STRONGSVILLE SOCCER CLUB

2008 SPRING IN-HOUSE TOURNAMENT RULES

 

1)       All players on a team must be properly registered with SSC and assigned to that team. The playing of any unregistered or ineligible player will result in disqualification of that team from the tournament and a forfeit of all of its games.

2)      The first team listed is the home team and must change uniforms (pennies) in the event of a color conflict. All shirts must have numbers and be visible to the referee. No player shall wear any jewelry, earrings, baseball or screw-in cleats, or anything considered dangerous by the referee. Shinguards must be covered by socks. Casts will be allowed but must be padded and not used offensively by the player. The referee's judgment is final in this regard.

3)      Spectators, coaches, and players are expected to conduct themselves properly. Dissent towards the referee or assistant referees is not in keeping with the spirit of the game and will not be allowed. Unruly spectators or coaches will be asked to leave the fields. Friendly competition in an orderly atmosphere will be the guideline. For U8 and above, all spectators shall be on one side of the field and the coaches (limit of 3 per team) shall be on the other side, between the 18-yd line and the halfway mark. For U7’s only, each coach may walk the entire side of the field provided the teams are on opposite sides of the field. No players or spectators shall be allowed behind the goals. Both coaches and spectators shall stand back from the field (min 1yard) to allow the players and the assistant referees room to run.

4)      There shall be no coaches allowed on the field during play in any game. U7and U8's may have one coach on the side of their goal and off the field. That coach may not come on the field of play.

5)      Both teams may substitute only with the referee's permission, and as follows:

a) Before a goal kick,

b) After a goal,

c) Before any throw in,

d) On a “1 for 1” basis with an injured player,

e) Any player given a yellow card must be substituted.

6)      Any red card given to a player or coach shall result in the automatic suspension of that player or coach for the next tournament game. Two red cards shall result in the suspension of that person from the tournament. All red cards shall be reviewed by the Board of Trustees for subsequent action.

7)      Division standings for advancement, and playoff positions shall be determined as follows:

a)      The team with the most points, three points for a win, 1 point for a tie, no points for a loss.

b)      In the event of a tie between two teams in points, the following shall be used as tie breakers in order:

1st tie breaker: Result of head to head game between the two teams,

2nd tie breaker: Result of the largest goal differential for all tournament games, Goals scored minus goals allowed (with the maximum differential of three goals per game),

3rd tie breaker: The team with the least allowed goals in all tournament games,

4th tie breaker: The team with the most goals scored (maximum of three per game) in all tournament games,

5th tie breaker: The result of penalty kicks under FIFA rules.

8)      There will be no protests from any decision of any referee. There will be no protest from any game once the teams have left the field of play.

9)      In the event of inclement weather, or in the event that play cannot be started or continued for some reason, teams should take cover or remain in the area until a decision is made by the Tournament Committee. The following shall apply to all games started:

a) If time allows, resume play and play to completion,

b) If the first half was completed, the game counts and the score at the stoppage will be final,

c) If the first half cannot be completed, the game will be a 3-3 tie.

 

There will be no extension of time in a quarter for injuries in any preliminary game. All stoppages and reschedules will be coordinated by the tournament committee.

10)   The following game times will apply:

All preliminary games:

U7, U8, U9 10 Min Qtrs

U10, U11, U13 12 Min Qtrs

U16 15 Min Qtrs

All Semi-final or Final games:

U7, U8, U9, U10 12 Min Qtrs.

ALL OTHERS 15 Min Qtrs.

 

Breaks between quarters shall be 2 minutes and 5 minutes between halves.

Teams will be expected to begin play when they take the field. The best efforts will be used to keep the games on time but delays may be encountered. Coaches are urged to check in with the Tournament Officials in advance to see if their games are on time.

 

Ties count in preliminary rounds. In the event of ties in semi-final or championship games, one additional period of 10 minutes will be played. If still tied after that period, a sudden death period of 10 minutes will be played. If the teams are still tied after the second overtime period the game shall be decided by penalty kicks according to FIFA rules. There will be a minimum of 1 hour between any back-to-back games including semi-finals and finals.

Coaches advancing to semi-final or final games must check in with the Tournament officials after their last game to verify game times and field locations.

11)    The minimum number of players to begin a game will be:

U7, U8, U9, U10 6

U11 & above 7

 

Any team unable to field the required number of players within 5 minutes of the start time, shall forfeit the game with a final score of 3-0.

 

Every player must play at least one half of every game played including one half of all overtime periods.


 

12)  It will be the intent to have three referees at all semi and final games, however lack of three shall not be reason not to play the game.

13)   In the spirit of sportsmanship all teams shall play all scheduled games and may not forfeit preliminary round games to achieve an advantage in the semi-final or final games. No team will be allowed to advance unless they have played all preliminary round games.

14)  Special game cards will be used for all tournament games.

15)  For all situations not covered above, the regular season rules or FIFA rules will apply.

16)  In the event of any dispute or interpretation in the rules or in play, the decision of the Tournament committee will be final. The clear goal of this tournament is for the players to play well, and have fun. Interpretation of these rules and decisions of the Tournament Committee will be made with that in mind.

 

 

5-1-04