AYSO Area A Tournament @ Lakeview

June 7th - 9th 2024

Rules & Regulations

I. General

a. Play will be governed by FIFA Laws of the Game, AYSO National Rules and Regulations, and these Tournament Rules and Regulations.

b. In the event of a conflict of the rules or other dispute, the Tournament Board shall have final authority to resolve all matters.

c. In the event of adverse weather, the Tournament Board may delay games, postpone games, and reduce game duration.  Any postponed games will be made up during the week immediately following the tournament or on subsequent week ends. Teams that are unable or unwilling to participate in a make-up games will be considered to forfeit.

d. Any coaches’, players’, or teams’ failure to conform to these rules may result in the team’s disqualification from the tournament and forfeiture of any played and scheduled games.  No refunds will be given to disqualified teams.

e. Divisions with fewer than three teams registered will be dropped from the tournament with a full refund given to any registered team in that division.

f. Field space and time is limited so there will be a limit to the number of teams selected for participation.  The first two teams to register from each region per division will be selected.  If there are still openings, remaining teams will be selected based on the date their application was received.  

II. Team and Player Eligibility

a. Only AYSO regional house teams are eligible to participate in this tournament.

b. In the event a regional house team cannot roster the maximum number of players, then other AYSO registered players from that region may be added to the roster.  The roster must be comprised of at least 50% of the original house team.  All players must be from the same region. 

c. The Regional Commissioner’s signature is required on all rosters certifying compliance and accuracy.

d. Coaches are responsible for insuring the eligibility of their players and must have an AYSO registration form/medical release form, tournament approved roster, and picture AYSO ID cards signed by their Regional Commissioner for each player at all times. 

e. In the event that ID cards are not available, a recent picture of the player, with the players name, players birth date, and regional commissioners signature on the back may be attached to the player registration form.

f. All players must meet age guidelines set forth by AYSO for the regular season immediately preceding the tournament. 

g. Players may play up one division. No player may play on more than one team in the tournament. Players may not play down.  

h. Divisions will be divided into separate divisions for boys and girls. Co-ed teams will play in the boys division.

i. To be eligible for playoff games, players must have played in at least one of the preliminary games.

III. Registration

a. Team registration applications will be accepted in the order received, and based upon application postmark for those received via US mail.  A team becomes an official tournament entry only after payment of required registration fee and acceptance by the Tournament Board, or designated representative. The number of teams may be limited by available fields and available referees.

b. Registration deadline is May 23. Late registrations will not be accepted. The Tournament Board may make an exception if the Board determines that accepting a late registration is necessary to significantly enhance the tournament.

c. Registration Fee: $30 per player

d. Referees: Regions are encouraged to supply 4 referees to officiate 3 games.

e. Checks must be drawn from a AYSO regional account and be made payable to AYSO 1224—Lakeview AYSO Area 8A Tournament.

f. The Tournament Board will notify teams accepted for participation.

g. Any registered team accepted for participation in this tournament that elects not to participate in the tournament after the registration deadline will forfeit its entry fee.

h. Any team not accepted for participation will receive a full refund.

i. Roster changes must include two copies, each with an original Regional Commissioner signature, presented no later than 1 week prior.

j. Rosters must conform to the following maximum limits, except where an original house team’s roster exceeds this maximum. Then the original house team may attend in entirety.  No additional players may be added to an original house team that exceeds these limits:

i. U-10,  eleven (11) players and two (2) coaches.

ii. U-12,  thirteen (13) players and two (2) coaches.

iii. U-14,  fifteen (15) players and two (2) coaches.

iv. U-19,  twenty two (22) players and two (2) coaches.

IV. Team Check-in

a. Teams must check-in one hour prior to their first scheduled game. Coaches shall present themselves along with their entire team to the Tournament Board, or designee, at the tournament check-in area. Team rosters, AYSO player registration forms/medical release forms, coach and player ID cards, player’s equipment, and uniforms will be inspected.

b. Coaches shall keep a tournament approved roster, player registration forms/medical release forms, and ID cards for everyone listed on the roster with them throughout the tournament.

c. Properly completed lineup cards shall be presented to the referee prior to the start of each game. Each lineup card shall include the full name of all players, including their jersey number, as listed on the tournament approved roster.

d. All teams must recheck in at the check-in area each day of the tournament.

V. Tournament Format

a. The Tournament Board, or designee, will place all official tournament entry teams in brackets (groups) within their respective divisions.

b. All teams will play a minimum of three (3) games within their bracket.

c. Teams will earn points for games played in the following manner:

i. Win = 3 points

ii. Tie = 1 point

iii. Loss = 0 points

d. Forfeits will be recorded as a 2-0 win for the opposing team.

e. Games may end in a tie, except for semi-final and final games.

f. At the conclusion of preliminary games, all teams will be ranked within their division based upon the number of points earned.

g. For divisions with one bracket, the points ranking will determine the division winner.

h. For divisions with more than one bracket, teams will advance as follows:

i. Four (4) brackets 4—first place teams

ii. Three (3) brackets 3—first place teams and 1 wild card

iii. Two (2) brackets 2—first place teams and 2 second place teams

i. Wild card teams will be determined by ranking within their division based upon subsection c and h.  An adjustment will be made if bracketed teams do not play the same number of games. 

j. Among teams with the same number of points within a bracket when determining ranking, tie-breakers will be determined as follows:

i. Head to head competition (if the teams played each other)

ii. Total of Bonus Points earned.  Goals scored (max 3 per game) minus goals allowed (max 3 per game). 

Example:

Team A scored 5 and Team B scored 0 =Team A—3 bonus points

Team A scored 5 and Team B scored 1 =Team A—2 bonus points

Team A scored 5 and Team B scored 2 =Team A—1 bonus points

iii. Most goals scored.

iv. Least goals allowed.

v. Kicks from the penalty mark.

** Forfeited games will count as a 2-0 win and earn 2 bonus points.

k. Teams advancing to the semi-final games will be paired based on rankings with the 1st ranked team playing the 4th ranked team and the 2nd ranked team playing the 3rd ranked team

l. Teams winning the semi-final round will advance to the championship game to determine 1st and 2nd place.  Teams not winning will play for 3rd place.

m. Semi-final, consolation, and championship games ending in a tie, at the end of regulation play, shall determine a winner in the following manner.

i. Two overtime periods of ten (10) minutes [5 minutes in U10 Division] shall be played in their entirety.  (no golden goal)  All players shall participate in at least half of the overtime periods.

ii. If the game is still tied after the overtime periods, the match is decided by kicks from the penalty mark. Only players on the field at the end of the overtime shall participate in the penalty kicks.

VI. Games

a. Games will be played under the following guidelines.  Half time will be 5 minutes.

Division Size on Field Games    Final

U-10   7 v 7 2 – 20 min halves 2 – 25 min halves

U-12   9 v 9 2 – 25 min halves 2 – 30 min halves

U-14   11 v 11 2 – 25 min halves 2 – 35 min halves

U-19   11 v 11 2 – 25 min halves 2 – 40 min halves

b. All games shall be played as scheduled.  If the second half of the game has been started and the game is terminated due to weather, the game will be considered complete. 

c. Games must start at the scheduled time.  Players, coaches, and referees should check in at the field ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled game time.  During this time the referee, assistant referee, or designee will check the roster, lineup cards, ID cards, check equipment, and conduct the coin toss.

d. If a team is not on the field of play and ready to start the game within five (5) minutes of the scheduled time, the game may be deemed a forfeit.

e. A minimum of seven (7) players constitutes a U-14/19 team; six (6) in U-12; and five (5) players in U-10.  A game shall not be started or continued if one or both teams cannot field the minimum number of eligible players.  If a game cannot be started as a result of both teams being unable to field the minimum number of players, both teams will be assessed a 0-1 loss.If the game cannot be started as a result of one team unable to field the minimum number of players, the other team will be assessed a 2-0 forfeit win.  If a game cannot be continued because one team cannot field the minimum number of players; the other team will be assessed a 2-0 forfeit win or if ahead, the score at the time the game was stopped, whichever is greater.

f. The home team is the team listed first on the schedule.

g. The home team is required to provide a suitable game ball. In the event the home team can not provide a suitable game ball, the visiting team may provide a game ball.

h. Players and coaches shall occupy the player side of the field, and spectators shall occupy the other side.  Spectators shall remain one yard off the touchline.

i. Only two (2) coaches are allowed on the sideline and are restricted to the technical area, ten (10) yards from either side of the halfway line and one (1) yard off the touch line.

VII. Uniforms and Player’s Equipment

a. All uniforms and player’s equipment shall be in accordance with AYSO National Rules and Regulations.

b. Team uniforms must be similar in color and the back of the jersey be numbered according to the number on the team roster. The goalkeeper must have a contrasting jersey.

c. In the event of a conflict of colors in uniforms, the home team may be required to change uniforms.  This shall be determined by the referee.  The alternate uniforms do not need to be numbered.  Pinnies may be used.

d. Sleeve ties are not permitted.

e. Regulation soccer shoes, gym shoes, or sneakers are permissible.

f. Players shall not be allowed to participate in any game unless they are wearing appropriate shin guards.

g. Players shall not be allowed to participate in any game with any type of cast or splint.

h. Only prescription glasses will be allowed during a game.

i. Hats, caps, and bandanas are not allowed, except the goalkeeper may wear a soft brimmed cap.  Baseball style caps are not acceptable.

j. Jewelry, ear rings, and long nails will not be allowed.

VIII. Conduct of Players, Coaches, and Spectators

a. Any player, coach, or spectator who is asked to leave the field area (expelled) must immediately leave the game site and vicinity. In the event an individual refuses to leave, the referee shall terminate the game, resulting in a forfeit by the offending team. The forfeit shall be recorded as a 2 – 0 win for the opposing team or the score at the time of the termination, whichever is greater for the non offending team.

b. If a player is asked to leave the vicinity of the field, they must be accompanied by a parent or designated adult.

c. All yellow cards, red cards, and expulsions must be reported to the Tournament Board, or designee, immediately after the game has ended, by the referee.

d. A one-game suspension, of the following game, shall be imposed upon any red-carded player or coach or any player receiving two yellow cards during the tournament.  Upon review, more severe penalties may be imposed at the discretion of the Tournament Board.

e. At the Center Referee or Tournament Staff's discretion, any abusive or threatening behavior or language from a coach, parent or player will result in immediate removal, without warning. If a head coach is removed, an asst coach may take over for the team, or a volunteer with a a cleared background check and completed safety training so team may continue. In the event an appropriate volunteer cannot be found, the team will then result in a forfeit by the offending team. The forfeit shall be recorded as a 2 – 0 win for the opposing team or the score at the time of the termination, whichever is greater for the non offending team.

IX. Substitutions

a. All players in attendance at games must participate in accordance with AYSO guidelines.

b. Substitutions will take place midway between the first half and midway between the second half.  At these times the referee will halt the game for not longer than one (1) minute and allow substitutions.

c. Substitutions may also take place at half time.

d. U-19 divisions will use free-substitution with no ¼ break.

X. Injuries

a. All injuries must be reported to the Tournament Board, or designee.  The coach and referee must fill out the appropriate accident reports.

XI. Awards

a. Awards will be given to 1st , 2nd, 3rd and 4th place teams in each division.

b. Size and type of awards will be determined based upon the number of participating teams in each division.

XII. Field and Site Rules

a. Each team will be responsible for picking up trash and other debris from their sideline after each game.

b. No alcohol, tobacco product, or illegal drugs may be consumed at the tournament site.

c. No pets shall be allowed at the tournament site.

d. Artificial noisemakers, including, but not limited to, air horns, cowbells, drums, and megaphones shall not be allowed.

e. Tents, campers, and motor homes will be allowed only in designated areas. There shall be no overnight camping.

f. Players, coaches, and spectators shall conduct themselves in a manner that conforms to AYSO philosophies.

g. No golf carts or other motorized transport devices will be allowed at the fields or tournament areas.  Motorized devices used to assist handicapped persons and motorized devices used by tournament staff for tournament business will be allowed.

h. No pets will be allowed at the fields.

XIII. Protests

a. Protests of games are not permitted.  The decision of the referee is final.

b. Any discrepancies in scoring must be brought to the registration tent BEFORE semi-finals are announced. Once announced, no changes will be made.

XIV. Referees and Assistant Referees

a. The Tournament Board or designee shall assign referees and assistant referees.

b. Referees shall impose the Rules and Regulations of competition as defined by AYSO, FIFA Laws of the Game, and these Tournament Rules and Regulations.

c. The referee must forward properly completed and signed game cards and line up cards to the winning team coach, or respective coaches in case of a tie. It is the responsibility of the coach to turn in the completed game card to the tournament check-in area.

d. The Tournament Board will attempt to schedule referees such that referees will not referee games in which their child may be playing.

e. Each region is encouraged to supply at least 4 referees who will officiate at least 3 games each. Referee support from each region is essential to the success of this tournament.

XV. Registration Age Breakdown

a. The following chart applies to the AYSO official season which starts August 1 and concludes July 31 and is based on the age groupings in AYSO’s Rules and Regulations Age Chart. 

If a player that was born between 1/1/12 and 12/31/13 and played on a House 10U Team in the previous season, they can play in the Tournament.

XVI. Coach eligibility

a. Each team shall have no more than one coach and one assistant coach.  Coaches must remain in their team technical area.

Parents are not permitted to “coach” from the sidelines.

b. Each coach must have completed AYSO Safe Haven training and Concussion Training.

c. The head coach must be ASYO trained and certified for the division he/she is coaching. The assistant coach is encouraged to be properly trained but not required at this time.

d. The head coach is not required to be in attendance at each game but must be at the facility and be available.  The head coach is ultimately responsible for assuring that the assistant coach and team conduct themselves in accordance with AYSO rules, guidelines, and philosophies.