RULES & REGULATIONS 

LAWS OF THE GAME 

All matches shall be played in conformance with the most current rules and regulations of WSYSA, USYS, US CLUB, FIFA and CONCACAF, unless modified and stated herein, as approved by the governing bodies. The Crossfire Challenge tournament will only use currently registered USSF Referees. 

MODIFIED RULES FOR SMALL-SIDED AGE GROUPS (U8-U12)

• No Heading (If a player deliberately heads the balls the opposing team will be given an indirect free-kick at the spot of the infraction. (Heading allowed at U12)
• No punting or drop-kicking by the goalkeeper.
• Build out line –
         A. Goal-kick. The opposition can enter the build-out area as soon as the ball is played.
         B. GK in possession with their hands. The opposition can enter the build-out area as soon as the goalkeeper puts the ball into play.
         Example: If the goalkeeper makes a save and is in possession with their hands the opposition drops behind the build-out line and if the goalkeeper places the ball on the ground the ball is in play.
• Offsides is enforced at the half line. 

TEAM ELIGIBILITY 

All teams must have the appropriate tournament documents approved for participation. These may include; Team Roster, Guest Players, Player Identification, and Medical Releases. Each team is required to have on-site at all games the ability to provide, upon demand, acceptable proof of player’s age and a properly completed medical release form for each player. 

Foreign teams must present passports or proof of entry into the United States. Foreign teams must also provide completed Provincial or National Association paperwork authorizing their participation in the tournament. 

TEAM CHECK-IN 

All teams will check-in online this year. Online check-in is now open and must be completed by 8pm the night before your first game.  You are not required to come to tournament headquarters prior to the first game. Tournament pins will be available for pick-up at any point throughout the weekend at the main tournament tent.

At check-in, each team must submit the following:

• Official Roster
  • If using US Youth Soccer, the roster must be signed by the club registrar. (no write-ins)
  • If using US Club Soccer, teams must provide an official US Club roster. (no write-ins without a proper player loan form)
• Medical releases
  • Teams must show copies of medical releases for their players. Teams can use whatever version of a medical release that their club uses. There is no tournament-specific medical release.
• Player cards are NOT required! We use the official roster as proof of registration and date of birth.

ROSTERS

Teams may carry the following roster sizes;

• Playing 7v7, no more than 14 players,
• Playing 9v9, no more than 14 players,
• Playing 11 v 11, no more than 22 players

No roster changes will be permitted after a team roster has been approved at the tournament registration.  

Tournament Fields

All games will be played at the 60 Acres Soccer Complex in Redmond, WA

60 Acres Soccer Park

15200 NE 116th Ave.

Redmond, WA 98052

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT 

The shirt number of each player must be the same as the player’s shirt number on the official roster. All teams shall bring an alternate color jersey. The designated home team will wear light uniforms, and the away team will wear dark uniforms. 

All player equipment shall conform to the requirements of Law 4 of the Laws of the Game. It is the duty of the referee to enforce the Laws of the Game and the WSYSA Rules of Competition concerning player equipment. Protective orthopedic devices, prosthetic devices and any equipment, gear, appliance or apparatus that is protective for a known medical condition may be worn during a game if the referee determines that the device conforms to Law 4 of the Laws of the Game. 
 

TEAM WARM-UP 

All teams, including goalkeepers, must warm-up off the game fields until 5 minutes before kickoff.  This is to help to keep the fields in great playing condition for the games.

START OF THE GAME 

The Home team will choose the side of the field they wish to defend. The Away team will get the kick-off to start the game. 

SUBSTITUTION 

There is no limit on substitutions.  Teams are allowed to substitute, with the referee’s permission at any stoppage of play

EJECTION 

Any coach or player receiving two yellow cards or one red card in one match will be sent off and suspended from play in the following match. The referee shall file a misconduct report with the Tournament Committee, who shall review the report, and may at their option, increase or decrease the suspension in accordance with WSYSA guidelines. 

The referee shall have total control of their fields during their assigned matches. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, parents, guests and staff. Abusive behavior towards the referee, opponents, tournament staff, etc. will not be tolerated. Any such actions are grounds for immediate individual or team removal from the tournament and/or facilities. 

PROTESTS 

Only coaches may protest a misconduct report or the outcome of a match. The referee of the match must be notified immediately after the match concludes and the coach must follow-up within sixty (60) minutes after the match with a written request and a $100 non-refundable bond (Cash or Money Order). All protests are submitted in writing to the tournament committee at Tournament Headquarters for consideration.  The Tournament committee will have final authority on all matters related to them.  Notes:

• Protests for receipt of a red card will only be considered in the event of a misapplication of the Laws of Play for suspensions greater than one game. 
• Protest of game outcomes will be considered only in the case of overage or suspended players or the clear misapplication of the Laws of Play by a referee. 
• Protests involving Referee judgment will not be accepted.
• All protests not involving misconduct will be reviewed by the tournament committee

FAILURE TO SHOW – FORFEITS 

A minimum of seven (7) players constitutes a legal team for either a 9v9 game.  A minimum of five (5) players constitutes a legal team for a 7v7 game. Any team not having enough players for a legal team at the start time for the match shall be granted a single 10-minute grace period. If a team is still unable to field at least seven players at the expiration of the grace period, they shall be deemed to have forfeited the game. If a forfeit is determined, the winning team will be awarded a score of 4-0 and will receive the appropriate points for that score. Any team that forfeits a match will not be eligible to advance to the knock out rounds of the tournament.

SCORING FORMAT, GROUP PLAY

A maximum of three (3) points may be awarded per each game. Three (3) points shall be awarded for a win, one (1) for a tie, and zero (0) points for a loss. 

TIE BREAKERS, GROUP STANDINGS

If teams finish group play tied in total points, the following tiebreaker shall be implemented: 

1. Head-to-head competition 
2. Highest Goal Differential, all games – Limit of 6 per game. 
3. Most wins. 
4. Most Goals For, all games – Limit of 6 per game. 
5. Fewest Goals Against, all games – Limit of 6 per game. 
6. For determination of advancement, the tournament will use a Penalty kick shoot-out – 5 players per team; if still tied, sudden victory penalty kick shoot-out. 
7. For determination of seeding the tournament will do a coin toss at the tournament headquarters.

In the event of a tie of 3 or more teams, the tiebreakers will be started at #2 until 1 team advances, if that is not possible, start back at #2 to eliminate a team. If there are more than 2 teams remaining, we will start again at tiebreaker #2 trying to advance a team. Once we are down to 2 teams, the tiebreakers will be started at #1 for the remaining 2 teams.

TOURNAMENT AWARDS

There are no team or individual awards for this tournament.

TEAM BENCHES 

Players of both teams will be positioned on one side of the field as directed by the Field Marshall. They may be accompanied by up to four registered team officials (Coaches, Assistant Coaches, or Managers) for each team. Spectators of both teams shall be on the opposite side of the field. 

GAME BALLS 

Game balls will be supplied by the tournament and must be returned to the referee or Field Marshall immediately following each match. 

GAME REPORT 

The referee will give the Field Marshall a completed match Game Report, including full names of both teams, score, and any Misconduct Reports, at the field at the completion of the match. Both coaches are required to sign the final scorecard before leaving the field of play. 

NUMBER AND REST TIME BETWEEN MATCHES 

By default, a team will play either one or two games a day. On an exception basis it may be necessary to play less than one or more than two games. When this occurs, an attempt will be made to ensure teams from the same bracket are scheduled for the same number of games per day.

If a team plays more than one game on a day, the tournament game schedule will strive to provide a minimum rest time of at least two games between the end of one game and the start of the next game.  This rest period may need to be shortened.

INCLEMENT WEATHER/CANCELLATION 

The Tournament Committee has the right to shorten and/or cancel matches due to inclement conditions or other acts of nature, which are beyond the control of the tournament, most notably in the case of lightning or loss of light. By default, if a game is shortened or canceled after the match has started, the score will be considered final if the second half of play has started.  Match delays due to unforeseen circumstances or occurring before the start of the second half will be addressed by the tournament committee. The Tournament Committee’s decision will be final. 

TOURNAMENT ENTRANCE FEE 

Tournament Entrance Fee will not be refundable after May 18 or if an early acceptance has been given & acknowledged. 

CANCELLATION POLICY 

The tournament committee will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team in the event games are discontinued or cancelled due to inclement weather or adverse field conditions.

NOT PERMITTED AT 60 ACRES 

Dogs, pets, alcohol, illegal substances, and weapons are not permitted in the 60 Acres Soccer Park at any time.

HOUSING POLICY

This tournament is no longer a stay-and-play. Teams may stay at any hotel or accommodation they prefer.

FINAL AUTHORITY

The tournament committee has final authority over all matters not covered by the rules above. The tournament committee also has the final say on rule clarification.