2020 Tournament Rules
All Tournament matches will be played in accord with the Laws of the Game as issued by FIFA and all 11/12 matches will also be played in accord with the Official Modified Rules as issued by USYSA for 11/12 9v9 play. The following NCYSA/HCSA rules supplement the Laws of the Game and the USYSA Official Modified Rules for 11/12 9v9 play. All matches will be played 11v11 for 13/14 play or 9v9 for 11/12 play including a goalkeeper. All games will use a 3-man referee system. A size five (5) ball will be used for 13/14/15 play, and a size four (4) ball will be used for 11/12 play.
- Team Acceptance
- The tournament committee reserves the right to accept or reject any team application.
- Once accepted by the Tournament Committee, the application fee is non-refundable.
- Registration fees which are returned from any bank for any reason will NOT be re -deposited. The amount of the check plus a $25.00 fee (cashier’s check or money order) must be received within 7 days.
- The tournament committee reserves the right to combine Classic, Select, and Challenge teams into a single tournament division.
- Team Registration
- Team Registration is online or Friday night prior to the designated tournament. Request for Saturday morning registration may be available upon special request.
- The following documents are required to be presented at Team Registration prior to tournament participation. These documents are also required for all participants including USYS teams, and US Club/AYSO affiliates. These documents are required to be present at each tournament match and subject to inspection by referees or tournament officials at any time.
- 2019-2020 Original Match Roster AND four (4) copies.
- 2019-2020 Laminated Player and Coach Passes
- Medical Release Forms – Current and completed for every player (NOTE – per North Carolina State Law, if there is a place for notarization on the form, IT MUST BE NOTARIZED. Otherwise, no notarization is required.)
- Notification to Travel – Required for teams from outside of North Carolina. If your state uses e-travel forms or e-roster forms, PRINT THEM OUT AND BRING THEM. We need a hard copy.
- Guest Player Roster AND four (4) copies
- Guest Players must also present a current laminated player pass and current medical release form
- Guest Players
- Maximum number of guest players per team is five (5). Guest players are required to have official documents listed above at team registration. (Guest player roster, laminated player pass, medical release form)
All players on the team roster must be born on or after January 1 in the designated birth year for that age group. Teams must be properly registered and in good standing with their state association.
15s Division
14s Division
13s Division
12s Division
11s Division
- Player Equipment
- Where the color of the jersey is similar or identical, the designated home team will change jerseys.
- All players must have uniforms with individual numbers on the jerseys (excluding goalkeepers).
- No jewelry may be worn by any player.
- Players wearing casts are allowed to play with the approval of the on field referee.
- Shin guards must be worn at all times by all players.
- All referee decisions are final regarding player equipment.
- Substitutions
- Substitutions shall be unlimited, but made only at the following times:
- Goal kick, after a goal, half time, at the beginning of an overtime period, throw in – by team in possession, after a yellow card – for carded player
- An injured player may be substituted for at the discretion of the referee. If a substitution is made for the injured player, the opposing team may also make one substitution (with the referee’s acknowledgement).
- Player, Coach, Spectator Ejection
Any player ejected from a match will not be replaced and will not be allowed to participate in his team’s immediate next match. Ejection for fighting by players and coaches will result in the player or coach not being allowed to participate in any remaining tournament matches. Any coach ejected from a match will not be allowed to coach his/her team in its immediate next match. Each coach is responsible for the conduct of the players and parents on his/her team. Coaches not taking responsibility for their sideline’s conduct may be cautioned and/or ejected.
Coaches, players, or spectators ejected must not be within “sight or sound “of the playing field. In accordance with FIFA rules, only players will be shown a card (yellow or red) when being cautioned or sent off.
Assistant Referee: In the event that two official assistant referees are not available due to absence or extenuating circumstance, each team shall provide a line person for their side of the field. If only two officials appear at a match, the match shall proceed with a club lines-person, at the referee's discretion. All games will use a 3 man referee system, with the club linesman as a last resort.
Seating
Teams will occupy one side of the field with each team between the 18 yard and center lines. Spectators will occupy the opposite side of the field, opposite their team, between the 18 yard and center lines. Any spectator who is not in the appropriate area will be required to move.
Duration of Play
All matches will consist of two equal halves with a five-minute half time interval. Matches may be shortened or canceled at the discretion of the Tournament Director in the event of inclement weather. The tournament does not require the referee to add time for substitutions. The official clock will not stop for any reason unless in the judgment of the referee: Removing an injured player from the field would endanger the physical well-being of the player or: other conditions so warrant in the judgment of the referee. Any game shortened due to injury will be continued or made up at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.
11/12 Divisions – 30 minute halves
13/14 Divisions – 35 minute halves
None allowed.
For all preliminary round matches, ties will stand at the end of regulation. Ties will stand for consolation matches. For both semi-final and championship matches, in the event of a tie, teams will be given a five minute rest and then immediately proceed with two consecutive five minute overtime periods (not sudden death). If the teams are still tied at the end of the two overtime periods, the winner of the match will be determined using the FIFA penalty kick method. Prior to starting the FIFA Penalty Kick method, the referee will ensure each team has the same number of eligible players in the center circle. If one team has finished the game with fewer players than the other, the other team must reduce the number of players eligible to participate in the shootout so that both teams have the same number of players. Only players who are on the field at the end of the second half of overtime are eligible to take penalties.
Procedures for determining advancement:
Each team will play three preliminary round matches.
At the conclusion of all preliminary round matches, the top 2 teams will play a championship match.
Each team will play three preliminary round matches.
At the conclusion of all preliminary round matches, the top 2 teams on points will play a championship match.
- Division with six teams (two brackets of three teams)
Teams A1-A3 will play 3 preliminary round matches against B1-B3.
At the conclusion of all preliminary round matches, all teams will be ranked by points and the top 2 teams will play a Championship match.
- Divisions with seven teams (one bracket of seven teams)
Each team will play minimum of three preliminary round matches.
At the conclusion of all preliminary round matches, the top two teams on points will play a championship match.
- Divisions with eight teams (two brackets of four teams)
Each team will play three preliminary round matches.
At the conclusion of all preliminary round matches, the top team in each bracket will play a championship match.
- Determination of Division Winners
Three points will be earned for a win, one point for a tie and no points are earned for a loss. Any forfeiture will be scored as a 3-0 win with three points awarded to the winner. Where it is required to break a tie for standings within a division or for purposes of determining placement, the following order will be used to determine the winner:
- Head-to-head competition – Except where three teams are tied, in which case head-to-head competition will not be used. NOTE: If standings or placement must continue past 1st place team, then the determination of placement reverts back to head-to-head as first tie-breaker.
- Goal Differential (Maximum of 3 goals per game)
- Least number of goals allowed.
- Most goals scored. (Maximum of 3 goals per game)
- FIFA penalty kicks. If necessary, these penalty kicks will take place immediately prior to the semi-final or championship match.
- In the event of a forfeit, tie breaking rules will only be applied if actually played.
A forfeit shall be awarded if a team is not present and prepared to play within five minutes of the scheduled commencement time. Ten -minute allowance shall be made for semi-final and championship matches. Any team forfeiting a match will not be allowed to play in a semi-final or championship game. It is requested that teams be present 30 minutes in advance of the scheduled commencement of a match to aid in the timely start of play. Seven players constitute a team when playing 11v11. Six players constitute a team when playing 9v9. Forfeits will be scored 3-0.
Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams must appear at the respective field site, ready to play as scheduled. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the match. Only the Tournament Director may cancel or postpone a match. Referees may suspend a match. In the case of severe weather, in his/her discretion, Tournament Directors may cancel any and all games. In case of severe weather that occurs after the beginning of play, the Tournament Director may reduce the length of the match and may discontinue or cancel the game. Should a match be terminated due to weather conditions after 20 minutes of play, the match will be considered official and the score at the time will stand. If a match is terminated prior to 20 minutes of play every attempt will be made to complete the match. However, if necessary other means, determined by the tournament committee, may be used to determine a winner. Referees and field managers will not consider beginning or continuing matches when a lightning storm exists. No refunds will be given in the event of cancellation.
Neither the Tournament Committee, the High Country Soccer Association nor the Tournament Sponsors are responsible for any expenses incurred by any team in the event the tournament is canceled in whole or part or in the event games are discontinued or canceled due to inclement weather, nor will any refunds be made. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide all matters pertaining to the tournament, including canceling the tournament for reasons beyond our control. No refunds will be given in the event of cancellation. The judgment of the Tournament Committee is final. The Tournament Director has authority to make all decisions and these decisions will be final. All referee decisions are final and binding.
Tournament scheduling committee/director has the right to combine age groups in order to form divisions for tournament. Players may only represent 1 team during the event and cannot appear in two games with two different teams
Please remember that the King of the Mountain is dedicated to the development of all athletes participating in the tournament, to good sportsmanship and to the “good of soccer.” The Tournament Director may suspend, without recourse or appeal, any players, coaches, parents, or other persons who demonstrate anything less.
All teams must comply with the 2020 Tournament rules and the Tournament Director’s decisions are final.