Tournament Rules

RULES OF THE BRIDGEWATER KICK-OFF CLASSIC

GENERAL

FIFA rules shall prevail except as specifically modified in these tournament rules.

The tournament shall not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team or club if the tournament is cancelled in whole or in part. If circumstances require the tournament to be cancelled before the start of play a minimum refund of 70% will be made. Otherwise, the tournament entrance fee is non-refundable after acceptance into the tournament. Valid drivers license required to operate a golf cart. No alcoholic beverages, smoking or pets are allowed at any tournament site.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the tournament.

The Tournament Committee's interpretation of the rules and regulations shall be final.

The Tournament Committee shall comprise the Tournament Director and such other individuals as the Tournament Director may appoint.

TEAM ELIGIBILITY

Competition is open to teams registered with their respective USSF state, provincial, or national association. Teams must have a copy of the permission to travel signed by the association, if appropriate.

Each full-sided team will be allowed a maximum of 18 players, small-sided teams a maximum of 16 players. Player passes authorized by the appropriate soccer association will be verified via team registration. Additionally, player passes may be checked before each match at the discretion of the field marshal or referee.

The tournament is open to club teams only and no tournament teams will be allowed. NO Guest Players will be allowed.

MATCHES

All matches will begin promptly at the scheduled time unless otherwise specified. Coaches for competing teams shall remain on the same side of the field during the time the match is in progress. Spectators will be on the touchline opposite the teams. The home team (the team listed first in the schedule) has choice of side and shirt color. The away team will kick-off the first half. Coaches must stay within their technical area 5 to 15 yards from the halfway line and 2 yards from the touchline whether that area is marked or not.

If there is no referee present within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time, the match will proceed with a volunteer referee until such time as the assigned referee arrives. In any event, the score stands.

If no assistant referees are supplied by the tournament for a game, the referee may obtain one volunteer from each team to serve as linesmen at his/her discretion. These volunteers are not permitted to coach from the touchline.

No protests of game results will be allowed for any reason.

When uniform colors are similar, the designated home team (the team listed first in the schedule) will have the choice of uniform colors. Goalkeepers must not wear colors that are similar to those of their teammates, opponents, or the referee.

Hard casts are NOT allowed. Players with soft casts can play with the permission of the referee.

Game Duration

7v7 – 40 Mins (2 x 20min halves) game ball size 4

9v9 – 50 Mins (2 x 25min halves) game ball size 4

11v11 – 60 Min (2 x 30 min halves) game ball size 5

Build Out Line Rules 
On a goal kick , a defensive free kick inside the penalty area, or when the goalkeeper has possession of the ball with their hands, the opposing team must move behind the build-out line until the ball is put back into play. 

The goalkeeper can pass, throw, or roll the ball to put it back into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed). 

On a goal kick or when the goalkeeper has possession of the ball with their hands, the opposing team may cross the build-out line when 
■ The goalkeeper changes possession from their hand to play the ball with their feet 
■ A second touch is made by another player on the goalkeeper's team. 
■ The ball comes to a complete stop, or 4. the ball crosses the buildout line.

U11 Age Groups and Younger – Deliberately Heading the Ball 

Players in U11 and younger age groups may not deliberately head the ball in soccer matches. 

If a player deliberately heads the ball and the ball remains in play, the referee will immediately stop play and restart with an indirect free kick. 

If a player deliberately heads the ball and the ball immediately goes out of play, the referee will restart in accordance as to how the ball went out of play (throw-in, goal kick, corner kick) 

If a player is inadvertently struck in the head with the ball, there is no rule infraction. However, if the referee deems the player to be injured the referee will immediately stop play, have the player removed and restart with a drop ball. 

In all cases the referee will assess the player to determine if the player is injured. 

Notes: 
A goal may not be scored against an opponent by deliberately heading the ball. 

Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity does NOT apply to heading the ball as this action is NOT a foul. 

Referees will enforce these rules for the U11 age groups and younger. It is the responsibility of the team’s coach/manager to ensure any player aged 10 or younger who may be “playing up” will not head the ball during the game.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Unlimited substitutions are allowed at any stoppage with the referee’s permission. Substitute must be ready at the midfield line. Referees may deny substitutions if they appear to be for the purpose of wasting time at the end of a match.

CONCUSSION PREVENTION & PROTOCOL

There will be no heading of the ball for U8 through U11. Deliberate heading at these ages will be penalized with an indirect free kick.

Coaches are urged to substitute any player that has or may have a head injury. Referees will have the discretion to require a player with a head injury and/or suspected concussion to be substituted and take no further part in the match.

TOURNAMENT SCORING

Points shall be awarded as follows to determine the standings for U10 and older age groups. There will be NO standings or tie breakers for U9 and younger:

WIN: 3 POINTS

TIE: 1 POINT

LOSS: 0 POINTS

In case of a tie on points within the flight, the following priority shall be used to determine the final standings:

1. Most wins

2. Head-to-head competition (only if a two-way tie, otherwise omit)

3. Goal Differential (Goal differential to a maximum of (5) per game)

4. Fewest total goals against

5. Total goals scored 

6. Penalty kick shoot-out as governed by FIFA rules (This only applies to U11 and older age)

FAILURE TO SHOW AND FORFEITS

The minimum number of players (including a goalkeeper) are as follows: 7v7 – 5 players; 9v9 - 6 players; 11v11 – 7 players. A team that fails to field the minimum number of players at the scheduled start time will forfeit the match. Any team that forfeits a match will not be eligible to win a flight championship or trophies.

Teams winning by forfeit shall be awarded three (3) points for the win and be awarded the maximum of three (3) bonus points.

Awards
Trophies or medals will be awarded for first place only in each age group from U10 and older.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to modify the tournament and its rules as necessary for the fair and orderly conduct of the tournament and specifically to make the following changes in the event of inclement weather:

relocate and/or reschedule a match,

reduce scheduled duration of matches,

cancel matches having no impact on age group award winners,

cancel all or part of the tournament for the safety of the players.

Should a game be terminated early due to weather conditions the score on termination will stand.

A game canceled in its entirety, and unable to be rescheduled, will be considered a 0-0 tie.

CONDUCT

Players, coaches and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Displays of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and the field area. Severe misconduct will result in players or entire teams being asked to leave the tournament without refund.

Red Cards: A player or coach receiving a red card must sit out the next game and the offense must be reported immediately to the Tournament Director or Assistant Director who may take any additional action deemed appropriate. Anyone receiving two red cards will be ineligible for further participation in the tournament.

Yellow Cards: Two yellow cards given to the same player or coach in one game shall result in the same penalty as the issuance of a red card.

In accordance with USSF Rules, the issuance of all red and yellow cards and other matters involving the conduct of a team, its players, coaches or supporters will be recorded by the Tournament Committee and reported immediately following the tournament to the home state association and the home club/league. The home state association and the home club/league shall have the responsibility for imposing, should the circumstances warrant, additional sanctions, within their respective jurisdictions, with regard to any matters arising from the tournament.