Modifications to Laws of the Game and other requirements for this competition

All games shall be played in accordance with current FIFA laws of the game as most recently modified by CSYSA and the Prodigy Cup tournament committee as noted within these rules. body

Specific changes in age groups U7 and U8 are as follows:

LENGTH OF MATCH: The game shall consist of 2 – 20 minute halves and may end tied in preliminary rounds.

FIELD OF PLAY: The field shall be 40 yards by 60 yards with goal boxes 8 yards by 20 yards.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: The number of active players shall be 6 including the goalkeeper, using a Size 3 ball.

OFFSIDES: Offsides will not be enforced.

THROW INS: Any reasonable throw in delivered with both hands from behind the head will be considered playable.

KICKS: All kicks are to be indirect, taken outside the goal area, and must be touched by a second player. Opposing players must be at least 6 yards away and should be instructed by the referee.

PENALTY KICKS: If needed, and only to establish a winning team in playoff matches, will be taken from the closest edge of the center circle to an open goal (no goalkeeper) and are deemed to be either a goal or no goal. 3 players will be selected from the players on the field at game end and will play alternating shots. If the score is still tied after the 3 rounds of attempts, then single alternating shots (after any consecutive round) will determine the advancing team.

SUBSTITUTIONS: May be taken by either team on any dead ball and only with the permission of the referee.

Specific changes in age groups U9 – U12 are as follows:

LENGTH OF MATCH : The game shall consist of 2 – 25 minute halves and may end tied in preliminary rounds. (see scoring)

FIELD OF PLAY : The field shall be 50 yards by 80 yards with 6 x 20 goal boxes and 16 x 30 penalty areas.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS : The number of active players shall be 8 including the goalkeeper, using a Size 4 ball.

OFFSIDES: Will be enforced as per FIFA laws of the game.

PENALTY KICKS : As per FIFA laws of the game but these will be taken from the 11 yard mark.

FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME : Shall be applied to all other components of the match.

UNIFORMS

All teams should have both a light and dark colored jerseys and the home team listed may be asked to change if in the referee’s opinion the colors are similar. Shin guards must be worn by all players. Goalkeepers must wear a jersey of colors which does not resemble the players on the field. Shoes must meet accepted soccer safety standards. Hair control devices with hard parts, earrings or jewelry of any kind are not permitted. Conditional permission may be given for religious medals or medical tags taped to the body, splints, casts, braces or other joint support devices that, in the opinion of the referee are not dangerous.

TEAM AND PLAYER CERTIFICATION

Each team must possess a current (gold) tournament roster certified at the team check-in as the official tournament roster and present this roster and all player/coach passes to the referee or field marshall before each match. Only recreational/developmental (including Colorado intermediate U10) players may participate in this tournament. Players acquired by use of tryouts, invitations, recruiting or any similar process or are or were registered with any state sanctioned competitive program are not eligible to compete. Any team deemed to have broken these rules will be excluded from participation and all games and fees may be forfeited.

PLAYER, COACH, PARENT CONDUCT

This tournament will follow the guidelines as outlined in CSYSA Rules and Procedures. Any outstanding game suspension by players or coaches will be recognized by this tournament. The coach is ultimately responsible for the actions of supporters of the team. Any coach, manager or spectator who in the opinion of the referee uses foul or abusive language or persists in misconduct after being warned may be ejected. Any player who receives a red card or two yellow cards in a match will be ejected for the remainder of that match and must sit out the next match. A coach or parent who is asked to leave the field area must do so immediately to a distance of 100 yards from the field. Failure to do so in a timely fashion may result in suspension of play and possible forfeiture of the match as determined by the referee and the tournament committee. Any coach that withdraws his/her team from the playing field during a match will receive disciplinary action and may be subject to forfeiture of the match and future matches as determined by the tournament committee. The consumption of alcoholic beverage at any youth soccer event is expressly prohibited. Any person who violates this prohibition is subject to disciplinary action and said violation will be reported to the team’s State Association.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In case of severe weather conditions, medical emergency (or any other unforeseen situation) the tournament committee, at its sole discretion, may delay, suspend or seek alternate means to determine settlement of matches. Teams will be expected to comply with any changes in the game schedule as decided by the tournament committee. Every attempt to contact affected teams will be made as early as possible. It will be the responsibility of each coach or team manager to contact his/her players.

GAME TIMES

The listed starting times for games are rigid and it is expected that Games Will Start On Time. All coaches should have their players checked in and ready to begin play at game time. A 5 minute grace period may be extended by the referee to allow for extreme situations which in the opinion of the referee or field marshall may have affected the teams’ ability to start on time. Teams should be instructed to arrive well in advance of scheduled game times and be ready to play.

METHOD OF SCORING

All tournament games will incorporate the 10 point system, which is as follows: 6 points for a win 3 points for a tie 1 point for a shutout 1 point for each goal scored (up to a maximum of 3) A 0 – 0 tie would be awarded 4 points A team winning by “forfeit” would receive 10 points

TIEBREAKERS

Determining advancement of teams shall be as follows: Head–to-Head Competition Least Goals Allowed Goal Differential (goals scored minus goals allowed) Penalty Kicks as provided above

REFEREES

At the conclusion of each game, the referee will return any rosters or player passes to the competing teams, complete the “official game card” and direct it to the appropriate field marshall for transmission to the scorers table where scores and points will be calculated then posted on the official tournament scoreboard. The decisions of the referees concerning any application of rules or other matters surfacing during the game are final. A 2-man diagonal system will be used in the U9-U12 divisions and a 1-man system will be used in U7-U8 divisions. The referee is responsible for placing each team and it’s spectators on opposite sides of the field (home team on north or west side) and coaches and players are expected to remain at midfield during the match. No spectators or coaches may at any time be on the end line or near any goal.

MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR

No protest will be allowed and therefore no provisions for protesting the particulars or outcome of matches will be accepted. Any extraordinary circumstance beyond the control of a team which is claimed in mitigation concerning any rule of this tournament may be “considered” at the sole discretion of the tournament committee who’s resulting decision will then be final.

GENERAL STATEMENT

It is the intention of the Prodigy Cup tournament committee to provide a safe and pleasurable experience for the young participants in this event. Although every step is being taken to ensure that each player and spectator have a fair chance to enjoy the competition, it is our opinion that we all can benefit greatly by approaching this tournament with a simple understanding that regardless of the individual success of the players or the coaches, a true understanding of winning relates to the competition itself and the message for the future we are able to pass on. Please help us remember why we hold these competitions and the long lasting impressions we may bring to the kids.