Rules - Clash of the Cleats

RULES OF COMPETITION Updated 5 - July - 2001 Download this Document (MS Word)
1.	AGE OF ELIGIBILITY The competition it open to all accepted teams composed of 18 or fewer players, four of which may be 'guest players', meeting the age limit of the specified division. Players must have been born during or subsequent to the divisional year. No player is permitted to play for more than one team during the tournament, regardless of divisions or age groups. All coaches must register their team prior to the first game, and may be checked again prior to any tournament game thereafter.

2.	LAWS OF THE GAME All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA laws except as specifically modified by these rules.

3.	FIELD AND GAME EQUIPMENT
	A.	Teams must wear numbers on their uniforms and the numbers shall coincide with the team's roster.

	B.	When uniform colors are similar, then designated home team (the team listed first on the schedule) will change colors. Goalkeepers must wear colors which are not similar to those of the teammates, opponents, and the officials.

	C.	The Field Coordinator will provide the game ball.

	D.	Teams must check in with the Field Coordinator 30 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff.

	E.	Coaches are to remain within 10 yards on either side of the halfway lines during the games. Players waiting to play and coaches will remain one yard behind the touch line to allow the players and officials to proceed without disruption. Spectators will remain two yards behind the touch line to allow the coach and the players waiting to play to have room.

	F.	Ball sizes
		a.	U-10 to U-12: 4
		b.	U-13 to U-17: 5

	G.	Game duration will be a 30 minute halves.

4.	SUBSTITUTIONS
	A.	Substitutions without limit may be with the referee's permission:
		a.	After a goal has been made;
		b.	At the beginning of the second half of play;
		c.	At a goal kick for either team;
		d.	At a throw-in by the team in possession.

	B.	Substitutions will take place at midfield and the substitute will not enter the field until the replaced player has left the field.

5.	GAME AND SCORE REPORTING
	A.	The Field Coordinator will be responsible to see that the game report forms are properly completed and signed be the referee and both coaches at the completion of the game.

	B.	The Field Coordinator will be responsible to see that the scores of each game at the facility are reported to the Tournament Headquarters in a timely manner each day.

6.	CONDUCT
	A.	Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the law as well as the letter of the law. Display of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and the field area.

	B.	Coaches are responsible for the behavior of the spectators on their side of the field.

	C.	Players, coaches, and team officials ejected from the game by the referee shall be ineligible for participation in the next game. A player, coach, or team official ejected from a second game shall be ineligible for further participation in the tournament, and shall not be permitted on or near the field for the remainder of the tournament. Referees must report any yellow/red cards to the Field Coordinator for inclusion in the game report.

7.	ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT PERMITTED AT ANY GAME SITES

8.	THERE WILL BE NO PROTESTS

9.	DETERMINATION OF GROUP STANDINGS
	A.	Each team will be awarded five points for a win, two points for a tie, and no points for a loss. In addition, a point shall be added for each goal scored win, loss, or tie (maximum of 3) and 1 point for a shut-out. Total maximum points per game is 9. The basis for determining either preliminary group standings to move into the semifinals or finals; or the divisional winner in those cases of competition with no semifinals or finals; shall be that team with the most points in their group.

	B.	In the event of a tie within a group the following priority shall be used to determine group standings:
		a.	Head to head results (for only a two team tie in points)
		b.	Least amount of goals allowed
		c.	Total goals scored (maximum of 3 goals per game) NOTE: In computing "b" or "c", the results against a team which forfeits to one of the tied teams will not be counted by either team.
		d.	FIFA penalty kicks thirty minutes prior to advancing to the next round.

10.	FINAL ROUNDS
	A.	Winners of each divisional group advance into the final round if appropriate.

	B.	If in any division a wild card must be selected for the final rounds, that team will not be assigned to play the winner of its own group. The Division Coordinator will make the schedule change.

	C.	Drawn Matches – Playoff Games
		a.	Tie games will be decided by a sudden death overtime period.
		b.	U-11 and above will play 7 vs. 7, U-10 will play 5 vs. 5. The players selected for the sudden death must be on the field at the end of the regulation game.
		c.	If a team member receives a red card during regulation play, his team will not be penalized in the sudden death period.
		d.	At the end of regulation time, all players on the field will report immediately to the center circle. Coaches will be allowed 3 minutes to select the players to remain on the field, all other players will report to the sidelines.
		e.	A coin toss, with the home team calling the flip, will be held. The winner of the toss will determine which goal they want to attack, the losing team will kickoff.
		f.	All regular FIFA rules will apply with the exception of the following: There will be no goalkeepers allowed. There will be no substitutions. No offsides. If a penalty kick is awarded, the defending team may place a defender on the goal line in front of the net. No hands may be used. The game will end upon the score of a goal by either team. A goal may not be scored on the kickoff.


		b.	Should the game remain a draw after the overtime play, FIFA penalty kicks will be taken to determine the winner.

11.	FAILURE TO SHOW AND FORFEITS
	A.	A team shall be allowed a ten minute grace period after the scheduled kick-off in preliminary games before the game is awarded to their opponent. A minimum of seven players constitutes a team, and if seven players are present the game may not be delayed. If during the game a team falls below the minimum of seven players, the game will be awarded to their opponents.

	B.	A team which forfeited a game may not be declared a group winner or wild card team. If an apparent group winner forfeits, the group team with the next best record will be named the group winner.

	C.	A forfeit shall be recorded as a 3 - 0 game

12.	INCLEMENT WEATHER
	A.	Mifflin County Youth Soccer club, in conjunction with Mifflin County, PA. laws, will not allow a game to be played in inclement weather if there is a good possibility of injury to a player or damage to a playing surface. Thus, in the event of inclement weather the Tournament Director will have the authority to:
		a.	Relocate or reschedule any game;
		b.	Change the duration of the game;
		c.	Cancel any preliminary game which has no bearing on the selection of group winners;
		d.	Cancel the entire tournament for the safety of the players and the good of the playing fields. NOTE: Preliminary games terminated after one-half of play because of inclement weather shall be considered official.

13.	GENERAL
	A.	The Tournament Committee, the Tournament Director, and the Mifflin County Youth Soccer Club will not be responsible for any expense incurred by any team if the tournament is cancelled in whole or in part. A pro-rated rebate will be made to each visiting team depending on the point at which the tournament has to be cancelled.

	B.	The Tournament Committee's interpretation of these rules shall be final.

	C.	The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to this tournament.