Tournament Rules


CATEGORY

RULE
  1. JURISDICTION
  1. Unless otherwise noted, the current AYSO National Rules and Regulations, Section 11 and FIFA Laws of the Game will be used for this tournament. The following rules are intended specifically for this tournament ONLY!
  2. The Tournament Committee (incl. Tournament Director, Assistant Director(s), Field Director, Referee Director and other designated staff) will have jurisdiction over all games played. Disputes will be resolved by the end of the soccer day.
  3. Referee judgment calls are NOT subject to dispute or protest!
  1. FEES
  1. Teams may pay by credit card during online registration.
  2. Fees are:
  3. U-10 $600, U-12 $625, U-14 $650, U-16/U-19 $675.
  1. ACCEPTANCE
  1. Applications are due no later than April 27th, 2024.
  2. Applications will be accepted on a first-come basis, based on completed application (see Team Application Form for criteria). Teams will be notified by email within 48 hours of the receipt of their applications.
  3. Teams not accepted into the tournament will be offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list.  If a team chooses not to be on a waiting list, the entry fee will be returned within 48 hours of notification.
  4. The primary form of communication between the Tournament and applying teams will be email and the Tournament website. Teams must designate a Team Contact on their application who has email and Internet access.
  1. REFUNDS
  1. Teams withdrawing on or before April 27th, 2024 will be issued a full refund.
  2. Teams withdrawing after April 27th, 2024 will only be issued a refund if a replacement team can be found.
  3. If the tournament is canceled and cannot be rescheduled a full refund will be issued.
  1. RAINOUT/
    CANCELLATION
  1. Tournament plays rain or shine as long as conditions are safe and permitting.
  2. If the tournament cannot be held due to conditions beyond control of the tournament hosts and it is cancelled prior to the start of the first games, a full refund will be sent to all teams.
  3. There is no rain out dates. If the tournament is cancelled due to conditions beyond control of the tournament hosts after partially completing games but prior to completing the guaranteed 3 games, refund will be made to teams on a prorated basis, based on actual number of games played.
  4. If the tournament is cancelled after teams have completed their guaranteed 3 games, NO refunds will be given.
  1. If the tournament is cancelled after guaranteed 3 games prior to the start of or during the medal rounds, NO refunds will be given. *See Medal Rounds for additional information.
  1. PLAYERS/TEAMS
  1. Players on participating teams must be properly registered to play in AYSO. Coaches are responsible to ensure that all players meet eligibility requirements.
  2. The team roster must be verified and approved by each player’s Regional Commissioner. Roster changes may be submitted (with the written approval of the Regional Commissioner); however, if these changes occur after Saturday, May 18th, 2024, then it is the responsibility of the coach to bring the new roster to check in with him/her.
  3. 3 Guest Players (players from a different Region from the applying team’s Region) will be allowed for each team. However, the Guest Player will be required to have the approval of both the Guest Player’s Regional Commissioner and the Host Team Regional Commissioner. Please submit a filled out and signed Guest Player Form.
  4. Coed teams will be accepted; however, they must play in the boys’ divisions only.
  5. Roster Limits:
    1. Divisions U-16 and U-19 will play 11-v-11, and there will be a roster limit of 18 players per team.
    2. Division U-14 will play 11-v-11, and there will be a roster limit of 15 players per team.
    3. Division U-12 will play 9-v-9, and there will be a roster limit of 12 players per team.
    4. Division U-10 will play 7-v-7, and there will be a roster limit of 10 players per team.
       
  6. All players must play at least half of each game. Violation of these player rules exposes a team to protest and renders them subject to forfeiture of game and possible disqualification at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
  7. Players may play up a division but they may not play down a division.
  8. There is no play time restriction for the Goal Keeper
  1. COACHES
  1. Each team is limited to two coaches but must have two – one Head Coach and one Assistant Coach. These coaches must be the ones listed on the Official Blue Sombrero Team Roster.
  2. Each Coach must provide their AYSO Identification Number, be a currently registered volunteer, Safe-Haven certified, and AYSO trained at the age-appropriate level.
  3. Coaches are expected to set the example for their team in exhibiting proper AYSO behavior and Kids Zone behavior. Coaches are expected to remain in the technical area during games and only enter the field of play as requested by the referee.
  4. Coaches are to be prepared with a set of pinnies for their team in case they’re playing another team of same jersey color. The tournament isn’t responsible for providing pinnies.
  5. Coaches are expected to be prepared with a first aid kit & Ice Packs.
  6. The Head Coach may only coach one team per division.
  1. REFEREES
  1. THE TOURNAMENT WILL PROVIDE ALL REFEREES FOR THIS TOURNAMENT. 
  1. FIELDS
  1. All fields will be set up and taken down by the tournament staff & Region 154 teams.
  2. Trash receptacles will be provided at each field. Teams will be expected to clean up all trash in their area before leaving.
  3. Please observe the following Facility Use Rules while attending the tournament.
    1. No pets or animals are allowed at any of the fields.  If you are found to have a pet on the field, you will be asked to leave the premises immediately or your team is subject to forfeiture of its current or next game.
    2. Smoking is prohibited at every field.
  1. FORMAT
  1. This is a pool-play tournament.
  2. Each age division will be bracketed into playing pools. Each team will play a minimum of 3 preliminary play games within their respective pools.
  3. Teams will advance from qualifying pools based on pool play standings points. Number of teams advancing per pool will be determined by the number of pools in the division.
  4. Group Play results and standings are not official until validated by tournament officials after the conclusion of Group Play on Sunday.
  1. CHECK-IN
  1. Teams must check in 1.5 hours prior to their first game, on Saturday, May 25th, 2024.
  2. Each coach or team representative must provide:

    • Roster signed by your RC (if not already provided)

    • Medical Release Forms

    • 4-6 Filled out game cards with your entire roster for the tournament (I know you’re all contenders, so plan on game cards through the Finals of your bracket)

  3. Coaches must have Roster signed by RC and Medical Release Forms with them at all times and ready for presentation to Tournament Officials.
  4. All Check In will be conducted at one location, which will be e-mailed to all teams within (1) week of the tournament commencing.
  1. FIELD MONITORS
  1. Tournament Staff will be the first to respond to any incidents or injuries. Tournament participants are encouraged to report any concerns immediately to the Tournament Staff, and also to respectfully follow any instructions given by the Tournament Staff.
  1. GAMES
  1. Pool play games will consist of 20 to 30 minute halves depending on the age division (see chart below) with a maximum five-minute half time. There will be a running clock during the match including substitutions. There will be no time added on for injuries or time wasted in qualifying rounds. Games will expect to end on time, and may be shortened if they started late. Pool play games may end in a tie.
  2. Championship games will be full length for that division (see chart below). Championship, consolation, semi, & quarter final games will be played until there is a winner (see Medal Round rules below).
  3. Game duration shall be as follows:

     Division          Pool, Qtr & Semi    Final Rounds

U-9/10:            20 minute half         25 minute half
U-11/12           25 minute half         30 minute half
U-13/14:          30 minute half         35 minute half
U-16:               30 minute half         40 minute half
U-19:               30 minute half         45 minute half

  1. Medal Round Matches are all Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, Consolation, & Final Matches
  2. The “home” team will be the first team or top team listed on the game schedule and will be responsible for providing the game ball. The home team will be situated on the North or East side of the field, and the visitor will be situated on the South or West side. Spectators must remain on the side of the field designated for their team. The home team will change jerseys or into pinnies in the event of a color conflict with the visitor team. If any questions, the referee will determine whether this is necessary.
  3. There will be no warming up on the field. Teams must warm up prior to taking the field. As soon as the previous game has ended, teams must clear the field and the teams for the next game must take their places.
  4. FORFEITS: There will be a ten-minute grace period at the start of the game for a team to take the field before a forfeit is declared. The score for a forfeit match will be 1-0 for the remaining team (See STANDINGS for the points to be awarded). The tournament director at his discretion, may make a separate determination if a forfeit gives a team an unfair advantage.  For U-10 division teams, there is a minimum of 5 players on the field to continue a game. For U-12 the minimum number is 6 players. For all other divisions, there must be a minimum of 7 players to continue a game. If a team cannot field the minimum number of players, the game will be abandoned and a forfeit will be declared.
  5. SUSPENDED GAMES: The Tournament Committee may determine to end matches early if field schedule is behind due to game delays, interference, or if weather conditions provide unsafe conditions; and may distribute awards according to games played and points. The Tournament Committee will determine the outcome of any single game which is terminated prematurely (due to inclement weather, participant injury, or interference by outside party, etc.).
  6. ABANDONED GAMES: If any pool play games cannot be played due to circumstances beyond the control of the tournament, the final standings of the pool will be determined by applying the Winning Percentage formula (Total Points Earned in all Game Played divided by Total Points Possible for the Number of Games Played) to each team in the pool. Note. This does not apply to games which were shortened due to a late start. Only the Tournament Director or designee can declare a game to be abandoned or not played.
  1. SUBSTITUTIONS
  1. Substitutions shall be allowed approximately mid-way through each half, half-time, and in the event of an injury for divisions U-10 through U-14 and will be recorded on the game cards by the referee.  Monitored substitutions will be for U-16 & U-19 Divisions. 
  2. All substitutions must be approved and recognized by the referee. Substitutions may be made for injured players; however, they may not return until the beginning of the next quarter and will be considered as having played the current quarter (exception: an injured player not replaced may return to play at any time with the referee’s permission).
  1. STANDINGS
  1. Standings for pool play games will be determined on the “ten-point system” as follows:

WIN                     = 6 points
TIE                       = 3 points
LOSS                   = 0 points
GOAL                  = 1 point per goal up to a maximum of 3 per game
SHUTOUT            = 1 point for a shutout, including a 0-0 tie
FORFEIT              = 8 points (scored as a 1-0 win)
RED CARD/

EJECTION            = 2 point deduction for team (for each player, substitute, coach, or spectator)

YELLOW CARD    = 1 point deduction for 3 yellow cards earned in a single match

                    

  1. Winners of ties in standings will be determined as follows:

Head-to-head competition
Goals allowed – up to a maximum of three (3) per game.  Fewest number advances.

Goals For – up to a maximum of three (3) per game.  Highest number advances

Shots from the mark will be the last tie breaker.  All ties that must be determined by “shots from the mark” will be done on a U-10 sized goal, as set up by the tournament staff for the Sharpshooter Competition

  1. Wildcard teams will be the team(s) with the highest standings points from all teams in the division who are not automatically advancing.
  2. Standings will be updated hourly at the Tournament Scoreboard at the tournament HQ. The deadline to challenge the posted results will be at the conclusion of Pool Play.
  1. ADVANCEMENTS
  1. Pool winners (and in some cases wildcard teams) will advance to medal round play.
  2. Teams will play semi-final and/or championship final matches, depending on the number of teams in each pool and the format of play for that flight.
  1. MEDAL-ROUNDS
  1. All medal round matches (Quarter, Semi, Consolation, & Final) ending in a tie will go directly to FIFA Kicks from the Mark.  There will be no overtime.  The correct sized goal will be used according to the division taking the kicks.
  2. Medal rounds are cancelled, rare occurrence, then medals round winners will be determined by current standings that include semi-finals. Medals will be mailed out to the address given on the application.
  3. *This is a very rare occurrence and only happens if there is a safety issue, city/school cancellation, or hazard on fields.
  1. AWARDS
  1. Medals will be presented to coaches and players from the first place through fourth place teams in U-10 through U14 Divisions.  Only first and second place medals will be awarded in all U-16 & U-19 Divisions.
  1. Team Mementoes will be distributed on Saturday when the team first checks in. Teams are to pick up mementoes on Saturday or Sunday. 
  1. There are no guarantees that team mementoes will be available on Monday.
  1. CONDUCT
  1. Coaches will be expected to set a positive example for the team, and will be held responsible for the actions of their team including spectators. All spectators must remain behind the control line and between the 18-yard lines (penalty areas in small fields). Two coaches maximum per team, and they must remain in the marked coaching area (within ten yards either way from halfway line).
  2. Referees will be required to complete a game misconduct report for all misconducts during the game, as well as any incidents of interference by spectators.
  3. Any coach or spectator ejected must immediately leave the vicinity of the playing field (out of sight and sound) and will be prohibited from attending the next scheduled game. Any player sent off (red carded) must immediately leave the vicinity of the game (under supervision of his/her parent or Safe Haven-certified adult), and may not return to the field of play during the current game, including for the post-game handshake, and may not be substituted for. In the alternative, the player may stay on the sideline under the supervision of the coach. There will be penalty point deductions for all send-offs (see Standings rules). Suspension of a player or coach for the following game will be determined by the Tournament Director depending on the circumstances of the ejection.
  4. If it is determined that an ineligible player has participated in a game, the team will forfeit all games in which that player participated illegally. Furthermore, if it is determined that the coach knowingly played a player illegally, that coach will be barred from further participation in the tournament.
  5. It is mandatory to play a scheduled game. If it is determined that a coach willfully fails to have his team participate in a scheduled game, the coach will be dismissed from the tournament and the incident will be reported to the respective Regional Commissioner.
  6. All conduct problems will be reported to the respective Regional Commissioner.
  7. All Serious Incidents will be reported to the respective Regional Commissioner as well as Area, Section and AYSO National Office.
  1. MEDICAL/FIRST AID
  1. There will be a First Aid station at the main tent where participants may receive ice, etc. for minor injuries.
  2. If an injury is serious, the Tournament Staff will call 911 for emergency response.
  3. Directions to the nearest hospital/urgent care center will be available at the First Aid station.
  1. UNIFORMS/SAFETY
  1. All players must wear the approved AYSO uniform only according to the National Rules & Regulations, and all players on the same team must wear matching uniforms (goalkeeper excepted – may have a different jersey).
  2. Each player’s uniform must be marked with a permanently-affixed unique number that matches the uniform number on the Game Card, and may not exchange numbered jerseys with any other player during the game including the goalkeeper.
  3. Garments may be worn under the uniform (i.e. long sleeves, etc.) during inclement weather, however the match referee will be the judge of what should be allowed or not.
  4. Not allowed:  jewelry, hard metal or plastic clips on clothing or hair.  No player will be allowed to participate with any type of cast or splint.  Removal of any type of cast or splint at the field or surrounding are in order to participate shall disqualify that team member from participation.
  5.  AYSO will not prohibit the use of knee braces by players in AYSO events and programs; providing that the brace is adequately covered and padded in the judgment of the referee, so as to eliminate the possibility of its causing injury to the other players on the field.
  1. PROTESTS
  1. Protests will be considered only for the following reasons:
  • An ineligible player has played.
  • One or more registered player(s), present and in uniform, have not played the required one half of the game (except for illness or injury as recorded by the game referee).
  1. All protests must be presented in writing to the Tournament Director within 30 mins. of the completion of the game.
  2. All protests will be heard by a Protest Committee of at least three persons selected by the Tournament Director. In all cases, the members of the Protest Committee will be unrelated to either team involved in the protest.
    ALL PROTEST DECISIONS ARE FINAL!
  3. Referee judgment calls are FINAL and are not grounds for nor subject to protest or dispute!
  1. RULES INTERPRETATION

The Tournament Director retains the right to interpret and apply the tournament rules to the optimum benefit of all tournament participants.

 
 

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