Registration: We require all Team Managers or Coaches to report to their field site’s Field Marshal registration table ONE FULL HOUR prior to their first scheduled game for team check-in. Failure to check in will result in automatic disqualification (without a refund of the fee) from the tournament. Games not played will be classified as “Forfeits”.
Current player cards will be required of all players as proof of age and must be available for inspection at initial check-in and at the start of each game. USYSA Teams from outside USYSA Region IV must also provide approved Travel Papers, which must include a roster listing all players authorized to travel by the team’s State Association. All Travel Papers must be submitted to the Tournament Director prior to check in. Any player not listed on the Travel Papers, including any amendments, properly executed by the team’s State Association will not be allowed to play in the tournament. Proper Player Loan Forms will be required at Registration along with other required credentials, as required by the team’s State Association. All teams must provide the US Club or USYSA Player I.D. Cards from the State Association listed on this application. Player I.D. Cards from associations other than USYSA, AYSO or US Club Soccer will not be accepted. All cards must be from the same association, there will be no mixing of cards. Teams will be required to keep medical releases on hand at all times in case of emergency.
Refunds: There will be no refunds given after the stated application deadline. Prior to the application deadline, refunds will be made less any administrative fees that have been incurred.
Rosters: Teams may register a maximum of twenty five (25) players (18 for U8-U10) but only eighteen (18) players may participate in a single game.
RULES OF PLAY
All games will be played under FIFA rules with US Club adjustments for youth competition with the following additions and clarifications:
Game Format: Each team will play a minimum of 3 games. Preliminary Games can end in a tie. Finals games tied after regulation will go straight to FIFA Penalty Kicks. The winner of the kicks will determine who is awarded the trophy. Penalty Kicks will immediately follow the game. Brackets where there are 2 groups of 3 that cross play will have the top 2 overall point getters going to final from all 6 teams.
Duration of Games and Overtimes (by halves), and Ball size are as follows:
| Division | Preliminary & Quarter Finals | Semi Finals | Finals | Ball Size |
| U18/19 (2007/06) | 35 | 35 | 40 | 5 |
| U17 (2008) | 35 | 35 | 40 | 5 |
| U16 (2009) | 35 | 35 | 40 | 5 |
| U15 (2010) | 35 | 35 | 40 | 5 |
| U14 (2011) | 30 | 30 | 35 | 5 |
| U13 (2012) | 30 | 30 | 35 | 5 |
| U12 (2013) | 25 | 25 | 30 | 4 |
| U11 (2014) | 25 | 25 | 30 | 4 |
| U10 (2015) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 4 |
| U9 (2016) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 4 |
| U8/U7 (2017/18) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 4 |
There will be no stoppage time for injuries; in other words, there is a running clock for all games. Half time for games will be 5 minutes. Determining Winners: Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:
- Six (6) points for each Win
- Three (3) points for each Tie
- Zero (0) points for each Loss
- One (1) point for each goal scored up to a maximum of three (3) per game
- One (1) point for each shutout
- Minus one (-1) for each player or coach ejected
- A 0-0 tie will be scored as 4 points for each team (3 for tie, 1 for shutout)
In the event of a tie in points at the end of bracket play, the teams to advance will be determined as follows in this order:
- The winner in a preceding head-to-head match-up
- Total Goal Differential
- Goals against
- Goals for (to a maximum of 4 per game)
- If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 4, FIFA Penalty Kicks will be taken (time and location to be determined by the Tournament Director) prior to the scheduled start of the Final game.
- If a three-way tie exists within a bracket after steps 1 through 4, a three-way coin flip will be conducted. The teams that tie in the coin flip will compete in FIFA Penalty Kicks to eliminate one team prior to proceeding to FIFA Penalty Kicks with the third team. The coin flip and time of the FIFA Penalty Kicks will be determined by the Tournament Director at the fields.
FINAL GAMES
Who makes the final in my bracket?
- Flight of 4 teams. 1 bracket, top 2 teams with most overall points will play in the championship game
- Flight of 6 teams. 2 brackets of 3 teams. Each team in one bracket will play all teams in the opposing bracket. Top 2 highest point scorers between the 6 teams will play in the championship game
- Flight of 8 teams. 2 brackets of 4 teams. Each bracket plays everyone within their bracket. The winners of each bracket will meet in the Championship game
Game Day Check-In: Except for initial tournament check-in (1 Hour prior to game), all teams must check-in at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of each scheduled game, a team representative must present to the Field Marshall the team’s player cards and game card so the team may be checked in to play and the game started as scheduled. The Field Marshall will retain the game card and the team’s player cards until completion of the game. Each team manager or representative will be required to initial the game card area for that game before the player cards will be returned. A team who fails to properly check in with the Field Marshall will forfeit that game.
The Tournament Director and referee assignor have the final say on the determination of safety and suitability of each player’s equipment, including the wearing of a hard brace and/or hard cast. Shin guards are mandatory for all players.
After the start of a match, it will be the decision of the referee whether or not playing conditions are safe.
Home Team Responsibilities: The Home Team will be the team which appears first on the game schedule. The Home Team will provide a game ball. The game ball is subject to referee approval. The Home Team will be required to switch to an alternate jersey to accommodate a color conflict as declared by the referee. If the Home Team cannot supply an alternate jersey, the Home Team will forfeit the game. (NOTE FROM DIRECTOR – We ask that both coaches work together to solve this problem to avoid a forfeit. Does the away team have a suitable alternate jersey color? Do you have matching pinnies that players could wear?). The Home Team does not have rights to select which side of the field they wish to observe from as both teams’ spectators are required to be on one side of the field opposite of the teams/coaches. Both team coaches are required to coach from the same side. Both team benches will be located on the same sideline for all games and fields (Where possible). All parents and spectators will be limited to the opposite sideline for viewing and cheering. In all cases spectator and team seating will allow the referee’s assistants clear runs and views of all touch lines.
Substitutions: Substitutions are unlimited; however, teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission.
Cautions and Ejections: A player or coach receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game is considered to have been given an Ejection (red card) for the purposes of awarding point deductions for the Tournament competition. A player who has been ejected (sent off) will not be replaced. A player or coach who has been ejected will not return for that game and must leave the field of play. A player or coach who is ejected for violent conduct will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game. Any player or coach who assaults a referee or official will be expelled from the Tournament. A team will be disqualified from the Tournament if any player or coach fails to comply with the provisions of this section. Player Cards for ejected players or coaches will be available from the Field Marshal after they have satisfied their penalty.
Protests/Disputes: No protests will be allowed and all games will be considered final based on the referee report. 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.
Forfeits/Byes: All teams who forfeit will have the game(s) scored as a 0-1 loss. The winner will be awarded eight (8) points (6 for the win; 1 for a goal and 1 for a shutout). If, at the discretion of the Tournament Director, a forfeit provides an unfair advantage, the Tournament Director may make an adjustment in the bracket. Teams forfeiting their first game will be assumed to forfeit all of their games unless they contact the Tournament Director at least 3 hours prior to their subsequent games. Teams will forfeit for any of the following reasons:
- Teams fail to check in at the required location, ready to play five minutes before the scheduled kick off time
- Home team fails to produce an alternate color jersey if referee determines there is a color conflict
- Teams fail to produce laminated player passes and/or coach’s pass
- Teams fail to report to the field with the minimum number of players required to start the game (5 for U7-U12; 7 for U13-U19)
- Coach is ejected and fails to leave the field when directed to do so
- Coach is ejected and there is no other coach or administrator available
- Game is suspended due to the misconduct of players, coaches, administrators, parents or spectators
There will be no refunds to teams who forfeit their own games.
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 games times unless notified by a tournament official. Rain or other weather conditions will not delay play unless the referee determines the fields are unsafe.
If necessary, games may be shortened, go directly to FIFA Penalty Kicks or be cancelled. If a game is terminated due to problems associated with the fields, including lighting for a night game, the team in the lead at the time of stoppage wins. If a Quarter or Semi Final match cannot be played, FIFA penalty kicks will determine the winner. If the final game cannot be played, the team with the most points in the group stages will be champion. If teams are level on points, tiebreaker rules stated above will apply.
If games cannot be rescheduled or played due to rain or other circumstances, the Tournament Director will make refund adjustments and retains the right to keep up to one-third (1/3) of the team fee to cover expenses. If a minimum of 2 games have been completed then no refund will be given.
CONDUCT
All players, coaches and spectators will be expected to demonstrate good sportsmanlike conduct. Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends and spectators at all times. Inappropriate conduct by your team’s spectators can jeopardize your coach and/or team. 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.
The following Rules must be strictly adhered to:
- At no time is there to be any alcoholic beverages at the tournament sites
- Pets are not allowed on any of the fields at any time
- This is a smoke-free environment; no smoking is allowed at any of the fields
- At synthetic turf fields, no sharp or pointed umbrella, canopy, or shading anchors are allowed to penetrate the turf
- At synthetic turf fields, no food, gum, or seeds of any kind allowed on turf surface
- After each game, please pick up the trash on your sideline and place it in one of the provided receptacles
- Please help us keep the games on time by immediately collecting your things and clearing your sideline after your game. This will allow the next team to move into position and prepare for the start of their game
Small Sided Games Heading Rules
All 7v7 games played as part of City SC Tournaments will follow the Cal South / US Soccer Player Development Initiatives (PDI’s) regarding the modified heading rules as part of US Soccer’s Concussion Initiative.
Heading Rules:
- Deliberate heading is not allowed in U11 and younger games (Confirm with referee prior to Kick Off)
- Heading is allowed in U12 games without limitations
- Any U11 players who are “playing up” an age ARE NOT permitted to head the ball during games, even when playing up
- 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
- 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
7v7 Build Out Line
All 7v7 games played as part of City SC Tournaments will follow the Cal South / US Soccer Player Development Initiatives (PDI’s) regarding the use of the build out line for 7v7 games (there will be no build out line for 9v9 games).
The build out line promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting.
Our home fields for 7v7 measure approximately 60 yards long by 40 yards wide. The build out line will be striped as a solid line across the field approximately 20 yards from each goal (half the distance between the edge of the penalty area and the half way line).
Coaches, players, parents and referees, please understand the following rules when competing in 7v7 games on City SC fields:
- 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 goal line
- Ideally, the goalkeeper will wait to put the ball into play once all opponents are past the build out line
- However, the goalkeeper can put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how play resumes
- To support the intent of the development rule, coaches and referees should be mindful of any intentional delays being caused by opponents not retreating in a timely manner or encroaching over the build out line prior to the ball being put into play
- Coaches are responsible for addressing these types of issues with their players Referees can manage the situation with misconduct if deemed appropriate
- Referees should be flexible when enforcing the 6 second rule and counting the time of possession should only begin when all opponents have moved behind the build out line
Modified Laws of the Game
We ask that coaches and referees work together to help the players execute the above, and we ask that all parties observe the above rules in the spirit of player development. Any tactics such as deliberate time-wasting to gain a competitive advantage will be seriously frowned upon and will be reviewed by the tournament committee, who have the ability to take retrospective action of any kind against any coaches / teams involved.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation!