Southern Soccer Union 2013 Spring Festival RULES

Tournament Overview:  The Spring Festival is designed to provide recreational players an opportunity to “celebrate” soccer.  All players will receive a participation award and, hopefully, have an enjoyable experience at the soccer field.  Each team will be scheduled to play games at various times during the day with rest periods between games. 

Roster / Team Sizes / Fees:

*We will only have U5, U7, U9, U11 and U13 if we have enough for those age groups otherwise it will be even years only

Eligibility:  Southern Soccer Union & US Club players & teams:  All players must be registered with the Southern Soccer Union or US Club soccer and for U9 and older teams have a valid SSU or US Club Soccer ID Card with a photo.  The coach and assistant coach must have a valid Background/Adult registration pass as required by SSU rules.  All participating players must be listed on the roster, a copy of which must be provided to tournament headquarters at the time of check-in.  South Texas Youth Soccer Association players & teams:  All players must be registered with South Texas Youth Soccer Association and for U9 and older teams have a valid USYSA ID Card with a photo.  The coach and assistant coach must have a valid Kidsafe Pass as required by STYSA rules.  All participating players must be listed on the roster, a copy of which must be provided to tournament headquarters at the time of check-in. 

Equipment:  All players on a team shall wear shirt of a similar color (socks and shorts do not have to match).  Numbers on the shirts are recommended but for the U5 to U8 age groups are not required. Numbers on the shirts ARE required for U9 and older teams.   In the event of a color conflict, the home team (listed first on the schedule) is required to change.  All players will wear shin guards that are commercially produced and specifically designed to provide protection to the shins.  No player will be allowed to play with a hard cast (padded or otherwise).

Awards: 

·      Each player on the team will receive a participation award at the conclusion of their final game of the day for U6 and U8 teams.  U10 teams will be awarded 1^st and 2^nd place – no participation awards. 

Scoring System

·   Game scoring will be six (6) points for a win, three (3) points for a tie, and zero (0) points for a loss.

·   One (1) point per goal scored up to a maximum of three (3) per game (win, tie or lose) and one (1) point for a shutout.  A tie is worth 3 points.  Additional points may be awarded for shut outs and for each goal scored (up to a maximum of 3 goals/points)

·    Forfeit counts as ten (10) points and will be scored 3-0.

·   Maximum points per game are ten (10).

Play Time:  Each coach must make every effort to play each player at least one half of each game. 

Brackets:  Bracket placement and configuration is at the discretion of the Festival committee.  Brackets will be made according to what the committee believes maximizes playing opportunities for the players – not what maximizes winning opportunities for the teams.  All 6 team brackets will be cross brackets.  No team is guaranteed semi-final and final’s matches.  Games must fit into our field layout and the time frame available to play all the games in the tournament.  Teams are guaranteed a minimum of three games.

Rules for 3v3:

·   Maximum number of players on field at one time is 3

·   No goalkeepers

·   No offside

·   All kicks and restarts are indirect - NO direct or penalty kicks

·   All fouls will be penalized with indirect kicks

·   Goal kicks may occur from anywhere on the goal line

·   Corner kicks are indirect free kicks

·   Opponents must be 3 yards from an indirect kick or corner kick

·   Unlimited substitution will be allowed at any stoppage of play and permission of referee.

Rules for 4v4:

·   Maximum number of players on field at one time is 4

·   No goalkeepers

·   No offside

·   All fouls shall be penalized with indirect kicks

·   Goal kicks may occur from anywhere on the goal line

·   Corner kicks are indirect free kicks

·   Opponents must be 5 yards from the point of taking an direct kick or corner kick

·   Unlimited substitution will be allowed at any stoppage of play and permission of referee.

Rules for 6v6, 8v8 and 11v11:

·   Maximum number of players on field at one time is 6 for U10, 8 for U12 and 11 for U13 and older

·   Goalkeepers will be permitted

·   Offside’s will be called for U10

·   Unlimited substitution will be allowed at any stoppage of play and permission of referee.

Team registration and check-in:

• All teams must register through the online registration system. 
• All teams must provide a signed medical release at the time of check in per US Club Soccer Rules. 
• All U9 and older teams must provide a CBYSA roster at check in. 
• Check-in for all teams will be at the fields one hour prior to the team’s first game. 
• All teams must provide an official roster and medical release and all U9 and older teams must have player cards for each player participating in the tournament. 

PROTESTS:  Not Permitted.  The Site Coordinator will resolve any problems that may arise.

The intent of this event is fun – Who could possibly protest having fun!