2012 21st Annual Rock Soccer Challenge
Hosted by the Little Rock Futbol Club
RULES AND REGULATIONS
LAWS OF THE GAME: Except as modified by these Rules, all games will be played in accordance with the laws of the game observed by USYSA/FIFA.
AGE:
U14 – August 1, 1997 and younger
U13 – August 1, 1998 and younger
U12 – August 1, 1999 and younger
U11 – August 1, 2000 and younger
U10 – August 1, 2001 and younger
U9 – August 1, 2002 and younger
ELIGIBILITY:
(i) Recreational (RT) teams must be currently registered as a Recreational team with its local USYSA affiliated organization.
(ii) Recreational (RT) teams may have no more than 8 players for U8, 12 for U9-10, 16 for U11-U12, and 22 players for U13-U18 teams.
(iii) This tournament is a Restricted tournament for Recreational (RT) teams only. All Recreational teams must be a member of US Youth Soccer.
(iv) Out of state teams must have the “Permission to Travel” form authorized by their governing organization and presented at registration if required by home state rules.
(v) Each team must have a state approved roster, and must produce five (5) copies for the tournament at check-in.
(vi) Teams must have a signed, laminated USYSA player registration card with picture on back for each player, which will be checked against the rosters. Player cards must be retained in the possession of the coach or manager at all times.
(vii) Recreational (RT) are not allowed guest players.
(viii) Players who are dual registered may play for only one team during the tournament which must be designated at the time of check-in. If a player is found to be playing on more than one team, and participates in any game for a second team, all games played by both teams will be considered a forfeit.
GAME LENGTH, BALL SIZE, OVERTIME PERIODS:
AGE DIV. PLAY BALL SIZE GAME LENGTH FINAL O/T
U9/10 6v6 #4 2 x 25 2 x 5 min*
U11/12 8v8 #4 2 x 30 2 X 5 min*
U13/14 11v11 #5 2 X 35 2 X 10 min*
.
There is no overtime for preliminary games.
* For semi-final and final games that are tied after regulation time overtime will be played using “golden” goal. See below for further information on tie-breaker rules for semi-final and final games.
PLAYING CONDITIONS: The playing conditions of the fields at the Burns Park Soccer Complex is determined solely by the staff of the North Little Rock Parks & Rec Department and communicated to the Little Rock Futbol Club in the event of inclement weather. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to shorten games, reschedule games, or end the tournament in the event of inclement weather. Preliminary games terminated after the start of the second half due to weather shall stand. In the event the Tournament is terminated due to weather, the Tournament Committee may or may not determine winners based on number of completed games. Refunds are not available.
UNIFORMS: Players must wear numbers on backs of their shirts. Each player will have a different number that shall coincide with number on the roster. In the event team jerseys are the same or similar color, the home team (listed first on schedule) will change colors. All players’ equipment is subject to referee approval. Shin guards are required and must be worn by every player.
CONDUCT OF PLAYERS, COACHES AND FANS: All players and coaches for each team will occupy the same side of the field and spectators will occupy the opposite side, if possible. Noisemakers will not be allowed at the fields. Consumption of alcoholic beverages on Tournament fields or facilities will not be allowed. Unmanageable behavior will not be tolerated from players, spectators, parents, or team officials. Offenders will be removed from playing area and banned from participation in any manner for remainder of Tournament. Physical attacks on any official will result in the forfeit of all games played, or to be played, as well as forfeit of all Tournament fees. It will be the policy of the Tournament Committee to attempt prosecution of any party physically attacking any official.
TEAM DISCIPLINE: Any player receiving two yellow cards or a red card during a game will be ejected. Ejected players must remove themselves from playing area and are banned from playing next scheduled tournament game. Player card(s) can be picked up at the Tournament Headquarters at the conclusion of the Team’s next game. It is the responsibility of coach to retrieve player card.
1. SUBSTITUTIONS – Substitutions are unlimited and may be made at the following time, with referee’s permission:
(i) After a goal by either team;
(ii) Before a goal kick by either team;
(iii) On throw-ins for team in possession of ball;
(iv) In the event of injury by either team;
(v) A cautioned/yellow-carded player may be substituted before restart of play;
(vi) A red-carded/ejected player may not be substituted.
FOR RECREATIONAL TEAMS - COACHES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ALLOW EACH PLAYER TO PLAY AT LEAST 50% OF EACH GAME, BUT FAILURE TO DO SO IS NOT A VALID BASIS FOR PROTEST OF THE RESULT OF THE GAME.
GAME REPORT: Game reports should be signed by referee and coach or official from the winning team.
FORFEITED GAMES: A team will be allowed a 10 minute grace period from the scheduled start time before the game is awarded to the opponent. A minimum of 7 players constitutes a team in 11 v 11 games. A minimum of 5 players constitutes a team in 8 v 8 games. A minimum of 4 players constitutes a team in 6 v 6 games. A minimum of 3 players constitutes a team in 4 v 4 games. In the event a team forfeits a game, its opponent will be awarded a win with a score of 3-0 and given 3 points. Any team quitting the field of play before the conclusion of game is automatically disqualified from the tournament. Any team causing abandonment will be declared the loser with a 0-3 score. When the situation causing abandonment is such that the tournament officials cannot assign responsibility, both teams shall forfeit with no goals scored and a double loss declared.
TEAM STANDINGS AND TIE BREAKERS: Teams will be awarded points as follows:
WIN – 3 POINTS TIE – 1 POINT LOSS – 0 POINTS
Crossover games will not count in preliminary round standings unless needed to break a tie within the preliminary rounds.
Tie breakers for preliminary round standings listed in priority:
- Head to head competition.
- Goal differential – goals scored minus goals allowed (maximum of +3 or -3 per game).
- Example: 5-1 win = +4 goals but maximum allowed is =3, therefore goal differential is +3.
- 2-7 loss = -5 goals but maximum allowed is -3, therefore goal differential is -3.
- Least goals allowed.
- Team with most shut-outs (0-0 tie is not considered a shut-out).
- Crossover game, if applicable, is introduced and winner will be determined by
- Highest point total from ALL games.
- Tie breakers 1-4
- FIFA kicks from penalty mark in accord with the rules set forth herein.
*In the event of a 3 way tie in preliminary round games, the tie breakers will be followed in order until the team, or teams, to advance is determined. After the first team to advance is determined the remaining teams will continue through the tie breaker rules, from that rule forward, until the next team to advance is determined (i.e.: the two remaining teams will not return to rule number 1 to determine the outcome).
Tie-breakers for semi-final and final games:
1. If a game is tied after regulation, overtime will begin and the outcome will be determined using “golden goal”. Two overtime periods will be played if neither team scores.
2. If still tied after two overtime periods, FIFA penalty mark procedures will be used*.
3. Only players on the field of play at the end of the overtime may participate in the taking of the penalty kicks.
* U8 will not use FIFA penalty mark procedures. If after two overtime periods the score is still tied, the best of 4 kicks taken from the center circle, from each team, taken by players on the field at the end of the overtime period. If still tied, then alternating kicks by cycling back through the players on the field in sudden death until the first team scores when the other team does not. Players may take only one penalty kick each. If still tied after all players on the field at the end of overtime have kicked, then players on the field at the end of overtime will take kicks again in same order.
PROTESTS: All decisions of tournament officials are final; no further protests are allowed.
TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE: LITTLE ROCK FUTBOL CLUB, its Board Members and Tournament Committee are not responsible for any expenses or obligations incurred by any team if the tournament is canceled in whole or in part. The Tournament Committee’s interpretation of the foregoing rules and regulations is final. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide all matters pertaining to the Tournament. No refunds will be made after the lists of accepted teams are posted.