (8) points. The results of that match shall be based on the score at the time of the abandonment. No points for team abandoning the match.
    • No points will be awarded if neither team shows up.
    • Any team leaving the field prior to determination of a winner shall forfeit the match.
    • A match is considered official 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.
    • Final standings for the flight will be determined by the total number of points accumulated at the end of play in the preliminary rounds.
  2. TIE BREAKING WITHIN A FLIGHT - Ties in flight standings will be broken by employing a tie breaker. If more than two teams are involved in the tie, the first team to move ahead of the remaining teams will be awarded the highest place, and the tie breakers continued until all ties are broken.
    • Head to head (if all teams played each other).
    • Largest goal differential (max. of plus or minus (3) per match).
    • Least goals allowed.
    • Most goals scored (max. of (3) per match).
    • Kicks from the Penalty Spot in accordance with the procedure outlined in the FIFA Laws of the Game [site and time at the discretion of Tournament Committee].
  3. TIE BREAKING IN KNOCK-OUT MATCHES - If the score is still tied at the conclusion of play in any Semi-Final or Final Match, two 5 minute extra time periods shall be played. If tied at the end of overtime periods, winners shall be determined by kicks from the Penalty Spots in accordance with the procedure outlined in the FIFA Laws of the Game.
  4. NUMBER OF PLAYERS - U10 and U11 will play - 8 versus 8. All other age groups play 11 vs 11.
  5. FORMATFOR ADVANCEMENT TO SEMIFINALS OR FINALS
    # Of Teams IN Division Advancement Procedures
    4 Round Robin play within flight. The two teams with the greatest # of points will play in the finals.
    5 Round Robin play within flight. The two teams with the highest point total play for the championship.
    8 Round Robin within flights. The two high point teams from each flight advance to the semi-finals. The highest point team in each flight plays the 2nd highest in the opposite flight. The two winners of each semi-final game meet in finals.
    9 Round Robin within flights. The high point teams from each flight advance to the finals for first and second place. The second highest point team of each flight will play in the consolation round for third and fourth place.
    12 Round Robin within flights. The high point teams from each flight advance to the semi-finals. The next highest point team of all the flights will be the fourth team or wild card to play in the semi-finals. The two winners of each semi-final game meet in finals.

PLAYING CONDITIONS

  1. Games may be cancelled, temporarily suspended, or shortened in length when fields are in unplayable condition due to rain, low air temperature, excessively high winds or lightning.
  2. The responsibility of game cancellation or temporary suspension will rest with the Tournament Committee. Final judgment will be that of the Tournament Director. There will be no refunds for games cancelled due to weather conditions.
  3. Games shall be considered completed upon the completion of the first half of the game when play has been stopped by the Field Referee, Head Referee, or Tournament Director. The score at stoppage of play will be the final game score if play was not resumed as ordered by Tournament Rules.
  4. The tournament Committee reserves the right to combine age groups if necessary to complete flights or to alter the advancement procedures should unforeseen circumstances arise.

UNIFORMS

  1. Home Team: Home team is the first team listed on the game schedules. Home team is to wear their dark team colors. If the referee determines there is a jersey color conflict, the home team will change to a contrasting color. Home team will occupy 1/2 of the sideline of the field with visiting teams occupying the other half of the same sideline (the referee may modify this rule depending on sun and field conditions). Spectators will occupy the sideline opposite their team when space is available.
  2. The following items are NOT permitted: Hair control devices with hard parts, earrings of any kind and jewelry of any sort.
  3. The following items are CONDITIONALLY permitted. Religious medals or medical tags taped to the body, splints, casts, braces or other joint support devices that, in the referee’s opinion, are not dangerous or which are padded with pliable materials to eliminate danger.
    NOTE: Failure of the referee to notice illegal equipment shall not be cause for protest.
  4. All players shall wear shin guards. Socks must cover them.
  5. No undergarments may extend below the bottom of any players uniform shorts, unless they are of the same color.
  6. All players starting each half, or entering the field as substitutes, shall have their jerseys fully tucked into their shorts.
  7. All players will have a number on their uniforms.

TEAM AND PLAYER CERTIFICATION

  1. A Player may play for only one team during the tournament.
  2. All teams must check in with the Tournament Director before the tournament begins. All competitive teams must submit 2 current rosters signed by the State Register. All players must have current USYSA player passes and a copy of their birth certificate. All Competitive player cards must be laminated.
  3. Each team must have a certified tournament roster (18 player max.) to be presented by the coach or manager to the Field Referee. USYSA approved player passes will be checked against the roster, and player passes will be kept by the Field Referee during the match. If a player does not present a current USYSA certified player pass.
  4. Each team will be limited to 5 guest players
  5. All passes are to be returned to the coach or manager of the teams at the conclusion of the game, except for passes of the players or coaches ejected. It is the responsibility of the coach to retrieve passes from the Field Referee at the end of the match.
  6. At the conclusion of the match, the Field Referee will complete the game card in detail. He will also forward to the Head Referee any passes of any red carded participants for the tournament records and any possible further action. He will also turn in an official supplemental game rep if there are any unusual circumstances or the match is a forfeit.

KICKOFF

  1. Kickoff will be at the time shown on the tournament schedule with a five (5) minute grace period allowed. If a team is not ready to play per schedule and by the Field Referee, the match is a forfeit.
DIVISION GAME LENGTH* OVERTIME PERIODS HALFTIME
U15 thru U18* 2-40 Min. Halves 2-5 Min. 5 minutes
U13 thru U14 2-35 Min. Halves 2-5 Min. 5 minutes
U12 2-30 Min. Halves 2-5 Min. 5 minutes
U11 2-25 Min. Halves 2-5 Min. 5 minutes
U10 2-20 Min. Halves 2-5 Min. 5 minutes
*Length of game may be shortened by Field Referee due to late start or other warranted conditions. The game length of U16 – U18 games may be extended to 2-40 minute halves prior to the start of the tournament depending on field availability.

PLAYER SUBSTITUTIONS

  1. Players may be substituted with the consent of the Field Referee at the following times:
    • prior to a throw-in, by your team
    • prior to a goal kick, by either team
    • after a goal, by either team
    • at half time, by either team
    • after an injury stoppage of play, by either team
    • when the referee stops play to caution a player, only the cautioned player may be substituted, prior to the restart of play
    • no substitute is allowed for an ejected player

TEAM DISCIPLINE

  1. An ejected player and / or coach are ineligible for participation in the following tournament game. This includes the final matches.
  2. Yellow cards are cumulative during the tournament. A player or coach who receives three yellow cards is not eligible to participate in their next game, including playoff matches.
  3. The cumulative penalty will not apply when a player or coach receives two yellow cards in the same match resulting in an ejection and subsequently ineligibility for the following tournament match. This includes final matches.
  4. A coach is responsible for the actions of his team supporters. Abuse from spectators or coaches will not be tolerated. Violations can result in forfeit of the game and / or expulsion from further tournament play.
  5. Any coach, manager, or team non-medical official, who has been ejected (red carded) must remove himself no less than 100 yards from the play field within 5 minutes of notice of ejection, or the match will be forfeited to the opposing team.
  6. Any coach that withdraws his team from the playing field during a match will receive a red card and his team will forfeit the match.
  7. The use and / or consumption of any alcoholic beverages at any youth soccer match are expressly prohibited. Any player or team official who violates this prohibition shall be subject to disciplinary action and / or suspension. Such violations will be reported to Disciplinary Committee.
  8. Passes of players or coaches sent off will be held by the tournament committee at the main tournament headquarters and may be picked up after the participants sit out has been served. Passes of participants who are sent off, but do not have the ability to serve their sit out, will be forwarded to the appropriate soccer governing body.

TEAM PROTEST AND APPEALS

  1. The "no protest rule" applies except for misapplication of the "laws of the game".
  2. If protesting the misapplication of a rule, it must be made in writing within one half-hour after the completion of the match which the protested incident occurred, accompanied by a $50.00 non- refundable protest fee to the Tournament Directors designated representative.
  3. If these conditions are not met in full, the protest cannot be considered.
  4. A Protest and Appeals committee shall be appointed by the Tournament Director or his/her designated representation.
  5. Upon review of the protest, the decision of the Protest and Appeals Committee shall be final.