Tournament Rules:

• U-11, U-12, U-13, and U-14 (large-sided) will play 50-minute games (25-minute halves) with a 3-minute half-time.
• U-8, U-9, and U-10 (small-sided) will play 40-minute games (20-minute halves) with a 3-minute half-time.
• Large-sided teams will be in a standard playoff format (i.e., 1 vs. 2)
• In the event of a tie game (large-sided), FIFA penalty kicks will be taken, with the following exception:  Any player on the Tournament roster will be eligible to take part in the shootout, not just those players on the field at the end of the game.
• A separate field (THE PENALTY PIT) will be used for shootouts.
• In the event of a tie game(small-sided), the score will remain a tie.
• Free substitutions will be allowed on goal kicks, your own throw-in, after goals, and at half-time.
• No protests will be allowed.  Decision of the referee will be final.
• All penalties and misconducts according to FIFA Law XII and NJYSA (http://www.njyouthsoccer.com/) State Cup rules.
• No guest players are permitted.
• Secondary passes are not permitted for any divisions.
• No added injury time.
• 80% registration refund if Tournament is cancelled by Tournament officials for any reason.
• Teams from outside the state of New Jersey must have a copy of “Permission to Travel Form” approved and signed by a USSF Representative.
• No Golf Carts are allowed.

Tournament Format (Large-Sided Only):

1. After Tournament play, the following format will be used for large-sided Playoffs:
• Finals 1 vs 2.
• Flights with 5 teams; 1st and 2nd will be based on points, teams in these flights will play 4 games.
• Teams will be awarded 3 points for a win.
• All tied matches will be decided by penalty kicks.  The winning team to receive 3 points for the win and the losing team to receive 1 point for the tied match.
2. Tie Breaker Format:
• Head to Head competition (in the event of a more than two-way tie see #3 below).
• Total goals against (least).
• Total goals for (up to a maximum five (5) goals per game).
• Total goal differential (maximum (5) goals per game (G.F. minus G.A.)).
• Penalty kick method as described by FIFA.
3. Tie Breaker format in the event of a more than a two-way tie:
• Total goals against (least).
• Head to Head competition.
• Total goals for (up to a maximum of five (5) goals per games).
• Total goal differential (maximum (5) goals per game. (G.F. minus G.A.)).
• Penalty kick method as described by FIFA.

Tournament Conduct:

1. Smoking is not allowed on school property.
2. Pets are not allowed on school property other than sanctioned service animals.
3. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on school property.
4. Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the law as well as the letter of the law.  Display of offensive language, temper, or dissent is cause for ejection from the game and field of play.  Coaches shall be held responsible for the conduct of all persons on their team and those supporting their team.
5. Each team shall share the same side of the field while the spectators will occupy the opposite side.
6. The referee only may suspend play or abandon the game.  If the referee abandons the game due to misconduct by players, coaches, or spectators on one team, a victory will be awarded to the opposing team with the score being 1-0.
7. Players, coaches, and team officials ejected from a game by the referee shall be automatically suspended for the following game and, depending on the violation, may be suspended for more games as determined by the Tournament Committee.

Tournament Cancellation:

Our fields have excellent drainage.  The Tournament will be played through almost anything.  September is normally a dry month.  In the unlikely event that any games need to be cancelled, for whatever reason, there are no provisions for making up games.  If the Tournament is cancelled for any reason, 80% of the registration fee will be refunded.