KICKERS CLUB INVITATIONAL ‘08

OFFICIAL RULES:

Check-in Procedures: 

All teams are required to check in 1.5 hours prior to the first match at the location of their 1st game.   

Team Representative must have present at check-in.
 
1. Original and 4 copies of team roster
2. All player passes (USYSA, US Club Soccer).
3. Permission to Travel forms if required (See rules).
4. Guest players must be written in on the bottom of the copy of your roster, and make 4 copies of that roster for the tournament. Guest players must be carded and eligible according to the rules.
5. Medical release forms for all players. (Your league forms are acceptable.)  Medical release forms for each participating player must be presented at team registration .  Medical release forms do not have to be notarized.

Laws of the Game: All tournament matches will be played in accordance with FIFA laws of the game accept as modified herein. All decisions by the Tournament Director are final. No protests allowed.

Official Documentation:

You must participate with your 2007/2008 roster. 

Guest players are allowed up to five. 

A current medical release form and valid player passes are required for all players.  The medical release form does not have to be notarized.

Completed and approved Permission to Travel forms are required for all out of State teams. Note: Region One teams with the exception of New Jersey and Connecticut do not require permission to travel. EXCEPTION: USYS Connecticut and New Jersey teams must provide permission to travel. US Club Soccer teams are not required to have USYS permission to travel forms, but must present proof of insurance (passes and roster).

Roster Size::  U11 & U12;  Maximum # of players on the roster is 14; U13 through U16 the Maximum # of players is 18. , U17, U18 and U19; the Maximum # of players on the roster is 22.

Player Equipment:
• Teams should bring a primary and alternate jersey of different colors. Where the color of the jersey is similar or identical, the designated home team (the team listed first in the schedule) will change jerseys.
• All players must have uniforms with individual numbers on the jersey.
• No jewelry may be worn by any player (earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.)
• Wire-rimmed glasses must be evaluated by the referee.  Wire-rimmed glasses should be flexible in nature and plastic coated.  If at any time the referee deems the glasses unacceptable, they must not be worn.  The referee will have the final decision on this matter.
• Players wearing casts are allowed to play with the approval of the Tournament Director and Referee.
• Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn at all times by all players.
• All referee decisions are final regarding player equipment

Substitutions:

• Goal Kick
• After a Goal
• Half-time
• Throw in – by possession team
• After a yellow card – for carded player
• An injured player may be substituted at the discretion of the referee.  If a substitution is made for the injured player the opposing team may also make one substitution (with the referee acknowledgement)

Player/Coach/Spectator Behavior:

•  Any player ejected from a match will NOT be replaced and will NOT be allowed to participate in his or her team’s immediate next match.
•  Ejection for fighting by players and coaches will result in the player or coach NOT being allowed to participate in ANY remaining tournament matches.
•  Any coach ejected from a match will not be allowed to coach his/her immediate next match.
•  Each Coach is responsible for the conduct of the players and parents on his/her team. Coaches not taking responsibility for their sideline’s behavior may be cautioned and/or ejected.
• Any player or coach ejected or spectator asked to leave will not be within sight or sound of the playing field. Per FIFA rules, only players will be shown a card (yellow or red) when being cautioned or sent-off.
• Two yellow cards in the same match equal an ejection and the player will sit out his/her next immediate match.
•  All Red and yellow card violations will be reported to VYSA within 30 days of the tournament. Violations involving fighting will be reported immediately to VYSA.

Home/Team Field Positions: The Home team is listed first in the schedule. Each team’s players will take a position on one side of the field opposite the spectators.

Referees:  In the event of a shortage of Assistant Referee, club linesman will be used.  A 3 man system will be used for all matches.

Ball/Play:  U11-U12 will use size 4 ball.  U13 and above will use size 5 ball.  All participating teams will play a three (3) game schedule.  Two (2) games on Saturday and one (1) on Sunday or one (1) game on Saturday and (2) games on Sunday.  Half time with be 5 minutes for all age groups.  There will be no overtime.  Games ending in a tie shall remain as such.

U11-12 Two 30 minute halves (8 v 8 with goalkeepers)
U13-19 Two 35 minute halves (11 v 11 with goalkeepers)

The tournament does not require the referee to add time for substitutions.  The official clock will not stop for any reason unless in the judgment of the referee:

• Removing an injured player from the field would endanger the physical well being of the player, or:
• Any game shortened due to injury will be continued at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director

Determination of Club Championship:

1. The Club who accumulates the most total points will be awarded the Club Championship. 
2.  A Boys and Girls Club Championship will be awarded.
3.  Each Club must field a minimum of 6 teams per Division (Boys or Girls) to be eligible to win a Championship.
4.  For each participating Team Three (3) points will be earned for a win, one (1) point will be earned for a tie and no points are earned for a loss.
5. Where required to break a tie for standings within a division the following order will be used to determine the Championship:    
   a) Head to head competition – Except where three Clubs are tied, in which case head-to-head competition will not be used. In the case where three Clubs are tied proceed to the next tiebreaker. 
   b) Most wins
   c) Most goals scored up to three per game
   d) Least number of goals scored against
    
   If the standings are still tied then the Championship will be shared.

Forfeits: A forfeit shall be awarded if a team is not present and prepared to play within ten minutes of the scheduled commencement time.  It is requested that teams be present 30 minutes in advance of the scheduled commencement of a match to aid in the timely start of play.  Seven players constitute a team for full 18 player rosters, and five for U11-U12 small sided rosters. A forfeit will be scored one for the winner, and zero for the forfeiting team.

Inclement Weather and Tournament Cancellation Policy:  Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams must appear at there respective field site, ready to play as scheduled. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the match. Only the Tournament Director may cancel or postpone a match. Referees may suspend a match only In case of severe weather, in his/her discretion, Tournament Director(s) may cancel any and all games. In case of severe weather that occurs after the beginning of play, the Tournament Director may reduce the length of the match and may discontinue or cancel the game. Should a match be terminated due to weather conditions after 20 minutes of play, the match will be considered official and the score at the time will stand. If a match is terminated prior to 20 minutes of play, every attempt will be made to complete the match. However, if necessary other means, determined by the tournament committee, may be used to determine a winner. Referees and field marshals will not consider beginning or continuing matches when a lightning storm exists.
NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION.

Disclaimer: Neither the Tournament Director, Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club, or the Tournament Sponsors are responsible for any expenses incurred by any team in the event the tournament is cancelled in whole or part, or in the event games are discontinued or cancelled due to inclement weather or adverse field conditions, nor will any refunds be made. The Tournament Director reserves the right to decide all matters pertaining to the tournament. The judgment of the Tournament Director is final. The Tournament Director has authority to make all decisions and these decisions will be final. No protests allowed. All referee decisions are final and binding.

Team Contact Information: Each team, upon checking in at their home site, must sign a ledger sheet giving the hotel where the team is staying, the room number of a team contact, the team’s coach or the team’s assistant coach so that these individuals maybe contacted in the event that circumstances require such. Be sure your team contact is someone who can be reached at any hour and has a cell phone. All inquires/questions with the Tournament Committee should be from the Team Contact/Coach and not numerous parents from the team as this only delays response.

Important Notes:

1. Have all player passes, official roster, and medical release forms with you at the fields during the tournament. Although only verified at check-in the tournament director reserves the right to check credentials during the event. US Club Soccer teams must have player cards and official roster and be in good standing.
2. The tournament is dedicated to the development of all the players participating, good sportsmanship, and the “good of the game”. The Tournament Director may suspend, without recourse or appeal, any players, coaches, or spectators who demonstrate anything less.