AGE AND ELIGIBILITY

A.    15U through 19U Boys teams will play March 10-11

B.    15U through 19U Girls teams will play March 17-18

C. 9U through 14U Boys  Girls teams will play March 24-25 

D.    Participation in the PWSI Icebreaker Tournament is open to accepted teams composed of a maximum of twenty-two (22) players for 15U, 16U,, 17U, 18U and 19U, a maximum of eighteen (18) players for 13U & 14U, a maximum of sixteen (16) players for 11U & 12U, and a maximum of fourteen (14) players for 9U & 10U meeting the age limit of the specified division; Players must have been born during, or subsequent to, the divisional year, as defined by US Soccer Guidelines; Player registration cards duly authorized by State/Provincial or National Association will be required as proof of age.

*Age groups:

19 Under (January 1, 1999 and younger) 17 Under (January 1, 2001 and younger) 16 Under (January 1, 2002 and younger) 15 Under (January 1, 2003 and younger) 14 Under (January 1, 2004 and younger) 13 Under (January 1, 2005 and younger) 12 Under (January 1, 2006 and younger)** 11 Under (January 1, 2007 and younger)** 10 Under (January 1, 2008 and younger)** 9 Under (January 1, 2009 and younger)**

*Combining of age groups will be done at the Tournament Committee’s discretion, if needed.

**The 9U & 10U age groups will play 7v7 ; 11U & 12U will play 9v9, all on smaller fields. 

E.   No “house” all-star, recreational, or ODP teams will be permitted to play. Each team accepted must be registered with a National State Association affiliated with the USYS/USSF or national equivalent and must present a valid (2017-2018) State or Provincial roster. Teams that are members of organizations of the United States Soccer Federation but not members of US Youth Soccer (such as AYSO, SAY, US Club Soccer or Super Y Leagues) DO NOT have to have a US Youth Soccer Application To Travel form (although that team’s organization may require that the team have permission). At the tournament registration, all teams must present valid 2017-2018 player cards, the approved tournament roster, medical releases (all players) and permission to travel as required.  All player passes must match the affiliation of the roster.  For example, If the team roster is USYSA, then all players on that team must have USYSA passes.  A player may not guest play on a USYSA roster with a US Club player pass, and vice versa. All VYSA clubs have USYSA passes (travel and rec).  All player passes MUST be signed by the registrar (for travel passes) or club designee (for rec passes).  A maximum of five (5) guest players may be used on a Tournament Team Roster. However, any team, including a team using guest players, must have no more than a total of eighteen (18) players for U-13 through U-19, a maximum of sixteen (16) for U-11 & U-12, and a maximum of fourteen (14) U-9 & U-10 on said game day roster. Guest players must be current USYS/USSF or national equivalent players and can play for only 1 team in the Tournament. Guest players may be recreational players provided they have an authorized 2017-2018 player registration card. 

F.    USYSA teams outside Region 1 must have a Permission to Travel Formsigned by their association. All out of area teams are required to reserve their housing through Halpern Travel www.halperntravel.com   888-640-6400 our tournament-housing agency.  Teams that secure lodging outside of Halpern Travel may not be accepted to the tournament.  All players/teams must have valid Player Registration Cards, Team Rosters, Medical Release Forms, and Permission to Travel Forms.

G.    Foreign teams must provide the following at registration:

Passports for each player, or if from a nation that the United States does not require a passport, proof of entry into the United States that is required by the United States,  Player picture identification cards, Completed form from its Provincial or national association approving the team’s participation in the tournament.

LAWS OF THE GAME

All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws, except as specifically modified by these rules. 
 

HEADING RULE AT AGE GROUP DIVISIONS U11 AND YOUNGER

Whenever the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped. The proper restart depends upon whether the player deliberately played the ball with his or her head. If deliberate, the proper restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If the play by the head is deemed in advertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball.

DIVISIONS, SUB-DIVISIONS and FLIGHTS Divisions:

The Tournament will make available divisions according to competitive level.  Divisions may be deleted, combined or added at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.

Sub-divisions: Each Division may be further divided into sub-divisions at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.

Flights: Flights are a subcategory of a Division or Sub-division.

4-team division – Each team plays a round robin.  Top 2 teams based on points will play in the final.

5-team division – Each team plays a round robin.  First and second place determined on points.

6-team division – Two flights of 3 teams.  Each team will play the other 2 teams in their flight.  Top 2 teams in each flight advance to semi-finals.  First place of flight A will play second place of flight B in the semi-finals.  Winners advance to final.  Third place teams in each flight play each other in a consolation match.

7-team division – Flight B will have four teams.  Flight A will have three teams.  Each flight will play two games.  The teams in each flight will then be ranked from first to last based on tie-breaking procedures. Top two teams in each flight advance to semi-finals.  First place of flight A will play second place of flight B in the semi-finals.  First place of Flight B will play second place of Flight A in the other semi-final.  Winners advance to final.  Consolation matches: Third place of Flight A will play third place of Flight B.  The winner will play fourth place of Flight B.

8-team division – Two flights of 4 teams.  Each team plays a round robin within their flight.  The winners of each flight (based on points) advance to the final.

9-team division – Three flights of 3 teams.  The winner of each flight plus a wild card (best second place based on pts, then tie breakers) advance to the semi-finals.  Consolation matches feature 2nd best 2nd place vs 3rd best 2nd place.  3rd Place flight B plays 3rd place Flight C.  The winner of this match (Winner Consolation A ) plays 3rd place Flight A.

DURATION

The duration of tournament games shall be in accordance with the following:

Preliminary games, *quarter-final, *semi-final games and consolation matches:

9U and 10U -- two 25-minute halves, no overtime period

11U through 12U -- two 30-minute halves,  no overtime period

13U through 14U -- two 30-minute halves, no over time period

15U through 19U -- two 35-minute halves,  no over time period

* Semi-final matches will conduct overtime and penalty kicks as needed

Final games:

9U through 10U -- two 25-minute halves, two 5 minute overtime periods

11U through 12U -- two 30-minute halves,  two 5 minute overtime periods

13U through 14U -- two 30-minute halves, two 5 minute overtime periods

15U through 19U -- two 35-minute halves, two 5 minute overtime periods

Half-time for preliminary games will be 5 minutes. All teams will be scheduled to play a minimum of 3 games (this may be altered due to weather or other unexpected issues).  Each team will play two games on Saturday and 1 or 2 games will be played on Sunday.  All games will be played with a running clock. The referee may stop the clock for serious injuries or other incidents. The referee is the official timekeeper and therefore all decisions regarding game duration are solely at the referee’s discretion and shall not be protested.  All 11v11 games will have 3 certified referees.  Small-sided games will feature 3 certified referee 11U & 12U and 1 certified referee for 9U & 10U group play and three for semifinals & finals.

GAME DAY CHECK-IN TIME AND FIELD AND GAME EQUIPMENT

PLAYER REGISTRATION CARDS AND THE OFFICIAL TEAM ROSTER, APPROVED BY THE PWSI STAFF (READ BELOW FORMS & DOCUMENTS SECTION), MUST BE AVAILABLE AT THE FIELD PRIOR TO A GAME AND FOR THE DURATION OF THE GAME.  THE  REFEREE PRIOR TO THE MATCH MAY CHECK PLAYER IDENTIFICATION CARDS.  Each team for 15U-19U that has more players than the max game day roster of 18 must identify with the referee crew the 18 players participating in the match.  The remaining players (listed on the Official State Roster but not listed on the Official Game Roster) may sit on the team bench side HOWEVER they may NOT be in uniform.

Players must wear numbers visible on the back of their uniforms. The shirt number of each player must be the same as the roster.

Players shall wear shin guards in accordance with FIFA laws.

No metal cleats will be allowed, and no jewelry will be allowed.

Casts are permitted with the permission of the referee.

Where opposing team’s uniform colors are similar, the designated home team will change colors. The designated home team is listed first on the schedule.

When requested by the referee, each team must provide a referee assistant.

A #5 ball is used for U-13 through U-19 play; and a #4 ball is used for U-9 through U-12 play. The tournament will provide game balls at the field.  Players and coaches of both teams will take the same side of the field. All other supporters will take the opposite side. Only three team officials are permitted on the sidelines with their players.

THE FIELD MARSHAL OR REFEREE PRIOR TO THE MATCH MAY CHECK PLAYER IDENTIFICATION CARDS.  Each team for 15U-19U that has more players than the max game day roster of 18 must identify with the referee crew the 18 players participating in the match.  The remaining players (listed on the Official State Roster but not listed on the Official Game Roster) may sit on the team bench side HOWEVER they may NOT be in uniform.

FORMS, DOCUMENTATION and TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS

Team registration will occur with the Tournament Director via email by March 2 at 5 pm for 15U through 19U Boys and Girls teams.  

Team registration will occur with the Tournament Director via email by March 14 at 5 pm for 9U through 14U Boys and Girls teams.  
 

All players must have current, Player Registration Cards, Team Rosters, and Permission to Travel Forms, if applicable.

REGION 1 TRAVEL

PROTESTS

Game decisions by referees may not be appealed.  Decisions made by the tournament director involving disputes or protests are final and may not be appealed.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Unlimited substitutions may be made with the referee’s permission:

After a goal has been made;

At the beginning of the second half of play or prior to the beginning of an overtime period;

At a goal kick by either team; or

Prior to a throw-in when the ball is in possession of the team substituting.  The opposing team may substitute as well if the team in possession is making a substitution.

Limited substitutions may be made, with the referee’s permission:

In case of stoppage of play for an injury; or

To replace a cautioned player.

Under no circumstances may substitutions be made (1) on corner kicks or (2) after the game has ended in a tie and FIFA penalty kicks will be required to determine a winner.

GAME AND SCORE REPORTING

The WINNING team  will deliver the completed and signed Score Card by the referee to the appropriate Site Official (Division Coordinator/Site Coordinator) promptly at the conclusion of each game. If the game finishes in a TIE then the Home Team will deliver the score card

CONDUCT

Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the LAW as well as the letter of the LAW. Displays of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and the surrounding field area. Repeated violations may result in the suspension of the team from the tournament as decided by the Tournament Director.

Players, coaches and team officials ejected from a game by the referee shall be ineligible for the next scheduled game (red card or 2 yellow cards). Ineligible coaches are not permitted at the field; ineligible players may sit on the bench (but not in uniform).

It is the responsibility of the team’s coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf to control the conduct of its parents and other spectators. Failure to do so may result in a warning to the coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf by the referee. If unacceptable conduct continues, the referee may eject the team’s coach, or the person acting in the coach’s behalf, from the game.

In accordance with the USYSA Tournament Hosting Agreement, all red and yellow cards and other matters involving team conduct will be reported to the home club and State/Provincial Association of the team involved as well as the US Youth Soccer National Office and the US Soccer Federation (foreign teams). There will be no disciplinary action for yellow cards accumulated in different matches during the tournament.

Artificial noisemaking devices are prohibited.

Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any of the field sites.

POINTS, FLIGHT WINNERS, AND WILD CARD TEAMS

In the preliminary games, each team will be awarded three (3) points for a win or a game forfeited to them, one (1) point for a tie, and no (0) points for a loss.  At the end of the preliminary rounds, the flight winner will be the team with the most points in their flight. If the division consists of five teams, a round robin format will be used with no final.  

U17,U18,&U19 Boys Divisions will play 3 matches and winners will be chosen by points due to the abbreviated format because of SAT weekend.

In the event of a tie within a flight (or 5 team division) or to conduct seeding, the following criteria will be used to determine the winner:

Head to head competition (in the event of a tie among three (3) or more teams, this criterion will not be considered), then

Most wins, then