ABOUT OHIO UNITED CUP
The OHIO UNITED Soccer Club is happy to invite you to come and spend the weekend of OCTOBER 15, AND 16 2016 at the OHIO UNITED CUP TOURNAMENT. The tournament will be held at JOYCE PARK fields in HAMILTON.
The tournament will offer competition for boys and girls in the U-8 through U-15 brackets. All teams must be in good standing with the United States Soccer Association and only players with valid player passes will be eligible to play. A maximum of 12 players per roster of U8-U9, U10 7v7 division and a maximum of 16 players, 11-U12 9v9 division. A maximum of 18 players per roster will be allowed for U13-U15 11v11.
Four (4) guest players will be allowed. No player may play on nor be registered on more than one participating team in the tournament. Tournament Committee reserves the right of acceptance, denial or placement of any team.
The entry fee of$200.00 for U8 (4v4), $400 for U9-U10 (7v7), $425.00 for 11-12(9v9), and $450.00 for U13-U15 per teamshould be mailed along with the enclosed application form to the address listed below by SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2016. Teams not accepted will have their application fee returned in their notification letter. No entry fee will be returned to those teams accepted into the tournament. Notifications will be emailed and posted on the web site by OCTOBER 1, 2016
IMPORTANT ISSUE: CONCUSSION LAW
In order to protect young athletes, the State of Ohio has passed a concussion law, commonly called the “Return to Play” law. Therefore, all Ohio Tournaments are responsible to monitor and track compliance with the concussion training requirements of the Return to play law. Each coach (head coach and assistants) must receive approved concussion training prior to April 26, 2013. See O.R.C. 3707.511(C)(1). Tournaments are required to collect and maintain certificates of compliance from the coaches.
1. All coaches MUST complete the Concussion Training Course from either NFHS (preferred) or CDC and submit a COPY of the completed certificate to the tournament. Both online courses are FREE of charge!
2. Coaches must also carry their certificate COPY of compliance with them during the event.
3. Coaches are also required per Ohio law, to have distributed a COPY of the Parent Concussion Information Sheet to the parents of their team players.
If these 3 items are not satisfied, those coaches will NOT be able to coach at this event.
If a player is believed, by either a coach, referee or tournament official, to exhibit the signs, symptoms or behaviors of concussion during the tournament, that player shall be prohibited from continuing to play that same calendar day and may not play until they have received clearance to “return to play” by a physician or other authorized medical personnel.
The tournament is set up on a three game format. Individual and team trophies will be awarded for first and second place teams in each division. Trophies will be awarded after final game at the stage near the tournament headquarters.
Parking will be limited in some areas of the park, so please carpool as much as possible.
FRIDAY NIGHT TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION:
Team Coach or Team Admin is required to attend Friday night check in on OCTOBER 14TH, 2016.
Check in is from 6-9 pm at the
TBD
Team registration will be held at the
TBD
Tournament Committee
Rules for the 2016OHIO UNITED CUP - Hosted by the OHIO UNITED FC
Laws of the Game:
All teams are required to present at time of registration two (2) copies of their official roster (one will remain with the Division Coordinator); (2) guest player rosters (if applicable); emergency medical forms should be with coaches at all times (We will not ask to see them unless you are from outside of Ohio South); player and coach passes; travel permits (for all teams outside of Ohio South) New this year, We will need to see approved Concussion certificates for any parent,coach,trainer that will be on the teams sideline during the tournament.
TEAM ELIGIBILITY
All players and teams must be currently registered and in good standing with their State/National Association. Ages are determined per USYSA guidelines effective September 1, 2004. Teams may carry a roster of no more than 18 players, except U8 (Playing 4v4), U9 and U10 (playing 7v7) up to 12; U11 (playing 9v9) and U12 (playing 9v9) up to 14 players. U8-U15 may substitute up to 3 guest players to the team's roster, U16 and above may substitute up to 5 guest players. Teams that play 9 v 9 in the regular season that are playing 11 v 11 in the tournament will be allowed to expand their roster by using up to 5 guest players. No roster changes will be permitted after a team roster has been approved at tournament registration. All players and coaches must carry a valid USYSA pass or card or the approved pass/card of the team’s member organization. Passes will be checked prior to the start of each match. Emergency medical forms for each player must be carried to every game. No player may play or register for more than one team. All teams must carry travel permission forms as required by their affiliation.
TEAM SELECTION
The tournament committee reserves the right to accept or reject any team application. If the committee is unable to assemble a competitive bracket in your age division, you will be contacted to discuss your options. Full refunds will be given to teams withdrawing before the application deadline date. No team shall be deemed accepted unless written notification has been sent from the tournament committee. Teams are required to acknowledge acceptance of their place in the tournament within three days of notification. Teams not acknowledging their acceptance may be replaced. Bracketing will not begin until all teams have submitted their acceptance.
Teams are selected using the following criteria – PREVIOUS YEAR champion/finalist; level of competition; geographic diversity; favored club; incomplete information; prior year participant; date of application/paid.
HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
All teams that are selected for participation are ASKED to make hotel reservations for their entire team at one of the approved hotels listed on the website. In the event your team does not utilize our approved hotels, your team may not be accepted to participate in the tournament. This only applies to teams requiring hotel accommodations for the tournament.
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Home team will be the first team listed on the schedule. Home team is responsible for changing uniforms in case of conflict. Home team will provide the game ball.
Player shirt number must match the number on the official roster (or guest player roster) – when shirt numbers are noted on the official rosters. If the numbers do not match, the game official will not allow the player to participate until the numbers are the same.
Shin guards are mandatory and must be covered by socks. Jewelry of any kind is not allowed. Soft casts are permitted with the approval of the referee. Referee decisions on equipment compliance are final.
LAWS OF THE GAME
All games will be played under international rules (FIFA) with the exception that the goalkeeper may not be fairly charged and other modifications as noted below:
DURATION OF THE GAME
Age Format Preliminary round game time Final round game time Ball Size
U8- 4v4 45 minutes - 3
U9-U10 7v7 50 minutes 50 minutes 4
U11-U12 9v9 50 minutes 60 minutes 4
U13-U14 11v11 60 minutes 60 minutes 5
During preliminary round the game clock will not be stopped because of injury unless authorized by tournament headquarters. Due to the time allowed for completion of all games, the clock will run continuously. Half time will be 5 minutes in duration.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee:
§ After a goal
§ Before a goal kick
§ Before a throw-in in your favor - opponent may substitute if throwing team does
§ At halftime, or before the start of any overtime period
§ In case of injury or extended stoppage of play
§ After a player is cautioned – the cautioned player may be substituted at the officials discretion
EJECTIONS
Any player or coach ejected from a game will be ineligible to participate in the team’s next scheduled match. Substitutions are not permitted for ejected players. Participants ejected for fighting may be subject to ejection to any further tournament participation. Multiple game suspensions may be imposed at the tournament director’s discretion for egregious conduct. Coaches ejected from a game must leave the field completely and not return until the team from which he was ejected completes its next game. NOTE a coach may not coach another team until the suspension has been served and the coach’s pass has been reclaimed from Tournament Headquarters. Coaches are responsible for reclaiming cards at headquarters once a suspension has been served.
7V7 RULES
Officials
U9, and U10 will play with a three-man system – FIFA offsides rule will apply.
Free kicks:
The opposing team must be at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play. If a free kick is kicked directly into the team's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team. If the ball is within eight (8) yards of the goal line when a free kick is awarded, the opposing team may stand on the goal line.
TOURNAMENT AND MATCH SCHEDULES
All teams are guaranteed a minimum of 3 matches weather permitting. In a two-bracket division the top team in each bracket will play each other in the final round. Five team divisions will play 4 games with the champion and finalist determined by total points (see explanation in Standings section). No team will be scheduled to play more than two (2) games per day.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
The OHIO UNITED CUP is a rain or shine tournament. Plan to play in inclement weather. Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams must appear at the respective field, ready to play as scheduled. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the match.
In the case of threatening weather, headquarters will signal game suspension by one long blast from the horn. Participants should then immediately seek shelter in a car. The minimum wait for a delay will be 30 minutes. Three short blasts from the horn will indicate it is safe to resume play. In the case of extended delays, coaches must check with the Field Marshall or headquarters for game status. Matches that have been played to half time may be declared as final. Disposition of games that have not reached half time may be decided by a coin toss if delays so demand. Remaining matches for that day may be subject to shortening of game time. The Referee may suspend a game due to any condition he/she deems dangerous.
CANCELLATION POLICY/REFUND POLICY
The Tournament Directors reserve the right to restructure the tournament format as necessary. This includes, but is not limited to relocating or rescheduling any match; changing the duration of any match; and canceling any preliminary match or part of a match.
In the event of total cancellation prior to the start of the first scheduled game, the tournament will refund a percentage of your application fee based on tournament expenses. In the event of tournament interruption or cancellation after the first scheduled tournament games begin, the tournament has no obligation to refund any portion of your application fee.
STANDINGS AND TIE BREAK PROCEDURES - PRELIMINARY ROUND
In the preliminary round each victory will be awarded 3 points and each tie awarded 1 point. No points are awarded for a loss. In the event of a tie (equal number of points) in group standings, the following procedure will be used to determine a winner:
1) Winner of the game between 2 tied teams (skip this step if more than 2 teams tied).
2) Highest cumulative goal spread (goals scored minus goals allowed) with a maximum of 4 goal differential spread per game.
3) Fewest total goals allowed.
4) Most Shutout Wins
5) Penalty Kicks per FIFA rules “Procedures to Determine the Winner of a Match - Kicks from the Penalty Mark.” The Tournament Director will determine a field and start time.
TIE-BREAK - FINAL ROUND
Two (2) ten (10) minute overtime periods played to conclusion. 6v6 and 8v8 matches will play two (2) five (5) minute overtime periods played to conclusion.
If, after the completion of the two (2) overtime periods a winner has still not been determined the game will go the penalty kicks per FIFA rules.
In the event the Final is unable to be played (Due to Weather) We will use the preliminary round Tie Break procedure. Step 5 will be a coin toss instead of penalty kicks.
FAILURE TO SHOW - FORFEITS
A minimum of seven players constitutes a team in the eleven-player bracket. A minimum of six players constitutes a team in the eight-player bracket. A minimum of four players constitutes a team in the six-player bracket. A five-minute grace period will be extended beyond the scheduled kickoff time before a forfeit will be declared. However, this grace period takes away from the duration of the match. If the minimum number of players is present, the match will not be delayed. In no case will a team that has forfeited a game be declared a division winner. The score of a forfeited game shall be 2-0, unless the game has commenced and the non-forfeiting team has greater than a 2-0 lead at the time of stoppage in which case the game score will stand. Failure to complete a match or a team leaving the field during play may constitute a forfeit. The Tournament Directors reserve the right to decide on all matters concerning a forfeit.
MATCH AND SCORE REPORTING
Upon completion of each match it is the responsibility of each coach to verify the score and sign the official score card in the presence of the match official. Scorecards will be given to the Field Marshal who will be responsible for reporting the score to headquarters.
Scores and standings will be posted at headquarters at the venue where matches are being played. A master standing sheet will be posted at tournament headquarters. Scores will be entered on the tournament website as timely as possible. It is recommended that coaches check standings to see if their team will advance to the finals prior to leaving the complex.
Field Marshals will report ejections to headquarters immediately. The match official will submit a written report on all red cards/ejections of players, coaches or spectators upon completion of the match. The tournament committee will file reports of red cards/ejections to the appropriate organization upon completion of the tournament.
PROTEST AND DISPUTES
Any protest must be presented in writing to Tournament Headquarters within one (1) hour of the completion of the game and must be accompanied with a $100.00 cash bond that will be returned only if the protest is upheld. A Protest Committee appointed by the Director will consider all protests. Referee judgment cannot be considered as a basis of protest.
Disputes over non-referee decisions (i.e. player eligibility issues or tournament rules) will be presented to the Venue Director. Decisions made by the Director may not be appealed.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP
All participants, players, coaches, referees, and spectators will be expected to maintain high standards of conduct during the tournament. All spectators must be on the opposite side of the field from the teams. Coaches will remain in their respective areas (in their half of the field 5-20 yards from the half line and away from the touch line. There shall be no dissent with the referees. Questioning a referee is considered dissent. Coaches are responsible for the actions of his/her spectators before, during and after the match, specifically verbal abuse of the referee. Abuse of the referees will not be tolerated. Violation of this policy may result in forfeiture of the game and/or expulsion from play. Any player, coach or spectator ejected from a match will be ineligible to participate in the team's next match. Suspended players may be allowed on the bench while serving their suspension but shall not be in uniform. No substitution will be permitted for an ejected player during the remainder of the current match. Anyone fighting (including spectators) may be subject to ejection from all tournament games. Passes held at the end of the tournament will be returned with report directly to the respective State or National Association.
Appropriate behavior is also expected while in the hotels and the Tournament Directors reserve the right to proceed with sanctions against teams that cause significant problems.
GENERAL
Under no circumstances whatsoever will the Tournament Committee, OSYSA, the OHIO UNITED FC be responsible for any expenses (including tournament entry fee) incurred by any team. This includes a situation where the Tournament or any match is canceled in whole or part. The Tournament Directors’ interpretation of the rules shall be final. The Tournament Director reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the OHIO UNITED CUP.