Holliston Tournament - Rules

Effective February 2009. Subject to Change.

Tournament Rules
The tournament rules shall be FIFA Laws of the Game except as modified herein. Complete official rules will be supplied to each team upon acceptance.

Age Divisions
Boys under 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14 div I and II where possible. Girls under 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14 div I and II where possible.

Player eligibility and application
Based on actual applications received we are attempting to have two divisions of competition: one for club teams and one for town teams.

The roster of each team shall have the following number of players:
- 6 v 6: 14 players maximum.
- 8 v 8: 16 players maximum.
- 11 v 11: 18 players maximum.
A team playing with an ineligible player shall forfeit its games.
Any mixed gender team shall be placed in the Boys Division.
All teams must be properly registered with their league and state, final roster must have league stamp/approval, and each player (except 6 vs. 6) must have and show a valid player pass.
Double rostering of any player will not be allowed. If a player is found to be double rostered then his/her teams will forfeit all games that he/she played in.

Division Standings: (except 6 vs. 6)
Division standings will be determined by the FIFA point system of 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss. In the event of a tie, to determine the division winner [if tied or not applicable] move to next tie breaker:

Results of head to head competition.
Most wins.
Fewest goals against.
Most shutouts.
Highest total goal differential (maximum 3 per game).
Most games scoring a goal.
Most sportsmanship points.
Knock out competition according to the penalty kick procedure under the supervision of the Referees’ Committee.

Semi-finals and finals
If games are tied after regulation play, two (2) ten (10) minute overtime periods will be played. The first team to score will be determined to be the winner (golden goal). If still tied, penalty kicks shall be taken in accordance with FIFA rules to determine a winner.

Note: A qualified team unable to appear at a semi-final or final game shall forfeit its standing and will be replaced by the next closest qualified team. The selection process for the next qualified team will be based upon the above criteria.

Game Length
Preliminary and Semi-Final games will be 50 minutes, consisting of two 25 min. halves with a 5- minute half-time.

Final games will be as follows:

Girls & Boys U-11 Final = two 30 minute halves.
Girls & Boys U-12 Final = two 30 minute halves.
Girls & Boys U-14 Final = two 35 minute halves.

Note: All game lengths and schedules are subject to change by Holliston Tournament Committee based on weather, field conditions or other mitigating circumstances.

Position of Players, Spectators and Coaches
Team players are to take a position on one side of playing field, opposite to the side occupied by the spectators. Coaches may not roam more than 10 yards to either side of their team location.

Medical Issues

Players must wear shin pads, no decorative jewelry or hard medical casts are allowed.
Soft casts must be approved at check-in.
Any brace with exposed metal parts must be thoroughly wrapped before a player is allowed on the pitch.
Medical bracelets need to be taped.
It is advised that coaches maintain a separate copy of medical releases on their person at all times.

Linepersons
Each team shall provide a linesperson for its side of the playing field if requested by the referee.

Forfeiture
Game time is forfeiture time. A minimum of 7 players* is required to start the game. A team with less than 7 players* will not be able to start the game and will forfeit the game. Score will be 1-0 and winning team will receive 3 points. Note: * 6 v 6 requires 4 players only to start, 8 v 8 only 6 players.

Ejection
A player or coach ejected from a game will not be allowed to participate in the team’s next game. Any player, coach or team official asked to leave by the referee shall immediately leave the playing field area for the remainder of the match. The Tournament Committee may determine if additional action is warranted. A player that accumulates(3) yellow cards during the tournament will not be allowed to participate in the team’s next match even if that match is a semi or final.

Substitutions
Substitutions will take place with the players at the mid field line prior to requesting to substitute. Substitutions may be made with the permission of the referee at the following times:

Prior to a goal kick by either team.
After a goal is scored by either team.
At half-time by either team.
Prior to throw-in by team awarded the throw-in. If the team awarded the throw-in makes a substitution, then the opposing team may also substitute.
After an injury when referee stops play [either team]
After a caution, player for player substitution and only for the player(s) involved.

Game Balls

Girls & Boys – U-9, U-10, U-11, U-12 = #4 Ball
Girls & Boys - U-14 = #5 Ball

Coaches’ Responsibilities
Coaches are responsible for correctly completed roster & player pass cards, for having their team prepared to play at the required times, and for their own substitutions. In addition, coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players, assistants, and their fans. They also are responsible to act in a professional manner when dealing with Tournament officials. This is a ZERO TOLERANCE Tournament. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to disqualify a team from competition, (without refund), for gross misconduct on the part of any or all of its coaches, players, and/or fans. The committee’s decision is final.

Protests
Protests will not be considered.