Registration & Check In
The Rush Cup is an unrestricted tournament open to teams age U8-U15 in good standing with their State and National associations.
Teams will be required to provide a copy of the state roster, evidence of an official state player pass for each player unless an exception has been granted by the Tournament Director. A waiver form signed by each child’s parent, evidence of an official Medical Release Form, and, in the case of out-of-state teams, a copy of their official state Permission to Travel Form.
All teams will check-in online using the Soccer In College tournament website.
Club passing guest players: Any guest players must be registered with the club of the team with which they are playing. Guest players are also required to have evidence of an official state player pass, an official Medical Release Form, and a waiver form signed by a parent.
Eligibility
All players must be born in the year of their age group classification, or in a later group. Teams must be properly registered and in good standing with their state, national and regional associations. Each player shall possess a valid pass from his or her national association and a medical release form.
All guest players must meet the following criteria -
- Must be registered and possess a valid player pass or birth certificate. May not play on more than one team entered in the tournament
- Must be identified on the tournament roster.
- U8-U12 are allowed 3 guest players.
- U13 and above are allowed 5 guest players
Tournament Match Laws
Except as otherwise provided herein, the FIFA "Laws of the Game" as amended where appropriate by Georgia Soccer or US Soccer (including restrictions on heading at U11 and below, and the build-out line for all 7v7 games) shall apply to all tournament matches. There will be no "coin toss" to begin each game. The home team will have kickoff in the first half and the away team will have kickoff in the second half.
NOTE: For the 5v5 divisions the midfield line will be the build-out line. The defending team players must retreat behind the midfield line on attacking team goal kicks.
Uniforms
The team listed as the home team will wear their light color uniforms and the away teams their darker colored uniforms. In the event of a color conflict, the home team is responsible to change uniforms.
Player Equipment
- Shinguards are mandatory.
- All players except the goalkeeper must have uniform with individual numbers on the jersey
- If the jersey color is similar or identical, the designated home team shall change jerseys
- Wrapped casts may be worn IF APPROVED BY THE REFEREE
- No jewelry or watches are to be worn
- No article which the referee deems dangerous or harmful in any way may be worn
Roster Limits
Maximum roster size is -
- 10 for teams playing 5v5
- 14 for teams playing 7v7
- 18 for teams playing 9v9
- 22 for teams playing 11v11
Substitutions
- Unlimited substitutions at all age groups and all levels
- Substitutions can occur at any stoppage for either team with the referee’s consent
- Substitutions should be made at the middle of the field and the player should not enter the field until the player he is replacing has stepped off the field of play. Players coming off the field shall do so at the nearest exit point of the field
Match Duration
The duration of the preliminary group, semifinal and final matches will be as follows
AGE Preliminary Matches
U13-15 60 Minutes – 2 x 30 minute halves
U11-12 60 Minutes – 2 x 30 minute halves
U8-10 50 Minutes – 2 x 25 minute halves
Fouls, Misconduct & Ejections
Any player, coach or parent ejected from a match will not be able to participate or attend their team's next match at the tournament. An ejection for fighting or violent conduct will prohibit the player, coach or parent from participating or attending any remaining matches at the tournament.
If a player has accumulated three cautions, he/she will be suspended from play for the next match. Each coach is responsible for the conduct of his/her team's parents and spectators.
Division Format
Division of 4 Teams: A single group of four teams will play a round-robin format. The two teams with the most points will advance to the final.
Divisions of 6 Teams: Teams will be divided into two 3-team groups. Each team plays games against teams from the other group. The two teams with the most points will advance to a final regardless of their group
Divisions of 8 Teams: Teams will be divided into two 4-team groups with each team playing three matches within its group. The top team with the most points in each group will advance to the final.
Division Standings
The division standings will be determined as follows -
- Win - 3 points
- Tie - 1 point
- Loss - 0 points
Ties will stand (no overtime) for round-robin group matches. Should a final match end in a tie, teams will proceed directly with FIFA ‘kicks from the mark' shoot-out. Only players on the field at the end of regulation will be eligible for the shoot-out.
If at the end of the preliminary group matches a tie in the standings exists, the following criteria
shall be used to determine the group winner -
Tie-Breaker Sequence
- Head-to-Head
- Goal Difference (+-5 per game)
- Goals Against (max 5 per game)
- Goals For (max 5 per game)
- Most Shutouts
- FIFA Kicks from the Mark to take place immediately prior to the finals or at an earlier time if coordinated with the Tournament Director through the field marshal.
If more than two teams are tied, criteria 1 will not be used. The remaining criteria will be applied until a team is eliminated, at which point the sequence will revert to tie-breaker #2 to continue the process until 1 team remains. This team will be declared the division winner.
Forfeits
A forfeit shall scored as a 5-0 loss. A forfeit will be declared if a team is not present and prepared to play within 10 minutes of its scheduled match time. A 15-minute grace period shall be given for play-off matches only. A team that forfeits any match will lose all opportunities to advance to the finals. Each team playing 11v11 will need a minimum of 7 players for a game to commence. Teams playing 9v9 will need a minimum of 7 players for a game to commence. Teams playing 7v7 will need a minimum of 5 players for a game to commence. Players arriving late must check in with the tournament officials prior to entering the field.
Inclement Weather
Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams should appear on the field of play and be ready to play as scheduled unless otherwise notified by tournament representatives. Failure to appear at the match site will result in forfeiture of the match. Only referees, Venue Managers, and the Tournament Director can postpone a match. The Tournament Director has the authority to cancel or shorten a match. Should a match's progress be terminated due to weather conditions after one half has been completed, the match will be considered “official”, and the score at the time will stand. Referees or Venue Managers should not consider beginning or continuing matches if there is lightning. If a championship match cannot be played because of poor weather conditions, points accumulated in previous matches or penalty kicks may be chosen at discretion of the Tournament Director to determine the division winner.
Match Termination
A match is considered “official” if one half has been completed. However, should a match be terminated for any reason other than inclement weather or poor field conditions, the Tournament Director will review the referee's report and any other information available in order to render a decision.
Protests
No protests will be considered.
Disclaimer
Neither the Tournament Committee, Rush Union Soccer Academy, the Tournament Sponsors, or their agents and representatives are responsible for any expenses incurred by any team in the event the tournament is cancelled in whole or part, or in the event games are discontinued or cancelled due to inclement weather or adverse field conditions. In the event the tournament is completely cancelled due to weather or other natural cause, teams may receive a partial refund of their entry fee. The amount will be determined once tournament expenses and other charges have been calculated. If the tournament has commenced, and a team has played at least one of its scheduled games, no refunds will be issued. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide all matters pertaining to the tournament. 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. Note: Your online application constitutes agreement with these rules and paragraphs above