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Tournament Rules

REGISTRATION 

 

Teams MUST  check in at the Mandatory Registration 90 minutes before their first game. Failure to check in will result in automatic disqualification (without a refund of the fee) from the tournament. Games not played will be classified as “Forfeits”.

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Teams will be playing at the upcoming 2024-25 age brackets

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Current USYSA & US Club player cards for  2024-25 will be required of all players as proof of age and must be available for inspection at initial check-in ( unless your team was approved online check in no later than August 6)  and at the start of each game. To include leagues that don't use organizations that do not use player cards like MLS Next. No mix association cards are allowed per US Club. Example, US Club cards mixed with USYS cards, must be all US Club, or USYS

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USYSA Teams from outside CalSouth/U.S. Club must also provide approved Travel Papers, which must include a roster listing all players authorized to travel by the team’s State Association.

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All Travel Papers must be submitted to the Tournament Director prior to check in. Any player not listed on the Travel Papers, including any amendments, properly executed by the team’s State Association will not be allowed to play in the tournament. Proper Player Loan Forms will be required at Registration along with other required credentials, as required by the team’s State Association. All teams must provide the USYSA Player I.D. Cards from the State Association listed on this application. The SoCal Cup Tournament will also accept teams registering under the US Club Soccer banner. Player I.D. Cards from associations other than USYSA, AYSO or US Club Soccer will not be accepted.

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Medical release forms will be required for all players at initial check-in. Teams will be required to keep medical releases on hand at all times.

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Refunds

There will be no refunds given after the stated application deadline. Prior to the application deadline, refunds will be made less any administrative fees that have been incurred.

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Rosters

Teams may register a maximum of (22) players for ages 2012 through 2006 and 14 for 2017 through 2015 and 16 ,2014 through 2013. A team may use 5 guest players. Only 18 players may be on the bench on any given game for  ages 2012 through 2006  Players may only play on 1 team in tournament no exceptions if team registers 1 player to multiple teams all teams associated will be disqualified and no refund will be given.

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RULES OF PLAY

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All games will be played under FIFA rules with USYSA and CalSouth adjustments for youth competition with the following additions and clarifications:

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Game Format

Each team will play a minimum of 3 games. Preliminary Games can end in a tie. Quarter Final games ending in a tie after regulation will proceed immediately to FIFA penalty kicks to determine who advances to the Semi Finals. Semi Finals and Finals games tied after regulation will go straight to FIFA Penalty Kicks. The winner of the kicks will determine who advances or is awarded the trophy. Penalty Kicks will immediately follow the game.

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Duration of Games and Overtimes (by halves), and Ball size are as follows:

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There is a running clock for all games. Half time for Preliminary and Quarter Final games will be 5 minutes. Half Time for Semi Final and Final games will be 10 minutes.

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Determining Winners

Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:

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  • Six (6) points for each Win

  • Three (3) points for each Tie

  • Zero (0) points for each Loss

  • One (1) point for each goal scored up to a maximum of three (3) per game

  • One (1) point for each shutout

  • Minus one (-1) for each player or coach ejected

  • A 0-0 tie will be scored as 4 points for each team (3 for tie, 1 for shutout)

  • -1 Point for red card coach or player

  • max goals for is 4

  • max goals against is 4

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In the event of a tie in points at the end of bracket play, the teams to advance will be determined as follows:

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  1. The winner in head to head competition (if applicable)

  2. Goals allowed

  3. Goal differential (positive)

  4. Goals For

   5. Most Shutout wins

   6. If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 5, FIFA Penalty Kicks will be taken (time and location to be determined by the Tournament Director) prior to the scheduled start of the appropriate Quarter Final or Semi Final game.

If ties exist in the determination of a wild card team, criteria 2 through 4 will be applied.

 

Game Day Check-In

The Referee Director has the final say on the determination of safety and suitability of each player’s equipment, including the wearing of a hard brace and/or hard cast. Shin guards are mandatory for all players.

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After the start of a match, it will be the decision of the referee whether or not playing conditions are safe.

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Home Team Responsibilities

The Home Team will be the team which appears first on the game schedule. The Home Team will provide a game ball if tournament does not provide. The game ball is subject to referee approval. The Home Team will wear dark color jersey and if there is a color conflict deemed by the referee away team will switch. If the away Team cannot supply an alternate jersey, the away Team will forfeit the game. The Home Team will have the selection of the side of the field from which they wish to play. Seating will be College Style (SoCal Sports Complex ) meaning teams are on one side of field and spectators are on other side canopy and benches will dictate where teams sit, unless field space dictates otherwise. In all cases spectator and team seating will allow the referee’s assistants clear runs and views of all touch lines.

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Substitutions

 Substitutions are unlimited; however teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission..

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Cautions and Ejections

 A player or coach receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game is considered to have been given an Ejection (red card) for the purposes of awarding point for the Tournament competition.

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A player who has been ejected (sent off) will not be replaced. A player or coach who has been ejected will not return for that game and must leave the field of play and will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game. A player or coach who is ejected for violent conduct or serious foul play will not be allowed to participate in the next two scheduled games. Any player or coach who assaults a referee will be expelled from the Tournament. A team will be disqualified from the Tournament if any player or coach fails to comply with the provisions of this section. All red cards are reported to CalSouth. Cards for ejected players or coaches will be available from the Field Marshal after they have satisfied their penalty.

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Protests/Disputes

No protests will be allowed and all games will be considered final. The Tournament Director will resolve any situation not explicitly covered by the rules. Disputes relating to the interpretation of these rules will be resolved with the Field Marshal and Administrators/Coaches that are registered with the involved team(s). Individuals may not represent a team if not registered as an Administrator/Coach with the involved team(s).

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Forfeits/Byes

All teams who forfeit will have the game(s) scored as a 0-3 loss. The winner will be awarded ten (10) points. If, at the discretion of the Tournament Director, a forfeit provides an unfair advantage, the Tournament Director may make an adjustment in the bracket. Teams forfeiting their first game will be assumed to forfeit all of their games unless they contact the Tournament Director at least 3 hours prior to their subsequent games. Teams will forfeit for any of the following reasons:

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  • Teams fail to check in at the required location, ready to play five minutes before the scheduled kick off time

  • Home team fails to produce an alternate color jersey if referee determines there is a color conflict

  • Teams fail to produce laminated player passes and/or coach’s pass

  • Teams fail to report to the field with the minimum number of players required to start the game

  • (6 for 2017,2016,2015,2014,2013 ; 7 for 2012-2006)

  • Coach is ejected and fails to leave the field when directed to do so

  • A player is used on multiple teams.

  • Coach is ejected and there is no other coach or administrator available

  • Game is suspended due to the misconduct of players, coaches, administrators, parents or spectators

There will be no refunds to teams who forfeit their own games.

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Field Safety/Inclement Weather

The Referee or Tournament Director will determine if a field is safe for play. Teams are expected to show up for scheduled games times unless notified by a tournament official.

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Rain or other weather conditions will not delay play unless the referee determines the fields are unsafe. If necessary games may be shortened, go directly to FIFA Penalty Kicks or be cancelled. If a game is terminated due to problems associated with the fields, including lighting for a night game, the team in the lead at the time of stoppage wins.

 

If a Quarter, Semi Final or Final match cannot be played, FIFA penalty kicks will determine the winner.

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If games cannot be rescheduled or played due to rain or other circumstances, the Tournament Director will make refund adjustments and retains the right to keep up to one-half (1/2) of the team fee to cover expenses.

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CONDUCT

All players, coaches and spectators will be expected to demonstrate good sportsmanlike conduct. Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends and spectators at all times. Inappropriate conduct by your team’s spectators can jeopardize your coach and/or team. If a referee terminates a game due to misconduct of players or spectators, the offending team will forfeit.

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At no time is there to be any alcoholic beverages at the tournament sites.

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Pets are not allowed on any of the fields at any time.

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This is a smoke-free environment; no smoking is allowed at any of the fields.

 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Age/Group
Group, Quarter & Semi-Finals
Finals
Ball Size
2017(U8)
20
20
4
2016 U(9)
20
20
4
2015 (U10)
20
20
4
2014 (U11)
25
25
4
2013(U12)
25
25
4
2012 (U13)
30
35
5
2011 (U14)
30
35
5
2010(U15)
30
35
5
2009 (U16)
30
35
5
2008 (U17)
30
35
5
2007 (U18)
30
35
5
2006 (U19)
30
35
5
COLLEGE STYLE.JPG
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