Tournament Rules

TOURNAMENT RULES: The tournament rules shall be FIFA Laws of the Game modified herein.

REFUNDS: A team withdrawing from the tournament after being accepted shall forfeit its entry fee. In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Committee has the authority to restructure or cancel the tournament. It will not be rescheduled, and no refunds issued once play has begun. If the tournament is cancelled prior to the start of play, a refund less expenses will be distributed.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE:
In case of inclement weather, the Tournament Directors and Burroughs Sports Association will determine if games are to be played. Once the game has started the decision rests with the referee and appropriate club. If any games are canceled, it is up to the coaches of the teams to check with the Tournament Directors for rescheduling information. Games shall be considered complete if one half of the game has elapsed. The score at the stoppage of play will be the final score. If one half has not elapsed and the game is stopped, the game must be rescheduled if it affects the outcome of the tournament and if weather permits. Klein Soccer Club has the ultimate authority in determining whether or not the fields are playable. Any decision by Klein Soccer Club will be accepted by the Tournament Committee and acted on accordingly. A tournament weather hotline has been established. PLEASE HAVE ONLY ONE MEMBER OF YOUR TEAM CALL. THIS WILL INSURE THE LINE IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL TEAMS. ALSO, IF THE LINE IS TIED UP, WE CAN NOT UPDATE ANY INFORMATION. Tournament Weather Hotline: 281 583-4970

PLAYER’S ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION:
All players must be registered with USYSA. 2008/2009 player cards for each player will be required at check-in. No Card – No Play – No Exceptions. For U-11 through U-15, the maximum roster size is eighteen (18). For U11-U12 8v8, maximum roster size is 12. This number includes guest players. For U-9 the maximum roster size is ten (10), including guest players. U-10 teams, the maximum roster size is twelve (12), including guest players.
For all age groups, a maximum of five (5) guest players will be allowed.

Birth date of oldest player on team determines age bracket of team. A player may play for only one team. An ineligible player will be suspended from further participation. A team playing an ineligible player may continue play. The team will be reported to the Host State Association and the team’s State/National Association.

No Player may play with a HARD cast even if it is padded. This is a STYSA rule. Please note that per FIFA Laws of the Game, the wearing of shin guards by players is mandatory. No player will be allowed to play without shin guards. All other equipment related issues will be left to the discretion of the referee.

STANDINGS: Team standings will be based on the following scoring system:

Win........6 points, plus 1 point for each goal scored, (max of 3 goals)
Tie.........3 points, plus 1 point for each goal scored, (max of 3 goals)
Loss......0 points, plus 1 point for each goal scored, (max of 3 goals)
Bonus....1 point is awarded for a shutout
Forfeit....Will be scored as a 3-0 win and a total of 9 points will be awarded. Match time is forfeit time. For the U9 and U10 age groups, a minimum of six (6) players is required to start a match. For the U-11 through U-14 age groups, a minimum of seven (7) players is required to start a match. A team with less than seven (7) players (U-11 through U-14) or six (6) players (U9 and U-10) will forfeit the match. A TEAM WHO FORFEITS A MATCH WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE AWARDS.

Winner and runner-up teams after bracket play will be determined in the following priority: (1) Point Total (2) Head to Head (3) Goal difference (max 3 goal difference per game) (4) Goals scored (max 5 goals per game). In the event of a tie after these criteria – FIFA Penalty Kicks will determine winner.

Each Team will be responsible for turning in a game report within one hour after the completion of the match. The winning coach or the Home team in case of a tie will turn in the referee’s card. Each coach is responsible for verifying the posted scores prior to the team’s next game.

AWARDS:
First and Second Place Winners receive Awards. Awards will be presented at Tournament Headquarters located near Fields 2 and 4. The U11/12 8v8 Cup bracket will have a 1st and 2nd place winner for Bracket A (U12) and Bracket B (U11).

MATCH LENGTHS:
All teams are scheduled to have at least three preliminary games. Teams will be seeded within each age group in order to optimize brackets.

TIES STAND IN ROUND ROBIN PLAY.

Teams must be at the field 15 minutes prior to match time ready for inspection. The coach or manager must have at the fields: approved roster, one copy of The Game Report for each game, notarized medical release forms and laminated Player ID cards for each player.

Gametime - Kickoff will be at the scheduled time unless games are delayed. Each team must be ready to play at the scheduled time or immediately after the conclusion of the previous game as determined by the referee, or the team is subject to forfeiting the match.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Players may be substituted with the consent of the field referee at the following times:

1. Prior to a throw-in in your favor.
2. Prior to a goal kick by either team.
3. After a goal by either team.
4. When the referee approves an injury substitution by one team, the other team may substitute an equal
number of players.
5. At half time.
6. When the referee stops to caution a player, only that player may be substituted prior to the restart of
the game.
7. No player shall leave the field of play without the consent of the referee.
8. Players shall enter and leave the field at mid-field.

RED CARDS:
A player or coach receiving a red card/ejection is suspended from that match and the next match (one match suspension). If the same player or coach receives a second red card/ejection, he is suspended from that match and suspended from further tournament participation. When a player or coach receives a red card/ejection he must immediately report to the headquarters tent with their manager or parent representative. At this time the player / coach will surrender his USYSA card. After the player or coach has served his one match suspension the coach may pick up the card from the disciplinary check in table. Red/Yellow cards are reported to the Host State Association for further action. Any player, coach or spectator guilty of Referee Assault will be suspended immediately from that match and suspended from further tournament participation. A report will be made to the Host State Association and the team’s State/National Association.

YELLOW CARDS:
A player or coach receiving two yellow cards during a match is suspended from that match and suspended from the next match (one match suspension). Two yellow cards in the same match is a red card, and is counted as a red card. A player or coach accumulating three yellow cards, which did not culminate in a red card, is suspended from the next match (one match suspension). A player or coach receiving two red cards/ejections will be suspended from further tournament participation.

MISCONDUCT:
Misconduct of teams, players, coaches, spectators, supporters or officials will not be tolerated on or off the field. A team, player, coach, spectator or supporter may be withdrawn from the competition at the discretion of the Tournament Directors, and reported to the Host State Association and the team’s State/National Association. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team and supporters both on and off the fields.

REFEREE REPORTS:
Disciplinary actions taken during match will be marked on match card with name and jersey number of player or coach’s name. Serious misconduct will be reported on a Misconduct Report with card(s) and turned in to the Scorekeeper immediately following the match.

REFEREES:
US Soccer and International qualified Registered Referees will be used for all tournament matches, and the tournament shall utilize a three referee system on all matches.

MATCH CARD:
Referee must sign and record the score for the match card to be official. Referee will give the match card (marked with any disciplinary action taken) to the winning coach. If a tie, home team coach is responsible for turning in match card. The official match report for each completed match must be verified (i.e. score, cautions, ejections) at Scorers table immediately after the match by the team coach or manager. Any requests for changes in scores, other than scorekeeper’s errors when posting must be made to the Tournament Directors after the match by the coach.

MATCH BALL:
Both teams will present a ball to the referee for his selection.

HOME TEAM:
The first team listed on the schedule is considered the Home Team. All players on a team must wear numbered jerseys. Each team must have an alternate color jersey for each player in case of color conflict. Any color conflict, if deemed necessary by the Referee, will be resolved by the Home Team.

Players / Coaches from both teams will occupy the same side. Spectators and parents will occupy the side opposite the players.

PROTEST:
Judgmental decisions made by the Referee cannot be protested. Only protests concerning the laws of the match will be considered. Protest will be handled in the following manner:

1. Advise Referee and opposing coach your intent to file protest. Play or continue the match.

2. The coach of record shall submit written protest (in English) to the Tournament Directors within one(1) hour of completion of the match.

3. Submit $200 (US Dollars) cash with the written protest.

4. If the protest is upheld, the fee is refunded.

5. Failure to comply with this procedure will result in the protest not being considered.

MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR:
Any situation or questions on rules of competition not covered herein will be governed by FIFA , USYSA, STYSA and Administrative Rule books, in that order. Any matter not provided for in Tournament rules or by FIFA, USYSA, or STYSA rules shall be determined by the Tournament Director, whose decisions shall be final.