Rules

PDA Spring Kickoff Tournament

GENERAL

All Tournament matches will be played in accordance with the “Laws of the Game” as issued by FIFA, unless modified herein. The following statements of Rules and Regulations supplement the “Laws of the Game”.

AGE & ELIGIBILITY

Competition is open to accepted teams composed of no more than 22 players if allowed by sanctioning body. Players must be born during or after the year indicated by the Age Division in which they are to compete. Each team must be registered with a National State Association affiliated with US Youth soccer, or US Club Soccer and must present an approved and valid Official Sate or US Club soccer roster. Authorized player passes will be verified and compared to the “official team roster” at registration. Teams from outside of New Jersey must have a “Permission to Travel Form” signed by their Association if required. Member passes and official approved rosters must be present at the field for the duration of the game.

REGISTRATION AND CREDENTIALS

A. Registration: Teams must check in at the mandatory registration. Mandatory registration is Friday evening preceding the first day of play. Teams will be notified to the time and location of the mandatory registration. Failure to check in will result in automatic disqualification {without a refund of the fee} from the tournament.

B. Credentials: At the mandatory registration, teams must provide the required credentials. All U.S. teams must provide laminated USYSA or US Club Soccer Player I.D. Cards with photographs and signed medical release forms. Teams from outside NJYSA must also provide approved travel papers, which must include a roster listing all players authorized to travel. Proper player loan forms will be required at registration along with other required credentials, as required by the team’s State Association or US Club Soccer.

C. Rosters: Teams may have a maximum of eighteen {18} players for 08 and 09 teams, 2010 and 2011 teams you may have {16} players, 2012 and below will be {14} players for each game. A team may use up to [5} guest players but any team utilizing guest players is still limited to the eighteen, sixteen or fourteen player maximum on game day.

Players can play for one team only in the weekend

DURATION OF PLAY

The duration of play will be as shown below. Two (2) equal halves will be played, with a five (5) minute halftime. There will be a running clock at all times except halftime. Time will not be added for any reason.

Age Groups

U-14, U-13 {11v11} Two (2) 35-minute halves

U-12, U-11 {9v9} Two (2) 30-minute halves

U-8, U-9, and U-10 {7v7} : Two 25-minute halves

In the event that one team appears later than the scheduled time for the start of the match, but within the ten - (10) minute grace period, the match will be played, however, the remaining time shall be divided into two (2) equal halves.

PLAYER EQUIPMENT

- In the event of a color conflict, the home team will change. The home team is the team shown first on the schedule.

- It will be at the Referee’s discretion to determine the safety and suitability of player equipment including the wearing of a hard brace or soft cast.

- Shin guards are mandatory for all players.

BALL SIZE

Size 5 Age Groups: U-14, U-13

Size 4 Age Groups: U-12, U-11

Size 4 Age groups: U-8, U-9, U-10

TOURNAMENT FORMAT FOR 6, 8, 12, 16 TEAM DIVISIONS

Each team will be scheduled for a minimum of 3 games

Division of 6: Each team will play 3 games. The top two point getters will compete in the championship game. (Please note it IS NOT ALWAYS 1st PLACE IN EACH BRACKET)

Division of 8: Each team will play 3 games within a 4-team group. The first place team from each group will play in the championship match if there is a final in the age group

Division of 12: Each Division will consist of three (3) Brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will play the others within its Bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games. The winner of Bracket A will play the Wildcard Team in Semi-final Game 1, and the winners of Brackets B and C will play in Semi-Final Game 2. The Wildcard Team will be the second place team with the most game points (including bonus points if needed for tie-breakers) from any bracket. If the Wildcard Team comes from Bracket A, then the Winner A will play Winner B, and the Winner C will play the Wildcard. The Semi-Final winners will meet for the Championship.

Or each division will consist of 4 brackets of three teams each. Each team will play the others in their bracket on Saturday. Sunday’s games will be determined by standings. First in A plays first in D in one semi-final,1st in B plays 1st in C for other semi-final. Winners will play in final. Consolation games will take place for those in second place and third place in each bracket.

Division of 16: Each team will play 3 games within a 4-team group. The first place team from each group will play in the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals play in the championship match.

Formats may be altered at the discretion of the tournament committee.

Regardless of the number of teams there are in a division, there will be no first, second, etc. place, for U10 and younger teams.

Rules of Play

All preliminary games will be called not less than five {5} minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game regardless of the amount of time played in each half up to that point. A game is “complete” upon completion of one half of play regardless of the circumstances of termination during the second half with final results based on the score at the time the game is called. Preliminary games can end in a tie.
Semi-final or final games tied after regulation will go directly to penalty licks. FIFA penalty kicks will determine who advances or is awarded the trophy. Penalty kicks will immediately follow the game.
Players and coaches will take one side of the pitch, and supporters will take the other side of the pitch.
The designated home team is as listed on the schedule. Game balls will be provided by the tournament, but in the event that the game ball is lost and no replacement is readily available, the home team will be asked to provide a game ball.
Thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of each scheduled game, each team must present to the field marshal the team's player cards so the team may be checked in to play and the game started as scheduled. A team that fails to report within ten minutes after a scheduled kick off will forfeit the game.

STANDINGS AND TIE-BREAKERS

GAME POINTS

A. Points will be awarded for each game in accordance with the following schedule:

- Six points for a WIN

- Three points for a TIE

- Zero points for a LOSS

- One point for a SHUTOUT (including 0-0 game)

- One point for each goal scored, up to three maximum, regardless of win or loss.

For a forfeited game, the winner will be credited with a 1-0 win and awarded eight points (six for the

win, one for the goal, and one for the shutout). A team abandoned by another team during a game

will be awarded at least eight points. The results of that game shall be based on the score at the time

of the abandonment.

2. TIE BREAKING WITHIN A BRACKET

In the event of a points tie, places will be determined as follows:

A. Head to head.

B. Goal differential (maximum of 5 goal difference per game).

C. Most goals scored (maximum of 5 goals per game).

D. Least goals allowed.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Free substitution will be allowed in all age groups. However, teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission and only at the following times {including overtimes}:

A. After a goal by either team

B. At the beginning of the second half.

C. Prior to a goal kick by either team

D. Throw in by either team

E. On a caution, only the cautioned player may be substituted at that time

F. After an injury on either team when the referee stops play

CONDUCT

Players and coaches are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of good sportsmanship. Players ejected from the match (Red Card) must sit out the remainder of that match and the following match. No substitutions may be made for the ejected player during the match in whom the offense has occurred.

- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at game sites.

- Artificial noise-making devices are prohibited.

COACHING

All Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends and spectators at all times. Coaching from the sidelines (giving direction to one's own team on points of strategy and position) is permitted, provided:

a) No mechanical devices are used;

b) The tone of the voice is instructive and not derogatory;

c) No coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other coaches, players, substitutes, or spectators;

d) No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS

a) 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 points for the Tournament competition. 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 will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game.

b) 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.

c) Any player or coach who assaults a referee will be expelled from the Tournament.

d) For the purpose of this Tournament a Coach can be carded.

SUSPENDED AND TERMINATED GAMES

If, in the opinion of game officials, a game must be suspended (for reason), the game may be resumed, but is subject to being ended not less than five (5) prior to the scheduled start of the next game. If in the opinion of game officials, a game must be terminated for misconduct of players, bench coaches, or spectators, the offending team could be suspended from further play and forfeits that game and all remaining games. All previous points earned remain as played. Additionally, the home league and State Association will be contacted as appropriate.

INJURY

Delays of the game due to injury will result in appropriate time being added to the full game time, based on the judgment of the referee. However, all preliminary games will be terminated not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game

PROTESTS

The Referee’s judgment pursuant to the application of the Laws of the game is final!

NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED

DISPUTES

Game conduct is under the jurisdiction of the referee and the tournament will not overrule a referee’s decision. Referee decisions may not be appealed. All disputes as to non-referee decisions (i.e. eligibility, interpretation of rules, etc) will be settled by the Tournament Director or his/her designee and that decision will be quick due process and is final and may not be appealed.

CONDUCTe

a) Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit AND the letter of the Law. Displays of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and surrounding field area.

b) Players, coaches, and team officials ejected from a game by the referee shall be ineligible for the next scheduled game. The tournament committee may take additional disciplinary action against a team or individual for serious offenses, including suspension from the remainder of the tournament and non-eligibility for future tournaments. Passes for the player or coach are to be held at tournament headquarters. Coaches may be located on the spectator’s side of the field but may not coach or communicate with the team in any way. Players may sit with their team but may not be in uniform. Also, Tournament management will report red cards issued to players from other State Associations to those players’ home State Associations. Notice will be sent to the US Soccer Federation of disciplinary action taken and they will transmit the disciplinary action taken or required to that team’s provincial or national association.

c) ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT PERMITTED AT GAME SITES.

d) ARTIFICIAL NOISE-MAKING DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED.

e) In the event of an assault or abuse of a game official, a judiciary hearing shall immediately be convened at a Tournam

nt site to be designated by the Tournament Director. All terms described in the USSF Official Administrative Rule Book – Misconduct Toward Game Official – shall apply. In any event, a player or coach or other team official or spectator who is charged with an assault on or abuse of a game official is suspended from further participation in the PDA Invitational tournament.

F} All matches must use referees certified by the Federation.

1INCLEMENT WEATHER

a) In case of inclement weather or other force majeure, the Tournament Committee will have the authority to change games as follows:

b) Relocate or reschedule any game(s).

c) Change the duration of any game(s).

d) Cancel any preliminary game(s).

e) Specific guidelines:

i) INCLEMENT WEATHER BEFORE THE MATCH – PRELIMINARY ROUNDS; Referees and/or Tournament Committee may reduce the length of the match, and subsequent matches by 50%, however the halves of the match must be of equal duration. If the match is cancelled, the Tournament Committee will award a 0-0 tie.

ii) INCLEMENT WEATHER BEFORE THE MATCH – SEMI-FINAL ROUND; If a semi-final match cannot begin, a shootout will take place to determine the winner. If a shootout cannot occur, the match will be decided by the flip of a coin.

iii) INCLEMENT WEATHER BEFORE THE MATCH – CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH; If the championship match cannot be played the teams will become Co-Champions. A coin will be flipped to decide who gets the awards. Coin toss winner gets choice of Championship trophy and second place medals or Championship medals. The team that lost the coin toss will get the remaining awards. Both teams will gain the title of tournament Co-Champions.

iv) INCLEMENT WEATHER DURING A MATCH – PRELIMINARY; The match will be considered completed and the score will stand if one half has been completed. If less than one half has been completed, a 0-0 tie will be awarded by the Tournament Committee.

v) INCLEMENT WEATHER DURING THE MATCH – SEMI-FINAL ROUND; The match will be considered completed and the score will stand if one half has been completed. If less than one half has been completed, a shootout will determine the winner. If a shootout cannot occur a flip of a coin will determine the winner.

vi) INCLEMENT WEATHER DURING A MATCH – CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH; The match will be considered completed and the score will stand if one half has been completed. If less than one half has been completed, the Tournament Committee will award a 0-0 tie and both teams will be deemed Co-Champions. A coin toss winner gets choice of Championship trophy and second place medals or Championship medals. The team that lost the coin toss will get the remaining awards. Both teams will gain the title of tournament Co-Champions

vii) INCLEMENT WEATHER BEFORE START OF TOURNAMENT; If severe inclement weather causes the cancellation of the tournament in its entirety, ALL TEAMS WILL be refunded at least 80% of a team’s entry fee.

Viii) The tournament committee will make all decisions concerning weather.

GENERAL

a) Under no circumstances whatsoever will the Tournament Committee, NJYSA, PDA or US Club Soccer be responsible for any expenses (including the Tournament entry fee) incurred by any team. This includes a situation where the Tournament or any game(s) is canceled/terminated in whole or part once it starts- A minimum of 80% of a team’s entry fee will be refunded if the tournament is cancelled BEFORE it begins. No other refunds will be given.

b) The Tournament Committee's interpretation of the rules shall be final.

c) The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to this Tournament.

d) No items of any kind may be sold at Tournament Headquarters, the playing fields, or surrounding the event areas for the duration of the Tournament without the expressed, written approval of the Tournament Committee. A team found in violation of this rule will not be declared a division winner or a wild card team. Determination of guilt will be by the senior Tournament Official present.

e. You must have a valid driver’s license to operate a golf cart at any tournament.