Competition Rules

 

1.        Each team must supply two game balls.  The referee will choose 3 balls to be used for the game.   One ball will be placed behind each goal and may be placed in play at any time the ball goes out of play for a distance that would delay the game.  The retrieved ball will then be placed in reserve behind the net.  Each team is responsible to provide one (1) person to retrieve balls over the goal line when the reserve ball is put into play. Coaches are responsible for retrieving their game balls after the match.  

 

2.         Teams must be present, checked in by the referee, and ready to play by the scheduled match time with a minimum of 6 players for U10/12 teams and a minimum of 7 players for all other ages. All players must present a current USYSA player pass. If teams are not present, checked in by the  referee, are not ready to play, or if player passes are not present 15 minutes after the scheduled game time, the match will be declared a forfeit.

 

3.          FIFA –Laws of the Game and rules established by USYSA and SDSSA will be the official playing rules.  Substitutions shall be unlimited and may be made with THE CONSENT OF THE REFEREE AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES:

1. Prior to a throw-in in your favor, or if the team in possession of the throw in is substituting as well.

2. Prior to a goal kick by either team.

3. After a goal by either team.

4. After an injury by either team when the referee stops play and allows the substitution.

5. At half time. 

4      Player’s equipment and apparel:

1. Shoes:  (no toe cleats allowed).

2. Shin Pads: (in the opinion of the referee must be size appropriate for the individual

3. Socks: Must completely cover the shin pad.

4. Shirts:  Members of each team shall wear shirts of the same color and similar style.  If, in the opinion of the referee, the colors between team shirts cannot be easily distinguished, the home team will have the responsibility for changing.  Goal-keepers must wear a shirt that is easily distinguished from their team, the opponent’s, and the official’s shirts.

5. Shorts or other pants acceptable to the referee.

6. Any protective equipment worn by a player must be well padded and the player must have a letter of consent to play from his/her doctor.  All padding, wrapping, etc., must be approved by the State Referee Administrator or his/her designee.

7. Except as allowed for medical or religious purposes, ALL JEWELRY, INCLUDING ANY PIERCINGS, MUST BE REMOVED.

8. Hats:   Only goal-keepers may wear a hat provided it has a soft brim and, in the opinion of the referee, is safe.

9. Headbands:  Stretch type headbands may be worn.  No headband may be worn which is knotted.  

5      THE REFEREE’S DECISIONS ARE FINAL.

 

6      Any question regarding the age of a player shall be handled in the following manner:

The coach questioning the age of an opponent’s player shall notify the referee prior to the start of the game that he/she wants to check the age after the game and will note the player’s number.  The game will proceed on time.  After the game is concluded, the coach will go to the tournament headquarters and request the information.  Birth certificates for that team will be secured and the player’s specific age will be shown to the coach.  If the player is ineligible, his/her team will forfeit any games already played.  If the information is intentionally not made available for that team’s player, the entire team will be removed from the tournament. 

 

7         Any protest will be filed in writing within one hour of the completion of the game with a member of the SDSSA Recreational Committee at the tournament headquarters.  Protests shall state all pertinent information and be signed by the coach.  The referee report will be forwarded to the tournament director.  A fifty-dollar fee shall accompany the protest, which will be returned if the protest is sustained. A representative from the opposing team will be notified.  The Recreational Committee Chair shall choose 3 representatives from the committee to hear and decide the matter.  Their decision shall be final.

 

8         Home team is listed first on the schedule. Home team must change jerseys if both teams have similar colors.

 

9         Both teams will be on the same side of the field, as designated. The spectators will be on the opposite side of the field.  The home teams will the take north/east coaching box of the players’ side with the visitors in the south/west coaching box of the players’ side of the field.

 

10      Any team not showing up for scheduled game without good reason will be eliminated from the tournament.

11     Players with active bleeding must leave the field of play until the bleeding is controlled and covered as appropriate.

12     Scoring will be FIFA rules for round robin play:

              WIN – 3 points

              TIE – 1 point

              LOSS – 0 points

              FORFEIT – 3 points and recorded score of 3-0

      In the event teams are tied on the basis of points earned at the end of pool play, the team’s placement will be determined in accordance with the following sequential criteria:

1. Head to head competition

2. Winner of most games.

3. Goal differential (goals scored minus goals allowed up to a maximum of three goals per game)

4. Fewest goals allowed.

5. Kicks from the penalty mark.

6. Coin toss 

Note: If more than two teams are tied, the sequence will be followed until one team is eliminated. The remaining teams will then restart the sequence at point “a”, until the tie is broken.

13      Format of play:

1. All teams will be randomly placed into brackets, care will be taken to ensure teams from the same organization do not play in the opening rounds, if possible.

2. Play will continue until Single Division Champions are crowned. U8 division and U10 Academy division teams will play in festival format.

3. If a match is tied at the end of regulation of play during playoffs the USYSA rules will be applied using overtime periods. Overtime periods are GOLDEN GOAL, meaning the match ends when either team scores within either overtime period. If teams are still tied after overtime periods, the FIFA “Kicks from the Penalty Mark” procedure will be used. Overtime periods will be as follows: U10 – U12 – U14 – U16 – U19 – two (2) five (5) minute halves.

14      Positive coaching, in moderation, from the sidelines is encouraged. However, this is restricted to the head coach and within the coaching box. If not marked, the coaching box is considered to be 10 yards either side of the bench, but not beyond the center line extended. Other behavior is covered under FIFA, including the coach’s responsibility for the conduct of team parents.

15      Games rained out may be decided by FIFA “Kicks from the Penalty Mark” if rescheduling is not possible.

16     A red carded player or a coach who is sent off must leave the immediate playing area for the remainder of that game and the next scheduled game for that team. Further action may be taken if deemed necessary by the tournament committee. NOTE: The ban on foul language will be strictly enforced by tournament officials.

17      Duration of games: all games will have 2 equal periods and will play as follows with a maximum 10 minute half time intermission:

1. U8 – 4-8 minute quarters

2. U10 – 25 minute halves

3. U12 – 30 minute halves

4. U14 – 35 minute halves

5. U16 – 40 minute halves

6. U19 – 45 minute halves

An unfinished game, due to any cause, shall be replayed providing neither team is at fault nor play has not begun in the second half. If play is stopped during the second half and if play cannot be resumed and providing neither team is at fault, the game may be deemed as complete by the tournament committee. If the game is halted at any time due to one of the teams being judged at fault, it shall be at the discretion of the tournament committee as to whether the game will be replayed or declared a forfeit. If necessary, the tournament committee reserves the right to shorten half time intermissions. If necessary, the tournament committee reserves the right to change the length of each half. Notification of any time changes will be given to each team prior to the start of play, in which the time is being changed.

18      For clarification of these rules, contact the tournament director or his/her designee. The tournament committee will make decisions about issues that may arise during the competition. Decisions of the tournament committee will be final. The tournament committee will consist of a geographical selection, if possible, of five (5) members in any combination of the SDSSA board of directors.

19     No player may play on more than one team at the South Dakota Midcontinent Cup, unless an exception has been granted prior to the start

of the tournament by the recreational committee.

20     A team which either (1) drops from the tournament after May 20, 2011, or (2) which forfeits one or more matches during the tournament will be fined an additional $200.