Eligibility: All teams must be currently registered with their local USSF, USYS state organization. The maximum number of players on a team will not exceed TSSA limits.  No player will be allowed to register with more than 1 team in the same age division. All players (including guest players) must have a valid, laminated, USSF/USYSA player registration card with a current player photo ID. 

The maximum number of players on a team will be:

14 for U-9-U10 (7v7)

16 for U11-U12 (9v9)

22 for U-13 through U-16 (11v11)

22 for U-17 through U19 (11v11)

Refund Policy: Refunds can be given case by case leading up to the "day 14". Retracting from the tournament 14 days before kick forfeits the right to any refund. 

Uniforms and Equipment: All players on a team shall wear identical uniforms (shirts, shorts, & socks). Shirts shall be tucked in at the start of play. The designated “home team” shall wear light-colored uniforms and the designated “visiting team” shall wear dark-colored uniforms. The home team will change to colors distinct from the opponent if necessary. Goalkeeper jerseys must be a different color from the other players/referees. Player numbers must be affixed to the back of the uniform shirt and no two players on the same team shall wear the same number. Shin guards must be worn during all games. No jewelry is to be worn. Playing in a cast is permitted at the referee's discretion. Casts must be covered in bubble wrap or similar material; all equipment is subject to the approval of the referees. The home team will furnish the game ball. The "home team" is the team listed first on the official schedule.

Playing Conditions:  Only the referee or the tournament committee may cancel a match due to weather conditions. In the event of inclement weather, the tournament committee has the authority to reschedule matches and/or cancel the tournament. 

1. If inclement weather causes the referee to stop the match at any time and conditions do not permit the restart of the match within the scheduled time, the score will stand, as it was at the time the game was stopped.
2. If the tournament or any bracket is canceled in its entirety due to inclement weather or other causes beyond the tournament's control, each affected team will be refunded its entry fee of less than $65.  If the tournament or any bracket is canceled prior to the completion of two games for any team, each affected team will receive such a refund as is determined by the tournament director to be equitable.  If a team plays at least two games, no refund will be provided.

Length of Game:

Under 18/19    2-40 minute halves

Under 16-17    2-35 minute halves

Under 13-15    2-30 minute halves

Under 11-12    2-25 minute halves

Under 8-10      2-25 minute halves

Starting Times and Forfeited Games: Teams must check in with the Referee 15 minutes before kickoff.  A ten-minute grace period is allowed before a team forfeits a game. This grace period takes away from the duration of the game. All games must end 10 minutes before the next scheduled match.
 

Start of play: To help keep games on time there will not be a coin toss at the beginning of pool play games. The home team will kick off to begin the first half and will defend the goal in front of their bench. The visiting team will kick off to begin the second half and will defend the goal opposite their bench area. The home team will occupy the bench area to the right of the midfield line and the visiting team the bench area to the left. (Ex. If you are a sub waiting to enter the game the bench area to your right is Home and to your left Visitor.)

Punting the ball

https://app.box.com/s/uh1kdrh36qfavsk4i4xwphcda68k1ovw

U11 9v9 Format No heading is allowed in practice or play. (Indirect Free Kick for deliberately heading the ball) Punting/drop kicking is allowed in the U11 age group. U12 9v9 Format Heading & punting/drop kick is permitted.

• .**US SOCCER CONCUSSION INITIATIVE WILL BE RECOGNIZED IN THE U10 AND U11 DIVISIONS*** No intentional heading will be allowed. If the referee decides, a player has intentionally headed the ball an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred. s) ***NO PUNTING IN THE U10 DIVISIONS***The goalkeeper must roll, throw, or play the ball from the ground to distribute. ?

Substitutions: Substitutions will be allowed with the referee’s consent at the following times:

1. At any stoppage of play as per FIFA laws of the game. By either team.
2. In the event of an injury by either team, a like number of players may be substituted.
3. No substitutions are allowed for a player ejected from the field.
4. In the event, a team must substitute when a player is bleeding or has an open wound, the player may return at the next legal substitution opportunity only after the wound has been properly treated and checked by the referee or assistant referee.
5. All players substituting shall have their jerseys completely tucked in and shall report to the center stripe to await acknowledgment of permission of the Center Referee prior to entering the field of play.
6. No player shall leave the field of play without permission of the Center Referee.

Game Reports: Game reports shall be signed by the referee and one official from each team. At this time, player cards shall be returned to the team coach/official by the referee and the game reports (along with the player cards of any ejected players) shall be turned into the scores table by the Field Marshall as soon as possible. Player cards of any ejected players must be given to the tournament director immediately after the game.
 

Protests: There will be no formal protests allowed. If a coach wishes to file a complaint/voice opinion/concerns, they may do so within 1 hour after the conclusion of the game in question by notifying the Tournament Administration via email ONLY at atomiccitytournament@gmail.com

Referee Abuse: ZERO Tolerance. Any reports of referee abuse happening/happened can result in a forfeit of your game.

 Sportsmanship: Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit and letter of the LAWS OF THE GAME. There shall be no dissent between players and or coaches and the referees. Questioning a referee's call is considered dissent. Coaches are responsible for the actions of spectators and players and are expected to enforce these rules. Referees can issue a caution to the "Bench". A second caution for the same issue may result in a red card or termination of the game.
 

Scoring: Divisional standings will be determined by the following point system:
 Point System:
 1. Divisional winners will be determined by the following 10-point system:

a. Win - 6 points

b. TIE - 3 points

c. Loss - 0 points

d. Shutout - 1 point (in victory only)

e. 1 point per goal up to a maximum of 3 goals. 

Tie Breaking: To determine placement or championship finalist status between two or more teams, the following criteria will be used in the following order.
 

1. Winner of head-to-head competition (not considered in the event of a tie between two or more teams unless one team beat all tied teams);  if still tied then

2. Most wins; if still tied then

3. goal differential; if still tied then

4. Fewest goals allowed; if still tied then

5. Most goals scored; if still tied then

6. Most shutouts; if still tied then

7. Penalty kicks using FIFA rules or coin toss if time does not allow - as determined by the Tournament Director. In the case of three-way tie in points, one team shall be eliminated through the above tiebreaker and then the remaining two shall begin from tiebreaker number one.

For semi-final and final games:

 1.      Two five (5) minute overtime periods. (golden goal)

 2.      If still tied, Penalty kicks (FIFA rules)

Semi-finals and Finals: In games where a winner must be determined on the field (semifinals and finals) there will be a coin toss to begin to play with the visiting team making the call.

Consolation games: Sunday consolation games that do not begin at the scheduled game time will be shortened by 5 minutes per half. This is necessary to keep fields on schedule since any semifinal or final that goes to overtime will play two five-minute overtime periods in their entirety and then, if necessary, go to penalty kicks. We appreciate your understanding.

General Rules: Except as otherwise stated herein, all games shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as observed by USYSA/FIFA. The tournament committee is not responsible for any expense incurred by any team if the tournament is canceled in whole or in part. The Tournament committee will administer the tournament rules as stated, but reserves the right to adjust and/or amend any of these rules as necessary to accommodate any unforeseen problems or circumstances before and during the tournament. All decisions of the tournament director or acting tournament director are final.