Rules of the Game

APPLICATION OF RULES: The following rules apply to the SMSC Spring Soccer Challenge. Any ruling not covered by FIFA will be in accordance with the Missouri Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) and U.S. Youth Soccer (USYSA).

PLAYER and TEAM ELIGIBILITY: All players must be registered with U.S. Youth Soccer and their respective State Associations. USYSA player passes will be required. These passes must contain a picture and be laminated. A state roster and guest player forms will be required. Each player must have a completed medical release form. All players must play in their age group or may play up. All teams from outside of the state of Missouri must have a travel permission form from their state association. USYSA player cards, your state association approved guest player loan forms (if applicable), copies of the state or National Associated verified roster and a copy of medical release form for each player must be presented at registration. The tournament director will keep a copy of the state roster.

Birthdate Age Range / Format / Max Roster Size / Guest Players
U8 - 2009 / 4v4 / 14 / 3 Guest Players
U9 - 2008 / 7v7 / 14 / 3 Guest Players
U10 - 2007 / 7v7 / 14 / 3 Guest Players
U11 - 2006 / 9v9 / 16 / 3 Guest Players
U12 - 2005 / 9v9 / 16 / 3 Guest Players
U13 - 2004 / 11v11 / 18 / 5 Guest Players
U14 - 2003 / 11v11 / 18 / 5 Guest Players
U15/16, - 2002,2001 / 11v11 / 18 / 5 Guest Players
U17/18 – 2000, 1999 / 11v11 / 18 / 5 Guest Players

HOME TEAM: The first team listed on the schedule is the home team. In case of a conflict of uniforms, the visiting team will be responsible for changing to a different color. Finals will be according to USYSA guidelines. We reserve the right to alter as necessary.

GAME FORMAT: Length of game will be as follows:

Age / Length of
Halves / Format / Officials / Ball / Offside / PKs / Goalie
U8 / 15 mins / 4v4 / 3 / 3 / No / Yes / Yes
U9 / 25 mins / 7v7 / 3 / 4 / Yes / Yes / Yes
U10 / 25 mins / 7v7 / 3 / 4 / Yes / Yes / Yes
U11 / 30 mins / 9v9 / 3 / 4 / Yes / Yes / Yes
U12 / 30 mins / 9v9 / 3 / 4 / Yes / Yes / Yes
U13 / 35 mins / 11v11 / 3 / 5 / Yes / Yes / Yes
U14 / 35 mins / 11v11 / 3 / 5 / Yes / Yes / Yes
U15/16 / 40 mins / 11v11 / 3 / 5 / Yes / Yes / Yes
U17/18 / 40 mins / 11v11 / 3 / 5 / Yes / Yes / Yes

In the event of a tie in all semi-finals and finals, 2 (two) five minute overtime periods will be played. If still tied after the overtime periods, penalty kicks will be taken to determine a winner (except as noted in the above table)

** THERE WILL BE NO GOLDEN GOAL **

The Tournament Director may change the duration or length of games, subject to the following: a) inclement weather, b) delay from relocation and/or rescheduling of any games, c) may cancel any games in the preliminary rounds which have no bearing on deciding group winners, d) may modify rules for tie breaks due to inclement weather delays.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Players may be substituted for and return to the games as often as desired. Substitutions will be allowed during the following:

a) Halftime

b) After a goal is scored

c) In case of an injury, opposing team may substitute the like number

d) Any dead ball with the referee’s approval.

STANDINGS AND SCORING: Standings shall be determined in the flowing manor:

· Six (6) points for a win

· Three (3) points for a tie

· No points for a loss

· One (1) point for goals scored (Max. 3 goals)

· One (1) point for a shutout

· Maximum point possible per game is: 10 Points

· Forfeits are recorded as 3-0 games (10 points for the winner / 0 points for the forfeiting team)

· In case of a tie in the standings for advancement, the following criteria shall apply:

1. Head-to-Head competition (if 2-way tie)

2. Goal differential: A per game goal differential will be calculated, and then the cumulative score recorded. There will be a maximum of plus 3 for any one game. For example, if the scores were 6 to 1; 3 to 2; 2 to 2; then the calculation would be: plus 3, plus 1, plus 0 for a cumulative of plus 4.

3. Most goals scored, up to a maximum of 3 goals per game

4. Fewest goals allowed

5. Penalty kicks

6. Any team that forfeits a game will not be allowed to advance to semi-finals or finals.

GAME REPORTS: The center referee and an official from each team must sign the game report. The game report will be used for score verification.

FORFEITS: Any team that fails to report for play ten minutes after the scheduled game time shall forfeit the game (as determined by the referee). Any team that abandons a game prior to its conclusion shall forfeit the game. A team that forfeits a game shall not be allowed to move on in play.

EJECTIONS: Any player or coach ejected from a game will be ineligible for the team’s next game. Any player or coach ejected for fighting can be subjected to ejection from the remainder of the tournament. Players and coaches cards will be retained by the tournament director and returned after the suspension has been served.

PROTESTS: Protests may be made only by the designated coach. Protests must be submitted in writing and submitted in duplicate with $100 cash to the Tournament Director. No protests will be heard concerning judgment calls made by all referees. Any protest concerning eligibility must be made prior to the start of a game by notifying the Field Marshall and Referee. All protests must be made within 60 minutes after the end of the game in question. Protests will be ruled on by the Tournament Committee by the start of the participants’ next game. The protest fee of $75 is not refundable if the protest is not upheld.

REFUNDS: If games are not played due to circumstances beyond our control, such as (but not limited to) weather, floods, other acts of God, etc., refund for games not played will be given at the rate of $50.00 per game not played. Maximum refund will be $150.00. In the event of a full cancellation prior to the start of the tournament a refund in the amount equal to 70% of a team’s paid registration fees will be given.

DISCOUNTS: There will be a $25 per team discount awarded for Soccer Clubs that bring five or more teams to the SEMO Spring Soccer Challenge. Discounts will not be awarded until the tournament has concluded and number of teams participating in the tournament has been verified. Teams that register before 01/31/2017 will receive a $50 discount on their registration fees.

WEATHER CONTINGENCY: We will do whatever possible to play all games as scheduled. Should the rain and/or lightning be so severe that we must use this weather contingency, the Tournament Committee may use any of the following rules at their discretion:

·  Preliminary round play games will be shortened as deemed necessary

·  If rain does not permit time to shorten games, then 11v11 FIFA style penalty kicks to determine preliminary round games will be used. If tied at the end of 11 shooters then the same 11 will shoot in a sudden-death round. (9v9 will follow the same format)

·  Semifinals and finals will be played at full length if at all possible