Labor Day Tournament

2008

Tournament Rules

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Complete the team check-in at Concessions prior to first game.

2. In an effort to keep pace throughout the day, all teams must report to their field at least 10 minutes prior to your game time. Each team and coach must be prepared for the referee’s equipment inspection, and in some instances, to begin play immediately.  The Field Director reserves the right, under certain conditions, to request that games be started up to 10 minutes early.   Teams will not be permitted to practice on the field prior to game time.

3. Home team is listed first on the schedule. With teams taking opposite sides of the field.

4. Home team must be prepared to supply a game ball for their match.

5. If a conflict in jersey colors exists, home team will be expected to change colors or use pinneys.

6. A copy of each player’s birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or player ID will be required for proof of age. Players will NOT BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE unless their age has been verified prior to participating in the Tournament.

 7. All teams will be scheduled for at least three games, however the tournament is not responsible for forfeits.

8. The Tournament Directors are the final authority in determining the number of teams accepted to participate in the tournament

 

GAME RULES

1. Rules will be in accordance with FIFA except when established Archdiocesan of Baltimore Soccer Program (ABSP) rules and regulations apply. ABSP rules are:

• No slide tackling will be permitted.
• Substitutions are allowed on all throw-ins.
• The goalie pass back rule will be in effect.
• Teams may start with seven (7) players (5-for 7 v 7) and end with at least seven (7) players (5-for 7 v 7) on the field.

2. FORFEIT time is GAME TIME.

3. All decisions of the referees are final and binding.

4. The winning coach should verify the game’s score card (held by the referee). Completed score cards are to be turned in by the referee to the Field Director’s table.

5. Referee abuse of any sort by coaches, players or spectators will not be tolerated. After an initial warning, a yellow card will be given to the team player or coach. If the problem continues, the game may be terminated by the referee, resulting in a forfeiture by the offending team.  Offending team may not be allowed to continue in the tournament.

ELIGIBILITY

1. Teams and players must be in the ABSP strength ratings between 1 and 7.

2. Teams are limited to a maximum of twenty players. Any exceptions must be approved in advance by the Tournament Director.

3. Age determination will be in accordance with ABSP rules (age determination as of 8/1).  For the Under 14 age group, any player turning 14 during any month in the calendar year is eligible to play in the Under-14 age group provided that he/she played for the same parish soccer program in the previous year.

4. High School players will be allowed to participate, but must follow the qualification rules outlined in the ABSP Board decision. These include the following:

• Teams must identify the potential for High School players on their team by competing the appropriate section on the Team Registration Form.
• Each High School potential player must be explicitly identified on the tournament roster.
• Each player must have been registered in the ABSP on one of your own parish teams last fall season.
• Each player must play on the highest rated team.

5. Teams must have a copy of each player’s birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or player ID for verification during check-in

6. Rosters will be fixed as of the first game. Any changes must be communicated to the Field Director prior to your first game.

7. A player may compete on only one team in the over all tournament.

8. Girls may play on boys teams, but boys are not allowed to play on girls teams.

9. Any team playing an ineligible player shall forfeit ALL games to that point.

10. If a player is determined to be ineligible during the Playoff or Championship game, only that game will be forfeited. In the case of a Championship game, there will be no second place trophies awarded.

 

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

1. Each team will play a 3 game schedule.

2. The team with the most accumulated points (see SCORING) from each group will qualify for the single elimination championship game.

Note: Based on the actual number of teams entered within an age group, championship round may include the first and second place teams within a division and not the first place winners of two divisions.

 

SCORING

1. Points are awarded as follows:

WIN = 3 points

TIE = 1 point

LOSS = 0 point

2. A team earns an additional one (1) point for shutting out its opponent. In the event of a forfeit, the score will be recorded as a 1 - 0 win, with NO additional point for a shutout.

3. At the end of qualifying play, the winner of the subdivision will be the team with the most points.

4. If a tie exists in the standings, the following tie breaking process will be followed in this order:

a. Most wins.

b. Head-to-head competition.

c. Total goals allowed.

d. Total goal differential (maximum of 3 per game).

e. Coin Toss.

CHAMPIONSHIP/PLAYOFF GAME

1. If a tie exists at the end of any championship/playoff game, the game will be extended for two (5) minute “sudden death” modified format periods. Both goalies are removed, and the number of players is reduced to 7 for each team. (7 v 7 games will remove the goalie only, and play with 6 field players) NO GOALIE POSITIONS. Goalies may participate as field players and must wear the team’s corresponding uniform.

2. A “drop ball” at midfield will be used to start the overtime period.

3. Should a foul occur during the “Sudden Death” period, that results in the awarding of a penalty kick, the defending team may designate a field player to act as goalie for the penalty kick. The designated goalie shall be permitted to use his hands until the penalty kick has been completed.  A satisfactory completion of the penalty kick is when a goal is scored (end of overtime) or the  designated goalie puts the ball back in play. After the designated goalie puts the ball back into play, the designated goalie immediately becomes a field player again.

 4. For purposes of determining if an attacking player is in an offside position during overtime, the referee will use the position of the LAST defender to the attacking player (like having an “imaginary” goalie). 

5. If the game remains tied after the two (2) “sudden death” reduced player periods, the tie will be broken by FIFA method penalty kicks. EXCEPTION: For 7 v 7 games, 5 minute sudden death periods will continue until there is a score.

6. Coin toss will determine which team shoots first. The winner will have the option of shooting first or last.

7. The goalie, for defense of the penalty kick, may be selected from one of the remaining (7) field players or from the team’s bench. If selected from the bench, the goalie cannot participate in shooting the ball. Only the (7) remaining field players may take the penalty kicks.

8. The penalty kicks will be taken by five (5) of the players from each team who were on the field at the conclusion of the last “sudden death” period.

9. If the game is still tied after the five (5) player penalty kicks, the remaining two (2) players will join the other five (5) and take alternating shots until one team scores and the other does not.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

1. In the event a game is called before the first half is completed, the referee(s) shall note the time and score. If possible, the game will be resumed at a later time/date. If one-half or more of the game has been played, and it is interrupted by the referee due to field or weather conditions, then the game will be considered a complete game, regardless of the duration of the delay.

2. The Field Director, in accordance with the referee(s), will be the sole judge of the condition of the playing fields.

3. In the event that all games are canceled for the day, every effort will be made to re-schedule for the next day. The only exception is if the games are cancelled on Monday. Games will NOT be scheduled beyond the original 3 days of the tournament.

4. If cancellations occur due to weather conditions, the Tournament Director(s) reserve the exclusive right to modify, change, or terminate remaining games and activities.

5. The Tournament Director(s) reserve the exclusive right to modify the tournament’s format to accommodate rescheduling of the game during the original dates.

6. For updates on weather/field information, visit the website.

 

REFEREES

1. Referees will be the official time keeper and scorekeeper.

2. All fees have been prepaid by the Tournament Sponsor.

3. Assignments are as follows:

Under 10 (7 v 7) 1 referee 20 minute halves #4 ball

Under 10 (11 v 11) 2 referees 20 minute halves # 4 ball

Under 12 2 referees 20 minute halves # 4 ball

Under 14 2 referees 20 minute halves # 5 ball

UNIFORMS

1. All players must wear uniform identifying jerseys, numbered on the back. No duplicate numbers are allowed.

2. All age groups must wear soft toe soccer or tennis shoes.

3. Football shoes, metallic cleats or spikes are not permitted. Referee’s decision will be final.

4. Team colors will be reviewed prior to the start of the tournament and the team manager/coach will be advised of the conflict prior to the day of the match. If a conflict in jersey colors exists, home team will be expected to change colors or use pull over pinneys.

PROTESTS

1. All protests must be made to the referee and Field Director before, during or immediately after the match.

2. Referee will note time of the protest and the reason on his score card, and inform the opposing manager/coach.

3. All protests must be given in writing to the Field Director within one (1) hour after the match is

completed. Official protest forms are available at the Field Director’s table. The protest must be

accompanied by a $50 protest fee. If protest is upheld, fee will be returned.

4. Referee’s judgment will not be considered grounds for protest.

5. Tournament Committee’s decision will be final.

 

CONDUCT 

1. Coaches and/or managers are not permitted on the field of play at any time during the game, unless called on by the referee.

2. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team and fans. Unsportsmanlike conduct by players, managers, coaches or fans will not be tolerated.

3. Referees shall eject from the game or playing area any player, coach, manager or spectator who commits a flagrant offense or engages in unsportsmanlike conduct.

4. Any player ejected (red carded) from a game will not be replaced for that game. His/Her team must complete that game one (1) player down

5. Yellow/Red card rule is in effect. Any player receiving two yellow cards during a game will receive an automatic red card, where the player must sit out the remainder of the game. The player’s team will NOT be allowed to substitute for the ejected player.

6. A player carded for taunting will receive an automatic red card. The player’s team will NOT be allowed to substitute for the ejected player.

7. Any player or coach red carded must sit out his/her team’s next scheduled game.

8. No spectators are allowed on the field of play or behind the goal areas during a game.

9. By mutual agreement, teams and their spectators shall take opposite sides of the field.