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All matches shall be played in accordance with FIFA laws, except as specifically superseded by these rules:

I. POINT SYSTEM TO DETERMINE TEAM RANKINGS:

1.      Win = 3 points

2.      Tie = 1 point

3.      Loss = 0 points

Forfeits count as a 3-0 win.

II. TIE BREAKING PROCEDURE TO DETERMINE ADVANCING TEAMS

This procedure is only used if two or more teams are tied after their rankings have been determined by Rule I above.

Apply each of the following tiebreaker rules in order until only one team is left.  Only one pass through the tiebreaker rules is allowed.

Tiebreaker Rules:

1.      Results of head-to-head competition.  Disregard this rule if more than two teams are tied.

2.      Greater total Goal Differential points. A team's Goal Differential points for a given match is calculated by subtracting the goals allowed by the team in the match from the goals scored by the team in the match, with a maximum of plus or minus 3 goal differential per match. See example below.

3.      Most shut outs  (0-0 tie counts as a shut out)

4.      Least number of goals allowed

5.      Most goals scored, with a maximum of 5 per match

6.      FIFA Penalty Shootout prior to next round’s match

Goal Differential Calculation Example:

1. Match 1 Score: Team A: 3, Team B: 1.  For this match, Team A's goal differential points = 2 and Team B's goal differential points = -2.
2. Match 2 Score: Team A: 10, Team C: 5.  For this match, Team A's goal differential points = 3 and Team C's goal differential points = -3.
3. Match 3 Score: Team A: 0, Team D: 2.  For this match, Team A's goal differential points = -2 and Team D's goal differential points = 2.

Team A’s total Goal Differential points are calculated as follows:

Match 1: 2 points,      Match 2: 3 points,       Match 3: -2 points   

Total = (2 + 3 + -2) = 3 Goal Differential points.

III. RESOLVING TIES IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

FIFA penalty kick procedure will be used to determine a winner.  No overtime

IV. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

1.      A wrist cast (a cast extending from the hand to the elbow), hard or soft is allowed as long as the referee believes the cast has been protected sufficiently to ensure safe play.

2. A player may only play on one team in the tournament.

V. PLAYER PASS CARDS

The Coach or Team Manager will retain the player pass cards during each match. At the discretion of the referee, a player pass card may be requested. In the event, the referee ejects a player; the referee shall retain the player pass card.

An ejected player's pass card, accompanied by a report written on the match card or separate sheet of paper stating the reason for ejection, shall be taken by the Field Marshal and delivered immediately to the Site Director.  The player’s pass card will be delivered to Soccer Headquarters by a tournament official.  The Team’s Manager or the Team’s Coach may pick up the player pass card at Soccer Headquarters anytime after the teams next match.

Referees are required by TSSA and USSF to fill out a referee report form for all RED cards; and by TSSA to fill out the same report for all YELLOW cards.  Blank copies of the form will be available at the sites for the referees to use.  These reports will be filled out at the referee’s next break in assignments and will be submitted by the referee to the site coordinator.  The tournament committee must submit these reports to TSSA with their tournament report and, if requested by the referee, return a copy of the report to the referee for his files.

VI. UNIFORMS

Player numbers must be affixed to the backs of the uniform shirt, and no two players from the same team may wear the same number.

VII. LENGTH OF MATCHES AND BALL SIZES

VIII. TEAMS AND SPECTATORS

Both teams will reside on the same side of the field.  Team spectators will reside on the opposite side of the field from the teams.

IX. SUBSTITUTIONS

Teams may substitute at the following times.

1.      Prior to a throw-in in your favor;

2.      Prior to a goal kick;

3.      After a goal by either team;

4.      For an injured player(s) when the referee stops play; opposing team may then substitute equal number of players;

5.      At halftime; and

6.      For a cautioned player.

Players shall enter and leave the field at the half-line.

X. COACHES

Coaches will not be allowed to conduct excessive coaching from sidelines. Offending coaches will be cautioned, then ejected. Coaches shall be restricted to 10 yards on either side of the halfway line.

XI. PLAYER/COACH EJECTIONS

A player or coach who is ejected (red card) from a match shall not take any further part in that match, and is AUTOMATICALLY PROHIBITED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE NEXT MATCH PLAYED BY HIS OR HER TEAM.  An ejected coach must leave the vicinity and remain out of the vicinity of the field where his/her Team is playing until the coach is eligible again to coach his/her Team. Any team violating this provision shall forfeit its match for using an illegal player or coach, and the Team shall be ejected from the Tournament.

XII. HOME TEAMS

Home teams shall be listed first on the schedule.  Home teams shall be prepared to change uniforms if a color conflict occurs and to furnish a match ball if tournament balls are not available.

XIII. GAME CARDS / MATCH SCORE

The Center Referee is responsible for completing the Game Card, the official record of the match. Before leaving the field, it is the responsibility of both head coaches to verify the final score and match winner as reported by the referee on the Game Card. If a coach disagrees with the final score or match winner, the coach shall write his disapproval on the Game Card and shall sign the same. The failure of the coach to do so creates an irrefutable presumption that the final score and match winner, as stated on the Game Card, is correct.

XIV. PROTESTS

There will be NO PROTESTS.

XV. STARTING TIME

Referees are instructed to begin and end matches on time.  A 10-minute grace period is allowed at the start of a match, but this time is taken away from the match time.  All matches must end no later than 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game on that field. 

XVI. INCLEMENT WEATHER

Only the referee, Site Director or the tournament committee may cancel a match because of weather conditions.

1.      If the inclement weather causes the referee to stop the match at any point, and conditions do not permit restart of the match within the allotted time, the score will stand as it is at the time of stoppage.

2.      If a match is delayed from starting due to weather conditions, it will be started as soon as weather permits within the allotted time and will end at the scheduled time.

3.      If no portion of the match is played, the best efforts will be made to reschedule the match but no guarantee is made. Any match not rescheduled will be scored as a 0 to 0 tie.

In the event of inclement weather, bring your team to the field. Storms are often very localized and move quickly. For teams already at the fields, take shelter but do not leave the field area. When the referee signals the restart of a match, five minutes is allowed to field a team. It is the responsibility of the coach to inform the referee as to his team's location during inclement weather