This tournament is dedicated to the development of all the players participating and to good sportsmanship and the good of the game.

Team Check-in Procedures:
•    Team credentials will be checked during team check-in.  Credentials will not be checked at the fields during the tournament but must be available if requested by tournament staff.
•    All teams will be scheduled for four games: generally three preliminary games followed by either a championship or consolation game.

Home/Team Field Positions
•    The home team is listed first in the schedule.
•    The home team will change jerseys if there is a conflict.
•    Each team will be on the same side of the field opposite the spectators.
•    Alcoholic beverages, smoking, pets, and noisemakers are prohibited at all tournament sites.

Player Equipment
•    All players must have uniforms with individual numbers on the jersey.
•    No jewelry may be worn by any player (earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.)
•    Players wearing casts are allowed to play with the approval of the Tournament Director and referee.
•    Shin guards are mandatory.
•    All referee decisions are final regarding player equipment.

Referees
•    U9-U11 games will use one center referee.  U12 games will use the 3-man system.
•    For U9-U11 games, referees are encouraged to use volunteer assistant referees.  Their duties are limited to signaling in and out on both the touchline and goal line – they may not signal offside or fouls.  Each team should be asked to provide one volunteer assistant referee.
•    All referee decisions are final and binding.

Laws of the Game
•    FIFA Laws of the Game apply except as modified by tournament rules.
•    All decisions by the Tournament Director are final.
•    No protests are allowed.

Game Play
•    All ages will use a size 4 ball.  The tournament will provide game balls.
•    Format: U9-U10 will play 7v7; U11-U12 will play 8v8.
•    Five players is the minimum for start of play.
•    All games will be two 30-minute halves, with a 5-minute half-time break – “running clock.”
•    Preliminary games and consolation games may end in a tie.
•    Championship games ending regulation in a tie will play two full five-minute overtimes (no sudden death).  FIFA penalty kicks will be taken to determine a winner if the game is still tied at the end of both overtimes.

Substitutions.  Substitutions are unlimited.  All substitutions must be made with the referee’s permission.  Substitutions may be made at the following times:
•    Goal Kick
•    After a goal
•    Half-time
•    Beginning of an overtime period
•    Throw in – by possession team or when opponent makes substitutions on their throw in
•    After a yellow card – for carded player only
•    For an injured player at the discretion of the referee.  The opposing team may also make one substitution if a substitution is made for the injured player.
•    Substitutions may not be made on corner kicks.
•    Teams may not make any substitutions when championship games are tied after both overtime periods.  Penalty kicks must be completed with the players on the field at the end of the overtime periods.
•    Referees will not add time for substitutions or other routine delays (ball in woods, etc.).
•    Referees may deny entry of substitutes near the end of a game if he or she deems a team is substituting to preserve a lead or a tie.
•    The clock will not stop except when removing an injured player from the field would endanger the well-being of the injured player.  Any game shortened due to injury will be continued at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

Forfeits
•    A forfeit shall be awarded if a team is not present and prepared to play by ten minutes after the scheduled match time.  Any team forfeiting a match will not be allowed to play in a championship match.  
•    A forfeit will be scored as one goal for the winner and zero for the forfeiting team.

Game Results Reporting
•    A representative from each team will ask the referee and assistant referees to sign a game results card.
•    Referees should enter (or verify) the score and note any cards issued to players (player number and reason) and any dismissals to coaches or spectators.

Player/Coach/Spectator Behavior
•    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 (but not shown cards).
•    Any player ejected from a match may not be replaced and will not be allowed to attend his or her team’s 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 team’s next match.
•    Any ejected player, coach or spectator must move beyond sight or sound of the playing field.
•    Referee abuse or harassment, violent or abusive behavior, and foul language will not be tolerated during tournament events.  Any persons engaging in such behavior may be barred from the rest of the tournament.

Inclement Weather
•    Unless notified otherwise coaches and teams must be ready to play at the scheduled time regardless of weather conditions.  Failure to appear will result in a forfeit.
•    Referees may suspend play if weather conditions dictate, but only the Tournament Committee may terminate, cancel or postpone a match.
•    In case of severe weather that occurs after the beginning of play, the Tournament Committee may reduce the match length, discontinue or cancel the match.
•    A match terminated due to weather conditions after the first half has been completed will be considered complete and the score at the end of play will stand.
•    Every effort will be made to complete a match suspended before the end of the first half.  However, other means determined by the Tournament Committee may be used to determine a winner if necessary.
•    Referees and field marshals will not begin or continue matches during lightning.
•    In intense heat conditions, the Tournament Committee may modify game formats.  This includes shortening games, adding breaks, eliminating overtime periods, or other modifications.

Tournament Decisions
•    The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all tournament matters, and the judgment of the Tournament Committee is final.
•    The Tournament Director has authority to make all decisions and these decisions will be final.
•    All inquiries to the Tournament Committee or Director must come from the Team Contact or Coach, and not parents.