Rules and Regulations

Rules and Regulations

Anaheim FC Summer Showcase 2026

Tournament Rules & Information

🔹 General Information

  • Tournament Type: Unrestricted (UT)

  • Eligibility: Boys & Girls teams ( U6–U19 ) affiliated with USSF or FIFA

  • Application Process: First-come, first-served

  • Decisions: All referee and tournament official decisions are final. No protests allowed.

🔹 Team Credentials & Check-In

  • Teams must complete Online Check-In.

  • Instructions are posted on the website under “Team Check-In Information.”

🔹 Eligibility & Match Format

  • Brackets follow 2026–2027 age guidelines

  • Game Formats & Roster Limits:

    • U6–U10 : 7v7 | Max Roster: 12

    • U11–U12 : 9v9 | Max Roster: 16

    • U13–U19 : 11v11 | Max Roster: 22 (18 per game)

  • Player Passes: Laminated USSF or FIFA-approved required

  • Note: A player may compete on only one team

🔹 Game Day Procedures

  • Referee inspects equipment; game cards turned in before the match

  • After the game: Coaches/Admin must verify score, referee signs card.

🔹 Match Rules

  • Coach/Admin presence required

  • Minimum Players: 8 (6 for U11/U12 games)

  • Home Team: Provides game ball and changes jerseys if needed

  • No coin toss in prelims – Home team chooses side or kickoff

  • No added time for injuries

🔹 Game Duration & Ball Sizes

Age Group Format Pool/Semi Halves Final Halves Ball Size
U19–U17 11v11 30 mins 45 mins 5
U16–U15 11v11 30 mins 40 mins 5
U14–U13 11v11 25 mins 35 mins 5
U12–U11 9v9 25 mins 30 mins 4
U10–U9 7v7 25 mins 25 mins 4
U8–U6 7v7 25 mins 25 mins 4

  • Finals/Semis tied after regulation: Go directly to FIFA penalty kicks

  • Preliminary matches: Can end in a tie

  • Forfeits: Team not ready at kickoff time forfeits

🔹 Special Rules for Small-Sided Games

7v7 (U6–U10)

  • No heading – indirect free kick for infractions

  • Build-Out Line Rule:

    • Opponents retreat behind build-out line during goalie possession

    • No punts/drop kicks

    • Offside applies only between build-out line and goal

9v9 Heading Rule

  • U11 : No heading

  • U12 : Heading allowed

🔹 Equipment

  • Shin guards required

  • Proper soccer cleats only (no toe cleats)

  • No jewelry or dangerous items

  • Injured players may not participate if deemed unfit

🔹 Substitutions

  • Unlimited with referee approval

  • Allowed at any stoppage with permission

  • Must sub at midfield

  • Yellow carded players must be subbed out

🔹 Scoring System

  • 10-Point Scoring:

    • Win: 6 pts

    • Tie: 3 pts

    • Loss: 0 pts

    • Shutout: 1 pt

    • Goals Scored: 1 pt per goal (max 3)

    • Red Card: -1 pt

Tiebreakers:

  1. Head-to-head

  2. Goal differential (max +4/game)

  3. Fewest goals allowed

  4. Most goals scored

  5. Most shutouts

  6. Penalty kicks

🔹 Awards

  • Champions: Team trophy + player medals

  • Finalists: Player medals

  • All Players: Showcase pin

🔹 Code of Conduct

  • Coaches responsible for team & spectators

  • No abusive or derogatory behavior

  • Sideline coaching OK if constructive

  • Red Card: Minimum 1-game suspension

  • Violent Conduct/Referee Abuse: Immediate expulsion

  • Disciplinary actions reported to US Club Soccer

🔹 Weather Policy

  • If a game reaches halftime, the result will stand

  • Games canceled in first half may be shortened or decided by PKs

  • Full event cancellations: Partial refunds apply

🔹 Refund Policy

  • No refunds will be provided to any team for games that are forfeited, for no-shows, or for late drops by any team accepted into the tournament.

  • Full refund if not accepted

  • Drop before deadline: Refund minus $75

  • Drop after deadline: No refund

Weather Refund Schedule:

  • All games canceled: Refund minus $100

  • 1 game played: $200 refund

  • 2 games played: $100 refund

  • 3 games played: No refund

🔹 Score Corrections

  • Scores must be verified and signed post-game

  • Disputes must be brought to Field Marshal

  • Corrections require team agreement or verified ref error

🔹 Venue Rules

  • Prohibited: Smoking, alcohol, pets, food/gum/seeds on synthetic fields

  • Chairs/benches: Not allowed on turf

  • Sidelines must be cleared promptly after each match

  • Illegal behavior will involve local authorities

  • All results are final – No protests accepted