Leawood Parks & Recreation/Leawood Soccer Fest

Tournament

National Federation of State High School Associations

The Laws of the Game, as periodically amended and updated by the N.F.S.H.S.A., shall control all

Leawood Parks & Recreation Soccer games except as superseded by these rules.

Equipment

1. Game Ball

8v8 divisions will use a size 4 ball.

11v11 divisions will use a size 5 ball.

2. Uniforms

All players must wear the team uniform of like color.

If there is a color conflict, the HOME team is responsible for changing jerseys.

The goalkeeper is to wear a shirt of a color/design which distinguishes them from all other

players on the field.

3. Shoes

Soccer shoes, turf soccer shoes, jogging shoes, rubber cleated shoes and sneakers are

generally acceptable. The hard plastic or nylon cleated soccer shoes must be checked to

determine that no sharp edges exist and that the diameter of the cleats is sufficient not to cause

injury.

Shoes should always be inspected prior to each game for any sharp objects that might cause

injury, such as loose rivets.

Metal cleated shoes of any type are not permitted. Baseball shoes are acceptable if the cleats

are soft plastic or rubber with no protruding front, center cleat.

4. Shin guards

Shin guards are

Officials

1. Linesmen

Each team is responsible for providing one linesman for their games. This linesman will work

their team's side of the field. Since he/she must remain neutral, he/she is not permitted to coach

from the sidelines. The linesman is to signal the referee by raising a flag when the ball

completely crosses the touch line and is out of play. It is important to note that the line is part of

the field of play; therefore, the whole ball must cross the touch line.

The referee may request that the linesman, alone, assist in determining which team is to take

the throw-in (have possession of the ball). The referee’s decision regarding throw-ins, goals, or

other decisions are final. The referee in his/her sole discretion may replace or substitute a

linesman at any time.

2. Referee

Tournament games will utilize a one-man referee system. The referee's jurisdiction begins the

moment he/she enters the field of play and extends after the game until he/she leaves the field

of play. This includes periods of time where play has been temporarily suspended or when the

ball is out of play.

The referee has the discretionary power to stop a game for any infringement of the rules and to

suspend or terminate a game by reason of weather, condition of the field, interference by

spectators or for any other cause, which he may deem necessary.

The referee may warn or caution a player or coach for misconduct or unsportsmanlike behavior;

and if it persists, suspend him/her from further participation in the game. When cautioning a

player or coach, the referee shall display a yellow card and indicate the individual concerned.

When suspending a player or coach, a red card is to be displayed. The suspended player or

coach must leave the field of play and serve a one game suspension.

If a player is seriously injured in the opinion of the referee, the play will be stopped immediately.

If a player is not seriously injured, the play should be allowed to continue until the ball is out of

play or cleared from the goal area. If play is stopped and the coach comes on the field, the

injured player must leave the field of play until the next available opportunity to substitute. After

an injury, the game is restarted by a drop ball if there was no clear possession by either team at

the time of stoppage; or an indirect kick by the team with possession.

The referee is also responsible for:

(a) Keeping the official game time and half-time intervals;

(b) Determining illegal equipment, and;

(c) Determining goals.

Coaching

Coaching is permitted from the sidelines as long as it remains positive and is directed toward

one's own team. (Distracting an opponent is not permissible.) Sideline coaching must come

only from the team's side of the field. Parents or assistant coaches are not permitted to instruct

the players from your opposing team’s sidelines. This includes the sideline volunteer you get to

help the referee. We strongly encourage that all parents remain on your side of the field

throughout the entire game.

Game Time

All teams are requested to be ready at the field before game time. Because of the number of

games that have to be scheduled, little time is available on the field for warm up and practice

between games. There will be situations where no field time is available because previous

games have run late. The referees have been requested to start the games on time.

Each team should take separate sides of the field. Players and spectators should remain six (6)

feet behind the touch lines to give players room to play the ball on the lines and to allow the

linesman a clear line of sight along the touch line.

The normal half-time interval is five (5) minutes. The referee may shorten the half-time interval

and the length of the second half in order to maintain scheduling.

Length of Ball

Division Age Halves Size

Girls U13/14 30 Minutes No. 5

Boys U12/13 30 Minutes No. 5

Girls U11/12 25 Minutes No. 4

Boys U10/11 25 Minutes No. 4

Girls U10 25 Minutes No. 4

Girls U9 20 Minutes No. 4

Boys U8/9 20 Minutes No. 4

Girls U8 20 Minutes No. 4

Girls U7 20 Minutes No. 4

Ball in Play

1. Kick-Off

A coin toss, or similar fair method, shall be used by the referee to determine the team that is

awarded the choice of a kick off or direction at the beginning of the game.

The kick-off may be taken only after the referee has blown his whistle. The game does not

actually begin until the ball moves forward into the opponents half of the field. A goal can be

scored directly from a kick-off. Opposing players must remain 10 yards away from the ball, as

defined by the center circle, until the ball has been played. The person taking the kick may not

touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player. If the kicker touches

the ball a second time before another player, an indirect free kick is given to the opposing team.

The ball is in play at all times from the start of the match until the finish except when: (1) The ball

crosses out of bounds; (2) The game has been stopped by the referee; or (3) The ball hits a

foreign object that does not belong on the field, such as a dog. A ball hitting the referee, a goal

post, cross bar, or corner flag and rebounding on to the field is still in play. The touch lines (side

lines) and the goal lines are considered part of the field; therefore, a ball must pass completely

over a touch line or a goal line either on the ground or in the air before it is out of play.

2. Scoring a Goal

A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and under the

cross bar. Being on the line is not over the line. It is only the position of the ball which

determines a goal. A goalkeeper or other defending player may be behind the line and play the

ball in front of the goal. Goalkeepers, standing behind their goal line, have scored goals against

their own teams by simply pulling the ball across the goal line into their chest.

3. Throw-In

A throw-in is used to put the ball back into play after it has passed completely over the touch line

(side line) at the spot where the ball crossed the line. The throw-in is to be taken by the opposite

team that last touched the ball. The player taking the throw-in shall not advance the ball forward

or backward from this spot before taking the throw-in.

A throw-in cannot be thrown to the goalkeeper who in turn picks the ball up with his/her hands.

The penalty for this is an indirect kick for the opposing team.

The thrower is not allowed to lift either of his/her feet to gain an advantage. The throw must be

completed with both hands and delivered from behind and over his/her head in one continuous

motion.

The thrower may not touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

(Penalty: Indirect kick from point of infraction.)

An opponent may not jump up and down or wave his/her hands in front of the thrower to distract

him/her, nor may he/she place himself/herself directly on the line to prevent or obstruct the

throw. (Penalty: Indirect kick and yellow card for unsportsmanlike action.)

scored directly from a throw-in.

4. Corner Kick

When the ball completely passes over the goal line after a member of the defending team last

touched it, it is put back into play by a member of the attacking team with a corner kick.

All players of the defending team must remain ten (10) yards away from the ball until it has been

put into play. (Penalty: The kick is to be retaken by the attacking team.)

A kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

(Penalty: Indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team at point of infraction.)

Note: There is no off-side on the initial kick, and a goal can be scored directly from a kick.

5. Goal Kick

When the ball completely passes over the goal line without being a goal after being last touched

by a member of the attacking team, it is put back into play by a goal kick. The goal kick may be

taken from anywhere in the goal area.

Players of the opposing team must remain outside of the penalty area until the ball clears the

penalty area. The team taking the kick may have any number of players inside the penalty area,

but they may not play the ball until it first clears the penalty area. If a ball does not clear the

penalty area or is played before it clears the penalty area, the kick is retaken.

Any player may take the goal kick, including the goalkeeper. The ball must be kicked off the

ground. It may not be picked up and punted by the goalkeeper. The kicker may not kick the ball

a second time before it is touched by another player. (Penalty: Indirect free kick awarded to the

opposing team at the point of infraction.)

A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick.

Offside

a. A player is in an off-side position if he/she is ahead of the ball on the opponents' half of the

field and is nearer to the opponents' goal line than at least two of his opponents. (A 1990

rule change allows him/her to be even with the second to the last player.)

b. A player will be judged off-side if he/she is in an offside position the moment the ball is

played to him/her by one of his/her teammates or to where he/she can get to the ball. A

player in an offside position may not be judged offside by the referee if: He/she is not

involved in nor makes any attempt to be involved in the play; he/she does not influence the

play and/or he/she is not attempting to gain an advantage from being in that position.

c. A player is never to be judged off-side if he/she received the ball directly from:

Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper has special privileges inside of his/her penalty area. He/she may carry, strike or

propel the ball with his/her hands or arms. He/she may not be charged, interfered with or

impeded in any manner by an opponent while he/she is in possession of the ball. Possession

includes the act of tossing the ball into the air and catching it or dropping the ball for the kick.

Once the goalkeeper obtains possession of the ball with his/her hands, he/she has 6 seconds to

put the ball into play. The goalkeeper may not touch the ball a second time with his/her hands

unless the ball has cleared the penalty area or if it has been touched by an opponent. A

goalkeeper may not delay in releasing the ball into play. (Penalty: Indirect free kick by the

opponent at the point of infraction.)

When a player deliberately kicks the ball to his/her own goalkeeper, the goalkeeper is not

permitted to touch it with his/her hands. If, however, the goalkeeper does touch the ball with

his/her hands, the penalty is an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

Fouls and Free Kicks

A free kick is used to restart a game. The ball must be stationary when kicked, and all players of

the opposing team must be at least ten yards from the ball. Free kicks may be taken

immediately unless the referee stops play and directs that the free kick not be played until the

whistle is blown restarting play. These kicks can be direct or indirect as follows:

1. Direct Free Kick and Related Offenses

As the name implies, a goal can be scored directly from a direct free kick. If a direct kick foul is

committed in the penalty box, it results in a penalty kick. The following is a list of the fouls that

will result in a direct free kick:

Warnings, Cautions, and Ejections

1. Warning - No Card

A warning may be given by the referee at any time; this, in general, informs the player or coach

that his/her play or action on the field or off the field is of concern to the referee. A warning need

not be given by the referee before a caution or ejection.

2. Caution - Yellow Card

The player or coach/spectator is being notified that his/her playing or action is unacceptable. A

player is to receive a caution for the following actions:

Any player or coach receiving a red card may not play or coach for the remainder of that

game and is also disqualified from the next game played.

The accumulation of more than one red card or three yellow cards, by the coach or player, shall

be subject to disciplinary action that may result in suspension for the remainder of the season.

The league coordinator will make disciplinary ruling.

Penalty Kicks

A penalty kick is awarded instead of a direct free kick if the foul occurs inside of the penalty box

area. The penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark regardless of where the foul occurred.

All players, with the exception of the goalkeeper, and the player taking the kick, must remain

outside of the penalty box and 10 yards away from the penalty mark as defined by the penalty

arch until the ball has been kicked (put into play). If there is infringement by a member of the

defending team, the kick is retaken if a goal has not been scored. (If a goal is scored, the

infringement is ignored.) If the infringement is by the attacking team, the goal is disallowed and

the kick retaken. (If a goal is not scored, the infringement is ignored.)

The goalkeeper must stand on the goal line between the goal posts until the ball has been

kicked (the goalkeeper can move laterally on the goal line). If the goalkeeper moves his/her feet

off the line forward before the ball is kicked, the kick is retaken if a goal is not scored.

The kicker may not kick the ball until the referee blows his/her whistle. If while kicking he/she

starts and stops his movements in an attempt to confuse or draw the goalkeeper off line, the kick

is to be retaken. As with any free kick, the kicker may not play the ball a second time until it has

been touched by another player even if the ball hits the goal post or cross bar and rebounds to

the kicker. (Penalty: Indirect free kick at point of infraction.)

Note: Indirect free kicks are not penalty kicks and are handled as any indirect kick from the point

of infraction with the exception that any point of infraction inside of the goal box is positioned on

the goal box line.

Cancellations

In the event of inclement weather, the website, text message update system and weather hotline

will be updated with information regarding game cancellations.

The weather hotline is – (913) 981-2254

Refund Policy

The Tournament Committee, and/or host affiliate will not be responsible for any expenses

incurred by any team due to the cancellation in part or whole of this tournament, or due to any

team being removed from the tournament. Tournament cancellation prior to the

commencement of the event will result in a refund of $150 (to cover fixed costs such as

tournament director/referee assignor fee, medals/trophies, printing/mailing, tournament facility

rental, and equipment rental). Once the tournament begins, refunds for guaranteed games not

played will be given at a rate of $50.00 per game not played. Teams withdrawing after the

registration deadline will forfeit entire entry fee. Once two rounds of games have been played,

no refunds will be given.

Overtime

There will be no overtime periods in pool play or the elimination stages. Penalty kicks will be

used to decide the outcome of semifinal and final games only; pool play games will end as the

score is recorded at the end of regulation time. If a referee should err and allow a pool play

game to go to overtime, the official score shall stand as the score at the end of regulation

time.

Forfeits

The minimum number of players required for each game format is as follows: 11v11 – 7, 8v8 –

5. A five minute grace period will be extended beyond the scheduled kickoff time before a forfeit

shall be declared, unless other arrangements have been reached with the tournament director.

Failure to complete a match, or a team leaving the field during play, will result in forfeiture. No

team that has forfeited a match will be declared a group winner for advancement purposes.

Forfeits will be recorded with a score of 1-0.

Protests

There will be no protests. All disputes will be resolved immediately by the site director. These

decisions will be final. Please note that under no circumstances may a referee’s decision,

issuance of a red or yellow card, or a coach or team ejection be reviewed or overturned.

Delay of Start

Any team delaying the start of a scheduled game by more than fifteen minutes without

authorization from the tournament director shall forfeit the game to the opponent. Forfeits will

be recorded with a score of 1-0.

Point System

3 points for a win

1 point for a tie

0 points for a loss

Tie Breakers

If, at the conclusion of the preliminary rounds, a tie breaker is needed to determine which

team moves on to the semifinals or finals, the following criteria will be utilized:

1. Head to head (not used if more than two teams are involved in the tie breaker)

2. Goal difference (goals scored minus goals allowed with a four goal maximum differential; e.g.,

10-1 games will be deemed 5-1)

3. Most shutouts

4. Fewest goals allowed

5. Sudden death penalty kicks