RULES

 

BRACKET ASSIGNMENTS AND GAME SCHEDULE: All bracket assignments and game schedules are final. Assignments are made to ensure the best possible balance and afford the greatest competition and fairness. All teams are guaranteed three games, unless due to an act of God.

SPIRIT OF PLAY: It is the understanding of this tournament committee that all teams, including players, coaches, administrators, officials and spectators will participate in the spirit of FAIR PLAY and will conduct themselves in accordance with the tournament rules.

RULES OF PLAY: FIFA RULES as modified by USYSA, CYSA-S will apply, and as modified herein.

DISPUTES: The Tournament Director shall settle ALL disputes.

PROTESTS: Absolutely NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED. The decision of the Referee, Field Marshal, and the Tournament Director shall be final. A referee's judgment call is not subject to appeal.

CREDENTIALS: Current laminated USYSA/CYSA-S registration cards with picture and signature will be required of all teams (players and coaches/administrators). A current and valid copy of your coaches' Risk Management Cards (both sides). All teams must at least have one Coach with a Risk Management Card. All teams must provide an alphabetized team roster. Birth Certificates (or copy) must be available upon request.

MEDICAL RELEASE: All players must have signed 2011-2012 medical release forms. The medical release form is the standard white copy of the fall registration form. This form has the consent for medical treatment. As coaches, you should have carried this form with you to each practice and game in the event a player was injured and required treatment in the absence of the parents.

PLAYER EQUIPMENT: The referee has the final determination regarding the safety of each player's equipment. All players are required to use shin guards. NO SHIN GUARDS, NO PLAY. No rings, chains, watches, casts, metal objects, jewelry, or headbands may be worn. Players wearing a cast will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis and final discretion is given to the referee for each game. The field marshal will determine all decisions regarding playability of fields prior to the start of a game.

SUSPENDED GAMES: If, in the opinion of game officials, a game must be terminated due to misconduct of players, coaches, or spectators, the offending team may be suspended from further play and forfeit all points and position previously earned. Additionally, the home league and CYSA-S will be notified.

PLAYING TIMES: Play will be based on halves as specified below:

Age	Preliminaries*	Semi-Finals**	Finals***	Overtime (Finals)
U17 & up	35 min	35 min (pks)	40 min	2 x 5 min (pks)
U15~U16	30 min	30 min (pks)	35 min	2 x 5 min (pks)
U13~U14	25 min	30 min (pks)	30 min	2 x 5 min (pks)
U11~U12	25 min	25 min (pks)	30 min	2 x 5 min (pks)
U8~U10	20 min	20 min (pks)	25 min	2 x 5 min (pks)

* A preliminary game can end in a tie.

** Semi-final game, if tied after regulation, winner will be decided by Penalty Kicks immediately after (no overtime); only players on the field at the end of the game); only players on the field at the end of the game are eligible to take penalty kicks.

*** Final Game, if tied after regulation, will play two overtime periods based on the chart above with 1-minute break. If at the completion of overtime a tie still exists, then penalty kicks will determine the winner. Only players on the field at the end of the overtime are eligible to participate in the penalty kicks. Penalty kicks will immediately follow the game.

A game is considered complete upon completion of one half of play regardless of circumstances of termination during the second half, with final results based on the score at termination. In the event of injury, time may be added at the option of tournament officials. All games will begin on time. There will not be time to warm up on the field before each game. Be prepared to commence play immediately upon conclusion of the game before your assigned time. A referee may start play early if both teams are ready.

HALF TIME: Half time will be exactly 5 minutes.

REFEREES: Referees have been instructed to start the clock on schedule. A five-minute grace period is permitted at the referee's discretion; however, no game will extend beyond the schedule start time of the next game. Failure to start as directed by the referee will result in forfeit by the offending team. Duration of games may be adjusted, as the Tournament Director deems necessary. No player wearing a hard cast shall be permitted to play.

DETERMINING WINNERS: Teams advance to the championship games on a points awarded system. Teams shall be awarded points as followed:
• WIN = 6 points
• TIE = 3 points
• LOSS =0 points
• GOALS SCORED = 1 additional point for each goal scored up to 3 maximum per game.
• SHUT OUT = 1 point; 0-0 tie =4 points, 3 for tie, 1 for shut out.
• EJECTED PLAYER OR COACH = -1 point (minus 1 point)

FORFEITS: Game time is forfeit time. Team which wins by forfeit shall be the winner with a 1-0 score and receives 8 points. A team must have a minimum of eight players to start a game (U-8 through U-10 must have seven).

TIES IN ADVANCEMENT STANDINGS: In the event of a tie in the standings at the conclusion of preliminary games, the winner will be determined as followed:
1. Winner of head to head.
2. Number of Shutouts.
3. Goal differential (3 goals Maximum).
4. Penalty Kicks.

PENALTY KICKS: Penalty kicks will consist of five players selected form each team alternating at attempting to score from the penalty spot. If the game is still tied at the end of the five penalty kicks, players will continue with a sixth and subsequent players from each team in a sudden victory rotation. A rotation is complete when a player from each team has taken a penalty kick. Players on the field at the conclusion of the regular time in Semi-finals or overtime in Finals are eligible to participate in penalty kicks.

AWARDS: 1st and 2nd place medals will be presented immediately following championship matches. All players and coaches receive a Tournament Pin for participation.

CONDUCT: All coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, bench, friends and spectators at all times. Teams and their supporters shall occupy opposite sides of the field. Un-sportsmanlike behavior may result in a loss of points or tournament.

GAME ROSTERS/TEAM CHECK-IN: A game roster shall be completed for each venue at which a team will play. It shall list all players who are to participate in the game. Game Rosters will be collected at pre-game check-in. Player cards must be delivered to the field marshal for check-in at least 15 minutes prior to your game time. The field marshal will match game cards with player cards and the player, also conducts player equipment safety checks for each team, the field marshal then will turn the player cards and game rosters to the referee prior to kick-off; referee may elect to re-inspect the player equipment prior to start of the game. The coaches/team managers are responsible for picking up player cards from the referee at the completion of each game. Referee will return the Game Roster to field marshal at the end of each game.

HOME TEAM/CONFLICTS: The home team will appear first on the game schedule and has choice of sideline. The home team shall have the choice of the goal to defend and visiting team will kick off. If, in the eyes of the referee, there are conflicts in team colors, the home team shall change to colors which are different from their opponent. The home team will supply the game ball, unless supplied by the tournament.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Unlimited substitutions shall be allowed at any stoppage of play with permission of the referee.

ACT OF GOD: Rain or other WEATHER conditions during the tournament shall not delay play unless the referee or tournament director determines the field to be unsafe for play. In the event of such a delay or postponement, games may:
1. BE SHORTENED.
2. GO TO FIFA PENALTY KICKS.
3. RESCHEDULED TO ANOTHER TIME OR DATE.
4. BE CANCELED.

REFUNDS: Acceptances will be e-mailed by July 6th. Early acceptance for those teams outside CYSA-S may be granted to those requesting this consideration. We may accept late applications, subject to availability. Teams not accepted will receive a full refund. Withdrawals prior to deadline will be subject to a $100.00 processing fee. Teams withdrawing after July 6, 2011 will forfeit the entire fee.

BRACKETING

4-TEAM BRACKETS: (one four-team bracket): Bracket play is round robin games with each of the other teams in the bracket. The two highest point teams advance to the Championship match. The championship game will be a re-match and a semifinal or consolation game will not be played. Higher point team will be the home team for the Championship.

5-TEAM BRACKETS: (one five-team bracket): Bracket play is round robin games with each of the other teams in the bracket (each team gets four games). The champion and runner-up is determined on points.

6-TEAM BRACKETS: (two three-team brackets): Bracket play is round robin games with each of the other teams in the bracket. The semifinal games match are highest point teams in each bracket versus second highest team in other bracket.. A consolation game will be played amongst 3rd point team. The 1st point teams will be the home teams for the semifinals.