Event details:

ALL TEAMS REGISTER HERE

Event rules:

Rule I – Substitutions 

Substitutions will be unlimited, but may only be made with the referee’s permission at the following times: 

    1.  Prior to a throw-in for either team.

    2.  Prior to a goal kick by either team.

    3.  After a goal has been scored.

    4.  When play has been stopped by the referee for any reason. (Both teams are allowed unlimited substitutions in this situation with the referee’s permission).

    5.  At half time.

Rule II – Conduct

Players, coaches, managers, and team supporters are expected to conduct themselves within the Spirit of the Law as well as the Letter of the Law. Displays of temper, dissent by word or action against an opponent or the referee are cause for ejection from the game.

Rule III – Player Ejection and Caution

Should a player be ejected from a game by the referee, the player shall be suspended for the remainder of the game and for at least the next game his or her team is scheduled to play. Referees will report all ejections. Gross misconduct may result in a larger suspension. Any player ejected for a second time shall be suspended for the remainder of the tournament. Please note: two cautions in the same game are the equivalent of an ejection. Should a coach or team official be ejected from a game, the referee will report the incident to the Field Director. Ejected coaches, managers, etc. will be banned from the playing area for the balance of the game.

Rule IV – Position of Players/Spectators

Each team’s players and spectators will, where possible, take a position on opposite sides of the field and will be asked to remain a minimum of three yards from the touch line. Spectators or players will not be permitted behind the goal line while the game is in progress.

Rule V – Forfeits

A team will be allowed a five-minute grace period from the scheduled kick-off time for preliminary round games before the game is awarded to the opponent. A minimum of seven players constitutes a team. Only if there are less than seven players, can a delay in the kick-off be allowed. A team forfeit, for any reason, shall be scored 3-0. Forfeiture of a game makes a team ineligible to place first or second in their division.

Rule VI – Player Uniforms and Equipment

Teams must wear numbers on the backs of their shirts. Each player will have a different number and this number will coincide with the player’s name as shown on the team roster. In the event of team colors clashing, the home team, (the team listed first on the schedule), shall change colors. All player equipment is subject to the approval of the referee for each game. The tournament will supply all game balls.

Rule VII – Protests

There will be no protests. The Vale Board will act on rule violations as needed.  Three uniformed referees will be assigned in all full sided games for all divisions. The three-man system of control will be used. The referee is the sole arbitrator of the competition. His/Her duties and powers are specific. Decisions on point of fact connected with play shall be final, so far as the result of any game is concerned.

Rule VIII – Weather

In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Committee shall have the absolute authority to make changes as follows:

1. Relocate/reschedule any game

2. Change the duration of any game.

3. Cancel any preliminary game having no bearing on the outcome of the preliminary round.

4. Decide a game by kicks from the penalty spot if teams are currently tied 

Rule IX – Ball Size and Game Duration

The ball size and game duration are as follows:

Rule XIII – Determination of Division Winners

Scores will be entered but no Champion will be declared for the U9/U10 divisions.  Players of each U9/U10 team will receive an award.

In divisions U11 and older, total points earned shall determine final standings.  Each competitive division will have a winner based on the following point system.  Teams shall be ranked in the standings by the number of points they have been awarded.

• 3 points shall be awarded for a win.
• 1 point shall be awarded for a tie.
• 0 points shall be awarded for a loss.

In the event of a tie in the standings the following criteria shall be employed to break the tie or to successively eliminate teams in a tie involving two teams.

When using the tie breaking rules below, the sequence followed shall always be in ascending order (1 through 6) for the tied teams in order to eliminate team(s) from the tie and to determine standings.  *Never in the process shall the sequence revert to a lower numbered rule to determine standings.

1. For a two-team tie - Results of the tournament head-to-head game involving the two tied teams; if still tied or the teams have not played each other then proceed to Rule 2.  (Rule 1 is used first only for two-team ties.  If more than two teams are tied, Rule 2 shall be the first rule used to break the tie.)
2. Highest total goal differential among tied teams (Goals for minus goals against, for a maximum of 7 goals per game); if still tied then,
3. Most goals scored amongst the teams still tied (with maximum of 4 goals per game); if still tied then,
4. Least total goals against amongst the teams still tied (with maximum 4 goals per game); if still tied then,
5. Most shutouts recorded amongst the teams still tied; if still tied then,
6. Kicks from the penalty mark will be taken.  However, in the event that there is no field and goal available, weather related or diminishing light issues as determined by the Tournament Directors, a coin toss shall determine the winner.

Rule XIV – Heading the Ball & Players Safety

Players are not allowed to head the ball in U-12 and younger divisions.

The penalty for intentionally heading the ball is an indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the infringement.  If the infringement is within the goal/penalty area, the indirect kick shall take place at the point on the goal/penalty line parallel to the end line that is nearest to where the infringement occurred.

Concussions are a significant risk to soccer players

It is the responsibility of the players' coach (not TWIST, its members or referees) to assure that his/her players are medically fit for participation in tournament play.

It is strongly recommended that any player receiving a blow to the head be immediately removed from play by the coach to be evaluated for signs of, or reporting symptoms of, a concussion.

A coach should not allow a player to return to play after exhibiting signs or symptoms of a concussion until he/she has been evaluated and cleared in writing for return to play by a licensed physician trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.  Be vigilant, signs and symptoms of concussion can take some time to emerge.

In addition, it is the responsibility of coaches to prohibit a player from participating in play if they have knowledge of a concussion received from another activity outside of their direct authority.

Rule XV – Alcoholic Beverages

No alcoholic beverages will be permitted on any fields, sidelines, or parking lots. Violators will be asked to leave the tournament by the field marshals or the police. 

Rule XVI – Kick-off

The home team will take the kick-off and the visiting team will choose side of field.

Rule XVII – Definitive Scores and Rankings

All scores and rankings will be maintained at the Tournament Headquarters Tent and logged into GotSoccer for viewing on the GotSoccer app.  The Tournament Director shall endeavor to make corrections to GotSoccer in the case of any discrepancies.  All games shall have a maximum goal differential of 7.  If the margin of victory is greater than 7 it will still be recorded in GotSoccer as a 7 goal differential.  Scores that are posted by, and rankings that are electronically calculated by GotSoccer, are for the convenience of the players, coached and parents.  In the case where there are discrepancies between those scores and rankings posted on the official scoreboard the scores recorded at Headquarters shall take precedence.

Rule XVIII – Pets
Any pets in attendance at any of the complexes must be leashed.

Rule XIX - Smoking Prohibited

Smoking is prohibited at all - including sidelines and parking areas.