As a Positive Coaching Alliance member club, we strive to set a positive example for our members, and we have no tolerance for abusive language or behavior on the soccer field.

Team Check In: Team check-in is done through GotSport. The deadline for online check-in is Friday, April 26th.

Instructions can be found here on how to upload documents to check in your team.

It is mandatory to bring all your player/coaching cards or a printed roster (if using virtual cards) to the closest field marshal tent next to the field where you are playing, 15 minutes prior to each game.

Games not played will be classified as "Forfeits."

***The schedule is subject to change prior to game day. Please check the schedule the day before for any changes.

CREDENTIALS: Teams will be playing in the 2024/2025 season age group. Teams must provide laminated Player I.D. Cards or printed roster (if using virtual cards) for the 2023/24 season with photographs and signed Medical Release Forms (e.g. CalSouth Registration Form). Teams registered through Super Y League, AYSO, or US Club Soccer must provide the appropriate travel documentation for the organization to which they are affiliated. No mixing of cards; the entire team must have cards from the same governing body -- for example, all US Club cards or all Cal South cards.

ROSTERS: All players must be legally registered with their team prior to the start of their first game. There is no limit to the number of borrowed players a team may use. Teams may register a maximum of:

• 20 players for U13-U19
• 18 players for U11-U12
• 14 players for U8-U10

COACHING CONFLICTS: We will make every effort to accommodate coaches with multiple teams. However, we cannot guarantee that schedules will be entirely conflict-free, especially during elimination rounds. Coaches with multiple teams and require assistance with tournament coverage should submit in writing the list of teams they are coaching by the application deadline (April 12th). This will allow the tournament organizers to assist with scheduling.

RULES OF PLAY: FIFA Laws of the game will apply as modified by USYSA and Cal South as described herein. Duration (in minutes) of games by halves, and ball size are as follows: 

All preliminary games will be terminated no less than 5 minutes prior to the start of the next game, regardless of the amount of time played in each half up to that point. A game is considered ‘complete’ upon the completion of one half of play, regardless of the circumstances of termination. The final results will be based on the score at termination. Preliminary games can end in a tie. However, for Semi-Final and Final games ending in ties, they will proceed directly to Penalty Kicks.

HALFTIME: Halftime will be exactly 5 minutes.

GAME CHECK-IN: No less than 15 minutes prior to the start of each scheduled game, each team must present the team’s player cards or a printed roster to the assigned field marshal tent for their field. If a team fails to report within fifteen minutes of a scheduled kick-off, they will forfeit the game. After each game, the team manager should verify the score on the match report and retrieve the player cards or printed roster from the field marshal. Additionally, a team representative must sign the match sheet, indicating their agreement with the reported results.

There will be no grace period to start a match. If a team has fewer than the minimum number of players and is ready to play when the referee is prepared to begin the match, they will forfeit that match. The referee will start play at the designated time, or as soon thereafter as possible in the event of a delay caused by a preceding game.

• 8 players for 11v11
• 7 players for 9v9
• 5 players for 7v7

PLAYER'S EQUIPMENT: It will be at the referee’s discretion to determine the safety and suitability of the player’s equipment, including the wearing of a hard brace or cast.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission, at any stoppage of play. Tactical substitution at the end of a game to delay play is discouraged. It is up to the discretion of the referee on the field to disallow substitution requests if they are deemed unsporting and not in the spirit of the game. No grace period will be allowed to start a match.

COACHING: Coaching from the sidelines is permitted, provided:

1. The tone of the voice is instructive and not derogatory.
2. Each coach or substitute remains within 10 yards on either side of the halfway line.
3. No coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures toward the referees, other coaches’ players, substitutes, or spectators.
4. No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity or incites disruptive behavior in any manner.

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS: In a single game, a player receiving two cautions (yellow cards) is considered equivalent to having received an ejection (red card) for the purpose of awarding team points in the tournament. Once a player has been ejected (sent off), they cannot be replaced. An ejected coach or spectator must immediately leave the field and remain out of sight and sound of the playing area. The player or coach who has been ejected will not return for that game and will be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled match. If a player or coach is ejected due to violent conduct or serious foul play, they may face further suspension (more than one game) or even expulsion from the tournament.

Any player, coach, or spectator assaulting a referee will be expelled from the tournament. It’s important to note that, for the purposes of this tournament, a coach may also receive a card from the referee. If the referee issues a red or yellow card to either a player or coach, they must report the circumstances of the caution or ejection on the game card. All red cards are reported to the Tournament Director and SoCal.

During game suspensions for coaches, there can be no contact between the team and the coach during the game. The coach must remain out of sight and sound of the field. Additionally, the coach may not engage in further unacceptable conduct, including but not limited to coaching players by any means or method, harassing opponents, referees, spectators, or tournament staff. Failure to comply with this rule or the spirit of this rule will result in immediate expulsion from the tournament.

 

CONDUCT: All coaches bear total responsibility for the conduct of their players, bench, friends, and spectators at all times. During a match in this tournament, a referee may stop the game and eject a spectator from the grounds if, in the opinion of the referee, the offender is guilty of violent conduct, serious foul play, or the use of foul or abusive language. Each coach and assistant coach shall be primarily responsible for the conduct of the spectators associated with their respective teams. As such, they may be cautioned or ejected if a spectator(s) interferes with the game, dissents against the referee, is guilty of violent conduct or foul play, or uses foul or abusive language. At no time will dissension or foul or abusive language be permitted on any field.

SUSPENDED GAMES: If, in the opinion of game officials, a game must be suspended (for any reason), the game may be resumed, but it is subject to being ended not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game. If, in the opinion of game officials, a game must be terminated due to misconduct of players, bench coaches, or spectators, the offending team may be suspended from further play and forfeit that game and all remaining games. All previous points earned will remain as played. Additionally, the home league and State Association will be contacted as appropriate.

INJURY: Delays of the game due to injury will result in the appropriate time being added to allow for the full game time, based on the judgment of the officials. However, all preliminary games will be terminated not less than 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game. Please refer to the age matrix for play time. 

DISPUTES/PROTESTS: Game conduct falls under the jurisdiction of the referee’s decision. All disputes will be settled by the Tournament Director or their designee, and the decisions will be final. No protests will be allowed. 

REFEREES: The referee's judgment, with regard to the physical conditions of the field and its acceptance for play, to the actual happenings and occurrences related to the conduct of the game, and those prerogatives granted to the referee by the "Laws of the Game" as published by FIFA, shall not be challenged.

HOME TEAM: 

• The Home Team will be the team that appears first on the game schedule. 
• The Home Team is responsible for supplying the game ball, which will be subject to referee approval. 
• If a color conflict is declared by the referee, the Home Team will be required to switch to an alternate jersey. 
• Both teams’ benches will be located on the same side of the field. Parents are instructed to sit on the opposite side of the field, directly opposite their team’s player bench. 
• The Home Team has the option to choose which half of the field their team bench will occupy.

FORFEITS: Teams failing to report ready to play at game time, or teams failing to check in at the mandatory check-in, will forfeit the game(s). Forfeits will be recorded as 1-0 game. Winner will be awarded 8 points

SCORING FOR ADVANCEMENT: Teams shall be awarded points on the following basis:

• 6 points for each win
• 3 points for each tie
• 0 points for each loss
• 1 point for each goal scored, up to a maximum of three (3) per game
• 1 point is awarded for a shutout (a zero-zero tie is a shutout)
• 8 points for each forfeit
• 1 penalty point will be subtracted for each player or coach ejection.

In the event of a tie for advancement, the winner will be determined in the following order:

1. The winner in head-to-head competition
2. Fewest goals against (6 goals max)
3. Goal Differential (4 goals max)
4. Most goals for (4 goals max)
5. If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 4 above in the Preliminary rounds ONLY, a coin flip will be used for advancement.
6. FIFA Penalty Kicks will be taken in semifinal and final games.

There is no tie-breaker benefit for scores larger than a 4-goal differential. In the event of a lopsided game, coaches are encouraged to manage the game in a sporting manner to the best of their ability to prevent large goal differences. Thank you.

PENALTY KICKS: Only the players on the field at the end of the regular game. NO OVERTIME. Final and semi-final games only participate in penalty kicks.

REFUND POLICY: For teams withdrawing from the tournament prior to the entry deadline or teams not accepted into the tournament, a full refund will be provided. NO REFUNDS will be issued after teams have been notified of their acceptance into the tournament. In the event that the tournament is canceled due to weather, Acts of God, or any other circumstances beyond our control, a percentage of the tournament fee will be refunded to the teams after covering tournament costs.

ADDITIONAL RULES:  

• Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited at the tournament sites.
• Pets are not allowed on any of the fields.
• This is a smoke-free environment, and smoking is not permitted at any of the fields.
• After each game, please pick up the trash on your sideline and place it in one of the provided receptacles.
• Help us keep the games on time by immediately collecting your belongings 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.

GENERAL INFORMATION HEADQUARTERS: 

• Tournament headquarters will be located onsite.
• Standings will be available online through GotSport.
• Awards will be presented in the designated awards area.
• Parking at the SoCal Complex incurs a fee, and both cash and cards are accepted.
• Food vendors and a general store are available on-site.
• Additionally, we pay referee fees.

TRAINERS AND FIELD MARSHALS: The tournament will supply Field Marshals and Athletic Trainers to provide a safe experience for all players. Field layout maps will be posted around the facility indicating the location of these individuals.

FIELD SET-UP: The tournament will provide canopies and benches for the teams on their sidelines.

The Tournament Director will have the Final decision on any exceptions to the above Tournament Rules or game adjudication.