MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER TOURNAMENT RULES

Registration: Previously handled at the beginning of the season. Teams are required however to submit an official game card to the center referee prior to the start of each game. As stated earlier in the basic rule, no guest players are allowed and a player may play for only 1 team during the tournament. Teams in violation will forfeit the game 1-0.

Coaches Information: There will be no coaches meeting prior to the tournament. The basic rules of the game apply to the tournament just the same as for the regular season.

Laws of the Game: FIFA rules apply to the tournament apply to all matches, unless specified herein. All games should begin promptly at their scheduled time and end at least 10 minutes prior to the next game. The tournament director may shorten the game as necessary to keep the schedule correct.

Length of Game / Ball Size: Tournament games will consist of two 25 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime. Final games will be two 35 minute halves with a 10 minute halftime. PM games could be shortened to allow for completion of all games if needed. All teams will use a size # 5 ball.

Possible Division Formats:

Listed below are the possible Division formats. Priority will be to first place all teams in an 8 Team Division. Other Divisions will be created as needed based on the number of teams, available fields, daylight, referees, and the desire to balance the teams within a Division.

4 Team Division: In a 4 team division there is one bracket consisting of 4 teams. Each team plays the other 3 in the bracket. The team with the most points will be declared the Champion. If two teams are tied with points after the preliminary games, the first tie breaker will be head to head competition to determine the Champion. If head to head does not resolve the tie then the Final Game will be played to determine Champion and Finalist.

5 Team Division: In a 5 team division there is one bracket of 5 teams. Each team will play the other teams in the bracket. The team with the most points will be declared the Champion. The team with the second most points will be declared the Finalist. At any point where two or more teams are tied with points then the standard tie breakers will be used to determine the Champion and Finalist.

6 Team Division: In a 6 team division there is an A and B bracket consisting of 3 teams each. Each team plays the other 2 in its bracket on Saturday. On Sunday there are 2 semi-final games and a consolation game . These games are based on points scored on Saturday. The winners of the 2 semi-final matches will advance to the finals.

8 Team Division: In an 8 team division there is an A and B bracket of 4 teams each. Each team will play the other teams in its own bracket with the winners of the 2 brackets based on points, advancing to the finals.

9 Team Division: In a 9 team division there is an A, B, and C bracket consisting of 3 teams each. Each team plays the other 2 in its bracket on Saturday. On Sunday there are 3 quarter-final games and 2 semi-final games. The quarter-final games will help to determine a Wildcard team based on points scored on Saturday and Sunday. The semi-final games will consist of the 1^st place team in each bracket plus one Wildcard team. The winners of the 2 semi-final matches will advance to the finals.

10 Team Division: In a 10 team division there is an A and B bracket of 5 teams each. Each team will play the other teams in its own bracket with the winners of the 2 brackets based on points, advancing to the finals.

Points and Tie- Breakers: The following is the point system which will be used for this tournament.

Wins - 3 points

Ties - 1 point

Loss - 0 point

Forfeit counts as a 3-0 win.

No shut out points will be given for this tournament, nor will goal differential points be given. Net goal differential will only be considered in the tie-break scheme.

The total points to be earned in a given game will be 3. No team will advance over another because of a forfeit if the team gaining the forfeit has previously lost to the other team.

Tie- Breakers – In case of a tie for placement in the semi-final or final games the following will be used to decide the team that advances. Head to head competition will be checked after each step listed below.

1. Head to head competition. (Disregard this rule if more than 2 teams are tied)

2. Greater net goal differential points. (Calculated by subtracting the goals allowed by a team from the goals scored by that team in a given match) with a maximum of plus or minus 3 goal differential in a match. )

3. Most shut outs. A 0-0 score will count as a shut out.

4. Least number of goals allowed.

5. Most goals scored with a maximum of 5 per match.

6. FIFA shoot out.

Resolving Ties in the Semi-final or Championship game

A. A tie in a semi-final game will result in no overtime period and proceed directly to a FIFA law shootout.

B. A tie in the championship game shall result in a 15 minute sudden death overtime period. If still tied at the end, then a FIFA law shootout shall occur to determine the winner.

Awards: Awards will be handled immediately after the conclusion of the championship game. Medallions will be given to Finalist and Champion following the championship game. In addition championship shirts will be made for the winners to be delivered after the tournament. A representative from the Finalists and Champions of each tournament Division will come to the concession area to pick up their medallions as soon as the final game ends. There will also be a “Smoky Mountain Middle School Soccer Championships” banner for pictures located between fields #1 and #2.

Misc. Rules: A copy of the general rules, which govern both the league and the tournament are available to copy from the web site. In the event of bad weather, a decision will be made at the field by the commissioner. David Melendy will be available at the concession area to answer any questions you might have during the tournament. Teams may call the voice number at 966-6183 if the weather indicates to do so on Friday night. Please remember to park in the corporate building lot if your game falls on the half hour to allow for a smoother transition in the upper parking area. Thanks. Remember that all teams are responsible for their players and parents trash. Please assign someone to police the field before leaving. You can call me at the field at 679-0185 if a problem occurs.

Parking: Teams and parents should try and park in the lower lot as much as possible to avoid congestion.

Protests: Protests are not allowed. Please have your team and parents conduct themselves in the spirit of the game. Have a great tournament.