TOURNAMENT RULES

LAWS OF THE GAME

All matches shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game except where interpretations are provided for Youth Matches within USYSA, SCYSA and/or these rules.

These rules may be modified before the beginning of tournament play.

TEAM, PLAYERS, AND COACHES ELIGIBILITY

All teams and players must be affiliated with the USYSA or a sanctioned affiliate. Teams must be registered and in good standing with their US Youth Soccer/US Club Soccer affiliated state/provincial association. All players from each team must be registered by the same sanctioning organization. No combination USYS/US Club Soccer teams will be allowed. Coaches are responsible for ensuring the eligibility of their players. Player and coach passes (US Club Soccer or USYS) must be present and available at all matches. Any team participating must carry valid player’s passes. If a player or coach does not have a pass, he/she will not be allowed to participate. A player can play for only one team and a team can be entered only in its age appropriate division. No double rostering allowed. Any ineligible player discovered will cause the team on which he played for to forfeit any game. The Director(s) may declare a forfeit. Any team that forfeits a game will not be allowed to advance out of their group to the finals. Teams may have up to three (3) guest players subject to the maximum roster allowances by age division; guest player forms will be required. Teams may have up to five (5) club pass players subject to the maximum roster allowances by age division; club pass players only need pass. Teams must comply with US Youth Soccer travel procedures. All teams must follow the applicable procedures of the US Youth Soccer Travel Policy. Out of state teams must have US Youth Soccer Permission to Travel papers on file at your state association office (if applicable). All teams are also required to carry written medical releases from parents/guardians in case emergency medical care is necessary. Teams are also required to have player picture identification cards. 

CHECK-IN PROCEDURES

Check-in procedures will be completed online prior to the tournament weekend. There will NOT be team check-ins at the event. All teams are required to use SincSports Online CheckIn prior to the check-in deadline date. A roster certified by your state association must be submitted before the tournament begins and to complete online check-in. After check-in, teams may not alter their rosters or make additions/subtractions at any time Managers/Coaches need to provide a copy of an approved stamped roster to the referee prior to each game. Only the approved stamped roster can be accepted. Electronic copies will not be accepted on site. Referee is not to collect player passes but they may be checked prior to each match. Referee will keep the approved stamped roster and turn it in with a game card.

EQUIPMENT/UNIFORMS – SHIN GUARDS ARE MANDATORY

The home team is the first team listed in a pairing, or top team in a playoff tree. In case of a uniform color conflict, the team in the incorrect color is responsible for changing to an alternate color jersey. The visiting team will wear the “the dark color” uniform, and the home team will wear “white”. Game balls shall be furnished by the home team, who shall present a primary and alternate game ball, acceptable to the referee prior to the start of the game to prevent lost time due to lengthy ball retrieval. Each player on a team shall wear the same uniform, to consist of a jersey with different number, shorts, socks and shin guards. Goalkeeper must have a different color, preferably not black. The jersey may not be exchanged with another player for the duration of the game. Long sleeve shirts may be worn under the jersey. No long pants may be worn, except by the goalkeeper (unless extreme weather permits). The assigned referee will conduct a pre-game inspection of players and their equipment. All player equipment is subject to referee approval. The referee has the right to request players to put on shin guards that are sized properly.

COACHES

There must be at least one registered coach of the same affiliation as the team present at each game. Coaches may not enter the field of play once the game begins unless summoned by the referee. All other spectators must remain at least two (2) yards from the touchlines and ten (10) yards away from the area behind goal lines. Teams use the side of the field with team benches and spectators shall use the opposite side of the field. Coaches shall conduct themselves in a manner becoming of their respective organizations. Negative comments and complaints about the referees will not be tolerated. This will be strictly enforced. Coaches who violate this rule will be carded. Coaches shall be responsible for the words and actions of their players, parents, and spectators. Verbal abuse of the opponents or referees by players, coaches or spectators will not be tolerated. Violations may result in forfeiture of the game and/or expulsion from the tournament. Coaches shall encourage clean competition and good sportsmanship and participate in positive coaching. Coaches shall abide by and uphold the Rules and Regulations of their respective organizations and FIFA’s Laws of the Game.

FIELD MARSHALS

If you have any questions before, during or after games, please contact a field marshal on duty at your field. The field marshal will be wearing appropriate identification.

TOURNAMENT AGE GROUPS

If there are not enough teams to form an age group, the entered teams will be given one of two options:

Option (1) – Tournament Committee will recommend an alternative placement.

Option (2) - Withdraw from the tournament and the entry fee will be refunded.

If the minimum number of players is not met, the offending team will forfeit the game by a score of 3-0.

GAME BALL

9U, 10U, 11U & 12U: Size 4

13U-19U: Size 5

The referee’s acceptance of the game ball is final and may not be questioned. The game ball shall be provided by the home team.

GAME LENGTH (5-minute break between periods)

9U-10U Two 25-minute halves 7v7; Modified offsides (defensive build up line); no heading

11U-12U Two 30-minute halves 9v9

13U-17U Two 35-minute halves 11v11

18U-19U Two 40-minute halves 11v11

The Tournament Director may shorten the time of any game. Games shall be played as scheduled (there is no excuse for late or non-appearance). Only the referee in charge of the game, with concurrence of the Tournament Director, has the authority to cancel any game. There are no grace periods. Any team that is not ready to play at the scheduled time is subject to (referee’s discretion) forfeit of that game. Teams should be at the game field 15 minutes before the scheduled game time and ready for check in with the referee. Failure of a team to be ready at kickoff time shall constitute forfeiture and that team shall lose the game by a score of 3-0.

In the event a team refuses to continue a game (walks off the field) after the start of the game, that team shall forfeit the game by a score of 4-0 or the score at the time the game was terminated, whichever is more disadvantageous to the forfeiting team.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission at any stoppage in play, unless otherwise specified. Unlimited substitutions allowed at the discretion of the referee.

DIVISION STRUCTURE

• 3-teams – Each team will play the other two teams in the group. On Sunday, #2 will play #3 in the Semi-Finals. The winner of the Semi-Final will play #1 in the Final.

• 4-teams – All 4 team brackets will play in a Round Robin format with no Final. Champions and Finalists will be determined based on points after all games in the division have been completed.

• 5-teams – On Saturday, each team will play two group games (opponents determined at random). On Sunday, #4 will play #5 in the Consolation. #2 will play #3 in the Semi-Finals. The winner of the Semi-Final will play #1 in the Final.

• 6-teams – 3 cross bracket games, two top point winners in division advance to final OR Two groups of three. Each team will play the other two teams in their group and one team from the other group (opponent in other group determined at random). Bracket A#1 will play Bracket B#1 in the Final

• 7-teams – Division of 7: 1 group of 3 and 1 group of 4. Group with 4 plays round robin with two games Saturday and one game Sunday. Group of 3 will play two group games Saturday. On Sunday, 1st place teams in each group play for the final. 2nd place teams in each group will play in a consolation game. 3rd place teams in each group will play in a consolation game.

• 8-teams – Two groups of four. Each team will play the other three teams in their group. Bracket A#1 will play Bracket B#1 in the Final.

POINT SYSTEM

The Tournament Committee will determine the competition format subject to the amount of teams entered. Teams may be seeded in pool play. There will be no overtime in pool play. Ties will be recorded as such. The greatest number of points determines pool standings.

Points are awarded as follows:

• Win = 3 points

• Tie = 1 points

• Loss = 0 points

• Forfeit win = 3 points for win, 4 goals for, and 0 against (the team which forfeited – 0 points, 0 goals for, and 4 goals against)

A team that forfeits a game will give up three (3) points to the declared winner of the game and shall not advance to a final match. The match will be scored as a 4-0 win for the declared winner.

Scoring issues should be reported immediately to the Tournament Director for reverification. All scores will be verified and signed off on by the winning coach.

POOL PLAY STANDINGS - TIEBREAKERS

If at the conclusion of bracket play, two or more teams have the same point total, advancement to the semifinals will be determined using the following tiebreakers in the order listed until a team is eliminated. If more than 2 teams are tied, proceed to step 2.

1. Winner of head-to-head competition during round robin competition. This applies for advancement overall from all brackets only if all involved teams have played one another (this criterion is not used if more than two teams are tied).

2. Highest total goal difference for all games (“goals for” minus “goals against”), 4 goal maximum difference per game. a. Ex: A team’s 3 game scores are: 10 to 4 = +4; 1 to 3 = (-2); 2 to 2 = 0 b. Total goal difference would be: (4) + (-2) + (0) = 2 3. Fewest goals allowed total for all games, no maximum per game. 4. FIFA kicks from penalty mark. In single pool competitions that end in a tie after all tie breakers have been considered, there will be a shootout. In the event three or more teams are tied, the above tie breakers will be applied simultaneously to all teams and are to be used only once.

SEMI-FINAL AND FINAL MATCHES - KICKS FROM THE MARK

In case of a tie at the end of regulation time, teams will go directly to kicks from the mark.

Kicks from the mark are used in semi-final and final matches will be run in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game. The referee chooses the goal at which the kicks will be taken. The referee tosses a coin and the team whose captain wins the toss will take the first kick. Both teams take five kicks; kicks are taken alternately by the teams.

If before both teams have taken five kicks, one has scored more goals than the other could score, even if it were to complete its five kicks, no more kicks are taken. If after five kicks the score is tied, kicks continue until one team has scored a goal more than the other (sudden death) from the same number of kicks. Only the players on the field at the end of the match are allowed to take kicks. A different player must take each kick and all eligible players must take a kick before any player can take a second kick. If the player is under suspension, they may NOT participate in the kicks.

AWARDS

In the 9U to 19U divisions, medals will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place teams. Additional awards may be made at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.

INJURIES

Any injury to a participant, or property damage caused by a participant, must be reported to the Tournament Director. The costs of all injury treatments are the sole responsibility of the injured player, coach, sanctioning national association, or their health plan insurer.

WEATHER AND REFUND POLICY

No refunds will be given once the application form and fees have been received and accepted.

If the tournament is canceled due to COVID-19, teams will receive a full refund minus a $25 admin fee.

In case of inclement weather, the Tournament Director will determine if a game is to be played. Once the game has started the decision to continue play rests with the referee. If the referee suspends the game due to weather conditions, the tournament committee will decide when the game is restarted. A second stoppage of the game will result in automatic termination. Terminated games shall be considered completed if one half of the game has elapsed at which time the score at the stoppage of play shall be the final score. If a game is terminated before one half has been played, the game will be replayed in its entirety if scheduling permits and/or at the tournament director’s discretion. Check the Website for weather and other tournament-related information updates. Persons may also call KOSA Cup director at 843.246.4989. Teams will be expected to play according to the schedule of games regardless of weather. Only the Tournament Director(s) may reschedule games or alter the competitive format because of inclement weather or other just cause. Games shall be considered complete if one half has been completed and play is stopped by the Field Representative or Referee, Commissioner of Referees or the Tournament Director(s). When necessitated by playing conditions or just cause, the game format may be altered to include shortening of games, penalty kicks or coin tosses. In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Director has the authority to restructure or cancel the tournament. It may not be rescheduled, and no refunds will be issued.

REFEREE ABUSE

Referee abuse will not be tolerated during the tournament. Referee abuse by the player, coach or fan will be reported to their home state association. The player, coach, or fan will be removed from the field.

DISQUALIFICATIONS, CAUTIONS, AND EJECTIONS

If a team uses a player deemed to be ineligible, that team shall forfeit all games in which that player participated. The Tournament Director may disqualify any team, at any point in the tournament, if the team refuses to abide by the Rules and Regulations of the tournament. All players and coaches sent from the field (red card) or cautioned (yellow card) must be reported to the Tournament Director immediately after the end of the game by the game referee. The player(s) receiving the red card and the coach or team manager must report to Tournament Headquarters following the game. Players will be suspended for a minimum of 1 game. The suspension may be increased depending on the severity of the incident. If a red card is received in a Final Match, the player will have to serve suspension in the following year’s event.

TEAM BENCH AREAS

All teams are requested to clean up their bench areas following each played game. We provide a sufficient number of trash cans throughout the complex. Pre-wrap, electrical tape, athletic tape and beverage containers among other debris should be disposed of in any available trash can after each played game. All teams are expected to clean up after their game and to help us keep our complex clean. Your cooperation in advance is greatly appreciated.

USYSA MANDATE:

Players U12 and below are NOT allowed to intentionally head the ball. 

PROTESTS

No Protests. The game official shall consist of a center referee who shall be responsible for making all decisions related to the game. All decisions of the Tournament Director are final. The Tournament Director and/or Tournament Coordinators will decide upon any situation or subject not covered by the aforementioned rules and regulations. All decisions by the Tournament Director are final and are not subject to appeal. To contact the Tournament Director, please email china@kickoffsocceracademy.com or call 843.246.4989