PREMIER CUP – TOURNAMENT RULES 

FIFA RULES as modified by USYSA, CYSA-S will apply, and as modified herein. 

PROTESTS: No protests will be allowed. The Tournament Director (s) shall settle all disputes. 

CREDENTIALS: All CYSA teams must provide a team roster, laminated 2008-2009 USYSA player ID cards, and a medical release form for each player.  2007-2008 USYSA player cards will be accepted, but MIXED years cards will not be accepted.  Travel papers for out-of-state teams must be presented at check-in. 

ROSTERS: Teams may add up to 4 loan players to their existing roster, but all rosters are limited to a maximum of 14 players for U-10 and younger, and a maximum of 18 players for U-11 and older, including loan players. A player may play on only one (1) team during the entire tournament. 

CHECK-IN: Teams shall check-in at the MANDATORY REGISTRATION pursuant to application and acceptance notifications. Mandatory check-in is tbd for all participants. Failure to check-in will result in automatic disqualification from the tournament, unless other arrangements are made by the manager and tournament director(s). 

CONDUCT: All coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, bench, friends and spectators at all times. 

SUSPENDED GAMES: If, in the opinion of game officials, a game must be terminated due to misconduct of players, bench or spectators, the offending team could be suspended from further play and forfeit all points and position previously earned. Additionally, the home league and state association would be contacted as appropriate.

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS: A player or coach receiving two yellow cards in a single game is considered the same as having been given a red card. A player given a red card or two yellow cards in one game shall be expelled from that game, shall not be replaced, and shall serve a minimum of a one game suspension at their next game played. A coach expelled from a game shall serve a minimum of a one game suspension at their next game played. For fragrant violations, longer suspensions may be enforced based on mandatory review by the Tournament Director. 

SUBSTITUTIONS: Unlimited substitutions are allowed in all age groups including over-times. However, teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission and only at the following times in accordance with the following:

1. Prior to a throw-in in your favor.

2. Prior to a goal kick by either team.

3. After a goal by either team.

4. After the referee stops play for an injury, a coach may substitute for the injured player only.

5. During half-time.

6. On a caution, only the cautioned player may be substituted at that time.

 HOME TEAMS: The home team appears first on the game schedule. The home team will supply the game ball, subject to referee approval. The home team will be required to switch to an alternate jersey if the referee declares a color conflict and will have the selection of the touch line from which they will play. In the event of restricted space on one or both touch lines, teams may play from the same touch line subject to the discretion of the site coordinator.

FORFEITS & BYES: Games not played will be classified as “Forfeits and Byes”. All forfeits will be a 1-0 game, with the winner receiving 8 points. All teams must field a minimum of 7 players for the entire game. A team will forfeit if:

1. They fail to check-in at the mandatory registration.

2. They are the Home Team and fail to have an alternate jersey when required.

3. They fail to report ready to play within 5 minutes of scheduled kick-off time.

If a team forfeits one game, their score for the forfeited game shall be changed to 1-0 loss. 

PLAYING TIMES: Play will be based on halves as specified below. 

DIV            PRELIMS                      SEMIS                        FINALS           OT & QTRS

U8-10             20 mins.*                      20 mins.                        25 mins.              2-5 mins

U11-12            25 mins.*                      25 mins.                        30 mins.                 2-5 mins

U13-14            25 mins.*                      25 mins.                        35 mins.                 2-5 mins

U15-16             30 mins.*                      35 mins.                        40 mins.                2-10 mins.

U17-19             30 mins.*                      35 mins.                        45 mins.                2-10 mins.

*Running clock no added injury time. Time begins at scheduled game time whether teams are prepared or not. Second will begin five minutes after first half has ended. 

All preliminary games shall terminate 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game regardless of the amount of time played in each half up to that point. A game is “complete” upon completion of one half of play regardless of the circumstances of termination. Results shall be based on the score at termination unless termination was caused by the willful act of one of the participating teams, its coaches, or fans. In such cases, the offending team shall forfeit and may be removed from the tournament. 

Preliminary games can end in a tie. Quarter-final and Semi-final games tied at the end of regulation shall immediately proceed to kicks from the mark (Penalty Spot).  FINALS, if tied at the end of regulation, shall proceed to a “Sudden-Victory”, “Golden Goal” over-time, where the first goal wins the game. If still tied after over-time, the teams will proceed to kicks from the mark (Penalty Spot). In Semi-final and final games, injury time may be added at the option of the tournament officials.

HALF-TIME: Half-time will be no more than 5 minutes. 

DETERMINING WINNERS: Teams shall be awarded points on the following basis: 

Six (6) points for each win.
         Three (3) point for each tie.
         Zero (0) points for each loss.
         One (1) point for each goal scored (max. of 3 points).
         One (1) point for each shutout.
         Minus 1 point for each player or coach ejected.
Note:  A 0-0 tie will be scored as 4 points.