MAPS
/ MSSL TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS & RULES OF PLAY
GUIDELINES /
POLICIES
All Fields:
1. No Parking on grass, unless clearly designated as a parking area. Follow parking patterns at all times. Obey speed limits. Tickets will be issued.
2. Pick up your trash. Soccer fields should be treated as hallowed ground.
3. Only individuals with a valid Driver’s License may operate a golf cart or other motorized vehicle at the event. No unauthorized use is permitted.
4. No pets, No smoking, No alcohol. Just soccer.
Injuries:
In the event of an injury contact your field marshal or the tournament control center.
Abusive Behavior:
While at the fields, any coach, parent, team official, player or spectator threatening violence or verbal abuse to any individual will immediately be ejected from the tournament and the team may be ejected from the tournament. This type of behavior is not acceptable at this event and will not be tolerated.
Hotels:
To ensure prompt
communication with all teams during the event, participating teams must stay at
a designated hotel cooperating with the Tournament, and provide both hotel
information and a team manager cell number at registration. Day-tripping teams
not staying over must provide several fail-safe phone numbers at registration.
Teams and affiliated persons that are disrespectful and/or damage hotel property will be ejected from the tournament and will not be accepted for future participation. Additionally, those team(s) will be responsible for all expenses. Security and a reporting network are in place at all properties throughout the weekend.
IT IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH COACH / MANAGER TO INFORM THEIR PLAYERS AND PARENTS OF
THESE GUIDELINES.
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TOURNAMENT RULES
1. General Rules of the Game
a. All tournament games shall
be played under the laws set forth by F.I.F.A., except as modified by these
rules.
b. US Soccer rules requiring
the exclusive use of US Soccer registered referees shall be strictly enforced.
2. Registration and Eligibility
a. Tournament headquarters for
the direction of all administrative matters is MAPS / MSSL, 8 Cornwall Court, East
Brunswick NJ 08816. 732-432-7200. The contact person is Bohdan
Porytko.
973-998-9731 / 973-698-6655.
b. All teams must register at least one full hour before
their first game at the Field Headquarters at the site of their first game.
(Should there be a pre-Registration available, team managers will be advised by
email communications; usually there will not.)
c. At initial registration each team shall provide a
photocopy of the official team roster. The roster must include a uniform number
for each rostered, guest or loan player, which must
remain constant for the entire tournament. If circumstances require a change in
uniform number for any game, that change must be reported in advance to the
officials on-site.
d. At Check-in, one hour prior to game time, a team
representative must present and have available the properly certified roster
for the team for that weekend (specifically indicating which players are
participating that day), player passes with photo IDs for each participating
player and an Authorization for Medical Treatment form (commonly referred to as
a Medical Release) executed for each player. The Authorization should ideally
be notarized (although not mandatory if not required by the governing body) and
must have been executed within the last twelve months. Information will be
presented to the registration desk at the site.
e. All players must be registered youth soccer players in
good standing with an appropriate governing body. Players must either be on a team’s official
roster or be an approved loan player / guest player duly registered.
f. The Gameday Roster must be submitted containing no more than eighteen (18) players who will be deemed eligible to play for the team on that date, including rostered players and guests. Each team will be allowed up to 5 guest players from outside teams. The 18 listed players, rostered and guest, can vary from day to day.
g. For U10 and younger teams, no roster may have more
than 14 players and may include up to 3 guest players.
h. All players on the same team, rostered
or guest, must use Player Passes from the same governing body.
j.
Foreign teams
must present a passport at registration or, if from a nation from which the
3. Player’s Equipment and Field Regulations
a.
All soccer equipment must adhere to
F.I.F.A. laws. A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to
himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry).
b. Shin guards are mandatory.
c. Knee braces, if worn, must be covered completely.
d. No rigid casts are allowed. Game Referee has final authority whether
any cast is permissible in that game.
e. Player’s numbers must coincide with numbers listed on the roster.
f. All teams must have two sets of jerseys in contrasting colors. All players must wear matching color team shorts and team socks; one set of each will be acceptable for the team.
g. In the event that team colors are similar, the home team will change colors. The home team is the team listed first on the schedule unless the home team is clearly designated otherwise.
h. Each team’s players and coaches shall take one side of the field, and all spectators shall take the opposite sideline. On the team’s sideline, the home team has the choice of side with respect to the centerline, and coaches and players must stay within their side.
i. On the spectators’ sideline, spectators are to remain behind the designated line. No one will be allowed behind either end line.
j. Player picture identification cards are required to be presented to the referee prior to each match.
4. Substitutions.
a. FIFA rules are modified to allow unlimited substitution with the referee’s permission, at every stoppage in play (for example, throw-ins by either team, free kicks, corners, removal of injured player, etc.). Free substitution is allowed for all age groups.
b. Players must be clearly standing and waiting AT THE MID-FIELD LINE to be substituted (and not merely waiting “in the vicinity of mid-field”), and the referee’s assistant should be alerted, to the extent possible, of the request to substitute at the next stoppage of play.
c. Players standing at midfield should be substituted into the game at the next stoppage of play, unless they remove themselves from the mid-field position prior to the stoppage of play.
5. Game Duration & Ball Size
a. Games lengths, to the extent that weather and schedule permit:
1. 25 minute halves for U10 and younger
2. 30 Minute halves for U11 through U14
3. 30 minute halves for U15 and older
b. Size 5 balls shall be used for ages U13 and older, size 4 balls shall be used for ages U12 and younger.
c. Tournament play balls will be provided by the Tournament, and will be in the custody of the game officials assigned to the field for each game.
d. U10 and younger teams will play small-sided games with eight (8) players on the field.
6.
Forfeit
a. A five minute grace period will be allowed from scheduled kickoff time. Teams must be present and ready to play at the scheduled time or forfeit the game. Nonetheless, Tournament officials will have the option to shorten, reschedule or otherwise create such circumstances as will allow a game to be played on the field rather than be won by forfeit.
b. A minimum of seven players constitutes a team.
c. A forfeit will be recorded as a two to zero result.
d.
The Tournament Committee will review abandoned games on
a case-by-case basis.
e.
The determination of the Tournament Committee
is final.
7.
Inclement Weather
a. Prior to the morning of the
event, Tournament officials will use all available means to post weather
updates, including website updates, emails to team contacts and the use of a
Weather Hotline phone number.
b. Unless clearly advised
otherwise by a Tournament official, all teams and coaches must show up at the
scheduled field and time regardless of weather conditions. Failure to appear will result in a forfeit,
which is scored as a two to zero loss, and may result in the rescheduling or
loss of a team’s future games at the Tournament.
c. In the event of stoppage of
play due to severe weather conditions, a single team representative is required
to report to the Headquarters Station fifteen minutes after stoppage has
occurred, at which time the remaining schedule may by resumed, cancelled,
modified or any decision further postponed for another defined length, pending
receipt of information to formulate a definitive resolution.
d. In the case of inclement
weather, the Tournament Committee has the authority to change, cancel or
reschedule any game and / or its format.
e. In the event of extreme
weather conditions that dictate cancellation or modifications of the format
that day, the Tournament Committee will determine what portion, if any, of the
registration, referee and field fees are to be refunded.
f. The determination of the
Committee is final.
8.
Discipline
a. Coaches, players and
spectators are required to conduct themselves within the Laws of the Game.
b. All disciplinary measures
imposed by the Tournament Committee shall be limited to participation in the
Showcase.
c. Notwithstanding section 8.b.
above, cautions and ejections based on violent behavior, such as referee
assault, will be referred to the appropriate governing body as required by such
governing body’s rules and regulations.
A player or coach accumulating 2 yellow cards will be suspended for one
game.
d. Players, coaches or any team
official ejected from any game shall be suspended for at least one additional
game, as mandated by F.I.F.A. Such
players and coaches will not be with the team during the next match(es). They can be on
the opposite side of the field and watch the game as spectators.
e. Spectators ejected from the
field must leave promptly, and failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the
game in which their team is participating and / or resort to civil authorities.
f. Additional penalties may be
imposed, as deemed fit and necessary by the Tournament Committee.
9.
Standings and Championships
a. All game scores are recorded and will be posted on the
website after the Tournament.
b. Game cards will be used by the referee to record game
results and disciplinary actions. Field marshals will deliver game cards to the
registration desk.
c. All age brackets will compete for championship and finalist awards.
d. Tied playoff games will proceed directly to FIFA-style Penalty Kicks. (See 9.e.8. below.)
e. Team standings are based on won-lost record, with
tiebreakers to further determine placement.
1.
Each win counts for
three points, each tie for one point.
2.
All games in the initial
phase shall carry equal weight, both in-group games and cross-over games.
3.
Forfeits are recorded as
a 2-0 score.
4.
In the event of tie,
head-to-head is determinative, if applicable. Head-to-head shall only be
utilized in the event of a two-way tie, and will no longer be utilized in the
event of a tie among three or more teams.
5. In the further event of a tie, goal differential will be determinative, with up to plus-4 or minus-4 units awarded per game.
6.
In the further event of
a tie, accumulated goals scored, with a limit of 4 per game, shall determine
placement.
7.
In the further event of
a tie, accumulated goals against shall determine placement. The team with the
fewest goals allowed shall prevail.
8. Finally, teams will conduct a Penalty Kick Shootout.
Should a team fail to show up for the scheduled shootout, the tiebreaker will
be awarded to the team prepared to participate.
a.
Each team
will designate eleven players to take shots including one goalkeeper.
b.
5 initial
shots per team, in an ABABABABAB pattern, until a decisive result is reached.
c.
If still
tied, single alternating penalty kicks, in an AB pattern, until a decisive
result is achieved.
d.
Shootouts may be
assigned to a designated area or field.
9. In the event of a tie where both teams will still advance, and only seeding or bracket placement is at stake, the Tournament Committee retains the option of resolving placement by coin toss. If a team fails to appear for a playoff game, the Tournament Committee has the option of replacing the team.
10. Some brackets may be decided on round-robin group play, without playoffs. In such instance, accumulated game points and tiebreakers will determine the first two places.
10.
Communications
a. The official Tournament website is
“www.socceragency.net/maps”.
b. Teams are responsible for accessing the website for
schedules and other relevant information. Note that upon accessing a frequently
updated webpage, individuals should click Refresh on their web Browsers to ensure
that the information being accessed is the most current.
c. Teams should leave a cell phone number at the
registration desk at the start of each weekend event, at check-in, as well as
the name of their hotel if relevant, to assist in communications in the event
of weather-related issues. The Team Contact’s cell phone must be in operation
over the course of the event.
d. Tournament officials will attempt to update the
website, send group or individual email messages, create a voice message
Hotline at 732-432-7200, or leave messages at hotels and call cell phone
numbers to provide necessary information, but are not responsible for any
failure to reach any given team or its members, during the course of an event.
11. General
Information
a. Only USSF registered Referees will be utilized,
assigned by a USSF certified Assignor.
b. Coaches, players and their fans are expected to
conduct themselves within the Spirit of the game. In this regard the Tournament Committee
reserves the right to take disciplinary action as necessary.
c. Under no circumstances will the Tournament Committee
or staff be responsible for any part of any other expenses incurred by any team
due to, but not limited to, part or whole cancellation of the Tournament due to
circumstances beyond the Committee’s control (e.g., weather, facility
operations, road closings, etc.).
d. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide
on any/all matters and its interpretation of these rules shall be final. No protests will be entertained.
e. All teams shall shake hands at the end of each game as
a gesture of friendship and sportsmanship.
f. Referee decisions may not be protested or disputed.
TOURNAMENT KEY PROCEDURES SHEET
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CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY ·
Team standings based on
won-lost record. ·
Wins count for three
points, ties for one point. ·
Forfeits are recorded as
a 2-0 score. ·
All initial phase games
count equally, both in-group and cross-over ·
In the event of tie,
head-to-head is determinative, if applicable, and only in the event of
two-way tie. ·
In the further event of
a tie, goal differential will be determinative, with up to plus-4 or minus-4
units awarded per game. ·
In the further event of a tie, goals scored (max
4/per game) will be used to determine the winner. ·
In the further event of a tie, goals allowed will
be used to determine the winner. ·
Finally, FIFA Shots from
the Penalty Spot provisions shall be used. ·
If both teams will
advance, and only seeding is at stake, Tournament Committee may opt for coin
toss. |
PLAYOFF GAME TIES ·
In the event that a
semifinal or final is tied after regulation time, the standard procedure is
that the game will immediately proceed to a Penalty Kick Shootout. ·
If facility
time permits that day, teams may be informed before the game that ties will
first proceed to two Five-Minute overtimes played to conclusion ·
Switch goals at OT
halftime / One minute timeout. PENALTY KICK SHOOTOUT ·
Coin toss
winner chooses to shoot first or last. 5 initial shots per team, in an
ABABABABAB pattern, until a decisive result is reached. ·
If still
tied, single alternating penalty kicks in
an AB/AB pattern, until decisive
result is achieved. ·
Only the
players on the field at the end of the game can participate. ·
All players must kick before
any can kick a second time. · Shootouts may be moved to an area designated for that purpose. |
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CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS, STAFF AND FANS ·
Obey all traffic
directives and speed limits. Park in designated spaces only. No parking on
grass. ·
No smoking on or near
playing fields. ·
No alcoholic beverages
on premises. ·
Use only designated
sanitary facilities. ·
No pets on grounds. ·
Use trash receptacles
& clean up after your team. ONSITE CONTACT CELL PHONE NUMBER ·
HQ has a printout of the
mobile numbers entered for the Team Contact on the online Registration. Each
team should ensure that its Contact’s mobile phone number has been correctly
provided and that it is in operation during the event. ·
If possible, the
Committee will attempt to contact that number in the event of schedule or
field changes, shootouts needed to determine group winners, inquiries about
game results, etc. |
APPEALS; SIGNING GAMECARDS ·
Coaches should ensure
that they sign off on Gamecards in the possession
of the game Referee upon the conclusion of each game. Scores should be
checked to ensure they were recorded and totaled correctly, and teams
identified properly. ·
In the event of a
dispute, signed Gamecards will usually be deemed
dispositive. ·
In certain cases,
appropriate appeals will be considered only upon the concurrence of both
team’s coaches. ·
Timely appeals will be
considered by the Tournament Committee, and its decision will be final. At
that point, no further protest will be tolerated. ·
Untimely appeals (such
as after the start of a playoff game or after an event has concluded) will
not be heard. ·
Red Cards are normally
assigned a one-game suspension. Player passes are brought to facility HQ, and
should be picked up after the suspension concludes. |
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WEATHER ISSUES; GAME STOPPAGE / RESUMPTION ·
If weather concerns
exist just prior to the event, the web Tournament Homepage will provide
updates the evening before the first day; after 6:00 AM, if deemed necessary,
weather updates may be posted on 732-432-7200 (do not call earlier and do not
leave messages, they will not be checked during the event.) · Teams should have a pre-determined communications procedure as their Team Contact is informed of determinations about weather delays, playoffs, etc. |
·
During play, games may
be interrupted by the referee or field marshal for lightning or severe
downpour. ·
Fifteen minutes after
game interruption, the Team Contact must report to HQ, for announcement of
game resumption, game cancellation or postponement of final decision until a
subsequent check-in time. Decisions as to new time slots and game lengths may
also be announced. ·
Generally, games that
have reached halftime will not be resumed, and their result will be final. |