All games will be played in accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game observed by USSF/USYSA with the adjustments outlined below (amended 25 Sep 2008).
Eligibility and Game Duration
The tournament is open to accepted teams composed of no more than 18 players for teams playing 11 v 11, 14 players for teams playing 8 v 8 and 12 players for teams playing 6 v 6. There will be a maximum of three (3) guest players allowed per team. A player may play on only one team in an age group and no more than two teams in the tournament. Every attempt will be made to have separate Divisions for each age group. If there are not a sufficient number of entries in an age group, then it may be combined with an adjacent division (6 v 6 age groups would only be combined with 6 v 6, 8 v 8 with 8 v 8 and 11 v 11 with 11 v 11.). Every team will be guaranteed at least 3 games. Players in the following divisions must be born between the dates shown and will play as follows:
| Division |
Born between |
. |
Division |
Born between |
|
U-9
|
8/1/01 - 7/31/02
|
.
|
U-10
|
8/1/92 - 7/31/93
|
| U-11 |
8/1/00 - 7/31/01 |
. |
U-12 |
8/1/99 - 7/31/00 |
| U-13 |
8/1/98 - 7/31/99 |
. |
U-14 |
8/1/97 - 7/31/98 |
| U-15 |
8/1/96 - 7/31/97 |
. |
U-16 |
8/1/95 - 7/31/96 |
| U-17 |
8/1/94 - 7/31/95 |
. |
U-18 |
8/1/93 - 7/31/94 |
Weather
No games will be played if lightning is in the area. If any coach, field marshal or assistant referee sights lightning, they will immediately notify the referee who will suspend play or delay the start of the game. Such delay or suspension must remain for a minimum of 20 minutes past the last sight of lightning or longer at the direction of the field marshal or the referee. In the event of other inclement weather, the Tournament Director/Committee will have the sole authority to shorten games by up to 50%, relocate game sites, reschedule games or cancel games. If a game is canceled prior to starting or during the first half due to weather, including lightning, best effort will be made to reschedule. If a game is canceled during the first half of play and is rescheduled, the game will be restarted with the same score and time remaining as at the time play was suspended. Games will be considered completed if one half of the game has elapsed. If the game is part of the selection of a group winner, the Tournament Director/Committee will, in their sole discretion, determine the method and timing to determine the winner. Neither the Tournament, nor anyone connected with the Tournament, assumes any responsibility or liability if the Tournament is canceled in whole or in part for any reason, weather related or not. In the event of inclement weather, it is the responsibility of each team manager/coach to call the hotline number for any changes.
Registration:
Each team must register on Friday night. Registration will take place at Dick's Sporting Goods on Vann Drive from 5:30-8:30 PM Friday. Teams may make arrangements with the Tournament Director to register at least one hour prior to its first game. Each team must submit at registration the following:
- Five copies of the official state roster for the team with the jersey numbers of each player and guest player.
- A laminated player card from the team's state association, with picture and player signature, for each rostered player and guest player.
- A properly signed medical release form for each rostered player and guest player.
- A "Permission to Travel" form for teams from outside Tennessee. The Coach or Team Manager must have possession of the player cards, medical release forms and Tournament-approved roster at all games. Failure to do so can result in dismissal of players or the entire team from the Tournament.
Players Uniform and Equipment:
Field players must wear numbers on their backs of their jerseys. Each field player must have a different number that coincides with the jersey number listed for that player on the roster. The goalkeeper will wear a shirt of a different color than the keeper's teammates, the referees and opponents, and may have any number or no number. In the event that the referee decides that the two team’s jerseys are the same or similar in color, the HOME TEAM will change colors. Sharp steel spikes are not allowed on shoes. All players’ equipment, including casts/splints, covered by padding, is subject to the referee’s approval. The home team must present a game ball to the referee prior to the start of the game for the referee’s approval.
Forfeited Games
AA team will be allowed a 10-minute grace period from the scheduled kick off time before the game will be forfeited to the opponent. A team may begin play with a minimum of seven players at 11 v 11, five at 8 v 8 and four at 6 v 6. Addition of late players will take place at regular legal substitution periods. The opposing team will play at full strength. In the event a team forfeits a game, the opponent will be awarded a 3-0 win. Any team quitting the field of play before the conclusion of the game is subject to being disqualified from the Tournament. Teams causing abandonment will be declared the loser by a 3-0 score. When the situation causing abandonment is such that Tournament officials cannot assign responsibility, both teams will forfeit with no goals scored and a double loss declared.
Start of Play
Each field will have an assigned field marshal. Teams must check in with the field marshal at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled kick off time. Field marshals will inspect and retain the stamped approved tournament rosters. In the event the appointed linesmen are not present for the start of the game, each team will appoint a club linesman for its side. Both teams will be on the same side of the field and each team will be located no closer than 5 yards away from the halfway line. Field marshals and referees will have the authority to determine team location during the game. No team will be allowed more than three non-players (coaches, trainers, managers) on the team’s side of the field during the game. Each team will have a coach at the field for the duration of the game. A team not so represented will forfeit the game. Spectators will be located on the opposite side of the field. The game clock will not be stopped because of an injury to any player except at the discretion of the referee and if the injured player is removed from the field by medical personnel. Stoppage time may be added if, in the opinion of the referee, a team is delaying the game in their benefit. Games that start late will be shortened as needed to ensure that the next game on that field may begin on time.
Conduct:
Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their spectators, team staff and players of their team. Referees are authorized to take appropriate action to maintain proper control of games. Abuse from players, coaches, and spectators will not be tolerated. If the referee terminates play due to unruly behavior, the Tournament Director/Committee will determine if the game is to be replayed, continued or forfeited by the offending team. Players ejected from the game are automatically banned from their team's next tournament game. Violations that are deemed of a serious nature (fighting) might require further disciplinary action such as banning further tournament play. The player card of the ejected player will be collected by the field marshal, attached to the game report and delivered to the Tournament Headquarters. The decision of the Tournament Director/Committee on red card violations is final.
Substitutions During Play:
There is no limit to the number of substitutions during the game. However, substitutions can only be made immediately prior to a kick off and with the permission of the referee on a throw-in by the team in possession, a goal kick by either team or by either team in the event of an injury. A cautioned/yellow carded player may be substituted, by the coach, as well as a player from the other team if the cautioned player is substituted. An ejected/red carded player may not be substituted. The team of the ejected player must play short for the remainder of the game.
Substitutions During Play:
| Age Group |
Ball Size |
Length of Game
(Bracket Play) |
Length of Game
(Semi Finals & Finals) |
| U-9 |
4 |
Two 20 Min. Halves |
Two 20 Min. Halves |
| U-10, 11, 12 |
4 |
Two 25 Min. Halves |
Two 25 Min. Halves |
| U-13, 14 |
5 |
Two 30 Min. Halves |
Two 30 Min. Halves |
| U-15, 16 |
5 |
Two 35 Min. Halves |
Two 35 Min. Halves |
| U-17, 18 |
5 |
Two 40 Min. Halves |
Two 40 Min. Halves |
Points Calculations
Points will be calculated to determine which teams advance to semi-finals or finals, or in some brackets, the seeding for the next round of play, or in "round robin" brackets for first and second place.
- 6 points for a win
- 3 points for a tie,
- 0 points for a loss
- 1 point for a shutout (including 0-0 ties)
- 1 point for each goal scored (up to max of 3 per game)
Ties in points will be broken in the following order:
- Winner of Head to Head Competition.
- Fewest goals allowed all games.
- Goal differential (Goals for minus Goals against – maximum of 3 goals per game).
- Most shutouts.
- FIFA KICKS from the Penalty Mark.
Should three or more teams be tied, tie breakers will be applied until one team is eliminated. Then, tie breakers will be applied, starting over at number 1 to the teams remaining.
Overtime
Games which are tied at the end of regulation time and must result in a winner (semi finals, finals, etc) will be decided by playing two five-minute overtime periods in their entirety (not Golden Goal). The winner of a coin toss before the first overtime period chooses the goal they will defend, the other team takes the kickoff. There will be no half-time; teams will simply change ends of the field for the second overtime period and the other team will kick-off. If the teams are tied at the end of the overtime period, the match will be decided by FIFA kicks from the penalty mark.
Game Reports
Game reports will be handled by the referee or a field marshall. Each coach will verify the game results before initialing the report. Report will periodically be delivered to the official scorer by the field marshall.
Trophies
Awards will be given to each player on the first and second place team in each division.
Protests
Protests will not be allowed. Decisions of the Tournament Director/Committee and/or referee will be final.
Tournament Director/Committee
The Tournament Director/Committee will make every effort to ensure this Tournament is an enjoyable experience for the players, coaches and fans. Any fan, coach or player who distracts from the competition by abusive, derogatory, vulgar or profane language or actions will be ordered to leave the game site for the remainder of the game. Refusing an order to leave by a referee, field marshal or tournament official will result in the termination of the game and forfeiture by the team in which the offender is affiliated. Neither the Tournament Director/Committee, nor anyone connected with the tournament, assumes any responsibility or liability if the tournament is canceled in whole or in part for any reason. The Tournament Director's/Committee's interpretation of application information, procedures, rules, results and all matters pertaining to the Tournament are final.
Subject to Change
The above rules - in whole or in part - may be changed up until the time of the first game of the Tournament begins.
