Midwest Champions Cup 2016
Rules & Regulations
A. Tournament Committee
The tournament committee consists of:
a. Tournament Director: Pat McStay-
b. Director of Officials:
c. Director of Field Marshalls& Inspections: Steve Lovgren 804-833-2092
B. Team Participation
The tournament shall be open to all duly registered teams in good standing with their state association.
C. Players and Reserves
· Players not on the game roster are allowed to sit on the bench in team’s opposite uniform or in street clothes.
· All players must meet the age requirements and be listed on the team roster with unique jersey numbers.
· Girls may roster on boys’ teams; boys may not roster on girls’ teams.
· Shin Guards must be worn by all players.
· Hard casts are not prohibited, but they must receive “explicit” approval from the referee before a player wearing such a cast is allowed to play in the game. All casts must have the approval of the Referee. It is not a given that soft casts will be approved.
· No jewelry will be allowed.
Age Group / Max Roster / Min # / # per side / Guest Players AllowedU8 / 8 / 4 / 4v4 / 4
U9-U10 / 12 / 4 / 6v6 / 4
U11-U12 / 14 / 5 / 8v8 / 4
U13-U15 / 18 / 7 / 11v11 / 4
U16-18 / 22 / 7 / 11v11 / 4
D. Check In
Check in will ONLINE (see instructions on the website) or at the Tournament Headquarters 1 hr prior to team’s first game.
· A team representative may check in the team. Players do not need to attend Final Team Check-in.
· Laminated US Club, US Youth Soccer, AYSO player passes or cards are required.
· Do not bring player passes of players that are not participating in the tournament to Final Team Check-in.
· Your Official Tournament Roster will be frozen and no changes will be made to your roster for the remainder of the tournament at Final Team Check-In.
· Teams that are not sanctioned by US Youth Soccer or US Club Soccer must provide proof of insurance.
You must present:
a. Valid player passes
b. Final roster (2 copies)
c. Permission to Travel documents (if applicable)
d. Medical release/Wavier of Liability for each registered player (does not need to be notarized)
e. Guest Players must have the same type (us club or usys for example) of player cards as the rest of the team
E. Length of Game/Ball Size/Format
Each team shall furnish a regulation game ball to the referee prior to each match. The referee’s choice of ball is final.
Age Group / Length of Game / Format / Ball Size / Halftime / OTU8 / 40 – 4-10 min qtrs / 4v4 / 3 / 5 min / None
U9-U10 / 50 min / 6v6 / 4 / 5 min / None
U11-U12 / 60 min / 8v8 / 4 / 5 min / Semis-Final Only
U13-U15 / 70 min / 11v11 / 5 / 5 min / Semis-Final Only
U16-U18 / 80 min / 11v11 / 5 / 5 / Semis-Final Only
Overtime and penalty kicks will only be used in semi-final and final games.
1). Use golden goal rule, then a shootout, if needed.
Shoot-Out procedure:
1). Each team will select 5 players to kick; players on the field at the end of the game only.
2). Teams will alternate (first to kick will be determined by referee coin toss – winner of toss can select first or second).
3). If score remains tied after five kicks, the teams will alternate kicks using 5 new players (1 vs. 1) until a winner is determined.
In case of inclement weather/darkness, the tournament director shall decide upon the official outcome.
F. Tournament Scoring
Division standings for each age group will be decided by the following point system.
WIN 3 points (forfeit or scheduled bye recorded as a 3 – 0 win)
TIE 1 points
LOSS 0 points
G. Tie Breaker Criteria
2). Head to head (not used if more than 2 teams involved)
3). Goal differential – total goals scored minus allowed, 3 goal max
4). Fewest goals allowed
5). Most goals scored
6). Coin toss by the tournament director.
H. Substitution
· All teams are allowed unlimited substitutions with their entire roster.
· Unlimited substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee at the following times:
o Prior to a goal kick by either team.
o After a goal by either team.
o After an injury by either team when the referee stops play.
o At half-time.
o Prior to a throw-in. The team in possession of the ball for a throw-in may substitute. If the team in possession of the
ball chooses to substitute, the opposing team may also substitute at that time, provided they are ready and waiting at the midfield line.
I. Forfeit of game
There will be no grace period beyond scheduled starting time. Any team not able to field a team at game time shall forfeit 3-0 to the opposing team. A minimum of 7 players per side may play a match. Any team that withdraws from a match will forfeit that game and the following games at a score of 3-0 for each game.
J. Spectators
Spectators shall be on the opposite side of the field from where the teams are benched and shall not remain standing behind the goal line.
Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team’s fans throughout the tournament.
Abusive language and actions by spectators towards the officials or members of any team will not be tolerated.
The referee has the authority to verbally warn, caution, or eject the coach for the conduct of the spectators. Every team is requested to help ensure that the field and the surrounding area are left clean and litter free. Alcohol in any form will not be allowed on any playing field or within the tournament area.
K. Home Team/Visitor
· The first team listed in the schedule is the home team.
· The home team must have an alternate jersey and be prepared to change, if, in the opinion of the referee, there is a color conflict.
· Team jerseys must match with unique numbers for each player.
· No sharing of jerseys permitted.
L. Eligibility of players
All players in the tournament (including guest players) must be in good standing with their respective state and national governing associations.
M. Cancellations/Refund Policy
· The Midwest Champions Cup tournament will do its best to schedule three (3) or more games for each team. However, at the Tournament Director's discretion, the number of games may be reduced. The tournament is not liable for any expenses and no refunds for the tournament application fees will be given.
· Under no circumstances whatsoever will the Evolution SC and/or any of its official representatives be responsible for any expenses (including the Tournament entry fee) incurred by any team. This includes any situations whereby the Tournament or any game(s) are canceled in whole or part. After acceptance, if you withdrawal, you will forfeit your whole fee.
Teams will be expected to play regardless of conditions based on the decision of the tournament director.
The tournament director shall have the authority to:
1). End games after the completion of the first half and records scores at that time.
2). Reschedule or relocate games.
3). Shorten playing time by up to 50 %.
4). Cancel any games in the preliminary rounds that have no bearing on the tournament outcome.
5). Cancel all or part of the tournament without penalty.
N. Protests
The tournament committee will not authorize or accept any protest. All decisions of the referees or field marshals are binding on all parties and the games will stand as played.
O. Red Cards
· Red cards will be administered as per FIFA laws of the game.
o A player sent off will not be allowed to play for the remainder of that game and the next game at a minimum.
o Violent Conduct may result in more than a one game suspension by tournament committee decision.
o If a player receives a red card, the player pass will be collected by the referee and forwarded to Tournament Headquarters.
o After the suspension is served, the coach may pick up the pass in Tournament Headquarters.
o If a coach is out of control, a referee may request the coach to leave before a game continues. If a coach is asked to leave a game, the referee will retain the member’s pass and will send it to tournament headquarters along with the appropriate game report. The coach will serve an automatic mandatory two-game suspension.”
· Player passes for red cards will be returned to the coach at the coach’s request. A
coach or team manager can pick up the players pass at tournament headquarters.
P. General
Other than as defined above, all FIFA/NYSA rules will be applied to the playing of the tournament.
Every player and coach is participating at his/her own risk.
Referees will report scores to the tournament director following each game.
Official standings will be posted at the tournament director’s tent.
It is the coach’s responsibility to check these standings to determine semi – final and final round play.
Q. Miscellaneous
Official standings will be posted at headquarters and the coach’s responsibility to check these standings to determine semi-final and final games.
Any team determined to have an illegal player will forfeit that game plus all previous games with 3-0 win for the opposing teams.
R. Substitution Procedure
· All teams are allowed unlimited substitutions with their entire roster.
· Unlimited substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee at the following times:
o Prior to a goal kick by either team.
o After a goal by either team.
o After an injury by either team when the referee stops play.
o At half-time.
o Prior to a throw-in. The team in possession of the ball for a throw-in may substitute. If the team in possession of the ball chooses to substitute, the opposing team may also substitute at that time, provided they are ready and waiting at the midfield line.
S. Injuries
· Coaches are considered guardians for underage participants when the parents are unavailable, and for all players regardless of age, when impairment of mental status renders the player incapable of making an informed decision. As such, they have a responsibility to make decisions in the best interest of the health and safety of the player.
· A coach’s decision to allow a participant to play, contrary to the recommendation of the medical staff, may leave the coach open to legal liability.
· If the coach is under the legal age, the team is required to have an official representative of legal age at the field who will serve as the legal guardian.
· Coaches are responsible for having emergency medical information for all players in their possession at all games.
· Referees are responsible for summoning the coach and first aid personnel onto the field, in the event of an injury.
o The injured player will first be evaluated on the field by first aid staff.
o If further evaluation is warranted, the injured player will be moved to the sideline when medically safe, according to emergency medical protocol.
The Tournament Committee's or their official representative's interpretation of the rules shall be final pertaining to this Tournament.