Carrera Midwest Soccer Invitational
2008 Tournament Rules & Regulations
(revised 8.28.08)

1. Competition Eligibility
Participation is open to accepted USYSA affiliated teams based on rosters for 2008/2009.  A player may compete for only one team.
This is an unrestricted tournament. US Club Soccer teams are welcome! (additional credentials will apply)
 
Roster Limitations:
U10-U11 Maximum 14 Players, U12–U18 Maximum 18 Players
 
Age Groups:
U10 -- (8/1/98) (8v8)
U11 -- (8/1/97) (8v8)
U12 -- (8/1/96)
U13 -- (8/1/95)
U14 – (8/1/94)
U15 – (8/1/93) 
U16 – (8/1/92) 
U17 – (8/1/91)  
U18 – (8/1/90)

Guest Players: U10 -- U15 - Each team will be allowed up to three (3) guest players.
U16 – U18 Each team will be allowed up to six (6) guest players.  
 
Required Forms: State approved rosters signed or stamped by an appropriate USYSA affiliate official along with their current (2008) player passes, medical liability forms and permission to travel forms must be presented at tournament check-in. A player must possess a USYSA Player I.D. card in order to participate in this tournament. Player I.D. cards may be checked prior to each game by the field marshal or referees. No roster changes will be permitted after initial registration
 
2. Laws of the Game
All games will be played in accordance with FIFA laws, except where modified by these rules.
 
3. Duration of the Games and Ball Size
All games will consist of two halves and a continuous running clock.
• U10-U11 25 minute halves - Size 4
• U12 30 minute halves - Size 4
• U13-U14 30 minute halves - Size 5
• U15-U16  35 minute halves - Size 5
• U17-U18 40 minute halves - Size 5
 
Interval between halves shall be 5 minutes.  The referee is the official timekeeper of the match.
 
4. Player Equipment
A. No necklaces, bracelets, earrings, or rings of any kind will be allowed.
B. All players on a team must wear similar uniforms with each jersey being numbered distinctly with no numbers being repeated.
C. Shin guards must be worn at all times.
D. If a uniform conflict occurs, the home team (listed first on schedule) is responsible for making the appropriate changes. To avoid conflict it is suggested that the visiting team wear their light colored jersey, the home team, their dark.
 
5. Substitutions
Substitutions for all age groups will be unlimited.  Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee at any of the following times:
A. Prior to a throw-in by either team (if the team without the ball wishes to substitute while there is no player wishing to substitute from the team with the ball, the referee can exercise discretion as to advantage and flow of play);
B. Prior to a goal-kick by either team;
C. After a goal by either team;
D. After an injury by either team where the referee stops the play and can substitute one for one;
E. At the half-time;
F. If a player is issued a yellow card, a coach may substitute for that player only during that stoppage in play.

6. Conduct
A. Any player dismissed/sent off (red carded by the referee) must sit out the remainder of that match plus her team’s next tournament match.  A point will be deducted from team’s point total for every red card received.  No substitution may be made for the player sent off during the match in which the red card was issued.  
B. A coach who is sent off will not be allowed to participate further in the tournament, and will not be allowed in the
vicinity of the field for his/her team’s remaining matches.
C. Two yellow cards issued to the same player in the same match equal a red card and are subject to the same penalties as outlined above from that point
D. A report will be sent to the state association and league/club of teams whose players or coaches receive red cards or where other serious matters involving the conduct of a team are concerned.
 
7. General Rules
A. Both teams will bench themselves on the same side of the field, and the spectators should be on the opposite side of the field.
B. Under no circumstances will the tournament committee or the Carrera Soccer Club be responsible for any expenses (including tournament fee) incurred by any team.  This includes any situation where the tournament or any of its games are cancelled in part or in whole.
C. The tournament committee’s interpretation of the rules shall be final.
D. The visiting team will supply the game ball for each match; referee will inspect the game ball prior to each match.
E. There will be no protests
 
8. Failure to Show and Forfeits
A. A team will be allowed a 5-minute grace period after match was scheduled to kick-off.  After this 5-minutes period has expired the match is awarded to the opponent.  You must have a minimum of 7 players to begin a match. 
B. In no case will a team, which forfeits a game, be declared a bracket winner.  If an apparent bracket winner forfeits a game, the team with the next best point total in that bracket will be declared the bracket winner.
C. In the event of a forfeit in the preliminary round, the opposing team will be awarded the win.  The score of a forfeited match will be recorded at 3-0.
D. Forfeited matches do count towards the 3 games guaranteed to each team.  The tournament committee is not responsible for teams who do not show up for their matches.
 
9. Determination of Game Winner
Preliminary games may end in a tie.  Semi-final and Final matches ending in a tie will go into a golden goal overtime period.  Overtime will consist of one (1) 10 -minute period followed by kicks from the mark.
 
10. Game and Score Reporting
The center referee will be given the official score card for each match.  The winning team’s coach must initial the card following the conclusion of every match.  In case of a tie, both coaches must initial the card.  The referee will also indicate any cautions or sendoffs that were given and the reason.  The field marshall will collect score card and report it to the tournament headquarters.
 
11. Determination of Bracket Winners
All efforts will be made to construct brackets of five teams to offer each team four games in a round-robin format.  The Tournament Director reserves the right to consolidate/mix age groups to fill brackets and/or even levels of competition. Bracket winners will be determined by the point system.  If this system is not possible in some brackets, a format will be used to determine bracket winners and advancement to final matches.

Point System will determine the division or bracket winners:
Three (3) points for a win
One (1) point for a tie
One (1) point deducted for every red card received by player and or if a coach is sent off

Tie Breakers
1) Head to head result.
2) Goal differential, maximum 3 per game.
3) Fewest goals scored against.
4) Most goals scored, no limit.
5) Goal differential, no limit.
6) Least number of ejections.
7) Least number of yellow cards.
8) Kicks from the mark
 
12. Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, the tournament committee will have the authority to change games as follows:
A. Relocation or rescheduling of games.
B. Reduce the duration of any game.
C. Cancel any preliminary round games, which have no bearing on the selection of bracket winners.
D. Preliminary games terminated after one half of play due to weather will be considered final.
E. Partial refunds will be issued in the event that the tournament is cancelled due to the weather.  Tournament expenses will be paid first.
 
13. Credentials
A. State-approved roster
B. Permission to travel form if team is from out-of-state
C. Passes for all players including guests and coaches
D. Notarized medical release forms for each player (including guest players)
 
14. Acceptances
A. Teams will be notified on the acceptance date
B. No refunds after teams have been accepted
C. If not accepted you will be refunded the full amount of the tournament
 
 
The tournament reserves the right to change rules up until the start of the tournament if they deem necessary.  No protests are allowed. The referee’s decision is final.  The tournament director will have the final say in all matters.