1. FIFA / Laws
All Tournament matches will be played in accord with the Laws of the Game as issued by FIFA. The following NCFC Youth rules supplement the Laws of the Game. In the event of any rules dispute during the event, the NCFC Youth rules of the game will be the rules of record during the tournament.
The following rules have been designed to ensure fair play for all participants. Each player is expected to understand these rules prior to their participation in the tournament. Any questions concerning these rules should be directed to the Tournament Director.
Teams will be placed into divisions based upon age, gender and playing experience. Any team or player determined by the Tournament Director to have falsified age or skill level will be dismissed from the tournament. Teams that span more than one age group will be placed into the division of the oldest player on the team.
2. Team Acceptance
a) The tournament committee reserves the right to accept or reject any team application.
b) Once accepted by the Tournament Committee, the application fee is non -refundable.
a) All teams are required to check-in before tournament play begins.
b) Participation 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 in the CASL office within 7 days.
Player Registration: The NCFC Youth Medical release form will act as team roster. This must be completed and signed by all players, or parent/guardian for youth players. Teams cannot add players after their first game has been started. Any team or player determined by the Tournament Director to have falsified age, identity or skill level will be dismissed from the tournament. Tournament officials have the right to demand proof of age for any player included on the roster.
3. Roster and Player Documentation
a) Each team must be prepared to present player proof of age in the event a player’s age is questioned. For Youth players copies of their birth certificate or passport will be required. For players 16 and over a Valid NC driver’s license is sufficient. We cannot accept USYS/NCYSA player cards as proof of age.
b) Complete rosters with date of birth must be certified by an Adult team manager/coach at check-in. Each team shall provide five completed rosters at check-in. Match roster must be provided to the referees prior to each match.
c) Roster and player documentation may be inspected at any time during the tournament.
d) A Completed Medical Release form must be signed by all participants.
e) All teams will comply with the Tournament rules and the Tournament Director’s decisions are final.
4. Number of Players: Eight is the maximum number of players on a team: four field players and four substitutes. (A team must have a minimum of 4 field players). Players may only play on one team per division. There are no goalkeepers in 4v4.
5. Coed (Adult) Rules: A coed team consists of a combination of male and female players. During play, there must be at least one female player on the field at all times. Teams that have only one female will forfeit their remaining games if the female participant is no longer able to participate.
6. Eligibility
All players will follow the USYS age guidelines for the current playing season. The age group of each team is determined by the birth date of the oldest player on the roster. AGE DETERMINATION: The player’s playing age is determined by the following guidelines:
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Age Division
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Birth Year Range
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Maximum Roster
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U19 Division
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2005-2006
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8
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U17 Division
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2007
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8
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U16 Division
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2008
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8
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U15 Division
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2009
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8
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U14 Division
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2010
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8
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U13 Division
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2011
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8
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U12 Division
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2012
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8
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U11 Division
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2013
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8
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U10 Division
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2014
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8
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| U8-U9 Division |
2015-2016 |
8 |
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7. Player Equipment
a) All teams will play with an age appropriate size soccer ball.
b) Where the color of the jersey is similar or identical, the designated home team (the team listed first in the schedule) will change jerseys.
c) No jewelry may be worn by any player (earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.)
d) Players wearing casts are allowed to play with the approval of the referee.
e) Shin guards must be worn at all times by all players.
f) Medical ID bracelets must be taped.
g) All referee decisions are final regarding player equipment.
8. Substitutions
Substitutions shall be unlimited, Substitutions may be made “on the fly” at mid-field. All age groups will have unlimited substitutions and players may re-enter the game. The substitute must wait until the player is at the midfield line and touch line before entering the field. Player must tag the substitute at the midfield/touch line intersection.
9. 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.
10. Seating
Teams will occupy one side of the field with each team between the end line and center lines. Spectators will occupy the opposite side of the field, opposite their team, between the end line and center lines.
11. Game Duration:
a) The game shall consist of two 12-minute halves separated by a two minute halftime period OR the first team to reach 12 goals, whichever comes first.
b) A coin toss will determine direction and possession before the start of the game. Games tied after regulation play shall end in a tie.
c) There are no timeouts and the game clock does not stop in 4v4 games.
A team, at the discretion of the referee, will forfeit at game time if they are not present. The tournament does not require the referee to add time for substitutions. The official clock wi ll 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 direction in of the Tournament Director.
The referee has the official time on the field and holds the right to take necessary action if he/she feels that a team is delaying the game.
12. Field Dimensions: The playing field is approximately 40 yards long by 30 yards wide for all ages.
13. Ties
In all matches ties will stand at the end of regular play. 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 that will only be stopped if a team reaches 12 goals. In that case, the team to have scored 12 goals will be the winner of the game. 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 shootout, the referee must ensure that 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.
14. Alternate Rules of Play: Kick Offs / Kick Ins / Direct and Indirect Kicks / Goal Kicks / Penalty Kicks:
a) KICK OFF: May be kicked in any direction. You cannot score directly from a kick off (ball must be 100% over the mid- line to be considered on the offensive half of the field). The kick off is an indirect kick.
b) KICK-INS: The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline, rather than thrown in. The ball is considered in play when the ball is touched and changes position. This is an indirect kick, and a goal cannot be scored from this kick.
c) DIRECT & INDIRECT KICKS: All dead-ball kicks (kick-ins, kick-offs, free kicks) are indirect with the exception of corner kicks and penalty kicks. Indirect kicks must only change position before the ball will be considered in play. If a free kick is awarded within five yards of the opposing goal box, the ball will be moved back to five yards from the box.
It is the referee’s discretion where the ball will be placed.
d) GOAL KICKS: May be taken from any point of the end line. All Goal Kicks are indirect kicks.
e) PENALTY KICKS: Shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by an infraction (the infraction does not automatically result in a red card). Penalty kicks are DIRECT kicks taken from the center of the mid-line with all players (on both teams) behind the mid-line. Penalty kicks are dead ball infractions. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick.
f) Five Yard Rule: In all dead-ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defensive player’s goal is closer than five yards, the ball shall be played five yards from the goal box in line with the
direction of play prior to the penalty.
g) Slide Tackles. Slide Tackles to attempt to strip a ball from an attacker are not allowed at any age. Indirect kick at the spot of the foul or as directed by INDIRECT FREE KICK rule.
h) Offside. No offside will be called.
i) Heading. At U12 and below, players are prohibited from heading the ball. Violation of this rule will result in an indirect kick at the spot of the foul