San Luis Obispo Soccer Club
20th Annual North vs. South Tournament Rules

Contact:

Steve Davis
1241 Johnson Ave, Box 157
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805-784-0753 – Tournament Phone

Registration and Pre Game Check-in
Registration – Teams are expected to register Friday night prior to the tournament at the Ludwick Center. If teams cannot make Friday night registration, they must register at the field headquarters no later than 1 hour prior to their first game.

United States Teams must present:

• Picture Identification Cards (player passes)
• Tournament Roster
• Insurance Forms/Parental Permission Slips
• Travel Permission papers if team is from outside of the Cal South region or not a US Club registered team.

Foreign teams must present in addition to the above:

• Passports or proof of entry into the United States if a passport is not required to enter the U.S.
• Travel Permission papers from their Provincial or National Association

Participation
Teams in the following age categories are eligible to play in the tournament:

Guest players are permitted and each team may have up to 18 guest players (U10 up to 14 guest players). To participate, borrowed players must be of the appropriate age and gender and provide all of the required materials for registration.

General Rules:
Games will be played under “FIFA Laws of the Game” and USSF rules with USYSA adjustments for youth competition.

All new “FIFA” rules are in effect.

All games will begin on time, and any team not ready to participate shall be considered in default and will forfeit the game.

Shin Guards:
No shin guards–no play. Casts are acceptable as long as they are soft casts, or if a hard cast, wrapped with a padded material so they do not endanger other players. Permission of the referee is required prior to each game.

Tournament Format:
Each team is guaranteed a minimum of three games. No team will play more than two matches in one day. Depending on the number of teams in each age grouping, different bracketing formats will be used.

GAMES:
Home Team:
Home team will be listed first in the schedule and:
- will take the side of the field that has red corner flags.
- is responsible on request of the referee to change jerseys.
- will kick-off in the first half. Visitors will select which goal to defend
- provide three game balls

Game Length:
All games (including championship games) will consist of:
Two 30-minute halves with 5 minute break at half time U-15 and older
Two 25-minute halves with 5 minute break at halftime (U10 – U14)

Check-in Prior to each game:
Teams are required to check-in with the field marshal at their game field at least 30 minutes prior to the start of each of their games. Laminated USYSA photo identification cards for 2008-2009 (or 2007-2008) will be required of all US players as proof of age, and must be available for inspection at any time during the tournament. All foreign players must provide a player picture identification card as proof of age, and it must be available for inspection at any time during the tournament Referees will check these player cards prior to each match.

Player’s jersey numbers must match the game card. A player may not participate in the match until his/her jersey number matches the game roster.

Player Substitution:
Substitutions shall be unlimited. However, substitutes must check-in with AR before stoppage of play. Players may be substituted only during the following times:

• Substitutions may be made by both teams at any stoppage of play
• Either team after a goal, after an injury, or prior to a goal kick
• Yellow carded player are encouraged to leave the game until next substitution, but not required to do so.

Point System:
The following point system will be used to determine which teams go to the semis or championship games:

6 points Win
3 points Tie
0 points Loss
1 point for each goal up to three
1 point for a shut-out (0-0 is a shut-out)

Tie games will stand in preliminary rounds.
A bye or forfeit shall be considered a 1-0 game for scoring purposes;
0-0 ties are shut-outs (4 points for each team).
Maximum of ten total points is possible for each game.
Each red card (including ejections from sidelines) will result in a one point deduction from the team.

Tie-Breaking Procedures:
1. Team winning match between the two teams will be selected.
2. Team with best goal differential (goals for minus goals against)
3. Team with least goals allowed
4. Penalty kicks (five players, standard rules)

Semi-finals:
Semi’s will be the tournament length.
All semi-final matches must have a winner. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, it will continue with the championship overtime format.

Championships:
Tie-breakers, in this match will consist of one overtime period consisting
of two (2) five (5) minute halves. The overtime is not sudden death (you play the entire 10 minutes).

In the event the score is still tied after overtime, a shoot-out will determine championship. Both teams taking five kicks from the penalty spot. Teams shall take their kicks alternately and only those players remaining on the field at the end of the match shall participate.

In the event that a tie still exists after both teams have taken their five kicks each, a “sudden death” kick from the penalty spot shall be taken one versus one until one team misses. Sudden death continues using remaining players from the field at the end of the match until a winner is determined. If a game goes to a penalty shoot-out, the teams shall leave the field they are playing on and move to a special goal area set-up for penalty shoot-outs.

Awards:
Individual awards will be given to the players of the first and second
place teams present at the ceremony. Both teams are expected
to participate in the awards presentation.

Protests and Disputes
Protests and complaints about player eligibility and tournament rules may be lodged with the tournament rules committee via the site coordinator at each venue. Those are the only protests and complaints that will be heard. All decisions by the referees may not be appealed and decisions by the tournament rules committee are final and may not be appealed.

Player/Coach Conduct:
All players and coaches, both on and off the field, will be expected to demonstrate good sportsmanlike conduct throughout the tournament.

Any player or team causing problems or damage at their lodging establishment may be suspended from the tournament. All coaching will be done from one side of the field, and only within the boundaries of ten yards of the midfield line.

Any RED CARD ejection will be ineligible for the following game, a stiffer penalty may be imposed for extreme infractions (such as fighting). Two YELLOW CARDS in one game will be treated as a RED CARD. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their spectators and supporters. All referee decisions are final, and there will be no arbitration or recourse. Tournament ruling allows referees to give yellow and/or red card to coaches, managers and spectators as appropriate.

The passes for the ejected player or coach will be pulled and held by the tournament director until their suspension has been completed at which point they will be returned.

Any coach ejected from a game must leave the sidelines and not coach in any manner. Any player ejected from a game must leave the sidelines. For the subsequent game where the coach serves their suspension, they must not be on their teams sideline and may not coach in any manner. For the subsequent game where the player serves their suspension, they may sit with the team, but may not be in uniform.

For United States teams, the tournament director will notify the appropriate state organization in writing within one week of any disciplinary action taken.
For CONCACAF teams, the tournament rules committee will notify the US Soccer Federation of disciplinary action taken, and that the Federation will transmit the disciplinary action taken or required to that team’s provincial or national association.

Special Notes:
Please pick up all trash, including cigarette butts.
No dogs allowed on any field location.