Tournament Rules

RULES AND REGULATIONS

All Tournament games will be played under FIFA rules unless otherwise indicated in these instructions.

TEAM REGISTRATION

All teams must be affiliated with the USSF and their state organization. An official state roster and valid 2008 passes, must be presented at registration. Up to a maximum of 18 rostered players, 14 small sided.

GUEST PLAYERS

Any team using guest players may have no more than 16 total players (U8 through U10 maximum 12 players) including a maximum of 3 guest players approved by the tournament director no later than the night of registration. Secondary passes will not be accepted.

AGE GROUPING

U15 August 1, 1993 – July 31, 1994

U14 August 1, 1994 – July 31, 1995

U13 August 1, 1995 – July 31, 1996

U12 August 1, 1996 – July 31, 1997

U11 August 1, 1997 – July 31, 1998

U10 August 1, 1998 – July 31, 1999

U9 August 1, 1999 – July 31, 2000

U8 August 1, 2000 – July 31, 2001

Any team with mixed age players must play in the oldest applicable age bracket. It is a coach’s responsibility to insure that his / her team is entered in the correct age grouping. Teams found to have an illegal player will be disqualified from the tournament and any games played will be forfeited. Please be careful that you are placed correctly.

GAME DURATION

U – 8 thru U – 10 25 minute halves with a 5 minute half time

U – 11 thru U – 15 30 minute halves with a 5 minute half time

GAME BALLS

Division 4 and 5 # 4 Ball

Division 2 and 3 # 5 Ball

CAUTIONS

Any player / coach accumulating three (3) cautions will be dismissed from the tournament.

EJECTIONS

Any player / coach ejected from a game will be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game.

SUBSTITUTIONS

With the permission of the referee, substitutions will be unlimited before any goal kick, after a goal is scored, for offensive team throw-ins and at half time. If a player is injured and is replaced on the playing field, the opposing team will be permitted to substitute one player.

PROTESTS

No protests will be allowed unless the infraction involves the use of an ineligible player. The referee’s decisions during the game will be final.

AWARDS

All first place finishers and second place finishers in four team divisions will be awarded trophies. In six team divisions first place trophies will be awarded to each bracket winner and no second place trophies will be awarded.

In accordance with the New Jersey state rules, all U-8, U-9 and U-10 players will receive participation awards.

U-10 & YOUNGER TEAMS

In accordance with New Jersey state rules, our tournament is non-results oriented for U10 and younger teams. As such, these teams may not participate in a shootout and all ties must stand. Further, U10 and younger teams may not play up in our tournament under any circumstances.

STANDINGS

All teams will play a minimum of three (3) games. Standings will be determined by using the following point system:

Win - Three (3) points

Tie - One (1) point

Loss - Zero (0) points

Forfeit Win - Two (2) points

Forfeit Loss - Minus Three (-3) points

Bonus points will only be used in tie breaker situations.

BONUS POINTS

Shutout Win - Three (3) bonus points (no bonus points for a 0 – 0 or a forfeit win.

Winning Team / Goal Differential – One (1) bonus point for each goal with a maximum of three (3) points.

Losing Team / Goal Differential – Minus one (-1) bonus point for each goal with a maximum of three (3) points.

TIE BREAKERS

If two or more teams are tied at the end of tournament play, the tie will be decided by the following rules:

Two teams tied

Most wins
Head to head play
Least goals allowed
Total number of bonus points
Shoot-out

Three teams tied: (tie breaker continues until one team is eliminated and then reverts to tie breaker rule # 1- Two teams tied, starting at A).

Least wins
Most goals allowed
Least total bonus points

SHOOT-OUT

Referee will decide which goal is to be used.

Winner of coin toss will have choice of shooting first or second.

Each coach will select five (5) primary shooters (only players on the field at the end of play may shoot).

After five (5) shots, the team with the most goals will be declared the champion.

If the teams are tied after five (5) shots, the shoot-out continues with another group of five (5) players on a one on one basis until both teams have taken an equal number of shots and one team has more goals than other.

If the teams are still tied the shoot-out continues with another group of (5) players. No player may shoot twice until all player on the field at the end of play has participated once.

GOLF CART POLICY

You must have a valid New Jersey Drivers License to operate a Golf cart.

DELAYS

The tournament committee will reserve the right to change times and locations in the event of inclement weather. Every attempt will be made to complete the game schedule. Only the referee can stop play once a game has started. Games that are halted due to weather conditions will be resumed at the first opportunity. Cancellation of a portion of the tournament may result in the receipt of a partial refund. Any decision in regard to such cancellation and/or refund rests with the tournament committee.

POSTPONEMENT and/or RESCHEDULING

If the tournament is postponed or rescheduled to a new date all teams that applied to the original dates will be given the opportunity to withdraw from the revised date of the tournament with a full refund of their entry fees.

REFUND POLICY

If the tournament is canceled for any reason before the start of the tournament, 80% of the team's entry fee will be refunded. Any refunds not included in the above are at the sole discretion of the tournament committee.

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