CAYSA RULES & REGULATIONS (printable version)

1. CONDUCT/ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

A.     Players, coaches, parents and spectators are expected to conduct themselves with the spirit of the game and display good sportsmanship.

 B.  Coaches are responsible for the conduct of the players, parents and spectators.  Abusive language, actions, critical/negative comments, temper and dissent by coaches, parents, players and spectators will not be tolerated!  The referee has the power to verbally warn, caution or dismiss the team coach(s) for the conduct of parents and spectators during this tournament.  Also the tournament director reserves the right to terminate the participation of a team in the tournament if the behavior of the coaches, players, parents and/or spectators creates a hostile and unsafe environment within the spirit of the game. 

C.  Players, coaches, parents, and spectators ejected from a game by the referee shall be ineligible to participate or watch the next game.  If this individual fails to leave the game, the referee may abandon/terminate the game.

D.  A player ejected (red carded) from a game for serious foul play cannot replaced and team will have to play short.  This also includes a player receiving a second yellow card.  That player will also be ejected, will not be able to play in the next game, and the team will have to play short.  No Soft Reds.  Vulgar language, spitting, violent conduct, intentional striking or kicking a player in an attempt to injure, a “take-down” from behind on a break away toward the goal, or inappropriate behavior directed at another player may result in a red card.   .  

            E.   Coaches or team officials may NOT address any member of the referee crew during play except for:

·        Responding to a referee initiated communication

·        Making a request for substitutions.

·        Pointing out emergencies or safety issues

·        To request clarification of any call provided THE REQUEST IS COURTEOUS AND NON-ARGUMENTATIVE.

F.      Alcohol in any form is not permitted at any of the field sites.

 

2. DIVISIONS

Coed Girls

	Coed	Girls
1st & 2nd Grade and born on or after 1-1-99	X	X
3rd Grade and born on or after 1-1-97	X	NA
4th Grade and born on or after 1-1-96	X	NA
3rd & 4th Grade and born on or after 1-1-96	NA	X
5th & 6th Grade and born on or after 1-1-94	X	X
7th & 8th Grade and born on or after 1-1-92	X	X
High School and born on or after 1-1-88

Grades 2-4 will play 8v8, two 25 minute halves, max roster of 14 and shall use a #4 ball. All other divisions will play 11v11, two 30 minute halves, max roster of 18. 5th & 6th grade will use a # 4 ball and 7th & 8th grade will use #5 balls. Halftime periods will be five minutes.

3. REGISTRATION/ELIGIBILITY

A. Prior to play, each team shall submit a roster and proper verification of each players birth date and age (birth certificate and grade card copies or grade verification from school principal) to the tournament director. Roster changes shall be submitted to tournament director before the first game.

B. All players must be at or below the grade division entered to be eligible to play in division. They must also not be older than the age limits as established by the preceding birthdates.

C. Players are allowed to play on only one team during the tournament no matter whether the teams are in different age divisions or not. If a player is rostered on more than one team and participates for each team, the tournament committee shall determine which team is proper. A team will forfeit any game in which the ineligible player participated. If the player played on two teams in same division, then both teams will forfeit the games the player played in.

D. A team using an ineligible player will forfeit all games in which that player competed.

E. Each age group may be broken into 2 or more divisions, depending on the number of teams that register.

F. This tournament is for recreational players only and each roster must designate the recreational league that the team is affiliated with and an official from that league must verify that the members of the team are so affiliated.

G. The Tournament Committee is not responsible for expenses incurred by a registered team if the tournament is canceled in whole or part. Once a team is accepted and later withdraws, their entry fee is forfeited

4. SCORING AND TIE BREAKERS

A. Scoring: six points for win, three points for a tie and one point for each goal scored in a game up to a maximum of three.

B. Tie Breakers :

1. Head to head play;
2. Games won (if teams play equal number of games);
3. Least goals allowed;
4. Shut-outs;
5. Goal differential, to a maximum of four goals per game (positive or negative);
6. Goals scored (maximum of four per game);
7. Penalty kicks (see below)

C. Tie Breakers in Final and Semi-Final Games:

1. Two five minute periods of sudden death overtime (golden goal)
2. If still tied-best of five penalty kicks by five players from each team. Only players on the field at end of overtime will be eligible to take penalty kicks.
3. Team winning the coin toss shall have option of ball or end of field and if to kick first or second with penalty kicks.
4. If still tied-alternate penalty kicks by the balance of each team until a decision is reached.

5. SUBSTITUTIONS

A.     Either team may substitute: 1)  after a goal has been scored; 2) at the beginning of the second half of play or second half of overtime; 3) at the time of any injury or yellow card; 4) prior to a goal kick; 5) during a throw in.  The non throwing team may only sub, if the throwing team desires to sub, and they are at the halfway line. 

B.     At the time of a penalty kick, a goalkeeper may be replaced by a player presently on the field. 

C.     Players substituting into the game must be standing at the midfield line and be ready to enter when substitution is called.

6. GENERAL RULES

A. Games will be played in accordance with the laws of FIFA unless otherwise noted.

B. Prior to the start of the game referees will inspect all players for proper/illegal equipment. Players are required to wear shin guards and must be completely covered by players sock. Only soft casts are permitted. No metal cleats, baseball/softball cleats or jewelry is allowed

C. A coin toss will occur at the start of the game. The team who wins the coin toss will automatically choose the goal to attack. Loser of the toss will kick-off.

D. A minimum of 7 players is needed to start a game (5 players for grades 2-4). A team shall forfeit the game if the minimum number of players cannot be fielded within 10 minutes of scheduled starting time or within 10 minutes of the coin toss. The winning team will be awarded nine points with a score of 3-0. All other teams that play the forfeiting team will also receive nine points.

E. Teams and spectators will be on opposite sides of the field. Spectators will be prohibited from watching behind goal line. Coaches must stay on the side of the field with their team.

F. Please note in 2nd grade there will be no offsides and all kicks will be indirect. Referees will have the ability to correct flagrant "cherry picking" and may advise coach to correct the situation. Misconduct cards (yellow or red) will be applied as warranted.

G. When play is stopped for an injured player, that player must be substituted. If the player has received a blow to the head or neck, has been knocked out, or otherwise appears dazed, that player may not return to the game or any following game without a medical physicians or parents written permission. There will be no exceptions.

H. Goalkeeper will be allowed 6 seconds to punt or throw-out. Goalkeepers may not handle the ball on a throw-in from their own team, or a ball intentionally kicked by a player of the same team. An indirect kick shall be awarded to the offensive team at the point where a goalkeeper handles (picks up or stops with a hand) an intentional pass or throw-in from a player of the same team. A substitute goalkeeper entering a game must report to the referee.

I. The referee will only call handballs if he/she determines that the handball was deliberate/intentional. Girls are permitted to place their arms across their chest for protection. However, any outward movement of the arms to play the ball is an infraction, and the opposing team shall be awarded a direct kick or penalty kick.

J. Game length may be shorted by the Tournament Committee, Referee Supervisor or Field Referees due to dangerous weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances. A game shall be considered final if a complete half has been played.

K. The home team will be the team listed first on the schedule. The home team will be responsible for change of jerseys when conflicts of colors occur as determined by the referee. Game balls will be provided by the home team with referee approval.

L. There will be no protests allowed, except to question player eligibility. The tournament committee's interpretation of the foregoing rules and regulations shall be final. Tournament director and/or committee will make final decision on all appeals and other matters regarding conduct of a successful tournament.