Use this rules template as an EXAMPLE ONLY! Please review them carefully before using.
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Rules for the Tournament
Tournament Headquarters
FILL IN MAIN ADDRESS
Tournament Director: FILL IN TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
Registration and Team Eligibility
Registration Check-In: FILL IN REGISTRATION SITE
Coaches must bring Travel permits (if outside STATE), signed medical liability release forms, approved roster lists, and player passes.
All games are played at:
INSERT VENUES HERE
Final Matches are played at VENUE HERE unless field conditions warrant moving the games. The Tournament will be played on FILL IN DATES HERE.
Coaches should bring player passes and medical release forms to every game.
A. TEAMS FROM THE UNITED STATES � For teams from the United States:
1. The Players must present picture identification cards issued by the team’s Federation Organization Member (USYS, AYSO, other)
2. Teams must provide proof of approval of the team’s participation from the team’s Federation Organization Member.
3. Teams from outside the State Association where the tournament is located must provide proof of permission to travel. Teams must be in good standing with their Federation Organization.
B. FOREIGN TEAMS For a team coming from a CONCACAF nation:
1. Players must present passports at registration or, if from a nation that the United States does not require a passport, proof of entry into the United States that is required by the United States.
2. Teams are required to have and present player picture identification cards.
3. Teams must have a completed form from its Provincial or National Association approving the team’s participation in the tournament.
Player Age and Eligibility
Boys and Girls teams in separate divisions
U-19 born after 7-31-86; U-18 born after 7-31-87; U-17 born after 7-31-88;
U-16 born after 7-31-89; U-15 born after 7-31-90; U-14 born after 7-31-91
U-13 born after 7-31-92; U-12 born after 7-31-93; U-11 born after 7-31-94;
U-10 born after 7-31-95; U-09 born after 7-31-96; U-08 born after 7-31-97
U-08 and U-10 teams will play an 8 v 8 format. U-11-19 age groups will play 11 v 11. Top division is the GOLD division. Lower division is known as RED.
Team rosters will be limited to 18 players for teams playing the 11 v 11 format. Team rosters will be limited to 14 players for teams playing the 8 v 8 format. The Roster submitted at Tournament Registration will be the official Roster for the Tournament and may not be altered. A player may only play for one team.
Four (4) guest players will be allowed per team. Guest player Rosters (yours or ours) should be validated by your state association/country federation (if required by your association). Prior to the start of each game the Field Marshal shall check that each team have the following; current Federation player and coaches passes, Medical Release Forms, and approved guest roster ( if applicable).
Teams
The first team listed in the tournament program (and website) is the home team. A maximum of 3 coaches are permitted on the coaches’ side of the field. All coaches will remain within 20 yards of the centerline on their half of the field, on the side opposite of both team’s spectators. Field marshals will communicate which side is the coaches’ side if questions arise. Spectators are not permitted behind the goals.
Player Credentials and Uniforms
1. Player picture identification cards are to be present and available at all matches.
2. Identification cards are required to be checked by the field marshal prior to each match
3. All shirt numbers of each player must be different.
Laws of the Game
All matches must be played in accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game in effect on January 1st of the year that the tournament is held, except as specifically modified for youth play by USSF and US Youth Soccer with certain Amendments as follows:
a. Substitution Time: Substitutes must be at the midfield line. Unlimited substitutions for all age groups will be allowed with the consent of the referee;
1. before a throw-in in your favor. The team in possession of the ball for a throw-in may substitute. If the team in possession of the ball for a throw-in substitutes players, the opposing team may substitute any number of players at the same time.
2. before a goal-kick.
3. after a score by either team.
4. at half time.
5. After an injury, by either team, when the referee stops play.
6. After a caution, one for one by both teams, if the cautioned player is substituted.
b. Match Lengths: Preliminary Games will consist of two halves of equal length.
– U-09 and U-10 play 25 minutes each half; – U-11 through U-14 play 30 minutes each half;
– U-15 through U-19 and adults will play 35 minutes each half.
Semi-Final and Final Games will consist of two halves of equal length.
– U-09 and U-10 play 2×25 minutes per half, with 2×5 minute overtime periods;
– U-11 and U-12 play 2×30 minutes per half, with 2×5 minute overtime periods;
– U-13 and U-14 play 2×35 minutes per half, with 2×5 minute overtime periods;
– U-15 and U-16 play 2×40 minutes per half, with 2×10 minute overtime periods;
– U-17 through Adults play 2×45 minutes per half, with 2×10 minute overtime periods;
The Directors reserve the right to adjust game length for conditions beyond their control. See Weather/Reschedule section below.
c. The game clock will not be stopped because of injury to any player, except if deemed necessary by the referee. Due to the time allowed for the completion of all games, the clock should run continuously.
d. It is the intent of the Tournament Development Event Invitational to provide a three person referee system for all tournament matches; however, if deemed necessary, matches may be conducted with club linesmen.
e. A coach may coach more than one team during the tournament.
Specific Laws of the Game
1. No overtime will be played during preliminary games.
2. Red cards will be administered as per FIFA laws of the game.
3. A player or coach sent off for a second caution will not be allowed to play for the remainder of that game and their next game.
4. Un-served Red cards and game report will be forwarded to their appropriate State or National organizations.
Game Balls
The Tournament will supply the game balls for all games. Balls used must be FIFA Approved.
The game ball size for U-09 through U-12 is Size 4 and the game ball size for U-13 and above is Size 5.
Player Equipment
1. Shin guards are mandatory and must be covered by a sock.
2. Shirt/jerseys will be tucked into players shorts at all times.
3. In the event of a color conflict, the home team (first team listed on schedule) will change color.
4. Hard casts are not permitted. Soft casts will only be allowed upon approval of the game referee.
5. The home team will be responsible for using an alternate color uniform if necessary.
6. The Tournament staff will provide an adidas Game ball for all matches
Tournament Format
For all age groups the Tournament format calls for three preliminary round games (round robin) with Semi and Final Matches in each division. Divisions with 6 teams will play their Final on Sunday PM. (Some divisions may have Quarter Final Matches depending on the number of teams in the division). Divisions with 5 teams will play 4 preliminary games and the top 2 teams in that group will play in the Finals.
A wild card team will not be assigned to play the winner of its own group in a quarter final or semi-final match. Example; if the wild card team comes from the A group the wild card won’t be scheduled to play the A group winner.
Match Schedules
Each team will play a minimum of 3 games. A maximum of 2 matches will be played on any one day.
Referees will be USSF certified.
Forfeits
Failure to complete a match, or a team leaving the field during play, will result in forfeiture. No team that has forfeited a game will be declared a group or wild card winner. The team winning by forfeit will be awarded the average number of goals they score in their other games, rounded down to the nearest integer, (with a minimum score of 1-0). The opponent’s score will be zero. This score will be the official score in case goal differential is necessary. The Tournament officials reserve the right to decide all matters concerning a forfeit. In no case will a team which has forfeited a game be declared a group winner or wild card. If a team arrives more than 15 minutes late for a match the Tournament Committee, at their discretion, may declare the game to be a forfeit depending upon the situation. A team failing to field the proper number of players at the scheduled time, or at any time during the match, will forfeit the game. 8v8 teams must field five (5) players. 11v11 teams must field seven (7) players. The scores of forfeit games in this manner will be scored as described above in this paragraph.
Procedures for Determining a Winner
Coaches and game referee will sign the game card certifying the final score which will then be delivered to the HQ tent at each site. Site scorer will be responsible for updating score board and website at: $WWW. Posted scores will reflect a maximum goal difference of 3. Bracket standings, leading to championship play, will be determined on the following basis:
Standings and Tie-breakers
No overtime periods will be played for Preliminary games. Each team will be awarded three points for a win, one point for a tie, and no points for a loss. In the event of ties in the group standing, the following procedure will determine the group winner:
1. Team with the most wins (if tied go to step 2).
2. Winner of the game played between the tied teams. (If three or more teams are tied for the group lead, Step 2 is by-passed, go to Step 3)
3. Highest number of total NET goals (goal differential). Maximum goal differential per game is three (3). (i.e. For a score of 4-1, goal differential is 3 for the winner and -3 for the loser. For a score of 6-2, goal differential is also 3 and -3 as above).
4. Fewer total goals allowed (gross).
5. Penalty kicks (FIFA laws of the game). If both teams advance, the Tournament Director will decide the opponents at the next level of play.
The selection of a wild card team, if required, shall be determined by:
1. Non-group winner with the most total points.
2. Non-group winner with the most wins.
3. Winner of the game, if applicable, played between the tied teams.
4. Goal Differential (See #3 in Standings Paragraph above)
5. Fewer total goals allowed (gross).
6. Penalty kicks (FIFA laws of the game, see definition below). If both teams advance, the Tournament Co-Director will decide the opponents at the next level of play.
(Placement of the Wild Card teams is at the discretion of the Tournament Committee)
Penalty Kick Elimination
When Semi-Final and Final matches are still tied after overtime (see overtime times in the Laws of the Game above) the FIFA laws of the game for Penalty Kicks apply. Only players on the field at the end of the second overtime period are eligible for penalty kicks. Coin flip will determine who will go first (visiting team calls). Five penalty kickers per team. The most goals scored after five kicks for each team wins the game. If the score remains tied, teams will alternate shooters until there is an unmatched goal between the teams. After all eligible players on the field of play have taken kicks; teams will start with their first kickers again and in the same order.
Games interrupted in the first half:
1) If the first half has not been completed and the game is stopped, every effort will be made to complete the game, or play to completion of at least the first half and record the score as final.
2) Games shall be considered completed if the first half has concluded. The score at the stoppage of play will be the final game score.
Games interrupted after the completion of the first half:
Will continue if time permits or, if time or other issues, as determined by the tournament, does not permit the game to continue, the current score at the time when the game is terminated will be the final score.
Note: if necessary, game lengths may be shortened to accommodate scheduling requirements. It is the responsibility of each coach to check Tournament Headquarters for any reschedule information.
For more information regarding schedule changes consult the website at $WWW
However, in the event that rescheduling is not possible, and game cancellation creates a situation where teams within the division are unable to play an equal number of qualifying games, the group winner will be determined on the basis of awarding the average tournament points earned in the other games, to the teams that were unable to complete an official game, followed by the tie breaking procedure if necessary. The team with the highest average points will be declared the winner of the group. In the event there is a tie which cannot be resolved by point averaging, the advancing team will be determined by a coin toss, or penalty kicks, per FIFA as directed by the Tournament Directors.
Match and Score Reporting
Scores will be posted as quickly as possible. Coaches should report any discrepancies to Headquarters prior to their next game. If wild cards need to be determined, coaches need to report their score immediately after their Sunday morning games. Wild cards will be determined at the site as indicated on that division’s schedule.
Protests and Disputes
Protests must be presented in writing to the tournament site Headquarters (one will be located at each site) within 30 minutes of completion of the game and must be accompanied by a fee of $100 in cash. Referee judgment will NOT be a basis for protest. Coaches wishing to file a protest shall notify the referee of this intention as soon as possible but not later than 5 minutes after the conclusion of the game in question. The Protest Committee’s decision is final.
Standards of Conduct and Discipline
Disciplinary action taken against a coach will be levied in the next game in which he/she coaches the team playing at the time of the original infraction, or to the next game coached if the violation occurred during the last game for that team. If additional behavior problems occur, the Directors reserve the right to levy additional discipline up to and including expulsion from the Tournament.
a. All participants in the Tournament Development Event Invitational will be expected to maintain high standards of conduct during their stay in the Dayton area. These standards are expected of players, referees, and other guests in the hotels and motels; keeping noise in the hallways to a minimum, refraining from kicking soccer balls inside any of the buildings, and being respectful of the property of others. Should it come to the attention of the Tournament Directors that a person (or persons) has failed to observe these guidelines; the Director reserves the right to take remedial action. Said action, depending upon the circumstances, may range from a warning, a reduction in points in the standings, or banning that team and/or all teams in its club from future participation in the tournament.
b. There shall be no dissent between players and/or coaches and the referee. Questioning a referee is considered dissent. All coaches are responsible for the actions of his or her spectators, specifically verbal abuse of referees. Such abuse will not be tolerated! Violation may result in forfeiture of the game and/or expulsion from further play.
c. Any player or coach ejected from a game will be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game (a minimum of one game suspension depending upon the severity of the offense). The player/coach pass is to be turned in to the referee headquarters immediately following the initial suspension game. If dismissed in the last game, card will be returned to the appropriate state association.
d. Any player or coach who receives an accumulation of three (3) yellow cards must sit out the next game.
e. All coaches will remain within 20 yards of the centerline on their half of the field, on the side opposite of both team’s spectators.
f. Spectators may be ejected from the park for improper conduct, at the discretion of the tournament officials. Artificial noise makers are not permitted.
g. If field condition is such that there is a problem with interference by an outside agent; such as a tree overhanging the field for instance, the play will be restarted with a drop ball. Fields # 3, 6, 8 at Cloud Park may have some interference from trees. If the ball hits the trees and goes directly out of touch the play will resume with a throw-in.
h. Not permitted at our tournament includes: alcoholic beverages, smoking, and verbal abuse.
i. PETS are allowed at the Cloud Park Tournament Site ONLY as stipulated in the Montgomery County Park Rules.
Persons ejected due to any of the above situations must leave the site immediately.
Report of Disciplinary action taken against any team will be reported to that team’s provincial or:
A. For United States teams, the procedure for notifying the Federation Organization Member of that team of disciplinary action taken or required will be followed.
B. For CONCACAF teams, the tournament committee will notify the US Soccer Federation guidelines of disciplinary action taken, and that the Federation will transmit national association.
Awards
All U-09 through U-19 will receive first and second place team and individual trophies will be awarded in each Division winner and runner-up after the final game at the Finals site.
Inclement Weather Procedures
The Tournament Committee and/or Director reserve the right to delay the start of a game, reduce the length of the game, or terminate a game. All teams must abide by the tournament weather/field conditions policy. Head coaches only may come to the Tournament HQ only after the weather delay for further information.
Cancellations
If the Tournament is cancelled due to events beyond the control of the Tournament Committee, the Tournament will not be required to make any financial remuneration.
Waiver
By entering this tournament, every participant agrees to accept the jurisdiction of the Tournament Committee or its members, the Soccer Club, its Board of Trustees and employees, the four sites including Cloud Park-Ankeney Complex-NCR Old River-Englewood Complex and their respective employees, the United States Soccer Federation, United States Youth Soccer Association, and United States Youth Soccer Association North in all matters of dispute. No official, coach, club, league, referee, player or their representative may invoke the aid of the Courts of any political or governmental entity without first exhausting all available remedies within the appropriate affiliated soccer organizations as set forth in these rules, the Constitution and Bylaws of the Warrior Soccer Club, the Constitution and Bylaws of the United States Soccer Federation, the Constitution and Bylaws of the United States Youth Soccer Association, and the Constitution and Bylaws of the Ohio South Youth Soccer Association. For violation of this rule, the offending party shall be subject for all expenses incurred by these associations and/or their officers, as appropriate, in defending each court action, including, but not limited to, court costs, attorney(s) fees and reasonable compensation for all time and expenses.
General
1. Coaches are required to bring player cards and medical release forms to every game.
2. If a game is temporarily suspended due to weather problems, field conditions, or other situations beyond the tournament’s control, each team (coach) involved must check with their site’s tournament headquarters. Have players go their cars during a weather delay. No one will be allowed on the fields until the weather conditions are favorable to resume.
3. The tournament director’s interpretation of the foregoing rules/regulations shall be final.
4. The tournament director(s) reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the Tournament Development Event Invitational