RULES OF PLAY
Except as otherwise provided herein, the rules of USYSA and FIFA “Laws of the Game” shall govern this
tournament.

ELIGIBILITY
Age: The age groups for this tournament shall be in accordance with the USYSA age groups for the current
seasonal year. Divisions for single age years will be implemented if there are sufficient entries.
Registration: All players must be currently registered with their respective USYSA State Association. All teams
from outside the state of Kansas must have an approved “Application for Travel” form.
Team Roster:
1. U9 & U10 competitive teams play 6-a-side, a roster of no more than 11 players. U11 & U12 competitive
teams play 8-a-side, a roster of no more than 14 players. U-12 competitive teams may play 8-a-side or 11-
a-side with a roster of no more than 14. U9 up to U12 recreational teams will play 8 v 8 with a maximum
roster of 16 players. U13-U15 teams shall have no more than (18) rostered players. U16 up to U19 shall
have no more than 22 rostered players of which 18 are eligible to play in each game. U-16 to U-19 teams
will be required to submit a game roster identifying the eligible players for each individual game.
2. A maximum of five (5) guest players will be allowed.
3. A player may play for only one team in the tournament.
4. A certified state roster must be submitted to the Tournament Director no later than one (1) day prior to the
starting date of the tournament. Approved Guest Player Forms must accompany the roster for all guest
players.
5. No changes to the roster will be permitted once play has been initiated in the first game.
Proof of Age: All players and coaches must have current Player ID cards. The card must contain a current photo of
the coach or player, and must be signed by that individual and laminated. Teams are allowed a maximum of five
coaches. If teams fail to present their passes prior to the game, the game will be started, however, if the team cannot
present their passes by half time, the game will be declared a forfeit and terminated at that time. All teams must have
a representative who is carded to that team present throughout all games. Coaches who are are carded to that club
may assist, but a representative who is carded to that team must be present. Failure to have a representative who is
carded to that team present through the duration of the game will result in a forfeit against the team.
Recreational Brackets: No premier/competitive teams may play in the recreational bracket. No
premier/competitive players may be guest players on recreational teams.

CREDENTIALS / TEAM CHECK-IN
1. All teams must have Certified rosters and ID cards issued by an organizational member of the US Soccer
Federation (e.g. A State Association, US Club, AYSO, USSSA, etc.) and Medical Release Forms approved
by the Tournament Committee at the team check-in, which will be held on the evening prior to the
beginning of the tournament.
2. All teams must complete the tournament check in procedures prior to the first game. Laminated cards (with
stickers attached) must be presented for all players and coaches to one of the game officials before each game. A
team representative is responsible for ensuring that the referee returns all cards at the end of each game.

DURATION OF THE GAME
The length of games for each age group shall be as follows:
Preliminary Games:
U10 & Below Two 25-minute halves
U12 Two 25-minute halves
U14 Two 30-minute halves
U16 Two 35-minute halves
U19 Two 35-minute halves
Halftime periods shall be a maximum of five (5) minutes.
Semi-finals and Finals: As listed above.
Overtime Rules. A tie in a preliminary game will be considered a complete game. In the event of a tie in a semifinal
or final game, penalty kicks (as defined in FIFA “Laws of the Game”) will be used to determine a winner.
Unfinished Games. If the referee terminates a game and neither team is at fault, it shall be considered a completed
game if at least 5 minutes of the second half has been played.

IMPORTANT: The game clock will not be stopped because of injury to any player unless, at the discretion of the
referee, the injured player must be removed from the field by medical personnel. In case of extremely hot, humid
conditions, water breaks may be designated by the referee. Due to the time allowed for the completion of all games,
the clock must run continuously.
Inclement Weather/Unplayable Field Conditions. In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Committee
reserves the right to modify all tournament rules in order to safely and fairly end the tournament successfully.
Games may be shortened or eliminated in case of inclement weather or unplayable field conditions. Coaches are
asked to be patient and remain flexible - changing the format of the tournament is a major undertaking. In the event
that semi-final and/or final games are canceled, the division winner will be determined in accordance with the
tiebreaker rule, points 1-4. If still tied, co-champions will be declared.
The referee and/or Tournament Director have the authority to temporarily suspend play due to unsafe weather
conditions. Teams should remain (safely in cars or under shelter) in the vicinity for game resumption. If lightning
is sighted, the referee will immediately suspend play and clear the field. Play will resume after 15 consecutive
minutes of no lightning.

SPECIAL UNDER-10 AND YOUNGER RULES
1. Under 9 & 10 Competitive will play 6-a-side. Under 9 & 10 Recreational will play 8- a-side.
2. Age-appropriate fields will be used.
3. The maximum number of players on the field at any one time is six (6), one of who shall be a goalkeeper.
Minimum number of players on the field is four (4), one of whom shall be a goalkeeper.
4. Offside will be called. Penalty and direct kicks will be awarded.
5. See additional rules included in this program.

SPECIAL UNDER-12 AND YOUNGER RULES
1. Under 11 Competitive and Under 11 & 12 Recreational will play 8-a-side.
2. Under 12 competitive may select from 8-a-side or 11-a-side.
3. Age-appropriate fields will be used. With 8-a-side the maximum number of players on the field at any one
time is eight (8), one of who shall be a goalkeeper. Minimum number of players on the field is five (5), one of
whom shall be a goalkeeper.
4. Offside will be called. Penalty and direct kicks will be awarded.
5. See additional rules included in this program.

REFEREES All divisions will use a three-person referee system. The Tournament Committee shall have the right to
select a club linesperson from a team if necessary.

EQUIPMENT/UNIFORMS
1. Each team’s jersey must be all the same color, and they must be numbered (no duplicate numbers).
2. The home team is responsible for changing jerseys in case of color duplication. The home team is the first
team listed in the schedule.
3. Shinguards are required for all players.
4. Players are allowed to wear approved headgear as long as the referee does not have reason to believe it
is dangerous to the player or other players.
5. Casts must be completely covered with at least two (2) inches of foam padding and totally wrapped with an
elastic bandage. Any player playing with a cast must have a written release from a doctor.
6. In the interest of safety, any player sustaining an open wound MUST be removed from the field of play
immediately. The player may be substituted at this time. Such players are not allowed to return to the field
until any wounds are treated, bandaged, and all blood is removed from their uniforms.

SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions shall be unlimited. Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee at the following times:
1. The team in possession of the ball for a throw – in may substitute. If the team in possession chooses to
substitute, the opposing team may also substitute.
2. Prior to a goal kick by either team.
3. After a goal by either team.
4. After any injury by either team when the referee stops play (only one player may be substituted per team).
5. At half time.
6. A yellow-carded player may be substituted for, but this must be done before restart of play. The other team
may substitute one player with the permission of the referee.

SCORING
In the preliminary rounds, points will be awarded as follows:
3 points for a win
1 point for a tie
0 points for a loss
Tie Breakers. In the event of a tie in points in the preliminary round standings, the following procedures will be
used to determine the group winners:
1. Winner of most games.
2. Winner of head-to-head competition.
3. Goal spread (goals scored minus goals against) with a maximum differential of four (4) goals per
game.
4. Fewest goals allowed.
5. Penalty kicks.

The group winners will advance to the semi-final/final rounds in all age divisions with six (6) or more teams.
Quarterfinals may be played in certain brackets.
Wild Cards. In cases of an odd number of groups, a wildcard team will be selected to advance to the semi-final
round. The selection of the wildcard team will be made on the same basis as the determination of group winners.
If applicable, quarterfinal opponents will be decided after preliminary rounds per the rules committee.
For semi-finals seeding in which there are an A, B, and C bracket, with B and C having played “cross-over” games,
the following will apply:
Winner of A bracket plays 2nd place (second top points) out of B & C (combined) brackets.
Winner (top points) out of B & C (combined) brackets plays the wild card.
Top points from the remaining teams will advance to the semi-finals as the Wildcard.
Wildcard teams will not be scheduled to play the division winner of their group in the quarter or semi-finals. If such
a pairing results in two teams that have played each other in preliminary rounds, the Tournament Director may
decide to adjust the pairings to avoid a repeat of a preliminary game.

FORFEITS
1. A forfeit will be declared if a team fails to report 10 minutes before the scheduled game time with at least
seven (7) rostered players. For U-10 and younger, at least five (5) players shall be required to start the
game.
2. Any team that quits the field of play before the conclusion of the game will forfeit the game and is subject
to disqualification in the tournament at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.
3. When the situation warrants, the Tournament Committee can declare a double forfeit to both teams with no
points scored for the game. This could be done in the case of unsportsmanlike behavior by both teams, etc.
4. A team that forfeits will receive a 0-4 loss to the other team with full points given.

PROTESTS
1. Protests will be accepted only in the case of a violation of tournament rules of FIFA “Laws of the Game”
that have a direct bearing on the outcome of the game. Judgment calls, including player or team official
cautions and/or ejections, are not protestable. Only those teams involved are permitted to protest a game
result, and the protests must be filed by one of the involved team officials (coach or listed team contact).
2. All protests must be filed with the Tournament Director in writing within thirty (30) minutes of the
completion of the game and must be accompanied by $100.00 cash, which will be returned if the protest is
upheld.
3. The Tournament Committee shall appoint a three (3) person Rules and Protests Committee who will be
authorized to act on the behalf of the full committee in the interpretation of the rules and regulations of the
tournament, and their decision will be final. The decision of the Tournament Rules and Protest Committee
may not be appealed to a higher authority.

PLAYER and/or TEAM OFFICAL SUSPENSIONS
1. A player or team official who is ejected from a game will be suspended for the next tournament game for
that team. An individual may receive more than a one-game suspension. 2 game suspensions may be
handed down in cases involving violent conduct or racial abuse. Multiple game suspensions may be given
at the discretion of the tournament committee. No substitution will be permitted for an ejected player.
2. If a coach or team official is ejected from a game, from the point of ejection until the period of suspension
is satisfied, the suspended individual must remain out of sight or sound of the playing field. The “sight and
sound” rule may be invoked in the case of an ejected player, at the discretion of the referee or the
Tournament Committee. At minimum, an ejected player must leave the player/bench are of the field and
must remain silent for the duration of the game.
3. The referees may suspend play when necessary due to spectator interference until the individual(s) creating
the disturbance leaves the playing area (minimum of 100 yards from the field). Said individual(s) shall
remain silent for the duration of the game. Failure to observe this rule may result in forfeiture of the game
as well as further disciplinary action.

MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR
The Rules and Protest Committee shall determine any matter not provided for in the tournament rules. In addition,
the Rules and Protest Committee may amend the tournament rules when, in its judgment, the amendment will be
beneficial to the conduct of the tournament. The decision of the Rules and Protest Committee shall be final.