Age-Specific Match Rules


FIFA Laws of the Game will be observed with the following exceptions:

 

Supplemental Rules for 10U and Younger Age Groups:

  • Goal Kicks  - When a team is awarded a goal-kick the opposing team must have ALL of their players BEHIND the midfield line on their own side of the field before the goal-kick is taken.
     
  • Keeper distributions - When the keeper has posession of the ball, the opposing team must retreat to the midfield line.  No punts or drop-kicks are allowed. Keeper may throw, roll or put the ball on the ground to play with their feet. Distribution occurs when the keeper makes an intentional play to distribute or advance the ball, not merely by placing the ball on the ground.  Play continues as soon as the keeper distributes the ball.  If the keeper distributes the ball "quickly" before the opposing team retreats, then play continues immediately.  First offense - give the ball bck to the keeper for a restart after reminding the keeper and coach of this rule. Second offense - indirect free kick for the opposing team at the top or side of the penalty area.
     
  • All kicks are indirect, including kick offs.  No PKs will be taken.
     
  • Throw ins - Teams will be given one extra throw if there is a foul on the initial throw in.
 

Offside Rules

For matches officiated by one official, players will be whistled when in an “undeniably obvious” offside position. Other than those blatantly obvious calls officials are encouraged to let the game flow. This is a subjective call and the referee’s decision should be respected.  
 
Offside will be called as per FIFA rules for matches with more than one official.
 

Substitutions

Players may be substituted only during certain stoppages of the game. The number of substitutions shall be unlimited. Substitutions may be made, with the approval of the referee, at the following times:
       - Prior to a throw-in, by the team in possession, with the exception, by both teams, provided that both team's substitutes are ready to come in at mid field.
       - Prior to a goal kick, by either team.
       - After an injury, by either team.
       - At half-time.
       - Before the taking of a kick-off.
       - After a caution has been awarded, a substitution may be made for the player receiving the yellow card. This is NOT a required substitution.
       - In any case, a substitute may not enter the middle of field of play until he/she has been given a signal to do so by the referee and the player being replaced has come off the field.
 
 
Tournament Rules of Play
 
 
1 – LAWS
The rules of this tournament shall be in accordance
with US Club Soccer, FIFA, and USSF except as modified and approved herein.
 
2 – TEAM ACCEPTANCE
The tournament committee reserves the right to accept or reject any team application. Once accepted by the Tournament Committee, the application fee is non-refundable.
 
3 – TEAM/PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
The eligibility requirements are listed on the Check In page. No players may play down in age or for more than one team.
 
4 – GUEST PLAYERS
There will be a limit of three guest players allowed for 7v7 and 9v9 teams. Four guests are allowed for teams playing 11v11. All guest players must be approved during online check-in and have US Club player passes or acceptable proof of birth, medical waiver, and any applicable signed loan forms. Additionally, no players may guest play for more than ONE team.
 
5 – AGE GROUPS
The Tournament of Champions will be open for teams ranging from boys U8-U18 and girls U9-U19.
 
6 – TEAM CHECK-IN
Teams are required to complete Team Check-in prior to the start of the tournament.  Please refer to the "Check-In" tab on the tournament website.
 
7 – PRE-GAME PROCEDURE
The referee will review the results of the tournament check-in roster and make the final ruling on any questions. Only at this pre-game procedure may a player be challenged by an opposing manager/coach. Challenged players will be noted by the Referee on the Referee game report, but will be allowed to participate in the game so long as they valid tournament documentation are listed on the validated roster. A player who arrives at the playing field after the Pre-game procedure may enter the game once the game officials verify the player is eligible and with the permission of the center referee. A late arriving player may be challenged at the time he is allowed to participate by the center official.
 
8 – TEAM BENCHES
Both teams will be situated on the same side and the spectators will be on the opposite side of the field.
 
9 – MATCH BALL
Each team shall furnish a regulation game ball to the referee prior to the game. The referee will then select the game ball. U8-U12 age groups will use size 4 balls.
 
10 – NUMBER OF PLAYERS
8U-10U  -  12 Player Roster Max (includes 3 guest players)
11U-12U  -  16 Player Roster Max (includes 3 guest players)
13U-19U  -  22 Player Roster Max (includes 4 guest players) / No more than 18 players may show for any tournament match.
 
11 – COLOR CONFLICT
In cases where the referee deems there to be a color conflict the HOME team (listed first on the Official schedule) will be responsible for changing their uniforms.
 
12 – SUBSITUTIONS
See above under Exceptions.
 
13 – MODIFICATIONS FOR 8U-10U SMALL SIDED MATCHES
See above under Exceptions.
 
14 – CASTS OR ORTHOPEDIC BRACES
Both casts & braces must be approved by the referee to ensure that they are not dangerous to any of the players on the field.
 
15 – DURATION OF THE GAME
The duration of games will be as follows:
 
13U and up           - 2x35 min
11U/12U                - 2x30 min
10U and younger  - 2x25 min
 
16– SHORTENING OF GAMES
In the event unusual conditions necessitate rescheduling, curtailment, or cancellation of games, the Tournament Director shall have absolute authority to make these changes to best serve the interest of thetournament.
 
17 – TIE GAMES - semi-final or final
In case of a tie after regulation of semi-final or final, FIFA style penalty kick shootouts will determine the winner. (The best of five kickers, then sudden death between kickers)
 
18 – FORFEITS
A minimum of 5 players constitutes a team for 7 v 7 games.  A minimum of 6 players constitutes a team for 9 v 9 games. A minimum of 7 players constitutes a team for 11 v 11 games. A  5-minute grace period will be extended beyond the scheduled kick-off time before a forfeit shall be declared. Failure to complete a match, or a team leaving the field during play, will result in forfeiture. No team that has forfeited a match will be declared a group winner for advancement purposes, unless the tournament director deems the reason for the forfeit worthy. The purpose of this rule is to deter teams from not showing for their last games if they have already mathematically advanced. Worthy reasons for a forfeit would include but would not be limited to: highway traffic jams, team going to the wrong facility etc.
 
For tie-breaking purposes, the score of a forfeited game shall be set as the average of goals scored by the winning team rounded up to the nearest whole number, against the average of the goals given up by that team rounded down to the nearest whole number, as a minimum, the score will be recorded as 1-0.
 
19 – POINT SYSTEM
3 points for win, 1 for tie, 0 for loss.
 
20 – TIE BREAKERS
If at the conclusion of the preliminary rounds a tiebreaker is needed the following criteria will be utilized:
 
A. Head to head (not used if more than two teams are involved in the tie breaker)
B. Goal differential (i.e. goals scored minus goals allowed with 3 goal maximum differential)
C. Most shutout wins
D. Fewest goals allowed
E. Sudden death penalty kicks
 
21 – POST-GAME PROCEDURE
We ask that as a mutual courtesy, both teams congratulate each other after every game. The tournament committee recommends souvenir patches, pins, etc. may be exchanged during the handshake after the game. The following procedures should also be used: The Referee or Field Marshals will insure the return of all player passes to each team Manager/coach of both teams will confirm the score with the referees. Referee will complete the Game Report and deliver it with any incident reports to the Site Director. Manager/coach of both teams will insure that their sideline area is clean and that all trash is in containers.
 
22 – PROTESTS 
There will be NO PROTESTS. The Site Director will resolve all disputes immediately. These decisions will be final.
 
23 – RED CARDS & TEAM DISCIPLINE
A red carded player will automatically miss the next scheduled game, but depending on the severity of the unacceptable conduct, the Disciplinary Committee may recommend suspension up to the duration of the Tournament. Further disciplinary action by US Club Soccer may be recommended.
 
24 – CONTROL OF THE SIDELINE
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 site directors have the authority and responsibility to remove any person(s) from the tournament grounds for conduct abuse, in addition to any specific disciplinary action brought about by other authority.
 
25 – REFUND POLICY
The Tournament Committee, and/or host affiliate will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team due to the cancellation in part or whole of this tournament. Refunds will be provided under the following guidelines: If the tournament is cancelled prior to the first game being played due to circumstances outside the control of the Tournament Committee, $150 of the entry fee will be retained and the balance refunded to paid entries. $75 per game will be refunded for every guaranteed game cancelled after the start of the tournament. If not enough teams are realized within a specific age bracket, the Tournament Director shall notify the participants as soon as possible and the participants will be given the option to play up or receive a full refund.

 

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