Rules & Rosters
Tournament Overview
- Duration: 3 days (Friday optional, Saturday & Sunday main play)
- Typical schedule: 2 games on Saturday, at least 1 on Sunday
- Advancement:
- Top 2 teams in a bracket, or top team in multiple brackets, advance to finals
- Medals/trophies awarded to 1st and 2nd place
Check-In & Credentials
- Registration: Online via GotSport, must upload:
- Official roster (via USYS-affiliated carding program)
- Player passes
- Release of Liability form
- Deadline: 5 days before tournament
- Roster Changes: None allowed after submission
- Player Rules:
- One team per player
- Unique jersey numbers required (cannot change during tournament)
- Guest players: max 7, same sanctioning body; roster size limit still applies
Rules of Play
- Laws: FIFA Laws of the Game, modified by USYS/MSYSA rules
- No deliberate heading for U11 and younger players playing up
- Game Duration & Format:
| Age Group | Players | Halves | Ball Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-8–U-10 | 7 v 7 | 25 min | 4 | Build-out line enforced; no punts |
| U-11–U-12 | 9 v 9 | 30 min | 4 | Build-out line enforced; no punts |
| U-13–U-15 | 11 v 11 | 35 min | 5 | Standard FIFA rules |
- Scoring & Points (Preliminary Stage): Win = 3, Tie = 1, Loss = 0
- Elimination Stage: Tied games decided by penalty kicks
- Half-Time: 3 minutes
Tie-Breakers
- Goal difference
- Highest goals scored
- Head-to-head result
- Least penalty points (yellow = 1, red = 2)
- Tournament Manager decision
Competition Format
- 4 teams: Top 2 → Finals
- 8 teams: Top 2 from each bracket → Semifinals
- 12 teams: Top team from each bracket + wild card → Semifinals
- 16 teams: Top 1 or 2 teams per bracket → Quarterfinals/Semifinals (manager discretion)
- 20+ teams: Top team + wild card(s) → Quarterfinals
Player & Coach Regulations
- Substitutions: Unlimited, with referee permission at stoppages
- Equipment: Shin guards mandatory; other gear at referee discretion
- Coaching:
- Only from sidelines within 10 yards of halfway line
- No mechanical devices
- No derogatory/abusive behavior
- Cautions & Ejections:
- 2 yellows = red → ejected
- Ejected players miss next game; violent conduct → miss next 2 games
- Coach ejections treated same as player
- Disciplinary Committee may review repeated misconduct
Game Management
- Check-in: Referees check safety; managers hold player cards & medical releases
- Home/Away Teams:
- Home = first team listed, wears light jerseys, kicks off first
- Away = dark jerseys, choose direction
- No coin toss
- Spectators: Opposite side of field, same half as their team, mirror behavior
Forfeits
- Not ready within 5 min = forfeit
- Misconduct causing termination = forfeit
- Shortened match may be played by mutual consent
Other Notes
- Game balls provided by tournament
- No protests allowed
- Tournament director resolves off-field disputes
- Guest teams may fill late vacancies