2015 MN Thunder Academy West Invitational Tournament Rules
Registration
Each team is required to check-in at Tournament Headquarters at the tent at the intersection of W 70th St and Lyndale Ave S.. Registration will begin on Friday, June 26th from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, and on Saturday, June 27th from 7am-10am at the Tournament Headquarters. Teams must register at least one hour prior to the start of their first game. This check-in includes presentation of a MYSA Competitive Match Report (signed with team contact cell phone number) an official team roster (out of state teams or US Club teams only with team contact cell phone number), permission to travel forms (out of state teams or US Club teams only) and player passes which will be checked against the roster. Non-US Youth Soccer teams must provide proof of insurance at check-in. Teams should confirm game times at Tournament Headquarters.
U9-10 is allowed a maximum of 12 players, U11-U12 is allowed a maximum of 14 players. U9 & U10 registered teams may NOT play up to U11 per MYSA Rules. Teams at all age groups may roster up to 6 guest players. Guest players must play at the same or an older age level. Guest players must also play at a higher competitive level. Teams may not change their affiliation after they have been accepted into the tournament (e.g. from US Youth Soccer to US Club Soccer). Rosters are frozen as of check-in. All players and coaches must have current player passes – NO PASS- NO PLAY. The coach or team manager must have a copy of medical release forms in his or her possession for each player. No player will be allowed to register with more than one team or switch to another team during the tournament.
League Games
Teams need to be aware that if their regular league games conflict with the tournament schedule, league games will have to be rescheduled.
Laws of the game
We will be enforcing the FIFA laws of the game as modified by MYSA –please visit http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/publications/rules.cfm for the modified rules.
(You will need Adobe Acrobat to view the pages.)
We will be enforcing the MN Thunder Academy Policy as defined by MYSA on concussions:
This tournament, held by the MN Thunder Academy West and sanctioned by the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, requires compliance with Minnesota Statue 121A.37 in accordance with the MN Thunder Academy West and MYSA Concussion Policies. All participating coaches and referees are required to take concussion training. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a free, online course entitled Concussion Training for Coaches (and referees), accessible by the following link:www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html
Copies of the Minnesota statute and MYSA policies are available at: http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/programs/concussions.cfm
Game Format
Length of games will be:
U9-U10 – two 25 minute halves
U11-U12 – two 30 minute halves
Each game will have a 5-minute break at half time – weather permitting
The semi-final (if required) and championship games will also play two 5 minute overtime periods in the event of a tie. At the end of two 5-minute overtimes, if the game is still tied, it will be decided by kicks from the penalty mark following the procedures published in the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Substitution Procedure
All teams are allowed an unlimited number of substitutions with their entire roster. These substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee at the following times:
- Prior to a goal kick by either team;
- After a goal by either team;
- After an injury by either team when the referee stops play;
- At half time;
- Prior to a throw in. The team in possession of the ball for a throw-in may substitute. If the team in possession of the ball chooses to substitute, the opposing team may also substitute at that time.
Referees
Referees must be currently registered with USSF. Referees are assigned for all matches. Teams should be prepared, however, to provide a “club linesperson” if necessary.
Forfeits
A minimum of seven players constitutes a team in all age groups. A grace period will be extended to 10 minutes beyond the scheduled kickoff time or to the completion of the preceding game before a forfeit is declared. Failure to complete a match or teams leaving the field during play will result in forfeiture. No team that has forfeited a game will be declared a wild card or group winner. The team winning by forfeit will be awarded the score 3-0.
Point System
3 points for a win
1 points for a tie
0 points for a loss
Brackets will be formed as applications are sent in. We reserve the right to combine brackets and age groups as needed (only at the U11-U12 age groups). E.g.…C2/C3 brackets could be combined if we don’t have enough teams to make up separate brackets. C3 will not be combined with a C1 bracket. C2 teams might be asked to play in the C1 bracket if not enough teams register for the C2 bracket. There may be multiple brackets for any given level/age/gender depending on number of registered teams.
U9/U10 - Games are played with 6 players a side. There will be no official standings kept and scores for U9/U10 will not be posted. U9/U10 and younger teams cannot participate in a U11 or higher bracket. Each participant will receive an award after completion of play in the tournament. Each team will play 3 games; maximum games per day will be 2. (1 ref/game)
4 teams minimum / 8 teams maximum per bracket
U11/12 - Games are played with 8 players a side. If there are 6 or more teams, the teams will be divided into 2 brackets. Each team in this group will play a minimum of 3 games with a maximum of 2 games per day. The winner of each bracket will play in the championship game. If there are 3 brackets, the winner of each bracket and a wild card team (the team with most points and did not win its bracket) will advance to the semi-final round of play. (3-ref system)
4 teams minimum / 8 teams maximum per bracket
If there are 4 teams in a bracket, the first and second place teams will play for the championship, there will be no 3rd place game. In the event of a tie in the standings, the following procedure will be used to decide a tiebreaker:
1) Highest point total
2) Winner of head-to head competition
3) Most Wins
4) Goal differential (scored goals minus allowed goals); maximum 6 goals per game.
5) Penalty kicks (FIFA laws of the game)
Schedules, Results and Standings
Schedules, results and standings will be posted at tournament headquarters and online periodically throughout tournament
Protests
In matters concerning conduct of the games, all referee decisions are final. No protests are allowed. The tournament committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the tournament and its judgment is final.
Tournament Conduct
Any player receiving a red card will be sent off and not allowed to play in his/her team’s next tournament game.
Any player receiving a red card for violent conduct (fighting) will not be allowed to play in any remaining tournament games regardless of number remaining.
Any player guilty of gross misconduct on tournament grounds will be barred from further competition in the Tournament.
If a coach is out of control, a referee may request the coach to leave before a game continues. If a coach is asked to leave a game, the referee will retain the member’s pass and will send it to the MYSA office along with the appropriate game report. The coach will serve an automatic mandatory two-game suspension.
The issuance of red and yellow cards, and other matters involving the conduct of a team, its players, coaches, or supporters will be recorded and reported as required by US Youth Soccer Tournament Hosting Agreement Rules to the home state association and the MYSA.
All matters involving referee assault (or abuse) shall be referred immediately to the MYSA. Head coaches are responsible for team and spectator behavior. The referee will report problems of improper behavior by coaches, players, and fans to the Tournament Director. This behavior may result in the forfeiture of the game or other appropriate action as deemed necessary by the Tournament Director.
Evidence or reports of fighting, vandalism, damage to property, or theft on tournament grounds, local businesses or lodging may result in team disqualification.
Weather and Cancellations
The tournament follows the MYSA weather guidelines, found on the MYSA website www.mnyouthsoccer.org. Tournament officials reserve the right to shorten and /or cancel games as deemed necessary, if games are stopped due to inclement weather, and cannot be restarted, score at stoppage will be final score. Games that cannot start because of weather conditions will be scored a 0-0 tie. Please check our tournament weather hotline 763-535-5253 for weather updates as needed.
Refunds
Once your registration is received and confirmed, no refunds will be made. Fees are non-refundable if games are cancelled for any reason.
Home Team
The first team listed in tournament booklet is the home team. Each team must wear matching uniforms. Home team must change in case of a color conflict.
Lost and Found
Lost and found will be located at Tournament Headquarters. After the tournament, you may call the MN Thunder Academy West office at 763-535-4536 or write to P.O. Box 41534, Plymouth, MN 55441, to check for lost items. After 30 days items will be donated or thrown away.
Medical Services
It is the responsibility of the team COACH/MANAGER to provide emergency first aid, ice and water for players. Emergency Medical Trainers will be at the tournament.
No Smoking , No Alcohol and No Drugs are allowed at any game site per MYSA rules. Absolutely no alcoholic beverages, drug or tobacco usage is allowed on tournament grounds
No Pets are allowed on the tournament grounds.
MN Thunder Academy West website: www.mnthunderacademy.org
Tournament results will be posted on the website following the tournament weekend.