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Marlton Soccer Sponsors
Tournament Rules
Tournament Rules
Mission Statement
To provide an opportunity for individuals and teams to display their skills, teamwork and sportsmanship that has been developed over many hours of hard work and dedication in an environment of competition, fair play and respect.
Liability
All expenses incurred by a team are the sole responsibility of that team. The tournament, Marlton Soccer and Marlton Recreation Council are not responsible for any team’s expense including situations where the tournament or game(s) are cancelled, abandoned or otherwise modified.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
If, prior to the start of the tournament, the tournament is, in its entirety, cancelled, the tournament will refund a minimum of 80% of the registration fees to all accepted teams.
Team Eligibility
Application and participation in the tournament will be limited to teams that are currently registered with a state or national organization. All players and coaches are required to have current passes.
NO PASS – NO PLAY – NO EXCEPTIONS
Tournament Application
Application to the tournament may be completed on-line at GotSoccer.com
Acceptance and Notification
Only completed applications will be considered. Payment must be received for an application to be considered complete. The tournament committee reserves the right to reject a team’s application based on that team’s participation in previous year(s). Factors such as failure to adhere to the tournament rules, improper conduct and forfeits will be taken into account.
Age-Group Determination
Age-groups will be based on the upcoming seasonal year as described by New Jersey Youth Soccer and are defined below.
The birthdates for seasonal year 2011 – 2012 are:
U8 – born between August 1, 2003 and July 31, 2004
U9 – born between August 1, 2002 and July 31, 2003
U10 – born between August 1, 2001 and July 31, 2002
U11 – born between August 1, 2000 and July 31, 2001
U12 – born between August 1, 1999 and July 31, 2000
U13 – born between August 1, 1998 and July 31, 1999
U14 – born between August 1, 1997 and July 31, 1998
U15 – born between August 1, 1996 and July 31, 1997
Players may play up except under the following conditions:
- U8, U9 and U10 players may not play up.
Rosters
Roster size (including guest players) is limited to 18 players for ages U11 and older, and 14 players for ages U9 and U10. A team's roster may include up to 3 guest players as long as the numbers of players is within the appropriate limit. Rosters are to be submitted at time of registration and are considered final at that point.
Registration
Each team must be represented at registration prior to the start of the tournament. The date and time for registration will be communicated to each of the accepted teams.
The following documentation must be provided at the time of registration:
- Original and two (2) copies of the official state team roster
- Changes to roster (guest players – subject to limitations)
- Current player passes for all players (including guest players)
- Current player medical release forms for all players (including guest players)
- Permission to travel (if needed)
Brackets and Placement
A team’s placement within their age group is at the discretion of the tournament committee.
Requests for placement will be taken into account but are not guaranteed.
Schedule
A schedule of matches will be made public prior to the start of the tournament.
The schedule shall include:
- Venue
- Field number
- Home and visiting teams (home team shall be listed first)
- Match start time
Standings
Small-sided (U9 and U10):
In accordance with New Jersey Youth Soccer, results will be kept for tournament administrative purposes only. Results will not be made public. Standings will not be calculated.
Full-sided (U11 and above):
Results and standings will be made public and will be used to determine participation in playoff round(s). Standings will be determined by a result-based point system.
Result-based point system
Win = six (6) points
Tie = three (3) points
Loss = zero (0) points
Shutout = one (1) point
Goals scored= one (1) point per goal, maximum of three (3) per game
Tie-Breakers
If 2 or more teams are tied prior to the playoff rounds the following tie-breaker(s) will be use to determine seeding (in order)
- Winner of head-to-head competition (if 3 or more teams are tied, this tie-breaker will not be used)
- Fewest goals allowed
- Greater goal differential (maximum of 3 per game)
- Most wins
- Most shutouts
- Kicks from penalty
Determination of Division Winners (playoffs)
The division champion and finalist will be determined based on the number of teams in their bracket.
7 team brackets will consist of 1 group. Each team will play 3 other teams in the group. The first and second place teams will play each other for the championship.
6 team brackets will consist of 2 groups of 3 teams. Each team will play the other teams in their group and one cross-over game. First place in each group will play each other for the championship.
5 team brackets will consist of 1 group. Each team will play all other teams in the group. Champion and Finalist will be determined by points earned from group play.
4 team brackets will consist of 1 group. Each team will play all other teams in the group. The first and second place teams will play each other for the championship.
All age groups will consist of any combination of 4, 5 or 6 team brackets.
Awards and Trophies
Small-sided (U8 and U10):
In accordance with New Jersey Youth Soccer, participation awards will be given to all members of teams in these age groups.
Full-sided (U11 and above):
Awards/Trophies will be given to the champion and finalist from each age group and bracket.
Referee System(s)
There will be a commitment to use a USSF three-man system whenever possible.
If all matches are unable to have a three-man system, priority will be:
- Playoff matches
- Group matches U11 and above
- Group matches U8 and U10
In the event that a single referee is assigned to a match, each team shall supply an adult, subject to approval of the referee, to act as a linesman. These linesmen shall not coach from the sideline and shall act in a neutral manner.
Forfeits
A forfeit shall be awarded in the case where an opponent is not present and prepared to start a match within five (5) minutes of the scheduled start time.
The minimum number of players required to start a game are:
- Seven (7) for age groups U11 thru U15
- Six (6) for age groups U8 and U10
Any team forfeiting a match may not be eligible for matches beyond the group/bracket play. A forfeit shall be recorded as a 1-0 match result with the opposing team earning three (3) points for the win and two (2) bonus points, one each for shutout and goal differential.
Inclement Weather Policy
Cancellation/Refund Policy – 80% of the team’s entrance fee will be refunded if the tournament is cancelled for any reason before the start of the tournament. No refunds will be given if at least one (1) game is played. No refunds will be given if a team forfeits, does not register after filing application, does not show or is removed from tournament by tournament officials, or if full application fee is not received by the Marlton Soccer Club. 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. In the event of inclement weather (ie. A continual rain, poor field conditions, etc).
The Tournament committee will have the authority to change the games as follows:
- Relocate and/or reschedule any game
- Change duration of any game
- To cancel any game that has no bearing on first or second place in any bracket
- Games terminated after five (5) minutes have played of the second half because of weather
Conduct
Coaches, players and spectators are required to conduct themselves within the Law & Spirit of the Game. Offensive language or conduct will not be tolerated. The Tournament Committee may suspend either individuals or teams for offensive behavior. We employ a zero tolerance policy. Players, coaches or anyone affiliated with the team that is ejected will be suspended for at least one additional game and possibly more at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. The Committee may impose a suspension for cumulative yellow cards. No protests or appeals will be entertained. Severe misconduct will result in players or entire teams being asked to leave the tournament without a refund.
Alcohol and Tobacco Policy
Alcohol and Tobacco products are prohibited from the grounds of the tournament fields at all times during the tournament weekend.
Protests and Disputes
There will be no protests or disputes.
FIFA Statement
All matches are played in accordance to FIFA’s Laws of the Game unless specifically modified elsewhere in these rules.
Pre-game Check-in
All teams will be required to undergo pre-game inspection by the referee team to review equipment and review rules of the match.
Uniforms and Equipment
All players shall be required to wear acceptable cleats as determined by USSF. Players from the same team will be required to wear matching uniforms. The home team will be required to wear an alternate jersey should both teams have matching colors. All socks are required to be the same color for all players of the same team.
Team and Spectator Areas
Teams will be located on the same side of the field with spectators on the opposite side of the field. Spectators are subject to the determination of the game officials as to the required distance from the playing field.
Ball
The home team will be required to provide a suitable game ball.
The tournament has the option of providing a game ball to each field.
Age groups U12 and below will use a size 4 ball.
Age groups U13 and above will use a size 5 ball.
Game Duration
Age groups U9 and U10 will play (2) 25 minute halves. There will be no overtime periods for games in these age groups.
Age groups U11 and above will play (2) 30 minute halves. If overtime is needed, (2) 5 minute periods will be played in their entirety regardless of goal(s) scored. If a tie exists after overtime, the winner will be determined by kicks from the penalty spot. The use of overtime is required to determine a winner in playoff rounds only, there will be no overtime in group play.
Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions will be allowed under the following circumstances with the approval of the referee.
- After any goal
- At the beginning of the second half
- Prior to a goal kick by either team
- At a throw-in by the team in possession
Limited substitutions will be allowed under the following circumstance(s) with the approval of the referee.
- After a stoppage for injury when the injured player is substituted (one-for-one by the opponent)
A player who is cautioned (shown a yellow card) must be substituted for immediately and may re-enter the game at the next available opportunity.
A player who is sent-off (shown a red card) may not be substituted.
Game Report
The field marshal will facilitate the recording and validation of the game report. The referee will record the score, report the specifics of any cautions and/or sending offs and sign the game report. A coach from each team shall be required to validate and sign the game report. It is the shared responsibility of the referee and the coaches to ensure that the game report is correct.
The field marshal will submit the game report to the site coordinator who will include the game in the results and standings.
Team Exchange
Immediately following the match, players and coaches from both teams:
Are expected to exchange congratulatory handshakes
Are allowed to exchange patches, if desired
Are expected to respectfully thank the referee(s)
Match referee(s) will observe the post match team exchange. Failure of a coach or player to participate or the occurrence of conduct issues will be reported and the coach(es) and/or player(s) may be subject to disciplinary action.
Trash Removal
Coaches, players and spectators are expected to clear their respective areas of trash at the conclusion of each match.
