WEST SIDE ALLIANCE
SOCCER CLUB
MAJOR TOURNAMENT RULES
HEAT ADVISORY PROTOCOLS (not expected to be in play for WSA Cup 24)
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
Group games may end in a tie. If a play-off game (championship final, semifinal, or play-in) 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:
ROSTER MAX FOR 11v11 - 18 is recommended. Dual Rostering not allowed in the same division.
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 strictly kept to 5 minutes in length
OVERTIME RULES: PLAY-IN, SEMIFINAL, FINALS
Two 5-minute Golden Goal overtimes will be played. If still tied then 5 rounds of penalty kick shootout. If still tied then sudden victory rounds of penalty kicks until a winner is achieved.
Home Team wears white, visitors wear dark. Home team shall sit on NORTH and WEST sides of half line.
TIEBREAKERS IN STANDINGS:
If two or more teams are tied in points after their preliminary rounds are complete, the following tie breaking procedures will be used to determine championship recognition and final placement in divisions:
A. Head to head competition
B. Goal Differential (maximum per game is +4)
C. Most Goals Scored (no limit per game)
D. Fewest Goals Allowed (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 - Team shall present physical copy of tournament roster to the referee prior to each match. The game official will sign the roster to verify it was presented.
What about players who are late? Late players can check-in with the AR of the game, prior to participating.
4v4 RULE MODIFICATIONS: U7/U8
Ball Size: 3 recommended.
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. IF NO BUILD OUT LINE APPEARS on the field, the referee will estimate the proximate retreat mark for the players by indicating the location of the build out 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 in u11. Allowed in U12. 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 half line 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.