2008

RULES OF COMPETITION

Memorial Day tournament

The rules of this tournament shall be in accordance with USYSA and FYSA except as modified and approved herein.

1. Team Eligibility - This tournament shall be open to all teams comprised of properly registered youth players (as defined by the rules of USYSA) in age groups 9 & Under through 19 & Under, provided such team entering is in good standing with its state youth association. Competition will be provided for both boys and girls teams.

USYSA teams will be certified by their state associations by definitions as listed on the USYSA Application to Host Tournaments, Cups, and Games.

It shall be the responsibility of the State Youth Association or the appropriate official designated by each State Youth Association to certify the eligibility of competition teams and to provide such teams with a certified copy of the team roster.

For this tournament the maximum number of guest players allowed on a team shall be four (4).

2. Player Eligibility - Players must be legally registered to USYSA through their respective state association in accordance with USYSA registration requirements. State association/USYSA player passes must be current and valid indicating player name, State association/USYSA registration number and date of birth.

The maximum number of players on any one team shall be 12 for U9 -U10 teams; 14 for U11-U12 teams; 18 for U13-16 teams; and 22 for U17 -19 Players may play on only one team during the tournament. No switching of teams will be allowed.

Competition in single age groups will be provided for girls and boys.

3. Age Classification - For this tournament, age classification is as follows:

U9 – U19

4. Game Schedule

A. Team pairing shall be done by a seeding process where possible. Field of play, times of play and referee/linesman selection shall be accomplished by random draw with adjustment only to assure equity. Teams will not be required to play more than two matches per day and will not be forced to play back-to-back games.

B. Referees shall be assigned by an approved assigner, in accordance with FYSA and FSR assignment procedure. No non-registered referee shall be assigned.

The assignor has represented to us that there will be an adequate number of USSF registered referees available during the tournament dates to cover the scheduled tournament games.

C. The District Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner and the Tournament and Games Representative will be invited to the aforementioned activities.

5. Pre-game Procedure

A. Credentials checks shall be conducted at team registration/check-in and at the field prior to each game to insure that all players are registered with USYSA, and to insure that all players are properly rostered with their team, and that all are participating in accordance with representations set forth on the Permission to Host Tournament Form. Referees shall check off players participating in the game on a copy of the roster furnished by the coach. This roster is to be retained for attachment to the game report.

B. The referee will assemble his assistants for pre-game instruction and review of tournament rules.

Referees will handle teams in accordance with guidelines set forth on the USYSA Permission to Host Tournament Form.

The referee or assistant will check player equipment in accordance with tournament rules and USYSA/FYSA rules concerning player equipment.

In no event will a referee allow a player to participate who has not been verified by the Tournament Credentials Committee.

A player who arrives at the playing field after the pre-game procedure, may enter the game once the game official(s) verify the player is eligible and with the permission of the center referee.

NOTE: Only at this pre-game procedure may a player be challenged by an opposing Manager/Coach. A late arriving player may be challenged at the time he is allowed to participate by the center official.

6. Laws of the Game - Except where modified herein, rules of play shall be F.I.F.A. "Laws of the Game". Competition sanctioned by this Association shall abide by the "Laws of the Game", along with any modifications or regulations of the Association. Players under 12 years of age must play soccer under the auspices of USYSA and FYSA in accordance with the rules of Development Player Program - modified playing rules.

Law I - THE FIELD OF PLAY - The field of play may be reduced to the following minimum dimensions:

AGE GROUP FIELD (YDS.) GOALS (FT)

12 & Under 50 X 80 6 x 18

10 & Under 35 x 50 6 x 18

In all other age groups, the minimum field dimensions, goal size and field markings shall be in accordance with LAW I.

Law II - THE BALL - The size of the ball will be as follows:

AGE GROUP SIZE NO.

13+ #5

12 & Under #4

Law III - THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS - The number of players will conform with FIFA with the following exceptions:

13U and Up On the field at any one time: Eleven (11) players

12U and 11U On the field at any one time: Eight (8) players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper.

10U and 9U On the field at any one time: Six (6) players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper.

SUBSTITUTIONS - Substitutions shall be unlimited. Substitutions may be made only from the center line and upon proper notification of the referee through referee assistants and with the referee's permission at the following times:

a) Prior to a throw-in by your team.

b) Prior to a goal kick by either team.

c) After a goal by either team.

d) At the beginning of the second half or overtime periods.

e) At the referee’s discretion in the event of an injury.

f) At the referee’s discretion following the issuance of a caution.

Law IV - PLAYERS EQUIPMENT - Players equipment shall meet these additional requirements, regardless of the rules

of their home state associations:

1) All players in every age group will be required to wear protective shin guards.

2) Teams will wear uniforms with matching design and color with minimum six-inch numbers on the backs. No two players from the same team may be on the field at the same time while wearing identical uniform numbers.

3) In the event of similar team uniform colors, the team designated as the home team (TEAM 1) will

be required to change to a color accepted by the referee.

4) Goalkeeper's Uniform: The uniform or jersey of a goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of either competing team.

5) Metal hair clips and jewelry are prohibited.

6) Casts and Braces: Players wearing an orthopedic cast shall not be eligible to participate in any game. Braces are permitted.

A player may be removed from the game if at any time the referee determines a player is using or attempting to use the brace to injure another player.

Law V - REFEREES - The referee shall complete and submit the completed game report to the Field Marshall or

Tournament Director. The game report shall include the players names, USYSA player pass numbers, team names and team codes of all players issued red and/or yellow cards and details of any other matters involving any improper or unsporting conduct of a team, its players, coaches or supporters. In the event the assigned referee fails to appear, the team managers/coaches must agree on a suitable alternative. The game will be played as scheduled and will be deemed official.

Law VI - REFEREE ASSISTANT - Two referee assistants will be used for all 11&under and older matches. In the event one or both of the assigned referee assistants fail to appear, the referee will select suitable alternate. The game will be played as scheduled and be deemed official.

Law VII - DURATION OF THE GAME - The duration of the game will be as follows:

AGE GROUP GAME (MIN) *OVERTIME PERIODS (MIN)

19 & Under 2 X 40 = 80 2 X 5 = 10

17 & Under 2 X 40 = 80 2 X 5 = 10

16 & Under 2 X 40 = 80 2 X 5 = 10

15 & Under 2 X 40 = 80 2 X 5 = 10

14 & Under 2 X 35 = 70 2 X 5 = 10

13 & Under 2 X 35 = 70 2 X 5 = 10

12 & Under 2 X 30 = 60 None**

11 & Under 2 X 30 = 60 None**

10 & Under 2 X 25 = 50 None **

9 & Under 2 x 25 = 50 None **

*In group play, ties will stand. Overtime periods will be used only for deciding winners in quarterfinal, semi-final and final rounds. Over-time periods will be played to completion.

**There will be no over-time periods for 12U games. In quarterfinal, semifinal, or final rounds, if the game is tied at the end of regulation time, the game will be decided by going directly to penalty kicks. NOTE: Teams may be requested to move to a special Penalty Kick area so that the next scheduled game may continue.

Law XI Offsides

U11 and older Conform to FIFA

U9 and U10 None

7. Control of Sideline Conduct - Players, reserve players, managers, coaches, assistant coaches, and fans are expected to conduct themselves within the letter and spirit of "The Laws of The Game". The Tournament Committee has the authority and responsibility to remove any person(s) from the tournament for abuses to good conduct, in addition to any specific disciplinary action brought about by other authority. In addition to the rules of good manners, the following rules will apply in this tournament:

a) The Tournament Director will designate one sideline for the sole use of players listed on the game rosters, and the registered Managers/Coaches from each team, with one team occupying one side of the halfway line and the other team the other. Each team's bench area will be from no less than five (5) yards from the halfway line to no more than twenty (20) yards from the halfway line. While the game is in progress, the Manager/Coaches and reserve players must remain in their respective bench areas and not roam the sidelines.

b) The Tournament Director will designate the opposite sideline for spectators and fans.

c) All spectators and fans shall remain a minimum of six (6) feet from the touchline.

d) No spectators of fans shall be allowed to view the game from behind the goal areas.

e) Managers/Coaches shall be responsible for the behavior of their fans.

8. Discipline Committee - The Discipline Committee shall be selected by the Tournament Director and consist of three (3) members. The committee members will be selected prior to the tournament and announced at the pre-tournament coaches meeting. The Discipline Committee will review and rule on all reports of unacceptable behavior and conduct by players, Managers/Coaches, Assistant Coaches, referees, spectators, etc. Notwithstanding rulings of this committee:

A. A player or coach ejected will have a minimum of one (1) game suspension, regardless of the cause of the ejection. Punitive measures as described in FYSA Guidelines and Policies will be used to determine minimum disciplinary actions.

B. Depending on the severity of the unacceptable conduct, the Discipline Committee may recommend suspension of up to the duration of the tournament or further disciplinary action by the appropriate governing state or national organization.

C. The issuance of all red and yellow cards and other matters involving the conduct of a team, its players, coaches or supporters will be recorded and this information shall be reported immediately to the FYSA and the home club/league of the player, coach, team or supporters involved. Any matters involving a referee assault shall be handled in accordance with USSF Rule 1108 and shall immediately be referred to FYSA.

D. The home state association and the home club/league of the player, coach, team and supporters shall, except in the case of referee assault, have the responsibility for imposing, should the circumstances warrant, additional sanctions within their jurisdictions, with regard to any matters arising from the tournament.

9. Post-Game Procedure - We ask that as a mutual courtesy, both teams congratulate each other for a game well played.

a) Referees will insure the return of all player passes (except for any player(s) or Coach(es) ejected) to the respective Manager/Coach. Referees will retain one copy of each roster and attach it to the game report.

b) Referees will complete the Referee Game Report and deliver it to the Site Director immediately following completion of the game.

c) Manager/Coach of both teams will insure that their sideline area is clean and all trash is in containers.

d) The referee will deliver an ejected player's or Coach's pass with an Incident Report to the Site Director. The Site Director will see that it is delivered to the Disciplinary Committee for immediate review.

10. Determination of Group Play Winners - In group play, there will be no overtime periods. Standings in a group will be determined by:

FIRST: Game Points

Points will be earned as follows: 5 points for a win with a shut-out

4 points for a win

2 points for a tie

0 points for a loss

SECOND: Head-to-Head competition, or if no clear winner;

THIRD: Net goal differential with a maximum of three (3) goals differential per game, or if no clear winner:

FOURTH: Lowest number of goals allowed (total for all games)

LAST: Penalty kicks will be taken in accordance with FIFA "Taking of Kicks From the Penalty Mark".

11. Determination of Quarterfinal, Semifinal and Final Game Winners - In head to head competition, if the game is not decided after regulation time, overtime will be played. If still there is no decision after completion of overtime, penalty kicks will be taken in accordance with FIFA "Taking of Kicks From the Penalty Mark".

The only exception to this rule is in the 12 & Under group, which are not allowed to participate in overtime periods.

NOTE: Teams may be asked to move to a designated Penalty kick area to permit the next scheduled game to proceed.

12. Forfeits - A team shall be allowed a ten (10) minute grace period from the scheduled match time before awarding the game to their opponents. A team "walking off" the field during the game shall be considered to have forfeited. No team that has forfeited a game shall be eligible for semifinal or final games. (The only exception would be a team unable to make their first match due to travel restrictions, providing they have made prior notification.) A team that forfeits shall have a game score of 3-0 awarded to their opponent and awarded 5 points. If both teams fail to appear they shall both be charged with a loss and charged three (3) goals scored.

Referees who are responsible for the late start of a game without proper cause or having failed to notify or gain permission for absence from the proper authority, will be subject to disciplinary action, and may be called upon to explain their actions to the SRA or appropriate designee.

13. Protests - No Protests will be accepted.

14. External Conditions, Weather, Etc. - In the event unusual conditions necessitate rescheduling, curtailment, shortening game time, or cancellation of games, the Tournament Committee shall have absolute authority to make these changes to best serve the interests of the tournament as a whole, keeping in mind the need to successfully identify winners by a certain time period. Games that have been started, and subsequently suspended due to inclement weather, will be deemed complete if one half of play has been completed and they cannot be restarted prior to the start time of the next scheduled game on that field.

15. Championship Final Ceremony - Following the completion of each championship game, the two teams will present themselves to the awards area where:

a) Each runner-up team player will receive an award.

b) Each winning team player will receive an award.

16. General:

a. The Tournament Director, Committee, FYSA, Tournament Sponsors and/or FLORIDA SOCCER ALLIANCE will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team due to the cancellation in part or in whole of this tournament.

b. If not enough teams are realized within a specific age bracket, the Tournament Committee shall notify the participants no less than two (2) weeks prior to the start of the tournament and be given the option to play up or receive a full refund.

c. The Tournament Director’s, Committee's, FLORIDA SOCCER ALLIANCE, and FYSA's interpretation of the foregoing rules and regulations shall be final.

d. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all tournament matters.

e. The Tournament Committee has the responsibility to uphold any previous suspension imposed by FYSA/USYSA.

f. The Tournament Committee agrees to have a copy of tournament rules available at all game sites.