Tournament Rules – East Coast Premier Cup

Loudoun County, VA

Tournament  Headquarters:  Bolen Memorial Park

Tournament Director: Brandon Abell

RULES AND FORMAT

Age Groups:

U19 January 1- December 31 2003

U17 January 1 – December 31 2005

U16 January 1 – December 1 2006

U15 January 1 – December 31 2007

U14 January 1 – December 31 2008

U13 January 1 – December 31 2009

U12 January 1 – December 31 2010

Ull January 1 – December 31 20011

UlO January 1 – December 31 2012

U9 January 1 – December 31 2013

Roster Sizes:

22 player rosters are allowed for U13-19 but only 18 are eligible for each game and must be designated prior to the start of the game.

18 player roster sizes are allowed for u12 and younger but only 16 players (for U11-12) are eligible for each game and must be designated prior to the start of the game. 

All games shall be played in accordance with the FIFA laws, except as specifically superseded by these rules.

Round Robin Games may end in a tie. 

Group Tie breaker procedures:

1. Results of head to head competition within the group.

2. Goal Differential (4 goal Maximum per Game)

3. Least Goals Allowed (4 goal Maximum per Game)

4. Number of Shutouts

5. Most Goals Scored (4 goal Maximum per Game)

6. FIFA Penalty Kicks (at a time and location to be determined by the Tournament Director)

Knockout stages: All matches must result in a winner.

Non Championship matches:

If the game is tied after regulation then PK kicks per FIFA rules will be used to determine a winner.

Championship Matches only: Resolving Ties Using Overtime Play:

If the match ends in a tie, the teams will be given a five-minute rest and then two overtime periods will

be played (i.e. no sudden death). This applies to all age groups.

Length of overtime periods:

Under 12 and younger: each period = 5 minutes: total time=lO minutes

Under 13 and older: each period = 10 minutes: total time = 20 minutes

If the game is still tied after overtime, then PK kicks per FIFA rules will be used to determine a winner. Consolation games on the last day may end in a tie.

STAY TO PLAY POLICY: For all teams traveling from beyond the DC Metro area, teams must book their hotel rooms following the posted hotel policies of the tournament and the Key Bookings housing system.

Refund Policy: Once a team has been accepted, into the tournament with confirmation, there are no refunds for withdrawals.

COVID 19 REFUND POLICY :

If we were forced to cancel the tournament due to federal, state, or local guidelines concerning COVID19, refunds would be issued to teams.  Refunds will be determined by subtracting unreimbursed expenses. 

Substitutions

Players must enter from the center of the field. Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee at the following  time

Substitution can be made at any dead ball situation, by either team, unlimited.

TEAMS PLAYING FRIENDLIES:  Games will be played according to USSF laws of the game and the tournament rules listed.  Note, if agreed to, length of games and substitution rules may be adjusted. 

Length of Game/Ball Size

Full Length games per times below for Semifinals/ Finals (Sat and Sun)

Division Length of Game

U19/17             70 min

U16/15             70 min. 

U13/14             70 min.

U12                   50 min  with offsides  9v9

U11                   50 min with offsides 9v9

 

NOTE:  SSG Modification:  There is no heading at U11 and younger . 

All teams will play a minimum of 3 games.

First team listed is the home team and responsible for changing uniforms in case of a conflict with one exception. If the home team is an international team, and the away team is a domestic team, then the away team will be responsible for changing uniforms in case of a conflict. Home teams will be  responsible for providing game balls.

Conduct:

Players sent off and/or coaches removed from a game are automatically suspended from their team's next tournament game. Players sent off or coaches removed for fighting will not be allowed to return to the tournament. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their spectators.

All participants and spectators must follow the conduct policies of the associated parks departments and facilities.  These include but are not limited to:

No alcohol

No smoking

No verbal or physical abuse of anyone

Breaking of conduct policies will be reviewed by the tournament director and action may include: expulsion from complex, expulsion from tournament, and warnings.

For all disciplinary matters including red cards, the tournament will report this to MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS  and US Soccer Federation as required. US Soccer will report this to the home Federations of international teams.

Spectator and Coaching Areas:

Teams are to take the same side of the field, with all parents on the opposite side. Coaching areas extend 10 yards each side of the half way line.

Forfeits: Unless superseded by a ruling from the Tournament Director, or his appointed representative, there will be a 15 minute grace period. Forfeit time is at the end of the grace period. A team must have seven or more players present in order to begin or end a match.

Forfeited matches result in a 4-0 win / 0-4 loss and the forfeited team may continue in the tournament unless ruled actions are cause for expulsion.

Tournament Inclement Weather Policy:

Every attempt will be made to have all matches played. Re-scheduled games may be played under lights in the evening or may be scheduled early Saturday /or/ Sunday morning, prior to normal starting time at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

Games will continue during rainstorms.

Games will be suspended by the referee or Tournament Director in the event of:

1. Lightning (as determined by the referee or Tournament Director)

2. Hail Storms (as determined by the referee or Tournament Director)

3. Un-playable field conditions (Determined by the referee or Tournament   Director}

Tournament Director decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Re-scheduling attempts will be made as quickly and fairly as possible, considering referee and field availability and the normal progress of the Tournament Rules.

As a final solution, it may be necessary to employ a coin toss to determine teams advancing in knockout stages. The safety of players, referees and spectators is the tournament's primary concern followed by fairness to the affected teams and the orderly flow of competition to Divisional   championships.

Games Suspended in the First Half:

Attempt to complete one-half of the match prior to the next scheduled   game.

If one-half of the match is completed, the game is official and the score stands.

If one-half cannot be completed prior to the next scheduled game then the . . .

Game may be re-scheduled with a score of 0-0.

Game may be re-scheduled before start of normal play on Sunday with the score at 0-0.

Game may be canceled and FIFA kicks will be used to determine a winner.

Matches called at Half time or during the second half will be considered as complete and final. The score at that time will stand.

Matches That Cannot Start At the Scheduled Time:

Teams are to remain at the site to begin the match at any point possible prior to 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the next match.

Attempt to play two equal halves, changing ends at mid-point with no break at the half.

All matches must terminate at the time designated as the starting time of the next match unless superseded but the Tournament Director.

If the shortened match time available is less than half of the regularly scheduled time, then the match shall be immediately determined by FIFA kicks from the Penalty Mark.

NOTE!!! In any event, teams must report to the scheduled game site prior to the scheduled starting time, ready to play and may not leave the site until the match is canceled by a Tournament  Director.

Rescheduled  match

information will be available at the Tournament Headquarters. Teams involved in a canceled match must have a representative check-in with the Tournament Director at the headquarters for re­ scheduling information.

Player Equipment:

In general, Law IV of FIFA laws apply.

Shin guards are required for all players.

Casts: Players who are wearing protective soft casts are allowed to play if 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 as to put other players in danger as determined by the referee.

The referee approved the cast protection and such approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

General:

All judgment decisions of the referee are final and binding and are not protestable.

The Tournament Committee and Director, and all sponsors and organizers, will not be responsible for any expenses

incurred by any team or club if the tournament is cancelled in whole or part, nor will any refunds be made.

The Tournament Committee and Director reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the tournament and its judgment is final.

Official state USYSA rosters or US Club Soccer or official roster governed by recognized national association, approved guest player rosters (if applicable), laminated player identification/registration cards, and permits to travel must be presented at tournament registration. Rosters must be originals or approved copies with an original official state stamp or embossed certification on the roster.   Players cannot compete on multiple teams in the tournament.

Five (5) GUEST PLAYERS ARE PERMITTED. All players must be registered to the team.

Tournament Registration is at tournament check-in at headquarters.  Prior to each match, teams check in with the referee 30 minutes prior to the match. All documents  must be present and available at all matches. Referees will check Cards against rosters prior to matches.

Uniform numbers must match the game day roster of all players.

All referees are certified by the federation in order to officiate a match.

Teams are scheduled 4 matches during the tournament.

Referees will report scores to the Referee assignor and field marshalls will report scores to the tournament director.

J. Protest:

No protests are allowed.

Equal Rest:

Every effort to provide scheduling that provides equal rest for each team will be a primary  consideration; however, the limited fields and weather conditions may prevent this from happening. In any event, the objective is to complete the tournament in the time allowed. All divisions are flighted based on the information given about your team in the application and upon Division directors' knowledge of your team. The goal is to balance the competition as much as possible.

INCLEMENT WEATHER OR UNEXPECTED TERMINATION OF PLAY

Regardless of weather conditions, coaches, players and their teams must appear on the field of play as scheduled, ready to play unless notified by a member of the tournament committee. Failure to appear will  result in forfeiture  of the match.

Only the referee or the tournament committee may cancel a match due to weather conditions. In the event of inclement weather, the tournament committee has the authority to reschedule matches or cancel the tournament.

There are no refunds due to inclement weather cancellation of tournament matches or the  tournament in whole.    Every effort will be made to complete the tournament  in total or partially.