• Field Players: are not allowed to participate in more than one team within their own team’s age group. However, players are permitted to club pass “up” or “down” if age-appropriate between teams outside of their team’s age group. To participate, a player must be included on the official team roster prior to their respective team’s first game. It’s important to note that no players can be added to the roster after the Roster Freeze deadline.

• Goalkeepers: are allowed to participate in more than one team within all age groups, provided that it is age-appropriate and strictly in the capacity of a Goalkeeper; they are not eligible to participate as a field player. To participate, a Goalkeeper must be included on the official team roster and listed as “GK” prior to their respective team’s first game. It’s important to note that no Goalkeeper can be added to the roster after the Roster Freeze deadline.

ROSTER FREEZE DEADLINE:

• Rosters are frozen right before the team’s first game; no players are to be added after competition begins.

MANDATORY TEAM CHECK-IN:

• All teams must provide the following credentials:
  • Valid laminated 26-27 Player ID cards or digital/virtual cards with photographs
  • Accepted Cards: USYS, US CLUB, USSSA
  • MLS Next must present rosters at check-in
  • The jersey number of each player must match their number on the team’s game card or roster

• NO Jewelry
• NO Alcohol
• NO Smoking
• NO Noise Makers
• NO Animals (Dogs)
• Casts are allowed in Cal South, if padded and the referee deems the cast safe
• Players MUST wear shinguards

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

HOME TEAM:

• Home Team will be listed first on the scoreboard and in the program
• The Home Team is responsible for supplying the game balls unless provided by the tournament
• In the event of a color conflict, the Home Team will change uniforms

ACTS OF GOD:

• If games cannot be rescheduled or played due to rain, weather, or other Acts of God, there will be NO refund or credit of fees.

• Rain or other weather conditions during the tournament shall NOT delay play unless the referee determines the field to be unsafe for play, or the venue determines that field damage will result due to continued play.

• In the event of such a delay or postponement of games, the tournament will endeavor to reschedule such games in a reasonable manner, if possible.

PLAYING TIMES & BALL SIZE:

• All teams will be scheduled for a minimum of three (3) games
• All preliminary games will end at least five (5) minutes before the next scheduled game, regardless of how much time has been played in each half
• A game is considered “complete” once the first half has been played. If the match is terminated at any point during the second half, the final result will be determined by the score at the time of termination
• A preliminary game can end in a tie
• Finals ending in a tie will go to FIFA Kicks from the mark to determine a winner

WILD CARD:

• In the event that the Wild Card the same group, the tournament will determine that the Group 1 Winner will then play the Group 2 Winner, and the Wild Card will then play the Group 3 Winner

POINT SYSTEM:

• 6 points for each WIN
• 2 points for each TIE
• 0 points for each LOSS
• 1 Point for each goal scored up to a maximum of 3 per game
• 1 Point for each shutout
• 0-0 tie will be scored as 3 points for each team (2 for a tie, 1 for a shutout)

TIE BREAKERS:

• In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined as follows:

1. Head-to-Head
2. Fewest Goals Against
3. Most Goals For
4. Most Total Wins
5. Most Shutouts

• In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined as follows:

• If a team advances as a wildcard and is set to play a team from the same group, the tournament most likely will move the wildcard team to play in the opposite semi-final.
• If a winner cannot be determined after going through steps 1-5, FIFA Kicks are taken from the mark prior to the finals

SCORE REPORTING:

Scores after each game will be reported by the referees reporting the scores to the Field Marshall

RULES ON DELIBERATE HEADERS:

• If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.
• Deliberate heading is NOT allowed in 7 v 7 games.
• If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense.

BUILD OUT LINE:

• When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play.
• Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw, or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed).
• After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build-out line, and play resumes as normal.
• The opposing team must also move behind the build out line during a goal kick until the ball is put into play.
• If a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the punt or drop kick occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.
• The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called.
• Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line. Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build-out line and the goal line.

RULES ON DELIBERATE HEADERS:

Below are the rules for deliberate headers for the U11 (Aug 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016) and U12 (Aug 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015) age groups:

• A player receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game will be given an ejection (red card).
• A player who has been ejected (sent off), will NOT be replaced.
• A player who has been ejected will NOT return for that game and will NOT be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game.