Charlottesville Alliance St. Patrick's Day Soccer Tournament
1. ELIGIBILITY
Participation is open to U8-U12 Boys and Girls Travel Teams (U8-U10 no more than 12 players and U11- U12 teams may have no more than 16 players on their roster) registered with a National State Association affiliated with USYSA/USSF or US Club Soccer or national equivalent and must present a valid State or Provincial roster. Teams that are members of organizations of the United States Soccer Federation but not members of US Youth Soccer (such as AYSO, SAY or US Club Soccer) DO NOT have to have a US Youth Soccer Application To Travel form (although that team’s organization may require that the team have permission). Such a team roster does need to be provided to tournament officials, however, along with current passes from its organization and a current team roster.
Up to 5 carded guest players are permitted for U-9 through U-19. However, a team using guest players must have no more than the following roster sizes:
Roster Sizes:
● U9-U10 7v7 teams are limited to 12 players identified at Registration
● U11-U12 9v9 teams are limited to 16 players identified at Registration
● U13 through U19 teams can have 22 players on their rosters turned in at Registration; however, teams must identify 18 players before each game with the referees. Only 18 players in each game can play
Guest players must be current USYS/USSF or national equivalent players whose team for which they are rostered is not participating in the Alliance St. Patricks Day Tournament.
2. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Team registration will be handled electronically. Complete instructions are available on the tournament website for online registration.
Necessary items for registration/check-in:
● The Official 2024/2025 team roster approved by your State Association with guest players written at the bottom
● Medical Release forms for each player including guest players
● Official Player cards including guest player cards.
All teams must have player cards, Tournament roster, and Medical release forms available for review at each game.
Region 1 Policy Regarding Application To Host A Tournament
Region I have established the following policy concerning permission to travel when attending USYS-sanctioned tournaments in Region I. The purpose of this policy is to make it as simple as possible for the US Youth Soccer Region I teams to travel to tournaments within Region I.
The new policy states that any USYS State Association teams within Region I that are accepted into a tournament in Region I do not need permission to travel papers. Permission to Travel is not required in friendly games within Region 1. National/State Associations in Region I:
Please Note: Each team’s official roster, player passes, and medical release forms must be available for inspection prior to and for the duration of each game.
Teams that are members of organizations of the United States Soccer Federation but not members of US Youth Soccer (such as AYSO, SAY, US Club Soccer or Super Y Leagues) DO NOT have to have a US Youth Soccer Application To Travel form (although that team’s organization may require that the team have permission). An approved team roster does need to be provided to tournament officials, along with current player passes from its organization.
3. CONDUCT/DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
RED CARDS
Any player or coach who receives a red card will be sent-off from that game and is prohibited from participating in the team’s next tournament game. Note that a player or coach may receive more than a one-game suspension for a Red Card depending on the severity.
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.
CONDUCT - Coach, Player, Spectator
For both teams, players and coaches will take one side of the pitch. Supporters and spectators will take the other side of the pitch. The designated Site Coordinator will indicate to the referee and to the teams which sides will be designated for players/coaches and which is for spectators. 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 on 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 on 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 and go to the parking lot for the remainder of that game and may not be present at the following scheduled game.
If 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 and ROSTER CHECKS
Check-in time is 15 minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off. A team representative must report to a Field Marshal at the field where the game is scheduled to make their presence known. Field Marshals will be identified as directed by the tournament director.
If a roster check is requested by a team for a game the roster check must be done before the start of the game. Both teams will be checked by the referee. Once the game is started no roster checks will be permitted.
5. SITE MONITOR/FIELD MARSHALS
During our tournament, we will be relying on the Home team to provide a field marshal (recommend the team manager), their duties are light and are below.
Field Marshal Responsibilities
● Be the "cooler head" should sideline behavior become extreme
● Ensure the team spectators/parents observe the spectator line if there is one - do not allow parents on the "player/coach" side (except for team manager or substitute team manager)
● Be the first point of contact should the referee feel he/she needs help due to inappropriate sideline behavior
● After the game, get the Game Scorecard from the center referee, confirm the score and bring it back to the main site tent so the Site Coordinator can post. Any questions, contact the Site Coordinator at the Main Tent.
Each Site will have a designated Site Coordinator for the overall management of the tournament execution. Please report any issues to the Site Coordinator for resolution. In addition, each field and match will have a designated Field Marshal, which is provided during the tournament by the Home Team.
Any questions, contact the Site Coordinator at the Main Tent
6. RULES OF PLAY
Except as modified herein, the FIFA "Laws of the Game" will apply to all games. All teams will play 11v11, except U-8 - U-10 teams (7v7) and U-11 and U12 (9v9). U9-10 Player Development Initiative Modifications - Build-Out Lines The Build-Out Line is a line extending from touchline to touchline halfway between the penalty area and the centerline. When the defending goalkeeper has the ball in hand or the defending team has been awarded a goal kick, the attacking team shall retreat behind the Build-Out Line until the ball is put back in play. Where a physical line is not present, the referee may mark the line with appropriate soft cones, pennies, or other markings placed off the field. The defending team is not required to wait until the attacking team retreats behind the Build-Out Line; indeed, some clubs will instruct their teams not to wait, choosing instead to force their players to play out of pressure. An attacking player shall not be deemed to be in an offside position if such player has not crossed the Build-Out Line at the time the ball is played.
No Punting/Dropkicks - If the goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, an indirect free kick will 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 will be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the offense occurred.
U11 and younger modifications – Whenever the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped. The proper restart depends upon whether the player deliberately played the ball with his or her head. If deliberate, the proper restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be
taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If the play by the head is deemed inadvertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball.
7. FIELD AND GAME EQUIPMENT
Soccer shoes with metal cleats are prohibited; soccer shoes with toe cleats are prohibited.
Players must have a uniform jersey with a distinct number on the back matching their number on the team’s official state 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 players must wear shin guards completely covered by uniform socks in accordance with FIFA laws.
If not provided by the tournament, 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.
8. 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 or the opposing team
if the team in possession is substituting
● 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
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.
9. DIVISIONS AND DIVISION STRUCTURE
Divisions: Every attempt will be made to make multiple divisions for all age groups. Divisions may be deleted, combined or added at the Tournament Committee’s discretion. Division placement will determine the level of the team pool and will NOT be grounds for discussion or protest. Division Structure: 4, 5, 6 or 8 Team Divisions
|
AGE GROUP |
LENGTH OF HALVES |
BALL SIZE |
|
U9 - U10 |
25 |
4 |
|
U11 and U12 |
30 |
4 |
|
U13 - U19 |
30 |
5 |
Combining age groups may be necessary at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.
All games will be played with a running clock. 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.
Semi-Finals and Finals ending in ties will be decided with penalty kicks in accordance with FIFA laws.
Where necessary to maintain the schedule, the Alliance-appointed site coordinator can adjust the length of game periods equally.
10. POINT SYSTEM and TIE BREAKERS
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.
Tie-breaker points will be awarded in the event of a tie within the bracket after the preliminary round with a maximum of five (5) points per game.
Tie-breaker points only come into play if there are multiple teams with the same record.
In the event of a tie within a bracket after preliminary rounds, the following tie-breaker system shall be used to determine group winners and group runner-up (if applicable):
Tie Breaker (in order, between two teams)
Winner of Head-to-Head Competition
Most Wins
Goals Against (least goals allowed, Max 5)
Goal differential. In each preliminary game, tie-breaker points will be awarded for goal differential (difference between goals for and goals against) to a maximum of five (5) goal differential points per game. (Example: Score is 5-2. The winning team would receive 3 points and the losing team would receive -3 points.)
Most Shutouts (shutout counted only in a victory, a 0 - 0 tie will not count)
Most goals scored, Max 5
Fewest Yellow and Red Card penalty points
FIFA Penalty Kicks
Tie Breaker (in order, between more than two teams)
Most Wins
Goals Against (least goals allowed, Max 5)
Goal differential. In each preliminary game, tie-breaker points will be awarded for goal differential (difference between goals for and goals against) to a maximum of five (5) goal differential points per game. (Example: Score is 5-2. The winning team would receive 3 points and the losing team would receive -3 points.)
Most Shutouts (shutout counted only in a victory, a 0 - 0 tie will not count)
Most goals scored, Max 5
Fewest Yellow and Red Card penalty points
FIFA Penalty Kicks
In the event of a three-way tie the tie-breaker sequences begin with “Goal Differential”, and proceed in order down through the steps until the tie is broken, and the winner is determined; once the winner is determined. If a runner-up is needed then runner-up is determined by continuing through the steps. No steps are to be repeated or skipped.
If FIFA penalty kicks are required in a 3-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. A minimum of seven players constitutes a team and if (7) players are 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 3-0 (four bonus points).
Forfeits of a semi-final or championship game shall be recorded as 1-0.
Any team forfeiting a championship game will not be entitled to individual trophies or team awards.
Failure to produce either duly authorized Player Registration Cards or an Official St. Patrick’s Day Tournament Approved Team Roster to the appropriate Site Coordinator or Tournament Official thirty (30) minutes prior to scheduled game time is 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 grounds for a forfeit.
Results for suspended games due to disciplinary reasons will be at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
12. GAME AND SCORE REPORTING
At the conclusion of the game, the Field Marshall will get the Game Scorecard from the center referee, confirm the score and bring it back to the main site tent so the Site Coordinator can post.
13. PROTESTS
THERE WILL BE NO PROTESTS. The decisions of the 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 Charlottesville Alliance Sports Club, the St. Patrick’s Day 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 Tournament Committee.
16. WITHDRAW POLICY
A team may withdraw from the Tournament for any reason 45 days before the Tournament kicks off with no penalty. If a team withdraws from the Tournament 30 to 44 days before the Tournament Kick‐off, the team will receive a 50% rebate of the Tournament fee. If a team decides to withdraw from the Tournament less than 30 days prior to Tournament Kick‐off no refunds will be allowed. We will consider a full refund for teams that must withdraw for any reason that finds a fully paid replacement of equal team quality, as determined by the Tournament Director.
17. CANCELLATION POLICY
If the entire event/tournament weekend is canceled by the Charlottesville Alliance Sports Club for any reason, accepted teams will receive a refund of the registration fee, after all fixed costs are covered.