A team representative is required to appear at Team Registration table at each field at least one hour before their first game on Saturday, June 23^rd , 2007 to have team credentials reviewed and approved. There will be no exceptions. Any team failing to appear at registration will be declared ineligible and their scheduled games declared forfeits.

The team representative shall be required to show two copies of an official roster (provided by the sponsoring Club) signed by the Registrar or other authorized official of the sponsoring club. A copy of the Medical Release Forms with signatures of a parent/guardian for each player are also required to be available.

The team representative must also display a current US Youth Soccer Recreational Player Pass signed by the sponsoring club’s Registrar or other authorized official for each player on the official roster. BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND/OR PASSPORTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All Player Passes must be signed by the player. Photographs are NOT required to be on these passes. The Site Coordinator will review this passes for consistency with the official roster and return them to the team representative. Only one set of Player Passes is therefore necessary.

The team representative shall provide a cell phone number for at least one contact for the team that can be reached at any time should the necessity arise. If you are from out of the area and staying at a local hotel, please provide the name of the hotel.

Coaches (or designated team representative) must have an official team roster, player passes and Medical Release form in their possession at each game.

3. CONDUCT/DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Any player or coach who is sent-off from any tournament game is prohibited from participating in the next immediately following tournament game played by their team. A player or coach may receive more than a one-game suspension.

RED CARDS

Any player or coach who receives a red card will be sent-off from that game and not be eligible to participate in the team's next game.

YELLOW CARDS

Any player or coach who receives one yellow card will be cautioned of the offense and allowed to continue to play.

A second yellow card issued to a player or coach during any one game will count as a red card and the player or coach will be sent-off from the current game and be suspended from the team’s next game.

ACCULUMATED YELLOW CARDS

Three yellow cards issued during the tournament, will result in the sending-off of the player or coach from the current game and the player or coach will be required to sit out the team’s next game. The player sent-off for an accumulated yellow card offense CAN be substituted for in the current game.

If a player or coach is sent-off based on the accumulated yellow card criteria, calculating subsequent yellow cards will start from zero, as if the player had not received any prior yellow cards.

Both teams, including players, coaches, supporters and spectators will take, side by side positions, on the same side of the pitch. The home team may select which ½ of the pitch is designated to the home team.

No coaches, players, or spectators are authorized within 18 yards of the end of the field and no one is permitted behind the end line. All spectators must remain behind the spectator's lines.

It is the responsibility of the team’s coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf to control the conduct of the parents and other spectators. Failure to do so may result in a warning by the referee to the coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf. INAPPROPRIATE OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND MAY RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF THE COACH AND/OR SPECTATORS. If a coach is ejected from a game, it will be treated as a red card offense and that coach must leave the field area for the remainder of that game and may not be present at the following scheduled game. In the event that the ejected coach is coaching more than one team, that coach will be barred from all tournament sites until the team he/she was coaching, at the time of the ejection, has completed its next scheduled game. Spectators causing the coach to be ejected will be subject to the same penalties as the coach. If a coach has been ejected and there is no assistant coach, team manager or other team official, as listed on the roster to represent the team, the game will be ruled a forfeit and will stop at that time. All ejections will be reported in writing to the team's Club, League, and State Association.

NOISE MAKING DEVICES ARE NOT PERMITTED.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, ILLEGAL DRUGS, AND WEAPONS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TOURNAMENT SITE. ANY PLAYER, COACH, OR SPECTATOR FOUND IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL, ILLEGAL DRUGS, OR WEAPONS WILL BE BANNED FROM THE TOURNAMENT AND APPROPRIATE NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE MADE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES. SMOKING AND USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS IS PROHIBITED FROM THE GAME FIELD INCLUDING THE SIDELINES AND SPECTATOR AREAS.

HARASSMENT OF REFEREES AND/OR ASSISTANT REFEREES OR ANY VIOLENT OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR, OR FOUL LANGUAGE DIRECTED AT ANYONE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. PERSONS ENGAGING IN SUCH BEHAVIOR ARE LIABLE TO BE BANNED FROM THE TOURNAMENT AND ALL TOURNAMENT SITES BY TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS. TEAMS JUDGED GUILTY OF BEHAVIOR DETRIMENTAL TO THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE BARRED FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR. A WRITTEN REPORT WILL BE FILED WITH THE VIRGINIA STATE ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS THE TEAM'S STATE ASSOCIATION, CLUB, AND LEAGUE.

The Tournament Director is the final arbiter of all disputes, arguments, and misunderstandings. His interpretations and decisions are in all cases final.

4. GAME CHECK-IN TIME

Team should arrive at their fields 30 minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off and check in with the Site Coordinator to make their presence known. Site Coordinator will be identified by means informed at the registration table during initial team check-in.

5. RULES OF PLAY

Except as modified herein, the FIFA "Laws of the Game" will apply to all games. The number of players for each age group is set forth in Section 9. Rules for U8 play will appear in a separate document.

When requested by the referee, each team must provide a referee assistant.

6. FIELD AND GAME EQUIPMENT

Soccer shoes with metal cleats are prohibited.

Players must have a uniform jersey with a distinct number on the back matching their number on the team’s official tournament roster.

When uniform colors are similar, the home team will change colors. The team listed first on the game schedule is the home team. All teams are required to have a second set of jerseys of different color to change to in case of a conflict with the opposing team. Such jerseys do not have to have the same numbers on them as the original jerseys. The use of practice vests (i.e., “pennies”) will be permitted.

All players must wear shin guards completely covered by uniform socks in accordance with FIFA laws.

The designated home team must provide a game ball. Balls may be supplied by the tournament, at the discretion of the tournament committee. If the tournament game ball is lost, the designated home team is responsible for supplying a comparable game ball to the referee.

7. SUBSTITUTIONS

Substitutions will be unlimited and may be made, with the consent of the referee, at the following times:

Prior to throw-in, by the team in possession
Prior to a goal kick, by either team
After a goal by either team
In the event of an injury, when the referee stops play (one-for-one for the injured player(s))
At half time or the beginning of an overtime period
For a player sent-off for an accumulated yellow card offense (three yellow cards in the tournament)

Under no circumstances may substitutions be made (1) on corner kicks or (2) after the game has ended in a tie and FIFA penalty kicks will be required to determine a winner.

8. DIVISIONS AND DIVISION STRUCTURE

Each age group will be divided into divisions, subdivisions and flights best suited for the number of teams registered at the sole discretion of the tournament Committee.

Anticipated Division Structure (for U9 and above)

(Wherever possible, age groups will consist of 8-team divisions with 2 flights of 4 teams.)

1. Divisions of 8 Teams (two flights of 4 teams)

a. Each team will play 3 preliminary round games; a round robin within each flight.

b. After the conclusion of preliminary games, teams will be ranked in their respective groups to determine placement for the final. (winner Flight A vs winner Flight B)

2. Divisions of 6 Teams (two flights of 3 teams)

a. Each team will play 2 preliminary round games; a round robin within each flight.

b. After completion of preliminary games, the 3rd place team in each flight will play a consolation game. The 1st place teams in each flight will play the 2nd place teams in the opposite flight.

c. The winners will advance to the final.

3. Divisions of 10 Teams (one flight of 4 teams and two flights of 3 teams)

a. Each team in the 4-team flight “A” will play 3 preliminary round games, a round robin within their flight.

b. Each team in the 3-team flights “B” and “C” will play 2 preliminary round games, a round robin within their flight.

c. After the conclusion of preliminary games, teams will be ranked in their respective groups to determine placement for the final.

d. After completion of preliminary games, the 2^nd and 3^rd place teams in the 3-team flights “B” and C” will play a consolation game. The 1st place teams in the 3-team flights will play a semi-final game. The winner will advance to play the top ranked team in the “A” bracket.

4. Divisions of other than 8, 10 or 6 teams will have an appropriate structure determined by the Tournament Director with a minimum of 3 games per team.

Anticipated Division Structure for U8 Divisions

a. It is anticipated that U8 teams will be grouped into Divisions consisting of two flights of 5 teams each.

b. Each team will play the other four teams in their flight once. Each team is guaranteed four games.

c. There will be no final.

d. All players will receive a participation medal.

9. GAME FORMATS, DURATION OF GAMES, BALL SIZES, FIELD SIZES, GOAL SIZES, ETC.

Age Group	Ball Size	Game Format	Minimum # of Players	Goalie	Duration	Goal Size (H x W)
U8	3	4v4	3	No	10min quarters	Pugs
U9	4	6v6	5	Yes	25 min halves	6.2 x 12.0
U10	4	7v7	5	Yes	25 min halves	6.2 x 12.0
U11/12	4	8v8	6	Yes	25 min halves	7 x 21
U13+	5	11v11	9	Yes	30 min halves	8 x 24

* Combining of age groups may be necessary at the Tournament Committee's discretion.

All games will be played with a running clock. The referee may only stop the clock for serious injuries or other incidents. The referee is the official timekeeper and therefore all decisions regarding game duration are solely at the referee's discretion and shall not be protested.

All preliminary games will be played and decided in regulation time. No overtime periods or penalty kicks will be used to break a tie in preliminary round games. Half time shall be 5 minutes for all preliminary games.

Golden Goal Overtime Periods will be played only in the event of a tie at the end of regulation play in Semi-Final and Final Games. All overtimes consist of 2 golden goal periods of 5 minutes with teams changing ends (switch halves) after the first overtime period.

Where necessary to maintain the schedule, the appointed site coordinator can adjust the length of preliminary and/or overtime periods equally. Semi Finals and Finals ending in ties after the completion of two Golden Goal Overtime Periods will be decided with penalty kicks in accordance with FIFA laws.

10. DETERMINATION OF FLIGHT WINNERS

Generally speaking, the team with the most points in each flight will proceed to the championship game within the Division. Points will be awarded as follows: three (3) points for a win; one (1) point for a tie and no (0) points for a loss.

NO BONUS POINTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR A FORFEIT.

Goal differential bonus points will be awarded to winner with a maximum of 3 points per game. There will be NO negative differential for losing teams. Also, one additional Bonus point will be awarded for any shut-out during the preliminary round. No shut-out bonus points are awarded for a 0-0 tie. Four (4) points are the maximum bonus points that can be scored on any one game (3 goal differential bonus points and one shut-out bonus point).

In the event of a tie within a bracket after preliminary rounds, the following tie-breaker system shall be used to determine group winners:

1. Winner of Head-to-Head Competition

2. Most Wins

3. Least Goals Allowed (lowest average for all preliminary games).

4. Goal Differential Bonus Points awarded to winner with a maximum of 3 points per game

There will be NO negative differential for losing teams

Example:

6-0 = +4 Bonus Points to Winner

4-2 = +2 Bonus Points to Winner

2-1 = +1 Bonus Points to Winner

0-0 = 0 Bonus Points to Winner

5. FIFA Penalty Kicks

In the event of a three-way tie within a group, tie-breaker (1) will not be used. If FIFA penalty kicks are taken for a three way tie, there will be a draw by the Site Coordinator. The first team drawn will receive a bye; the next team drawn will be the home team against the remaining team in the first contest. The winner of the first contest will then compete against the bye team to determine the group winner. In this contest the bye team will be the home team.

11. FAILURE TO SHOW AND FORFEITS

A team shall be allowed a ten (10) minute grace period after the scheduled kick-off time before the match is considered a forfeit. The minimum of players constitutes a team and if such number is present, the game will not be delayed.

A forfeit in the preliminary rounds shall be awarded as three (3) points for the win. The score of a forfeited game will be recorded as 3-0, NO BONUS POINTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR A FORFEIT.

Forfeits of a semi-final or championship game shall be recorded as 1-0. Any team forfeiting a semi-final or championship game will not be entitled to individual trophies or team awards.

Failure to produce either duly authorized Player Passes or an Official Tournament Approved Team Roster if requested prior to, during or immediately after the game, or failure of the home team to be able to change to different color jerseys in the event of a color conflict with the opposing team are grounds for a forfeit. Playing a suspended player (a player receiving either a red card, two yellow cards in one game or three yellow cards in the tournament) in the game following the receipt of a red card is also grounds for a forfeit.

12. GAME AND SCORE REPORTING

Prior to each game, the team coach will need to get a game card from the Site Coordinator. The winning team coach is responsible for the completion of the game card. Game card MUST include final score, coaches and referee signature. The Site Coordinator will ensure that the official tournament game cards are properly completed, signatures obtained, and the scores recorded at the end of each game. THE WINING TEAM COACH IS RESPONSIBLE TO REPORT THE FINAL SCORE OF THE GAME TO THE SITE COORDINATOR. FAILURE TO REPORT THE FINAL GAME SCORE WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF THE END OF THE GAME, OR IMPROPERLY COMPLETED GAME CARDS WILL RESULT IN A 0-0 SCORE.

13. PROTESTS

THERE WILL BE NO PROTESTS. The decision of Tournament Director, Site Coordinators and/or Tournament Committee are FINAL.

14. INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Director or official representative(s) will have the authority to:

Relocate or reschedule any game(s);

Change the duration of any game(s);

Cancel any preliminary game(s);

Consider any game terminated by game or Tournament Officials after

one half of play as official as of the time of termination and the score stands at time of termination; and determine the format for advancement.

15. GENERAL

The tournament will do its best to schedule three games for each team. However, at the Tournament Director's discretion, the number of games is reduced, the tournament is not liable for any expenses and no refunds for the tournament application fees will be given.

Under no circumstances whatsoever will the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, Inc., the Warrenton Youth Soccer Club, the Warrenton Cub Tournament Committee, or any of their official representatives be responsible for any expenses (including the Tournament entry fee) incurred by any team. This includes a situation whereby the Tournament or any game(s) is canceled in whole or part. It is solely up to the Tournament Committee, to decide if any refunds will be returned, due to partial or full cancellation of the tournament.

No items, may be sold at, headquarters, playing fields, or surrounding areas for the duration of the tournament unless specifically sanctioned by the Warrenton Cup Tournament Committee.