WEST SIDE ALLIANCE
SOCCER CLUB
2022 MAJOR TOURNAMENT RULES
Revised Aug 1, 2022
NO PRE-GAME CEREMONY:
- No meeting of captains or coin toss.
- Away team kicks off.
- Home team chooses side.
- Referees will perform a "spot" check.
POST GAME HANDSHAKES
- Opponents are recommended to not physically interact in the post game
- Referee, Coaches & Managers encouraged to remind players post game
BRING OWN WATER BOTTLES
- Tournament hydration stations will not include disposable cups. Players must bring and use labeled water bottles.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS MODIFICATIONS
- The awards stage will be available for photos, we encourage teams to not congregate at the stage. MC will be asked to make quick announcements to discourage congregation.
- Awards stage staff will separate teams in staging "on deck" areas prior to their team's presentation.
HEAT ADVISORY PROTOCOLS
IF NO HEAT WARNING: If there is no heat warning effective, then tournament directors may not require hydration breaks. This will be left to the discretion of event directors and referee assignors, with player safety first and foremost in consideration.
IF HEAT WARNING: Tournament Directors will use discretion to add 1 hydration break per half. This may begin after 11 AM depending on temperatures.
IF EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING: HYDRATION BREAKS X 3 PER GAME
- Hydration Break #1 at halfway point of 1st half (for example if 45 min halvs this break would be 22.5 minutes into the first half)
- Hydration Break #2 at the 1/3 mark of the 2nd half (for example, if 45 min havles this break would be 15 minutes into the 2nd half)
- Hydration Break #3 at the 2/3 mark of the 2nd half (for example, if 45 min halves this break would be 30 minutes into the 2nd half)
UNLIMITED SUBSTITUTIONS: See specifics below under "Major Tournament Rules"
- Teams have unlimited substitutions in all age divisions
- Substitutions allowed at the referee's discretion
- Substitutions may be allowed at "any" stoppage at the referee's discretion
MAX ROSTER SIZE FLEXIBILITY: See specific rules below.
- Roster sizes have been allowed to be expanded for the purpose of this event.
- The game day eligible number of players may exceed the "recommended" roster allowance by +2 (for example if 18 players is the "recommended" roster size, then on game day the team can have up to 20 players eligible). See specific roster rules below for recommended roster sizes per age division.
- To have more than the "recommended +2" number of players eligible a request must be submitted to the tournament committee and approved, and should only be allowed if it either encourages participation, is related to a head injury, related to the position of goalkeeper, or is sensible towards the integrity of the game. It should not be allowed if it is deemed to confer a competitive advantage or is being used for a competitive advantage.
MAJOR TOURNAMENT RULES
Note: Major Tournament Rules will take precedence in any rules clarifications required.
Group games may end in a tie. If a play-off game (championship final or semifinal) ends in a tie, two five-minute “golden goal” overtime halves will be played. If the game is still tied at the end of the second overtime period, FIFA kicks from the penalty spot will be taken to determine the winner.
For u8, u9, u10, u11, u12 substitutions may occur with the consent of the referee at any stoppage.
For u13 through u19, substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee at the following times:
1. Prior to a throw-in in your favor or when the opponent is requesting substitution on their throw-in.
2. Prior to a goal kick, after a goal, after any injury by either team when the referee stops play (only one player may be substituted per team), at halftime, and a yellow-carded player may be substituted for, but this must be done before restart of play. The other team may substitute one player with the permission of the referee.
ROSTER RULES:
Dual Rostering not allowed in the same division.
Teams in 4v4 and 7v7 divisions can submit a formal request for exceptions to the tournament commitee.
U7/U8 4v4 20 min/half U9/U10 7v7 25 min/half U11/U12 9v9 25 min/half
U13/U14 11v11 30 min/half U15-U19 35 min/half
** All halftimes will be 5 minutes in length
Home Team wears light, visitors wear dark. Team benches will be designated at the facility. Players "only" sidelines should be honored by spectators and parents for the sake of game integrity.
COMPETITION FORMATS: Click here to view
Note that in 7-team divisions, the re-seeding for Pool Play Round #3 games may be re-sorted by the Tournament Committee if deemed best. The seeding of #2 vs #7, #3 vs #6, #4 vs #5 is not fixed, and is a flexible suggestion. The reasons the tournament committee may re-seed is to avoid a repeated fixture (i.e. two teams already played in Pool Play Round #1 or Round #2) or to balance competition through a multitude of scenarios that may unfold in this competition format.
TIEBREAKERS IN STANDINGS:
If two or more teams are tied in points after their preliminary rounds are complete, the following tiebreak procedures will be used to determine championship recognition and final placement in divisions:
A. Head to head competition
B. Goal Differential (maximum per cross-over game is +3; unlimited in “non-cross-over games”)
C. Most Goals Scored of Common Opponents Only (no limit per game)
D. Fewest Goals Allowed of Common Opponents Only (no limit per game)
E. Fewest accumulation of red cards/ejections
F. Penalty Kicks, round of 5, then sudden-death rounds if needed
These procedures will be applied, in order, until ties are broken.
PRE-GAME CHECK-IN - MODIFIED FOR COVID19 - NO ON FIELD CHECK-IN WILL TAKE PLACE. All check-in will take place "virtually" online. Teams MUST HAVE ON THEIR PERSON the TEAM ROSTER and PLAYER CREDENTIALS at ALL TIMES. Tournament officials or game officials may request to see documentation and player credentials at any time and will use COVID19 Safe Protocols to review credentials. The rules and processes below are memorialized for the express purpose of reminding all the importance of modeling honor and integrity in manners beyond reproach for the kids we serve.
Teams will check-in prior to each game at least 30 minutes prior to kick-off (recommendation is 45 minutes prior to 13U and above) at the CHECK-IN TENT assigned to their field. This check-in process will include the players. Team leader should submit the "official tournament roster", and have prepared the player passes & medical releases. - NOT APPLICABLE, FOLLOW REVISED COVID PROCESSES.
The team leader will receive the "game pass card". The game pass card will include a list of all absent players (from the check-in procedure). The game pass card must be presented to the referee prior to the game. Teams will do this before each game. NOT APPLICABLE, FOLLOW REVISED COVID PROCESSES.
What about players who are late? Late players can check-in at the check-in tent until such time as the game pass card is handed over to the referee. Once the game pass card is handed over the referee, all late players must check-in with the AR. NOT APPLICABLE, FOLLOW REVISED COVID PROCESSES.
4v4 RULE MODIFICATIONS: U7/U8
Ball Size: 3
Build Out Line: The build out line is located at the halfline. All defending players must retreat to the half-line prior to each goal kick OR when the goalkeeper has the ball in hands. Once ball is played defenders may cross the build out line and press and oppose the opponent freely.
Roster Size: Flex roster size for participation - the recommendation is 8 max. We encourage coaches with over 8 players to maximize playing time and participation. Teams with over 8 players per roster should alert the tournament committee of their roster situation to receive approval prior to the beginning of the event.
Heading the Ball: Not allowed. Result of intentional headers is indirect free kick to the opposing team.
Offside: Offside is not enforced. In the spirit of player development and gamesmanship "goal guarding" is strongly discouraged but cannot be enforced by the referee.
Goal Guarding/Small Box Rule: There will not be an enforceable small box rule. Goal guarding is strongly discouraged, but w ill not be an enforceable rule for the sake of the tournament.
Dual Rostering: Not allowed within the same division of the tournament even if in different brackets. It is allowed in different divisions within the tournament.
Substitutions: Open and free at any stoppage w/ permission of the referee.
7v7 RULE MODIFICATIONS: U9/U10
Ball Size: 4
Build Out Line: The build out line is marked between the penalty box area and half-line. The opposing team must retreat to the build out line prior to a goalk kick OR when goalkeeper has the ball in his hands, and can begin pressing as soon as the goal kick leaves the 18 yard box or the goalkeeper releases the ball from his hands."
Roster Size: Flex roster size for participation - the recommendation is 16 max. We encourage coaches with over 16 players to maximize playing time and participation. These teams should alert the tournament committee of their roster situation to receive approval prior to the beginning of the event.
Heading the Ball: Not allowed. Result of intentional headers is indirect free kick to the opposing team.
Offside: There is offside. The offside line will be the "build out" line (taking the normal place of the half-line).
Dual Rostering: Not allowed within the same division of the tournament even if in different brackets. It is allowed in different divisions within the tournament.
Substitutions: Open and free at any stoppage w/ permission of the referee.
9v9 RULE MODIFICATIONS:
Ball Size: 4
Heading the Ball: Not allowed. Result of intentional headers is indirect free kick to the opposing team. This is applicable to U11 9v9 - BUT not to U12 9v9.
Offside: There is offside. The offside line will be the halfline as in full sided soccer. There is not build out line in 9v9.
Roster Size: Flex roster size for participation - the recommendation is 18 max.
Dual Rostering: Not allowed within the same division of the tournament even if in different brackets. It is allowed in different divisions within the tournament.
Substitutions: Open and free at any stoppage w/ permission of the referee.