2016 Rules

The Eagles Classic Soccer Tournament shall be played under FIFA laws as modified by the California Youth Soccer Association – South for youth competition, and/or by the Eagles Soccer Club/Eagles Classic Tournament Committee. 

1. Disputes: The referees, Field Marshals, and/or the Tournament Committee shall make all decisions relating to the interpretation of the Tournament Rules. Disputes relating to the interpretation of these rules will be resolved with the 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). The Tournament Committee shall resolve any situations not covered by these Rules and Regulations.
2. Protests: No protests will be accepted. All interpretations of the rules and other decisions made by the referees, Field Marshals and the Tournament Committee will be final.
3. Safety: All players are required to wear shin guards during their games. No shin guards = no play.
4. Rosters: Unlimited loan players are allowed as long as the roster does not exceed players (14 for U9, U10). Rosters are frozen after the teams’ first game. No player may compete in the Tournament on more than one (1) team.
5. Coach and Player Cards: Current USYSA, CYSA-S or AYSO approved player cards with the player’s signature and photo will be required of all players at the start of each game and at the official check-in. Each team must have an Administrator/Coach with the proper CYSA-approved coaching card at all games.
6. Teams Traveling from Out of CYSA-S Area: Teams traveling from out of CYSA-S must have travel papers filed with the appropriate state organization and received by the Tournament. Be sure to bring any “Amended Approved” travel roster to the Sat. check-in. Any player not appearing on your “Approved” or “Amended Approved” travel roster will not be permitted to play. Loan players must have properly completed and approved loan papers as required by team’s state association.
7. Check-in: MANDATORY team check-in will be held at your teams’ first assigned venue between 6-9 am on Sat. morning. The team must have the below listed items for credentials processing.

CREDENTIALS CHECK LIST:

• Valid laminated player passes
• Medical release forms for each player
• Approved travel papers and roster (Non-CYSA-S teams only)
• Approved loan player forms (Non-CYSA-S teams only)

1. Match Start Times: All games will begin on time. Teams must be ready to start at scheduled time; failure to do so will result in a forfeit. A forfeit will be declared if a team cannot field a minimum of seven (7) players at start time. Pre-game warm-up should be done outside of the field. Games MUST START ON TIME.
2. Conduct: All coaches have complete responsibility for the conduct of their players, bench, friends and spectators at all times. If, in the opinion of the game’s officials, a game must be terminated for misconduct of players, bench or spectators, the offending team can be suspended from further play and forfeit that game and all remaining games. In this event, all previous points earned remain as played. Additionally, the home league and state association will be contacted as appropriate. The Tournament Director shall decide the outcome of the game and the number of points, if any, to be awarded.

10.  Red & Yellow Cards: A player receiving a second yellow card in a game shall be expelled from that game, shall not be replaced in that game, but shall be permitted to play in the next game. A player receiving a straight red card shall be expelled from that game, shall not be replaced in that game, and shall not be permitted to play in the next game. The Tournament Committee may give a further suspension for violent conduct. Any coach that is ejected from the playing area will be suspended for the next game.  One point will be deducted for each ejection that is recorded.

11.  Forfeits: All forfeits will be scored as a 1 – 0 game with the winner receiving 8 points. A team will forfeit if:

• It fails to check-in at the Mandatory Registration. In this case it will forfeit all its games.
• If is not ready to start game at the scheduled time with a minimum of seven (7) players.
• It plays a red-carded player in the game following the issuance of the red card. In this case the team will forfeit this game and all others.

12.  Game Procedures: 

• Player cards may be checked and rosters verified before each game.
• Coaches are responsible for having a properly filled out match report for each game.
• Home team is listed first on the schedule.
• Home team will choose which sideline to locate their players, coaches, and spectators. No two teams, players, coaches or spectators will occupy the same side of the field.
• Home team shall change jerseys if there is a conflict of colors.
• Home team shall provide the game ball. Game ball shall be subject to referee approval. Games involving U-13 – U-19 will be played with an official size #5 ball. Game for U-9 – U-12 will be played with an official size #4 ball.
• A coin toss prior to kickoff shall determine direction of play and possession of the ball at kickoff.

13.  Length of Games: Preliminary round and semi-final games will consist of two halves of the following length with a five (5) minute half time:

*The tournament has a running clock in pool and playoff games unless professional medical care is required on the field (i.e. paramedics). All pool and playoff games will be terminated if not less than 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 the completion of one half of play, regardless of the circumstances of termination during the second half. The results shall be based on the score at termination.

**No overtime shall be played for pool play games. Playoff games ending in a tie will go directly to penalty kicks. Final games ending in a tie will play two equal overtime halves following a 5-minute break. No break will occur between overtime periods. If the game is still tied after overtime, penalty kicks will determine the winner. Penalty kicks will immediately follow the game, but, subject to field scheduling, may be moved to a different field at the same venue.

14. Substitutions: Unlimited substitutions will be allowed in all age groups, including overtime. Teams may, however, substitute only with the referee’s permission at any stoppage of play. A Stoppage of play is defined by but not limited to the following:

• Prior to a goal kick by either team
• After a goal by either team
• After an injury to either team if referee stops play
• During half time
• For any cautioned player (at coach’s discretion)
• After a stoppage due to a foul.
• Prior to the start of either overtime period

15.  Weather: In case of inclement weather or dangerous field conditions, games may be shortened or rescheduled, go to a FIFA penalty shoot-out, or be cancelled. The Tournament Director will make the final determination of the choice. It may be necessary to change game times or locations if the assigned field becomes unavailable or some similar difficulty arises. If the scheduled games are unable to be played, awards will be based on clear winners of a age group using our point system.If a clear winner cannot be determined cancellation will be up to the Tournament Director.

16.  Trash: Each team is responsible for ensuring that their sideline is clear of all trash at the end of their games. Game card may be withheld if this is not done!

17.  Scoring System: The 10-point scoring system will be used.

1. Win = 6 points
2. Tie = 3 points
3. Loss = 0 points
4. Shutout = 1 point
5. One point for each goal scored, not to exceed three (3) goals per game.
6. Each team shall receive 4 points for games ending in a 0-0 tie.
7. A forfeit will be scored as a 1-0 game. Forfeit one, forfeit all.
8. One point will be deducted for each player or coach ejection that is recorded.

18.  Tie Breaker: If two teams are tied in points at the end of the preliminary rounds, the following tiebreaker procedures will be implemented to determine which teams advance:

1. Winner of head to head competition
2. Goal differential (six per game max)
3. Total goals against (three per game max)
4. Total goals scored (six per game max)
5. Shut-out wins

If required to determine the winner for advancement after the above steps still result in a tie, penalty kicks will be taken thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the quarterfinal and/or semi-final game.

For divisions with wildcard teams, the wildcard teams will be the teams with the highest point totals that do not win their bracket. In the event of a tie on wildcard point totals, the tie breaking system above shall be used.

19.  Game Delays: In the event of an unusual event that results in a significant loss of game time, the lost game time may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. The rescheduling of the lost game time is subject to field availability. An example of an unusual event would be a major injury to a player, which prevented the use of the playing field. The Tournament Committee defines a significant loss of game time as more than half the game. An accumulation of delays due to minor/moderate injuries to several players would not constitute an unusual event nor will these delays be considered lost game time. An accumulation of time delays resulting from the normal course of a game will not be considered lost game time.

20.  Tournament Cancellation: If the tournament is cancelled for any reason prior to 30 days before the tournament, full refunds will be granted. If the tournament is cancelled for any reason between 29 and 1 day prior to the scheduled date, refunds, less hard costs, will be granted. Cancellation or termination during the event will result in no refund. Teams canceling their application after the schedule is published will receive no refund. Teams canceling after acceptance and the application deadline may receive a refund or partial refund if a replacement team is found, at the discretion of the Tournament Director.