Tournament Rules and Regulations

Tournament Rules and Regulations

NORTHWEST OHIO FESTIVAL Indoor SOCCER TOURNAMENT

Tournament Headquarters and Contact Information:

NWOYSL Office

135 Chesterfield Rd. Suite 104,

Maumee Ohio 43537

   Contact Person: Kim Sarmento 419-893-2311 office.

This tournament is open to all properly registered players of all State Associations, US Club Soccer, USSF Affiliates, and foreign teams.

ALL GAMES SHALL BE PLAYED ACCORDING TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME IN EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2010, AS MODIFIED FOR YOUTH PLAY BY USSF AND US YOUTH SOCCER WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS AS FOLLOWS.

1.        TEAM AND PLAYER ELIGIBILITY:

A.      Players must have been born on or after August 1st of the year of the division in which they are participating (U15 Youth Players are the exception, and must be playing in a Youth Division, not High School Teams).

B.       The team must provide a roster (stamped by the League Registrar) from the league in which it regularly plays, and US Youth Soccer Association player passes at the tournament registration. Tournament Registration will be held on Thursday February 9th at the League Office (135 Chesterfield Rd. Suite 104 Maumee Ohio) from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday at the tournament location, during game times. All teams must register 90 minutes prior to their first match.

C.      U-15 teams can only be Youth Players. No High School Teams or Players will be accepted. These U-15 players must be on the official roster with the team they are playing with, and not playing as guest players. No roster changes will be permitted after registration.

D.       Any foreign team applying to the tournament must provide: photo identification cards and a completed form from its Provincial or National Association approving the team’s participation in the tournament.

E.       Each player must provide a notarized medical releases signed by parent or guardian.

2.        GUEST PLAYERS:

A.      A maximum of three (3) guest players may be added to the official roster for a maximum roster size of 12 or 14 players.

B.       Guest players and the team they are playing for must be from the same USSF affiliate (i.e. US Youth Soccer Association teams cannot have guest players from US Club Soccer).

3.        TOURNAMENT GAME FORMAT AND MATCH SCHEDULES:

A.      All teams are guaranteed 3 games during the entire tournament.

B.       Game schedules will be provided following the registration deadline.

C.       Age brackets and team placement are done by the Tournament Committee based in the information provide upon registration to the tournament.

D.      Playing format and roster sizes are as follows:

                            Age Group                            Playing Format                     Maximum Roster Size

                            U-9, U-10, U-11, U-12           7 v 7                                       12

                            U-11, U12                                7v7                                         14

                             U-13, U14/15                         6 v 6                                        14

 

4.        CHECK IN OF TOURNAMENT:

A.      Tournament Registration will be held on Thursday February 17th at the League Office (135 Chesterfield Rd. Suite 104 Maumee Ohio) from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday at the tournament location. All teams must register 90 minutes prior to their first match. Each team must provide:

a.        Two (2) copies of the official Team Roster.

b.       Official photo cards for all players and coaches. 

c.        Notarized medical release for each player.

d.       Travel permit if from outside of Ohio North.

e.        Weekend contact sheet.

The team must furnish its roster (stamped by the League Registrar) from the league in which it regularly plays and US Youth Soccer Association player passes. The roster must be filled in with the player's name and jersey number. At check in you will receive an official tournament roster to be present at all games.

5.        GAME CHECK IN:

A.      Fifteen minutes prior to match time, the approved tournament roster and player passes must be submitted to the Field Marshal or the Referee who will check the roster and passes.

6.        GAME RULES:

A.      FIFA Laws of the game apply. With the following modifications:

1.  The Referee and fouls

a.  The referee helps guide the game by calling fouls and makes calls based on their interpretations of the game. Calls are made to assure fair play and to keep control of the game

b. Simple fouls are fouls that are for illegal procedure and that are unintentional or not interpreted as serious fouls. These include – Holding an opponent, handling the ball (unless by goalkeeper inside goal arch), slide tackling, obstruction, impeding progress of an opponent while not playing the ball, leverage, using the wall or part of the field to gain an advantage, preventing the goalie from releasing the ball.

c.  Simple fouls inside the goal arch, or the goalie picking up a pass back from teammates feet, results in a free kick from the yellow dot on top of the arch. The defense may create a wall, or defend, shots from the goal arch and must be 5 yards away from the ball.

d. Penal fouls are fouls that are considered careless, reckless, serious or involving excessive force and could receive a time penalty. These include kicking, tripping, jumping, charging, striking, elbowing, or pushing an opponent.

e.  Referees may issue Time Penalties. Two minute penalties can be given for serious pr penal fouls, or for unsporting behavior. Time penalties include:

                                                                                             i.      Dissent

                                                                                            ii.      Intentional fouls or Recurring fouls

                                                                                          iii.      Delay of game or Encroachment on restarts

                                                                                          iv.      Taunting opponents and/or foul language

f.   A yellow card is issued for a two minute penalty. Two yellow cards equals a red card (ejection from the game)

g. Players must sit in the penalty box while serving two minute penalties. Teams will play down while player(s) are in the penalty box. Players may re-enter when called on by the referee at the end of two minutes or when a goal is scored. The goalie may have a teammate serve his (her) two minute penalty.

h. If a player or coach receives a red card they must leave the field of play for the remainder of the game. They must also sit out the next match.

i.   Penalty kicks – Intentional or flagrant fouls by the last player between the ball and the goal, or from behind an attacking player may result in a penalty kick.

                                                                                             i.      On a PK the ball is placed on the dot on the yellow line. On the referees whistle the attacker plays the ball forward and may dribble and/or shoot at the goal. The goalie must start on the goal line. All other players line up behind halfway line.

j.   Restarts, or kick-ins, are used to start play after a penalty is called or after the ball hits the net or goes out of bounds. Restarts, or kick ins must be taken within 5 seconds or the ball is awarded to the other team. All restarts are direct free kicks and can be scored directly from the kick.

k.  The defending team must be 5 yards away from the ball on the restart.

2.  Field of play and technical rules

a.  Two teams of up to maximum roster size, play with 6 players (5 + a goalie) for U-13 and older, or 7 players (6+a goalie) for U-12 and under.

b. Games are 35 minutes running clock (no half time)

c.  Games start with a kick off from the center spot by the Home team. Ball may be played forward or backward. The player kicking off may only touch the ball once before another player touches the ball. Contacting the ball twice results in a re-kick.

d. There is NO sliding by field players. No sliding means not even when sliding for a ball when there is not another player close by. Goal keepers may slide if it is save and they may not have cleats up or tackle over the ball.

e.  There is no offside rule; however the ball may not be played forward in the air oer the three lines on the field without the ball touching another player or part of the field including the wall or a referee. If a three line pass occurs the ball is plaved on the center dot of the yellow line closest to where the ball was played.

f.   Out of bounds – the ball is considered out of bounds when it hits the net or part of the player bench over the wall.

g. The ball is plaved below the area where the ball went out unless the ball is in the defensive third of the field

h. If the ball hits the net in the defensive third and is last touched by a defensive player and the ball is moved to the white dot on the yellow line. If the ball is last touched by an offensive player the ball is played as a goal kick or spot where the ball went out, if further from the goal.

i.   2 – point goal A goal scored from behind the yellow line is ruled a two point goal

j.   Any team down 5 goals may add an extra player

3.  The tournament committee reserves the right to adjust rules and/or game lengths at any time before or during the tournament.

 

 

7.        MATCH LENGTH AND BALL SIZES:

Age Group

Duration

Ball Size

U-9*, U-10, U-11, U-12

35 minute

# 4

U-13, U-14, U15 Youth

35 minute

# 5

 

 

 

        *U-9 will play two 15 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime

A.      Ties in preliminary matches will stand.

B.    For all Championship games where a winner must be determined there will be a 5-minute "Golden-Goal" overtime period with a coin toss to decide kick-off/direction. The first team to score in overtime is the WINNER. If no teams has scored in the 5 minute overtime, the winner shall be decided in a Penalty Kick shootout with a coin toss to decide team kicking order. 5 Players from each team will be selected to participate in the kicks, alternating teams with each kick. The first round of shootouts will consist of each player kicking once (Round of 5 players shooting for each team) The team with the most goals after the first round will be considered the winner. If the score remains tied after the first round of penalty kicks, the same players will alternate in the same order in a sudden death penalty kick format until one team’s score is unanswered. Kicks for U9 & U10 players will be taken from the "white dot" on top of the goal area arc, for U11 & up it will be taken from the Yellow dot. Players may shoot from the spot of the start or dribble in and take a shot. Once the player taking the kick touches the ball the goalie may come off the goal line to defend. Once the goalie blocks or steals the ball the kick is ended with no goal awarded.

NOTE: The game clock will not be stopped because of injury to any player unless, at the discretion of the Referee, medical personnel must remove the injured player from the field. Due to the time allowed for the completion of all games, the clock must run continuously. Not more than ten minutes will be added to the clock.

8.        MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS:

A.      To constitute a game, each team (U-13 through U-15 Youth) must have a minimum of five (5) registered players on the field (one of whom is the goalie) at all times.  Each team (U-9, U-10, U-11and U-12) must have a minimum of five (5) players on the field (one of whom is the goalie) at all times.

9.        GAME BALL:

A.      Game ball will be round and made of leather or another FIFA approved material.

B.       The home team will provide a game ball. 

C.       The Referee will make the final decision as to which ball to use.

10.     UNIFORMS:

A.      The first team listed on the schedule is designated the HOME TEAM.

B.       In the case of uniform conflict, the Home Team will be responsible for changing to a different color. Each team must bring two jerseys of contrasting colors.

C.       No two uniforms on the same team may have the same number.

D.      Uniform number must match numbers indicated on the tournament roster.

E.       Players are to wear shin guards with socks pulled up over them.

F.       Players' shirts are to be tucked into shorts.

G.       No sweat pants or warm ups are to be worn under soccer shorts during game play.

H.      If a player has a cast, the cast must be covered in a protective wrap for play and approved by the Referee of that game.

I.         There will be no jersey sharing permitted.

11.     SUBSTITUTIONS:

A.      Substitutions may be made as follows:

        Substitutions occur freely or at anytime. The player coming on the field must wait for the player coming off the field to be within 5 yards of the box and should wait until the player is off if the ball is in the area.

12.     SPECTATORS & COACHES / MANAGERS:

A.      Spectators are allowed ONLY on one side of the field. During play, both teams will be benched on the same side of the field, split at the halfway line, opposite the spectators. Only three coaches, on the team’s roster, are allowed with the team. Coaches must stay in the marked areas.

13.     CONDUCT:

A.      Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in the spirit of the law as well as the letter of the law.

B.       Any player or coach ejected from a game will be ineligible to participate in, at least, the next scheduled game. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to take additional disciplinary actions if necessary.

C.       A Referee or a Field Marshal can remove any coach or fan that is disturbing a match being played. If Coaches or fans refuse to leave, the game will be forfeited.

D.      If a player or coach receives a red card during the tournament, that person must sit out for their next scheduled game. A player/coach may agree to appear before the Tournament Committee to be reinstated. Receipt of a second offense may result in ineligibility to finish the tournament.

E.       The Tournament Committee reserves the right to contact the player’s own state association if the disciplinary action requires it. If this is a foreign team’s player, the tournament committee will notify the US Soccer Federation and the Federation will transmit the disciplinary action to his or her provincial or national association.

F.       Follow all park rules while at the park.

14.     FORFEITS:

A.      Failure to complete a match, or a team leaving the field during play, will result in forfeiture.

B.       Teams not having the minimum required players (see Rule #8) will result in a team forfeit.

C.       Failure of a team to show up by game time will result in a forfeit.

D.      No team that has forfeited a game will be declared a group winner.

E.       The team winning by forfeit will be awarded the average number of goals they score in their other games, rounded down to the nearest integer. The forfeiting team’s score will be zero. This score will be the official score in case goal differential is necessary.

F.       Tournament officials reserve the right to decide all matters concerning a forfeit.

15.     BLOOD RULE:

A.      Any player who is bleeding and/or has blood on any part of the uniform will be sent off the field by the referee. A substitution can be made. The player sent off may return once the bleeding is stopped and/or bandaged. The affected uniform must be changed or cleaned before player re-enters the game.

16.     TOURNAMENT STANDINGS:

A.      Division standings or play-off positions will be determined as follows for U-10 through U-15 Youth ages (U-9 teams receive only participation awards and scores are not recorded):

a.         Most points: Three (3) for a win, one (1) for a tie, zero (0) for a loss.

b.        Winner of the match between the tied teams (not applicable if the tie involves more than two teams).    

c.         Greater goal differential (four goals maximum per game, negative 4 minimum).

d.        Fewest goals against.

e.         Most goals scored (maximum of four per game).

f.         Coin toss or penalty kick elimination (as determined by the Tournament Committee).

17.     REFEREES:

A.      All Referees must have current certification through the Federation and be able to produce a registration card, if asked.

B.       Referees will wear the standard uniform or uniform provided by the tournament committee.

C.       Game cards must be marked with any disciplinary actions that took place during the game or any cancellation of play.

18.     FIELD MARSHAL:

A.      A Field Marshal will be used to help facilitate a timely schedule of games.

B.       The Field Marshal will have a radio communication base to the tent in the case of an injury or if medical attention is needed.

C.       The Field Marshal will assist the referees with pre-game team check-ins and with reporting scores.

19.     MATCH AND SCORE REPORTING:

A.      All Referees will be handed an official game card before their scheduled match by the Referee Assignor.

B.       All Referees will be responsible for final scores and ensuring that game situations are clearly marked on the cards.

C.       Both coaches must sign the game card before the referee returns the game card to either the main tent.

   20. Tournament delays

A. the Tournament Committee will coordinate stoppage of play. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to make whatever adjustments may be necessary in game length to proceed with the schedule following delay(s).

   21.     PROTEST AND APPEALS:

A.   All decisions from the referees are final. There will be no protest referring to a referee judgment call.

B.   Only challenges as to the legality or eligibility of players/teams and or coaches are permitted as outlined in above sections. No other appeals will be accepted or heard.

C.   The decision of the Tournament Committee is final. 

22.     Tournament/Division Cancellation-Refund Policy:

A.      If the tournament or a division is cancelled, each team affected may receive a refund of the registration fee.

B.       There will be no refunds for teams that drop out of the tournament after the tournament registration deadline.

C.       No refund will be made in the event of cancellation or shortening of any matches due to inclement weather or other conditions beyond the control of the Tournament Committee.

D.     We reserve the right to combine age groups if necessary.

   23. OTHER: No swearing or alcohol is permitted at any time during the tournament.