PRE-GAME PROCEDURE
Tournament officials shall examine and verify all credentials at initial registration or on the fields prior to the first game.
In no event will a player be allowed to participate who has not been certified by the tournament officials.
A player who arrives at the playing field after the pre-game procedure may enter the game once the game official(s) verify the player is eligible and with permission of the center referee.
Only at the pre-game procedure may a player be challenged by an opposing manager/coach. Challenged player(s) will be noted by the referee on the game report and will be allowed to participate in the game if said player has been certified as eligible by the tournament committee. A late arriving player may be challenged at the time he/she is allowed to participate by the center referee.
Each manager/coach or assistant must be listed on the roster or tournament game card. If a manager/coach is sent off, an assistant may conduct the team. If the assistant is also sent off, or if there is not an assistant, the game will be forfeited. In no case will a team be allowed to participate without a properly registered coach, assistant or responsible adult.
LAWS OF THE GAME
All games shall be in accordance with the FIFA “Laws of the Game” and we will abide by all ASSA Rules with the exceptions specifically modified below:
LAW I ~ The field of play will be in accordance with ASSA Laws.
LAW II ~ The Ball ~ The size of the ball will be as follows:
Age Group Size Circumference Weight
U9 – U/12 # 4 25-26 inches 11-13 oz
U13 and up # 5 27-28 inches 14-16 oz
LAW III ~ Number of Players
11 on the field for U-13 & Above
9 on the field for U-11 and U-12(also 11v 11)
7 on the field for U-10
7 on the field for U-9
Substitutions shall be unlimited. Substitutions may be made only upon proper notification of the referee through the assistant referees and with the referee’s permission
LAW IV ~ Player’s Equipment
Player’s equipment shall meet these additional requirements:
1. All players must wear shin guards (under the socks).
2. Teams must wear uniforms of a matching design and color, with numbers on the back.
3. In the event of similar team colors, the designated home team (first listed on the schedule) will be required to change to a color accepted by the referee. Alternate jerseys need not be numbered.
4. The uniform or jersey of a goalkeeper must be distinctly different in basic color(s) of either competing team or that of the Referee and may or may not be numbered.
5. All players shall conform to ASSA rules concerning player equipment.
6. Players wearing an orthopedic cast shall not be eligible to participate in any game. Orthopedic soft braces may be allowed if:
a. The player has a written statement from a physician stating that he/she feels the brace is necessary and that no further injury is likely to occur to the joint which is supported by the brace, and
b. The parent has signed a waiver to free ASSA and MBS of any claim against ASSA, MBS or their insurance companies in case of further injury to the joint protected by the brace.
LAW V ~ Referees
Following the game, the referee shall complete the tournament game card(s), both coaches are required to sign the game cards/report(s). In the event the assigned referee fails to appear, the referee coordinator will assign an alternate. The game will be played as scheduled and will be deemed official. Coaches must double check all signed game cards. There will only be Center referees for 6 v 6 games
LAW VI ~ Assistant Referees
Two assistant referees will be used. In the event the assigned assistant referees fail to appear, the referee coordinator will assign suitable alternates. The game will be played as scheduled and will be deemed official.
LAW VII ~ Duration of the Game
The duration of the game will be as follows: The start of games will not be delayed under any circumstance
Challenge/Preliminary Final/Championship Final/Championship
Game Time Game Time Overtime
Age Group (minutes) (minutes) (minutes)
U/9-U10 2 x 20= 40 2 x 20= 40 no overtime- straight to PK's
U11-U12 2 x 25= 50 2 x 25=50 No overtime- straight to Pk's
U/13-U/14 2 x 30=60 2 X 30=60 No overtime- straight to Pk's
U/15-U16 2 x 35 = 70 2 X 35 = 70 No overtime- straight to Pk's
U17-U18 2 X 40= 80 2 X 40 =80 No overtime- straight to Pk's
No Overtime periods = STRAIGHT TO PKS
LAW VIII through LAW XVII
Determination of Semi-Final and Final Game Winners:
In semi-final head-to-head competition, if the game is not decided after full time, overtime will not be played. The game will be decided by FIFA penalty kicks from the mark. In final matches, if the game is not decided after full time, overtime periods will be played to completion. If the game is still not decided after overtime, the winner will be decided by FIFA penalty kicks from the mark.
Tie-Breakers
In the instance where two or more teams are tied on points, the below system willl be used to determine group winner or advancement.
-Head to Head
-Goal Differential (total goals scored-total goals allowed)
-Least Goals Allowed
-Total Goals Score
-Kicks From the Mark
*In the instance where 3 or more teams are tied on points we will use the above system to eliminate teams. Once a team is eliminated the tie breaker system starts back at the top of the list*
CONTROL OF THE SIDELINES
Players, reserve players, managers, coaches, assistant coaches, and fans are expected to conduct themselves within the letter and spirit of the LAWS OF THE GAME. The tournament officials have the authority to remove any person or persons from the tournament for abuses of good conduct, in addition to any specific disciplinary action brought about by any other authority. In addition to the rules of good manners, the following rules will apply in the tournament:
a. The site director will designate one sideline to be for the use of the players listed on the game rosters and two managers/coaches from each team. One team will occupy one side of mid-field, with the other team occupying the opposite side of mid-field.
b. The site director will designate the opposite sideline for spectators and fans.
c. Managers/coaches are responsible for the behavior of their fans.
POST GAME PROCEDURE
Coaches are required to sign both game cards after the referee completes the game report. We ask that, as a mutual courtesy, both teams congratulate each other for a game well played.
a. Manager/coach of both teams will ensure that their sideline area is clean and that all trash is in containers.
b. Referees will complete the referee game report legibly and return it to the Headquarters Tent
c. Referees will deliver the game card of any player or coach who was sent off with a disciplinary report to Tournament Headquarters.
DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE
The discipline committee shall be selected by the tournament director and consist of no less than three members. The discipline committee will review and rule on all reports of unacceptable behavior and conduct by players, managers, coaches, assistant coaches, referees, spectators, etc.
Notwithstanding rules of this committee:
a. All players and managers/coaches shall be subject to ASSA rule - Misconduct.
b. A player or manager/coach ejected will have an automatic one (1) game suspension (minimum) regardless of the cause of the ejection.
c. Depending on the severity of the unacceptable conduct, the Discipline Committee may recommend suspension of up to the duration of the tournament with further disciplinary action by the appropriate state or national associations. The Discipline Committee’s recommendations must be available to the affected parties no later than prior to their next scheduled game.
d. Immediately upon the conclusion of the tournament, any retained player passes, along with a completed game report and the Discipline Committee’s action must be forwarded to the ASSA State Office (or other state office as required).
FORFEITS
Failure to meet the scheduled play will automatically be recorded as a 3-0 loss on that team’s tournament record. A team that leaves the field of play, prior to the completion of a match, shall automatically have the game recorded as a loss on its tournament record and the opposing team will be credited with a victory, with the score designated by the tournament committee, after a review of the circumstances.
PARENTS
Parents must refrain from entering the soccer field at all times. Parents may only watch from the opposite side of the field from team and players. Any bad behavior as a zero tolerance and will be asked to leave facility
PROTESTS
There will be no protests.
EXTERNAL CONDITIONS, WEATHER, ETC.
In the event unusual conditions necessitate rescheduling, curtailment or cancellation of games, the tournament committee shall have absolute authority to make any changes to best serve the interests of the tournament as a whole, keeping in mind the need to successfully identify winners by a certain time period. Games which have been started, then must be stopped due to inclement weather, will be deemed complete if they cannot be restarted prior to the next scheduled game start time, provided that one half has been played.
AWARDS CEREMONY
Immediately following the completion of each championship game, the two teams will present themselves at the awards tent located at the Tournament Headquarters. In divisions where the champion and runner-up are decided on points, awards will be given out at the earliest possible time that a champion and runner-up can be identified. The champion and runner-up in each division will receive a team award. Players on those teams will receive individual awards.
GENERAL
A. The tournament committee, tournament sponsors, and/or MBS will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team due to the cancellation in part or in whole of this tournament.
B. The tournament committee’s interpretation of the foregoing rules and regulations shall be final.
C. The tournament director reserves the right to decide all tournament matters.