Toms River Soccer Association
Paddy O’Neill Memorial Tournament 2009
Tournament Rules and Regulations
1. Tournament play is governed by FIFA laws or current USSF interpretations, except where inconsistent with these rules in which event these rules govern.
2. Only players carded by USSF may participate. Inspection of player passes will take place at the time of registration. At the tournament committee’s discretion, player passes and rosters may also be inspected before any game at the field of play. Coaches must ensure that players report to the field at least 15 minutes prior to start time of each game for possible inspection of rosters and player passes. Players and coaches passes will be collected by the referee prior to each game and returned after the game. Maximum of 18 players per team for full-sided divisions and 14 players for short-sided divisions. U10 and younger teams may not play up under any circumstances.
3. No select teams. Maximum of 4 guest players for each team. All players on a team must be carded with the same team number except for the guest/secondary players.
4. Duration of games and ball size:
Divisions Ball Size Length of Halves
U15 Boys / Girls 5 30 minutes
U14 Boys / Girls 5 30 minutes
U13 Boys / Girls 5 30 minutes
U12 Boys / Girls 4 30 minutes
U11 Boys / Girls 4 30 minutes
U10 Boys / Girls 4 25 minutes
U9 Boys / Girls 4 25 minutes
U8 Boys / Girls 4 25 minutes
U7 Boys / Girls 3 20 minutes
Intervals between halves and between all overtime periods shall be 5 minutes. Teams should be prepared to commence their games immediately upon the conclusion of the prior game. Referees are not required to stop the clock for any reason, or to add time to the duration of any match. Should an injury occur, the game clock may continue to run while treatment is being given. If the first half ends during this stoppage, the Referee shall declare the first half over and allow a 5-minute break. The Referee shall then restart the clock, regardless of whether the injured player has been removed. No additional time shall be allowed.
5. Awards. Individual and team trophies will be awarded to the U11 and older age bracket/age bracket division winner and runner-up at the conclusion of the championship game at tournament headquarters. Tournament play for U10 and younger is non-results oriented. There are no individual or team trophies for U10 and younger age brackets. No standings will be determined and all U10 and younger participants will receive a participation award.
6. Teams (including parents and spectators) will occupy opposite sidelines unless superseded by specific instructions of the Tournament Committee. Spectators must stand behind the spectator line if drawn, or approximately 1 yard behind the sideline. Coaches will be responsible for the conduct of their sideline.
7. There will be no protests. All decisions of the referee and Tournament Committee are final.
8. Games will begin at scheduled times and played rain or shine unless the Tournament Committee has suspended play. In the event of adverse weather conditions or field conditions that pose a risk to the health or safety of the players, the Tournament Committee will have the authority to change the games as follows:
A. Relocate and/or reschedule any game.
B. Change duration of any game.
C. Cancel any game.
D. Games terminated after the first half will be considered official and the existing score will be unchanged and points awarded accordingly.
E. Games terminated during the first half will be considered a tie, regardless of existing score. One point will be awarded to each team.
F. In the event of conditions adverse enough to force complete cancellation of any game in the semi-final or final round, the runner-up and/or champion will be determined using the standard and scoring system outlined in 18. Where semi-final and final games must be terminated early, rules 8D and 8E shall apply, with any tie to be broken using the scoring system outlined in 17.
G. Cancellation of games or the entire tournament because of inclement weather and/or unsafe playing conditions shall be the decision of the Tournament Committee. No protests of their decision will be allowed.
H. In the event that the tournament is cancelled a minimum of 80% of a team’s entry fee shall be refunded. The reason for cancellation might include weather, field usage or sponsoring organization management decision. If a tournament is postponed or rescheduled, a new permission to host agreement will be submitted to NJYS and all teams that applied to the original date will be given the opportunity to withdraw from the revised date of the tournament with a full refund of their entry fees.
9. Unlimited substitutions may be made with the permission of the referee at the following times:
A. After any goal.
B. At throw-ins in your favor.
C. At any goal kick.
At the time of substitution, players will enter and exit the field of play at the halfway line. A substitution may be made with the permission of the referee for a player receiving a yellow card. In case of injury, one for one substitution by both teams is allowed if the injured player is replaced. Coaching on the field during injury time-out is prohibited.
10. A minimum of 7 players is necessary to start each game. If needed, teams will be given a grace period of 5 minutes from the scheduled start time in order to field their players.
11. Players and coaches are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit, as well as the letter, of the law. Any player or coach given a red card will not be permitted to participate in the team’s next tournament game. The suspension, at the discretion of the Tournament Committee, may be for more than one game.
12. All players must wear shoes and shin guards that meet FIFA specifications during all games. All team members shall be required to wear acceptable and identical uniforms. In addition, all players shall wear jerseys, shorts, and socks, except for the goalkeeper, who shall wear a different color jersey that shall be distinguishable from the opponents and the referee. Each team shall bring 2 sets of team jerseys. When team colors conflict, the HOME team will wear alternate team jersey. Players must have legible numbers on the back of their jerseys. Each player must have a different number that must match the roster.
13. The home team will supply the game ball of the appropriate size which is acceptable to the referee and the opposing coach.
14. Each team will be scheduled for 3 games.
15. Exchange of patches or pins is strongly encouraged.
16. It is required that you have properly signed and notarized medical release forms for each player. All teams must have insurance certificates. Properly stamped New Jersey Youth Soccer Association rosters will serve as proof of insurance for
New Jersey teams. While participating in this tournament, all players, coaches and team officials must be insured by their own club.
17. Out-of-town teams must have authorized travel permits with them if mandated by their affiliated club.
18. Scoring System:
Win 3 points
Tie 1 point
Loss 0 points
Group winners and standings will be decided as follows:
A. Most game points; if tied
B. In the event of a two-way tie only, head-to-head winner, otherwise go to step C: if tied
C. Most game wins; if tied
D. Fewest goals against; if tied
E. Most goals for; if tied
F. One coin flip.
19. In case of forfeit, 2 game points and 1 bonus point will be awarded the winning team. Game score will be recorded as 1-0.
20. Winners in the U11 and older championship games shall be decided as follows, conditions permitting;
A. Winner after regulation time; if tied
B. The play will consist of five minute sudden victory periods (golden goal). At the beginning of the first extra time period, each team will reduce the number of field players by one and remove their goal keeper (to nine field players). At the beginning of each of the next two subsequent periods, the teams will remove two additional field players (first to seven, then to five field players). Play shall continue in five minute sudden victory periods with five field players until a golden goal is recorded for the win.
21. Alcohol consumption is prohibited.
22. The Tournament Committee will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team if the tournament is cancelled in whole or in part for any reason. The Tournament Committee’s interpretation of the rules shall be final.
23. One USSF certified referee will work each preliminary game in the U7-U8 divisions. If available, three USSF referees will work each game in divisions U9-U13, as well as any championship games in full-sided divisions. When a single referee is assigned to a game, each team will be responsible for assigning adult linesmen. The linesman is considered a game official and may not engage in any coaching whatsoever from the sideline, and shall be neutral. Each linesman is to only verify when a ball crosses the touch or end lines. It is the certified referee’s job to determine which team possesses the ball. If a referee does not arrive by scheduled start, the coaches for each team shall agree upon a volunteer referee who shall referee the game until an official referee arrives. When an official arrives, he or she shall assume responsibilities at the next stoppage of play. If either linesman fails to arrive for the start of a game using a three-referee system, each team will designate a club linesman.
24. At the conclusion of each game, the Referee will sign the game report and forward the official game report to the Field Supervisor. The report includes the score, and the name, number and circumstances of any player, coach, or other individual who has received a red or yellow card. Each team’s Coach or Manager must sign the game report. If a coach or manager refuses to sign, the Field Supervisor shall note the reasons for the refusal. In case of discrepancies, signed game reports shall prevail.
25. Golf Cart Policy – In the event a golf cart is used at any time during the tournament, only someone with a valid New Jersey Drivers License will be authorized to operate that vehicle.
