Loudoun Soccer U8 Academy Fall Friendlies

Fall 2013

A. LAWS OF THE GAME

All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA laws except as specifically modified, including:

  • Format: 5v5
  • Length of match: 40 minutes (four, 10-minute quarters)
  • Goalkeepers: none
  • Offside: none
  • Goal kicks, corner kicks and kick offs: yes
  • Throw-ins: no. Kick-ins will be utilized instead.
  • All re-starts(free kicks and fouls) are indirect kicks with the opponent 5 yards away from the ball.
  • Fouls inside the penalty area: no penalty kicks will occur; fouls inside the penalty area will result as an indirect kick.
  • Goal kicks may be taken anywhere within the goal area.

B. TEAM REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY

Teams must be registered with their sponsoring club. Their sponsoring club may be affiliated with their state’s US Youth Soccer affiliated association (ex: Virginia Youth Soccer Association, Maryland State Youth Soccer Association) or with members of organizations of the United States Soccer Federation but not members of US Youth Soccer (such as AYSO, SAY, US Club Soccer or Super Y Leagues).

Players must have actively participated during the fall 2013 season on a recreational team and/or their club’s Academy or equivalent program. Each U8 team may have no more than 10 players on its roster for this event. No guest players are permitted.

Players must meet the age requirements of the tournament age group in which they are to compete. Players may only play on the team with which they are registered. No player shall play for more than one team throughout the Tournament.

All teams must provide anofficial memberroster on which all team players, player numbers and team officials are listed. All teams must also possess and show current member player passes which they obtain from their sponsoring club. Player passes must be signed by an authorized club representative; player passes no longer have to be signed by the players. Birth certificates and/or passports will not be accepted as a form of registration. All teams must have approved Medical Release forms for each player signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Pre-event check-in may be offered prior to the event. Information on the date, location and time will be posted on the tournament website. Teams that do not check-in at that time MUST register at the site coordinator’s tent at the field of playone hour prior to their first match.

Player passes, team rosters, and medical release forms will be checked and verified at check-in. Two copies of the team roster will be provided to the Tournament Committee at registration. Teams that fail to provide the required documents at check-in may not participate in the games.

C. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

The Tournament is limited to the following age groups:

AGE GROUPBORN ON OR AFTER

U8August 1, 2005

D. REFUNDS OF REGISTRATION FEE

If the tournament or any game(s) are canceled/terminated in whole or part, the Tournament Committee, Loudoun Soccer, Loudoun Soccer Park and/or VYSA will NOT be responsible for any expenses or refunds (including the Tournament entry fee) incurred by any team.

Any team accepted to the tournament that withdraws whether before or after the registration deadline will forfeit the entry fee in its entirety.

E. PLAYER EQUIPMENT

All players and teams participating in the Tournament must meet the following equipment requirements:

  • All players must wear shin guards;
  • Metal cleats are prohibited;
  • No jewelry will be allowed;
  • When the color of jersey is similar or identical, the home team must change their jersey. The visiting team will also help to resolve any uniform conflicts;
  • The referee will determine if a jersey change is required;
  • All players must have uniforms with unique, individual numbers on the shirt. Unique numbers may be created with tape if necessary. Should a team change jerseys due to a color conflict, numbers will not be required on replacement jerseys. However, the coach must provide a player’s uniform number if requested by the referee.
  • Casts: players who are wearing protective casts are permitted to play provided the following conditions are met:
  • The cast is wrapped in foam or other protective material that will protect other players;
  • The player with the cast does not attempt to use the cast to an advantage or in such a way to put the player or any other players in danger;
  • The referee approves the cast.
  • Referees will check all equipment prior to each match.
  • The referee will have the final say concerning the acceptance of equipment for play.

F. INCLEMENT WEATHER

Every attempt will be made to have all games played; however, the Tournament Director reserves the right to cancel or modify any game due to weather conditions prior to or during the match.

Loudoun Soccer will communicate all game and facility updates to club and team officials as they arise via email and website updates.

G. REFEREES

A USSF certified referee will be provided for all matches.

If a referee fails to arrive at the field as scheduled, the game will proceed using a volunteer referee(s) selected by a Site Coordinator or other Tournament Official until the scheduled referee arrives.

Referee interference/abuse will not be tolerated. Any player, parent, coach or spectator will be removed from the tournament site should their behavior in any way hinder the ability of the referee to perform his/her duties.

H. TEAM FIELD POSITION

Teams will occupy one touchline, while their parents and spectators will occupy the opposite touchline across from their respective teams. The home team chooses which half of the touchline to occupy.

Coaches are responsible for the behavior of all players, parents, spectators.

Coaches and substitute players will remain at least one meter from the sidelines and within the technical (bench) area at all times. Parents and other spectators will remain at least 3 meters from the sidelines at all times, in between midfield and the top of the penalty area. No one is permitted in the area adjacent to the penalty area.

I. GAME FORMAT

Each team will be scheduled three matches.

J.START AND NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Playing format is 5v5 with no goalkeepers.

All teams must be prepared to start games on time. The home team will provide a game ball. If a team is not on the field of play and ready to start a game within five (5) minutes after the scheduled start time, the match will be forfeited. The minimum number of players to start a match is four (4).

K. LENGTH OF THE GAMES:

All matches will be played as four, 10 minute quarters. A two-minute break in between quarters and a five-minute half-time will be provided.

L. BALL SIZE

All matches will be played with a size 3 ball.

M. SUBSTITUTIONS

There shall be unlimited substitutions with the permission of the referee at the following times:

  • Kick-in by both teams if the team in possession substitutes;
  • Either team’s goal kick;
  • Either team’s kickoff;
  • At the beginning of each quarter or half;
  • In case of an injury substitution, the opposing team may also substituteone-for-one;
  • After a player receives a caution (yellow card) the player may be substituted (one-for one)

Teams are encouraged to avoid substituting during each quarter, and instead should substitute players at the end of each quarter or half.

N. YELLOW CARDS, RED CARDS, AND EJECTIONS

Any player or coach who receives two cautions (yellow card) or is sent-off (red card) in a tournament game must immediately leave the field and may not continue in that game. That player or coach will also be suspended from the next event game. Violations of a serious nature will be reported immediately to the Tournament Director and may result in further disciplinary action, including suspension from the Tournament.

O. TOURNAMENT SCORING AND SCORE REPORTING

No published scores or standings will be kept.

P.Awards:

All players will receive a participation award.

Q. LoudounSoccerPark rules

All matches will be played at LoudounSoccerPark. Participants (coaches, teams, parents, players, spectators, etc) should observe the following rules specific to Loudoun Soccer Park, including:

  • Food/beverages, gum and sports drinks are prohibited from being consumed on the turf fields; only water is permitted on the field.
  • Only players and coaches allowed on the fields (between the lines); spectators should remain off the playing field.
  • Multiple matches may be in play at LoudounSoccerPark; players, coaches and spectators should be vigilant and aware of the action around them.
  • Rubber soled (molded) cleats are permitted, but should be clean of any dirt before using them on turf; screw-in (metal studded) cleats are prohibited.
  • All participants and spectators are expected to keep their areas clean of any garbage (water bottles, tape, etc).
  • Parking: limited parking is available at LoudounSoccerPark. Additional parking is available at the VDOT Park & Ride adjacent to the facility; there is a small walk-through.
  • Follow parking flow signs in and out of park.
  • Park only in designated spaces; do not park on grass or dirt areas.

R. Region 1 Policy Regarding Application to Host A Tournament:

Region I has established the following policy concerning permission to travel when attending US Youth Soccer sanctioned tournaments in Region I. The purpose of this policy is to make it as simple as possible for the US Youth Soccer Region I teams to travel to tournaments within Region I.

The new policy statesthat any US Youth Soccer State Association team within Region I that is accepted into a tournament in Region I do not need permission to travel papers. Permission to Travel is not required in friendly games within Region 1.

If you have any questions please contact Lisa Wilson at at theVYSA State Office.

NationalState Associations in Region I:

Connecticut Jr Soccer Assn
Delaware Youth Soccer Assn
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Assn
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Assn
Soccer Maine
Maryland Youth Soccer Assn
Massachusetts Youth Soccer Assn
New Hampshire Soccer Assn

New Jersey Youth Soccer Assn
New York State West Youth Soccer Assn
Pennsylvania West State Soccer Assn
Soccer Rhode Island
Vermont Soccer Assn
Virginia Youth Soccer Assn
West Virginia Soccer Assn