Soccer Rules

Please read the tournament rules and regulations

Problems and rule interpretations must be referred to the Tournament Director.
Official standings are posted at each field and at the Host Hotel.
TEAM MANAGER/ADMINISTRATOR/COACH IS RESPONSIBLE for assurance that all players are checked in no later than Monday night or the players cannot participate.
Please help us keep the fields clean. Each team is responsible for picking up trash on the field after each game. There are fields that do not allow dogs, please comply with the park rule. If dogs are allowed, please keep on leash. NO SMOKING/NO ALCOHOL is allowed on any fields.
Red cards will be kept with the Tournament Director.

RULES: All games will be played by FIFA laws of the game.

GAME DAY CHECK-IN: The referee or referee assistant will check in all teams 20 minutes prior to the scheduled start of their game. Failure to do so may result in a forfeit.

CONDUCT:
a. Coaches/Managers are responsible for the conduct of their sidelines, including players, parents and friends.
b. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at game sites.
c. Smoking is not allowed on any gaming fields.
d. If a referee terminates a game due to misconduct of players or spectators, the offending team will forfeit. The offending player, spectator or team may be banned from further participation in the tournament.
e. For CONCACAF teams, the tournament committee will notify the US Soccer Federation of disciplinary action taken, and that the Federation will transmit the disciplinary action taken or required to that team's provincial or national association.
f. Fighting will not be tolerated. If any punches are thrown, that player will be suspended for the duration of the tournament.

REFEREES:
a. All center referees are "USSF-certified"
b. All matches will have three assigned referees.
d. The referee has final say on safety of each player's equipment, including shin guards and any type of cast or brace. Shin guards are mandatory.
e. After the start of a match, it will be the decision of the referee whether or not playing conditions are safe or not.
f. Referee will adjust time accordingly for injuries. .

SUBSTITUTIONS:
Referees will comply with FIFA rules and Substitutions. NOTE: Tournament regulations may limit when substitutions may be made by specifying specific stoppages in play when substitutions can be made. (Example - At goal kicks and corner kicks, on your team's throw-ins, when a player is cautioned); otherwise substitutions may be made at any stoppage ONLY with the permission of the referee.

HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES:
a. The HOME team is listed first on the game schedule.
b. The home team will provide a game ball. The game ball is subject to referee approval.
c. The home team will switch to an alternate jersey if the referee declares a color conflict.

SPECTATOR SEATING:
Home team has choice of touch line. No two teams will play from the same side, unless field space dictates otherwise.
In all cases spectator and team seating will allow the referee's assistants clear runs and views of all touch lines.
No spectators behind the goals.

RED CARDS:
a. A player or coach receiving two yellow cards in one game equals one red card.
b. A player or coach given two yellow cards or one red card shall be expelled from the game, will not be replaced in that game and will not be permitted to play or coach in the next game, as a minimum. The Tournament Director may give a further suspension for violent conduct. Any adult or coach who is ejected must leave the field of play.
c. Teams that are short a player(s) due to red card ejection will also play any overtime short a player(s).

PROTESTS / DISPUTES: No protests will be allowed and all games will be considered final. The Tournament Director will resolve any situation not explicitly covered by the rules. Disputes relating to the interpretation of these rules will be resolved with the field marshal and administrators/coaches that are registered with the involved team(s). Individuals may not represent a team if not registered as an administrator/coach with the involved team(s).

FORFEITS: A forfeit results in a 1-0 score and will receive 8 points. If at the discretion of the Tournament Director a forfeit provides an unfair advantage, the Tournament Director may make an adjustment in the bracket. If both teams fail to appear, each team will receive 0 points. Teams forfeiting their first game will be assumed to forfeit all of their games unless they contact tournament headquarters at least 3 hours prior to their subsequent games. Team will forfeit for any of the following reasons:
a. Coach or player is ejected and fails to leave the field when directed to do so.
b. Game is suspended due to the misconduct of players, coaches, administrators, parents or spectators.
c. Team is not present at game time.

FIELD SAFETY/INCLEMENT WEATHER: The referee or Tournament Director will determine if a field is safe for play. Teams are expected to show up for scheduled game time unless notified by a tournament official. Rain or other weather conditions will not delay play unless the referee determines the fields are unsafe. If games cannot be rescheduled or played due to rain or other circumstances the Tournament Director will make adjustments and scores will stand as follows:
a. One half matches completed, score stands.
b. Stoppage in first half of match, no score.
c. Matches may be played next day if field space available.
d. Matches may be shortened to accommodate schedule.
e. If matches unplayable, standings will be based on FIFA penalty kicks for top two teams or by tournament director if kicks cannot be taken.
f. If play is terminated due to misconduct from one or both teams, the offending team will not benefit from termination.
g. If a quarter or semi-final match cannot be played, FIFA penalty kicks will determine the winner.
h. If the final game cannot be played, the teams will be co-champions.

GAME FORMAT
Pool play is followed by single-elimination leading to a championship round.
Duration of pool play, semi-finals, finals and overtime halves in minutes:

Bracket Pool Play & Quarter-Final Semi-Final & Final Overtime Ball Size
Halves Halftime Halves Halftime Halves
OPEN 45 10 45 10 10 5

All teams participating in the Tournament are guaranteed three (3) games within pool play.
Semi-Final games tied at end of regulation play will go directly to FIFA penalty kicks.
Final game tied at end of regulation play will go to two overtime halves (see chart above for length).
Final game overtime play will begin with coin toss. If game is tied at end of two overtime halves, play will go directly to FIFA penalty kicks.
Running clock for all games.
Team Standings from Pool Play will be determined by a 10-point system:
a. 6 points/win
b. 3 points/tie
c. 1 point/shut-out, including 0-0 ties
d. 1 point/goal (maximum 3 goals/game)
e. 0 points/loss
f. Minus 1 point/red card issued to player or coach
Ties in Standings from Pool Play will be resolved as follows:
a. Winner of head-to-head competition
b. Goal differential (Goals scored minus goals against, to a maximum differential of 4 per game)
c. Goals against
d. Goals scored (To a maximum of 4 per game)
e. FIFA penalty kicks, time and location determined by Tournament Director