TOURNAMENT RULES

Laws of the Game

The event shall be played in accordance with the laws of the game issued by FIFA/USYSA, US
Club, and Illinois Youth Soccer Association.

Player and Team Eligibility

• The event is open to competitive select teams, and all players must be registered and in
good standings with their local USYSA/USSF/FIFA organizations. All teams registered
and in good standings with their National Organizations, including USYSA and US Club
Soccer, are eligible to play.
• All teams are required to have approved player passes (USYSA, US Club, USSSA), state
association approved guest player loan forms (if applicable), copies of the state or
National Associated verified roster, and a notarized copy (if applicable) of medical
release form for each player. All out of state teams must have a travel permit.
• All identification cards will be collected and reviewed prior to the game by the match
officials or Field Marshall. Cards will be held during the game and returned after the
game.

Roster Sizes

This event will follow the newly implemented US Soccer guidelines pertaining to field ranges
and roster sizes.

U8
• Max roster size of 10
• 5v5 with size ball #3

U9-U10
• Max roster size of 14
• 7v7 with size ball #4

U11-U12
• Max roster size of 16
• 9v9 with size ball #4

U13-U19
• Max roster size of 22
• 18 players are able to play
• 11v11 with size ball #5
Length of Games

• U8 - U10 will play 2 x 25 minutes halves

• U11 - U12 will play 2 x 30 minutes halves
• U13 - U16 will play 2 x 35 minutes halves
• U17 - U19 will play 2 x 40 minutes halves

The tournament does not require the referee to add time for substitutions. There will be a 5-
minute halftime, and the game clock will not stop unless, in the judgment of the referee, there is
time wasting or an injury. If there is a purposeful time waiting, the referee has the right to add
extra time up to 3 minutes maximum.

Uniforms and Equipment

• All players must have a numbered jersey that has a different number from all other team
players.
• All players’ equipment is subject to a pre-game referee inspection and approval.
• All players must wear shin guards at all times.
• No jewelry may be worn by any player (earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.)
• No metal cleats.
• Only approved sports goggles/glasses are permitted.
• Hard casts and soft casts are permitted if padded and covered and approved by
tournament officials.

Substitutions

• Unlimited substitutions shall be allowed in accordance with the USYSA rules.

• U8 - U12 sub on the fly. Players must exit and enter the field at the midfield line.
• U13 - U19 sub on any dead ball, only with the permission of the referee.
• A player receiving a “yellow” card does not have to be substituted for.

Offside

• U8 - no offside
• U9 - U19 as per law 11 - offside

Tournament Scoring / Tie Breaking

• 3 points for a win

• 1 point for a tie
• 0 points for a loss
A forfeited game will be scored as a 3-0, max points win of 3 points. Any team that forfeits a
pool play game cannot advance to finals or win 1st/2nd place.

If two or more teams are tied during the group stage, the below procedures shall determine the
group winner:

1. Winner of head-to-head competition

2. Goal differential (5 goal maximum per game)
3. Goals scored (5 maximum per game)
4. Fewest goals allowed
5. Penalty kicks per FIFA rules

Overtime Rules

• There will be no overtime periods for any games played during this event.
• In the event of a tie at the end of regulation of a semifinal or final, teams will go directly
into penalty kicks.

Game Reports

• The center referee and an official from each team must sign the game report.
• The game report will be used for score verification.

Ejections

• Any player or coach ejected from a game will be ineligible for the team’s next game.
• Any player or coach ejected for fighting can be subject to ejection from the remainder of
the event.
• Player’s and coach’s cards will be retained by the event director and returned after the
suspension has been served.
• If coach has multiple teams in the tournament, any suspension shall be applicable to each
age group in which infraction occurred.

Protests

• Protests may be made only by the designated coach.

• Protests must be submitted in writing and in duplicate with $100 cash to the event
committee.
• No protests will be heard concerning judgment calls made by all referees.
• Any protest concerning player eligibility must be made prior to the start of a game by
notifying the Field Marshall and Referee.
• All protests must be made within 60 minutes after the end of the game in question.
• Protests will be ruled on by the Event Committee by the start of the participants’ next
game.
• The protest fee of $100 is not refundable if the protest is not upheld.
Game Procedures

• All parents and spectators are required to sit on one side of field opposite the players and
coaches.
• Teams are allowed up to 3 staff, members/coaches, on the sidelines with their team.
• Coaches are not allowed to coach from the spectator’s side of the field.
• No spectators or coaches are allowed behind goals.

General Rules

• Trophy presentation for the 1st and 2nd place teams.

• 1st and 2nd place teams will receive individual medals.
• The first team listed in the schedule is the home team and must change in the event of a
uniform color conflict.
• No coin toss – Home team has kick off in the first half; teams switch at halftime.
• No pets allowed at the complexes.
• NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED at event facilities.

Refund Policy

Once a team has been accepted into the tournament, there will be no refunds made unless
the tournament is cancelled, in which case refunds will be disbursed on a pro-rata basis. If
the tournament is cancelled due to an “act of nature”, or any other unforeseen reason, the
tournament may retain 50% of the team entry fee to cover non-refundable expenditures
for the tournament.

Note that the tournament directors have the right to relocate, reschedule, cancel, or shorten
any game. Cancelled, shortened, relocated, and rescheduled games will constitute a played
game, and the tournament will not refund any money for forfeited or cancelled games.