Tournament Rules and Policies

TOURNAMENT RULES

MATCHES

Played in accordance with FIFA laws (distinct U9-U12 rules are at the end of this document)

OFFICIALS

U9 – U12 will have a referee, and U13 – U19 will have 1 official with each team to provide an A/R.
If your referee is not at the field 5 minutes before the start of your game, please visit the
closest field marshal tent and let us know.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Unlimited for all age groups at the referee’s discretion.

SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Will be posted 7 days prior to tournament start date..
Referees will submit the official game score.
U10 – U12. As per LTPD, no results (scores or standings) will be kept.
U13 – U19. Scores and standings will be kept.
U13 – U19 championship games will have a presentation immediately following the final game
at the Headquarters of the park your game is played at

OFFICIAL GAME RULES

Per BC Soccer standards

RETREAT LINE

The retreat line is used for all U9 – U13 games and is initiated when the ball has gone out for a goal kick. All opposing players will ‘retreat’ to the markers indicating the retreat line and cannot pursue the ball until:
• The ball is received by a teammate OR, the ball travels over the retreat line OR, the ball
leaves the field of play
For simplicity, the retreat line will be marked at the 1/3 line of the field.
ENCROACHMENT OF THE RETREAT LINE: If the defending team encroaches across the retreat line before an opposition player touches the ball, then the referee blows the play stopped and issues a re-take of the goal kick. If the opposing team repeatedly infringes the retreat line, an indirect free kick shall be awarded from the place where the offence occurred for not respecting the restart.

OFFICIAL U9 – U10 PLAYING RULES

BALL: The ball must conform to FIFA standards and must conform to the FIFA inflation
specifications = Size four (4)
THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS: A game is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than seven (7) players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than five players one of whom is the goalkeeper.
SUBSTITUTIONS: At any stoppage, substitutions are unlimited and must be done with the officials’ permission.
GAME UNIFORMS: Uniforms must distinguish teams; the home team changes if there is a color conflict. The goalkeeper should wear a color that distinguishes him/her from both teams. Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn under the socks. Jewellery is not permitted.
THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA with the exception of the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least eight (8) meters from the ball until it is in play. Dropped balls are not part of Small Sided Games Program at this age group and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the team who had possession when the play was stopped.
OFFSIDE RULE: Retreat line will be used for offside purposes.
FOULS AND MISCONDUCT: Conform to FIFA with the exception that all fouls shall result in an indirect free kick. An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the centre spot on the halfway line if a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball in the air from his/her goal area into the opponent’s goal area. No cards shown for misconduct. If a player intentionally strikes, deliberately kicks or spits at an opponent, this player must be substituted and will not be permitted to participate further during the game. The coach should inform the player as to why and correct these actions.
FREE KICKS: Conform to FIFA with the exception that all free kicks are indirect. All opponents are at least eight (8) meters from the ball.
THE PENALTY KICK: None
THE THROW-IN: Conform to FIFA.
THE GOAL KICK: Conform to FIFA except that: it: shall be taken from anywhere within the goal area. Unlike FIFA, a goal cannot be scored directly from a goal kick.
THE CORNER KICK: Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least eight (8) meters from the ball until it is in play. Unlike FIFA a goal cannot be scored directly from a corner kick.

OFFICIAL U11 AND U12 PLAYING RULES

BALL: The ball must conform to FIFA standards and must conform to the FIFA inflation
specifications = Size four (4)
THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eight (8) players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players one of whom is the goalkeeper.
SUBSTITUTIONS: At any stoppage, substitutions are unlimited and must be done with the officials’ permission.
GAME UNIFORMS: Uniforms must distinguish teams; the home team changes if there is a color conflict. The goalkeeper should wear a color that distinguishes him/her from both teams. Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn under the socks. Jewellery is not permitted.
THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY: Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least nine (9) meters from the ball until it is in play.
OFFSIDE RULE: Conform to FIFA, with the exception of only occurring in the attacking third. A line may be marked as a dotted line, and solid line or single cones on the touch line. When an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick to be taken from the position of the offending player when the ball was last played to him by one of his team-mates.
A player in an offside position (A) may be penalized before playing or touching the ball, if, in the opinion of the referee, no other team-mate in an onside position has the opportunity to play the ball.
FOULS AND MISCONDUCT: Conform to FIFA with the exception that an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the centre spot on the halfway line if a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball in the air from his/her penalty area into the opponent’s penalty area.
Cautionary and expulsion cards are used.
FREE KICKS: Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents are at least nine (9) meters from the ball. An indirect kick awarded to the attacking team that occurs inside the penalty area, shall be taken from the outside edge of the penalty area in line where the offense took place.
THE PENALTY KICK: Conform to FIFA with the exceptions that the penalty mark is marked at nine (9) meters from the goal line. All players except the player taking the kick must be nine (9) meters from the ball.
THE THROW-IN: Conform to FIFA.
THE GOAL KICK: Conform to FIFA except that it shall be taken from anywhere within the
penalty area.

OFFICIAL U13 and OVER PLAYING RULES

As per FIFA Laws of the Game

GAME LENGTHS

U9 – U12 will play 2 X 25 minutes (50 minute game)
U13 – U15 will play 2 X 30 minutes (60 minute game)
U16 – U19 will play 2 X 35 minutes (70 minute game)

All games will have a 5 minute half time.

All games must start exactly on time to maintain the tournament schedule. Failure to start the game on time may require the game length to be reduced accordingly.

All U9 – U12 games can end in a tie (no overtime played)
All U13 – U19 group games end in a tie
Only U13 – U19 Championship games cannot end in a tie. After regulation time, if the score is tied, the game will immediately go to penalty kicks (5 shooters)

GAME FORMAT

U9 – U10 = 7 v 7 (6 + GK)
U11 – U12 = 8 v 8 (7 + GK)
U13 – U19 = 11 v 11 (10 + GK)

Limited warm up time on the field before each game. Teams need to use the casual field space at the park. Note – leave ample time to get to your game field so that kick-off can be on time

SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Will be posted online only.
Referees will submit the official game score.
U9 – U12. As per LTPD, no results (scores or standings) will be kept.
U13 – U19. Scores and standings will be kept.
U13 – U19 Championship games will have a presentation immediately following the final game at the Headquarters of the park your game is played at.

POINTS/SCORING FOR U13+

3 points for a win
1 point for a tie
0 points for a loss

TIE-BREAKING FORMULA

• Head to Head
• Most wins
• Goal difference
• Goals for
• Goals against
• Lottery

The tournament director will have the final say on all tie-breaking scenarios.

FAILURE TO SHOW & FORFEITS

A team shall be allowed a five (5) minute grace period after the scheduled kick-off time before the match is awarded to their opponent.

ADDITIONAL RULES

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In no case shall a team, which forfeits a game, be declared a group winner
If an apparent group winner forfeits a game, the team with the next best record shall be determined the group winner
If a team is the cause for the termination of a game, that team will be considered to have forfeited the game. This decision may not be protested
Playing a suspended player is grounds for a forfeit
A forfeit shall be recorded as a 1-0 victory for the opponent. 3 points would be awarded
The tournament committee or their official representative will be responsible for any rule interpretation. Their decision will be final.
The tournament committee, event operations staff, and VI Premier Sports Inc / Kelowna United are not liable for any injuries sustained by any participant in the tournament, on or off the field.