4 v 4 World United Cup
4 v 4 World United Cup I.
AGE AND ELIGIBILITY A. Participation in the World United Cup is open to boys and girls teams U9 thru U13. B. Teams will consist of up to six (6) boys or six (6) girls, four starters and two substitutes. Players may only be rostered on one (1) team within specific age group. C. Teams will be divided into groups according to age, gender, and will play their games within their assigned age group. Players may “play up” in age category but not down in age. For the 2014 event, please refer to the Age Group Chart below: Age Groups:* • U13 - Players born on or after August 1, 2000 • U12 - Players born on or after August 1, 2001 • U11 - Players born on or after August 1, 2002 • U10 - Players born on or after August 1, 2003 • U09 - Players born on or after August 1, 2004 *Combining of age groups will be done at the Tournament Committee’s discretion, if needed. D. Any team that withdraws after being officially accepted into the tournament will forfeit its entrance fee.
II.
TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION A. Tournament Registration: Teams are required to register/check-in for the tournament between 7pm and 9pm on the day specified for each age group at Nick’s Restaurant, address?. B. Rosters: All teams must provide 2 copies of their official tournament roster at tournament registration. Players' names and jersey numbers MUST be listed on the Official Tournament Team Roster approved by the tournament. C. Only players listed on the approved "Official Team Roster" at registration may play in the tournament. D. All players must have a Signed Medical Release form. E. Player Registration Cards: All USYA teams must have USYA player cards and all US Club Soccer teams must have US Club Soccer player cards. F. Team Contact Info: Each team, upon checking-in at tournament registration, must provide a local phone number and name of a designated contact person who can be reached at any
time, should the necessity arise, as well as the phone number, and location of hotel, if applicable. G. Game Check-in: Teams are required to check-in at their fields 10 minutes prior to each game. III.
LAWS OF THE GAME All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws, except as specifically modified by these rules. A.
All teams will play at least three (3) games during the event, unless the scheduled games are reduced or shortened, due to rain or unforeseen circumstances.
B.
Playing fields shall be 25 yards x 35 yards, or as space permits.
C.
Goals will be pug size?
D.
Games will have two 10-minute halves with a two-minute halftime. If the score is tied at the end of regulation play, the game is recorded as a tie. In a playoff situation, both teams will move immediately to a tie-breaker. Ties will be decided with five penalty kicks for each team on a rotating basis until one team wins. The team with the most goals after 10 players have shot is declared the winner. If the score is still tied, teams alternate penalty shots until a decisive goal is scored. Need to decide how we will break ties in playoff rounds.
E.
All games will be played with a running clock. The referee may stop the clock for serious injuries or other incidents. The referee is the official timekeeper and therefore all decisions regarding game duration are solely at the referee's discretion and shall not be protested.
F.
A coin toss determines opening possession. Opposing team will control the ball at the start of the second half.
G.
The ball must completely cross the goal line between the goal posts to score a goal. All scoring must be shot from the scoring team’s offensive half of the field.
H.
All players must wear a jersey the same color as their teammates.
I.
Ball is out of bounds when it completely crosses at least one of the boundary lines. Kickins will replace throw-ins.
J.
THERE IS NO OFFSIDE.
K.
Regulations governing fouls and misconduct conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: All fouls taking place more than ten (10) feet from the goal shall result in an indirect free kick with opponents three (3) yards away. All fouls taking place within ten (10) feet of the goal will result in a penalty shot .
L.
Penalty shots will be taken from 12 yards out. Once the shot is taken, the ball is dead. No rebounds or follow-up play is allowed. If the shot is missed, the defensive team is awarded a goal kick.
M.
Goal kicks will be taken from your defensive END LINE.
N.
Intentional fouls or intentional hand ball in the attacking half of the field will result in a penalty kick from 12 yards out.
O.
NO SLIDE TACKLING IS ALLOWED.
P.
Substitutions are unlimited and may be made at any time.
Q.
Each game will have one referee, who will call fouls and keep time. Referees will have the final say in disputes.
R.
Everyone will be using a size 4 ball.
S.
Tournament director and staff, reserve the right to verify any player’s age. Inaccurate information is grounds for disqualification of the entire team.
IV.
FIELD CHECK-IN TIME AND FIELD AND GAME EQUIPMENT A.
All Games 1. Check-in time is 10 minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off. 2. Players’ numbers MUST be listed on the Official Team Roster approved by the tournament staff. Players must wear numbers visible on the back of their uniforms and these numbers shall coincide with those listed on the team’s Official Team Roster. 3. Players shall wear shin guards in accordance with FIFA laws. 4. No metal cleats will be allowed, and no jewelry will be allowed. 5. Hard and soft casts are permitted with the approval of the referee. 6. Where opposing team’s uniform colors are similar, the designated home team will change colors. The designated home team is listed first on the schedule. 7. Players and coaches of both teams will take the same side of the field. All other supporters will take the opposite side. Only three team officials are permitted on the sidelines with their players.
V.
PROTESTS & DISPUTES A.
There will be no protests allowed.
B.
All disputes for non-referee decisions are submitted thru the Site Coordinator in writing to the Tournament Committee (consisting of the Tournament Director, and other staff) at Tournament Headquarters for approval by the end of the day that the dispute occurred. All decisions by the Tournament Committee are final and may not be appealed.
C.
All protests & disputes for referee decisions are not allowed; decisions by referees may not be appealed.
VI.
GAME AND SCORE REPORTING A. It is the responsibility of the referee and winning team to deliver the score to the appropriate Site Official (Division Coordinator/Site Coordinator) promptly at the conclusion of each game. The Site Official is responsible for keeping track of all match results, cautions, and ejections to the tournament headquarters. In case of a discrepancy, the referee’s match card, prevails.
VII.
CONDUCT A.
Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the LAW as well as the letter of the LAW. Displays of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and the surrounding field area. Repeated violations may result in the suspension of the team from the tournament as decided by the Tournament Director. A. Players, coaches and team officials ejected from a game by the referee shall be ineligible for the next scheduled game. B. It is the responsibility of the team’s coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf to control the conduct of its parents and other spectators. Failure to do so may result in a warning to the coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf by the referee. If unacceptable conduct continues, the referee may eject the team’s coach, or the person acting on the coach’s behalf, from the game. C. In accordance with the US Club Soccer Tournament Hosting Agreement, all red and yellow cards and other matters involving team conduct will be reported to the home club and State/Provincial Association of the team involved as well as the US Youth Soccer National Office. D. Artificial noise making devices are prohibited. E. Smoking, alcoholic beverages, and verbal abuse of anyone are not permitted at any of the field sites.
VIII.
SCORING POINT SYSTEM A win is important, but it’s not the only way a team advances. Teams are ranked by the total number of points accumulated through individual games in each round of play. A.
In the preliminary games, each team will be awarded six (6) points for a win, or four (4) points for a game forfeited to them, three (3) points for a tie, and no (0) points for a loss. One (1) point will be awarded for a defensive shutout, and one (1) point will be awarded for every goal, up to five (5) goals, per game. At the end of group play, the top 2 teams in each group will be the teams with the most points in their group. These teams will advance to the Round of 16 where single elimination will be in effect. In the event of a tie within a group, the following criteria will be used to determine the winner in this order: i. Head to head competition (in the event of a tie among three (3) or more teams, this criterion will not be considered*) ii. Most wins iii. Goal differential. In each preliminary game bonus points will be awarded for goal differential (difference between goals for and goals against) to a maximum of five (5) goal differential bonus points per game. (Example: A team winning 7-1 would receive the maximum 5 bonus points). iv. Least goals allowed. v.
FIFA penalty kicks * In the case of three-way ties, the tiebreaker sequence begins with “Most Wins” and proceeds, in order, down through the steps until the tie is broken and only one team remains. No steps are to be repeated or skipped.
FAILURE TO SHOW AND FORFEITS
IX.
A.
A team shall be allowed a five (5) minute grace period after the scheduled kick-off time before the match is considered a forfeit. A minimum of three (3) players constitutes a team and if three (3) players are present, the game will not be delayed. The Tournament Director or her representative will be consulted before marking a team as forfeiting, due to tardiness. Exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
B.
In no case shall a team, which forfeits a game be declared a group winner, or runner up. If an apparent group winner or runner up forfeits a game, the team in that group with the next best record shall be named the group winner. If a team is the cause for termination of a game, that team will be considered to have forfeited that game. The determination as to which team is the cause for the termination shall be at the sole discretion of the referee on the field and the decision may not be protested.
C.
Forfeits of a any playoff or championship game shall be recorded as 1-0.
D.
Any team forfeiting a championship game will not be entitled to individual trophies or team awards.
E.
Failure to produce either duly authorized Player Registration Cards or an official Team Roster to the appropriate Field Marshal or Tournament Official ten (10) minutes prior to scheduled game time is grounds for a forfeit.
F.
Playing a “red-carded player” (a player receiving either a red card or two yellow cards in one game) in the game following the receipt of a red card is grounds for a forfeit.
G.
INCLEMENT WEATHER In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Director or official representative(s) will have the authority to: A. Relocate or reschedule any game(s); B. Change the duration of any game(s); C. Cancel any preliminary game(s); D. Consider any game terminated by game or Tournament Officials after one half of play as official as of the time of termination (and the score stands at time of termination) E. Determine the format for advancement.
X.
GENERAL A.
The tournament will do its best to schedule three (3) games for each team. However, at the Tournament Director’s discretion, the number of games may be reduced due to inclement weather in which case the tournament is not liable for any expenses and no refunds for the tournament application fees will be given.
B.
Under no circumstances whatsoever will the US Club Soccer, FC Virginia Club, the Tournament Committee, or any of their official representatives be responsible for any expenses (including the Tournament entry fee) incurred by any team. This includes a situation whereby the Tournament or any game(s) is canceled in whole or part.
C.
The Tournament Committee’s or their official representative’s interpretation of the rules shall be final pertaining to this Tournament.
D.
Photographs/film/video taken during the tournament may be posted on the tournament website.
E.
Refund policy will be determined within 60 days of the tournament; once all invoices are paid and the final budget is approved.
F.
All referees are certified by the Federation.
AGE AND ELIGIBILITY A. Participation in the World United Cup is open to boys and girls teams U9 thru U13. B. Teams will consist of up to six (6) boys or six (6) girls, four starters and two substitutes. Players may only be rostered on one (1) team within specific age group. C. Teams will be divided into groups according to age, gender, and will play their games within their assigned age group. Players may “play up” in age category but not down in age. For the 2014 event, please refer to the Age Group Chart below: Age Groups:* • U13 - Players born on or after August 1, 2000 • U12 - Players born on or after August 1, 2001 • U11 - Players born on or after August 1, 2002 • U10 - Players born on or after August 1, 2003 • U09 - Players born on or after August 1, 2004 *Combining of age groups will be done at the Tournament Committee’s discretion, if needed. D. Any team that withdraws after being officially accepted into the tournament will forfeit its entrance fee.
II.
TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION A. Tournament Registration: Teams are required to register/check-in for the tournament between 7pm and 9pm on the day specified for each age group at Nick’s Restaurant, address?. B. Rosters: All teams must provide 2 copies of their official tournament roster at tournament registration. Players' names and jersey numbers MUST be listed on the Official Tournament Team Roster approved by the tournament. C. Only players listed on the approved "Official Team Roster" at registration may play in the tournament. D. All players must have a Signed Medical Release form. E. Player Registration Cards: All USYA teams must have USYA player cards and all US Club Soccer teams must have US Club Soccer player cards. F. Team Contact Info: Each team, upon checking-in at tournament registration, must provide a local phone number and name of a designated contact person who can be reached at any
time, should the necessity arise, as well as the phone number, and location of hotel, if applicable. G. Game Check-in: Teams are required to check-in at their fields 10 minutes prior to each game. III.
LAWS OF THE GAME All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws, except as specifically modified by these rules. A.
All teams will play at least three (3) games during the event, unless the scheduled games are reduced or shortened, due to rain or unforeseen circumstances.
B.
Playing fields shall be 25 yards x 35 yards, or as space permits.
C.
Goals will be pug size?
D.
Games will have two 10-minute halves with a two-minute halftime. If the score is tied at the end of regulation play, the game is recorded as a tie. In a playoff situation, both teams will move immediately to a tie-breaker. Ties will be decided with five penalty kicks for each team on a rotating basis until one team wins. The team with the most goals after 10 players have shot is declared the winner. If the score is still tied, teams alternate penalty shots until a decisive goal is scored. Need to decide how we will break ties in playoff rounds.
E.
All games will be played with a running clock. The referee may stop the clock for serious injuries or other incidents. The referee is the official timekeeper and therefore all decisions regarding game duration are solely at the referee's discretion and shall not be protested.
F.
A coin toss determines opening possession. Opposing team will control the ball at the start of the second half.
G.
The ball must completely cross the goal line between the goal posts to score a goal. All scoring must be shot from the scoring team’s offensive half of the field.
H.
All players must wear a jersey the same color as their teammates.
I.
Ball is out of bounds when it completely crosses at least one of the boundary lines. Kickins will replace throw-ins.
J.
THERE IS NO OFFSIDE.
K.
Regulations governing fouls and misconduct conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: All fouls taking place more than ten (10) feet from the goal shall result in an indirect free kick with opponents three (3) yards away. All fouls taking place within ten (10) feet of the goal will result in a penalty shot .
L.
Penalty shots will be taken from 12 yards out. Once the shot is taken, the ball is dead. No rebounds or follow-up play is allowed. If the shot is missed, the defensive team is awarded a goal kick.
M.
Goal kicks will be taken from your defensive END LINE.
N.
Intentional fouls or intentional hand ball in the attacking half of the field will result in a penalty kick from 12 yards out.
O.
NO SLIDE TACKLING IS ALLOWED.
P.
Substitutions are unlimited and may be made at any time.
Q.
Each game will have one referee, who will call fouls and keep time. Referees will have the final say in disputes.
R.
Everyone will be using a size 4 ball.
S.
Tournament director and staff, reserve the right to verify any player’s age. Inaccurate information is grounds for disqualification of the entire team.
IV.
FIELD CHECK-IN TIME AND FIELD AND GAME EQUIPMENT A.
All Games 1. Check-in time is 10 minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off. 2. Players’ numbers MUST be listed on the Official Team Roster approved by the tournament staff. Players must wear numbers visible on the back of their uniforms and these numbers shall coincide with those listed on the team’s Official Team Roster. 3. Players shall wear shin guards in accordance with FIFA laws. 4. No metal cleats will be allowed, and no jewelry will be allowed. 5. Hard and soft casts are permitted with the approval of the referee. 6. Where opposing team’s uniform colors are similar, the designated home team will change colors. The designated home team is listed first on the schedule. 7. Players and coaches of both teams will take the same side of the field. All other supporters will take the opposite side. Only three team officials are permitted on the sidelines with their players.
V.
PROTESTS & DISPUTES A.
There will be no protests allowed.
B.
All disputes for non-referee decisions are submitted thru the Site Coordinator in writing to the Tournament Committee (consisting of the Tournament Director, and other staff) at Tournament Headquarters for approval by the end of the day that the dispute occurred. All decisions by the Tournament Committee are final and may not be appealed.
C.
All protests & disputes for referee decisions are not allowed; decisions by referees may not be appealed.
VI.
GAME AND SCORE REPORTING A. It is the responsibility of the referee and winning team to deliver the score to the appropriate Site Official (Division Coordinator/Site Coordinator) promptly at the conclusion of each game. The Site Official is responsible for keeping track of all match results, cautions, and ejections to the tournament headquarters. In case of a discrepancy, the referee’s match card, prevails.
VII.
CONDUCT A.
Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the LAW as well as the letter of the LAW. Displays of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and the surrounding field area. Repeated violations may result in the suspension of the team from the tournament as decided by the Tournament Director. A. Players, coaches and team officials ejected from a game by the referee shall be ineligible for the next scheduled game. B. It is the responsibility of the team’s coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf to control the conduct of its parents and other spectators. Failure to do so may result in a warning to the coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf by the referee. If unacceptable conduct continues, the referee may eject the team’s coach, or the person acting on the coach’s behalf, from the game. C. In accordance with the US Club Soccer Tournament Hosting Agreement, all red and yellow cards and other matters involving team conduct will be reported to the home club and State/Provincial Association of the team involved as well as the US Youth Soccer National Office. D. Artificial noise making devices are prohibited. E. Smoking, alcoholic beverages, and verbal abuse of anyone are not permitted at any of the field sites.
VIII.
SCORING POINT SYSTEM A win is important, but it’s not the only way a team advances. Teams are ranked by the total number of points accumulated through individual games in each round of play. A.
In the preliminary games, each team will be awarded six (6) points for a win, or four (4) points for a game forfeited to them, three (3) points for a tie, and no (0) points for a loss. One (1) point will be awarded for a defensive shutout, and one (1) point will be awarded for every goal, up to five (5) goals, per game. At the end of group play, the top 2 teams in each group will be the teams with the most points in their group. These teams will advance to the Round of 16 where single elimination will be in effect. In the event of a tie within a group, the following criteria will be used to determine the winner in this order: i. Head to head competition (in the event of a tie among three (3) or more teams, this criterion will not be considered*) ii. Most wins iii. Goal differential. In each preliminary game bonus points will be awarded for goal differential (difference between goals for and goals against) to a maximum of five (5) goal differential bonus points per game. (Example: A team winning 7-1 would receive the maximum 5 bonus points). iv. Least goals allowed. v.
FIFA penalty kicks * In the case of three-way ties, the tiebreaker sequence begins with “Most Wins” and proceeds, in order, down through the steps until the tie is broken and only one team remains. No steps are to be repeated or skipped.
FAILURE TO SHOW AND FORFEITS
IX.
A.
A team shall be allowed a five (5) minute grace period after the scheduled kick-off time before the match is considered a forfeit. A minimum of three (3) players constitutes a team and if three (3) players are present, the game will not be delayed. The Tournament Director or her representative will be consulted before marking a team as forfeiting, due to tardiness. Exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
B.
In no case shall a team, which forfeits a game be declared a group winner, or runner up. If an apparent group winner or runner up forfeits a game, the team in that group with the next best record shall be named the group winner. If a team is the cause for termination of a game, that team will be considered to have forfeited that game. The determination as to which team is the cause for the termination shall be at the sole discretion of the referee on the field and the decision may not be protested.
C.
Forfeits of a any playoff or championship game shall be recorded as 1-0.
D.
Any team forfeiting a championship game will not be entitled to individual trophies or team awards.
E.
Failure to produce either duly authorized Player Registration Cards or an official Team Roster to the appropriate Field Marshal or Tournament Official ten (10) minutes prior to scheduled game time is grounds for a forfeit.
F.
Playing a “red-carded player” (a player receiving either a red card or two yellow cards in one game) in the game following the receipt of a red card is grounds for a forfeit.
G.
INCLEMENT WEATHER In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Director or official representative(s) will have the authority to: A. Relocate or reschedule any game(s); B. Change the duration of any game(s); C. Cancel any preliminary game(s); D. Consider any game terminated by game or Tournament Officials after one half of play as official as of the time of termination (and the score stands at time of termination) E. Determine the format for advancement.
X.
GENERAL A.
The tournament will do its best to schedule three (3) games for each team. However, at the Tournament Director’s discretion, the number of games may be reduced due to inclement weather in which case the tournament is not liable for any expenses and no refunds for the tournament application fees will be given.
B.
Under no circumstances whatsoever will the US Club Soccer, FC Virginia Club, the Tournament Committee, or any of their official representatives be responsible for any expenses (including the Tournament entry fee) incurred by any team. This includes a situation whereby the Tournament or any game(s) is canceled in whole or part.
C.
The Tournament Committee’s or their official representative’s interpretation of the rules shall be final pertaining to this Tournament.
D.
Photographs/film/video taken during the tournament may be posted on the tournament website.
E.
Refund policy will be determined within 60 days of the tournament; once all invoices are paid and the final budget is approved.
F.
All referees are certified by the Federation.
