2019 RULES

General
This Class III recreational & pre-club tournament open to all Boys & Girls 2011 – 2000 from CYSA and all teams affiliated with USSF. Qualifying applications will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any application. All decisions, judgments and rulings of the tournament referees and officials are final. NO PROTESTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED OR ALLOWED.

Tournament Play Age: OC Memorial Day Classic will play the 2018/19 age groups only.

Registration: All registration is conducted online via Total Global Sports (TGS). Check will be allowed on Friday, May 24th, 2019 at a location TBD, or on Saturday at a minimum of one hour prior to your first game. Failure to check in will result in automatic disqualification (without a refund of the fee) from the tournament. Games not played will be classified as “Forfeits”.

Current laminated USYSA or AYSO player cards for 2018/19 will be required of all players as proof of age and must be available for inspection at initial check-in and at the start of each game. Proper Player Loan Forms will be required at Registration along with other required credentials, as required by the team’s State Association. All teams must provide the USYSA or AYSO Player I.D. Cards from the State Association listed on this application. The OC Memorial Day Classic will also accept teams registering under the US Club Soccer banner and AYSO. Player I.D. Cards from associations other than USYSA, AYSO or US Club Soccer will not be accepted. Medical release forms will be required for all players at initial check-in. Teams will be required to keep medical releases on hand at all times.

Refunds: Refunds may be requested and must be done in writing to the tournament director. A refund will be issued less a $50 administration fee. In order to be eligible for a refund you must request it no later than April 15th, 2019. After April 16th, 2019 no refunds will be issued unless another team can be found to replace your spot.

Rosters: Teams may register a maximum of eighteen (18) players (14 for U12 & below). A team may use unlimited guest players, but any team utilizing guest players is still limited to the eighteen player maximum (14 for U10 & below).

RULES OF PLAY
All games will be played under FIFA rules with USYSA and CalSouth adjustments for youth competition with the following additions and clarifications:

Game Format: Each team will play a minimum of 3 games. Preliminary Games can end in a tie. Finals games tied after regulation will go straight to FIFA Penalty Kicks. The winner of the kicks will determine who is awarded the trophy. Penalty Kicks will immediately follow the game.  Brackets where there are 2 groups of 3 that cross play will have the top 2 overall point getters going to final from all 6 teams.

Heading/Build out Line
The No Heading and the Build Out Line rule for ages 2010-2008 will be enforced.

7 V 7 games:
Deliberate heading is not allowed in 7v7 games. If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header 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.

Build out line:
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 drop kicks 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. 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.

Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage.

9 v 9 games:
Deliberate heading is not allowed in 9v9 games for the U11 (2008) birth year games. If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header 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.

Deliberate heading IS allowed in the 9v9 games for the U12 (2007) birth year games.

Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage.

Duration of Games and Overtimes (by halves), and Ball size are as follows:
There will be no stoppage time for injuries; in other words, there is a running clock for all games. Half time for games will be 5 minutes. Determining Winners: Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:

• Six (6) points for each Win
• Three (3) points for each Tie
• Zero (0) points for each Loss
• One (1) point for each goal scored up to a maximum of three (3) per game
• One (1) point for each shutout
• Minus one (-1) for each player or coach ejected
• A 0-0 tie will be scored as 4 points for each team (3 for tie, 1 for shutout)

In the event of a tie in points at the end of bracket play, the teams to advance will be determined as follows in this order (use bullets):

• The winner in a preceding head-to-head match-up
• Goals against
• Goals for (to a maximum of 4 per game)
• If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 3, FIFA Penalty Kicks will be taken (time and location to be determined by the Tournament Director) prior to the scheduled start of the Final game.
• If a three-way tie exists within a bracket after steps 1 through 4, a three-way coin flip will be conducted. The teams that tie in the coin flip will compete in FIFA Penalty Kicks to eliminate one team prior to proceeding to FIFA Penalty Kicks with the third team. The coin flip and time of the FIFA Penalty Kicks will be determined by the Tournament Director at the fields.

Game Day Check-In: Except for initial tournament check-in (1 Hour prior to game), all teams must check-in at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of each scheduled game, a team representative must present to the Field Marshall the team’s player cards and game card so the team may be checked in to play and the game started as scheduled. The Field Marshall will retain the game card and the team’s player cards until completion of the game. Each team manager or representative will be required to initial the game card area for that game before the player cards will be returned. A team who fails to properly check in with the Field Marshall will forfeit that game.

The Tournament Director has the final say on the determination of safety and suitability of each player’s equipment, including the wearing of a hard brace and/or hard cast. Shin guards are mandatory for all players.

After the start of a match, it will be the decision of the referee whether or not playing conditions are safe.

Home Team Responsibilities: The Home Team will be the team which appears first on the game schedule. The Home Team will provide a game ball. The game ball is subject to referee approval. The Home Team will be required to switch to an alternate jersey to accommodate a color conflict as declared by the referee. The Home Team will sit on the north or west side of the field. In all cases spectator and team seating will allow the referee’s assistants clear runs and views of all touch lines. 

Substitutions: Substitutions are unlimited; however, teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission and per Cal South rules.

Cautions and Ejections: A player or coach receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game is considered to have been given an Ejection (red card) for the purposes of awarding point for the Tournament competition. A player who has been ejected (sent off) will not be replaced. A player or coach who has been ejected will not return for that game and must leave the field of play. The tournament director, or his designee will determine the suspension of a player or coach receiving an ejection based on the facts presented. A team will be disqualified from the Tournament if any player or coach fails to comply with the provisions of this section. All red cards are reported to CalSouth. Cards for ejected players or coaches will be available from the Field Marshal after they have satisfied their penalty.

Protests/Disputes: No protests will be allowed and all games will be considered final. The Tournament Director will resolve any situation not explicitly covered by the rules. Disputes relating to the interpretation of these rules will be resolved with the Tournament Director or his designee.

Marshal and Administrators/Coaches that are registered with the involved team(s): Individuals may not represent a team if not registered as an Administrator/Coach with the involved team(s).

Forfeits/Byes: All teams who forfeit will have the game(s) scored as a 0-1 loss. The winner will be awarded eight (7) points (6 for the win; and 1 for a shutout). If, at the discretion of the Tournament Director, a forfeit provides an unfair advantage, the Tournament Director may make an adjustment in the bracket. Teams forfeiting their first game will be assumed to forfeit all of their games unless they contact the Tournament Director at least 3 hours prior to their subsequent games. Teams will forfeit for any of the following reasons:

• Teams fail to check in at the required location, ready to play five minutes before the scheduled kick off time
• Teams fail to produce laminated player passes and/or coach’s pass
• Teams fail to report to the field with the minimum number of players required to start the game (6 for U10 & below; 7 for U11-U19)
• Coach is ejected and fails to leave the field when directed to do so
• Coach is ejected and there is no other coach or administrator available
• Game is suspended due to the misconduct of players, coaches, administrators, parents or spectators

There will be no refunds to teams who forfeit their own games.

Field Safety/Inclement Weather: The Referee or Tournament Director will determine if a field is safe for play. Teams are expected to show up for scheduled games times unless notified by a tournament official. Rain or other weather conditions will not delay play unless the referee determines the fields are unsafe. If necessary, games may be shortened, go directly to FIFA Penalty Kicks or be cancelled. If a game is terminated due to problems associated with the fields, including lighting for a night game, the team in the lead at the time of stoppage wins. If a Quarter or Semi Final match cannot be played, FIFA penalty kicks will determine the winner. If the Final game cannot be played, the teams will be co-champions.

If games cannot be rescheduled or played due to rain or other circumstances, the Tournament Director will make refund adjustments and retains the right to keep up to one-third (1/3) of the team fee to cover expenses.

CONDUCT
All players, coaches and spectators will be expected to demonstrate good sportsmanlike conduct. Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends and spectators at all times. Inappropriate conduct by your team’s spectators can jeopardize your coach and/or team. If a referee terminates a game due to misconduct of players or spectators, the offending team will forfeit. The offending player, spectator or team may be banned from further participation in the tournament.

The following Rules must be strictly adhered to:

• At no time is there to be any alcoholic beverages at the tournament sites
• Pets are not allowed on any of the fields at any time
• This is a smoke-free environment; no smoking is allowed at any of the fields
• At synthetic turf fields, no sharp or pointed umbrella, canopy, or shading anchors are allowed to penetrate the turf
• At synthetic turf fields, no food, gum, or seeds of any kind allowed on turf surface
• After each game, please pick up the trash on your sideline and place it in one of the provided receptacles
• Please help us keep the games on time by immediately collecting your things and clearing your sideline after your game. This will allow the next team to move into position and prepare for the start of their game

Photography
By entering into and playing in the OC Memorial Day Classic you are giving your authorization and permission to be photographed or recorded for official use by LA Galaxy Orange County, the City of Los Alamitos & the Los Alamitos Unified School District.