The rules of this tournament shall be in accordance with FIFA, FYSA, USYSA and USSF except as modified and approved herein.

1. TEAM ELIGIBILITY

This tournament shall be open to all teams comprised of properly registered youth players (as defined by the rules of the USYSA and USSF) in all age groups OFFERED on the tournament approval form, provided such teams are in good standing with their Associations.

It shall be the responsibility of each Association to certify the eligibility of its teams and to provide such teams with a certified roster, permission to travel, and proof of insurance.

Foreign teams must have written permission and verification from the USSF/USYSA and their National Federation, indicating authorization to participate in the tournament, in addition to player identification and proof of birth.

2. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

All players must be properly registered with USYSA or USSF through their respective National State Associations. They are to be in accordance with USYSA and USSF registration requirements. All teams must have current USYSA or approved organizational player passes, or the appropriate National Association pass to participate. Passes must be verified, laminated, and have a photo attached.

3. PRE-GAME PROCEDURES

Tournament officials will conduct all credential checks:

(a) at initial registration

(b) at the field prior to each game

Players not certified by the tournament credentials committee will not be allowed to participate in any tournament event.

A player who arrives late at the playing field after the pre-game procedure may enter the game with permission of the center referee after tournament officials verify that the player is eligible.

Only at the pre-game procedure, may an opposing manager or coach challenge a player. Challenged players will be noted by the referee on the game report and will be allowed to participate in the game, provided said player has been certified as eligible by the tournament credentials committee. A challenged player does not constitute a game protest, but may serve as grounds for protest. A late arriving player may be challenged at the time he/she is allowed to participate by the referee.

Each manager/coach or assistant must have a valid coach's pass and be listed on the approved roster. If a manager or coach is ejected, an assistant must manage the team. If the assistant is ejected or there is no assistant, the game will be forfeited and the score recorded as 4-0. In no case will a team be allowed to participate without a properly registered coach or assistant. Each team is limited to three (3) coaches on the bench, all of which must be listed on the team roster.

Souvenir patches, flags, crests, etc., may be exchanged and group team pictures may be taken at this pre-game procedure, or during the handshake after the game.

4. LAWS OF THE GAME

All games shall be in accordance with the FIFA "laws of the game", except as modified below.

Competition sanctioned by this association shall abide by the "laws of the game", along with any modifications or regulations of the association. Players ten and under must play by the rules of the USYSA Developmental Program - modified playing rules for 10U, except as modified below:

LAW 1: Field of Play

10U must play under the auspices of the USYSA and FYSA in accordance with the rules of the developmental player program playing for 10U.

LAW 2: The Ball U9-U12 Size #4 (25-26 in., 11-13 oz.)
U13-U19 Size #5 (27-28 in., 14-16 oz.)

LAW 3: Number of Players U9-U10                  six per side (max. of 12 players on the roster)
                                                U11-U12                eight per side (max. of 14 players on the roster)
                                                U13-U19                eleven per side (max. of 18 players on the roster)
                                                U12 optional          eleven per side (max. of 14 players on the roster)

Substitution shall be unlimited, unless otherwise specified by tournament administrators. Substitutions may be made only upon proper notification of the referee through the assistant referee, with the referee's permission, at the following times:

1. Prior to a throw-in by your team
2. Prior to a goal kick by either team
3. After a goal by either team
4. After an injury by either team when the referee stops play.
5. At the beginning of the second half or overtime periods

The substitute shall not enter the field of play until the player he is replacing has left, and then only after receiving a signal from the referee.

LAW 4: Players’ Equipment

Player equipment must conform to FIFA rules. Shin guards will be worn under socks by all players, be of approved material and offer a reasonable degree of protection. Players wearing a permanent orthopedic cast shall not be eligible to participate in any game. Orthopedic braces may be allowed if:

A. The player has a written statement from a physician stating that he/she feels the brace is necessary and that no further injury is likely to occur to the joint that is supported by the brace AND . . ..

B. The parent has signed a waiver to free COCOA EXPO, FYSA, USYSA, USSF or other association from any and all claims against them or their insurance company in case of further injury to the joint protected by the brace.

C. A player may be removed from the game at any time if the referee determines that the player is using or is attempting to use a brace to injure other players.

Teams will wear uniforms of matching design and color with a minimum of six-inch numbers affixed to the back of the uniform shirt. No two players may have identical uniform numbers while participating in any match.

A. In the event of similar team colors, the designated home team will be required to change to a color accepted by the referee.

B. The uniform of the goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of both competing teams and the referee.

LAW 5: The Referee

The Referee may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match.

Referees are required to submit a completed, official game report to the site director containing information relating to any game incidents involving players, coaches, spectators, misconduct and injuries.

A. Referees will not be paid before any required post-game reports have been submitted.

B. In the event the assigned referees fail to appear and the assignor and/or site director fails to provide a replacement, the senior assigned assistant referee shall assume the duties and shall find an alternate assistant referee. The duties of the alternate assistant referee shall be limited. The game will be played as scheduled and will be deemed official.

LAW 6: The Assistant Referee

Two assistant referees will be used. In the event the assigned assistant referee fails to appear, the referee must find a suitable assistant. The game will be played as scheduled and be deemed official.

LAW 7: The Duration of the Match

Games will have the following duration:

AGE GROUP REGULATION (min) OVERTIME (min) 1

                      17,18,19                                  2 X 45 = 90                                             2 X 10 = 2
                      15, 16                                      2 X 40 = 80                                             2 X 10 = 20
                      13, 14                                      2 X 35 = 70                                             2 X 10 = 20
                      11, 12                                      2 X 30 = 60                                             2 X 10 = 20
                        9, 10                                      2 X 25 = 50                                             No Overtime 2

1. No overtime in the first round
2. Direct to penalty kicks

LAWS 8 – 10: No Change

LAW 11: Offside

In the definition of offside position, “nearer to his opponents’ goal line” means that any part of his head, body or feet is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent. The arms are not included in this definition.

The definitions of elements of involvements in active play are as follows:

Interfering with play means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a teammate
Interfering with an opponent means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or movements or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent.
Gaining an advantage by being in that position means playing a ball that rebounds to him off a goal post or crossbar having been in an offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent having been in an offside position.

LAW 12: Fouls and Misconduct

Disciplinary Sanctions

Only a player or substitute or substituted player may be shown the red or yellow card.
The referee has the authority to take disciplinary sanctions, as from the moment he enters the field of play until he leaves the field of play after the final whistle.

Tackles

A tackle (from behind, from the side or from the front), which endangers the safety of an opponent, must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

LAW 13: No Change

LAW 14: Penalty Kick

The player taking the penalty kick infringes the law of the game:

If the ball does not enter the goal, the referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect free kick to the defending team.

A teammate of the player taking the kick enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.15 m (10 yds) of the penalty mark:

If the ball doesn’t enter the goal, the referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect free kick to the defending team.

LAW 15: The Throw-In

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:

Faces the field of play:
Has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line:
Uses both hands:
Delivers the ball from behind and over his head.

The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

All opponents must stand no less than two meters (2 yds.) from the point at which the throw-in is taken.

The ball is in play immediately after it enters the field of play.

LAW 16-17: No Change

5. CONTROL OF SIDELINE CONDUCT

Players, reserve players, managers, coaches, and fans are expected to conduct themselves within the letter and spirit of "the laws of the game" and comply with FYSA’S Code of Ethics. The site director has the authority and the responsibility to remove any person from the tournament for abuses of conduct, in addition to any specific disciplinary action brought about by any other authority. In addition to good manners, the following rules will apply to this tournament.

A. The site director will designate one sideline to be for the sole use of the players listed on the game roster and three managers/coaches from each teams. While the game is in progress, the manager/coach and the reserve players must remain on their respective benches and may not roam the sidelines.

B. The site director will designate the opposite sideline for the spectators.

C. Managers/coaches will be responsible for the behavior of their fans and the referee will have the authority to warn and ultimately send off any coach whose fans behave in an abusive or disruptive manner.

As a mutual courtesy, both teams meet at the center circle and congratulate each other for a game well played.

A. Referees will return player passes to the site director along with completed game reports.

B. Managers/coaches of each team will confirm the score with the site director and collect passes after each game except those of participants sent off.

C. Managers/coaches of both teams will insure that their respective sideline areas are clean and that all trash is in containers.

It shall be solely the team's responsibility to determine the status of its players. Any suspension from a tournament, local league, etc. is the responsibility of the team to notify the Tournament director of this suspension at the time of the player's check in.

The Tournament Committee shall have a Discipline Committee of no less than three members. The Discipline Committee will review and rule on all reports of unacceptable conduct by players, managers, coaches, referees, spectators, etc.

A. All players and managers/coaches shall be subject to the minimum suspensions for unacceptable conduct in accordance with FYSA's discipline procedures.

B. A player or manager/coach ejected will have at least a one-game suspension. The suspension will be served in the next scheduled tournament game. A player/coach may receive more than a one game suspension based on the severity of the actions.

C. Depending on the severity of the unacceptable conduct, the Discipline Committee may recommend a suspension of up to the duration of the tournament with further disciplinary action by the appropriate state or national association. The Discipline Committee's recommendations must be made available to affected parties no later than prior to their next scheduled game.

D. Any coach or team official shall be held responsible for the actions of any individual(s) at any match that in the opinion of the referee is a supporter of that team.

E. At the conclusion of the tournament, passes will be returned to the coach even if suspensions have not been completed. A complete report will be sent to the appropriate state association within seven days of the conclusion of the tournament for possible further discipline.

In-group play, there will be no overtime games. Standings in a group will be determined by:

GAME POINTS:                               3 points for a win
                                                          1 point for a tie
                                                          0 points for a loss

TIEBREAKERS: A. Head to head competition
B. (Goals Scored – Goals Allowed) = Net goal differential
Max 4 goals will be counted per game

                               Ex:     10 to 5 Final score
                                         Winning Team = 10 goals - 5 goals = +4 Differential
                                          Losing Team = 5 goals - 10 goals = -4 Differential

                               Ex:     4 to 2 Final Score
                                        Winning Team = 4 goals - 2 goals = +2 Differential
                                         Losing Team = 2 goals - 4 goals = -2 Differential

                            C. Total goals scored (maximum of 4 per game)
                            D. Total goals allowed (no maximum)
                            E.  Penalty kicks in accordance with FIFA "Taking of Kicks from the Penalty Mark"

In the case of three-way ties, the tiebreaker sequence begins with A. “Head to head competition” and proceeds, in order, down through the steps until the tie is broken and only one team remains. No steps are to be repeated or skipped.

In the event three teams are tied at the end of group play, and after considering A-D above, a coin toss will be held with the 1^st odd team sitting out. The other two teams will then take kicks from the mark to establish a winner. The winner of this will then play the team sitting out, (kicks from the mark). The winner will advance.

In the event that 4 teams tie at the end of group play, and after considering A-D above, the tournament director will hold a random draw with the first team drawn playing the second team drawn, (kicks from the mark). The third and fourth teams will also take kicks from the mark. The two winners will then take kicks from the mark with the winning team advancing.

1. In the semi-final and final game, overtime will be played in accordance with the law of soccer and if a clear winner is not decided after regulation time.

2. If a clear winner is not decided after the overtime period, penalty kicks will be used in accordance with FIFA "Taking of Kicks from the Penalty Mark".

A team may be allowed a 15-minute grace period from the scheduled game time before awarding the game to the opponent. Failure to meet scheduled play will automatically require payment of forfeiture fine. A game shall be started as soon as the minimum number of players as required under the Laws of the Game is present. A forfeited game shall be recorded as 4-0 score in favor of the opponent.

Games terminated for other than inclement weather, i.e. violent or uncontrollable situations will not be replayed. The score of the game at the time of termination will stand.

The Tournament Director will make the decision as to the score of such games and whether teams advance, after receiving reports from game officials. The decision of the Director will be final and is binding on all parties. Further disciplinary actions may be taken.

A performance bond may be required of teams to guarantee participation. The host organization shall return any bond not forfeited within seven (7) days after the completion of the tournament

The Protest and Appeals committee of the Tournament will rule all protests/appeals on. For a protest to be considered, the following procedure will be followed:

Games will not be played in inclement weather if there is a possibility of injury to players or damage to the playing surface. Thus, in the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Director has the authority to:

1. Relocate or reschedule any game
2. Change the duration of any game. Preliminary games terminated for weather after half of play shall be considered official
3. Cancel any preliminary game which has no bearing on the selection of group winners
4. Cancel consolation games
5. Cancel the entire tournament for the safety of the players and the good of the playing fields

Following the completion of each semi-final game, the team not advancing to the championship game will present themselves to the Game Site Coordinator for awards. Following the completion of the championship game both teams will present themselves to the Game Site Coordinator for awards. These awards will be presented to the entire team and coaches at a site indicated immediately following the games. There will be team and individual awards for teams finishing first through fourth. (CERTAIN TOURNAMENTS WOULD NOT HAVE SEMI FINALS AND FINALS ONLY FINALS)

A. The Tournament Committee, FYSA and/or the host affiliate will not be responsible for any expense incurred by any team due to the cancellation in part or whole of this tournament.

B. The Tournament Committee's interpretation of the foregoing rules and regulations shall be final.

C. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide all tournament matters.

D. If not enough teams are realized within a specific age bracket, the Tournament Director shall notify the participants as soon as possible, and the participants will be given the option of playing up or receiving a full refund.

E. The Tournament Committee has the responsibility to uphold any previous suspension imposed by the FYSA/USYSA/USSF or other affiliated association.

F. The Tournament Committee agrees to have a copy of the tournament rules at all game sites.

G. The Cocoa Expo is not responsible for the behavior of players, coaches, and spectators off the field, or damages resulting from such behavior. Coaches and players committing breaches of the law may be ejected from the tournament at the discretion of the tournament committee.

H. Alcohol, illegal drugs and unauthorized prescription drugs shall not be possessed, consumed or distributed before during or after any game or at any other time at the field and/or game complex.

I. Any player, coach or spectator found in possession of alcohol, illegal drugs, or weapons will be banned from the tournament and appropriate notifications made to the local law enforcement authorities.

Cocoa Expo Sports Center TOURNAMENT RULES