All tournament games will be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as issued by FIFA, unless otherwise modified by the following rules. These supplemental rules express the intent of the Tournament Committee, and are designed as a guide for all participants. These rules may be further interpreted/ clarified by tournament officials.

1. ELIGIBILITY

All players must have been born on or after January 1st of their age group classification (See USYS "Birth Year and Season Matrix" for details). Proof of birth date will be via USSF or Certified State Association player passes (classic teams only). All teams and players must be properly registered and in good standing with their State or National Soccer Association. No player will be allowed to be registered with more than one team, or to be transferred from one team to another during the Tournament.

2. REGISTRATION

Teams need to submit an official roster and a medical waiver signed by the parent of each team member.  These items need to be in a digital format, .pdf or image file is perfect.   Email these items to [email protected]

Coaches, send a representative to the Madison Youth Soccer Tent to confirm roster and waiver completion and receive player gifts and sportsmanship awards.

3. ROSTERS

Coaches will have an official certified roster and player passes available for inspection at each of their matches. The rosters must properly identify players & coaches (managers). Jersey numbers for each player must be listed on the roster. U10, U11, and U12 Teams will be allowed up to two (2) guest players. U13, U14, and U15 Teams will be allowed up to three (3) guest players. Guest players shall be of the appropriate age (birth year) for the team that they are playing. In the event that any player is added to the team after registration, or that an ineligible player enters a game, that team will forfeit all games in which the ineligible player is used; by a score of 1-0. The offending team will also be subject to disqualification from the Tournament.

Any club player who is on a waiver for any team does not need to also have a waiver submitted on the cross-rostered team.

4. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Teams will be limited to the players listed on their CJSA official certified roster and appropriate guest players.

5. START OF THE GAME

A game may not be started with fewer than 7 (seven) players per team in the 11v11 divisions (U13, U14 & U15), and 5 (five) players per team in the 7v7 & 9v9 divisions (U10, U11 & U12); eligible and properly uniformed.

After the game has started with the appropriate number of players, it may not continue with fewer than that number of players.

In the event that a team cannot field the minimum number of players to start a game, or is reduced to less than the minimum number after play has commenced, that team will forfeit the game.

A team shall be permitted 5 (five) minutes from the scheduled start of the game to field a minimum number of players before the referee shall declare a forfeit.

Scores of forfeited games will be recorded as 1-0.

The Home team selects the side to defend, while the Away team begins with possession of the ball.

6. PLAYER UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT

Teams, come prepared with both home and away jerseys and be prepared to switch for a game.

Players must wear uniforms with numbers on the back of the shirt. Each player must have a different number, which shall coincide with that player's number as shown on the team roster.

In the event of a color conflict with the uniforms of two opposing teams, the home team (listed first on the schedule of each match) will be required to change to a different color.

All player equipment shall conform to FIFA specifications, and is subject to the approval of the referee. Shin guards are mandatory for all players, and no jewelry is to be worn during matches.

Casts and any "orthopedic devices" must be approved by the referee prior to commencement of the match.

Goalkeepers must wear a different colored shirt than the rest of the team.

The Tournament will supply all game balls.

7. GAME DURATION & BALL SIZE

All games will consist of 2 (two) 25 (twenty-five) minute halves, running time. There will be a 5 (five) minute halftime break. To keep the Tournament on schedule, the Field Marshall or Tournament Committee has the authority to shorten the halves and/or the break period. A size 5 (five) ball will be used for U13-U15 games; all other age groups (U10-U12) shall use a size 4 (four) ball.

In the rare case that a team is playing a back to back, they may ask the referee prior to the match to end the first game 10 min early and start the second game 10 min late, thus allowing a 20 min break.

Any teams may agree with the referee to halt play for a water break at agreed intervals.  The game clock continues to run during any water break.

All games end 55 minutes after every hour, regardless of score or circumstance.

8. SUBSTITUTION

Substitutions shall be at any stoppage of play, subject to the referee's consent and the following conditions:

1. There will be no substitutions allowed for an ejected player.
2. All substitutions shall be made from mid-field. If a player is not standing at mid-field when a substitution is called, that player will not be allowed to come onto the field.

Player safety is our primary concern. No referee, coach, or Tournament official may order an injured player to be removed from the field of play if the player, their parent, or coach has requested professional medical attention (EMT's) and has not yet received it. Once the professional is present, he/she will be in full charge of the injured player, regardless of the impact on the Tournament schedule.

9. PLAYER DISCIPLINE

Any player receiving two yellow (warning) cards or one red (ejection) card in a game will be sent off the field by the referee, without a substitution permitted. That player's team will play short for the remainder of that game. In addition to removal from the game, a player who has been sent off the field will be suspended from the next game his/her team is scheduled to play. Referees will report all ejections. Gross misconduct may result in a longer suspension. Players receiving 2 red cards are disqualified from further Tournament play. Any players receiving 3 (three) yellow cards during Saturday play may be suspended from play on Sunday, at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.

10. CONDUCT

The Tournament is designed to promote healthy competition & sportsmanship between players in the game of soccer. Players, team officials (coaches/managers), and team supporters are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the spirit and the "letter" of the Laws of the Game. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of all persons associated with their team. Displays of temper, derogatory comments, or dissent by words or actions against the opposing team, Tournament officials (referees), or opposing team supporters may be cause for ejection from the game and the field. Should a referee find it necessary to terminate a match due to inappropriate behavior, the Tournament Committee shall make the final determination of the game outcome (score & result).

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited at all Tournament fields.

There is NO SMOKING on or near any soccer field. NO PETS will be allowed on the fields or near players or spectators.

11. POSITION OF PLAYERS & SPECTATORS

Both teams shall take up sideline position on the same side of the field, within 10 (ten) yards of the midfield line. All spectators shall occupy the opposite sideline and remain outside the spectator lines. No coaches or spectators should occupy the areas behind or adjacent to the Goals while the game is in progress.

12. WEATHER

Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their players must appear at their scheduled field of play, unless directed by the Tournament Committee. Failure to appear shall result in a forfeiture of the match. In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Committee has the authority to change the format of the Tournament including, but not limited to:

1. Relocation or rescheduling of any game.
2. Modifying the duration of any game.
3. Cancelling any preliminary game that has no bearing on the outcome of the preliminary round.

Should any match in progress be terminated due to the weather (as determined by the referee or Tournament official) after a minimum of 25 (twenty-five) minutes of play, the game shall be considered complete and final. The score at time of termination shall stand. Any game not completed to at least 25 (twenty-five) minutes of play shall be considered a 0-0 tie. All teams accept the risk of weather or other unforeseen events that could make fields unplayable. The MYSC will not issue any refunds of application fees for any team that completes 2 games of their scheduled 4 game for the Tournament. Should teams play less than 2 games, the Tournament Committee will meet & determine an appropriate amount of partial refund.

13. FIELD OFFICIALS

Certified referees and linesmen are scheduled for all Tournament games. Once the referee has started a game, he or she will maintain control of that game until completion. In the event of cancellations, teams may be required to provide linesmen. A Field Marshall will be present at each field location. The Field Marshall will exercise control of each venue until the game(s) commences, at which time control transfers to the referee. The referee will prepare the Referee's Report and deliver to the site Field Marshall or place it in the designated box near the midfield as soon after the conclusion of each game as possible, but prior to leaving the site each day. The Referee Report will include the game score and any disciplinary warnings and removals issued, if a red card or ejection has been issued to a player or coach.

14. PROTESTS & FORFEITS

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the Tournament. The Committee's judgment will be final, and no protests of Committee decisions will be permitted. Player, coach, and spectator removals; player eligibility rulings; and forfeits; may be appealed through protest. The protest must be submitted in writing by the coach to the site Field Marshall within 1 (one) hour of the completion of the game, or of the ruling being protested.

No protest of a referee's decision will be permitted.

A game may be forfeited when a team uses an ineligible player, or when a team is unable to field the minimum number of eligible players. The score of the forfeited game shall be 1-0, or the score at the time of the forfeit if the non-offending team is leading. Any team forfeiting a game is not eligible for trophy consideration. In cases of both teams forfeiting, no points will be awarded.

15. DIVISIONAL STANDINGS & TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURES

A round robin World Cup format will be utilized, with each team playing 2 games each day, against the other teams in its division. Note: In divisions with four teams, a team will have to play another team twice and the first game against that team will not count towards the standings; in divisions of six teams a team will only compete against 4 of the 5 other teams.

Each team will be awarded game points as follows: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. After four games, the team with the most points in divisional play will be declared the champion, and the team having the second most points declared the runner-up. In the event of ties in determining division standings, the following tie-breaking procedures will be applied in this order:

1. a) Head-to-head competition. (Does not apply if 3 or more are tied, and 1 has not defeated all other tied teams.)
2. b) Most wins.
3. c) Team with fewest goals allowed.
4. d) Team with most shut-out victories.
5. e) Highest net goal differential (goals scored minus goals allowed) with a maximum of three per game net.

In the event of multiple teams tying for division standing, the tie-breaking procedure will be applied until one team is eliminated; then the procedure will move back to the top of the list to break any remaining ties. If a tie still exists per tie-breaking procedure above, then co-champions will be declared.

16. AWARDS & POSTING OF RESULTS

Results for MIST are maintained on Teamsnap.

Awards will be given to all player members of the first place team in each division. A team sportsmanship award will be presented for each game, to be voted on by the opposing coaches. Awards will be distributed at both DHHS/Polson and Salt Meadow at the Madison Youth Soccer Tent.

17. HEADING RULES CLARIFICATION
    

In accordance with USYS guidance, deliberate heading is not allowed in U10 and U11 brackets, or U11/12 Travel Rec.  If a 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 occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point where the infringement occurred.  Deliberate heading is allowed in strict U12, U13, and U14/15 brackets.

18. U10 (7v7) BUILD OUT LINE CLARIFICATION
    

In accordance with USYS small sided game rules, the u10 games will be played on a field with a build out line.  Offsides will be called, and will be called when a player is inside the build out line.  When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands, during play from the opponent, or for a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build out line.  The opposing team can cross the build out line once the ball is kicked. 

19. MISCELLANEOUS

Questions arising that are not covered within these rules, or requiring further clarification, will be reviewed by the Tournament Committee, and its decision will be final. MYSC, CJSA, and the Town of Madison shall not be held responsible for any expenses incurred by any club, team, or individual, should the Tournament be cancelled, or rescheduled in whole or in part. Full acceptance and agreement of these rules will be considered confirmed by each team upon registering.