Rules

Game Procedures and Rules

The Tournament Director has the authority to make decisions on any matters not specifically covered by these rules & regulations.

  Refund Policy

  • Full refunds will be made to all teams not accepted.
  • Requests for (DROPS) withdrawals from the tournament will only be accepted from Administrators (Contact Person or Coach) listed on the team application for the tournament.
  • Refunds provided to teams that drop prior to the deadline will be assessed a $75.00 administrative fee.
  • Teams that drop after the application deadline will forfeit their entire entry fee.
  • If the tournament is canceled as a result of weather or acts of God, teams will receive a full refund less an administrative fee of $100.
  • If the tournament is canceled once it begins, refunds will be given according to the following schedule:
    • Three Matches Played No Refund
    • Two Matches Played $100 Refund
    • One Match Played $200 Refund
    • Cancelation of All Matches Full Refund less $100 administrative fee.

Refunds will be made to all teams not accepted, but once accepted NO REFUNDS ARE ALLOWED.

No refund will be allowed due to forfeit of any game by any team accepted to tournament.

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A. All games will be played under FIFA rules modified by US Soccer and US Club Soccer.

B. REGISTRATION:

Teams must check-in in accordance with instructions provided with acceptance. Teams must be affiliated with FIFA and/or USSF and be affiliated with their State, Provincial or National Association. All players must have their laminated Player Passes (ID’S) and Medical Release Forms (Registration Forms).

There will be no additions to the team roster after the team registers. Player Passes (ID’S) or Medical Release Forms (Registration Forms) may be accepted later by Field Marshall but only if player is listed on the official team roster at time of registration.

At registration, a complete and signed Team Roster must be submitted by Coach or Manager who must certify that all players are FIFA and/or USSF 2024-2025 registered players.

C. All decisions, judgments, and calls of tournament referees and Tournament Director or designated Field Marshall are final. No protests will be allowed.

D. COMPETITION FORMAT

Duration of preliminary games and semi-final games:

U7/2018 to U15/2010 games 50 minutes

All preliminary games and semi-final games will have a 5-minute half time.

All teams will be scheduled for at least 3 games. Check your team's schedule and the list of fields and maps. It is possible you may be playing on more than one venue.

E. Championship Games are as follows:

  •   U7/2018, U8/2017, U9/2016 & U10/2015 ~ 50 minutes
  •   U11/2014 to U12/2013 ~ 60 minutes
  •   U13/2012 to U15/2010 ~ 70 minutes

F. There will be 10-minute halftimes in Championship Games.

G. STANDINGS

The TEN (10) point system will be used to determine 1st in each group and the wildcard selection during preliminary rounds as described below:

  • Win = 6 points 
  • Tie = 3 points 
  • Loss = 0 points 
  • Shutout = 1 point

· Goals Scored = 1 point each to a maximum of 3 per game

· Red Card = -1 Point

No shutout bonus shall be awarded for a 0-0 tie. Teams shall be awarded the bonus points for goals scored without regard to the outcome of the game. That is, the losing team will receive points for goals scored, and 0 points for the loss.

H. Game time is forfeit time

The team, which "wins by forfeit", shall be deemed to have won by a score of 1-0 and will receive 8 points. If at the discretion of the tournament committee a forfeit provides an unfair advantage, the tournament committee may make a bracket determination by another means so as to determine bracket placement fairly.

I. WILD CARD SELECTION 

For brackets with wild cards, wild cards will be selected from the second place teams who have accumulated the most points. Ties on points will be broken in accordance with the rules listed below. If WC comes from bracket A, then Winner A will play Winner C, and Winner B will play WC

J. TIES PRELIMINARY GAMES 

In the event that two or more teams are tied in points at the end of the preliminary games, the following tiebreakers shall be applied in order given until a winner is determined. While following this criteria, never revert back to the top of the list even after a team has been eliminated from the tiebreaker.

  1. Winner of head to head competition. 
  2. Net goals (goals for, minus goals against, up to a differential of 5 goals per game) 
  3. Goals against. 
  4. Most goals scored (maximum of 5 goals per game). 
  5. Most total wins
  6. Most Shutout wins 
  7. Red Cards against (Team with most will be eliminated)
  8. Yellow Cards against (Team with most will be eliminated)
  9. FIFA penalty kicks

K. SEMI-FINAL GAMES 

All semi-final games ending in a tie will go directly to “Kicks from the Penalty Spot” as outlined in the FIFA Laws of the Game.

L. CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES 
All championship games ending in a tie will go directly to “Kicks from the Penalty Spot” as outlined in the FIFA Laws of the Game.

M. AWARDS 
Winner will be presented with the Anaheim FC Cup Team Award and individual player medallions will be presented to both teams at the completion of the championship game.

N. GAME PROCEDURES

1. All U13/2012-U15/2010 teams shall consist of at least (7) players and play 11 v 11.  

All U11/2014-U12/2013 Teams shall consist of at least (6) players and play 9 v 9.

NO HEADING ALLOWED IN THE U11/2014 AGE GROUP

2. Player Passes (ID'S) and roster will be verified upon check-in.

3. Teams must be on opposite sides of the playing field. Home team will have choice of sides. In the event of a color conflict, home team must change jerseys. Home team will supply the game ball.

4. There will be no coin toss in all-preliminary games. Home team will have choice of kick off, or goal to defend.

5. Referees have been instructed to start all games on time. No injury time will be added.

U7/2018, U8/2017, U6/2016, U10/2015 UNDER - PROCEDURES

1. All U7/2018, U8/2017, U9/2016 & U10/2015 Teams shall play with maximum (7) players including the Goalkeeper and play 7v7. Minimum of five (5) players.

2. Opposing players must be at least eight (8) yards from the ball on all free kicks.

3. Penalty kicks shall be ten yards from the goal line.

NO HEADING ALLOWED IN THE U7/2018, U8/2017, U9/2016, U10/2015 AGE GROUPS

All Players age 11 and younger shall not head the ball directly from the air. If a player age 11 or younger deliberately heads the ball in a match, the referee shall award an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the spot of the infraction. If the heading occurs within the penalty area, the referee shall move the ball outside the penalty area and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

BUILD OUT LINE – 7 v 7 FORMAT PLAYING

When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play.

Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punts and dropkicks are not allowed).

After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal.

The opposing team must also move behind the build out line during a goal kick until the ball is put into play.

If a goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense.

If the punt or drop kick 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 to where the infringement occurred.

The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called.

Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line.

Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build out line and goal line.

If the punt or drop kick 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 to where the infringement occurred.

The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called.

Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line.

Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build out line and goal line.

Build Out Line Practical Applications

Ideally, the goalkeeper will wait to put the ball into play once all opponents are past the build out line.

However, the goalkeeper can put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how play resumes.

To support the intent of the development rule, coaches and referees should be mindful of any intentional delays being caused by opponents not retreating in a timely manner or encroaching over the build out line prior to the ball being put into play.

Coaches are responsible for addressing these types of issues with their players

Referees can manage the situation with misconduct if deemed appropriate

Referees should be flexible when enforcing the 6 second rule and counting the time of possession should only begin when all opponents have moved behind the build out line.

TEAM ROSTERS

U7/2018 – U10/2015 – (7 v 7) 12 PLAYERS MAXIMUM

U11/2014 – U12/2013 – (9 v 9) 16 PLAYERS MAXIMUM

U13/2012 – U15/2010 – (11 v 11) 18 PLAYERS MAXIMUM

O. PLAYER SUBSTITUTION

a. Substitution by a team shall be unlimited:

1. Substitutions may be made by both teams, with the consent of the referee, at any stoppage of play.

2. A "cautioned” (yellow carded) player (MANDATORY) at the time card is issued.

3. When a player injured on the field requires attention, they must be substituted off the field of play, if only briefly.

b. Substitution shall be made at midfield within (10) yards of the halfway line. The substitute player shall not enter the field of play until allowed by the referee and the player substituted has left the field of play.

c. Excessive substitutions resulting in confusion or delay of game are discouraged and will not be allowed by the referee.

P. PLAYER SAFETY

No player will be allowed to play with an injury which could be aggravated by playing or which, in the opinion of the referee, constitutes a danger to themselves or others.

FIFA Law IV states, “A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry),“)

The determination of whether a player may play or not will be made by the referee in accordance with FIFA Law IV

Shin guards are mandatory for all players.

Q. Sportsmanship and Standard of Play

A committee has been established to handle all disciplinary matters pertaining to this tournament. The following is a brief outline of what will be expected of all players and coaches who participate in this year's tournament. If you need any assistance, contact the Field Marshal at your field.

1. All players and coaches will be expected to demonstrate the highest standard of sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

2. A player shall be registered on one team only that is participating in the tournament. Any player(s)/team(s) violating this rule will forfeit all their games and will not be able to participate in the remainder of the tournament.

3. Any player given a SEND OFF (red card), or any coach EJECTED from a game will not be permitted to participate in the remainder of the game in progress, and will not be able to participate in at least the teams next scheduled game. The Disciplinary Committee will decide if there will be any additional game suspensions. This committee will have complete authority to decide, after the initial game, the number of games a player or coach will be suspended for each SEND OFF offense. A referee report (written or verbal) will be used whenever possible to help determine final conclusions. These judgments will be made after reviewing the severity of the offense for which the red card was given and the decision will be final.

4. One point will be deducted for each SEND OFF (red card) received. A team may be assessed negative points for a game if appropriate.

5. All coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, parents, and friends while the team is at the tournament, both off the field as well as on the field.

6. No alcoholic beverages shall be permitted in the immediate vicinity of the playing site. No person shall be permitted to appear on, or in the vicinity of, the playing site in an intoxicated condition. Breaking the law is under the jurisdiction of the Anaheim Police Department, not the tournament management team.

All yellow card, red card ejections, and other disciplinary actions involving players, coaches, spectators or team will be reported to the appropriate state association(s).

Special Rules

In the event of an unusual event that results in a significant loss of game time, the lost game time may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Tournament Co-Directors. The rescheduling of the lost game time is subject to field availability.

An example of an unusual event would be a major injury to a player, which prevented the use of the playing field. The Tournament defines a significant loss of game time as more than half of the game. An accumulation of time delays due to minor/moderate injuries to several players would not constitute an unusual event nor will these delays be considered lost game time. An accumulation of time delays resulting from the normal course of a game will not be considered lost game time.

Tournament Directory/Site Manager may shorten games as necessary to make sure all matches scheduled on a given field are played. For example, a field running behind schedule due to an injury may have all remaining games shortened by few minutes each game so that each game gets played.

Tournament Director or referee may suspend any match or tournament in consideration of safety to players or damage to fields in event of inclement weather under any circumstances.