JV Tournament RULES

GAME PLAY
All matches will be played in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game. Rules and/or interpretations provided by SCHSL in accordance with NFHS Standards. 

GAME DURATION & FORMAT

  • Games will consist of two (2) 25 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime.
  • No extra time will be played in the first three contest for each team.
  • Officials will keep official time on the field and there is no allowance for stoppage time.
  • All games must begin precisely on schedule and the teams must be on the field ready for play at kick-off time. Any team not ready for play delaying the game start by 10 minutes will constitute an immediate forfeit for that team. This includes playoff games.
  • Game Balls will be provided by the Home Team and must be within acceptable regulations deemed by the match officials. Size 5 only.

PLAYER EQUIPMENT

  • Shin guards must be worn at all times by all players.
  • A player is not allowed to wear any jewelry (earrings, watches, necklaces etc.)
  • Medical tags and bracelets must be taped to the body.
  • In the case of similar or identical jerseys, the designated home team (the team listed first on the schedule) will change jerseys.
  • Players wearing casts or protective equipment are allowed to play with the approval of the referee.

TEAM FIELD POSITION
At all fields, team’s players, coaches and spectators will take position on opposite sides of the field. Spectators will sit in the stadium stands behind their respective team. All players/coaches will take a position on the field in front of their fans. On the non-stadium fields, spectators will sit on the same side as their teams but be separated by midfield. Players/coaches on one half, players/coaches and spectators must stay at least one yard behind the touchline when positioned on the field. Players/coaches are expected to stay in the general position of player/coach bench area.

PLAYER, COACH, & SPECTATOR BEHAVIOR

  • All players, coaches and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the letter as well as the spirit of the Laws of the Game. The referees working the matches in the tournament are experienced and will apply the Laws as they interpret them in the flow of the matches. Player, coach or spectator dissent will not be tolerated and will be dealt with as necessary.
  • Players, coaches or spectators ejected from a match will be banned (out of sight and sound of the playing area) from the team’s current and next scheduled match.
  • Player, coaches and spectators ejected from a match for fighting may be banned from the remainder of the tournament by the Tournament Director.
  • The Tournament Director reserves the right to ban any team from further competition if the behavior of the team’s players, coaches or spectators creates an atmosphere where further competition cannot take place within the letter as well as the spirit of the Laws of the Game.
  • Each coach is responsible for the behavior of players, parents and spectators of their team.

FORMAT FOR PLAYOFFS

  • Each team will play three games with a fourth game being a playoff game based on Division Standings.
  • In a six team division, there are two groups of three teams. Teams play each team in their group plus one crossover game.
  • At the end of the three games, teams in each group will be ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and play their opposite finisher from the other group.
  • First in Group A will play First in Group B for the Championship. Second place finishers in each Group will play for Third and Third Place group
  • In an eight team division, the teams are in groups of four playing the teams in your group first.
  • The results of these games will determine your placement 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in your group.
  • For playoffs, first in each group will play for the championship, second in each group for 3rd place, etc.
  • All championship games will have the same duration as all previous games but cannot end in a tie.
  • If teams are tied after regulation time, teams will play two 5 minute extra periods (no golden goal).
  • If a winner is not determined after extra time, the result will be decided using Penalty Kicks in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the game format.
  • Players do not need to be on the field at the end of the game to participate in Penalty Kicks
  • There is no overtime or penalty kicks for the consolation games played at the fields on Sunday afternoon.

SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutes are unlimited, but made only at the following times:

  • Throw in by team in possession
  • Goal kick by either team
  • After a goal
  • Half-time
  • At the beginning of an overtime period
  • After a player receives a caution (yellow card)
  • For any injured players
  • All substitutions, should take place from the halfway line and substitutes should not enter the field until the player they are replacing has reached the touchline.

SCORE REPORTING
The referees and/or field marshals will report scores to the site headquarters after each match. Text results to Christian at 803-928-4350 or Matt 413-265-4720

TOURNAMENT POINT SYSTEM
All preliminary divisional matches can end in a tie. At the conclusion of round robin and/or divisional play (including crossover matches), teams will be ranked in their playing group based on points earned from wins and ties only. Teams will be awarded points during divisional play based on match results as follows:

  • 6 Points for a WIN
  • 3 Point for a TIE
  • 0 Points for a LOSS
  • 1 point per goal scored up to a maximum of three points
  • 1 point awarded for a shutout.
  • Examples: a 3-0 win accumulates 10 total points for the winner; a 5-2 win accumulates 9 points for the winner and 2 points for the loser.
  • FAIR PLAY SYSTEM – If a team wins a game with a goal difference greater than 7 goals, they will receive a 1 point deduction from their victory. For example, an 8-0 win would normally be 10 points but would now be reduced to 9 for violation of the fair play rule. A 9-1 result would be only 8 points as well. Every effort is made by the Tournament to create a balanced and competitive atmosphere. It is up to the coaches to handle unbalanced games with class and dignity and provide a positive learning experience for everyone involved.

TIE BREAKERS
Any situation in which two or more teams have the same number of points, the tie will be broken by using the following criteria in the following order, one after the other as needed:

  • Most points
  • Deductions for violation of the Fair Play System
  • Winner of head to head competition. If teams tied or split their matches, then; Goal Differential (Maximum + or – 3 goals/game). Example: 15–0 = 3-0 (+3); 8–1 = 4–1 (+3); 2–4 = 2-4 (-2)
  • Fewest goals allowed
  • Most goals scored
  • Coin toss by the Tournament director, or their delegate.

FORFEITS
A forfeit shall be awarded if a team is not present and prepared to play within ten (10) minutes of its scheduled match time. The score for a forfeited match will be 3-0. If a team forfeits but still have enough points to advance, they will be allowed to advance.

INCLEMENT WEATHER OR OTHER UNCONTROLLABLE CIRCUMSTANCES
Regardless of weather conditions teams are expected to arrive for their scheduled match, failure to do so will result in a forfeiture of the match. Only the Tournament Director can postpone the match. Game officials may stop a match based on field and weather conditions. In the case of extreme weather the Tournament Director may cancel any or all matches. If severe weather were to occur after the beginning of play the center referee or Tournament Director, may reduce the length of the match or cancel the match altogether. Additionally, the Tournament Director may reduce the length of the match by as much as 50% because of weather or field conditions. Should a match in progress be terminated due to weather or field conditions, the match will be considered official if at least the first half of competition has been completed. The score at that time will stand. For other matches, rescheduling attempts will be made as fairly as possible, considering referee and field availability and normal progress of the competition. As a final solution, it may be necessary to employ other means to determine the outcome of the match in which case the match will be scored 1-0. In cases of extreme heat, the Tournament committee shall mandate a water break for all teams. If this ‘water break’ order is issued, all referees will be informed that this is an across the board break for all teams participating.

FINAL INTERPRETATIONS, DECISIONS & PROTEST
The Tournament Director will make final interpretations of any and all tournament rules and/or tie breaking decisions. NO PROTESTS ALLOWED!

DISCLAIMER
Neither the Tournament Director, Irmo High School or District 5 are responsible for any expense incurred by any team in the event the tournament is cancelled, postponed, or suspended in whole or in part or in the event the matches are discontinued or cancelled due to reasons beyond our control.
The Tournament Director reserves the right to combine age groups and/or levels of play in order to complete brackets if necessary.

TEAM CONTACT
Prior to the first game, each team must provide the mobile phone number of the coach and team manager, so that these individuals may be contacted if circumstances require it. Be sure the team contact is someone who can be reached at any time.

PLEASE NOTE
This is a competitive event, however, it is a developmental event. Please enjoy the games, encourage your children and most of all be good sports.