Southwest Soccer International Classic Tournament Rules

This tournament shall be played under F.I.F.A. rules as modified by CYSA-South and herein for youth competition. All games will adhere to the rules set forth with the following additions/clarifications:

Decisions relating to the interpretation of the Tournament Rules can only be made by the Tournament Director.

Tournament Director may delegate authority to Field Marshall if Tournament Director is not present at game site.

Disputes relating to the interpretation of these rules will be resolved with the administrators/coaches that are registered with the involved team(s). Individuals may not represent a team if not registered as an administrator/coach with the involved team(s).

All decisions, judgments, calls of tournament referees and Tournament Director or designated Field Marshall are final. No protests will be allowed.

FIFA limited substitutions will apply in divisions involving more than one foreign team in the U16-U19 age group categories. Only five (5) substitutions shall be allowed in each game. After leaving the game, the substituted player shall not be allowed to re-enter the game. This substitution rule will be enforced in the appropriate age divisions.

Eligibility

Teams will play in age brackets for 2003-2004 season. May use 2003-2004 current player's passes and medical releases or 2003-2004 player passes and medical releases.

U9 & U10 ages will play 8v8 with no exceptions.

Teams must be affiliated with F.I.F.A. and/or USSF. Players and coaches must have laminated cards.

Unlimited loan players will be permitted with a maximum roster size of U9 & U10 (14 players) or U11-U19 (18 players) with loan papers, if applicable.

All teams outside of CYSA - South will need proper travel papers.

Registration

Teams will register at mandatory registration the evening prior to the start of the tournament.

There will be no additions to the team roster after the team registers. Player cards or medical releases may be accepted later by Field Marshall but only if player is listed on the official team roster at registration.

At registration, a complete and signed Team Roster must be submitted by the Coach or Manager who must certify that all players are F.I.F.A. and/or USSF 2003/2004 registered.

Laminated player cards with the player's signature (for States that require signatures) and photo of all players and medical release forms will be required at registration and at the start of each game.

Check-in

Teams will check-in 30 minutes prior to game time at game site. Field Marshals will check in all teams and referee will hold player ID cards during match. The Field Marshall will collect match cards, which must be signed by the Coach or Team Administrator.

Conduct

The following rules of conduct apply:

All coaches have complete responsibility for the conduct of their players, bench, friends, and spectators, at all times.

If, in the opinion of game officials, a game must be terminated for misconduct of players, bench or spectators, the offending team can be suspended from further play and forfeit that game and all remaining games. In this event, all previous points earned remain as played.

Any player or coach ordered from the field of play (RED CARD) will not be allowed to participate in the next match as a minimum; and if violent conduct occurs, the player or coach may be ejected for the remainder of the tournament at the discretion of the Tournament Director. Two YELLOW cards during match shall be ejected for remainder of the match and may serve a one game suspension at the discretion of the Tournament Director. A one point deduction will be given to the offending team for each red card (double yellow included).

Disciplinary measures imposed by this tournament organization for inappropriate behavior shall be limited to placing restrictions upon an individual player, coach and spectator or team's participation in the tournament. Such disciplinary action will be as determined by and at the discretion of the Tournament Director or designated Field Marshall and can include exclusion from further tournament participation

Any cards issued will be reported to CYSA-S in tournament report and thereby to the home club/league of the player, coach, team or supporters involved, except that all matters involving a referee assault shall, in accordance with USSF Rule II08, be referred immediately to the CYSA-S. The home state association and the home club/league of the player, coach, team or supporters shall, except in the case of referee assault, have the responsibility for imposing, should the circumstances warrant additional sanctions, within their respective jurisdictions, with regard to matters arising from the tournament.

All players are required to use shin guards at all times. No shin guards - No play!

No player may compete in the Tournament on more than one team.

Competition Format

Home teams are listed first and will choose sides in case of a conflict. The home team will change jerseys in case of a color conflict.

All games will begin on time. A forfeit will be declared if a team cannot field a minimum of seven (7) players at start time.

Preliminary round game times may be varied by the referees to maintain game start schedules. These games may end in a tie.

Quarterfinal and semifinal games ending in a tie, after regulation time, will go immediately to F.I.F.A. kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner.

All games will consist of the following periods with a five (5) minute half time:

Championship games ending in a tie, after regulation time, will have two five (5) minute overtime periods with Golden Goal victory (the first team to score, in overtime, wins the match). If still tied, teams will go to F.I.F.A. kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner.

In case of inclement weather or field conditions, games may:

• Be shortened
• Go to F.I.F.A. kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner
• Be canceled
  

Games for U9-U12 will use an official size #4 ball. Games involving U13 - U19 will be played with an official size #5 ball.

Teams will be grouped into divisions according to age and gender and will play all their games within their assigned divisions. Younger players or teams may elect to play in older divisions.

Teams/players will compete based on CYSA-S 20302/2004 age.

All teams will play 3 games unless the scheduled games are reduced or shortened due to rain, unforeseen circumstances or acts of God.

The Tournament reserves the right to alter the game formats to enhance competition and to improve the overall quality of the Tournament.

Teams will compete in Six, Eight, Twelve, and Sixteen team divisions as follows:

SIX TEAM DIVISIONS will consist of two (2) groups of three (3) teams each. Each team will play the other teams in its group, plus a crossover game in other group for a total of three (3) preliminary round games. In a crossover game, 1st of Group A will play 2nd of Group B and 1st of Group B will play 2nd of Group A in Semi Final matches. 3rd of Group A will play 3rd of Group B. The Semi Final winners will play for the championship.

EIGHT TEAM DIVISIONS will consist of two (2) groups of four (4) teams each. Each team will play the other teams in its group for a total of three (3) preliminary round games. The winner of Group A will play the winner of Group B for the championship.

TEN TEAM DIVISIONS will consist of two (2) groups of five (5) teams each. Each team will play the other teams in its group for a total of four (4) preliminary round games. The winner of Group A will play the winner of Group B for the championship.

TWELVE TEAM DIVISIONS will consist of three (3) groups of four (4) teams each. Each team will play the other teams in its group for a total of three (3) preliminary games. The winner of Group A will play the wildcard (WC) in Semifinal game #1 and the winner of Group B will play the winner of Group C in Semifinal game #2. The semifinal winners will meet for the championship. In the event WC comes from Group A, then winner of A will play winner of Group C and winner of Group B will play WC.

SIXTEEN TEAM DIVISIONS will consist of four (4) groups of four (4) teams each. Each team will play the other teams in its group for a total of three (3) preliminary round games. The winners of Groups A and B will play and winners of Groups C and D will play in finals. The semifinal winners will meet for the championship.

At the end of each game, the Coach or Team Administrator will sign the score card. The score indicated on the game card cannot be disputed after it is turned over to the Field Marshal if it is signed by both coaches/administrators.

Standings

The following point system will be used to determine 1st in each group and the wildcard selection during preliminary rounds:

Three (3) points for each win
One (1) point for each tie
One (1) point for each defensive shut out (to include 0-0 ties).
Zero (0) points for each loss
A forfeit is a 1-0 win
One (-1) point deduction for each ejection (red card or double yellow on a coach or a player).
For 12 team divisions, the wildcard teams will be the teams that do not win their bracket, with the highest point total of all three brackets. In the event of a tie on point totals, the following tie breaking system will apply.

Head to Head (where applicable).
Goal Differential, maximum of four goals per game
Goals Scored, maximum of four goals per game
Goals Allowed, maximum of four goals per game
F.I.F.A. kicks from the penalty mark

Substitution

Substitution shall be allowed at the following times:

Prior to a throw-in, your favor only
Prior to a goal kick by either team
After a goal, by either team
After an injury to either team, when the referee stops play
During half-time
Prior to the start of either overtime period
A player receiving a yellow card may be substituted for at the time of the caution
In those U16 divisions and older with more than one foreign team, the Tournament shall comply with FIFA limited substitution rules for U16, U17 and U19 amateur youth teams. "Friendly Five School Boy Rule" shall apply.

Special Rules

In the event of an unusual event that results in a significant loss of game time, the lost game time may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Tournament Director. The rescheduling of the lost game time is subject to field availability. An example of an unusual event would be a major injury to a player, which prevented the use of the playing field. The Tournament defines a significant loss of game time as more than half of the game. An accumulation of time delays due to minor/moderate injuries to several players would not constitute an unusual event nor will these delays be considered lost game time. An accumulation of time delays resulting from the normal course of a game will not be considered lost game time.

Tournament Director or referee may suspend any match or tournament in consideration of safety to players or damage to fields in event of inclement whether under any circumstances. Partial refunds for cancelled or suspended games will be considered by Tournament Committee and determined in full accordance with CYSA-S guidelines or rules and regulations but will not exceed $100 per game. No refund will be allowed due to forfeit of game by team accepted to tournament.