Rules

Tournament Rules

Last Updated 2/7/2013

Registration, Acceptance, Waitlist

Registration opens between April 1 and April 30 and closes between June 15 and June 30. Any team that completes application after registration has closed will be put on a wait list.

Teams will be notified by e-mail of acceptance no later than July 15. Teams may be notified prior to July 15 depending on volume/quality of applicants and at the discretion of the tournament board. Only teams that have completed registration/application in all aspects (including submittal of tournament fees) will be considered for acceptance.

There will be no refunds of the tournament fee once a team has been accepted into the tournament. After a team has been accepted, a refund will only be granted if the team that is withdrawing can find a comparable replacement team and that replacement team pays the tournament fee.

The Tournament Selection Committee reserves the right to remove teams from the Bronze division and either offer a spot in the Gold division or offer a spot in an older age group if it is found during the seeding process that a team signed up for Bronze, has played in CYSA (CCSL State Premier, Gold, Silver Elite or Silver) or US Club equivalent (Premier, Gold) in the prior Fall playing season. Teams that materially misrepresent their past league and tournament results will not be accepted into the tournament. If a material misrepresentation of past league or tournament results is discovered after the team has been accepted, the team will be removed from the tournament. No refunds will be granted.

Teams have been accepted according to the team's indication of their team's Fall playing age and/or a player's born after date. Acceptance is for that playing age. If it is later discovered that the team has incorrectly registered, every effort will be made to assist the team in getting into the correct division/bracket. However, no refunds will be granted if the team has been accepted and it is not possible to place the team in the correct age bracket.

Teams have been accepted according to the team's indication of their team's Gender. Acceptance is for the indicated Gender. If it is later discovered that the team has incorrectly registered, every effort will be made to assist the team in getting into the correct division/bracket. However, no refunds will be granted if the team has been accepted and it is not possible to place the team in the correct gender bracket.

Players

U09 - U11 teams play with 8 players on the field. Maximum roster is 26. No more than 15 suited up for any one game.

U12 - U19 teams play with 11 players on the field. Maximum roster is 26. No more than 18 suited up for any one game.

A player can play for only one team during a weekend. Teams found in violation of player regulations will have impacted matches stand or be forfeited, whichever provides more points to the opposing team.

Guest players are permitted. No guest player documentation is required. Guest players must be age appropriate and meet all player requirements.

All players must have a laminated photo identification pass issued by USYSF (CYSA-N), AYSO or USClubSoccer. Player passes can be from the current or prior year. Other player passes may be acceptable; pre-authorize other player passes by contacting the Tournament Director prior to the tournament. Teams presenting other player passes, that have not been pre-authorized and if those passes are deemed unacceptable will not be offered a refund. Laminated photo player passes are used as independent verification of player birthdates.

The tournament reserves the right to combine age groups in order to make the playing brackets competitive. The bracket will be designated by the age of the oldest team. When a younger team is placed in an older bracket, the younger team can use older guest players.

Length of Games

All U-09 and U-10 group games have 20 minute halves.
All U-11, U-12 and U-13 games have 25 minute halves.
All U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19 games have 30 minute halves.

Time will run continually in all games. At the referee’s discretion, however, time may be added to allow for time lost due to the removal of an injured player from the field. No period may end on a penalty kick - i.e. time must be extended to allow a PK to be taken.

Prior to the start of the game and upon notice to both coaches, the referee and/or Field Marshal shall have the authority to shorten the game by up to 10 minutes total; however, equal halves shall be played. This rule shall be used only if necessary due to undue delays, field conditions, weather, or darkness.

Rest Period Between Games

Teams will be given a minimum scheduled rest period of two hours between games. The rest period will commence when a team’s match ends and will end when the team’s subsequent match begins.

Coach Conflicts

The tournament committee recognizes that Coaches may have two or more teams participating in the tournament. The tournament committee will strive to eliminate schedule conflicts for these coaches. We must be notified of the potential coach conflict before July 15. Notify us via email to info@soccerbythebay.org. If you do not get an acknowledgement of your email, it might not have been delivered.

Scheduling involves numerous factors, including the requirement of sufficient rest time between matches, team travel distance, field availability and match times on the other tournament date. Occasionally, these factors will preclude accommodating a coach conflict and not all coach conflicts can be resolved.

Often we cannot accommodate coach conflict requests that are brought to our attention after the schedule has been posted.

We often cannot eliminate all conflicts for coaches with three or more teams on one weekend.

We cannot accommodate conflicts that occur due to a coach that has two or more teams in Championship or Consolation matches on Sunday afternoon.

Substitutions

Unlimited substitutions are allowed with referee approval in the following situations:

Prior to a throw in for one’s own team
Prior to a goal kick by either team
Prior to the restart of the game following a goal being scored by either team
Prior to the restart of the game for the second half
Prior to the beginning of an overtime period
Prior to the restart of the game following an injured player being removed from the field (either team or both teams may sub)
Prior to the restart of the game following a player being cautioned, the referee will give the coach the choice of substituting the cautioned player. (The player may re-enter at his/her team’s next substitution opportunity.)

Short sided Matches

Goal and field dimensions may be adjusted.

Short sided Matches - U09

U09 Matches will be refereed by a single referee with no club linesmen.

Short Sided Matches - Under 09 and Under 10

No penalty kicks. DFK (direct free kick) fouls occurring within the penalty area will be awarded at the penalty area line (not the goal area line) closest to the spot of the infraction.
No indirect free kicks for the attacking team from with in the penalty area. Fouls that award an indirect free kick will be brought to the penalty area line (not the goal area line) closest to the point of infraction.
Goal kicks will be taken from any spot within the penalty area.

Short Sided Matches - Under 11

Unless specified otherwise in these rules of the competition, all FIFA laws will apply.

Ejections

Any player, coach, assistant coach or registered team official who is sent off will automatically be suspended from their next game. The send off report will be forwarded to the Tournament Director and Tournament Disciplinary Committee. The Tournament Disciplinary Committee will decide the length of suspension, up to and including the duration of Tournament. The Tournament Disciplinary Committee will decide whether to report the event to your League of Registration for consideration of longer sanction.

Scoring System

Maximum number of points allowable per game: 10
6 Points for a win
3 Points for a tie
1 Point for a shutout
1 Points per goal up to maximum of 3 points per game regardless of a win, loss or tie
2 Points deducted if a player is sent off (shown a red card) or if a credentialed adult is dismissed
1 Points deducted when the score differential is greater than 6 goals. (Blow out penalty.)

Forfeited games will be scored as 1 to 0 (8 points) in favor of the team that did not forfeit. In the case a team withdrawing at the last minute or not showing, all preliminary games for that team will be scored as a forfeit.

Blow out point deduction may be reviewed by the tournament committee and reversed in the event of unusual circumstances such as losing team intentionally scoring upon themselves or inadvertant own goal..

Number of Matches

Teams will get a minimum of three preliminary games [bracket or flight play]. Typically these will be two matches on a Saturday and one match Sunday morning. It is possible for other schedules, including a Friday evening match or two matches scheduled for Sunday.

As a function of the number of teams in a division, the top four teams can have a fourth match to establish the first through fourth place in the division.

Some divisions can have four matches scheduled with no consolation or championship matches.

U09 Jamboree is four matches, two on Saturday and two on Sunday.

Tie Breaking Procedure

In preliminary games [bracket or flight play], ties will stand.

In case of a tie in points following the completion of preliminary games [bracket or flight play], the advancing team will be determined based on the following criteria in the order specified. Should there be a tie in points between three or more teams or between teams in different flights, the tie-breaking procedure begins with item 2 below.

Head to Head competition – team that won the head to head competition between the teams that are tied will advance.
Team with fewest red card send-offs assessed.
Team with the fewest losses.
Team with fewest goals allowed.
Team with most goals scored (not to exceed 5 goals counted for any one match)
Kicks from the penalty mark as per FIFA.

Championship / Consolation Matches

In the event of a tie in a championship or consolidation round game, two full 5-minute overtime periods will be played. If a tie still exists after overtime play, FIFA “Kicks from the Penalty Mark” will be used to determine the winner (5 kicks alternating, then “sudden death”).

Protests

Game results will be final. No protests of outcome will be considered.

Start Times and Forfeitures

Teams must be at the field 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their game in order to be checked in by Field Marshals, referees, or appointed tournament officials. All players must be present at field check-in. The Field Marshal will check the team's player passes. Referees, or if appointed by referees, Field Marshals, will check equipment. Games will be started within 10 minutes of the designated start time. If a team has not taken the field with a minimum of seven (7) (5 for 8v8 matches) players within the 10 minute grace period, the game will be forfeited to the team that has taken the field with at least seven (7) (5 for 8v8 matches) players. If neither team takes the field within the 10 minute grace period, no points will be awarded to either team and the game will be declared a double forfeit.

A credentialed adult, associated with the team, must be present during the entirety of the match and must be present along the team's touchline during the match..

Prior to check in at the field by a Field Marshal or Referee, Teams must present to the Field Marshal or Referee a match card sticker listing the players and their jersey numbers eligible to play in the match. The match card sticker MUST bear the stamp administered during Friday night checkin. Teams failing to provide a stamped match card sticker will forfeit the match.

A referee or the Tournament Committee may terminate a game if a team is unable to maintain 7 players (5 for 8v8 matches) on the field during the game, leaves the field during the game without the approval of the referee, the referee abandons a match due to excessive violent conduct and/or misconduct by the players, coaches or fans, or a team is deemed to be in gross violation of the USSF, FIFA, or tournament rules.

Forfeits may only be awarded by the Tournament Committee based on the referee's and/or Field Marshal's reports. Any team forfeiting a match during preliminary play, may not advance to the final or consolation match.

Home Team

Home team is indicated by being listed first on the Game Schedule. The Field Marshal shall establish the side of the field for the teams. In establishing the location of the team bench, the home team shall have the choice of the end of the field at which to sit. Parents and spectators supporting both the home team and visiting team must station themselves on the opposite side of the field. At stadium fields, all spectators must be in the bleachers.

The home team will be required to change jerseys if, according to the referee’s judgment, the home team’s jersey is similar to that of the visiting team. If the tournament does not provide the game ball, the home team will be responsible for providing the game ball and two additional game balls for immediate use if required.

Awards and Distributed Items

Awards will be given to 1^st through 4^th place teams in brackets with 6 or more teams.
Awards will be given to the 1^st and 2^nd place teams in brackets with 5 teams.

Participation pins will be given to every player and coach.
Programs will be given to every player and coach.
Each team gets t-shirts.

No Awards are given and no standings are kept for the U09 Jamboree.

Sportsmanship, Conduct, Red Card, and Consequences

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP is expected of all participants – players, coaches, parents and families. Coaches and team managers are responsible for the conduct of their players, parents and other spectators. Sportsmanship is one of the criteria used to determine teams advancing. Foul or abusive language will not be allowed. Players breaking this rule will be ejected from the game without warning.

A red-carded player is automatically suspended from the next game. In most cases, the player's card will be returned thereafter. However, in the case of violent conduct and other situations, the Tournament Director may extend the suspension. Violent conduct will normally result in suspension from the remainder of the tournament. Such ejections will be reported to the appropriate state association, region, or club.

Soccer By The Bay has behavior expectations of the participant players, coaches, managers, referees and visitors in accordance with the Consortium member clubs’ adherence to the Positive Coaching Alliance’s “Honor The Game” philosophy.

It is expected that all participant players, coaches, managers, referees and visitors treat each other with respect and dignity. Playing by the rules isn't just for athletes on the field. All Soccer by the Bay tournament participant teams, their staffs and spectators are expected to demonstrate sportsmanship and positive behavior before, during and after games.

Soccer By The Bay will maintain a very low tolerance towards negative behavior by anyone.

It is expected that visitors to the tournament will:

•Calmly watch the play and not shout instructions to their child or other players.
•Provide encouragement to their child and all team players.
•Be respectful of all players, coaches and team officials on their child’s team and opposing teams.
•Be respectful of referees
•Refrain from unsportsmanlike and negative behavior including verbal or physical mistreatment of players, coaches, referees and other spectators before, during and after games.
•Act respectfully and without incident if asked to leave the field by any tournament official.

Not acting in accordance with any aspect of these behavioral expectations will result in disciplinary action from the tournament board up to and including a ban from any and all subsequent tournament events for the remainder of the weekend and refusal of acceptance of team at subsequent tournaments.

No more than three (3) credentialed adults are permitted on the player side of the field.

Injuries and Medical Assistance

Teams, coaches, parents, and players are responsible for obtaining their own medical assistance. A tournament official will call 911 for an injury only at a coach’s request. Any injuries must be reported to a tournament official so that an accident report form can be completed.

Weather Conditions

If deemed necessary by the Tournament Committee, games may be shortened or cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.

Tournament Cancellation

If the tournament must be cancelled due to inclement weather, acts of civil disobedience, war, destruction of facilities or other circumstances deemed by the Tournament Committee to be beyond the control of the hosting league, the tournament may retain up to 30% of the entry fee once the tournament’s expenses are verified and approved by the Tournament Committee Chairman. Refunds of no less than 70% of the team’s entry fee will be postmarked and mailed to the teams within 45 days of the approved tournament date.

Housing and Hotel Information

Housing will not be provided. The individual teams must arrange hotel accommodations. A list of sponsoring local hotels will be provided to accepted teams.

Prohibitions and Safety

All participants must adhere to these Rules outlined in the Tournament Program and on the tournament website. Physical, mental, and verbal abuse of anyone is expressly forbidden.

Players wearing orthopedic casts, air-splints or metal splints shall not be eligible to participate in any game.

Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances is expressly prohibited at any of the sport fields or complexes. Any team (including players, coaches, parents and affiliated spectators) found violating these rules will automatically forfeit all games played, face possible expulsion from the tournament, and will not be invited to any future tournaments hosted by the tournament consortium.

Use of tobacco products is prohibited at this tournament. Use of tobacco products on the grounds of any public school facility is a violation of California State Law.

Dogs (even on a leash) are prohibited at all of the fields used in this tournament.

All Portable Shelters (EZ-ups, tents, etc.) must be secured with either stakes or sandbags. Stakes may not be driven into all-weather surfaces.

Tournament Committee

The Tournament Committee shall consist of the Tournament Director and any other pre-designated Tournament Officials. Field Marshals and age-group coordinators shall adjudicate field-specific and age-group issues.

Governing Rules

Unless specified otherwise above, FIFA rules and rule modifications that are effective as of July 1 of the year of the tournament will be in effect.

THE TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ESTABLISH POLICY AS DEEMED NECESSARY IN REGARD TO CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED. DECISIONS OF TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE ARE NOT SUBJECT TO APPEAL.