Rules & Rosters

🏆 Fall Classic Tournament Rules

📅 Tournament Overview

The Fall Classic runs over two days.

• Teams typically play 2 games on Saturday and at least 1 game on Sunday.
• The top 2 teams in each bracket (or the top team if there are multiple brackets) advance to the final.
• Trophies and medals are awarded to the top 2 finishers.

📝 Check-In & Credentials

Registration

• All registration must be completed online via GotSport.
• Teams must upload:
  • Official roster (via a US Youth Soccer–affiliated carding program)
  • Player passes
  • Release of Liability form
• All materials must be submitted 5 days prior to the tournament.
• Once a roster is submitted, no changes are allowed.

Credentials

At mandatory online check-in, each team must provide:

• Valid roster (from USYS, US Club Soccer, or league)
• Proper travel documentation (if applicable)

Player Rules

• Players may only play for one team in the tournament.
• Each player must have a unique jersey number and may not change numbers or jerseys after registration.
• Violations may result in match forfeiture.

Guest Players

• Teams may use up to 7 guest players, provided all use the same sanctioning body (USYS or US Club Soccer).
• Mixing card types (USYS/US Club) is not allowed.
• USYS State Associations may differ, but all players must hold the same sanctioning body cards.

⚽ Rules of Play

• FIFA Laws of the Game apply as modified by USYS and MSYSA.
• No deliberate heading allowed for U11 and younger.
  • If heading occurs, play stops and restarts with an indirect free kick.

Game Duration

• Preliminary games: No overtime.
  • Win = 3 pts | Tie = 1 pt | Loss = 0 pts
• Elimination games: Ties go straight to penalty kicks.
• Build-out lines are used for U8–U10.
• Halftime: 5 minutes.

Match Reports

Coaches/managers must verify the official match report (scores, cautions, send-offs) immediately after each match.

🔢 Tie-Breakers

If teams are tied in points, advancement is determined by:

1. Goal difference (overall)
2. Most goals scored
3. Head-to-head result
4. Least penalty points (yellow = 1, red = 2)
5. Tournament Manager’s decision

🏁 Tournament Format

• 4 teams: Top 2 → Final
• 8 teams: Top 2 from each bracket → Semifinals
• 12 teams: 1st place in each bracket + 1 wild card → Semifinals
• 16 teams: Either 1st place → Semifinals, or top 2 → Quarterfinals (at Tournament Manager’s discretion)
• 20+ teams: 1st place + applicable wild cards → Quarterfinals

Note: Wild card pairings are adjusted to avoid same-bracket rematches in the first elimination round.

🎽 Game Check-In & Conduct

• Referees perform player safety checks before each match.
• Managers must have:
  • Medical release forms for all players
  • Laminated player cards
• Referees and field marshals handle official game cards.

Substitutions

• Unlimited substitutions with referee approval, at any stoppage in play (per USYSA Rule 302).

Player Equipment

• Referees determine safety/suitability of equipment.
• Shin guards required for all players.

👩‍🏫 Coaching & Sideline Conduct

Coaches are responsible for players, substitutes, and spectators.
Coaching is permitted only if:

• No mechanical devices are used
• Instructions are positive and instructive
• Coaches remain within 10 yards of the halfway line
• No derogatory or disruptive behavior occurs

🟥 Cautions & Ejections

• 2 yellow cards in one match = red card (ejection).
• Ejected player: cannot be replaced; suspended for next game.
• Violent conduct/serious foul play = suspension for 2 games.
• Coach ejection = same suspension rules as players.
• Coaches under suspension may not have contact with team and must be out of sight and sound of the field.
• Repeated or serious offenses may trigger a Disciplinary Committee hearing.

🚫 Suspensions, Terminations & Injuries

• If a match is suspended (e.g., weather), it may resume if time allows before the next scheduled game.
• If terminated for misconduct, the offending team may be removed from the tournament.
• Injury delays: referee may add time, but not if it affects later games.

⚖️ Tournament Competition Rules

Referee Decisions

Referee decisions regarding facts of play are final.

Determining Winners

• Champions: awarded trophies & medals
• Runners-up: awarded medals

Home & Away

• Home team = first on schedule
• Home wears light jerseys, away wears dark
• If color conflict: home team changes
• Home team provides game ball
• Home kicks off; away chooses direction
• No coin toss

👨‍👩‍👧 Spectator Guidelines

• Spectators sit on the opposite side from teams.
• Spectators should stay on their team’s half and mirror their side.
• No switching sides at halftime.
• Teams and spectators must not mix.

Respect the Refs

• Team officials are responsible for spectator behavior.
• Abuse or failure to control spectators can result in:
  • Team forfeit
  • Expulsion from tournament
  • Spectator bans

❌ Forfeits

A team will forfeit if:

1. Not ready to play (with minimum eligible players, coach, and cards) within 5 minutes of scheduled kickoff.
2. Game is terminated due to misconduct.

Teams may mutually agree to play a shortened friendly if players arrive after a forfeit.

🚫 Protests & Disputes

• No protests allowed.
• On-field conduct is governed by the referee.
• Off-field disputes are settled by the Tournament Director, and decisions are final.

🎟️ Guest Teams

Guest teams may be accepted to fill late vacancies in divisions.