TOURNAMENT RULES
1. ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to accepted teams from MD, VA, DE and DC in both REC and Travel divisions. All teams must provide the documents reflected in the aforementioned invitation. Committee will endeavor to schedule REC teams only in REC divisions – mixed brackets shall only occur with permission of affected coaches.
2. BRACKET PLAY: U9 and U10 will play 7v7; U11 and U12 will play 8v8; U13 and above will play 11v11. U9 through U12 may have up to 14 rostered players which includes up to 5 guest players. U13 through U16 may have up to 18 rostered players which includes up to 5 guest players.
3. TEAM ROSTERS: Under MSYSA rules, teams may use either the roster current through Spring 2010 or may use their new Roster for the upcoming Fall 2010 season. However, teams must register for the age group in which they will play in FALL 2010. Total number of players, including maximum of 5 guests, cannot exceed 14 players for U9 through U12 teams; and cannot exceed 18 players for U13 through U16 teams.
4. LAWS OF GAME: All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA laws. Any player with 2 yellow cards in the tournament will sit out the next game following receipt of the 2nd yellow card. Yellow cards are cumulative. This applies to all matches including playoffs and final matches.
5. SUBSTITUTIONS: Made with referee permission/discretion: After a goal; at a goal kick; at beginning of second half of play or prior to the beginning of overtime period; at a throw in by either team in possession.
6. EQUIPMENT: No metal cleats, no jewelry, shin guards required, casts/braces at referee discretion, mouth guards not required but recommended.
7. UNIFORMS: Where uniforms are similar, HOME TEAM SHALL CHANGE COLOR…home team is listed as that team FIRST on the match schedule
8. FIELD POSITION: Both teams will take same side of the field –supporters on other side; no one allowed behind end lines.
9. BALL & MATCH TIME: HOME TEAM shall provide a properly inflated match ball (U13 through U16 size 5) all other age groups size 4. All matches are 50 minutes with 25 minute halves.
10. SCORING: A rotating field marshal shall ensure that match scores are properly and promptly reported following every match. The Field manager shall ensure that the correct scores are reported to Headquarters, and the Director shall ensure proper recording on prominently displayed scoreboard as well as uploaded into the electronic database.
11. FAILURE TO SHOW/FORFEITS: Teams shall be allowed a 10 minute grace period after kick-off time. Following grace period, a forfeit score is awarded. For 11v11 matches, a minimum of 7 players constitutes a team and for 7v7 matches, a minimum of 5 players constitutes a team. If such minimum numbers are present at kick-off time, the match will proceed without delay. A total of 3 points shall be awarded for a forfeit and the match scored at 3-0. ANY FORFEITING TEAM SHALL PAY IN FULL REFEREE COSTS FOR BOTH TEAMS FOR THE SCHEDULED MATCH.
12. PROTESTS: No protests shall be entertained. Decisions of the referee are final. Reports of misconduct by fans or players or reports on referees shall be taken and transmitted to the referee assignor for reference and post-tournament action by recognized authorities.
13. CONDUCT: Players, coaches and supporters shall conduct themselves within the letter and spirit of the law and these regulations. The referee and/or the tournament directors may eject any individual who, in their discretion, creates a violent, disruptive or unprofessional atmosphere. ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, FIRE DEVICES (SUCH AS GRILLS) AND SMOKING ARE NOT PERMITTED AT MATCH SITES. Mechanical noise makers are prohibited.
14. PETS & PARKING: All pets must be leashed at all times. All parking restrictions must be followed without exception. Violators may be ejected and responsible for towing fees.
15. INCLEMENT WEATHER: In the event of inclement weather, the Committee composed of the Director, Club President, Soccer Commissioner and Referee Assignor shall have the absolute discretion to change matches, relocate or reschedule matches, change duration, cancel matches, cancel the tournament in whole or in part. IF CANCELLED OR POSTPONED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR ANY REASON OR CAUSE, THERE IS NO GUARANTEED CREDIT, REFUND OR REIMBURSEMENT. However, the Committee, at its sole discretion, may consider a partial refund depending on the circumstances. Decision of Tournament Director on all such matters is final.
16. REFEREE FEES: Fees are $35 per team/per match for all 11v11 matches (3 ref system) and $15 per team/per match for 7v7 and 8v8 matches (1 ref system). All fees must be paid by teams in cash to referees immediately prior to each match. Failure to pay will result in forfeiture.
17. SUBMISSION OF TEAM INFORMATION: IT IS CATEGORICALLY IMPORTANT FOR TEAMS TO PROVIDE EXPANSIVE INFORMATION AND ACCURATE RECORDS REGARDING TEAM PLAY HISTORY IN ORDER TO ENSURE FAIR AND COMPETITIVE BRACKETING. THE TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE MAY USE DISCRETION IN BRACKETING TO BALANCE THE TOURNAMENT IN ITS BEST JUDGEMENT.
18. DETERMINATION OF POOL WINNERS: Age groups shall be divided into pools on the basis of information provided during registration. Teams shall play a minimum of 3 round robin matches composed of matches within their own pool or possible a crossover match with another pool.
19. POINTS AWARDED: Each team shall be awarded three (3) points for a win, one (1) point for tie and no (0) points for a loss. At the end of round robin phase, the pool winner shall be the team with the most points in their pool. For age groups with only 1 pool, the champion and runner up shall be the first and second place team as determined by points at the end of their round robin round.
20. TIES: In the event of a tie within a pool, the following criteria shall be used to determine the winner: (1)HEAD TO HEAD COMPETITION; (2)MOST WINS; (3)BONUS POINTS AWARDED; (4)LEAST GOALS ALLOWED; (5)FIFA PENALTY KICKS. Note: Head to head will not be used in case of a tie among more than 2 teams; Note: Max bonus points awarded for goal differential is three (3). Thus, a team winning 3-0 or 8-0 would both get a max of 3 points for their respective wins. In the event of a tie between more than 2 teams, once tie is broken by the above system, and if ties between remaining teams still must be decided, those ties would be resolved by starting again from the top of the tie breaking procedure. In the event that a wildcard team must be selected for the playoff rounds, the above procedure shall be used across the entire flight. If a pool winner does not show up for play, the pool team with the next best record shall be named pool winner.
21. PLAYOFFS: In age groups with more than one pool, the winners of each pool advance into the playoff rounds where a champion and runner up are determined. (In age groups with only one pool, the champion and runner up are determined on the basis of standings after the round robin matches) (SEE ATTACHED DETAILS FOR VARIOUS BRACKET PLAY RULES)
22. PENALTY KICKS: In case of a draw at the end of regulation time in playoff rounds, a winner shall be determined by penalty kicks as follows: The best of 5 penalty kicks taken alternately by each team shall determine the winner. Only those players on the fied at the end of the match may compete. If the penalty kick score is tied after 5 kicks, the teams will continue to take penalty kicks alternately until there is a winner. All players on the field must kick before any player may kick a second time.
23. FEES: Under no circumstances is the CAC or the Committee or its employees or volunteers liable or responsible for any fees or costs incurred by any team or participant or coach.
24. INTERPRETATION: The interpretation by any of the directors or referees is final – no appeals or protests are permitted. Final decision on all matters is within the jurisdiction of the Tournament Committee through the director.
25. NO SMOKING AT ANY TIME AT ANY FIELD SITES.
Bracketing Play Rules
3 TEAMS: Each team plays each other in round robin play for a total of 4 games each. The champion and runner up are determined by points at completion of round robin play…note, there is no championship game.
4 TEAMS: Each team plays each other in round robin play for total of 3 games. The top 2 teams proceed to Finals (F1 vs F2).
5 TEAMS: Each team plays each other in round robin play for a total of 4 games each. The champion and runner up are determined by points at completion of round robin play…note - there is no championship game.
6 TEAMS: (Three A/Three B): Each team plays each other in round robin play within their 3 team pool for a total of 2 games. After this, the teams are ranked by points to determine the semi-finalists. The 1 st semi final (S1vS4) will feature the 1st place team from pool A v the 2nd place team from pool B. The 2nd semi-final game (S2vS3) will feature the 2nd place team from pool A v. the 1st place team from pool B. The winners of the 2 semi-finals proceed to finals (F1vF2). The third place teams from Pools A and B meet in a consolation match (O1 vs O2).
7 TEAMS: (Four A/Three B): The four A teams play 3 round-robin games apiece, playing two games on the first game day and one game on the second game day. After these games are completed, the A team with the most points proceeds directly to the finals as team F1. (F1 vs F2). The three B teams play two round-robin games on the first game day. B teams are then ranked by points. The top two teams in B then play a semi-final game playoff (S1 vs S2). Winner advances as F2 to finals. Third place team in B bracket plays third place team in A as consolation game.
Summary of Tiebreakers
1. Head to Head competition *
2. Most Wins
3. Bonus Points **
4. Least Goals Allowed
5. USYSA/FIFA Penalty kicks (referee supervision)
* Not to be used in case of a tie among more than 2 teams.
** 3 point Max system; ie.: 10-1 score = 3 bonus points; 3-1 score = 2 bonus points.
