2009
RULES
OF COMPETITION
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 boys 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-U16 teams:
22 for u17+ teams
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 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
13+ #5
12 & Under #4
Law
III - THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS
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
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
5) Metal hair clips and jewelry are
prohibited.
6) Orthopedic
casts are not permitted; however, soft braces can be worn with written
approval from a doctor, and judgment as to safety is at the discretion of the
referee. 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 player”s 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 or younger. 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
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. When Discipline/Sanctions are
imposed, they must meet the required minimums in accordance with FYSA -502 rule and/or USSF. The Disciplining body must evaluate the
incident as to intent, severity and past misconduct to determine the
appropriate disciplines/sanctions. More
severe disciplines/sanctions shall be imposed for multiple red cards during a
season and for misconduct directed towards officials or administrators
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 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. The referee will deliver an ejected player
c) Manager/Coach of both teams will insure
that their sideline area is clean and all trash is in containers.
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: Thus a team winning 3-0 or 10-0 would receive
the maximum of three (3) bonus points. If no clear winner;
FOURTH:
Lowest number of goals allowed.
If no clear winner;
LAST: Penalty kicks will be taken in
accordance with FIFA "Taking of Kicks From the Penalty Mark".
In
the event of a tie among three (3) or more teams, the elimination procedure
begins with Step 10 - Third noted above. If two (2) teams remain, the tie shall
be broken by repeating the above elimination procedures beginning with Step 10 –
second.
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.