Guidelines

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.
  3. There will be no protests.

STRUCTURE OF GAMES

  1. TOURNAMENT SCORING - Teams will be divided into flights and brackets 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 for each shutout.
      1 point for each goal scored, up to 3 maximum, regardless of win or loss.

      1 point deducted for each forfeit.
      1 point deducted for each red card received.
    • 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 will be awarded to the team abandoning the match. No points will be awarded if neither team shows up.
    • 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 each bracket will be determined by the total number of points accumulated at the end of play in the preliminary rounds.
  2. TIE BREAKING WITHIN A BRACKET - Ties in bracket 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 5 per match).
    • Least goals allowed.
    • Most goals scored (max. of 5 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 TEAMS - 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.
  5. NUMBER OF PLAYERS – U9 plays 6 v 6, U10-U11 play 8 v 8, all other age groups play 11 v 11.
  6. NUMBER OF GAMES – Each team is scheduled for a minimum of three games.
  7. BALL SIZE – Each team must have a game ball for each game subject to Field Referee approval as follows: #5 ball for U13-U18, #4 ball for U10-U12, #3 ball for U9.
  8. KICKOFF – 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.
  9. LENGTH OF GAME – Games may be shortened by Field Referee due to late start or other warranted conditions.
    • U15-U18: Two 40 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
    • U13-U14: Two 35 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
    • U12: Two 30 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
    • U11: Two 25 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
    • U10: Two 20 minute halves, 5 minute halftime
    • U9: Two 20 minute halves, 5 minute halftime

PLAYING CONDITIONS

  1. Games may be cancelled, temporarily suspended, or shortened in length when fields are in unplayable condition due to rain, excessively high winds or lightning.
  2. The immediate responsibility of game cancellation or temporary suspension will rest with the Field Referee and/or Field Marshall. 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 score if play was not resumed.

TEAMS AND PLAYERS

  1. 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.
  2. Team sideline location will be according to UYSA guidelines.
  3. Players may play for only one team during the tournament.
  4. Team size will be limited as follows: U9 – 10 players, U10-11 – 12 players, U12-18 – 18 players.
  5. Teams will be limited to 5 guest players.
  6. 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.
  7. Each team must have a certified tournament roster 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.

UNIFORMS

  1. The following items are NOT permitted: Hair control devices with hard parts, earrings of any kind and jewelry of any sort.
  2. 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.
  3. All players shall wear shin guards. Socks must cover them.
  4. All players starting each half, or entering the field as substitutes, shall have their jerseys fully tucked into their shorts.
  5. All players will have a number on their uniforms.

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. Red cards resulting from intentionally harmful or violent conduct may result in expulsion from further tournament play. Violations will be reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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. Violations will be reported to Disciplinary Committee.
  9. 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.