Rules & Rosters

Tournament Rules & Regulations

Dates: December 13–14, 2025
Location: Montgomery County, MD
Registration Deadline: November 30, 2025
Eligibility: Competitive Level Teams (U-8 – U-19)

I. General Information

The DMV Futsal Classic is a two-day futsal tournament designed for travel-level and competitive futsal teams across the region.
Each team will typically play two (2) games on Saturday and at least one (1) game on Sunday.

• The top two teams in each bracket (or top team if multiple brackets exist) will advance to the finals.
• Champions receive trophies and medals; Finalists receive medals.

II. Check-In and Credentials

Registration

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

Credentials

• All teams must provide:
  • Valid Player I.D. Cards with photos
  • Signed Medical Release Forms
  • Approved travel documentation (if applicable)
• Players may not play for more than one team during the tournament.
• Each player must have a unique jersey number and may not change jerseys or numbers once check-in is complete.

Guest Players

• Teams may roster up to 7 guest players (from the same sanctioning body).
• Mixed sanctioning bodies are not permitted.
  • Example: US Club and USYS player cards cannot be combined.
• Guest players must present valid player passes and must appear on the official roster.

III. Rules of Play

Governing Rules

All games follow the FIFA Laws of the Game, as modified by USYS and MSYSA.

Heading Restriction:

• U-11 players and younger (including those “playing up”) may not deliberately head the ball.
• A deliberate header results in an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

IV. Game Format

• Halftime: 3 minutes
• No overtime during preliminary matches.
• Win: 3 points | Tie: 1 point | Loss: 0 points
• Elimination matches tied at the end of regulation proceed directly to penalty kicks.

Game Check-In Conduct

• Referees conduct safety checks before each game.
• Team managers must have player cards and medical release forms at every match.
• Referees and field marshals will manage Game Cards — no signatures or transport required by team managers.

V. Advancement and Tie-Breakers

Bracket Advancement

• 4 Teams: Top 2 advance to Final
• 8 Teams: Top 2 in each bracket advance to Semifinals
• 12 Teams: 1st place in each bracket + 1 Wild Card advance to Semifinals
• 16 Teams: 1st place teams advance to Semifinals, or top 2 per bracket advance to Quarterfinals (Tournament Director’s discretion)
• 20+ Teams: 1st place teams + top Wild Cards advance to Quarterfinals

Note: Adjustments may be made to prevent teams from replaying prior opponents in elimination rounds.

Tie-Breakers

1. Goal differential
2. Most goals scored
3. Head-to-head result
4. Fewest disciplinary points (yellow = 1, red = 2)
5. Tournament Manager’s decision

VI. Substitutions & Player Equipment

Substitutions

• Unlimited substitutions with referee consent at any stoppage in play.
• Governed by USYSA Rule 302.

Player Equipment

• Referees have final authority on equipment safety.
• Shin guards are mandatory.
• No jewelry or unsafe braces permitted.
• Violations may result in player removal until corrected.

VII. Coaching Conduct

Coaches are responsible for the conduct of players, substitutes, families, and spectators at all times.

Coaching is permitted from the sideline provided that:

• No mechanical or electronic devices are used.
• Instructions are positive and non-derogatory.
• Coaches and substitutes remain within their designated technical area.
• No profanity, harassment, or disruptive behavior occurs.

Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action or removal from the tournament.

VIII. Cautions, Ejections & Discipline

Additional Policies:

• No communication or contact between suspended coach and team during games.
• Further misconduct may lead to tournament expulsion.
• Ejected players/coaches may be required to appear before the Disciplinary Committee.

IX. Suspended or Terminated Games

• Referees may suspend or terminate matches for weather, safety, or misconduct.
• Terminated matches for misconduct result in forfeit and possible suspension of the offending team.
• Games suspended for weather may resume if time allows.

X. Injury Policy

Referees may add stoppage time for injuries, but only within scheduling limits.
Games delayed significantly will be shortened to maintain the overall tournament schedule.

XI. Referees & Game Decisions

• Referee decisions on matters of fact are final and binding.
• The referee may change a call only before play resumes.
• No protests will be accepted on judgment calls.

XII. Determining Winners

• Champions: Awarded trophies and medals
• Finalists: Awarded medals

Home/Away Designations

• Home Team: Listed first on the schedule (wears light jerseys, provides game ball)
• Away Team: Wears dark jerseys
• In case of color conflict, Home Team changes jerseys.
• Home team kicks off; away team chooses direction in the first half.

XIII. Spectator & Sideline Conduct

• Spectators must sit opposite the team benches.
• Supporters should stay on their team’s half of the field and not switch sides at halftime.
• Coaches are responsible for ensuring proper spectator behavior.

Referee Respect Policy:

“Team officials are accountable for spectator behavior.
Referees may discipline coaches for failure to control spectators.
The Tournament Committee may suspend, forfeit, or expel teams for referee abuse.”

XIV. Forfeits

An automatic forfeit occurs if:

1. A team fails to arrive within 5 minutes of scheduled kickoff with the minimum number of players and valid credentials.
2. A team’s misconduct causes match termination.

By mutual consent, teams may still play a shortened friendly if time allows; however, the forfeit result will stand.

XV. Protests & Disputes

• No protests will be accepted.
• Referee decisions stand as final.
• Off-field disputes are resolved by the Tournament Director or designee, whose decision is final.

XVI. Guest Teams

Guest teams may be accepted at the discretion of the Tournament Director to fill open divisions.

XVII. Refund Policy

Weather / Force Majeure Refunds:

• 1 game played → 50% refund
• 2 games played → 25% refund
• 3+ games played → No refund

If cancelled for health or safety reasons by authorities, teams may apply fees to the following year’s tournament (minus $150 admin fee).

XVIII. Contact Information

DMV Futsal Classic
c/o MDSL
📬 PO Box 302
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
📧 info@mdslsoccer.com
🌐 www.mdslsoccer.com