Players Cup Tournament Rules 2017
Division
Boys & Girls born on or after January 1, of the year specified:
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999 Divisions.
Classification
This is a Class I Tournament open to USYSA & US Club Soccer affiliated teams, sanctioned through CYSA-South.
Eligibility
Boys and girls teams must be affiliated with USYSA or US Club Soccer. Each team must produce valid laminated player identification cards or equivalent national association identification. All teams must comply with USYSA or US Soccer Club travel procedures. We do accept AYSO & Recreational League credentials.
Guest Players
Unlimited loan players are permitted.
Format
2010 thru 2008 Divisions will play 7 v 7
2007 & 2006 Divisions will play 9 v 9
2005 thru 1999 Divisions will play 11 v 11
Roster Size
2010 thru 2008: 14 player max roster
2007 & 2006 16 player max roster
2005 & 2004: 18 player max roster
2003 thru 1999: 22 player max roster (Please Note: Only 18 players can be listed on the Game Card and eligible to play in a game.)
Small Sided Game Rules
2010 thru 2006 Divisions: No build out lines
2010 thru 2006 Divisions: Goalkeepers can punt the ball
2010 thru 2006: Goalkeepers can punt the ball
2010 thru 2007 Divisions: No heading
Protests
All decisions of the Tournament Director, Tournament Operation Manager, Field Marshals, and Referees are final. NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED. Only the Tournament Director can make decisions relating to the interpretation of the Tournament Rules. Disputes relating to the interpretation of these rules will be resolved with the administrator/coach 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).
Team Registration
Team credentials: player cards, medical release form (registration forms) and the team roster are required to be verified by the Tournament Committee before your first scheduled game.
Game Cards
A completed Game Card from each team is required before each match, including Semifinals and Finals.
Flight Determination
Choosing teams for the Nike Flight, Select Flight & Viper Flight for each division will be determined by the Tournament Committee. Not every division will have more than one flight.
Player Equipment
The referee’s decision is final concerning whether a player will be permitted to play with their existing equipment and physical condition (knee braces, cast, etc.)
Match Times for Pool Play & Semi-Finals
Under 2007 thru 1999 will play two 30 minute halves.
Under 2010 thru 2008 will play two 25 minutes halves.
Championship Game Match Times
Under 2010 thru 2008 will play two 25 minute halves
Under 2007 & 2006 will play two 30 minute halves
Under 2005 thru Under 1999 will play two 35 minutes halves
Award Ceremonies
Both, the Champion and Finalist will receive awards and are both expected to participate in the Award Ceremonies. Any team who does not comply will be reported to the their State Association, League, Club Board of Directors and Club Director of Coaching. We promote good sportsmanship at our event whether you win or lose.
Injury Time
There will be no time allowance for injuries. The in-charge referee cannot extend the specified game time without the consent of a Tournament Committee Representative.
Tournament Scoring System
3 points for a win
1 point for a tie
0 points for a loss
Qualifying matches ending in a tie will stand. Semi-final and Final matches ending in a tie will proceed immediately to FIFA penalty kicks to determine a winner.
Standing Tie Breaker
In the event there is a tie in the standing after the qualifying matches or a wild card determination, the following method will be utilized to resolve the tie:
1. Head to Head Competition
2. Goal Differential (goals scored minus goals allowed)
3. Fewest Goals Allowed
4. Most Goals Scored
5. Most shut-out victories (forfeits not counting)
6. FIFA Kicks from the Penalty Mark
If more than two teams are tied at the end of preliminary rounds, the tie breaker criteria list shall be used in order shown to advance or eliminate teams. Once one team advances or is eliminated and if the remaining two teams are still tied, those two teams will then be compared beginning with criterion 1 (Head to Head) to determine ultimate placement. (See different examples below).
Example 1: Three way tie:
Head to Head cancels out since all 3 teams either beat or tied each other.
Team A Goal Differential +3
Team B Goal Differential +2
Team C Goal Differential +1
In this above example Team A is first place, Team B is second place and Team C is third place.
Example 2: Three way tie:
Head to Head cancels out since all 3 teams either beat or tied each other.
Team A Goal Differential +3
Team B Goal Differential +3
Team C Goal Differential +1
In this above example Team C is Eliminated. Since Team A and Team B are tied, those two teams will then be compared beginning with criterion 2 (Head to Head is canceled out due to three way tie) to determine ultimate placement. In this case, Team B has 2 goals allowed and Team A has 4 goals allowed. Therefore, Team B is first place, Team A is second place and Team C is third place.
Playoffs
Flight of 6 Teams:
Every team plays 3 matches. The top two teams with the most points will advance to the Championship game.
Flight of 8 Teams:
1st Place from Group A vs 1st Place from Group B will advance to the Championship.
Flight of 16 Teams:
1st Place from Group A vs 1st Place from Group D. 1st Place from Group B vs 1st Place from Group C will advance to the Semi-final Game.
Wild Cards
Only Second Place Teams from each pool can advance as a Wild Card. If there is a tie for Second Place in pool play, the Standing Tie Breaker Rule will determine the Second Place team. Penalty kicks will be taken thirty (30) Minutes before the scheduled start of the Quarterfinal or Semifinal game. Any additional conflicts with Wild card teams will be resolved by the Tournament Directors.
Flight of 12 Teams:
Will consist of three (3) Groups of four (4) teams each. Each team will play the other teams in its Group for a total of three (3) preliminary round games.
The winner of Group A will play Wild card #1 and the winner of Group B will play the winner of Group C. If Wild Card comes from Group A, then it will be winner of Group B vs Wild card and winner of Group A vs Group C.
Forfeits/Team Disqualifications
If a team forfeits due to a no show or not having enough players during the preliminary round, the following will apply “Forfeit one-forfeit all”. If a team forfeits in a later round, only that match will be forfeited. If a team doesn’t have their player cards present by the end of the match, only that match will be forfeited. Games will be recorded as a 1-0 victory for the opposing team. Any team that forfeits will be reported to their State Association.
Match Preparation
Turn in Player ID Cards and Game Card to the Field Marshal for check-in 30 minutes prior to game time. All matches will have a 5 minutes grace period to appear with at least 7 players (2005 thru 1999), 5 players (2010 thru 2006) to avoid a forfeit. The home team is the first team listed in the schedule, has choice of field side, must provide the game ball, and must change jerseys in the event of a referee determined color conflict with the opposing team. Teams and spectators must be on opposite sides of the field or as instructed by tournament officials with teams being on one side and spectators on the other. Spectators on the opposite side must mirror their team.
Substitution
Substitution will be allowed during natural stoppage of the match at the referee’s discretion. All divisions, free substitution and re-entry will be allowed.
Player/Coach Conduct
Any player receiving a double yellow / red card or coach receiving an ejection shall be ineligible to participate in the remainder of that match, plus the following match. Tournament Director and Referee Coordinator will evaluate all red cards.
2 Yard Sideline Rule
All spectators must always be at least 2 yards away from the sideline. This rule will be enforced by the Referee Field Coordinator and Tournament Officials.
Withdrawal from the Tournament
Any team withdrawing before August 1, 2017, will receive a full refund minus $100 processing fee. Any team withdrawing after the August 1, 2017, will not be entitled to a refund.
Inclement Weather or Unexpected Termination of Play
In the event of inclement weather, which the Tournament Committee deems as being unsafe for the players and/or the fields for competition to continue; or the unexpected termination of the match, the following system for determining the winner will be implemented:
Matches that are at the half time break or in the second half of play will have the score stand.
Matches that are less than 20 minutes into the first half will be deemed not to have been played.
Matches for a given day may be postponed and played the following day, if fields are available.
Matches may be shortened in order to play all assigned matches. If all assigned matches are unable to be played, awards will be made based on a point system to be determined by the Tournament Committee.
Note: that it may also be necessary to change match locations in the event the assigned fields are unavailable for play, for any reason.
If the Tournament is canceled due to the Inclement Weather prior to the start of competition, teams will be issued partial refunds as determined by the Tournament Committee, after a reasonable amount has been deducted for incurred tournament costs.