Annual SWFL Winter Tournament & Rec All Star Invitational

Tournament Rules & Regulations

This Tournament shall be open to clubs who are member of Southwest Florida Soccer Association. Only teams playing SWFL is eligible to play. The Tournament will accept Rec-All-star teams from members of SWFL.

Participation in the SWFL Spring Classic is open to accepted teams consisting of players meeting the age limit and roster size of the specified division. Age divisions are based on birth year per US Soccer guidelines.

The teams (U8-U15 boys and girls) will be comprised of properly registered youth players in all age groups indicated in the Tournament Rules, provided such team is in good standing.
Tournament fees — $150.00
Tournament Officials shall conduct all credential checks: 1 Hour Prior to First game

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY 
· The players and bench personnel must present picture identification cards issued by the team’s Federation Organization member
· Identification cards must be verified, photo attached, and laminated
· Teams must provide a certified/approved tournament roster from the team’s Federation Organization.
Guest player(s) —

***** No “WRITE IN” Guest players

*****No A team player can guest play on a B team

***** Guest players limit (4) per team

**** Guest player(s) cannot come from teams playing in a competitive league outside SWFL unless they have been rostered to a team competing in the SWFL League at the beginning of the season or have been primary rostered to such over the course of a season.

A player may compete for only one team participating in the tournament. In the event a player is found to have been rostered to more than one team in the tournament, both teams shall be deemed as the teams that fielded an ineligible player. Any team fielding an ineligible player will be disqualified from the tournament

TOURNAMENT CHECK IN PROCEDURES

Pre-Tournament Check-in All Teams

• Team Check in will be NOT LATER than one hour before your first scheduled game at the  KELLY ROAD SOCCER CLUBHOUSE UPSTAIRS
• ***It is highly recommended and encouraged that you check in Friday night (5:30pm-7:30pm), (Especially…..if your team is scheduled for the first game Saturday Morning!!
• Each team’s coach/manager will present  (1) copy of the FYSA Approved Tournament Roster along with Laminated FYSA Birth Verified Player and Coach Passes with photo & Medical Release Form for each player.  Please have these items in alphabetical order to help expedite check in. 
• Player Pass Identification cards will be checked against the Approved Tournament and Generated Game Cards.
• Under no circumstance will non laminated or missing picture cards be approved. The player will be ineligible to play.
• Likewise, all roster must contain Jersey Numbers for each player

Pre-Game Check-in All Teams

• All teams need to be at their respective game field no less than 30 minutes before each
• scheduled match.
• A player who arrives late to a match may not enter that match until the game officials verify the player is eligible and the center referee permits the player to enter the match.
• Before each game, player passes will be verified again by game officials against the Approved Tournament Participation Roster and Game Card
• Each manager/coach (or assistant) must have a valid coach’s pass. If a manager or coach is ejected, an assistant properly registered may conduct the team. If the assistant is ejected, or if there is no assistant, the game will be forfeited.
• Each team is limited to 3 coaches on the bench, all of which must be listed on the team roster. In no case will a team be allowed to participate without a properly registered coach or assistant.
• The shirt number of each player must be the same as the player’s shirt on the tournament roster. If not, the referee is not to allow the player to take part in the match until the numbers are the same.
• Only at the pre-game procedure may a player be challenged by an opposing manager/coach. Challenged player(s)will be noted by the Referee on the game report and will be allowed to participate in the game (if said player has been certified as eligible by the Southwest Florida Tournament Committee).
• A late arriving player may be challenged at the time he/she can participate by the Referee.  ANY TEAM USING AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER WILL FORFEIT ALL TOURNAMENT MATCHES PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

PLAYER AND AGE ELIGIBILITY:

• For this tournament, the age classifications are as follows:

AGE DETERMINATION:

CONCUSSIONS:

• Pursuant to Florida Statutes (FS 943.0438) Florida in 2012 enacted a very stringent Head injury and Concussion Law. If the referee (or assistant referee) believes that, in her/her opinion, a player has suffered a head injury or possible concussion, the match must be stopped IMMEDIATELY.
• The injured player if able to leave the field on their own must be escorted to their coach, and the coach must be told that the player cannot return for the duration of the match. If a trainer is brought onto the field because the player is incapacitated, the referee must still notify the coach that the player cannot return to the game. It is the responsibility of the coach and the player’s parent(s) or legal guardians to seek medical attention.
• The player may not resume participation until he/she has been cleared by a medical doctor. The Referee HAS NO FURTHER responsibility beyond removing the player from the match in which the player was injured. The referee crew must ensure, that UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES or due to the appeal from any coaching staff that the player is allowed to return to the game.

 HEADING GUIDELINES:

• Deliberate heading is not allowed in age groups U12 and younger
• If a U12 or younger player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense.
• If the deliberate header of a U12 or younger player occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infraction occurred.

Brackets of Play

• Bracket of Four: Played as a single group of four teams in a round robin format, with the two teams accumulating the most points advancing to the final.

• Bracket of Five: Played as a single group of five teams with all teams playing two games on Saturday  . The team accumulating the most points will advance to the Final.  Sunday – #4 vs #5  , Semi – Final  #2 vs #3 .

• Bracket of Six: Played as two groups of three teams. Each team will crossover and play one team from the other group. The two teams accumulating the most points (Wildcard 1 and Wildcard 2) from all six teams will advance to the finals to determine which team is the champion. It is possible that the finalists could have played each other already.

• Bracket of Seven: Bracket A will have three teams. Bracket B will have four teams. On Saturday, each team will play two group games. On Sunday, Bracket A#3 will play Bracket B#4 in the Silver Semi-Finals. The winner of the Silver Semi-Finals will play Bracket B#3 in the Silver
Final (5th place game). There will be no awards given to teams in the Silver Final (5th place game). Bracket A#1 will play Bracket B#2 and Bracket A#2 will play Bracket B#1 in the SemiFinals. The winner of the Semi-Finals will play in the Final.

• Bracket of Eight: Played as two groups of four. The winner of each round robin group will play a final game to determine the Champion and Finalist.

• Bracket of Nine: 3 groups of 3. Each team play 2 games within the posted bracket. Second day. #8 vs #9, #6 vs #7 , #5 vs winner 6-7 , Semifinal 1 A vs C , Semi Final 2 B vs best WC, Final ; Semifinal winners

LAWS OF THE GAME

All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws, except as specifically modified by these rules.

LAW 1

Offside, will be enforced in all age divisions, except for 4v4 games

LAW 2: The Ball U8, U9, U10, U11, U12 Size #4 (23-24 in., 11-12 oz.) All Others Size #5 (27-28 in., 14-16 oz.)

LAW 3: Number of Players

U13 – U15 Max Roster (19), U11 – U12 Max Roster (16) ,U9 & U10 Max Roster (13) U8 (4v4) Max Roster (8)

Substitutions shall be unlimited, unless otherwise specified by tournament administrators. Teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission. Substitutes must wait on the sideline (off of the field of play) until the field player has left the field of play and/or the referee has indicated the substitute may enter the field of play. Substitutions by either Team are allowed at any stoppage of play with the permission of the referee

LAW 4: Player Equipment
Player equipment must conform to FIFA rules. Shin guards must be worn under socks by all the players, be approved material and offer a reasonable degree of protection. Orthopedic casts are not permitted; however, soft braces can be worn with written approval from a doctor, and judgment as to safety is at the discretion of the referee. A player may be removed from the game at any time if the referee determines that the player is using or is attempting to use a brace to injure other players.
Teams will wear uniforms of matching design and color with a minimum of six-inch numbers affixed to the back of the uniform shirt. No two players may have identical uniform numbers while participating in any match.
A. In the event of similar team colors, the designated home team will be required to change to a color accepted by the referee.
B. The uniform of the goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of both competing teams and the referee.

It is the policy of FYSA that no player be allowed to wear ANY jewelry while participating in any FYSA sanctioned match. The only exception that may be allowed is a medical alert bracelet or necklace when taped to the body. The referee shall decide as to the safety of the player, and the referee’s decision is final.

LAW 5: The Referee
The referees are required to submit a completed, official game report to the site director containing information relating to any game incidents involving players, coaches, spectators, misconduct and injuries. Referees will not be paid before any required post-game reports have been submitted. In the event the assigned referees fail to appear and the assignor and/or site director fails to provide a replacement, the senior assigned referee shall assume the duties and shall find an alternate assistant referee. The duties of the assistant referee shall be limited. The game will be played as scheduled and will be deemed official.

LAW 6: The Assistant Referee
Two assistant referees will be used. In the event the assigned assistant referee fails to appear, the referee must find a suitable assistant. The game will be played as scheduled and be deemed official.

Duration of the Games – U16  2 x 40 = 80 mins.   U13  2 x 35 = 70 mins.  U11 and U12  2 x 30 = 60 mins.  U8,U9 and U10  2 x 25 = 50 mins

Mercy Rule: All games will be subject to a mercy rule of an 8-goal differential at any time after the completion of the first half.

No -over time in Semi’s or Finals/ PK’s to determine winner of semi or final if tied after regulation

In any FYSA sanctioned match a break will be given at the midpoint of each half of regulation time and at the end of each overtime period (if played) for player hydration. This break will be given at a normal stoppage of play and it is mandatory for any FYSA sanctioned match during which the air temperature is expected to reach eighty-five (85) degrees. This break will be a maximum of one (1) to two (2) minutes of time.

DETERMINATION OF GROUP WINNERS
• Group Winners will be determined by the following game point system, with a maximum of 3 points awarded for a single game: Win 3 points Tie 1 points Loss 0 points • If a tie in points exists between teams, the following tie-breaker rules apply:
a) Head to Head competition (not applicable if more than 2 teams tied on points); then
b) Net Goal Differential (total goals scored less total goals allowed) with a maximum differential of +/- four (4) per game; then
c) Most Goals scored with a maximum of four (4) per game.
d) Least Goal allowed, Then
e) Penalty Kicks per FIFA rules

FORFEIT
A forfeit will be scored 4-0. An abandoned game is recorded as a forfeit and will be scored 4-0.

CONTROL OF SIDELINE CONDUCT
Players, reserve players, managers, coaches, and fans are expected to conduct themselves within the letter and spirit of “the laws of the game” and comply with FYSA’S Code of Ethics. The site director has the authority and the responsibility to remove any person from the tournament for abuses of conduct, in addition to any specific disciplinary action brought about by any other authority. In addition to good manners, the following rules will apply to this tournament.

The site director will designate one sideline to be the sole use of the players listed on the game roster and three managers/coaches from each teams. While the game is in progress, the manager/coach and the reserve players must remain on their respective benches and may not roam the sidelines.
The site director will designate the opposite sideline for the spectators.

Managers/Coaches will be responsible for the behavior of their fans and the referee will have the authority to warn and ultimately send off any coach whose fans behave in an abusive or disruptive manner.

POST-GAME PROCEDURES

As mutual courtesy, both teams will meet at the center circle and congratulate each other for a game well played. Manager/Coach of both teams will insure their respective sideline areas are clean and that all trash is in containers.

At the end of each game, a team representative must sign/initial the game report prior to collecting the player cards, with the exception of any players or coaches sent off, from the referee or field marshal. The ultimate responsibility of collecting the passes from the referee lies with the coach/manager of the teams participating.

A completed injury report will be submitted to the tournament director complete with scores and supplemental report for send offs, injuries, or special circumstances that need explanation.

ARTIFICIAL NOISE-MAKING DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED.

DISCIPLINE
It shall be solely the team’s responsibility to determine the status of its players. Any suspension from a tournament, local league, etc. is the responsibility of the team to notify the Tournament Director of this suspension at the time of the player’s check-in.

Per Florida Youth Soccer Association Rule 504.1- Red Card suspension or send off suspensions can only be served with the team with which the suspension was earned in games played by their team. Players may not serve suspensions as “guest players.”

The Tournament Committee shall have a Disciplinary Committee of no less than three (3) members. The Disciplinary Committee will review and rule on all reports of unacceptable conduct by Managers/Coaches, players, referees, spectators, etc. using the FYSA standards as set by Rules Section 502.
All players and Managers/Coaches shall be subject to FYSA Section 502 – Discipline and Sanctions.

A player or Manager/Coach ejected will have a minimum of one (1) game suspension regardless of the ejection.

Depending on the severity of the unacceptable conduct, the Disciplinary Committee may recommend the suspension of up to the duration of the tournament with further disciplinary action by the appropriate state or national association. The Disciplinary Committee recommendations must be available to the affected parties prior to the start of the next scheduled game.

At the conclusion of the tournament, passes will be returned to the coach (even if suspension has not been completed). A complete report will be sent to the appropriate State Association within 72 hours of the conclusion of the tournament for possible further discipline.

PROTESTS
No protests will be accepted. All disputes will be resolved by the Tournament Director.

EXTERNAL CONDITIONS, WEATHER, etc.
In the event unusual conditions necessitate the rescheduling, curtailment or cancellation of games, the Tournament Committee shall have absolute authority to make the changes in order to best serve the interests by a certain time period.

In any FYSA sanctioned match a break will be given at the midpoint of each half of regulation time and at the end of each overtime period (if played) for player hydration. This break will be given at a normal stoppage of play and it is mandatory for any FYSA sanctioned match during which the air temperature is or is expected to reach eighty-five (85) degrees.

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL CEREMONY

Following the completion of each championship game, the two competing teams will present themselves to the Game Site Coordinator for awards.

GENERAL
The Tournament Committee, FYSA and/or host affiliate will not be responsible for any expense incurred by any team due to cancellation in part or whole of this tournament.

The Tournament Committee’s interpretation on the foregoing rules and regulations shall be final.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide all tournament matters.

If not enough teams are realized within a single age bracket, the Tournament Director shall notify the participants as soon as possible and those participants will be given the option to play up or to receive a full refund.

The Tournament Committee has the responsibility to uphold any previous suspension imposed by FYSA/US Youth Soccer.

The Tournament Committee agrees to have a copy of the Tournament Rules at all game site

NO PROTESTS SHALL BE ENTERTAINED All teams must comply with the 2020 Tournament Rules and The Tournament Committee has the final decision on any unresolved issues