The primary purpose of this tournament is to enable as many youths from our community as are eligible to participate in soccer with youths from other communities at the highest level of play possible in an atmosphere conducive to fair play and good sportsmanship.

 

This competition is open to accepted teams composed of eighteen or fewer players meeting the age requirements of the listed divisions as set forth by the USYSA and the NJYSA. Each team must be registered with the USYSA or national equivalent. Teams from outside the state of New Jersey must have a copy of a valid “Permission to Travel”form approved and signed by the appropriate parties. Proof of age for all roster players is required in the form of a current “Youth Player Registration” form.

 

3) Roster 

A final and complete roster must be submitted at registration before the start of the team’s first tournament game. NO CHANGES WILL BE PERMITTED TO THIS ROSTER. Only players listed on this roster will be permitted to participate in this tournament. NO PLAYER WILL BE PERMITTED TO PLAY FOR TWO TEAMS FROM THE SAME OR DIFFERENT CLUB DURING THIS TOURNAMENT. Each team shall be permitted a maximum of three guest players, provided they are carded through the same club as the participating team for which they play. In case of hardship, the limitations on guest players may be waived, in the sole discretion of the Tournament Director, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Tournament Director, except under no circumstances shall more than three quest players be allowed. No inter-club teams, recreational or recreational plus teams, or Classic League teams shall be permitted.

 

All games shall take place unless inclement weather makes playing fields and/or play hazardous. If a game cannot be finished because of inclement weather, it will be considered a complete contest. The Referee and/or the Tournament Director shall reserve, and have the right to cancel or terminate a game because of inclement weather. The Tournament Director shall reserve, and have the right to cancel the Tournament, in whole or in part, because of inclement weather.

 

If the tournament is cancelled for any reason before the start of the tournament a refund of 80 percent of a team’s entry fees will be made. The reason for cancellation might include weather, field usage, or sponsoring organization management decision.

 

It is sincerely hoped that NO games will be forfeited during this tournament, as the expressed purpose of this tournament is to encourage good sportsmanship and participation in as much soccer as possible during the weekend. In the event that a team must forfeit, the following rules shall apply: A. A team shall be allowed a ten minute grace period after the scheduled kick-off time before the game is awarded to their opponent. For Division 4 and above, a minimum of eight (8) players constitute a team. For Divisions 5 and 6, a minimum of six (6) players constitutes a team. B. In no case shall a team that has forfeited a game be declared “group winner”. The group winner shall be the team having played all scheduled games that has the next best record. C. A game forfeited shall be declared a 2-0 score.

 

Prior to the scheduled starting time of each game, the Referee shall inspect all players for apparel. At the same time, each team shall designate team captain(s). The captains for both teams shall meet with the Referee for a coin toss to determine which team shall have the choice of kicking-off or defending a certain goal in the first half. The visiting team captain shall call the coin toss.

  

All games shall be played in accordance with the FIFA Laws except as specifically modified by the rules of competition.

 

A. Ball size – All game balls will be supplied. Division 4, 5 and 6 shall play with a #4 ball. Division 3 shall play with a #5 ball. B. Corner Kicks – All divisions shall play a standard (long) corner kick. C. Substitutions – Substitutions without limit may be made at the following times with the permission of the Referee:

1. After a goal has been scored.

2. At the beginning of the second half.

3. At the goal kick when either team has possession.

4. At a throw-in when the throw-in team has possession.

5. When a player receives a “caution” from the Referee (opposing team shall be permitted an equal number of substitutions).

6. At the Referee’s discretion in case of injury (opposing team shall be permitted an equal number of substitutions). THERE SHALL BE NO SUBSTITUTIONS FOR A PLAYER “RED CARDED” FROM THE FIELD OF PLAY. D. Goalkeepers – All current FIFA rules shall apply. E. Length of Games – All games shall consist of two 30 minute halves, except U-8 games, which will consist of two 25 minute halves. All games will have a 10 minute halftime.

 

The tournament will be responsible for field markings, goals, nets, corner flags, game balls and referees.

 

A. All teams’ players must wear acceptable and nominally identical uniforms consisting of a shirt/jersey/t-shirt, shorts, socks and suitable footwear. All uniforms shall be appropriately numbered. Goalkeepers must wear a uniform distinctly different from the other players on both teams. The Referee shall direct the removal of any apparel that, in his opinion, may be dangerous. B. In the event of a uniform color clash, the designated home team will change colors.

 

Both teams shall be responsible for reporting to the Field Coordinator the score of their game. Report sheets are to be signed by one official from each team after the game is completed along with the Referee’s signing the same report.

 

It may be necessary for each team to provide a lineperson as required by the Referee.

 

A. Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the game as well as the letter of the law. Displays of offensive language, temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and the field of play. Coaches shall be held responsible for the conduct of all persons on their team and those supporting their team.

B. NJSYSA rules apply for yellow and red cards. Two yellows (even if different games) lead to ejection from the game and suspension of next game. Ejection in last game will result in suspension from next league game as reported to respective state associations.

C. Players, coaches and team officials ejected from a game by the Referee shall be automatically suspended for the following game and, depending on the violation, may be suspended for more games as determined by the “Rules Committee”.

D. Only the Referee may suspend play or abandon the game. If the Referee abandons a game on account of misconduct by players, coaches or spectators of one team, a victory shall be awarded to the opposing team with the score being 2-0.

E. Substitutes will be required to remain seated on their bench or behind same and coaches shall remain in front of their bench, on their half of the field and 15 yards from the end line.

THERE WILL BE NO PROTESTS! JUDGEMENT(S) OF THE REFEREE(S) CANNOT BE CONTESTED. All decisions of the Referee are final and binding.

 

 

Win – 5 points Tie – 2 points Loss – 0 points Goals – 1 per- up to 3 per game. Win all 4 games – 5 bonus points. A. A game may end in a tie. B. If at the end of Sunday play, there is a tie for either first or second place, the tie shall be broken as follows:

1.       Result of tournament head to head play (omit if a three-way tie).

2.       Most wins.

3.       Net of total goals scored less total goals against (Maximum of 3 per game).

4.       Least goals scored against.

5.       Penalty kick shootout (for Div.IV); All penalty kick shootouts will be at 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Cougar Field. Any player on the roster may be a shooter or the goalkeeper.

6.       All Division V & VI teams are non results oriented.

 

The Rules Committee shall consist of the following members: Tournament Director, Head Referee, Chatham United Soccer President.

 

A. The Rules Committee and Chatham United Soccer will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team if the tournament is canceled in whole or in part for any reason. Further more, the Rules Committee’s interpretation of the foregoing rules and regulations shall be final and the Rules Committee reserves the right to decide on the all matters pertaining to the Tournament.

B. If the Tournament is cancelled, in whole, because of rain or inclement weather, there will be an 80 percent refund of Tournament fees.

C. If the Tournament is postponed or rescheduled 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.

D. All players, coaches, and team officials must be insured by their own club while participating in this Tournament. Each team must also have medical release forms for the protection of their players.

E. There will be no general awards ceremony; trophies and participation awards will be awarded within one hour after the end of the final game in each group.

F. Any person operating a golf cart at the Tournament must have a valid New Jersey Drivers License.