Coastal United Soccer Association

Presents the

Creekside Clash

4v4 Tournament

New Bern, North Carolina

Saturday June 2nd, 2018

Registration and Rules of Play

Table of Contents

1. FIFA Laws of the Game

2. Team Acceptance and Refunds

3. Registration of Teams

4. Tournament Format and Divisions

5. Field Marshals

6. Eligibility of Players

7. Age Groups and Guest Players

8. Duration of Play, Ball Size, and Field Size

9. Substitutions

10. Advancement and Tie Breakers

11. Overtime

12. Referees and Team Check In

13. Forfeits

14. Player Equipment

15. Location of Teams, Spectators and Coaches

16. Inclement Weather or Circumstances Preventing Completion of Play

17. Conduct of Players, Coaches and Spectators

18. Tents, Pets, Firearms, and Alcohol

19. Awards

20. Tournament Committee

21. Protests and Appeals

1. FIFA Laws of the Game.

All tournament matches will be played in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game. Rules and/or interpretations provided by USYS and/or NCYSA for youth matches are incorporated. The following provisions will further interpret these rules for purposes of this tournament and will provide the administrative framework for the registration and operation of this event.

2. Team Acceptance & Refunds.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any team application. No team shall be deemed accepted until notified by the tournament director or representative. Once accepted, the application fee is non-refundable. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to combine levels of play (classic, challenge and recreation) within a single age group, as well as combining age groups if needed to form a bracket. Teams understand that there will be no refunds granted for any reason after the registration deadline. This includes, but is not limited to inclement weather, etc. In case of inclement weather, the Event Director reserves the right to reduce the number of scheduled games and/or the time of games and/or postpone or delay game times and/or cancel the event. Every effort will be made to complete games and the tournament.

3. Registration of Teams.

Teams shall register with tournament officials on Friday, June 1st, 2018 at a time and place determined by the tournament officials. This information will be sent to all accepted teams and posted on the tournament webpage. No Saturday morning registrations will be allowed. A team representative should bring the following to registration: NCYSA and other USYS teams: (a) A medical waiver for each player in alphabetical order. (b) Laminated and properly stamped state player pass for all players in alphabetical order. (NCYSA Recreational teams do not need player passes, however any recreational player guest playing with a classic or challenge team DOES need a player pass.) (c) One current official red stamped match roster with player jersey numbers (for all teams Classic, Challenge, and Recreational) and four black/white copies. (d) One red stamped guest player roster with player jersey number(s) for any guest player on a team and four black/white copies. (e) If the team is from outside NC, a properly executed notification to travel form. US Club teams: (a) A medical waiver for each player in alphabetical order. (b) Laminated and stamped US Club passes for all players in alphabetical order. (c) One current official roster with player jersey numbers and four black/white copies. (d) If applicable, one official guest player roster with player jersey number(s) for any guest player on a team and four black/white copies. (e) If the team is from outside NC, a properly executed notification to travel form. At registration, a team representative should be prepared to complete a Team Locator Form with the team name, age group and gender, contact person, area hotel where the team is staying, and cellular phone number. This information will be used to notify teams of schedule or field changes, team rankings, etc.

4. Tournament Format & Divisions.

(a) 4 Team Divisions. Each team is guaranteed 3 matches. Each team will play every other team in the preliminary round. Ties will stand and no overtime will be played in the preliminary round. The top two teams after the preliminary round advance to the championship. Overtime will be played in the championship match if necessary. (b) 5 Team Divisions. Each team is guaranteed 4 matches. Each team will play every other team in this round-robin format. Ties will stand and no overtime will be played in any match. The team with the highest point total at the conclusion of all matches will be crowned tournament champion. The team with the second highest point total will receive runner-up honors. (c) 6 Team Divisions. Each team is guaranteed 3 matches. Teams will be divided into 2 groups of three teams at the discretion of the Tournament Committee -- Group A and B. Each team will play two matches within their group in the preliminary round during which ties will stand and no overtime will be played. At the conclusion of the preliminary round, teams will be ranked first, second or third within their respective group based upon their point totals. The third ranked teams in Group A and B will play each other with no overtime in the consolation match. In the semi-final round, the first place team from Group A will play the second place team from Group B, and the second place team from Group A will play the first place team from Group B. The winners of the semi-final matches will play in the championship match. Overtime will be played in the semi-final and championship matches if necessary. (d) 8 Team Divisions. Each team is guaranteed 3 matches. Teams will be divided into 2 groups of four teams at the discretion of the Tournament Committee – Group A and B. Each team will play every other team within their group in the preliminary round during which ties will stand and no overtime will be played. The winner of Group A will play the winner of Group B in the championship match. Overtime will be played in the championship match if necessary. (e) Other Divisions. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to format other divisions if the number of entries within the division does not fall within the guidelines set forth above. In this event, each team will be guaranteed 3 matches.

5. Field Marshals.

Field marshals will be assigned to each tournament site.  

6. Eligibility of Players.

All players must meet all requirements for the 2017-2018 season. No player shall play for more than one team during the tournament. Roster and player documentation may be inspected at any time by tournament officials. All teams and players must be in good standing with their respective state association.

7. Age Groups & Guest Players.

See application for age groups. Guest players must be age appropriate, duly registered with their state and listed on a guest roster. Academy teams will play competitive.

8. Duration of Play, Ball Size & modifications.

Refer to application. Ball size for ages 9-12 is size 4 and size 5 for 13 and up.

Format of 4v4 is does not allow for a goal keeper. The keeper’s box will be denoted as a no play zone both for offensive and defensive players. A player without possession of the ball my enter the no play box passing through however possession of the ball within the area will result in a stoppage of play and a penalty awarded to the non-committing side.

Modified 9U and 10U Rules: - Games will be played with 1 referee. The offside rule shall not apply. On all fouls/infractions, defensive players are required to be at least 8 yards from ball. On a goal kick, all players on the opposing team shall retreat to midfield before the kick is taken; once the kick is taken the opposing players may engage. Intentional heading of the ball is not permitted. A ball that inadvertently strikes the head does not violate this rule. All fouls or infractions result in indirect free kicks (no penalty kicks). All other rules in a regular NCYSA match apply.

Modified 11U and 12U Rules: - Kicks from the Mark will be taken from the penalty mark 10 yards from the goal line. Defensive players shall not be any closer than 8 yards from any free kick awarded. Intentional heading of the ball is not permitted. A ball that inadvertently strikes the head does not violate this rule. All other rules in a regular NCYSA match apply.

Any match shortened by the referee due to the behavior of a team or teams will be submitted to the Tournament Committee for review. The Committee shall address each circumstance on a case-by-case basis and is vested with the discretion to declare a winner or other outcome.

9. Substitutions

Substitutions may be made with the permission of the referee. All age groups have unlimited substitutions and substituted players may re-enter the game. The substitution must wait until the player is off the field before entering the field unless the referee waves 5 him/her on. All players entering and leaving the field must do so at the mid-field nearest to the designated team bench area. Substitutions will be allowed as follows: (a) Before a throw in by the team in possession. (b) Before a goal kick by either team. (c) After a goal by either team. (d) When the referee has stopped play to attend to an injured players (substitution allowed by either team). (e) At half time. (f) Before an overtime period. (g) After a caution (yellow card) and the team elects to substitute the cautioned player, the opposing team is allowed a substitution.

10. Advancement & Tie Breakers.

For purposes of determining advancement, points will be awarded as follows: 3 points for a win; 1 point for a tie; and 0 points for a loss. Ties will stand in all preliminary games. The following tie-breakers, if necessary, will apply in order: (a) Winner of head-to-head competition advances. (b) Team with highest goal differential advances up to a maximum of three goals per match (for example, a team winning 5-1 will have a +3 goal differential and the losing team will have a -3 goal differential). (c) Team with the fewest number of total goals allowed advances. (d) Winner of Kicks from the Mark advances. In the event three (or more) teams are tied with the same number of points after the preliminary round of games, or if three teams are tied after round-robin play in a 5 team division, the following tie-breakers will apply in order: (a) Team with highest goal differential advances up to a maximum of three goals per match (for example, a team winning 5-1 will have a +3 goal differential and the losing team will have a -3 goal differential). (b) Team with the fewest number of total goals allowed advances. (c) In the event three teams are still tied after applying the tie-breaker above, two of the three teams will be selected by a blind draw to participate in Kicks from the Mark. The winner of this initial contest will participate in another Kicks from the Mark against the third team to determine which team advances.

11. Overtime.

Ties at the end of regulation play in championship matches shall proceed to two 5 minute sudden victory overtime periods -- the first goal scored will end the match. Teams will switch ends at the end of the first 5 minute period assuming a goal has not already been scored. If still tied at the end of both overtime periods, the winner will be decided by penalty Kicks from the Mark. No overtime will be played in quarterfinal or semifinal matches. Ties at the end of regulation play in quarter-final or semi-final matches shall be decided by Penalty Kicks from the Mark. The reduce to equate FIFA rule will apply in all games decided by Kicks from the Mark.

12. Referees and Team Check-In.

The referee crew shall keep the official record of the match and the official time on the field. All referees will be USSF certified. Referee fees are included in the tournament entry fee and are not to be paid at the field. Prior to the start of each match, each team must give to the referee a black/white “Approved” photocopy of their match roster (bring extra photocopies for all matches).

13. Forfeits.

A forfeit will be declared if a team is not prepared to play within 10 minutes after the scheduled match kickoff time. A team winning by forfeit shall be recorded as a 3-0 victory. Three (3) points shall be awarded for the win. The winning team shall receive a +3 goal differential and the forfeiting team shall receive -3 goal differential for tie-breaking purposes.

14. Player Equipment.

The adequacy and safety of players’ cleats and shin guards, as well as all other matters concerning player equipment will be at the referee’s discretion. In case of a jersey color conflict, the home team (listed first on the schedule) will be required to change. Teams must provide a second alternate jersey or scrimmage vests in case of color conflicts. Jersey numbers should coincide with the jersey numbers on the approved roster.

15. Location of Teams, Spectators and Coaches.

Unless otherwise indicated by the Tournament Committee, both teams shall be located on the same side of the field, and all spectators and non-bench personnel shall be located on the opposite side. The home team (listed first on the schedule) shall have the choice of benches. Coaches must remain between the mid-field line and the top of the penalty area on his/her side of the field. Spectators must be within the top of the penalty area and the mid-field line opposite their team bench.

16. Inclement Weather or Other Circumstances Preventing Completion of Play.

The following guidelines shall apply if inclement weather or other circumstances threaten the completion of the tournament. 7 (a) In the event inclement weather prevents the playing of the entire tournament, 50% refund shall be given and 50% discount for the following year’s tournament offered. (b) In the event the tournament commences but inclement weather prevents the completion of the tournament, no refunds shall be given. (c) Upon commencement of the tournament, players and coaches shall appear on the field ready to participate at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff regardless of the weather conditions, unless a member of the Tournament Committee has specifically expressed otherwise. Failure to appear for the match will result in a forfeit. (Exception: In the event of adverse weather, such as lightning, tornadoes, flooding, or other serious conditions, players should stay away from the fields and a team representative is expected to make reasonable efforts to contact the Tournament Committee for further instructions.) The safety of the players will be the first consideration in determining whether a match will begin or continue in adverse conditions. (d) The Tournament Committee may reduce the time specified for matches. The affected teams will be aware of the reduced match time before the match begins. (e) A match is considered complete if it reaches the end of the first half of the time established for the match. Points will be awarded accordingly. Any match not completed to the end of the first half in the same day will be considered incomplete and not played. (f) An incomplete match will proceed to Kicks from the Mark (assuming conditions allow) to determine the winner of the match. Points will be awarded accordingly as stated in rule # 10. (g) In the event competition within a division cannot be attained due to inclement weather or otherwise, the tournament champion and runner-up shall be determined by the Tournament Committee in consultation with the managers/coaches of the teams within the division. The Committee shall ultimately determine, as equitably as possible, the champion and runner-up.

17. Conduct of Players, Coaches & Spectators.

Coaches are responsible for the conduct of his/her players, parents and spectators. Coaches not controlling the conduct of their players, parents and spectators may be warned and ejected. Any player ejected from a match will not be replaced and will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the game and the team's next game. Any coach ejected will not be allowed to coach in the remainder of the game or the team’s next game, or any intervening games in the event he/she coaches multiple teams. Any coach, parent or spectator ejected during a game must immediately leave the complex and be out of sight and sound of the playing area before the match is resumed. Ejected players will be escorted to an area designated by the Tournament Committee (assuming that the player does not have present a parent or accompanying guardian/responsible adult to escort him from the playing area). Adults who are ejected, whether it is a coach, parent or spectator, must immediately leave the complex facility. The ejected adult is not allowed back to the facility 8 until completion of their team’s next scheduled tournament match. An ejected player may attend the next scheduled tournament match in street clothes. Any team violating this provision will jeopardize their team’s standing in the tournament. The issuance of all cards and other matters involving the conduct of the team, its players, coaches, or sideline supporters will be recorded by the CUSA & reported to the state association of the team. Matters involving referee assault or abuse will be reported immediately to the NCYSA as required by USSF Policy 531-9. Fair play and good sportsmanship is expected from all.

18. Tents, Pets, Firearms, Alcohol.

Tents are permitted but shall not be located closer than five (5) yards to any touchline on the field. This includes exposed stakes, ropes or strings. No pets, firearms or alcoholic beverages are allowed on any tournament facility. Each site is a no smoking facility.

19. Awards.

Trophies and/or medals will be awarded to first (champion) and second (finalist) place teams within each division.

20. Tournament Committee

The Tournament Committee shall consist of the tournament director, the referee assignor and one other person designated by the tournament director. The Committee reserves the right to interpret the implementation of all tournament rules. This shall include, but is not limited to, the power to cancel, postpone or shorten a match. Interpretations regarding these rules shall be made by the Tournament Committee for the safety and well-being of the participants, and shall be final. The Tournament Committee shall decide any matter not specifically addressed by these rules. The Tournament Committee, the CUSA and the NCYSA shall not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team or club if the tournament is canceled in whole or in part, nor will any refunds be made.

21. Protests & Appeals.

No protests or appeals concerning interpretation of the Laws of the Game by a referee, or otherwise, will be entertained.