Guilford Soccerfest 2013 Rules

Note that in the event of a discrepancy between the rules contained in the Guilford Soccerfest program and the website the rules as stated on the website shall prevail.

FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME WILL APPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS:

DURATION OF THE GAME: With the exception of championship games all games will consist of two thirty (30) minute halves. All games will have a five (5) minute halftime break. The referee will be the official timekeeper for the game, which will be running time except in the case of a prolonged delay due to injury, weather, etc., in which case the referee may add time to the half to make up for the delay.

Consolation games will follow the same rules as all other tournament games and in the event of a tie a draw will be declared.

Championship games will consist of two thirty (30) minute halves and a 5 minute halftime break. In the event of a tie at the end of regular time two golden-goal overtimes of ten minutes each will be played. There will be no break between overtimes (although the players will change ends). In the event the game is still tied, FIFA rules for the "Taking of kicks from the penalty mark" shall apply. Teams will alternate kicks at the same goal, with the goal selected by the referee. Best of five, (or more, if necessary), kicks shall prevail. All eligible players, including the goalkeepers, must kick before any player may repeat. Only players on the field at the conclusion of extra time will be eligible to take kicks, these players must remain within the field of play after the conclusion of extra time.

In lieu of a coin toss, the visiting team will choose which goal to defend. The home team will kickoff.

In case of extreme weather conditions (exceptionally high temperatures), the Committee may make a decision to play each game in quarters, with 1 minute touch line water breaks midway through each half in addition to a 5 minute halftime. This decision, if made, will apply to all games played the remainder of that day.

2. EQUIPMENT: A #5 ball will be used in U13 - U19 divisions. U10 - U12 will use a #4 ball. Game balls will be supplied by the Tournament Field Marshal. All casts and other orthopedic devices must be approved by the referee prior to the start of play. Shin guards are mandatory for all players.

3. SUBSTITUTIONS: Substitutions will be unlimited in number and may be made only with the consent of the referee by EITHER TEAM at any stoppage of play, including any kickoff, goal kick, throw-in, corner kick, direct or indirect kick, penalty kick, after a score, at halftime and after any injury for which the referee stops play.

Note: Player safety is paramount. Therefore, no referee, coach or tournament official may order an injured player to be removed from the field of play if the player, player’s parent or coach has requested professional medical attention (e.g., EMT’s) and has not yet received it. Once a professional is present, he or she is in full charge of the injured player, regardless of the impact on the tournament schedule.

4. SCORING AND STANDINGS (Except U10 for which standings are not computed): A round robin World Cup format will be utilized, with each team playing all other teams in its division (except possibly in divisions expanded to more than five teams). Each team will be awarded game points as follows: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss. In addition, bonus points will be calculated for each team and will be the difference between cumulative goals for and cumulative goals against in all games played, up to a maximum of three (3) goals per game. In the event of ties for placement of teams in divisions with finals and third place games, the following applies: In the case of ties after considering all tie breakers, a special shootout will be held according to FIFA Rules to determine which team advances to the higher level game. Bonus points are calculated separately from game points and are only used to break ties in the final standings within a division.

Division winners will be decided on the basis of the best won/lost game points record, excluding bonus points. Breaking ties: 1. Head to head results: if two or more teams have the same won/lost points record, the team defeating the other or others will be declared the winner. 2. If one of two or more tied teams did not defeat the other or others, the tie will be broken in the following manner: a. Most wins. b. Most bonus points. c. Least goals allowed. d. If teams are still tied after all the above criteria have been used, co-champions will be declared.

Note: in the case of a tie in a bracket where each team may not play every other team: a. If the tied teams did play each other, the tiebreaker rules apply. b. If the tied teams did not play each other, co-champions will be declared.

5. CONDUCT: Violent conduct by any player, coach, manager, referee or spectator may, at the discretion of the tournament committee, result in ejection from all subsequent tournament activities. Any player sent off the field (red card) by the referee will automatically be suspended from the next game her team plays in the tournament. A cumulative yellow card rule is in effect: any player receiving two (yellow cards) in more than one game will be suspended from playing in her team’s next game directly after the one in which she received her second caution. Should a player suspended for receiving a red card or for accumulating two yellow cards in more than one game play in her team's next game, her team will automatically forfeit the game in which she does so. Unsporting behavior by a team's manager, coaches or parents will not be tolerated and may result in the offender(s) being banned from the sidelines for the remainder of the game and/or succeeding game(s).

Note: Coaching is permitted only from the team sideline and spectator coaching is prohibited. All spectators must remain on the opposite side of the field from the team benches.

6. FORFEIT TIME: A ten minute grace period will be allowed for a team to field a minimum of seven (7) players (5 in U10). After ten minutes the referee will declare a 3-0 forfeit (except U10).

7. HOME TEAM DESIGNATION: The first team on the schedule will be the home team and is responsible for wearing jerseys of an alternate color when necessary.

8. PROTESTS: No protests will be entertained.

9. GAMES HALTED BY WEATHER: If more than half a game has been played and that game is terminated because of weather conditions, it will be considered official. If exactly one-half or less than one-half of the game has been played and the game cannot be rescheduled, it will be considered a 1-1 tie.

10. ELIGIBILITY: An approved Application to Travel for non-Region 1 USYSA-affiliated teams (except New Jersey teams) must be filed with the tournament committee after notification of acceptance. Foreign teams must present appropriate Permission to Travel papers certified by their own national organization. For non-Connecticut teams who are not affiliated with the USYSA, their organization’s normal paperwork regarding travel and rosters will be accepted. An insurance certificate with minimum liability limits of $1,000,000 and minimum excess player medical limits of $25,000 must be provided by all teams not affiliated with the USYSA and all foreign teams. In addition, for ages U11 and older, each team must have verification of each player's age by means of an association card or player pass. Such cards or player passes will be considered proof of citizenship for foreign players and coaches. Coaches’ cards are required and the names must be listed on the certified roster. Only coaches with cards may be on the team sideline, unless given special permission by the tournament director. All players, with the exception of three guest players, must be duly registered with their participating club. For Connecticut teams belonging to the CJSA, all players’ names, including those of any guest players, must appear on a roster certified by the team's district or state organization. For non-Connecticut USYSA teams, their state’s normal guest player paperwork will be accepted and must be certified by the participating team's parent organization.

Proof of player eligibility (certified roster, certified guest player documents and player passes) must be presented at registration and be available to be held by the field marshal prior to the start of each game. Special SOCCERFEST medical release forms for each player must be presented at registration and held by the coach or manager at the field in case of injury. No player may play on more than one team in the tournament. Any player not meeting any of the above requirements will not be allowed to play. A team will automatically forfeit any games in which an ineligible player participates.

11. AWARDS CEREMONY: It is hoped that all participating teams will attend the awards ceremony following the last game in their division. First and second place teams (U11-U19) are expected to attend.

12. SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS: Soccerfest places a high value on sportsmanship and rewards it by recognizing individuals who have best exemplified the principle. For every game the opposing coaches will select a player from each team who best displays exceptional sportsmanship.

13. SPECIAL RULES: Guilford’s town rules prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages and smoking in any form while attending events at athletic fields and at the town beach where our picnic will be held. Dogs are not allowed, even if leashed, at tournament matches or the beach area.